Budapest in Two Days

Sign up for a bike rental at MOLBubi. A 72 hour pass will cost around 3 euros, and can be used in 30 minute increments for free, as often as you want. Bike stations are all over the city, and you can also lock it up at random places if you want.

We rented Bubi bikes to get around from our accommodation (Hotel.com for the win) and biked through the Jewish Quarter. Visit Raday Street for a hip area, and check out the Central Market Hall next to the river (for veggies, plus hot food upstairs).

These are a recent addition to the Budapest scene, and a roaring successful one at that. Ruin Pubs are giant bars that are “illegally” built into abandoned buildings. At our favorite, Szimpla Kert, the decor is shabby, eclectic and kooky and the walls are covered in graffiti. It’s huge—move from room to room to check out all the different areas. If you’re not into the loud bar scene, on Sunday mornings there’s a farmer’s market inside!

For lunch at the Central Market Hall, try a langos with sour cream and cheese on top.

At night, visit Bors Gastro Bar (right next to Szimpla Kert) for a cup of soup and a sandwich. It’s Star Wars themed, and has rotating soups. You can sit and eat outside on a cart if there’s space!

Head on over to the bottom of the Citadel hill (we biked there). It’s about a 20 minute uphill hike to the top. It’s very packed with tourists, but the views of the city are the best we encountered. And the hike up and down is amongst nature and can be nice and quiet (buses bring most tourists up).

To relax after your hike, grab a couple towels (otherwise you might have to rent them) and head on over to one of the traditional bathhouses in Budapest. We went to Széchenyi, which is in the middle of a beautiful park that’s also great for exploring. The cost is about 15 euros each, and will get you a locker and unlimited time in the baths. But beware—the place is pretty large so you may get lost if you don’t stick together!

Be sure to spend a little time in the outside pools as well. They have a mini (very mini) lazy river!

Ps. On Saturday nights after 10pm the entire place turns into a crazy pool party, if that’s your scene.

Head to the Jewish Quarter and see what catches your fancy. Try and find somewhere serving Chimney Cakes, a Hungarian speciality that’s like a cross between a cinnamon roll and a churro.