Traveling Through Europe: Budapest I

We have arrived at the best part of the trip!  They always say, “save the best for last”, which is exactly what we did on this trip!  it was actually an accident, and only ended up in Budapest as our final city because the flights were cheaper that way, but I am so happy it worked out like that!  I hope, through what I write and my pictures, that you will see why Budapest was my favorite and you will make it a point to visit one day.

In case you missed it, here are the previous posts:

Budapest was our third and final city on this 10 day trip, and I am so happy to say that we ended on a high note.DSC_0990

A VERY VERY VERY high note!DSC_0919

Budapest was my (our) favorite city of three, even though almost everyone said Prague would be our favorite.  Of course, Prague and Vienna were beautiful and unique in their own ways, but Budapest was incredible.DSC_0890

Not only did it have the beauty, but it also had present-day LIFE that we didn´t really see in Prague nor Vienna.  There was a really great mix of locals and tourists and the city was completely full of places to sit and relax.  It had it all- history, museums, places to see, incredible restuarants, parks, nature, natural thermal pools, and MORE.DSC_0901

We were blown away by the number of pedestrian streets, as well as the beer gardens, food truck halls, and artsy feel to just about everything.  Budapest is a city I would go back to, and given a choice of the three, it is the one I would choose to live.DSC_0054

From the ancient baths, to the beer gardens, to the Chain bridge connecting Buda and Pest, to the hundreds of unique and modern restuarants, Budapest has so much to offer.  Here is what we did in two and a half days!

Day one:DSC_0890

Arrived, found AirBnB, went food shopping so I could curb my meat and bread diet.  Luckily, we got a great AirBnB that was RIGHT in the center of town.  it was a new AirBnB, so we got it fairly cheap and the location couldn´t have been better.  After food shopping, we went exploring!

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First, we headed out of our AirBnB to see what was around with the ultimate goal of crossing the Chain Bridge and heading over to Buda (the smaller side).DSC_0953

According to Wikipedia, the Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the River Danube between Buda and Pest (the western and eastern sides of Budapest).

On our way to the bridge, we came across a huge… I don´t know how to explain it….outdoor arena with food and drinks for sale and a HUGE outdoor screen to watch the Eurocup games.DSC_0901

This was just one of the many “outdoor arenas” that we came across in Budapest, which I think is awesome.  The city was full of people sitting in the sunshine with friends out and enjoying life.DSC_0906 DSC_0918

(MOM–  I know I need a haircut in the above photo)

Much more my type of city.  We meanedered through the city, which both felt “touristy”, but also like it had a lot of local life.  Does that make sense?DSC_0912

Eventually, we crossed the bridge, which had some crazy wind!DSC_0938

And made it over to BUDA!DSC_0968

The Buda Castle (historical castle and palace of Hungarian kings, first completed in 1265) sits at the top of Buda, and to get up there, you have the option to take a funicular (cable car) for 4 Euros or…. you can walk up.DSC_0971

If you have legs and can deal with moderate exhaustion for 5 minutes, you should walk up!DSC_0013 DSC_0974

We followed a few Mexican guys…DSC_0973

who appeared to know what they were doing, and we made it up there- safe and sound.DSC_0981 Doesn´t take long at all and you can spend your 4 Euros on a liter of beer.

The views are worth it.

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SO WORTH IT.DSC_0997 (1) DSC_0989IMG_4668

And then I proceeded to take around 500 more photos of the same sunset.  And now here is the only one I like:DSC_0012

We walked around the Buda Castle grounds while arguing about whether or not it´s possible for Kim Kardashian to rent the Buda Castle for her wedding.  What do you think?  Leave your vote in the comments!  The sunset was amazing from the other side, as well.DSC_0023 DSC_0024

We walked around more…DSC_0028 DSC_0031 DSC_0036

And then eventually re-crossed the bridge to go hunt and gather some dinner.DSC_0065 (1) DSC_0066

These burgers were too good.DSC_0071 (1)

Chicken patty, tsatziki sauce, lettuce, tomato, purple slaw, and magic.

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Beef burger, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, and sweet potato fries.

We took a stroll through town and then that was it!  I fell asleep in love with Budapest!!

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