Meininger Great Market Hall Hotel

I can’t speak to the hotel itself, but the location is ok. I walked it week before last when I went to the Opus Jazz Club one night. It isn’t at all central, so you’ll have a ride and a walk every time you head to the markets or anything else. That’s not a bad thing unless the weather isn’t good or you need to go back and forth several times during the day. And I haven’t been in December.

This is at a point that is south of all the usual reasons to visit Budapest. It's not a bad looking area, and you will be in more "typical" Budapest than most have the opportunity to do. Thats good. You will spend a lot more time on trams than the typical tourist, which can be fun; or at least i enjoy the trams. The building is a 1970's looking "modern" creation which is sort of a let down, as I love the old architecture but there is old all around the hotel.

Wouldnt be my first choice for a location but if the price works for you, this is certainly doable and a nice 9 or 10 days could be planned around it.

Here is the route to the furthest Christmas Market, not bad, 20 minutes. https://maps.app.goo.gl/SnZTGWC6jD5hFzyV9 The other is at Vorosmarty ter which is about 5 minutes closer.

But. If you stay there, take the 47,48 tram across the river to the first stop. There, across the street from the famous Gellert Hotel and Bath House you will find Palock Wine Bar with sidewalk tables and a pretty fair menu. Most importantly the view is sweet and the staff amazing ..... sitting there now (again). I brought a RS person here a few weeks ago and that person, who I allow to remain anonymous, I think enjoyed it as well.

Also try https://maps.app.goo.gl/TuQP3J3EK7xSAdNS9.

Also 47,49 Tram in Buda

With only 3 days I would prefer a more central location. I would look for something close to the opera and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Marco, with 3 days i would either stay at the Intercontinental or the Marriott on the river or I woiuld stay within about 2 blocks of lower Andrassy ut (between the Oktogon and the lower terminus of Andrassy ut). Depends on if you love being a tourist (on the river) or you want to be closer to both tourism and typical Budapest (off Andrassy ut). Both good though.

Along Andrassy ut the Hotel Moments and the K+K or the Medos are worth looking at.

Along Andrassy ut the Hotel Moments and the K+K or the Medos are worth looking at. The basilica area is a bit of a mess with tourists. The river is too, but the view and the atmosphere make up for it.

Thank you all for the great advice. I was able to get a very good rate at the Medosz Hotel that will cost only a bit more than the Meininger would have cost.

I really don't have three full days in Budapest. We arrive mid-afternoon on a Sunday and leave for Vienna the following Wednesday. If we're not too jet lagged after arrival, we may do some of the Christmas markets or ride Tram 2 up and down the Danube early Sunday evening.

I'd forgotten that most of the art museums will be closed on our Monday, so we're planning to do Great Market Hall, Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, the Gozsdu Court weekend market and an early evening concert at St. Steven's. (However, knowing me and jet lag, we may not get that all in.)

Tuesday we plan to do the Funicular, Buda Castle and the Hungarian National Gallery, then whatever other art galleries my husband wants to visit. End early evening with a soak in the Széchenyi Thermal Bath.

I would love to see the Zsolnay porcelain exhibition at the ResoArt Villa, but I can't find any kind of active link to get ticket information. Maybe closer to December.

Sounds lovely! And fast! Lol. I think the location of the Mendosz will definitely make getting around easier, with such a short time.

For ResoArt, it looks like you have to schedule a guided tour. Someone commented it took them a while, so you are wise to start now. Did you try this? https://resoart.hu/en/contact/. I am promptly putting it on my “next time” list.

Nearby is the Ráth György-villa: imm.hu. It is more decorative arts than just art, but it has beautiful things and is compact and won’t take but about an hour, if it fits in.

TexasTravelMom, thank you for the link to the ResoArt contact page. I had read (I think) that they would have a more flexible schedule this coming spring. But the Ráth György-villa might work just as well. Thanks for that hint, too. Karen

Sunday mid-afternoon arrive Budapest
When I arrive after a long flight I find if I take a shower and put on clean clothes and then get out and remain active until a normal bed time I do pretty good that day and much better the rest of the trip.

So, I would do that and head straight for the Vorosmarty ter markets. For you that will mean the short walk to the Oktogon and getting on the M1 metro. Yes, skip the Andrassy ut walk for the first day.

After walking the Vorosmarty ter markets I would walk to the river its only a few hundred meters away. The lights are stunning at night.

You are tired but you still have to eat, so make reservations at https://www.dunacorso.hu/ to have a really Hungarian experience.
Now you choose. The M1 home or walk up Andrassy ut. If you are up to it the lights in the winter are beautiful. If not, then there will be other nights, and take the metro home.

Monday Budapest
Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library? You have class. Sounds like a 47/49 tram day. Walk to the end of Andrassy ut and board the Tram at Deak Ferenc ter. First stop is the Dohany utca Synagogue (Great Synagogue), second stop is Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, third stop is the Great Market Hall.

Then the 2 tram to the Parliament and there are some places there for a late lunch. Do the shoes maybe then walk down Falk Miska utca to a place called Pinter https://pinteraukcioshaz.hu/ I think you will enjoy the art and the antiques in the basement. Actually the street is lined with similar smaller shops of art and antiques.

Falk Miska utca ends at the 4/6 tram line which will take you back to Oktogon and your hotel. Sit on the left and see the Comedy Theater and the Nyugati Train Station and just a lot of great old Hungarian architecture.

Tuesday Budapest
Okay, Andrassy ut day.

Do the House of Terror in the morning. Its actually very well done. Then walk to the bath house. Long walk but past some great architecture. The lower end of Andrassy ut is high end shops, the mid portion is these amazing old massive apartment blocks and the upper end is mostly mansions and embassies. Then Heroes’ Square then the park and the bath house. If you get tired the M1 runs under Andrassy ut and has a station at the bath house.

After your bath you have to see the Hungarian House of Music. Maybe have lunch at https://paprikavendeglo.hu/ then head down Városligeti fasor, the original Andrassy ut, where the architecture will blow you away. And where ResoArt, which you have to see. Figure it out and I will go with you. Don’t miss it; and where the https://www.imm.hu/hu/contents/262,R%C3%A1th+Gy%C3%B6rgy-villa is located which I enjoyed a lot (I am an architect, which explains the interest in both).

Given my guess of what interest you, sometimes the Opus Jazz Club has concert/dinners on Tuesday. I would to that before a church concert. If you do the church concert then we find you a really special last night dinner.

Wednesday after lunch train to Vienna
After lunch because there is at least once place you wanted to go back to or at least once place you didn’t yet reach. The train tickets are cheap, and if you change your mind about departure time, it’s a 60 euro penalty (new tickets) for two.

Mr É ... thank you for the itinerary suggestions.

Could you tell me why you wouldn't recommend the Hungarian National Gallery or the Gozsdu Court area?

When we were in Berlin last spring, we immersed ourselves in Nazi and Communist history. We don't really want to do that again in Budapest, so will probably choose to skip the House of Terror.

In addition to usually experiencing serious jet lag, I am also struggling with chronic nerve pain and fatigue from a bout of shingles a few months ago. (Though it's slowly improving, it may be with me for a while.) So, out of all your itinerary suggestions, which would you say are the most essential?

Mr. É has given you a great itinerary. I will insert my humble opinion that the only must see sights are the ones you enjoy - whether that is because of your interests or your physical abilities. If you did nothing but find different locations in Budapest for coffee, wine, or dinner and sit to enjoy the sights and architecture, it would be worthwhile. So don’t feel stressed about picking and choosing. Riding the trams is always a highlight for me.

AND again personal preference, I love hearing organs played in the setting they were created for, so I would say the choice between St. Stephen’s and the Opus jazz club is even (and might depend on who is playing at the jazz club). Knowing that you may have issues with fatigue, distance you have to walk might be a factor. You will finish earlier at St. Stephen’s, if that matters.

For the Ervin Szabó Library, mentally factor in a potential 30 minute process of registering and getting your ticket. Depends on who, if anyone, is in front of you. It is easy, but you don’t just walk up to a ticket window and buy a ticket and go in.

If your husband loves art and art museums, then obviously you should see those. For me, they factor in a little further down my list. Lol. The Museum of Fine Arts is in a gorgeous old building and if they have a special exhibit then that interests you, it could make an easy combination with Széchenyi Baths.

No wrong choices!

I think your new location is much better.

The day you go to Buda I recommend you visit the Matthias Church, the inside is absolutely gorgeous.

I did not go to the Hungarian National Gallery so I cannot compare, but I think you should look into visiting the Museum of Fine Arts. They have countless works by the great masters. It’s a great museum.

I also think St. Stephen's Basilica is definitely worth visiting.

I would walk around the Parliament Building at least twice during your stay, maybe once in the morning and once in the late afternoon right around sunset so you can see it during dusk and nighttime. The tour of the inside is good, but very expensive and pretty quick.

This spot has the best view of the Parliament, especially a night:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4kpppzAbSGGeXHVh9?g_st=ic

Marco, thank you for the suggestion about visiting Parlamenti nézőpont.

I'm also wondering if then riding Trams 19 or 41 up and down the Buda side of the Danube would be more scenic than Tram 2 on the Pest side, especially after dark.

TexasTravelMom, thank you for your comments and suggestions.

I knew that you had to register to visit the Ervin Szabó Library but didn't realize it could be such a time-consuming process. We had originally planned a visit there because of staying at the Meininger Great Market Hall hotel/hostel. Perhaps we'll rethink that and see another architectural wonder closer to our hotel.

I agree with you about "hearing organs played in the setting they were created for." It's too soon to know, but we're hoping that St. Stephen's will be offering something "Christmasy." We will also have tons of music options when we get to Vienna, so this decision isn't quite as crucial for us.

I wish that the Hungarian National Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts were closer together like the major museums in Amsterdam. (But then again, Berlin, London and Prague's are all spread out, too.) If we only get one in, it will probably be the one with the most interesting temporary exhibition.

Thanks again ... Karen

Oh, do all the trams after dark! It isn’t hard and they all connect.

Take the M1 from Oktagon to Vorosmarty tér, then walk to the river. Take the 2 tram up to Margaret Bridge, then the 4/6 to the first stop past the bridge, then the 41 or 19 on the other side (you can always get off and stroll) to Rudas Gyógyfürdő (then reverse) — or go all the way to Szent Gellért tér and change to the 47/49 (right across the street from Palack Wine Bar). The 47 or 49 deadends at Deak Ferenc tér. It’s a rectangle, not much walking involved, and gorgeous! From Deak, you can walk or take the M1 back to Oktagon.

A very scenic walk is going up Zrínyi u. towards St. Stephen's Basilica.

https://www.istockphoto.com/it/foto/zrinyi-utca-via-e-basilica-di-san-stefano-gm509804658-85973695?searchscope=image%2Cfilm

Why not Gozsdu? Too little time and too much to do. It's very "okay" on the weekend mornings but you will have to make a special effort to reach it. And you could cause I know a great breakfast place called Twenty Six Budapest across the street at Kiraly utca 26.

As for the museums... all good. Skip the Synagogue and do the National Museum and skip the House of Terror and maybe the House of Music and do the art museums at Heroe's Square.

What I wrote was to give ideas. Don't expect you to follow it. Notice, never got you to the Buda Castle District either. I am underwhelmed with Buda Caatle right now because of the construction.

Mr É ... any idea when castle construction will be finished? I'm assuming it's a long-term project.

I understand that you're only making suggestions, and I appreciate all of your wisdom and experience. For example, I found an earlier post of yours that included a fairly lengthy list of art auction houses. Even if we can't afford any of it, my husband will thoroughly enjoy "window shopping" and learning more about Hungarian painters.

Christmas markets and lighted decorations aren't my husband's favorite things as they are for me. I was supposed to take this journey - Budapest, Vienna and Prague - solo last December with Gate 1, but had to cancel because of the shingles. So, I'm very happy he's agreed to accompany me on this upcoming trip and we'll have to make sure there's "fun stuff" which is mainly art, for him too.

TexasTravelmom ... thanks for the tram rectangle idea. I think we'll try that one of our evenings.

Anyone have any suggestions for restaurants on the Buda side of the river near the 19 or 41 tram lines?

1. You have spurred me on to getting my first shingles vaccine this month. I had the old one but now supposedly I need the new two-shot series.
2. Mr. É has some favorites. I have eaten at some nice places in Buda but not near the tram line, so I wouldn’t offer them as suggestions.
3. Also not an answer, but if you like wine and feel like it, the Palack Wine Bar is a really nice little place (with great wine) further on as you would be changing from the 19/41 to the 47/49.

Another great attraction was the Danube river cruise, I took the one Rick recommends in his book, took it at night. If you mention Rick or show his book they give you a discount. The Castle, Mathias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and the Parliament look beautiful lit-up at night from the unobstructed views you get from the river cruise.

If hubby likes auction houses then this one I listed above is really special. https://pinteraukcioshaz.hu/

On the 19/41 Line is one of the nicest dining experiences in Budapest; https://felixbudapest.com/ and it gives you a chance to see a little of the Varkert Bazar area https://varkertbazar.hu/

EDIT: I forgot. One of my favorites. At the other end of the 19/41 line by the Margaret Island bridge. Called Margarets,
Really good homestyle Hungarian food. https://maps.app.goo.gl/68rpdf4e12dP3EYf7

The work in the Buda Castle District will continue until the Empire is reconstructed. The first empire took 1000 years to construct, but I suspect this one will be done in maybe the next 5 years.....

I have no idea how TTM found Palack (LOL), but they do have a menu. What I have tried has been good, except the shrimp was uneventful. I come so often that they comped me a bowl of olives a few minutes ago. Be a regular in this town and you get comped all over town. Small but thoughtful.

For Christmas Markets since that is your thing, you might head on a tram to the truly local market in Obuda. I confess I haven't yet, but the reviews are good. From Obuda you can take the commuter train (easy) up river to Sdentendre for that market. I have done that a few tines over the years and between the market and the charming town, it's worth it. The commuter train will take you back to the Margrit Island Bridge where Margrits, above, is located for dinner.

Then hit the Budapest markets in the evening when they are all lit up.

If any of that is interesting I can give you the details on getting there.

The second day (or first) could be the architecture, art and museum day. Something like the Monday iteniary I suggested above but replace the Synagogue and house of Terror with museums.

The problem is, for your interests you are trying to do 6 days of things in 2.5 days LOL. Lots of hard decisions.

Mr. E, Marco and TexasTravelmom ... thank you all for your suggestions and patient answering of my questions. My husband and I have a lot to think about as we continue to prepare for our trip.

And TTM, here at home I've become a walking public service announcement for shingles vaccinations. I used to think that people were exaggerating about their shingles pain. Not any more, and especially if it develops into post-rash nerve pain such as I have. You're wise to try to prevent that.