Photos taken/written by Jennifer Mahon
EUROPE ROAD TRIP — CONTINUATION OF DAYS 10 & 11 (OF 19)
YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...
TURUL STATUE
First up, the Turul Statue—this giant bronze, eagle-like statue clutching a sword sits on Castle Hill, right next to the Hapsburg steps. The Turul is a mythical bird, and the legend goes that it impregnated Emese, wife of Ugyek (a descendant of Attila the Hun) in a dream, telling her that her child would be the father of a great nation. So, yeah, it’s kind of a big deal. You can’t get a great look at the front of it because it faces away from the square, but it’s still pretty impressive from all angles.
Photo: The Turul Statue at the top of Castle Hill
VIEWS FROM CASTLE HILL
Castle Hill totally gave me Prague vibes—cobblestone streets, gorgeous architecture, and that charming old-world atmosphere. But the real showstopper? The views. From up here, you can see the four bridges and the Parliament Building across the Danube, and it’s just breathtaking.
Photos: View of the Danube and Pest from Castle Hill, including Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Hungarian National Parliament Building (Orszaghaz)
MATTHIAS CHURCH (Matyas Templom)
I’m usually “meh” when it comes to churches, but Matthias Church is something else. It’s like it popped right out of a fairy tale. The recent restoration has left it looking stunning both inside and out. Worth every bit of the 1200 HUF (about 4 EUR) to check it out.
EQUESTRIAN STATUE OF KING ISTVAN (St. Stephen)
Right outside Matthias Church, you’ll find the equestrian statue of St. Stephen, the first King of Hungary and founder of the Magyar state. Sculpted by Alojs Strobl in 1906, it’s a pretty grand piece of art that adds to the area’s regal vibe.
Photos: Matthias Church (Matyas Templom) and Equestrian Statue of King Istvan (St. Stephen)
FISHERMAN'S BASTION (Halazbastya)
If there’s one thing you can’t miss, it’s Fisherman’s Bastion. This spot was named after the old fishermen’s village and fish market that used to be held nearby, and now it’s one of Budapest’s most popular attractions. It’s understandably one of the most popular sights in Budapest and it offers some of the finest views of the city. It’s usually mobbed with tourists (a pick-pockets dream, so watch your stuff) but it’s totally worth the visit. The balconies and cloisters are free to explore, but if you want to climb one of the towers, you’ll have to pay about 2 EUR. I skipped it since the views were already incredible without the climb.
Photos: Fisherman’s Bastion
HUNGARIAN NATIONAL PARLIAMENT BUILDING (Orszaghaz)
You can’t miss this one. The Parliament Building is absolutely stunning from the outside, with its detailed brick construction and ornate façade. It’s probably one of the most photogenic spots in the city, and if you’re around at 11:30 or 12:30, you can catch the guard’s daily sword demonstration. Worth a stop, for sure!
Photos: Hungarian National Parliament Building
CHAIN BRIDGE (Szechenyi Lanchid)
If you’ve seen any iconic image of Budapest, it’s probably the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. This was the first permanent bridge to span the Danube, linking Buda to Pest and kickstarting the unification of the two cities. Walking along this stunning suspension bridge, you’ll be greeted by the famous stone lions guarding it, and you’ll get some of the best views of the city. Don’t miss Adam Clark Square and the tunnel that runs under the castle on the Buda side!
Photos: Stone lion at the entrance of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge | Adam Clark Square and the tunnel passing under the castle | Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Photos: Buda Castle from the Széchenyi Chain Bridge | Buildings of Pest Looking out over the Danube from the Széchenyi Chain Bridge | Hungarian National Parliament Building from the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
BOHEMIAN GET-TOGETHER
At the end of the Chain Bridge, by the water’s edge, we stumbled upon a full-on, bohemian-style outdoor party. Picture people chilling by the Danube, barefoot, drinking, dancing—just soaking up the good vibes. If I had more time, I totally would’ve joined in!
Photos: People chillin' by the Danube on a sunny afternoon
VÁCI UTCA
For those in need of a shopping fix, Váci utca is your spot. It’s one of the busiest streets in Pest, lined with souvenir shops (hello, doll collectors!), fashion stores, restaurants, bars, and cafés. The street itself dates back to the 19th century and stretches between Fövám tér and Vörösmarty tér, parallel to the Danube. It’s a great place to grab a quick snack and people-watch, and it gets even livelier as you approach Vörösmarty tér.
Photos: Váci utca
VOROSMARTY TÉR
At the north end of Váci utca, you’ll hit Vörösmarty tér, a lively square packed with more shops, restaurants, and of course, the famous Café Gerbeaud (the prices here were insane, so we just looked at the menu and left). In the middle of the square is a massive statue honoring Mihaily Vörösmarty, a patriotic Hungarian author and playwright. At night, the square turns into a foodie heaven, with an outdoor food market serving up incredible local dishes. Trust me, this is the place to get a taste of Budapest.
Photos: Food vendors at Vörösmarty ter
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