My Last Day in Budapest: Soaking in Thermal Baths, Savoring Local Flavors, and Watching the Danube Glow

If today were your last day in Budapest, how would you spend it?

It’s my final day in Budapest, and I decided to begin it with something the city is famous for its thermal baths: Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő és Uszoda. I hopped on the nostalgic M1 metro line, the oldest in Budapest and made my way to Széchenyi fürdő, arriving just after 8:00 AM.

As I entered, I noticed several elderly locals already enjoying their morning soak. With the help of the staff guiding me through the maze-like interior, I finally discovered the outdoor thermal bath. The moment I slid into the warm water, surrounded by grand architecture and rising steam that drifted like soft morning mist, I felt as if I had entered another world.

Some people were quietly reading, others taking selfies, but most, like me, were simply soaking, breathing in the moment, and enjoying the beauty around them. It made me think: people in Budapest really know how to enjoy life. Haha.

I originally planned to stay for just an hour—but that plan quickly dissolved when I realized I had only explored one small section. There were still so many rooms and saunas left to discover—salt rooms, herbal steam, volcanic rock steam, and more.

The first sauna I entered had a sign reading 80–100°C. Inside were people with intense expressions and sweat pouring down their faces. For a moment, I wondered if we were all secretly participating in some kind of endurance test! I only lasted through two saunas before I had to step out. It made me wonder—are people in Budapest just built to handle the heat?

After the bath, I headed to the Central Market Hall (Nagycsarnok). It’s not just a tourist stop—it’s a vibrant market for locals. The stalls were filled with bright paprika, sausages, fresh produce, bread, and sweets. I couldn’t resist picking up a few things to take back to the hotel, hoping to preserve a taste of the journey.

For lunch, I originally planned to visit a fancy restaurant, but on the way, a small eatery caught my attention. Delivery workers were constantly going in and out. It looked like a local favorite. I decided to line up. Turning to the Hungarian man behind me, I asked, “What would you recommend?”
“Goulash,” he replied. “And maybe the spinach cream soup—or some fried pork or chicken with rice.” I took his advice and carried my plate outside to a small table on the sidewalk.

Admittedly, it was a bit awkward—my seat was right next to a bus stop, and I kept making eye contact with passengers getting off the bus. Haha. But the food was delicious and very affordable.

After lunch, I spontaneously jumped on a tram, taking full advantage of my day pass to wander the city. Eventually, I found myself at Saint Stephen’s Basilica. From the outside, it’s already impressive but stepping inside took my breath away. Towering domes, intricate frescoes, and golden ornamentation surrounded me. The quiet power of the space was amplified when the organ began to play, the notes echoing through the high ceilings like a gentle wave.

As evening fell, I strolled along the Danube River. The sky turned a warm pink as the sun dipped behind the hills, and the Parliament building’s reflection shimmered across the water like a living painting.

There, I met a fellow tourist—a passionate photographer. We stood in the chilly wind, waiting together for the Parliament’s lights to come on, trying to capture Budapest’s most romantic view. She even asked if I lived here. I laughed and said no—but honestly, I wish I could stay longer.

If Prague is all about consistent classical beauty, and Vienna radiates polished grandeur, then Budapest feels like a city that has known glory, destruction, and rebirth. Architectural styles from different eras coexist here—modern glass next to Gothic arches, Art Nouveau facades blending with Neo-Renaissance palaces. It’s a city of contrasts that somehow fits together perfectly.

Standing by the Danube, watching the Parliament glow in the dark, I felt a wave of reluctance to leave.

I hope I’ll have the chance to return one day and explore this unforgettable city even more deeply.