The next morning we got up bright and early grabbed a brekky of delicious ham and cheese pastries before embarking on a walking tour. We managed to score a great guide who was really passionate about the city and was really engaging with a large group. We were pretty lucky with the weather so it was great to wander the city in the sunshine and see all the sights. We wandered along the Danube and learnt about the history of city before making our way through the Jewish Quarter and past St Stephens Cathedral. From there we make our way up to the Royal Palace for a gorgeous view of the city.
We had heard there were fresh food markets just near the river so after a great tour we jumped on a bus back to the city centre. Or so we thought! We actually ended up in some random bus depot on the wrong area of town. After asking a random stranger who didn't speak English and going into a Starbucks to ask directions we finally made it to the markets. They were a bit disappointing in the end as there wasn't much that we wanted unless we were going to be doing our weekly grocery shop.
It did succeed in making us hungry though and we found a restaurant that served a cheap meal and decided to try the local beer and local food. Goulash, schnitzel and paprika chicken were all really yummy and I can vouch the beer is delicious!
After a 'quick' two hour nap at the hostel we decided to head out and experience the famous nightlife. We'd heard about all the pubs in the Jewish Quarter and aimed to hit up a ruin pub. We had a few drinks, watched some soccer and then grabbed a delicious pizza before finding the ruin pubs. The ruin pubs are pretty much exactly like their name. They are rambly old buildings full of eccelctic junk and random rooms. You can find them anywhere and they certainly don't look like pubs! They also sell cheap drinks and have a great atmosphere. So needless to stay we stayed for awhile to check the place out.
The next day after a wee bit of a sleep in we decided that we would visit the Commmunisim Museum that had been recommended by a friend. It was interesting but frustrating as there wasn't much in English which made it hard to really enjoy it but was good to learn a little bit about the city's history. From there it was onto St Stephens Catherdal which is a gorgeous building with an even more gorgeous view from the top. Thankfully there is a lift so there wasn't much climbing involved but even if I had climbed all the way it would be worth it.
By a coincidence another good friend was in Budapest at the same time and we had been missing each other at different parts of the city all day. So after the cathederal we decided to meet up on an island in the middle of the river. The island is a hub of acitvity with a running track around it and you can hire bikes to ride around. You can also hire little golf cart cars and for 6 quid for half an hour I couldn't resist. We jumped in and it wasn't until we were about to set off that I realised I was driving on the wrong side of the car AND of the wrong side of the road. This caused a little mayhem and Lauren had to keep reminding me to get back on the right side of the road. The car was so slow that at one point we were being overtaken by people riding a peddal car! Laura and her friend Allenie arrived as I was still driving so I picked them up and took them on a spin around the roundabout - about six times.
Our activities didn't end there and we decided to head up another mountain for a great view. It was a pretty steep walk for someone so unfit but was a great view up the top!
We were exahusted but managed to get enough energy to hit the town again. My housemates had recommended an all you can eat and drink restuarant in town. So for 13 pounds we had lots to eat and lots and lots to drink. From there it was onto a different ruin pub for more drinks.
Since we had ticked off most of what we wanted to see our final day in Budapest was spent at the Spas. There are a few different spas around the city but we went to one that is located in a park and is one of the most popular. The weather was still a bit nippy but thankfully the spa's were nicely heated. We pretty much stayed in the water for about 3 hours just chatting and lazing around and it was the perfect way to finish a great holiday!
Budapest has so much to offer that you can't not like it! It is definitely in my Top 5 cities to visit and just reminded me how much I love eastern Europe and how little of it I have seen!
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