Help with Budapest Itinerary

Hard to comment much with out dates and accommodation location. The shoes on the Danube is near the parliament ... so, its a morning thing on your schedule. There is some good stuff between the Parliament and Jaszai Mari ter but depends on where you are arriving from.

I'll look at the other days tonight. Im on holiday too.

Oooops. 4 thru 10 October.

Evening: Dinner, Meet-up with Rick Steves Forum travelers, Optional nighttime views from Castle Hill or the Danube

You will be in Pest, so lights from Pest side of Danube. Unless we can get enough interest to split a van and a few bottles of wine to up near the Bastion in Buda where tge view is spectacular.

Mr. É: Don't worry about this question while you're on holiday!

I added the days/dates for each day above.

I would be up for renting a van, though I'd pass on the wine :-)

TexasTravelMom will show up to help. Shr is good at this.

Elana, I am looking forward to meeting you. My friend and I are totally up for the van to Gellert Hill after meet-up dinner also!

I am going to suggest a transportation pass (unless you are 65 and over, when it is free). You can buy it at the airport when you arrive. Your apartment is pretty close to a stop for the 4/6 tram and using it will save time and energy.

Day 2 is pretty full - but not structured, which is good. I might suggest you move the Great Market Hall to a different day, though. It’s doable, depending on how long you spend elsewhere and what time you start - but you’d want the tram to get there and back.

Day 3 afternoon, I think you could visit both, with your cafe stop in between (using trams and metro).

Day 4 feels too full (for me). I think I would move the Great Market Hall and Rudas Baths to Day 5 after Margaret Island. They are all easy to connect by tram. If you have a little free time on Day 4, pop in a cafe stop.

I love how you are leaving Day 6 mostly unscheduled so far!

As an aside, another forum friend and I have tickets to the ballet at the opera house also! (But after you leave).

I would find your day 2 overwhelming, and rather geographically diverse. Budapest is relatively compact, and transportation efficient, but the distances you intend to cover will take longer than you may have planned for. Andrassy and the sights in the park could easily fill most of the day. Print out a map and sketch your itinerary to get a sense of the amount of ground you'll be covering.

Sunday 4/10- Day 1: Arrive at airport at 1430, settle in, grocery shopping, cooking, and possibly a sunset walk.

Our grocery chain is called Spar. The one closest to you is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sPAWXUbFAashXTuc9. They aren't much to brag about. Save the serios shopping for a market hall (tomorrow).

Then, a sunset walk woukd be at 6:30pm so why dont instead you shoot for an evening lights walk. Shop, cook, then at 6pm or later you walk over to the M1 stop on Andrassy ut and ride it to the end stop at Vorosmarty ter. About 300 feet further and you are on the river and the lights of Buda are before you. The trip is maybe 15 minutes. For more lights you walk home up Andrassy ut past the Opera House. Might take 30 minutes.

Monday 5/10- Day 2 – Pest Highlights & Széchenyi Baths
Morning: Leopold Town, Parliament exterior, St. Stephen's Basilica, Liberty Square
Midday: Danube Promenade, Shoes on the Danube memorial; Great Market Hall area for lunch and browsing
Afternoon: Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square, City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle exterior
Late Afternoon & Evening: Széchenyi Baths (2-4 hours), Casual dinner, Relaxing evening

You take the M1 from Vorosmarty utca (near your flat) to the Opera stop. You walk down Andrassy to the Basilica and then through Liberty square to the Parliament and the Shoes, then the 2, 2B, 23 Tram to the promenade (Vigado ter stop). Have coffee at Duna Corso so you can slow down and enjoy tge atmosphere. Get back on until the tram stops under a bridge. Get off and go up the stairs and you are at the Market Hall. Yes, I think it works. In front of the Market is the 47/49 tram. Take it to the end stop and get on the M1 metro to Heroes Square. Get off and do the park and the bath. Then walk home down Andrassy ut.

Its a full day, but not too much.

There is a nice Czech place near your flat. Its on my list.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions! They are really helpful. I appreciate you!

Mr. É: I love the step by step instructions you laid out.

TTM: Thank you! I'm getting excited and can't wait to meet you!

Markcw: I have printed out a map as you suggested and it helps get a perspective on these activities. Thanks!

Okay, I am im tge back seat of a van halfway between tge Hungarian border and Budapest, so i have time.

EDIT: I moved it up above.

Wonderful. Thanks so much for the timing details and suggestions!

Tuesday 6/10- Day 3 – Jewish Budapest & Danube Cruise
Morning: Jewish Quarter exploration, Dohány Street Synagogue, Other synagogues as desired, Holocaust memorial sites. Afternoon: House of Terror or House of Music Hungary, Leisurely café break, Wander the Jewish Quarter. Evening: Danube River Cruise, Quiet riverside walk afterward

There is really no reason you can’t do this. It’s made a little more logical based on where you are staying. But if you come up short, you have some free time in the next few days.

The Dohány utca Synagogue and the Rumbach Synagogue are sort of the mandatory stops. People complain that the Dohány Synagogue is expensive to get into for what there is. I don’t disagree that it’s a bit pricy, being private and the cost of upkeep and security is probably the cause. That and it does good business despite the cost. BUT, I wouldn’t miss it if first you do a little WWII reading so you get the full impact.

Rumbach is just beautiful and it’s on a pleasant street. Do pay attention to the Stumbling Stones and the boundary markers. Not visited often enough is the Holocaust Memorial Center Museum. It’s well done but it’s not in District VII. So, I will work on that on another day for you.

Here is my suggestion, and the first half of the walk: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n1BaiFydhj3rvqvL6

I remember the street name you are staying on, but not the block number, but the starting point here should be close.

Then to Stika for breakfast. Yes, I know you like to cook, but this is another way of getting into the culture. Especially if you try the Palinka Spiked Lemonade. If for some reason its busy, another great choice is David’s
If you want, a little beyond David’s is the entrance to one of the old market halls. You can stick your head in and look around. It’s where I shop. https://maps.app.goo.gl/BCunWhydHJRsajVt8

The next stop is a shop called Judapest Design Store. Yes, designs and crafts and art by and about Judaism https://maps.app.goo.gl/AYSNEhmwitq1MX527

Then take a shortcut through the Gozsdu Udvar (Udvar = courtyard) where … well … its interesting and it’s a shortcut. If the street vendors are setup it might even be good.

Now you are at the Rumbach synagogue. Buy a ticket worth the look inside: https://rumbachzsinagoga.hu/a-zsinagoga/

The next stop after a walk up a peaceful street is the Dohány utca Synagogue.

Two choices for lunch. One of the Kosher places in that link I sent you or if you want to sit with something a little different you can try TimeOut. TimeOut is a like a food court, but all of the vendors are local businesses with restaurants elsewhere in town. Two of their main restaurants have Michelin Stars. It’s an interesting experience and I go for lunch from time to time.

For the next part of the trip, I need to use two maps because Google Maps wants to stick you on a bus and that’s not necessary.

So, from the Dohány Synagogue, first you walk to the M2 metro at Astoria: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8pZ9RCF5WzVtPuz76

Then you take the M2 metro one stop to Blaha Lujza ter and it’s a short walk to TimeOut: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tF8sRYiUCwCnUgcZA
If you are into Commie kitsch, then after lunch you can visit a sort of fun junk shop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dZQEHTD3iWQRPxKB6, directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yVhW9YVbU9FG7frG9

Okay, now to the House of Terror and back up to the Park for the House of Music and the Ethnographic Museum.

So from where you got off the M2 you will return and board the 4 or 6 Tram going towards Széll Kálmán ter (the end stop name on the signs on the tram). You will stay on for 3 stops until you reach the Oktogon stop. Then a short walk to the House of Terror. The whole trip is 10 minutes. That’s what’s beautiful about Budapest … the public transportation. https://maps.app.goo.gl/hX9seoCv64b4SduF8

After you can use the M1 metro to Heroes Square and walk to the Hungarian House of Music and the Ethnographic museum. https://maps.app.goo.gl/C3u5Wr7d5sTdo5W1A or you can just walk up Andrassy ut. It’s a beautiful walk.

The M1 back to Vorosmarty utca will get you close to home.

Here is the safety valve. If after lunch you are tired and want to slow down and maybe worried about time because you still have that cruise. Then travel the same direction from the Dohány utca Synagogue to the TimeOut but if you don’t eat, ride the 4 or 6 tram to the Oktogon stop and walk down Andrassy ut towards the Opera House and shop and gawk a bit. My favorite part of town. The M1 will always get you to within a short walk of your flat. You have a free day for the other stuff.

Mr. É, thank you for the excellent details, maps, and suggestions. This helps immensely! I'm getting so excited!

The reason that I'm cooking a lot of my meals is that I have Celiac Disease and other food restrictions. I will definitely experience the local food as it allows. Yum!

I do it for therapy. I got the following list from the internet and added a few personal notes:

100% Gluten-Free

Bohémtanya Gluténmentes Vendéglő (Paulay Ede u. 6): This is the ultimate spot if you want to safely experience authentic local comfort food. They serve excellent gluten-free versions of classic Goulash soup, crispy schnitzels, and traditional Hungarian pasta dishes. This place has existed for over 20 years. The gluten policy is new ... well I haven't been in 10 years so ... new is relative. Not too hard to reach from yor flat and easy when out sightseeing.

Kata PEST (Hajós u. 27): Located right next to the Opera House, this elegant venue features a 100% gluten-free and lactose-free menu. Reviewers highly praise their stylish decor, weekly lunch menus, and safe, worry-free chicken schnitzel and cheesecake. I walk past this almost daily. Okay, looks nice. Easy from yout flat.

Saboré - Gluten Free Tapas Restaurant (Falk Miksa u. 21): A premium, dedicated gluten-free kitchen founded by individuals living with celiac disease. They specialize in tapas and small plates spanning global flavors, paired with an excellent wine list. Sounds interesting. A good stop if its lunch time and you are by tge Parliament.

Non-Gluten Pizzeria (Király u. 58): A cozy, dedicated sit-down spot with a completely safe kitchen environment. They serve authentic thin-base pizzas with rich toppings, pasta, and excellent tiramisu. And pretty close to your flat.

Gluten Free Bakery Pest (Lázár u. 4): Positioned between St. Stephen's Basilica and the Opera House, this bakery offers wonderful morning pastries, sweet cakes, and light breakfast options.

Tibidabo Gluten-Free Bakery (Dohány u. 7): A popular morning spot that has over 18 types of fresh, allergen-free sweet and savory pastries, breads, and rolls that are never dry. On you Jewish Pest day.

I am acquainted with the chef at the meet up location, I'll see what he can do.

I too have been researching GF dedicated and GF friendly restaurants in Budapesst for a fall trip. Below I can add to the great list started by Mr. E above. It is law to mark allergens on menus (gluten is 1 and dairy is 7, etc.) If you want to look any place up on "Find Me Gluten Free", it is a free app you can use now on your laptop or download onto your phone while traveling. You may feel more comfortable reading the experience of GF diners who've actually tried each place. You no doubt know that.

There is an embarrassment of riches in Budapest for us GF diners. In a restaurant, you can confirm by asking "Ez glutenmentes?" and/or get a Restaurant Card printed online in Hungarian from various companies (possibly $25 or so). I hope some of this helps. Have a great trip!

Franziska-Pest, Rumbach Sebestyen u. 3 (by synagogue)
Dobrumba (GF marked) Mediterranean, Dob Utca 5 (near synagogue)
La Cipolla GF Italian, Dózsa György út 140 (not far from Szechenyi baths (furdo)
Gundel Cafe (1896), Károly út 4 (GF marked on menu) - near Heroes Square

Menza (GF marked, traditional dishes) (off Andrassy before Oktogon), Liszt Ferenc tér 2
Monkey’s (100% GF), Dob u. 6 (near synagogue)
Fittnass Glutenmentes, Jichy Jeno u. 43, GF/DF desserts

Cafe Frei, Andrassy 38 (GF cakes)
Cöli Bisztró (100% GF store, plus a few tables to eat-in savory foods, baked goods), Jókai utca 40

herBar, 100% GF , Haris köz 3 (near Parisi Hotel)

Szezám, 100% GF, Galamb u. 9 (sandwiches, dessert)
Maia (Mexican), Hercegprímás utca 12, near Cathedral

Goli (some GF/vegan), 1051 Arany János utca 32 near Cathedral
Cafe Vian (GF marked) within the Gozsdu Udvar Passage mentioned above, Kiraly u. 13
Mazel Tov, Akacfa Utica 47, GF menu, Israeli Fusion (ruin bar area)

Cris, great list and I am happy to see that Budapest is in the 21st century on the subject. Here are a few comments on them.

DISTRICT VII

Franziska-Pest, Dobrumba (GF marked) Mediterranean, Monkey’s (100% GF): All the ones in lower District VII are going to be progressive and geared for the younger generation. That keeps them cutting edge which is a good thing.
Cafe Vian (GF marked) within the Gozsdu Udvar Passage. Been around at least 15 years. Okay food. Nothing special. There is a second at Liszt Ferenc tér
Mazel Tov, Israeli Fusion (ruin bar area). Not really in the ruin bar area. But this is very good food with very good atmosphere.

DISTRICT XIII

La Cipolla GF Italian. Advertising not far from the baths is a bit of an exaggeration, but it looks very, very local and it’s the sort of place I would make the extra walk to go to. Take the bus so you don’t have to walk under the tracks.
Gundel Cafe (1896) (GF marked on menu). Pretty expensive but an icon of the city that has been around 100 years. Beautiful place.

DISTRICT VI

Menza. Menza has been around for at least 15 years that I know of. It is pretty good, but I just don’t like the vibe (or the prices) on Liszt Ferenc tér.
Fittnass Glutenmentes, GF/DF desserts. Much too pink for me.
Cafe Frei (GF cakes). This is a local chain of bakeries. They are good. I wonder if the GF is unique to this one location?
Cöli Bisztró. The photos of the GF store look interesting. Jokai utca extends from Andrassy ut to Nyugati Station. This is across the street from Nyugati Station.

DISTRICT V

herBar, 100% GF sort of difficult to reach.
Szezám, 100% GF, also difficult to reach
Maia (Mexican), I am from Texas and I have been looking for good Mexican food in Europe for years. This one looks no better. But never been.
Goli (some GF/vegan), Not that close to the Cathedral. Been there, tried that. Some love it and it has a Michelin Bib recognition (and price). Didn’t light my fire. Go to N28 if you want Michelin Bib. Tell them you want GF and I bet they accommodate you.

Super helpful! Thank you all.l

In part due to Cris, I have changed my Day 2:
The Szechenyi Baths are early in the morning.

Lunch near City Park/Heroes Square.
Afternoon: Heros' Square
City Park
Andrássy Ut
St Stephen's Basilica
Liberty Square
Parliament exterior
Danube Promenade

Return to apartment
6:30 PM meet up with Cris at Bohemtanya Glutenmentes for dinner!

That works pretty slick.

So excited to meet up with Elana for a safe, traditional dinner with a fellow Forum Traveler! I'm sorry to be leaving Budapest on the 6th or I would have loved to join the meet up at Cork on the 7th........Enjoy!

Thanks to all the contributors here (Mr. E!!) for assisting in itinerary planning.

We are going to have a blast!

Mr. É: Would you like to comment on my days 4-6? I’m definitely appreciating your succinct way of detailing your suggestions! Thanks for your input.

Wednesday 7/10- Day 4 – Buda Side & Meetup
Morning: Castle Hill, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, Afternoon: Castle District walking tour, Royal Palace grounds, Hospital in the Rock, Rudas Baths, Evening: Dinner, Meet-up with Rick Steves Forum travelers, Optional nighttime views from Castle Hill or the Danube

Okay, so if you are an early riser on holiday it works. I would suggest that you take the bus to the hill top and walk back down. I don’t remember your address, but this is close. Take the bus to Clark Adam ter. Its interesting that an English gentleman designed the Chain Bridge so they put his name on the square, but since this is Hungary the last name goes first. CLARK Adam (Adam Clark) https://maps.app.goo.gl/xv6mrV9LseFUASHt5 . Anyway get off and your choices are three. You can walk up the stairs or you can ride the funicular or you can take the 216 bus up the hill (the 16 will work too). I usually take the bus: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9esvAqGKTVcBwd6q9

Matthias Church, Fishermans Bastion will take an hour, maybe two if you just get into them. Both well worth the time. Then it gets a bit sketchy. The palace grounds … well … looks great from below. The Castle Museum is well worth the time and I like the Hospital in the Rock. Early this year my son wanted to see the House of Houdini Museum. I reluctantly went along with him. It turned out to be fun. Sorry I cant recommend an easy to find convenient place for a good lunch on the hill. Stop at any you see (quite a few to choose from) if you get hungry; but eat light you have a wonderful dinner coming up.

Leaving the hill you have the choice to walk down, or the bus or the funicular. Walking down I suggest the back way through the castle gardens. https://maps.app.goo.gl/9VMwEE8TXGuGY97v6 then a short walk to the 19/41 Tram https://maps.app.goo.gl/e7f4KkoSruaaRnrYA (I dont know why Google is showing a convoluted way to cross the street, you will see it) and one stop to the bath house https://maps.app.goo.gl/EmRGLx6jTSuQbKwZ8 .

The bathhouse will be not less than 2 hours, when I go with friends its 4 hours. No, never been to Rudas, I think Texas Travel Mom has, maybe she will chime in. All I know about it is, well, see the photo https://www.obonparis.com/uploads/all%20coupons(2019)/RUDAS%20BATHS/BAC02460.jpg The glass dome at the far-left end is the outdoor jacuzzi party pool with the view of the Danube. The Ottoman looking roof at the other extreme end is the one part of the 15th century Ottoman bath that still exists.

After the bath if you get on the 19/41 tram until it turn and parks in front of the Gellert Hotel (being renovated) you can get on the 47/49 tram across the river ending at the Deak Ferenc ter metro. From there walk up Kiraly our Dob or Andrassy ut (25 minute walk) or take the M1.

8/10- ThursdayDay 5 – Slow Budapest Day
Morning: Relaxed start, Coffee/tea and journaling or reading
Late Morning & Afternoon: Margaret Island
o Japanese Garden
o Musical Fountain
o Riverside walks
o People-watching and relaxing
Flexible Time: Favorite neighborhoods revisit, Parliament district, Cafés, Bookstores, unstructured wandering
Evening: Ruin bar experience (Szimpla Kert recommended), Sunset or nighttime walk along the Danube

Sure the trip to Margrit Island is interesting for a lot of people and in October it should be nice. It’s a lot of walking so don’t forget there is a bus on the north side of the island. For lunch if you want to stay on the island then maybe Fire Etterem https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZZ6Aya7sZmqjjN227 or you are close to Margaret’s Restaurant and Pub so that’s where I would go: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9BPt5irL9syy5kCz6

After the Island then maybe a do it yourself tour from one of the ones I sent you a link to. The “SPECIAL” hits a lot of the offbeat places and well, … special places, that most tourists miss. You cant do it all in half a day, but you can pick up a few of the stops, if any interest you. The one VÁROSLIGETI FASOR is really just a scenic way to get to City Park. So you could take the most direct way to City Park, see the House of Music and the Ethnographic museum and then use the tour to get home. Or since you are already on the 4/6 Tram line do the SZÉNA TÉR – BUDA tour is just seeing how the average guy lives and some typical neighborhoods is of any interest to you. I also know a great lady for a Market Hall Tour and Cooking lesson in her home.

Evening: Ruin bar experience (Szimpla Kert recommended), Sunset or nighttime walk along the Danube. A very good way to spend the evening.

Friday 9/10- Day 6 – Opera Day
Morning & Afternoon: Free time, Last-minute shopping or favorite sights, Opera House Tour, dinner, Ballet Performance at the Hungarian State Opera House

First sort through those tours the day prior let me know what interest you (if anything) then we talk.

I have only been to Rudas once - back in 2022. This is what I put in my report. “ a very leisurely afternoon. It was Tuesday, which is women’s day in the old Turkish bath and sauna part of the complex (but not the more modern parts). I enjoyed the pools of different temps, the rooftop warm pool, and then went to the basement Turkish pools and sauna area, followed by a massage. Lots of steps if that matters.”

I can’t remember for sure, but I feel like I booked a slot ahead of time online. Women’s Day means “ladies only in the Turkish part in the basement”. Everywhere else was coed. Almost all women had a swimsuit on in the Turkish part, but if not, they handed out paper aprons. Apparently clothing is not optional. Of course, everywhere else everyone had a swimsuit on. I also admit I was fuzzy on procedural details when I arrived and am not any better now. I came across a couple of ladies speaking English who were leaving as I arrived and I asked a few questions about where to go first. I’ve since been to Széchenyi, as well as a place in Ortisei, Italy - and all worked similarly (but they are all jumbled in my memory.

Thanks to Mr. É for the comments and suggestions. I am continuing to read through the documents, especially the "Special" section. Would you PM me the name and contact details of the woman who does the Market Tour and cooking?

TTM: Thank you for your comments about Rudas.

Looking forward to meeting up in a few weeks!

Mr. É: Looks like if I want to enter the Turkish Bath (the dome), it needs to be on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, according to their hours on their website. Would you have an idea about the best way to reschedule these days to move Rudas from Wednesday afternoon to one of these days? Appreciate you.

Elana, her name is Agnes

Culinary Hungary (5.0)
https://budapestcookingclass.com/
Agnes provides the opportunity for a market tour / shopping experience, an introduction to Hungarian lifestyle and a cooking class.

Just swap Wednesday and Thursday morning. Thursday was pretty flexible anyway. From the Island you go across the bridge to the Buda side and get on the 19/41 Tram that has a stop in front of Rudas. Very easy.