Budapest the capital of Hungary is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The River Danube divides the city in two parts Buda and Pest. Budapest is the political, administrative, economic, scientific, and cultural centre of Hungary.
With its colorful history, culture and incredible architectural heritage, Budapest deserves its title as the “Pearl of Central Europe”. The Castle District, River Danube embankments and Andrássy Avenue are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Budapest is famous for its spas, cuisine, parks and exciting programs and events.
The Citadel sits atop Gellért Hill and offers an unrivalled panorama of Budapest. Nearby are other points of interest like the Liberty Statue, the Gellért Baths and the Gellért Hill Cave.
The Buda Castle is the historical castle of the Hungarian kings in Budapest, Hungary. It was built on the southern tip of Castle Hill, next to the old Castle District which is famous for its medieval, Baroque and 19th century houses and public buildings. The Buda Castle is part of the Budapest World Heritage Site, declared in 1987.
St. Matthias Church is famous for its history, architecture and beautiful tiled roof. Situated in the Castle district of Buda it is a must see for any visitor to the city
Fishermen’s Bastion is situated above the Danube in the Castle district and offers the most beautiful views of the city. It is Neo-Romanesque in style and was designed at the end of the 19th century by the architect Frigyes Schulek (1841 to 1919). The name of Fishermen’s Bastion recalls that the are it is situated in was defended by a guild of fishermen.
Margaret Island, a pedestrianzed recreational island in the middle of the Danube River has long been a welcoming green oasis in the heart of Budapest. Árpád Bridge to the north and Margaret Bridge to the south connect Margaret Island with the city. The island is very popular with locals, especially during the weekend. Visitors strolling around can come across a variety of interesting structures (the UNESCO-protected Water Tower, musical fountain, Open-air stage, St Michael’s Church) and the ruins of the nunnery where Margaret, daughter of King Béla IV lived. There are also several excellent sports and recreational facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, strand, tennis courts and a public running track circling the island. There are also a variety of bars and in the summer beer gardens and outdoor nightclubs.
The Parliament is situated on Pest’s riverbank. The magnificent structure is a symbol of Hungary’s independence. The main style of the building is neo-gothic with renaissance influences, but the basic ground plan is Baroque. A strong Byzantine influence is noticeable in the interior of the building, especially in the marvelously decorated staircase hall.
The Central Market Hall, also known as the Great Market Hall, is the city’s largest indoor market. The beautiful historic structure with its distinct tiled roof attracts both local shoppers and tourists. If you visit the Great Market Hall, you’ll find three stories of stalls selling a variety of wares. On the busy ground level, there are lots of fruit and vegetable vendors. In the basement, there’s a supermarket, a number of fishmongers, and vendors selling game meat. On the upper floor, beautiful Hungarian arts and crafts are the most common fare but you’ll find some fast food stands.
The Dohány-Street Synagogue with its distinctive onion towers and built in the Byzantine Moorish style is one of the greatest buildings of the city. It is the second largest synagogue in the world and functions till today. It is also open to tourists and boasts a fascinating adjoining museum.
St. Stephen’s Basilica is Hungary’s largest church and the second highest in ecclesiastical ranking. Technically, it isn’t really a basilica but the sheer size of the structure has led it to be referred to in this manner. St. Stephen’s Basilica is dedicated to Hungary’s first king, St. Stephen. Its vast capacity can hold around 8500 people.
Andrássy-Avenue (Andrássy út) is known as the “Champs-Elysees” of Budapest. Completed in 1886, it consists of three approximately 1 km long sections. The first section boasts the Opera House, shops and cafes, the second tree lined section boasts a museum, a famous café and the Fine Art Academy and the third section leads up to Heroes’ Square with old villas with gardens. Running under Andrássy ut is the Földalatti (the “Underground”, today metro 1). Built in 1896, it was the first underground railway in continental Europe. The street and metro is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The State Opera House, once known as the Budapest Royal Opera House, is home to first-rate performances of the world’s greatest operas and ballets. Constructed between 1875-84 by the architect Miklos Ybl, it is a magnificent Renaissance style building. Daily tours of the stunning interior are also available.
Heroes’ Square at the end of Andrássy út is the city’s largest square There is a 36-metre-high column, the Millennium Monument, in its centre. The statues in the two colonnade arch show the heroes of Hungarian history. On the right of the square is the Museum of Fine Arts and on the left, the Mucsarnok Art Gallery. Behind the square is a huge outdoor skating rink for winter fun.
Széchenyi Thermalbath, situated in the City Park is one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe and the premier medicinal bath of Pest. Its thermal springs were discovered in 1879; they are the hottest (74-75° C) and deepest thermal wells in Budapest. The pleasantly warm waters of the outdoor pools are enjoyable all year round (even in the snow!).
