Must-Sees in Budapest, Hungary Reveal Culture
From Parliament Buildings to Supermarkets, Hungary's Capital Charms
Nov 10, 2009
Situated on both sides of the Danube River, the two parts of this metropolis of more than one million people are connected by nine bridges. Buda is hilly and contains many of the older attractions. Pest is flat. However, since street signs are in Hungarian – a language that’s difficult for most foreigners – it is easy to lose all sense of direction. The following suggestions are based on being able to find people who speak your language (English and German are the most common second languages in Hungary). People who don’t have access to someone who can act as an interpreter are often more comfortable visiting Hungary as part of a commercial tour.
Private Home Stays in Budapest
The private home stays originated while the country was under Soviet domination and remains one of the best ways to get to know the Hungarian people. It’s important, however, to stay in a home where people can speak and understand the language that their paying houseguests speak. Rooms in private homes – many of which have their own bathrooms -- are usually less expensive than those in hotels, and are often the houses of professional people who are eager to meet people from countries other than their own. The best way to find private-home lodging is through travel agencies that specialize in homestays.
Budapest Commercial and City Bus Tours
Several two-hour survey tours of Budapest are offered. They usually include the city’s main attractions. Some of them, such as Citytours, offer free hotel pickup. Others originate at places like St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Travelers with enough time to become acquainted with the city in depth save money by buying daily or multi-day bus passes. Riding buses all day long with a city map close at hand and getting off the bus whenever a neighborhood looks interesting provides days filled with new sights.
Hungarian Supermarkets, Side Streets Reveal Culture
Supermarkets are especially interesting for people who are interested both in different cultures and in food. The Eastern European markets are as large or larger than their Western Europe counterparts. They frequently have tanks with live fish swimming in them and extensive displays of locally grown produce. Cheese and house-wares departments shouldn’t be missed either.
By seeking out shopping streets not frequented by tourists, it is much easier to learn what life is like for the people who live in Budapest. Also, goods for sale are usually less expensive than those located in tourist areas. Small tools from hardware stores, tea towels and dishes from kitchen shops and department stores clothing will be different from merchandise available at home and offer memories whenever they’re used. These everyday items can also make exotic bring-home gifts for friends.
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