Make sure to visit St. Stephen’s Basilica to see the beautiful dome and interior. There are Cathedral Organ Concerts on Monday’s at 5 pm with works by Bach and several others.
Budapest Central Market: Since 1879, this is a must see if you are a foodie and love markets. There were wonderful purveyors of meats, sausages and pastries and cookies of all kinds. Upstairs are many vendors selling local crafts and some food stands appealing to locals with local specialties. Upstairs, I was pleased to find Fakanal Restaurant for lunch featuring Hungarian specialties. This is a really fun, self-service, restaurant with a well-designed, casual atmosphere. I enjoyed a great chicken stew with vegetables on the side. There was a four-piece orchestra playing gypsy and Hungarian music. I enjoyed finding a great bakery downstairs after lunch for cookies! Vamhaz Krt. 1-3.
Well-worth the visit is the Szechenyi Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool built in 1913 and located in Woodland Park on the east side of Pest. It is located in a beautiful building. It is interesting to see the locals, in bathing suits, eating and hanging out in the pools. You can participate or just enjoy watching from the cafe off the lobby.
The Gellert Thermal Baths, from 1918 and across the river in the Hotel Gellert, are also recommended.
Magma Hungarian Design and Contemporary Art Gallery: I happened upon this lovely gallery which features contemporary ceramics, paintings, glass, weavings, jewelry, textiles, plus paintings and graphics. Petofi Sandor Utca 11.
For contemporary art, plan to visit the Ludwig Museum with a focus more on Eastern and Central European contemporary art. There is a particular emphasis on Hungarian art from the 1960’s to the present. Komor Marcell Utca 1.
As a note, the Museum of Fine Arts is closed for a major renovation until March, 2018. I was sorry to have missed it while there.