Budapest
2021 Post Pandemic
08.24.2021 - 08.27.2021
60 °F
I’ll be honest, I was in Budapest a few years ago and loved it, but didn’t want to visit this year because of the politics. Is that wrong? The beauty of this city can compete with any Western European city - yes, even Paris (on a much smaller scale). The last time we stayed here, we stayed in an area called the ghetto, and unlike some ghettos in the States, this area is very safe but maybe a bit more Bohemian than other parts of Budapest. This time we stayed in the city center, right in the heart of the tourist area. At first, we didn’t like it much, but there is something to be said about stepping out of your hotel and being right where all the fabulous restaurants are. Of course, you pay a premium for those restaurants, but in these days of COVID, a lot of the smaller places have either closed temporarily or have closed for good. If we come back, I’m pretty sure we will stay where the action is. The people are friendly, and the ice cream is to die for, even in the colder weather. They have yet to change their currency to the Euro, but they will take credit/debit cards everywhere, so there is no need to use their currency (Forint). It’s a must-see city on your travels in Eastern Europe.
Out and about in the heart of the tourist zone
The Inner City Parish Church is the oldest building in Pest.
Jozsef Nador Square
Buda Castle & View from the Castle
Hungarian Parliament Building & Crown Jewels
St. Stephen's Basilica the largest church in Hungry
Monument of Nazi Occupation in Budapest
Statue of Queen Elizabeth
Gellért Monument, a tribute to Hungary's beloved famous saint
Little Princess (Boy Jester) statue sitting on the railings of the Danube promenade
Other fun statues 
Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial, a series of 60 pairs of steel sculpted shoes commemorating Jews shot here by the Nazis. As shoes were valuable, the victims were made to remove their shoes before being executed and left to fall into the cold, strong current of the Danube. The rivers carried their murdered bodies away. All that remained was their left-behind shoes.
