26 | THE PEARL OF THE DANUBE
BOUNTIFUL BUDAPEST
Erin English revels in the beauty of the ‘Pearl of the Danube’ on a four- day break in Budapest...
BY ERIN ENGLISH
erin@nitravelnews.com
THE illuminated reflection of the Hungarian Parliament buildings glisten on the Danube waters ; a fitting sight for a city which is commonly known as ‘the Pearl of the Danube.’ Back in May 2025, I recall standing with baited breath from the excellent vantage point of Buda, which offers a direct view over to the Pest side of the city, on the Hungarian Parliament buildings light switch on. Arriving around twenty minutes before sunset, I was able to fish out a spot which allowed me to admire the sight in my own time, instead of being surrounded by other hopefuls waiting to catch a glimpse. Eventually, as the sun began to set, the lights came on and the building stood mighty, beaming across the Danube River. As twilight falls, Budapest truly comes alive. The Hungarian capital sits on opposing
sides of the Danube River, once two separate cities, Buda and Pest were eventually united in 1873 to form one city which we know today as ‘Budapest.’
For those seeking to head out on a
trip to the Hungarian capital, flights are available from both Belfast and Dublin , making it an accessible city break for the Northern Irish holiday maker. With a flight duration of 3 hours, Budapest is an excellent short-haul destination to enjoy throughout the seasons. Spending four days in Budapest, I planned an itinerary which aimed to capture as many attractions as possible while also giving me time to slow down and capture the atmosphere of the destination. Exploration could be easily packed into a weekend itinerary, but for those seeking to take travelling at
their own pace, I would recommend three or four nights. Connected via bridges which tourists can walk, drive, or get the rail across, the two sides of the city can be easily explored by sightseers. Buda is widely known as the more historic side to the city, home to Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, where travellers can gauge great viewpoints of the surrounding area.
Modernised and bustling, Pest is probably
the go-to spot for shops, restaurants, and nightlife. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own plethora of attractions.
Heroes Square, Vajdahunyad castle, and the Hungarian Parliament Buildings are located
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April/May 2026
on the Pest side. If embarking on a trip to Budapest, I would recommend staying on the Pest side, due to its close proximity to amenities such as shops, cafes and restaurants. Pest acts as an ideal base for your city break. Aptly represented by the two sides of
the capital, Budapest is a city of multiple motives, where ancient history blends seamlessly with modern vigor. Tourists can venture to the ruin bars in Pest, and enjoy a few drinks and the vibrant nightlife or choose to indulge themselves in a dip into Budapest’s iconic thermal baths. Tourists can head in that direction, or pivot towards a completely different line-up of plans, I opted for the latter. My first port of call in Budapest was a trip to Vajdahunyad Castle, which is
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