Budapest for week after Christmas

The whole trip is 3 days? Its hard to hit Budapest and Vienna within that window and not feel completely rushed.

In Budapest, the thermal bath is awesome. It was below freezing and we were in this gigantic thermal pool. Its a full spa too. It was a bit crowded but a truly unique experience.

We also went to the ruins area to party where these bars are set up
in old post-Soviet buildings. Hung out with people from all around the world.

A ride on the Danube is recommended.

Vienna-there is no way to see in a day. The museums and castles make it a multi day experience. Also when in Vienna a train ride and day in Salzburg is a must. Its an amazing city and the Salzburg castle view is the best I have ever seen.

We did a Budapest, Vienna, Prague trip for 2 weeks. Took a car service from one city to another where you can pay for detours. Budapest to Vienna the driver took us to Bratislava for a 3 hour quick tour. Awesome city.

Generally, going around Christmas is awesome to any of these cities. They go all in with the pageantry and spirit of the holidays.

Have fun

It would be 4.5 days as I could leave as soon as the 26th and return late on the 30th. I've visited Prague this Fall so I'd rather just enjoy this city and maybe one other. Thermal baths sound like a must. Is there any other highlights to Hungary other than Budapest or should I just focus on that?

Was just there. My 3rd time. And also just went to Bratislava and Vienna. You'd sell yourself short if you tried to do more than one with that amount of time, so I'm going only with Budapest.

Bratislava

Ok, but not that impressed. Now, if you could go to the Tatras Mountain Region of Slovakia, that'd be amazing.

Vienna

Fun, vibrant city. My 4th time there. Lots to do.

BUT...

Budapest

My 2nd favorite city in the world behind Prague. You really need a few days minimum to explore and enjoy this amazing city.

My favorites:

Visit Memento Park 20 minutes outside of town. A park dedicated to monumental statues and sculpted plaques from Hungary's Communist period (1949–1989).

Visit Hospital In The Rock, a historical attraction that was built as an air raid shelter, a hospital and a nuclear bunker under the Buda Castle. The Hospital in the Rock was originally designed to hold 60-70 patients. However, during the Siege of Budapest in World War II, it treated up to 600 wounded soldiers at one point. Fascinating.

The largest market in Budapest is the Great Market Hall, also known as the Central Market Hall. It's the oldest and biggest indoor market in the city, offering a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, spices, and local delicacies. The market also features eateries and souvenir shops, making it a great place to experience Hungarian culture and cuisine. You can spend hours in there.

Walk to the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial in Budapest. This poignant Holocaust memorial was created to honor the Jews who were massacred by fascist Hungarian militia during World War II1. The victims were forced to take off their shoes, which were then stolen by the militia, before being shot at the edge of the Danube River. The memorial consists of 60 pairs of iron shoes placed along the riverbank, representing the shoes left behind by the victims. It's a powerful and somber reminder of the atrocities committed during that time.

Go see the amazing Jewish Synagogue. It's the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. The synagogue was built between 1854 and 1859 in the Moorish Revival style, and it can seat up to 3,000 people. The synagogue complex includes the Heroes' Temple, a Jewish cemetery, a memorial, and the Jewish Museum. The museum houses a collection of Jewish historical and religious artifacts, including relics and items related to the Holocaust.


Selected Photos

My gf and I just got back from spending 6 days in Vienna. We went and visited a lot of the Christmas markets. If you're only going to have time to see a couple things, I'd recommend the Grand Hall of the Austrian National Library. That doesn't take long but it's absolutely incredible. And secondly, I'd recommend the Kunsthistorisches Museum. It had the greatest collection of things I've ever seen. Some things dating back to 2000 B.C. Incredible art, sculptures, complete collections of pottery dating back to 500 B.C.

Here are my recs for Budapest --

Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Buda Castle (via the funicular)
Fisherman's Bastion
Matthias Church
Shoes on the Danube Bank
St. Stephen's Basilica
Szimpla Kert (Ruins Bar)
Night cruise of Danube (to see Chain Bridge and Parliament Building)
360 Bar
Heroes Square
New York Cafe
Central Market Hall

All this talk about Budapest is making me Hungary

And Palinka

Potent and stings the nostrils but gets you a nice buzz.

Love it