Budapest is a city of dueling personalities — the romantic riverside setting versus the pounding beats of a ruined bar, the tranquil escape of thermal waters versus the hum of a busy coffeehouse. This city of Hungary is a paradise for solo travelers looking for adventure and endless opportunities to explore. To make the most of your journey, follow this guide on how to unlock the best of Budapest.
Plan Your Arrival with Ease
Before anything else, you have to plan your journey. If you want the freedom of driving, call up a car rental in Budapest, select your desired car, and gear up for your adventure. A personal vehicle will make it easy to see the sites outside the city, such as the scenic Danube Bend or the vineyard hideaways around the country, at your own time, and at your own pace.
Explore the Iconic Sights
The first is the geography of Budapest. It’s divided into two parts by the Danube River. And each side is a wonderland for the aimless wanderer!
Buda is on the hilly side. This is where you find the Castle district with its cobblestone streets, Buda Castle, and Fisherman’s Bastion.
Cross the Chain Bridge and you get Pest. This is where the Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica live. If you want an adventure of drinks, bourbon, and whiskey, there are also many ruin bars in which to imbibe while sitting in busted-up old buildings.
Soak in the Thermal Baths
Traditionally, you can’t visit Budapest without submerging in one of its thermal baths. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the classic experience, giving you outdoor soaking with architectural flair. On the flip side, Rudas Bath brings you a slice of everyday life in this city and gives you rooftop soaking.
Get Off the Beaten Path
Again, the big attractions are just the surface of the enigma of Budapest. Walk through District VIII to take unbeaten path routes through streets lined with street art and hidden cafes.
Drive out to Memento Park for an eerie walk among Communist statues of Hungary. This is a great time to enjoy car rental services in Budapest because you will not find anything like this in the city center.
Taste Your Way Through the City
Hungarian food is an explorer’s dream, being hearty, flavorful, and perfect for trying new things over and over again. Goulash is a Hungarian classic, a paprika-seasoned stew of savory meat goodness. Lángos is a street food godsend, a deep-fried dough slathered in sour cream and shredded cheese.
For dessert, give into chimney cake and enjoy as the rolling pastry brushes against sugar and cinnamon. Pair your dishes with Hungarian wines and a few glasses of pálinka, a potent and punchy fruit brandy.
Time Your Visit Right
Budapest is a destination with multiple personalities. Your experience in the Hungarian capital varies depending on the time of year; spring and spring offer mild weather and pleasant conditions for walking tours and enjoying outdoor cafes.
The winter means the city is transformed into a snow-covered wonderland with Christmas markets and thermal spas. During the summer – expect the town to be buzzing – there are festivals, including Sziget, and plenty of reasons to socialize. Regardless of when you decide to go to Budapest, it will always have a treat in store for you.
Make Budapest Your Own
Budapest isn’t so much a destination as an experience you can revel in at many different levels, whether that be enjoying a long soak in a thermal bath, walking around a corner and discovering something hidden and unexpected, or even the convenience of a car rental Budapest, in Budapest, you are guaranteed to have a good time, make memories that will last you a lifetime, grab your bag!