Three Capitals (2. Hungary)

Early in the morning we leave Bratislava and in a few hours reach the capital of Hungary. The difference with Bratislava is clear-cut, Budapest is enormous and just getting from the outskirts to the historic centre took a while. We leave the car in a covered car park and begin visiting the city. Of course we couldn't have started anywhere but the Chain Bridge, the city's symbol on the Danube. The climb up to the Royal Palace is tough (especially because we didn't feel like taking paid means of transport) but it was worth it. From above the city loses that air of fascinating decay due to the greyness of some buildings and takes on the charm of an immense megalopolis studded with imposing monuments. We visit the whole upper core with the Matthias Corvinus church and the Royal Palace. In the evening we head down towards the Parliament and get lost in the alleys in search of a good goulash.

We only return to Bratislava late at night.