Budapest

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is one of the most densely populated cities in the European Union, with 1. 74 million inhabitants. It numbers among several places which are today considered World Heritage Sites, and is one of the most important financial centres in Europe.

Day #1 - Arrival

When we arrived in the city, our first impression was that it was a chaotic and unorganised place, but in reality we didn't know it very well and having been travelling for six hours meant that we arrived at 11pm. The journey to the hostel didn't take long on the metro. Thankfully, since Budapest is the capital city, there were a lot of people who could speak English and so, after asking for directions several times, we arrived at the hostel. We dropped off our bags and decided to go for a walk around the outskirts of the city, which turned into a trip to a nearby McDonalds to eat after a long, hard day, although we were extremely tired. After talking about how we would organise the coming days, we decided to go to bed.

What was the hostel like?

The hostel was called Hostel Mandarín and I have to admit that it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had of a hostel. That night while I was trying to sleep, I noticed there were some little insects on my blankets. I ignored them at first, but then more appeared. I was worried, but I decided to just sleep after the long day I'd had. Imagine my surprise when I woke up the next day to find my neck and both my arms absolutely covered in insect bites... yep, those bed bugs bit me to pieces! So, for this reason, please don't go to Hostel Mandarin. It's cheap, but in my experience, you get what you pay for in terms of quality and hygiene. As I saw Booking.com or Hostelworld after I got home, most people have given the place bad reviews. Therefore, it's extremely important to read the comments from past customers before you book! The hotel manager did give me the majority of my money back after he saw my bites, though. I decided to try not to be too upset about it and enjoy the views of the city and the tourism.

Day #2 - Let the sight-seeing begin!

The following morning, we went on a free tour which departed from a meeting point in the centre of the Buda part of the city. The city is formed of Buda and Pest, we were informed by the guide, which are divided by the Danube and which united to form one city in 1873. We were shown the most important parts of the city, and we were quite a large group, full of people who wanted to find out more about the city's history on their tourist visit. There are tours in all different languages, and so like good Spaniards who love their country, we went on the Spanish tour.

The tour took us from the most unimpressive part of the city to the following places.

• Chain Bridge
• Views of Buda Castle
• Budapest Parliament
• Basilica with Vaci Utca Street (a main street lined with shopping centres, souvenir shops and hotels)
• Y terminando en el Bastión de los Pescadores
• Fisherman's Bastion

The tour was excellent, as it showed us lots of the most charming features of the city. Our stomachs were rumbling, so we went to a bar near the Fisherman's Bastion called 'Hurly Burly' which had very tasty food at affordable prices, service with a smile and very importantly, the staff spoke basic English. In fact, we came back to this bar on our third day in Budapest after having strolled around this part in the evening, so I really do recommend it.

When the tour had finished, we wandered through the city of our own accord, taking lots of photos and discovering new things. We took a break at a café and then suddenly the evening had arrived. We admired the lights and charm of the streets until we decided to go back to the hostel to sleep.

Day #3 - Enjoying the markets and hot springs

On our third day in Budapest, our itinerary consisted of visiting a market, where we found traditional dishes from Budapest and thousands of places to eat, ranging from the most typical to the most unusual. Among the millions of kiosks you're sure to find something tasty - my choice of a meat-filled aubergine was delicious. There were people from all over the world at this market, and I found it an amazing place full of different cultures intermingling.

In the afternoon, a wonderful bathe in the Schezeny thermal springs was waiting for us. These baths are part open air and part covered and all different temperatures. It was a great experience that I'd definitely want to have again!

Day #4 - The Danube by night

On the following day we decided to go on a boat trip down the Danube at dusk, where the lights make the whole city seem even more magnificent than it already is. The student discount price was an affordable 9 euros, and the price for undiscounted adults 15 euros. We were shattered after this, and so went straight to bed after having dinner.

Day #5 - Views to remember

On our fifth and final day we decided to do a bit of hiking to enjoy the beautiful views at dusk, and reached the Budapest Statue of Liberty. The views of the city bathed in light were incredible. This was how we spent out final evening: enjoying the city's beauty.

Top tips

• Go on a free tour and visit the Schezeny Baths. The entrance fee is 15 euros.
• Eat out at the marketplace or at Hurly Burly for good food at good prices.
• In Hungary they don't use euros, so exchange your euros into Hungarian forint before you travel.
• Be careful when choosing a hostel: read past guests' comments and reviews before booking.
• You won't have any problems with the language as everyone, or at least almost everyone, speaks basic English, and if not, you'll find Spaniards or Argentinians around almost every corner.
• Enjoy Budapest! It's a city worth exploring and admiring both by day and by night.

New in Budapest? Get to Know the Great Market Hall

One of the first things that I typically consider when I stay for a week or two in a certain city is the proximity of my apartment or hotel to the market or shopping center and the city's metro station where I can buy some of personal needs and get from one place to another respectively. I want to stay in a place which is within walking distance to the market.

When I did my Erasmus during the fall semester last year at Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary, I discovered that I am within the vicinity of the university, metro station and some markets. I was happy to know that my dormitory is just approximately eigthy (80) to one hundred (100) meters away from the Central Market Hall in Budapest.

As I live very close to the place, the exact location of the Central Market Hall is very vivid to my memory. I used to do my shopping and marketing in this very beautiful market hall. The Great Market Hall is no doubt the most beautiful market hall in Hungary.

It is situated at the Pest side of Budapest. It appears to occupy the centerpiece of the area because of its very strategic position. It is merely a few minutes walk to different scenic spots in Budapest. It is almost adjacent to the Department of Business and Economics of the Corvinus University of Budapest. A great number of students stay near the market during break or before their classes. The nearest metro station to the market is Kalvin ter. From there you can get from one part of the city to another. Right after the Kalvin ter is the famous Szabadsag Bridge or Liberty Bridge. The location of the Great Market Hall is proximate to a number of restaurants---Chinese, Turkish, among other foreign restaurants.

Take a look at one of the pictures of the Great Market which I have taken while having an early morning stroll in the city.

How the Market Looks Like

The Great Market Hall is among the most beautiful markets in Europe. It has a structure similar to other markets in European cities. The first time I saw it, I thought it was a museum, I was surprised to know from a local that the building I was taking a picture of was actually the city's central market.  Truth to tell, I have never seen before a market hall as stylish in design and ornate in structure as the Great Market Hall in Budapest at least among the European cities I have so far visited.

Below is the picture of the market taken at the eastern side of the market which is usually lined with cars and vehicles during Saturday which is typically the busiest day of the week in the market.

The architectural design of the market is so ornate that you would not be inclined to think of it as a market. You would think otherwise. Outside, the building's roofings are unique of its own. The roof structure is so elegant and stylish that you would not stop admiring it the first time you see it.

Inside the Great Market Hall

You will be amazed how spacious the building is once you enter inside it. It is a three storey edifice, with each level containing stores, stalls and outlets which offer various products.

The lowest level, the basement, is where you can find fish stalls, stores that sell prickles and spices. It is also in the basement where you could get some stuffs for the kitchen. When I arrived in my dormitory I did not bring with me kitchenwares and utensils. So I needed to buy these kitchen stuffs at the Central Market. Plates, frying pan and other wares for cooking are available in these stores situated at the basement. Immediately beside these stores is the Aldi supermarket. The supermarket practically sell almost everything you need for your kitchen: fresh meat, fresh produce, home goods, appetizers and snacks, beverages, etc.

If you want fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, meat, chocolates, sweets, you can find them at the Ground Level. This part of the market is where most of the activities take place. It is also where you can find the most number of people. Paprika and salami are found in Ground Level. Curious how goulash is cooked, I bought all the ingredients I needed such as paprika, potatoes, beef, etc. in the Ground Level. The Hungarian paprika powder is a commodity of premium value. It is usually packed in enticing and impressive packaging that tends to attract buyers to purchase the product. I bought a small pack of paprika which I used for cooking purposes for the next three months. Dried fruits and nuts of various types are also available in the Ground Level.

On the main entrance, in the center stalls, is where you can find sweets such as cakes, chocolates, candies and others. If I needed honey, dried mushroom and dairy products, I go to the north end of the market. Turkey meat is likewise being sold in this area.

Locals and tourists alike usually flock at the upper floor of the market to buy clothings and garments. Richly designed embroidery, hand-made crafts and products offered at reasonable prices are likewise available at the upper floor. The way these embroidered products were made is really amazing. They surely are work of art. Interested to one of the items, I was able to haggle successfully and strike a good deal for a piece of embroidered shirt for around twenty (20) euros. If you want to grab a bite and tour the market with a full stomach, you can momentarily stop at one of the food stalls in the upper floor to satisfy your gastronomic palates. Have a taste of salami, burgers, goulash coupled with a glass or bottle of beer. A number of food stalls which sell delicious and nutritious menu are found in the upper floor.

If you happen to visit Budapest, there is no reason why you should not visit its most beautiful and elegant market hall. It may sound like an exaggeration but your visit to Budapest will not be complete without dropping by at the Great Market Hall. You would definitely enjoy going around the city by dropping first at the Great Market Hall.