The Hungarian city we now know as Budapest has seen a lot. Originally two cities, Buda and Pest, it was fought over for centuries by the Romans and the Ottomans, among others.
In World War II, it was partially destroyed by British and American bombings. But now, Budapest is a prime destination for visitors.
KPLU travel expert Matthew Brumley called in from the deck of the MS Amadeus Brilliant, on the Danube River in the heart of the city.
“I’m looking at the Liberty Bridge and the Gellert baths, and the night cruise ships are just beginning to cruise out onto the river,” he said. “I can see Parliament and Buda Hill, and it’s just an absolutely magical place.”
LorelayBosca is a guide in Budapest. She says the city is full of art, food, music and history.
“Once you come in, you need a lifetime,” she said. “It’s not something you can explore for a half-hour and then just go away.”
What To Do
Gellert Hill is home to ancient baths and a spa. There’s a monument to Saint Gellert, the hill’s namesake. Come down from the hill to wander along the Danube River. The city’s promenade offers some nice walks.
Museums abound. Try the Hungarian National Museum for starters. Unfortunately, the Museum of Fine Arts is closed for renovations until 2018.
Budapest is the home of Franz Liszt, and you can visit a museum and hear his music at the LisztFerenc Memorial Museum.
The city is full of parks and beautiful architecture worth wandering around for, too.
Getting There
It’s about 12 hours, door-to-door from Seattle. Your first flight is the longest, to Amsterdam or London. From there, it’s a short hop to Budapest, or even Vienna, which is just a couple hours away by road.
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"Going Places" is KPLU's weekly exploration of travel topics. Matthew Brumley is the co-founder of Earthbound Expeditions on Bainbridge Island, which provides small group travel to clients including KPLU.
