Budapest

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and it is often called the pearl of the Danube , because it is located in the central part of the country and divided by the river Danube into two parts with Buda on the right and Pest in the left.

Hungarian Parliament

The neo-Gothic building of Parliament is one of the most famous landmarks of Budapest. It is currently the largest building in Hungry, and still the highest building in Budapest. It is on of Europe's oldest legislative building, a notable landmark of Hungry and a popular tourist destination of Budapest. The square where the Hungarian Parliament stands was named after Lajos Kossuth, a Hungarian lawyer, journalist, politician and Governor-President of Hungary in 1849. The Holy Crown is exhibited in the Dome Hall. The huge dome hall in the middle was designed for joined sessions. This part of the building was the first to be completed, hosting the parliament millennial section of 1896. As Hungary resorted to a single chamber system at the end of 1944, the northern conference room (once serving the upper chamber) is often used for international conferences. The southern conference room came to host the chamber of deputies. Wall paintings depict historical events, statues represent allegoric figures of honoured virtues. The Parliament also includes an extensive library of around half-a-million books and documents.

Buda Castle Hill

Rising 48 meters above the Danube, the Castle Hill dominates the city. The Castle Hill can be divided into two parts: the Castle itself and the so-called Castle District. UNESCO listed Buda Castle District as a World Heritage site in 1987. It is worth having a pleasant walk in the charming streets of the Castle District and this is a popular option for experiencing Hungarian architecture. Buda Castle is the historical castle and former palace complex of the Hungarian kings. The Royal Palace (can be found in a walking distance from Matthias Church) was built in the 13th century in Romanesque style. A surprising number of the buildings are still private homes, as Castle Hill is also a residential area.

Take your time, as there is a lot to see and do, and exploring Castle Hill can take an entire day. If you don’t have much time, visit Trinity Square, Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion.

Andrássy Avenue, Heroes ’Square

Andrássy Avenue, recognized as a World Heritage site, was built to connect the city center with City park and it is also an iconic boulevard in Budapest.  The iconic avenue was named after Prime Minister Gyula Andrássy. It connects the inner city with the City Park and Heroes’ Square with the Millenary Monument. This beautiful, two-and-a-half kilometre long avenue was constructed in the end of the 19th century. Under the avenue the first underground railway in Continental Europe was constructed. Andrássy Avenue consists of three main parts and The state Opera House is one of the most famous building on it.

Heroes’ Square is the largest square in Budapest. Laid out in 1896 to mark the thousandth anniversary of Hungary, Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) is the largest and most impressive square of the city. Located at the end of Andrássy avenue and next to City Park, Heroes’ Square is one of the most visited sights in Budapest. Surrounded by two important buildings, Museum of Fine Arts on the left and Kunsthalle (Hall of Art) on the right, Heroes’ Square is also a station of the Millennium Underground. 

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Also known as Budapest Cathedral, this is the largest church in Budapest and the third biggest one in the country. The monumental neoRenaissance building was designed by two well-known masters of Hungarian architecture, József Hild and Miklós Ybl in the second half of the 19th century.  It took more than 50 years to build the Basilica. Originally designed in neo-classical style by Hild, the Basilica was finished in neo-renaissance style based on the plans of Ybl. The dome is 96 meters high, the exact same height as the Budapest Parliament Building. The patron saint of the church is St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary. His mummified right hand is kept in a glass case in the chapel to the left of the main altar.

City Park, Széchenyi Termal Bath

City Park is the largest park in Budapest. The first trees and walkways were established here in 1751. In the first decades of the 19th century a park was created, which became the first public park in the world. In 1896 the Millennium Celebrations took place here, leaving many attractions behind. Vajdahunyad Castle, a replica of a Transylvanian castle of that name, was built to show the various architectural styles found in Hungary, and has Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque parts. The castle is surrounded by an artificial lake that's used for boating in the summer and turns into an impressive ice skating rink in the winter, which is a local favorite. The Budapest Zoo, the Amusement Park, the Municipal Circus, the Museum of Transport, the legendary Gundel Restaurant and the famous Széchenyi Baths are also located within City Park.

 

 

Budapest is one of the richest cities in the world in terms of thermal and spa waters. Széchenyi Baths is the largest medicinal bath and one of the largest public baths in Europe. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the healing waters, or to take a few laps in the swimming pool. The Széchenyi is a favorite for both locals and tourists alike.   

Gellért Hill

The hill was named after bishop Géllert, who was thrown to death from the hill by pagans in the fight against Christianity in 1046. His statue, which faces Elizabeth Bridge and holds a cross, can be seen from many parts of Pest. At the top of the hill is the Citadel, a fortress built by the Habsburgs after defeating Hungary's War of Independence in 1849. Gellért Hill was a strategic military position in the Second World War as well as the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, when Soviet tanks bombarded the city from here. Budapest's Statue of Liberty stands on top of the hill, and she can be seen from all parts of the city. Gellért Hill offers some of the best panoramic views of Budapest.