When my long-time friend recently moved to Budapest with her family, I immediately added it to my European Bucket List (another post on that later). Hungary is a country I know little about. What I did know was some random mix of Attila the Hun, former Habsburg Dynasty, former Soviet country, Grand Budapest Hotel (which wasn’t even filmed in Budapest), and lots of east meets west.
And that’s it.
Oh, and their language is one of most difficult in the world to master, I’ll say!
Only having two full days to explore with my friend, we covered what we could. I lucked out as she has her own two teenagers so we were able to roll in many of the top teen highlights in 48 hours.
Before we get started, the first thing to know is once upon a time Budapest was actually two cities which were united into one. So the city is still today divided into two sections: Buda (the west part of the city on one side of the Danube) and Pest (the eastern part on the other side of the river pronounced “pesht”).
1. Relax in the Historic Thermal Baths
The thermal baths are big business in Budapest and shouldn’t be missed. The city happens to lay on a natural fault line which means naturally heated thermal springs full of mineral-rich water high in calcium, magnesium, and hydrogen carbonate said to ease joint pain and improve blood circulation. Something teens aren’t likely to need, but the experience itself of relaxing in a 100-year old bath is unforgettable.
You can go from fancy like the Gellert and Szechenyi to small local ones without all the tourists. If you aren’t up for the nude baths (check because some are), make sure you pack bathing suits and flip flops for this adventure. Should you forget a towel, there’s an option to rent one. Prices are relatively low and the basics will include entry fee and a locker/cabin.
Inside you’ll find an assortment of heated pools (at different temperatures), steam rooms, saunas, plunge pools, whirlpools and jets. Outside many of these will be thermal baths, lap pools, etc. As a bonus many have options for massage or mani/pedi appointments.
Don’t let the cold scare you away from the outdoor pools. It’s fun to go from the inside to the warm pool outside and then into a sauna. The water is rich in minerals which claim to be therapeutic, but don’t stay too long in the hot water. It’s easier than you think.
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2. Imagine Life Sipping Coffee in Hungarian Cafes
Perhaps leftover from its Austrian-Hungarian history, Budapest has a similar café lifestyle to Vienna. They were the central point for socialites, poets, artists, and writers to convene and share ideas. Think of it as Instagram of the late 1800s. Lots of coffee drinking and pastry (including apple strudel) eating. Normally not on the list of things to do, sitting at a café to experience the luxury and tasty treats is one thing, likely, any teenager will agree to.
Certainly, if time allows consider visiting New York Café, Gerbeaud, or Café Central, but since coffee is such a lifestyle in Budapest, you’ll likely find even the neighborhood coffee shops have great coffee, pastries, and people watching options. It’s advisable to get a reservation for New York Café as it is a very popular destination due to its stunning interior
Related: Christmas in Vienna: Something for Everyone
3. Pay Tribute at the Shoes on the Danube
I had not heard about the Shoes on the Danube memorial until another friend visited Budapest. Fascinated by World War II, this was on my must-see list. Located on the Pest side of the Danube, a small stretch of the embankment contains 60 pairs of shoes made from iron, designed to resemble those from the 1940s. The memorial was designed to honor those killed — mostly Jews — by the Hungarian Nazi Party, called the Arrow Cross militiamen, during late 1944 and early 1945. They estimate as many as 20,000 Jews from the Budapest ghetto were ordered to take off their shoes and shot on the banks of the river.
If teens are studying World War II and interested in more, visiting the Dohány Street Synagogue, the oldest in Europe, in the old ghetto provides a bit more perspective. There is also the Holocaust Museum, which unfortunately, we ran out of time to visit.
4. Learn Hungarian History and Politics at the Parliament Building
On the Pest side of the river, the Hungarian Parliament Building cannot be missed. Inspired by the British Parliament Building, this one is even more grandiose and exotic, I think. Plus, it’s the world’s third largest Parliament building behind China and Romania. Inaugurated in 1896, a very important date to keep in mind since it’s the 1000th anniversary of Hungary, it’s worth the time to wander around outside. If interested in seeing inside or taking the tour, it is recommended to buy tickets online in advance as lines can be long.
Without EU citizenship (ID is required), the entry price can be more expensive (€20 for adults and €9 for students). If you’re lucky enough to hold an EU passport, the entrance fee is half the price.
5. Ride the Castle Hill Funicular (and Other Public Transportation)
After climbing up Castle Hill to explore the National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, Fisherman’s Bastion or Matthias Church, catch the funicular down to the Chain Bridge. If your kids have seen Grand Budapest Hotel, it may make this even more fun with the movie’s continuous mention of the funicular. While the ride is short, it’s a unique way to cut the travel time either up the hill or down.
Once you get back down to the river, the public transportation in Budapest is a great way to travel. Who better to lead the way than teenagers? After all, don’t they know everything already? With the choice of trams (old and new), buses, and the metro, let the kids figure out the route, the direction to travel, and the ticketing system. It’s very important to keep in mind all paper tickets must be stamped on the bus, tram, or metro to avoid fines. Inspectors may pop in at any time and ask to see your validated ticket. A single bus pass is only 300 forint (less than €1) and sold in groups of 10 or as day passes.
6. Hike or Walk for Some Fantastic Views
As Budapest sits partly on top of a series of hills, it’s a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to hike yielding some fantastic views of the city at the top. There are plenty of places to hike within the city like Gellert Hill, Sashegy, or Hármashatár Hill.
7. Party Like a Hungarian at a Fest
Every month, the festival calendar for Budapest is action packed! If the Christmas Markets are any reflection of how Hungarians party at their festivals, than I’d like to come back each month to try them all. Most festivals seem to revolve around food, which is exactly the best venue to try local foods without too much commitment.
Related: Beginner’s Guide to Savoring Any Christmas Market Wherever You Are
8. Skate in City Park
If you find yourself in Budapest during winter, teenagers will love ice skating in City Park. Next to Vajdahunyad Castle (which makes for a stunning back drop) this rink is open November, December, January, or February.
Opening hours for Europe’s largest ice rink are as follows: Monday – Friday from 9 am to 1 pm; 5 pm to 9 pm. Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm; 4 pm to 9 pm. Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm; 4 pm to 8 pm
As an added bonus, the rink is near to the Szechenyi bath, Heroes Square, the art museum, and the zoo. Love when there are options for everyone in the family. (Drop the kids to skate and go see some art.)
Main photo by Dan Novac on Unsplash
Outdoor bath photo by Louise Spurgeon on Unsplash
Gellert Bath photo by Gellert.
Streetcar photo by Arvydas Venckus on Unsplash
All other photos ©Linda Kerr, TravelTeening
