a day in town
There's a stack of stuff to do on both sides of the Danube, and you'll need a lot more than a day to really get your head around Budapest.
Take cruise up the Danube to get your bearings, but step out on foot for the true riverside experience. On both sides of the riverfront you'll find a retail smorgasbord, with everything from world-class jewelry and fashion designers, to hole-in-the-wall record stores and cute antique book shops.
Keep the camera handy because there's plenty beautiful, medieval architecture and romantic bridges to keep even the most conservative holiday photographer seriously trigger happy.
A popular stop for many weary travelers is the Gall?rt Baths a collection of calming thermal pools, housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest. Keep an eye on the time, because you'll find yourself melting into the soothing mineral waters, derived from local hot springs. For centuries the Gallert Baths have been touted for their healing properties, so you might want to save this place for the morning after a big night on the town.
The Budapest History Museum at Castle Hill is a great introduction to the city's intriguing past. You can literally take a stroll through history with over two-thousand years worth of artifacts across three massive floors. Head to the museums basement and you'll enter a series of fully-restored and meticulously-constructed palace rooms, right out of the 15th century.
Whether you're looking for retail therapy, or a history lesson, there's plenty to keep you occupied for any length of stay in Budapest. The most difficult decision is whether to devote your time to checking out the medieval design of the buildings and monuments, or the cutting-edge, modern designs in the fashion districts.
