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