Budapest - 4.5 full days - some recommendations please

**. The Budapest History/Castle Museum on Castle Hill in Buda is a good place to start learning about Budapest’s history. ** The National Gallery of Hungary is nearby and is one of the best art museums in the city. **. Both museums are near Fisherman’s Bastion which has panoramic views looking over the Danube toward Pest. **.Szechinyi Thermal Baths are fantastic. The complex has dozens of indoor and outdoor pools of varying temperatures. And once your bathing R & R is over, by walking through Heroes Square and continuing down Andrassy Ut ( Andrassy Avenue) you’ll be able to see Budapest’s Embassy Row where many of the city’s historic mansions are located.

First, you are staying is very poignant part of town. What sets Budapest apart is its Jewish history. But be aware, depending on exactly where in District VII that you are staying, that you could also be staying in the heart of the party district.

But you did good choosing Pest. Buda is a bit of a mess these days with all of the construction. Still worth a half day visit depending on your interestes. For things like Fishermans Bastion, get there early before the crowds show up. Pest on the other hand is much more spread out and so the tourism does not seem dense except for a few choke points.

1) best museum that gives a decent oversight of the history of Budapest/Hungary ?
The Hungarian National Museum is the national museum for the history, art, and archaeology of Hungary. Located in Pest not far from the Jewish District (District VII). https://mnm.hu/en If you read what part the museum building has played in the national politics over the years, that adds to the visit.

2) best art gallery to visit ?
In addition to the National Museum I think maybe the Museum of Fine Arts which covers art from other than Hungary and the full spectrum of dates. It is at Heroe’s Square in Pest. https://www.szepmuveszeti.hu/ On the opposite side of Heroes’ Square is the Contemporary Arts Museum (Műcsarnok) which always has interesting programs and collections. https://www.mucsarnok.hu/ For the most of Hungarian artists you have to travel to Buda for the Hungarian National Gallery. https://en.mng.hu/

3) advice on which spa/bath complex to visit ?
Because you expressed an interest you have to visit at least two. Széchenyi thermal spa in the City Park and The Gellert Bath House at the end of the Szabadság híd (Liberty Bridge) in Buda. One is “of the people” the other was more popular among the upper class and reflects that in the architecture. Both good, both totally different. ANd if you get into the experience in a big way there are a couple of remaiing ottoman baths and baths of about every description imaginable. https://www.budapestgyogyfurdoi.hu/gyogyfurdok-es-strandok

4) river cruise - day or night ? meal or not ?
Definitely night for the lights. I like the meal trips as it makes the cruise longer and the longer the better. Some have entertainment on board and that’s not a bad thing. All that I have taken have been well done so you pretty much choose by food, or drink or neither or the entertainment options. Just google and they will pop up. One big name is Legenda, but Ive done others a well. https://legenda.hu/en

5) small restaurant for some authentic Hungarian food ?
Close to where you are staying is Macesz Bistro which is nice Hungarian fare. I like Kiraly100 Gastro Pub a lot too. Paprika near Heroes’s square is fun Hungarian. I will PM you some other suggestions. TexasTravelMom has a list on the forum that you could search for. Use one of the names I listed as a search term to narrow it down.

6) local bar/restaurant with live music (any type of music really) ?
I will PM you a link that has a list. Everything from Klezmer to Gypsy.

7) 'architectural' tour recommendations ?
Gotta do an Art Nouveau walk https://lovefromhungary.com/tours/budapest-art-nouveau-walk/ I havent actually used her, but she gets good reviews and a few RS types have used her, also with good reviews.

8) luggage storage - Jewish Quarter or Keleti Station ?
The Lions Locker near the Jewish District. https://www.lockerbudapest.com/ Good breakfast too. But can get a bit crowded so arrive early.

And the May list of events is here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/dec-thru-june-25 Looks like this might work for you: - Spring Festival. Dates TBD but 26 April through 11 May or starting the following week is likely. https://budapestitavaszifesztival.hu/en/a-fesztival/ and a few of the Steam Trains are running if that interests you.

small restaurant for some authentic Hungarian food ?

I also like Pörc & Prézli https://www.porcesprezli.hu/en/

Here’s the restaurant list but it’s far from comprehensive!
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/restaurants-in-budapest-revisited

For post-war history, the House of Terror provides an excellent view of the Communist era.

And since you'll be in the neighborhood, be sure to at least stick your head in at the ruin bar Szimpla Kert.

TTM, understanding the proper pronunciation of Pörc & Prézli makes eating there a little ..... but, they do have a new low fat and a new vegan menu ..... no, not really. A good place actually.

If you're going to Heroes' Square and the Varosliget (City Park) where Szechenyi baths are located, you might also like to visit the excellent Neprajzi (Ethnographic) Muzeum that is there. It is full of the arts and crafts and historical cultural traditions of the Magyars, with interesting special exhibits, and of my 6 visits to Budapest I have visited the museum 4 times, in 3 of the 5 locations it has occupied. The old building across from Parliament was the most well-suited to the collection, but they moved to the newly built building near the park in 2022.

For art, I like the Hungarian National Gallery--excellent collection of works by Hungarian artists and they get some great special exhibits, too.

Gotta check out the Ethnographic Museum next time.

Thanks!

When this city does modern architecture, it does it well.

The first 1:15 of the following chronicles the construction of the Museum of Ethnography. Then the remainder is the finished product. https://youtu.be/3jvejgD6-6o?si=rJkwVQoT8KkSBW7E The Museum of Ethnography Budapest by the Hungarian firm NAPUR Architect is what happens when a city steeped in history finds the perfect concept for the inclusion of modern architecture. This is absolutely world class architecture at its most relevant. https://www.archdaily.com/983318/museum-of-ethnography-budapest-napur-architect

Not far away and in the same park is the Hungarian House of Music. Completely different in scope, style and purpose but just as relevant to the concept of modern architecture in a traditional environment and just as much world class in the way it has responded to the broadest definition of purpose. https://youtu.be/yNzw6h3blQw?si=6D7WNIWhyBDwATem

And while you are there, stop and get a photo with the statue of George Washington that has stood since 1906 even through russian occupation. We also have one of Ron and a one of George Sr. and for some reason, Peter Faulk (and dog). From 1946 until 2011 the area at the Pest end of the Chain Bridge was known as Roosevelt tér in memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt .

Then totally unrelated is the F4 Object with above ground hints of its existence here and there. https://youtu.be/7lESb8grSvE?si=14VD2h3et300pxKa . What is interesting besides the forbidden space is why. As we did duck and cover drills in school (my generation) they did as well and for the same reasons. Many of the buildings in town still have dedicated bomb / fall out shelters. My building does (and somehow I ended up owning it).

Gotta check out the Ethnographic Museum next time.

We all have our personal interests and preferences - I found the most interesting aspect of the museum to be the exterior architecture and the "living" roof, which is worth a look, and kids would enjoy walking on it. The second most appealing feature was the cafeteria, which offers hot food, and is a great place to grab a quick meal within the park.

As for the museum itself: They have different ticket tiers which grant access to separate exhibit areas, but I was expected to know which tier I wanted. A few displays were well presented, but in other cases it was just copious amounts of various objects. There was also a pervasive political correctness which I found annoying. YMMV.

I found the quite small ethnographic museum in Krakow to be much better curated.

Thank you markcw. I am really nothing more than a long term tourist in Budapest so all the first hand information is useful. I think for every piece of advise I have given I have gotten 3 pieces from other folks in the fourm.

Back to the subject 4.5 days in Budapest

I am guessing the .5 is arrival day. What time and how (plane or train)? Then maybe I have suggestions.
Then in no particular order (depends on the day of the week actually)
1 day: Andrassy ut day. Zoo, Art Museum, Contemporary Art Museum, Heroes' square, Museum of Ethnography, Hungarian House of Music, City Park, Bath House, Andrassy ut, House of Terror, Opera Tour, Railway Museum, (as much as interests you, but you cant do it all in one day).

2 day: Jewish Budpaest and District VII. Three synagogues, Holocaust Museum, Neighborhood tour, jewish cemetery, ruin pubs, Gozsdu Courtyard, one of the smaller market halls. (as much as interests you, but you cant do it all in one day).

3 day: The corso from end to end. Great Market hall, Vaci utca, Vorosmarty ter, great coffee houses and cafes, the Parliament, the shoes on the danube, the glass house.

3 day: Buda castle district in the morning and Szentendre in the afternoon. UP on the train and back on the boat.

Evenings
1 Jazz and dinner
2 Opera or Operett theather
3 Gypsy music dinnner
4 River cruis dinner
5 Most desired food dinner.

We enjoyed a few dinners at Hungarikum Bisztró in District V. Informal, delicious meals, friendly servers and reasonably priced. Reservations were necessary when we visited ( our hotel made the call for us ).I have no problem returning to a winning choice during a week’s stay and this was a winner.

Thanks so much for everyone for your the advice. We really appreciate the time people have taken out of their day to post, not only providing us with recommendations, but so many additional things for us to consider.

Looks like whatever we don't see this time, well just have to go back for another time !!

C + E

We are interested in art/culture/history/exploring neighbourhoods/unexpected experiences.
&
small restaurant for some authentic Hungarian food ?

Put those two requests together and you have: Hentes falatozója

and I was looking for something else and I ran across this:

https://budapest-travel-tips.com/visit-budapest/budapest-museums/

Thanks again Mr.E !!!

Any chance you can suggest some simple Hungarian words/phrases that will help us during our short visit ?
We want to be respectful and at least try some pleasantries with those we meet along the way :)

C + E

The good news is that everyone you are likely to come into contact with will speak American.

I gave you a link to a document that had one page of suggestions. The problem is reading them and being able to say them. It’s an "interesting" language.

This site has a pretty good (short) list with some explanation of when to use what and a little cultural understanding. https://www.hungarianpod101.com/lesson/absolute-beginner-hungarian-for-every-day-1-top-25-hungarian-phrases?lp=72

This video is very basic but hits the essentials. https://youtu.be/e4DTcE5jk9A?si=cMRVREAJzo1E7RlV and its fun to watch his hair grow, then disappear and hear the baby cry in the background.

If you wanted to narrow it down to the essentials.

Jó napot Which some will say means good afternoon. Its really “good day” and works from the time you finish breakfast until the sun sets. It is the most common “hello” and it will get you through a full day.

köszönöm for thank you. Other forms are köszönöm szépen for thank you very much and köszi which is sort of like a quick thanks. Stick with köszönöm and you will be fine.

Viszontlátásra is goodbye. You can also do a simple viszlát with anyone your age or younger.

Igen is yes

Nem is no

EDIT FORGOT ONE!! "bor"

I am linguistically challenged, meaning I could be the only English speaker in a Spanish family for 30+ years and only learn enough Spanish to order breakfast at the local taqueria. So here, with Hungarian, I am hopeless. I just finished my second 10-hour series of private instruction. the first 10 hours the instructor failed miserably to teach me anything other than "uborka". This time I told the instructor, dont even try and teach me the language, teach me to survive. So, I can now do a fair job at reading (75% of the time, given a few minutes to figure it out) a street sign or something printed and pronounce what I am reading. No idea what it means but that isn’t always necessary.

EDIT FORGOT ANOTHER ONE viszlát ya'all used at closing time at the bar when departing the locals you met.

I second Hungarikum Bisztró for dinner, very good. Make a reservation there.

Check out the Ruin Bars especially Simpla Kert and consider the Children's Railway, a narrow gauge railway in the Buda Hills run by 10-14 year olds... easy to access by transit via tram & cog railway

i did a week in Budapest and 2nd all Mister E's recommendations! Highly recommend going to the 2 baths he mentioned among other things...

here's my trip report in case you are interested:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/a-week-in-beautiful-budapest-june-2023

One thing not mentioned here is a strudel-making class we did. Might be fun for you and your daughter!

have a great trip!