My dreams of Europe were always tied to fantasies of castles, beautiful churches, and romantic scenery. Ideally, all the other tourists would just disappear along with the tacky souvenir shops, leaving me to experience the city more authentically.
I found this, and so much more, in Budapest.
I didn't know what to expect when I went, but Budapest took my breath away time and time again. The architecture is unbelievable, the cathedrals beyond my wildest dreams. You can see the whole city on foot, and the money you save on subways and taxis will be a welcome relief to your wallet.
Once upon a time, the cities of Buda and Pest sat on opposite sides of the Danube, but they are now one, connected by several bridges. That means twice the castles and twice the cathedrals. The Buda side is hilly and green, the Pest, larger and sprawled. Both contain some of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen.
Buda.
Buda Castle is beautiful, sophisticated, and houses two museums. You can catch the changing of the guard ceremony, wander among ruins, and get a great view of the rest of the city.
Fisherman's Bastion surrounds Matthias' Cathedral, and the two together could easily pass for Budapest's third castle. The Bastion offers idyllic views of Parliament through white stone arches. The cathedral itself dates back to 1015.
Pest.
Vajahunyad Castle is the fairytale setting I dreamed of as a little girl. It was designed to display the different architectural styles of Hungary, and inside each building is different. It's a little far from the river, but absolutely worth the trek.
The Hungarian Parliament. All I have to say about this is that it's even more impressive in person, believe it or not. I've heard the inside is worth seeing, but when I was there they were hosting foreign dignitaries, so it was closed.
Szt. Stephen's Basilica. Walk into any random cathedral in Budapest and you'll be impressed. Walk into Szt. Stephen's, and you'll be breathtaken. When I entered, my first (involuntary) reaction was "Holy shit." Then I remembered I was in a church and said "Oh my God, I'm going to Hell." Then I realized I shouldn't have said that either and figured it was just safer to keep my mouth shut. This is a must see—just hope your reaction is less blasphemous than mine.
After you've hit up all these sights, head to Szimpla for a drink. It's grungy, dark, and weird; and whether or not it's your style, it makes for an interesting experience.
These are just the highlights; there is much more to see and do. I honestly can't praise Budapest enough. There are beautiful parks and flower arrangments everywhere, weeping willows dip their leaves into calm waters, and silly statues are scattered around the city (bonus points if you find Shakespeare).