A Week in Budapest: What's Actually Worth Your Time
It's easy to get Budapest wrongon your first visit. I learned this the hard way when I spent my first afternoon in the city trying to navigate the Buda Castle hill on a Sunday morning, only to find it closed for a church service. The castle's not open until 10 a.m. on Sundays, and I'd been told by a tourist office employee it was open "all day." Turns out, I was one of many who got caught off guard by the city's quiet, local rhythm. It's not all about the thermal baths and the Parliament building. Budapest is a city that rewards patience and curiosity. My favorite way to experience the city's authentic side is by exploring the streets of the Jewish Quarter, especially the area around Kazinczy Street. I stumbled upon a small, family-run bakery called Szent István Bajtár on a Sunday morning, where I had the most delicious lángos (a fried dough topped with garlic, sour cream, and cheese) for just 350 HUF (about $1). The owner, a woman named Ildikó, gree...