Whit Sunday in Budapest

Our body clocks were still having trouble adjusting yesterday, which meant we were awake at just after 5.00 am. Rather than waste the time, we decided to get an early start to a day of sightseeing. We began by taking a tram and a bus to The Citadel, a monument atop the highest point in the city. The view from the top was spectacular, and reminded us a little of the view over Florence from the Michelangelo piazza.

The Danube from The Citadel

And the same view at night

We also caught the subway to one of Budapest’s famous spa baths, Szechenyi Thermal Baths, where we had intended to take a swim. However, I think every other resident of Budapest, and every tourist to the city, had much the same idea. The baths were so crowded that Alison took one look at the pools and decided we’d give them a miss. After all, I'm sure the water wasn't that straw colour for nothing. Unfortunately in some respects, we arrived in Budapest during a national long weekend holiday, for the Pentecost festival of Whit Sunday. It has meant that every venue has been totally packed, but it has also meant that almost all of the shops have been closed, so even buying groceries has been a challenge.

The thermal spa pools - if you think this is bad you should've seen the line for the ice-cream.

Yesterday afternoon we did what it seems every visitor to Budapest does, we took a boat trip down the Danube. The Danube at the height of the tourist season is a bit like the Hume Highway at Easter, bumper-to-bumper vessels. Some are your typical 45-minutes up, 15-minute back jobs, while others are barge-like, designed to take wealthy passengers to Vienna or beyond.

To top off our day yesterday, we took the same bus back to The Citadel for the evening view of Budapest. In a word, it was breathtaking. It is, indeed, a very lovely city be it day or night.

Today, our last day before we depart tomorrow morning for Vienna, we visited Buda Castle and Matthias Cathedral. These make up one huge complex, made all the more interesting (and busy) due to an Hungarian folk festival which ran over the weekend. There were lots of performances of traditional Hungarian music and dancing, as well as myriad stalls selling all manner of Hungarian food. Very yummy, although as I’ve had an upset tummy since we arrived, I thought it better not to indulge. But oh, how I wanted to.

Buda Castle.

The most impressive Hungarian Parliament building.

We finished off the afternoon with a trip to beautiful Margaret Island (obviously not the Hungarian spelling). This is a natural island in the middle of the Danube which attracts literally thousands of visitors each day, particularly during beautiful weather, which we were very lucky to have experienced during our stay. Tonight, we will head back to the Danube for an evening cruise, taking in the vista by night. It should be memorable.

The Japanese Garden on Margaret Island.

Although our stay in Budapest has been brief, we feel as if we have experienced quite a lot of what makes Hungary such an interesting destination. I knew the city would be charming, but I really had no idea of just how lovely it would be.

Tomorrow we’re off to Vienna to reacquaint ourselves with the Austrian capital. Fingers crossed the weather is a little kinder to us this time.