Frommer's Favorite Experiences

Discovering the Courtyards of Budapest: Budapest's residential streets are truly enchanting, but it is inside the courtyards of the buildings that the city's greatest secret is held: Budapesters are villagers at heart. Fruit trees and flower gardens flourish, cats lounge in the sun, and jars of pickled vegetables line the window ledges. Nearly every apartment building in this city has an open-air courtyard in its center, where pensioners sit on the common balconies smoking cigarettes, gossiping, and watching the children race around the yard, dodging flower pots and laundry racks. The main entrance doors to many apartment buildings are left unlocked during the daytime hours.

Exploring the Neighborhood Markets: There is scarcely a neighborhood in Budapest without its own outdoor produce market. Professional vendors mix with elderly peasants who are in for the day with a wagon of fresh-picked fruits and veggies. Produce is fresh and inexpensive. Shop for a picnic lunch or simply wander around soaking up the vibrant workaday atmosphere.

Riding the Trams: Armed with your daily transit pass, get the lay of the land and more from the windows of the city's many trams. Board a tram and ride it to the terminus and back, or disembark along the way for a closer look around -- a great and economical way to spend a rainy day.

Packing a Picnic for the City Park: On a nice summer day, it seems that all of Budapest comes to City Park to enjoy the weather and one another's company. Children of all ages fill the playgrounds and linger by the entrances to the amusement park, the zoo, and the circus. Bathers flock to the historic Széchenyi Baths. Mostly, though, people come to stroll, a time-honored pastime in central Europe.

Taking a Walk in the Buda Hills: It's hard to believe that such a large expanse of hilly forest is right here within the capital city. There are hiking trails aplenty; every Budapest native has a favorite. Ask around.

Strolling Through the Jewish District: Budapest has the largest Jewish population of any city on the European continent (outside Russia). Pest's historic Jewish neighborhood, run-down but relatively unchanged, resonates with the magic and tragedy of the past.

Sipping Coffee at a Traditional Coffeehouse: Imperial Budapest is long, long gone, but a few of the trappings still remain and are creeping back into existence. None is quite so pleasant as the traditional, ornate coffeehouse, a symbol of fin de siècle Budapest. Coffee and sweets are sumptuous, and customers may linger for hours without drawing unkind looks from the waiters.

Enjoying a Sunset from the Riverside: Locals and visitors alike stroll along the Danube bank (Pest side) in the early evening, taking in the changing light over the shimmering water. Find a free bench, or venture out onto one of the bridges that span the Danube to enjoy a different view of the glorious river that snakes its way through the soul of central Europe.

Spending Time on Margaret Island: This lovely park in the middle of the river between Buda and Pest is beautifully maintained, with fountains, floral gardens, green fields, and the like. Find yourself a piece of green and settle down for a while.

Relaxing at the Baths: There is no place quite like the city's various baths to unwind. Budapest's fabled thermal waters invite you to loosen up, slow down, and relax.

Cruising the Danube: There's nothing like a boat ride on a fine sunny day. From Budapest, head up the river to the charming towns of Szentendre and Visegrád along the Danube Bend.

Climbing the Tower of Saint Stephen's Church: This is the highest point in Pest; from here, the only barrier to a vista of the horizon is haze or smog (on a bad day). For those who can handle it, the long, arduous ascent makes the view all the more pleasurable. If climbing doesn't appeal to you, ride the newly installed lift to the top.

Settling down on a Bench on Tóth Árpád sétány: This is the perfect alternative to the Danube Promenade for those who prefer a quiet urban bench to one on a main thoroughfare. Tóth Árpád sétány is a surprisingly untraveled street that runs the entire length of the Castle District on the Buda side (that is, the non-Danube side).

Riding the Ferris Wheel: The beautiful old yellow Ferris wheel in Budapest's amusement park will lift you gently up into the evening air. At the apex of the long, slow ride, you will have an astonishing view of the entire city and the falling sun.