Planning a Traditional Day in Budapest

Budapest is an architectural treasure trove, with a combination of baroque, neoclassical, eclectic, and art nouveau design to satisfy any design enthusiast.

Look out for the Hungarian Opera House, the Hungarian Parliament Building, St Stephen’s Basilica, and the Fisherman’s Bastion. Visiting Buda Castle is a must, as is the Chain Bridge which joins Buda and Pest so majestically.

There’s more to Hungarian food than goulash (though you’d be crazy to skip it), with Budapest’s best restaurants and street vendors offering something to suit everyone. These are some of the most traditional Hungarian dishes to try while you’re in Budapest.

• Halászlé – mixed river fish cooked over an open fire

• Lángos – deep-fried flatbread usually topped with garlic sauce and cheese

• Főzelék – a thick vegetable stew

• Somlói Galuska – sponge cake layered with cream, walnuts, and rum

• Dobos Torte – layers of sponge cake and buttercream topped with caramel

• Töltött Káposzta – stuffed cabbage leaves 

• Kürtös Kalács – also known as ‘chimney cake’, a cylinder of sweet bread coated in sugar

• Túrós Csusza – pasta with cottage cheese, better than it sounds!

• Krémes – vanilla custard layered between puff pastry

Budapest is affectionately known as the ‘City of Baths’ because of it’s numerous thermal springs. It’s the only capital city in the world with so many natural thermal waters, and one of the few places in Europe where you can enjoy traditional baths in 16th and 17th-century surroundings.

Head to one of these spots and enjoy a traditional soak in the warm, healing waters.

• Rudas

• Széchenyi

• Gellért 

• Lukács

• Király

• Császár

End your day of touring traditional architecture, eating Hungarian foods, and relaxing in thermal baths back at a beautiful central hotel. We have several hotels in the Hungarian capital, including some hotels near Budapest airport, so you can choose the destination the suits you best.

For luxury and elegance from start to finish, choose our Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge or Nemzeti Budapest by MGallery. We have mid-range and budget options to choose from too, so take a look and book your perfect trip.