.JPG)
.jpg)
Budapest, Hungary – Full Day #1
Thursday, October 24, 2024
For many years, Buda and Pest were two separate cities until they were united by the iconic Chain Bridge, named after the man who built it.
I started my day with a hearty breakfast at my hotel on Váci Street before hopping on the city’s “Hop On, Hop Off” bus from the nearby stop, number 13. The route took me through Buda and parts of Pest, with stunning views at every turn. I chose to disembark at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, where I joined a guided walking tour through Pest. Each stop revealed Budapest’s rich history, culture, and breathtaking architecture. Our guide led us through the vibrant streets and along the majestic Danube River, giving us a captivating introduction to many of the city’s most famous landmarks.
One of my favorite travel experiences is taking walking tours with passionate, well-informed, and often humorous local guides. They provide unique, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious insights into the cities they call home. On this particular tour, we had participants from eight different countries—four of them named Sophie, including our guide! Born and raised in the Hungarian countryside, Sophie fell in love with Budapest at a young age and later made it her home. Her enthusiasm for the city was contagious, and she delighted in sharing her deep knowledge with us.
We learned about Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, strolled through the city center, and visited Elizabeth Square and Vörösmarty Square, which will soon host the bustling Christmas markets. We then walked along the Danube Promenade, admiring the Chain Bridge, the Parliament Building, and the stunning views of Buda across the river. One of the most poignant moments was stopping at the “Shoes on the Danube Bank,” a moving Holocaust memorial commemorating the Jews murdered during World War II. *
After the walking tour, I hopped back on the bus to explore more of the city. The route took me along Andrássy Avenue, past Heroes’ Square, City Park, the grand Keleti Train Station, Hungary’s largest synagogue (the second largest in the world), and the opera house. Seeing some of these sights for a second time felt like revisiting old friends. I eventually disembarked to stroll through neighborhoods near my hotel before heading out for dinner at Ana’s Café, which had caught my eye the previous evening.
Afterward, I wandered around the area, enjoying the city’s evening charm before ending my day with a cup of coffee while taking in the stunning view of Buda Castle. If I return to Budapest, I’ll definitely choose a hotel along the Danube with a view of Buda—an unbeatable location.
As always, I prepared for my trip by studying Budapest’s history, maps, traditions, and government. I even read up on Viktor Orbán—although no one seems to know exactly where he lives!
What a beautiful fall day with sunny mild weather!
Today, I walked more than 16,000 steps and stayed up until 11:30 PM.
* Shoes on the Danube Bank:
Located between the Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge, this stretch of the Danube embankment is a World Heritage Site and one of Budapest’s most famous Holocaust memorials. Sixty pairs of cast-iron shoes—representing men, women, and children—line the riverbank, marking the site where Jewish citizens were shot into the Danube during the last months of World War II.
In 1944, the Arrow Cross Party took control of Hungary in a violent coup. Their brief but brutal reign saw around 10,000 people murdered in the streets, with another 80,000 sent to concentration camps. Jews were often rounded up, ordered to remove their shoes, and shot at the edge of the river. Their shoes, considered valuable during wartime, were taken and either sold or worn by the firing squad members.
