Hello again,
On one of our days in Budapest, we worked out that we walked around 12 miles. To some people that may not be a lot but it definitely is when you’re in a country as cold as Hungary.
We set off fairly early because we knew we wanted to see a lot of things throughout the day. The mains things that I wanted to see were the Hungarian Parliament Building, St Stephen’s Basilica and the Dohány Street Synagogue. So, anything that we saw along the way was a bonus.
Our hotel was on Margaret Island on the Danube River. The Parliament Building, Országház, was the closest to where we were staying so we thought it would be the best place to start. It’s near enough impossible to get a photo of the whole building unless you’re stood at the other side of the river, as you’ll see later on in the post. I don’t know how else to describe it over than it was overwhelmingly tall and looked like something out of a fairytale.
Across the road is the Néprajzi Múzeum, which translates as the Ethnographic Museum. We didn’t go in but I thought it was well worth taking a picture of at least. I read that the museum is the home to pieces from everyday Hungarian like pre-World War II so it would probably be worth having a look if we ever visit again.
As you know, the thing on our list was St Stephen’s Basilica so after we wandered around the grounds of the Parliament Building, we went on our way to find it. On the way we found the Statue of Imre Nagy, which actually faces the Parliament Building. I hadn’t heard of it before we saw it but I checked online to find out what is was. Imre Nagy was the Prime Minister of Hungary on two occasions and ended up being a symbol of freedom.
Another short walk later and we came to St Stephen’s Basilica, after walking through Szabadság tér. We had to stop for a while so Cem could watch some kids play football and I could look at the memorial.
There was a lot of work going on around St Stephen’s Basilica. It looked like people were either putting together or dismantling a stage. After we’d have a look at, we decided we needed a cake and hot chocolate break in Starbucks. I remember my fingers were freezing even though I was wearing the thickest gloves in the world.
The final place that I desperately wanted to visit was the Dohány Street Synagogue. Before we went to Budapest, I’d read about it online and found out that it’s the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. The building is also attached to the Jewish Museum. We went in and had a look until in started to get darker and colder and we thought it was best to head back to our hotel and to the spa.
We probably took the longest possible route home. We walked down to Erzsébet híd, Elisabeth Bridge, to cross the river. We probably could have tackled Gellért Hill it wasn’t getting dark but we decided that it was best to leave that for another day. We started to walk back up the other side of the river and we moaned and moaned about how cold it was and how much our legs were aching. We carried on and got the see the Budavári Palota and Parliament Building light up so I’d say it was definitely worth it…
As always, thanks for reading!
Let me know if you have any travel recommendations…
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Bye for now,
Courteney x
Courtney, I’m sat ere so jealous of al adventures in Budapest. It’s fair to say I’m rather jealous
Beautiful photography. Sounds like you are having a fun time, even if you walked 12 miles.
Thank you! We really did 🙂
Budapest looks so beautiful in these snaps, I’m really hoping I’ll get a chance to visit this year!
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It really is! I wish I could go back
Wow your pictures are absolutely beautiful! I’m sure Budapest is more beautiful in person. 12 miles! Girl get it!
Thank you! I couldn’t believe how beautiful it is 🙂
Definitely on my bucket list of European cities I’d like to visit. Thanks for the photo inspiration.
Thank you!
My brother lived there for a couple years and he loved it. I would love to visit.
I’d love to live there! It’s so beautiful
This is gorgeous!! Budapest is totally on my travel bucket list.
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This would be an amazing city to get to visit and to explore. I would love to be able to travel to Europe and explore.
Wow, you took some amazing pictures, what a stunning city. We did about 12 miles when we went to Rome but it was in the height of summer so uncomfortably hot
I’d love to go to Rome!
Wow, well done and What beautiful shots!
Thank you! 🙂
I bet the views and experiences were worth every step of those 12 miles! Your photo’s are absolutely stunning
It was definitely worth it! Thank you 🙂
That is a lot of walking, but what gorgeous things you were able to experience! The architecture is just beautiful there!
I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was! It was really overwhelming 🙂
Well, at least you’re getting your steps in! Big time! And not bad to walk those 12 miles when you have these types of amazing views, right?
Exactly! Totally worth it 🙂
Great photos. This place looks beautiful. I would love to visit it and see it in person. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Definitely add it to your bucket list 🙂
Budapest has been on my bucket list forever. One day I’m going to make it there. Just need to find cheap airfare. 🙂
It was on mine too! I’m sure if you look to fly in advance or something you can find cheaper flights 🙂
Some of those buildings could be right here in my city! I love historical buildings. You have truly captured the loveliness of this area!
Thank you! I couldn’t believe how because all the buildings were 🙂
Wow, look at that building all lit up. I’d say it was definitely worth the walk. And all those places and museums… I would love to visit one day!
We were so tired but really wanted to see it light up at night – it was definitely worth it 🙂
Great photos and certainly worth the walk and adventure! Some of these would be great blown up as art in your home.
Thank you! I can’t wait to get them printed – we got some polaroids too 🙂
Wow those photos are beautiful. I remember that being the hardest thing about Europe, the walking. I wanted to keep going everyday all day and my body was not having it.
We could have used the trams etc but you get to see so much more if you walk 🙂
Wow, that sounds like a long walk! However, I’m sure that when we go to Disney World, we easily walk 12 miles every day.
Definitely! I’d love to go to Disney World one day 🙂
I remember working on a project about Budapest once. I didn’t know too much about the city till I did research, but after which I really wanted to visit. It is so rich in history and looks like the perfect place to go exploring on a long walk.
You should definitely visit if you get the chance! It’s the perfect place to get lost
What a beautifully historic place to explore. It looks like you and your family had a great time!
I love the view. It must be a beautiful place to visit and tour.
It definitely was!
The parliament building all lite up is beautiful! I don’t know if I could have braved the cold for 12 miles but it sounds like it was worth it!
We wouldn’t have survived without food breaks haha 🙂
Wow that’s a long way to walk. It looks beautiful in your pics. I’ve never been. X
It was definitely worth it x
That is a long way to walk but I’m sure all the sights made it totally worth it! I would love to visit Budapest!
It definitely was worth it!
Two years ago I planned to visit Hungary but could not make it until now. You capture the beauty of Budapest really good, and it makes me think to revise my Europe trip plan for this year.
I hope you get to visit! It’s honestly such a beautiful country
This looks like it was amazing walk. I would not mind walking all day there with all the amazing sites to see!!
Budapest looks so gorgeous. Your pictures are great. I would not mind going there someday myself. I couldn’t handle the walking though. Bleh!
There’s always the tram if you’re not a fan of walking haha 🙂
Beautiful photos! Budapest is always on my travel list, and I hope to make it there someday with my whole family. I think we’d all love it!
I hope you get to visit! I already want to go back
Those buildings are just amazing. I want to visit and check out the different attractions there.
Nice pictures. Seems like an interesting place to visit. For now I’ll add to my wanderlust list.
I think I can get used to the walking because I walk a lot in Panama City. lol.
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Oh I love walking, but with these beautiful buildings I’d be walking more! Looks like a fabulous way to see Budapest!
Wow so beautiful. 12 miles? That’s impressive. I love to walk. There is so much you can see whole walking. You tend to miss things when your on the car. What an experience
I totally love the pictures! I am wishing to go there someday … but 12 miles? I’d probably be fainting already in the midst of the whole journey. I am thankful for you sharing your amazing journey to us.
I wouldn’t mind walking this much if the sights that I’m going to see are as lovely as these! I’ve never been to Budapest and it would be nice to see these structures in person.
The pictures really don’t do it justice – it’s the most beautiful city!
Lovely pictures! 💋
Thank you 💗