Viking Cruises

Viking Explorer Society News - Issue 29 - Summer 2026

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viking.com | 39 S U M M E R I S S U E 2 9 EXPLORE BUDAPEST THE VIKING WAY Viking offers a number of included and optional excursions in Budapest PANORAMIC BUDAPEST With your guide, wander Andrássy Avenue and pass Heroes' Square. Visit the Castle District with its massive hilltop castle complex, the turreted Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. See the famous Chain Bridge from the heights of Buda Hill. HUNGARIAN HORSEMAN Travel to horse country to tour a farm and witness some exciting horsemanship by highly skilled riders. A rollicking show brings centuries-old traditions of horseback riding to life. Ride a horse- drawn carriage and meet some Hungarian farm animals. BUDAPEST THERMAL BATHS Soak up the restorative powers of Budapest's thermal baths and join locals in a centuries-old tradition. Immerse yourself in the therapeutic waters that have flowed here for centuries as you mingle with the locals taking a soak. Beyond these landmarks, Budapest's charm lies in its vibrant streets and cultural treasures. Wander along Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lined with elegant mansions, designer boutiques, and the grand Hungarian State Opera House. Explore the Great Synagogue, Europe's largest, and its moving Holocaust Memorial in the Jewish Quarter. For art lovers, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Gallery showcase masterpieces from classical to contemporary. No visit is complete without a soak in one of Budapest's famed thermal baths, such as the ornate Széchenyi or Ottoman-style Rudas, where steaming pools and mosaic-tiled halls offer a timeless escape. GASTRONOMY Hungarian cuisine is hearty, flavourful, and steeped in tradition. Don't miss the Great Market Hall, a vibrant hub for local produce, spices, and street food. Sample the beloved comfort food, Lángos, a fried flatbread topped with cheese, sour cream and garlic butter. For a taste of Hungary's national dish, try Gulyás (Goulash), a rich beef stew infused with paprika and served with crusty bread. Learn more about Budapest and river voyages through Central Europe in our destination guide. Central Europe DESTINATION GUIDE SCAN QR CODE TO READ From hole-in-the-wall eateries to Michelin- starred restaurants, Budapest offers dining experiences for every palate. Pair your meal with a glass of Tokaji wine or explore cozy wine bars showcasing Hungary's celebrated vintages. SHOPPING With a generation of booming young designers and a blossoming art scene, shopping in Budapest is a mix of vintage, luxury and unique underground style. If you are seeking traditional artisanry, cutting- edge design or culinary delights, you are in for a treat. Typical folk craft includes ceramics, embroidery, painted wooden toys, porcelain and more. Traditional market stalls sit side by side with huge malls and smaller boutiques, offering plenty of diversity. The Ecseri Piac and Fovam tér markets are particularly good and worth a wander: Ecseri is a sprawling flea market full of unusual antiques and ripe for haggling, while Fovam is a three-story home to 200 stallholders offering everything from farm-reared chickens and home-grown vegetables to locally made arts and crafts. Central Market Hall of Budapest

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