Budapest is always beautiful but I love it the most in spring. If you arrive here in this season, we have some tips for you how to bring out the most of your trip.
1. Bring your most comfy shoes ;)
The city centre here in Budapest is not so enormous, so if you would like to take your time and enjoy every minute while sightseeing, I recommend you to put on your most comfy shoes and walk. Start at Deak Square or Vörösmarty Square, and explore the famous Váci Street. After that, cross the Danube on the Chain Bridge and admire the city from the Buda-side. I recommend you to take a walk on Andrássy Boulevard, too - from Deak Square you can get to the Hungarian State Opera, but if you love long walks, even to Heroes’ Square or Széchenyi Bath. If you are at the bath, enjoy a coffee there and don’t miss to stroll in City Park. Well, you will absolutely need these comfy shoes, won’t you? ;)
2. Terraces and outdoor cafés are waiting for you
In Budapest, trying old, historical cafés, confectionaries and new spots is a must. You definitely shouldn’t diet here… ;) But why staying indoors, if more and more places have terraces or outdoor sections? If the weather is nice, choose a nice spot where you can enjoy your coffee and cake in the fresh air. One of my favourites is Komédiás at Operetta Theatre (nice area with interesting people, for ex. artists and musicians) but I can also suggest you to try a sympathetic café near the Danube Bank and enjoy the panorama. After that, visiting a ruin pub can be a nice evening program – some of these also have outdoor sections already.
3. Spring Festival is coming up
This year, the 38th annual Budapest Spring Festival (BSF) is offering more than 150 cultural programs at 40 venues across Budapest. Their offer includes classical concerts, operas, jazz and folk concerts, theatre productions, folk dance performances and a lot more. Are you interested? See you at one of these interesting programs between March 30 and April 22.
4. Children’s Railway
If the weather is nice, you might get in the excursion mode, am I right? If yes, let me recommend you a really unique experience: Children’s Railway (Gyermekvasút). It is located in the Buda Mountains, and you will see that on the trains, all the persons operating the line – except for the driver – are children between 10-14. They are very happy and polite, it is a special honour for them to work there. And of course they work under the supervision of adults. This excursion can be fun if you come to Budapest with kids but I usually go there with my friends and it is always one of our best spring adventure. ;)
5. Excursions to Szentendre, Vác, Esztergom
If you want to continue the excursions, let me recommend you some one-day trips. The Danube Bend, North from Budapest offers wonderful natural landscape, with the castle of Visegrád on top of the hills. One day for exploring this area can be enough, if you hire a car. Vác, Esztergom and Szentendre are also worth visiting, these three towns can be seen in one day by car. The towns of the Danube Bend can also be reached by ship cruises, which is also fun.
In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if you can’t try all the program tips because the most important thing is to enjoy your trip in Budapest. ;)