Dazzling design in Budapest: A curated itinerary from Architectural Digest
Budapest, the Hungarian capital city straddling the Danube River, is an unmissable destination for travelers who want to be surrounded by striking architecture and design. Curated by Architectural Digest for Chase Travel, this insider itinerary takes you to some of the city's most recognizable landmarks, including a dazzling opera house and traditional bathhouse. But you'll also discover burgeoning creative neighborhoods like Erzsébetváros and Józsefváros and eat your way through cafes and restaurants serving everything from modern Hungarian fare to inventive pastries. It's no wonder Budapest has earned the moniker “Paris of the East".
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Drop Your Bags
An Art Nouveau landmark in its own right, this is one of the most iconic buildings in Budapest—and one of our favorite hotels.
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest
Member of The Edit by Chase Travel
A distinguished member of The Edit℠, the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest ranks among Budapest's finest stays. Everywhere you look you'll see traces of the past—original features restored to their former glory, including stained glass created by the Hungarian mosaicist and artist Miksa Róth and a tile arcade crafted by Zsolnay, a local heritage porcelain company. But modern touches, like an infinity-edge pool at the top-floor spa and a craft cocktail menu down at the restaurant and bar, MÚZSA, tether the hotel firmly to the present.
The Main Attractions
From an architectural landmark that embodies the city's Golden Age to a food hall where you can eat your way through traditional Hungarian staples, consider these your essential entry points into Budapest.
Hungarian State Opera House
A façade adorned with statues of virtuosic composers (think: Mozart and Verdi) hints at the visual spectacle awaiting you inside this neo-renaissance icon: Soaring marble columns, gilded 24-karat features and a massive ceiling fresco by Károly Lotz are just a few of the details you'll see on a guided, behind-the-scenes tour—or during a live opera or ballet performance.
Great Market Hall
Beneath a colorful, tiled roof, this indoor market is filled with vendors selling everything from spiced sausages and local cheeses to Hungarian street food delicacies, like lángos, or fried dough discs, and almás rétes, or flaky apple strudel. Upstairs, browse artisanal crafts and edible souvenirs to bring home—a jar of paprika will do nicely.
Make a Splash
Discover Budapest by water—that is, at a traditional bathhouse, colloquially known as a gyógyfürdő, or while cruising down the Danube. Just be sure to pack a swimsuit.
Gellért Thermal Bath
One of the most famous bathhouses in the city, this Art Nouveau-style institution transports guests to an era of design decadence as they soak in thermal mineral pools surrounded by stained-glass ceilings and multicolored majolica tiles. The baths offer co-ed facilities with access to all pools, saunas and even an outdoor wave pool. As one of the city's most popular destinations, the Gellért draws crowds, so book your treatments and arrival time in advance.
Private Boat Tour on the Danube River
Embark on a river cruise arranged through Chase Travel's trusted local partners to see the city's landmarks from the water. Full-day charters take you beyond city limits, to charming villages and hilltop castle ruins; you might even go ashore to explore sites like Visegrád Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and Szentendre, an art-centric enclave tailor-made for strolling and shopping. Between stops, you'll be treated to tastings of local Hungarian wines, which pair perfectly with additional insights from your guide.
Sate Your Appetite
After soaking up Budapest's sights (and soaking in its baths), you'll no doubt be ready to indulge another sense: taste. The city's culinary scene offers everything from traditional Hungarian fare to modern, Michelin star-worthy tasting menus.
Lui
Set on a leafy side street near Liberty Square, this patisserie draws the city's most discerning sweet-tooths. Start your day with a quiche-like breakfast tart, a pistachio brioche or a flaky spelt cherry galette; between bites, you can sip on a latte while watching the bakers at work.
Kiosk
Colored glass, soaring arched windows and a terrace with Danube views are just a few reasons to love this hip, next-gen Hungarian restaurant. Try modernized classics like goulash and egg noodles with a glass of Hungarian Furmint wine as you enjoy the lively scene—and the first-rate people-watching that comes with it.
Babel Budapest
Hyper-local ingredients shine through eight- or 12-course tasting menus at this Michelin-starred spot. Whether it's a pomme soufflé with cured Mangalica sausage or pike perch with pumpkin and chestnuts, each dish celebrates Hungary's bounty. Remember to use an eligible Chase card to earn rewards to redeem on future culinary adventures.
Spinoza
Part daytime cafe, part evening arts space, this venue in the Jewish Quarter has emerged as a hub for Budapest's creative set. Stop in during the afternoon for freshly brewed coffee and goose-leg confit, or swing by after dark for jazz music sessions, poetry readings or regular Friday night Klezmer performances.
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Booking With Chase Travel
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