From dusk till dawn, the memories remain.: Budapest, "Paris of the East"

One hour flight from Sofia, Bulgaria - I'm here in Budapest, the "Paris of the East".

The first thing you need to do at the airport: you should buy the ticket based on how many days you will spend in Budapest. The better option is to buy travel card. They have 24-hour travelcard which is Valid for 24 hours after purchase for HUF1,650. Also 72-hour travelcard which is Valid for 72 hours after purchase. HUF4,150. Both of this travel card can be used for Airport Bus 200E. So having that, you don't need to buy separate ticket for airport transfer. You can also opt for block of 10 single tickets for HUF3000 - so its really depends on your usage, it's your choice :) You may find the ticket counter at the arrival level. You won't missed this.

Notes: For this single ticket, you have to validate before boarding else you will get fines. For travel card, you don't need to. Just show your ticket to the Ticket Controller and you're good to go.

72-hour ticket

Public Transport - From the airport, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport - the main public transit connection to the city is to take bus 200E. This 200E bus will bring you to metro M3 (blue line) 'Kobánya-Kispest' (~25 minutes). Then you could take M3 to continue within the metro system which will take around (~20-30 minutes to city centre). The bus stops right next to the metro stop.

200E Bus: You may find this bus outside of the arrival hall

All attractions are mostly within the reach of public transport. Below are some of the place you should visit when visiting Budapest:

Hungarian Parliament Building
M2 stops at Kossuth Lajos Tér, it stop right next to the Parliament Building. I came here every day - just don't ask me why. And every time I came, it never failed to make fall in love with them again and again. It is just magnificent building no matter how many time I look at it. And you'll definitely have to come during night time. The view are just splendid and spectacular - trust me.

Shoes on the Danube Promenade:

From Parliament, you can just walk to the promenade where you could find this memorial.

It was very poignant feelings: 👠 Shoes 👞 on the Danube Promenade. 60 pairs of iron shoes pointed toward the river of Danube. Tragic story lies behind this memorial. Hundred of Jews in Budapest were rounded up on the banks before brutally shots by arrows into the river which would then carry them away during the Second World War. They were forced to remove their shoes as they were a valuable commodity during the war. In the memory of those who lost their lives, this memorial was erected. Different type of shoes and size can be seen, man’s work boot, loafers, woman’s pair of heels, tiny shoes of a child, showing that nobody was spared - not men, women, and children. 😭

Girl from Buda & Gresham Castle

You won't missed this statue. A golden girl statue called “Girl from Buda” can be found at the Pest’s riverfront where scenic Buda meets lively Pest. If you were passing Széchenyi Chain Bridge, you wouldn't missed this. Btw, this is my diet goals. 😹😹😹

Gresham Castle
Behind this statue was Gresham Castle. This building is an example of Art Nouveau architecture which used as an office and apartment building back then, but today it was turned into one of the luxurious hotel in Budapest.

Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Buda Castle Hill Funicular, Buda Hills, Buda Castle

This famous brigde can be seen from almost everywhere from the Danube embankment. Four stone lions taken their place at the edge of the bridge. The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the first permanent connection between Buda and Pest. Take a stroll from Pest to Buda. You could get nice panoramic scenery from this bridge. Especially the Parliament, and Buda Castle. This bridge will brought you to the Buda side. You could take a little walk to the Buda Castle or you can also opt for Funicular to go up.

Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion
From Buda Castle, you can just walk to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. The view of Pest from here are promising too. The architecture of both building are beautiful, I just can't get my eyes off them.

Matthias Church also known as The Church of Our Lady. This church dominates the skyline of Buda's Castle Hill with the gleaming Matthias Tower. With its colorful roof tiles often than not, absolutely will catches everyone eyes. This church is over 700 years old and is one of the oldest buildings in Buda. It was used as a coronation church by Hungarian kings for centuries. During the Turkish conquest, soon after Buda was captured, the church became the city’s main mosque.

As for Fisherman’s bastion, it is more like a fancy terrace than a fortification or a castle wall with lookout towers on the base. It provides beautiful panoramic view terrace and serve as a perfect lookout point in any weather to the views of the Pest side sights. 💗 Somehow, it feels like you’re walking in your fairytale dreams🧚‍♀️

On your way back, don't forget to stop by at Ruszwurm. You simply cannot leave Budapest without trying their Hungarian Cream Cakes. Ruszwurm Cream Cake is their signature in this cafe🍰. The recipe are from 19th century. Indeed, it was delicious and sweet, just like love 💗.

Gellért Baths & Gellért Hill Cave/SziklaTemplom

Use M4 and stop at Szent Gellért tér. From here, you could enjoy a nice view of 'Liberty Bridge'.

Citadella & Liberty Statue
From Gellert Hill, you could reach Citadella too but I gave up half way. The climb is too much for me, or I'm just lazy. So I decided to take an alternative way.

From Szent Gellért tér, take either one of these Tram 19/41/47/49/56A and stop at Móricz Zsigmond körtér Metro. From there, kindly open your eyes big-big to find the bus number 27. The bus stop at the foothills and you have to walk a little bit to reach Citadella. Plenty of stalls selling the souvenirs.

The view from Citadella never disappoint everyone.

Dohány Street Synagogue
The Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as the Great Synagogue. It is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. Just 5 minutes walking distance from Deák Ferenc tér.

St. Stephen’s Basilica
From Deák Ferenc tér, you could walk to St Stephen Basilica, and you will pass a small market place where people selling many type of souvenirs.