What we visited in Budapest afterall
Before we left i posted a blog about what we plan to visit. Let’s see what we have visited from the sites planned and what else we visited:
* Budapest Zoo (Budapesti Állakert) - YES, on Aug 6 ; we spent 7 hours in the Zoo. Incredible site! Photo at the Zoo, click here.
* Citadella - YES, on Aug 8; after about a half an hour climb on Gillbert Hill. Photo at the Citadella, click here.
* Fishermen’s Bastion (Halászbástya) - YES , on Aug 7; One of the places i adored! Photo at the Fishermen’s Bastion, click here.
* Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere) - YES, on Aug 6, before we went to the Zoo. Photo in the square, click here.
* Labyrinth/Catacombs of Buda Castle (Budavári Labirintus) - NO
* The Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom) -YES, on Aug 6, but only the exterior. It was very crowded and during reconstructions.
* Parliament (Országház)-YES, on Aug 8 but only the exterior. The entrance is free for EU citizens but you have to go very early in the morning to get a ticket and then come back to visit it. So, we only took photos in front of it. Photo here.
* Royal Palace (Budavári palota) - YES, but only from distance.
* Chain Bridge (Lánchid) - YES, on Aug 8, totally loved it! it’s the oldest bridge in Budapest. Photo here.
* House of Terror (this was a suggestion from a BootsnAll member)- NO, not my kind of museum.
But we also visited:
* The Transport Museum - YES, on Aug 8, totally worth it!!! Photo here.
* Eastern Station - YES, everyday 
* St. Stephen’s Basilica - YES, on Aug 7
* Vajdahunyad Castle - YES, on Aug 6, absolutely lovely, on the outside! it’s very expensive to get in mostly if you happen to get there on a concert day. But totally worth a visit! Photo here.
Western Station - YES, on Aug 7 and 8
* Museum of Ethnography - YES, on Aug 8, on the outside
* Museum on Fine Arts - YES, on Aug 6, on the outside
* The Cogwheel railway - YES, on Aug 8 very nice experience to go up the hill with it.
* The Children’s railway - YES, on Aug 8, but it was closed by the time we got there. We saw the station though.
* Batthyány Eternal Flame - YES, on Aug 8. Located in front of the Parliament, it’s pretty easy not to notice it.
* Funicular - YES, on Aug 7. We didn’t use it, but we saw it. We preferred to walk up the hill.
* Gellért Hotel and Thermal Baths - YES, on Aug 8, from outside. it’s very impressive.
* Gellért Hill - YES , on Aug 8. On top of it are the Liberation Monument and Citadella.
* Cave Church - YES, on Aug 8. right opposite to Gellert Hotel. Note: make sure to visit it right after 6:30 PM when the mess is over.
* Széchenyi Baths - YES, on Aug 6, from outside. Very impressive.
* Elisabeth Bridge, Chain Bridge , Margaret Bridge and Liberty Bridge - YES.
TIPS:
* buy a weekly travel card for 3700 Ft; it allows for free transport in Budapest using the public transport system. a single ticket costs 230 Ft and you always have to change 2-3 means of transport to get to a destination;
* learn some Hungarian words. While you can go by with English, sometimes it’s better to know some Hungarian words. It sure pays off even if it’s a simple “thank you”
* you can buy Budapest Card which allow for free or discounted museum entrance, discounts at restaurants and baths. They are valid for 48 or 72 hours.
