24 hours in Budapest: A daytime guide to the beating heart of Hungary
Morning sun spills across the city and Budapest awakes. Market sellers arrange fresh produce, performers warm up backstage, and galleries throw open their doors. There are countless avenues to explore this city—through its food, art, and culture. But many begin with a journey to the past.
Formed by the unification of Buda and Pest in 1873, Budapest is a city built on layers of history, and you can find centuries-old tradition in every cobblestone and ornate façade presented by the city. This dynamic can be felt keenly at the Hungarian Parliament Building. Recognized by UNESCO as part of the Banks of the Danube World Heritage site since 1987, Imre Steindl's Neo-Gothic masterpiece is timeless wonder. During daily guided tours, experts bring to life the human stories behind remarkable architectural and artistic marvels, such as the ornate grand staircase and intricate frescos of Hunter's Hall.
A short stroll leads you to Liberty Square (Szabadság tér). Once the epicenter of Hungary's fight for revolution and renewal, this grand yet serene public space is lined with Art Nouveau buildings which characterize Budapest's quest for identity after periods of occupation. Here, and nearby at The Shoes on the Danube Bank promenade, powerful memorials shine a light on a chapter of history too important to forget.
Equally as breathtaking is St. Stephen's Basilica, which rounds off a morning of historic discovery. Showcasing the collaborative genius of famed architects József Hild, Miklós Ybl, and József Kauser, the basilica merges neo-classical and neo-renaissance styles into what is widely considered Hungary's most sacred building. Those climbing the 364 steps to the dome—and those who take the lift for ease—are rewarded greatly, with breathtaking panoramic views that stretch across the capital and the lush hills that peak out just beyond the horizon.
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As Budapest's streets grow livelier, so does its art scene. Atop Buda Castle Hill, the Hungarian National Gallery proudly houses the country's largest collection of fine art. Visitors can wander through its galleries to explore Hungary's artistic evolution, with 19th-century masterpieces by artists like István Ferenczy sitting alongside modern expressionist works by Béla Kondor and Tamás Hencze.
For those drawn to music and theatre, MÜPA, Hungary's leading venue for contemporary performing arts, hosts celebrated artists from around the globe. At MÜPA, the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall and Festival Theatre provide a year-round program of performing arts, with a particular focus on emerging Hungarian talent.
Nearby, the Ludwig Museum—Budapest's contemporary art hub—showcases significant works including Roy Lichtenstein's MMaybe—A Girl's Picture and Tom Wesselmann's Great American Nude No. 98. This creativity often spills outside into Millennium City Center, which is filled with public art installations, landscaped gardens, and riverside views ideal for a leisurely lunchtime stroll.
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No visit to Budapest is complete without sampling some of its culinary specialties.
The Great Market Hall—Budapest's largest and oldest market—was established by the city's first mayor, Károly Kamermayer, and was once heralded as the most extraordinary in the whole of Europe. Today, that reputation lives on, with more than 180 market sellers spread across three floors. Travelers can treat their tastebuds by sampling traditional Hungarian delicacies like lángos (fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese) and local Tokaji wine.
For a more leisurely dining experience, Budapest's pastry shops (cukrászda) offer a plethora of edible delicacies. The Café Gerbeaud, established in 1858, and the New York Café, once dubbed 'the most beautiful café in the world,' are at the forefront of this tradition. Over generations they have perfected classic Hungarian recipes, including Pogácsa, a savory scone often topped with cheese, and Bejgli, sweet rolls with finely ground walnuts or poppy seeds. Alternatively, contemporary rooftop restaurants such as SOLID in the Palace District offer stunning city views paired with modern cuisine.
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Whether you've marveled at architectural grandeur, browsed unique galleries, or savored local Hungarian delicacies, a day well spent in Budapest stays with you long after the sun goes down.
Find out more about making the most of Budapest in the daytime here.
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Travel + Leisure
a day ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Caribbean Island's Sunken City Was a Pirate Stronghold—and Now It's a New UNESCO World Heritage Site
Talk about a transformation. Formerly known as the "Wickedest City on Earth," the once pirate-controlled town of Port Royal, Jamaica, has been named a new UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich historical and cultural legacy. The history of Port Royal encapsulates the most dramatic extremes of the colonial-era Caribbean. Located at the tip of a sandbar extending into the mouth of the harbor in Kingston, Jamaica, the city was considered one of the most strategically significant destinations for early colonial powers in the region. Once the British took over in the 17th century, it quickly became one of the wealthiest cities in the Caribbean. Less savory characters soon saw the city's strategic value, too, with notorious privateers and pirates like Captain Henry Morgan and Calico Jack setting up shop in Port Royal. Within just a few decades, Port Royal was transformed into a haven for pirates and the rum-fueled celebrations they brought with them. In 1692, Jamaica was struck by a devastating earthquake, sending the sandy foundations of nearly two-thirds of the city sinking beneath the sea in an instant. Port Royal was never able to return to its former glory (or infamy), with most survivors fleeing to the site that would become modern-day Kingston. View of inside Fort Charles. Jamaica National Heritage Trust "Port Royal's recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is significant, validating the relevance of its history to Jamaica and the world," said Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau, the creative duo behind Two Sisters, which explores Jamaica's rich heritage through culinary and cultural experiences in a restored country estate. "Port Royal is a part of Kingston life, and like most Jamaicans, we love it for its beauty and history and for all that lies beneath the surface of its blue waters that was lost." Orlando Bloom fans may recognize Port Royal for its central role in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise. While the city is referenced heavily in the film, historic Port Royal didn't serve as the film's backdrop. Instead, crews recreated the 17th-century city near the black-sand beaches of Wallilabou on the island of St. Vincent. Fans can still visit the St. Vincent film sets today, but there's even more to see in the true Port Royal, now protected in perpetuity with its UNESCO designation. Visitors can explore the historic Fort Charles, the only fort in Port Royal to survive the 1692 earthquake, now open as a museum. The fort is also home to Nelson's Quarterdeck, where Horatio Nelson once lived, and Giddy House, a half-submerged artillery store constructed in 1888 that was almost swallowed up in yet another devastating earthquake, which struck in 1907. Aerial view of Fort Charles. Jamaica National Heritage Trust Port Royal joins just one other UNESCO site in Jamaica: the Blue and John Crow Mountains. Coffee lovers will recognize Jamaica's Blue Mountains as home to some of the best coffee in the Caribbean, but the mountains hold an important ecological richness and historic heritage as well. A refuge for Indigenous Taino people and Africans fleeing slavery, this densely forested mountain range north of Kingston became home to some of the spiritual, religious, medicinal, and cultural traditions that define the nation today. Port Royal's official UNESCO designation is a welcome addition for the nation, which has long celebrated the multifaceted historic and cultural legacy of this formerly pirate-controlled city. Locals hope it's another reason for visitors to get beyond popular sites like the island's white-sand beaches, too. "This is just another reason to make Kingston a part of any visit to our island, and we are so thrilled," say the Rousseau sisters; Port Royal is just a 20-minute drive from the heart of the island's capital. The pirates may be long gone, but the rum is still flowing, and now, Port Royal has even more reason to celebrate.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
'I walked a popular South London bus route and was blown away by its history'
Following the number 44 bus route from Wandsworth to Tooting, I expected little more than a few average streets, buildings and ofcourse a bunch of number 44 bus stops. What happened next, blew me out of the water. Walking down Garratt Lane, I found myself treading through thousands of years of history. From the Roman river which once ran pink and blue, to Wandsworth's best chippies and historic boozers, old-timey shops, the world's first ever public railway to streets with Romani Gypsy and Traveller heritage and council housing landmarks, this three mile stretch of a South London walk packs in tonnes of hidden historic gems. Not to mention, meeting some Wandsworth legends from Britain's youngest ever soldier, to rock star Marc Bolan, a tragically killed Titanic bugler, and even a special tortoise that survived World War Two - and ofcourse, the London mayor himself. Both transport and boxing are in the mayor's blood and it's no secret that he's been quite literally cleaning up the streets. READ MORE: West London restaurant and bar where 'gun battle erupted in street' is given permission to reopen READ MORE: The London attraction named best in the UK - but it's not a palace, museum or park Just recently, the mayor and Wandsworth Council's Simon Hogg unveiled the 2000th zero emission bus in TFL's fleet. Back then, growing up in the borough, the 'son of a London bus driver' was quite literally being thrown into the boxing gym which has moulded Olympic stars. Passionate local historian and walk guide Geoff Simmons runs the Summerstown182 project and blog. With a keen ear for local stories, when he's not conjuring up the most novel and historic of walks, he's putting up blue plaques around London. Of this particular walk, Geoff says, "this one was important to me as I feel Sadiq's story is very unique but hasn't been told in this way. I really would like to do it again but it is quite a long route especially on a hot day. The constant flow of 44 buses is a visible reminder of his journey and that gives it all a certain dynamic!" An "ugly" shopping centre, Roman river and the Khan family arriving in London Starting off the walk just outside Wandsworth Town Library, and near the affectionately named Pepper Pot Church (designed by the architect of the British Museum and nicknamed for its uniquely shaped tower!) there's a little stretch of a river which hides a very large history. Used since Roman times, 11 miles of the River Wandle pass through Croydon, Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth. Its deservingly earned the status of being 'one of the hardest-working rivers in the world' - its special fast-flowing qualities made it absolutely solid for powering Britain's textile industry and over 90 mills along its bank, including William Morris' factory. Legend has it that philosopher Voltaire lived nearby, lodging up with a certain Wandsworthian silk merchant. One local history book dubbed nearby Southside Shopping Centre (previously Arndale) 'one of London's great architectural disasters'. Once housing one of Sainsbury's first ever delicatessens, over the years, the once 'ugly, depressing and unloved Arndale Shopping Centre', got its fair share of million pound glow ups. The 'dillapidated' and 'dingy' mall was fitted out with fresh lighting and red brick features. Right next to this, there's our first number 44 bus stop. Arriving in the 60's from Pakistan, Sadiq's dad, Amanullah Khan needed to quickly get some money together. London transport desperately needed drivers. Every day for the next 25 years, he would drive the 44 up and down Garratt Lane between Wandsworth garage in Tooting to Victoria. The 80's summertime swimming, fighting roots and resting up with a pint Just round the corner, St. George's Park is where residents would have swum their childhood summers away in freezing cold Wandsworth Open Air Pool. Nowadays, Wandsworth locals take a splash at Tooting Bec - apparently even Brad Pitt's plunged in while filming at London's oldest Lido. Nearby historic pubs Tir Na Nog and The Garratt Tavern (formerly The Horse and Groom), take us back to workhouses, wagons and horses and the world's very first public railway. The Napoleonic war is raging and British vessels carrying supplies need a safer route. Mill owners didn't want to give away the special Wandle power supply and roads couldn't carry the super heavy loads. The solution? The Surrey Iron Railway. A few steps down, Earlsfield ABC is the hidden gem of a London boxing club, not just where Olympic medalist Joe Joyce was trained up by the mayor's brother Sid, but also where boxing became a part of the Khan brother's 'blood'. Wandsworth boy and heavyweight boxing legend Frank Bruno wasn't the only fighting kid fighting in this end of a time of racism featuring in South Asian lives, boxing gave the Khan family the confidence to deal with 'bother on the street'. Even further back in time, Wandsworth's fighting spirit was going strong with its iron mills here producing 'shot, shells, cannon, and other implements of war' for the Battles of Waterloo and Trafalgar. Parched workers would have rested up and indulged in a beer or two at The Old Sergeant - back in time, shire horses would have been delivering crates of beer to the drinking spot linked to Young's Brewery. A massive fire, 'one of the worst slums in London' and Sadiq's stunning housing estate Nearby, as we approach Swaffield Road, a darker history follows. Adkins Mill, the factory using special Esparto grass imported from North Africa to print newspapers including The Times, went up in flames in 1903. The 'monstrous' building of The Wandsworth & Clapham Poor Law Union still stands - though meant to help the poor, it would have only imprisoned them - purposely "oppressive, cruel and humiliating' to discourage applications. A nearby Anchor Church mission would have set out to challenge the perceived rise of drinking culture in poorer areas. In the 'rougher' side of Earlsfield, populated with unpleasant factories and workhouses, these were the streets where policemen only went in pairs. The 'small enclave of non-descript looking streets' sandwiched between pubs The Jolly Gardeners and Grosvenor Arms, weren't always celebrated, yet 'punch above their weight in historical terms'. Charles Booth once called the surrounding area 'one of the worst slums in London'. Previously subjected to derogatory descriptions, now, Wardley Street has a blue plaque celebrating Romani Gypsy and Traveller heritage. There are two small permanent Traveller sites nearby, in secluded pockets along the River Wandle. Right next to another 44 bus stop, we come to the stunning five brick arches and quiet courtyards of the Henry Prince Estate. Coming out of Wandsworth's major post-war 'slum clearance' programme, this was where Amanullah, a young Sadiq and his eight siblings would have shared a three bedroom flat. Nazi bombing led to a 'cruder version of slum clearance' - Wandsworth was a particular target for Nazi bombing with its industry and infrastructure. As well as enduring council housing surviving into the 2000's, Freddie the Tortoise was found amongst the war shrapnel - surviving for more than eight decades after. A Titanic connection, a top curry house and a celebrity tattooist Our next stop holds a blue plaque for the Titanic Bugler who lived at Lessingham Avenue and summoned passengers to the ship's dinner table 112 years ago. Just a few months before he would have gotten married to Mary Meaney at Garratt Lane's Roman Catholic Church. Nearby time-capsule of a shop has been going for more than half a century, Standing out against a backdrop of gentrification, this family-run "two-part-wooden-shuttered lawnmower-cum-saw-sharpening gem" continues services. Skipping past a nosy and a drink at a nearby time-capsule of a pub The County Arms, our next stop, the Tara Theatre was launched after the racist murder of 18-year-old Gurdip Singh Chagghar in Southall in 1976. In the years following, as the National Front rose, young Asians were joining forces to defend themselves. Nearby Nazmins is the award-winning curry house serving locals since 1966 and one of the oldest Indian restaurants in South London. A couple of doors away, we have possibly the oldest tattoo shop in London. Barry Louvaine famously inked up the face of the A-Team, Dirk Benedict for his role in Hammer Horror's 1984 episode Mark of the Devil. Nowadays, Barry's old clients' grandchildren most likely get tattooed here. Smashing fish and chips, food banks for refugees and the pub 'which has aged better than fine wine' If you don't fancy an Indian or tattoo, tuck into some banging fish and chips at Sea Horse Fish Bar. Voted Earlsfield's favourite takeaway, it's neighbored by the Home Community Cafe, which offers food banks for refugees. At this stretch of Garratt Lane, you can also grab a haircut at the Earsfield barbers where they've been snipping hair for over 100 years. Not too long ago, Goodfellas (formerly Barneys), had a very special visit from 98-year-old Daphne who cut hair at her dad's salon. First World War veteran Barnett Jacobs was 'quite the character'. Geoff tells all in the 'Earlsfield Wandle Wander'. Despite going for over 300 years, nearby, The Leather Bottle pub nearby has 'aged better than fine wine'. The early-18th century pub boasts a distinctive Dutch-style roof and large back garden. Wandsworth women rise up, Marc Bolan's busking days and Tooting's African connection Wandsworth's women weren't having it in the face of brutal wage cuts back in 1911. Nearing the end of our walk, a blue plaque marked the the 44 young women of the Corruganza Box Makers. Locals today remember relatives connected to the factory. Nearby, Geoff had campaigned for T. Rex singer Marc Bolan's blue plaque to be put up - after all, the famous glam rocker Summerstown star had lived in a prefab with his parents and spent his early busking days in local pubs. Walking past Streatham Cemetery and Peter Barr's blue plaque, imagine the 'Daffodil King' 150 years ago, starting with just a few humble nurseries in Tooting, on his mission to turn 'the daffodil into one of our country's favourite flowers'. Named after African chief Khama The Third, Khama Road will have you pondering Tooting's African connection. The story goes that having initially allied with British colonisers, after being 'threatened with having his country carved up and racially segregated by Cecil Rhodes', in 1985, along with tow other Kings from (modern-day) Botswana, heading to London, they made a successful appeal to Queen Victoria. Our final blue plaque sighting at what used to be 53 Defoe Road (now 934 Garrat Lane) remembers the youngest ever authenticated British soldier to fight in World War 1. Sidney Lewis was only 12 years old. Now, Gillian who's lived here for over 35 years, once named her adopted cat Sidney (completely coincidentally), who sadly passed away. Have any interesting stories or cool spots to share? Get in touch! Stay updated on the top South London stories. Sign up to our MySouthLondon newsletter HERE for the latest daily news and more.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
See the 'pristine' and 'quiet' Scottish beach with the wrecks of WWII submarines
This "pristine" and "quiet" beach in Scotland, which is home to the wrecks of two submarines, is perhaps one of the most underrated in the country. Aberlady Bay in East Lothian is arguably one of the most unique coastal areas in the UK, thanks to the rusting vessels on its shores. In 1952, the area, which enjoys panoramic views over the Firth of Forth, was declared a local nature reserve. According to Atlas Obscura, those lucky enough to visit on a clear day can spot the Forth Bridge and the Fife coastline. In 1952, the site was declared a local nature reserve (Image: Getty Images) What's so special about Aberlady Bay in East Lothian? The washed-up X-Class "Midget" submarines here also provide a fascinating glimpse into history. These vessels were an "unconventional" approach to taking down Germany's powerful fleet during the Second World War. They were involved in a daring raid in 1943 to plant explosive charges on Nazi warships stationed in Norway and played a vital role during D-Day. The submarines seen on the beach today were a training variant used as target practice by the RAF. Aberlady Bay has been described as 'pristine' and 'quiet'. (Image: Getty Images) Those coming to the beach can make use of the free car park nearby as well as toilet facilities and "good quality" footpaths, according to Visit East Lothian. The Scottish beach has also received a lot of praise from visitors on Google Reviews, with users giving it 5/5. One person said: "Stunning, expansive beach. A long walk from the closest road means it's quiet and pristine." Recommended Reading: Is this 'absolutely stunning' and 'breathtaking' waterfall the best in Scotland? See the 'gorgeous' town on a beautiful Scottish island that is frozen in time See the beautiful seaside town where a 'food revolution' is underway Another penned: "Worth the walk out, but watch out how you access, muddy at some parts of the shoreline." A third wrote: "Lovely nature reserve, great walk, stunning scenery, fantastic photographic opportunities ranging from macro, wildlife and landscapes." One visitor simply said: "Great place," while another added: "Absolutely stunning scenery."
