St. Stephen Basilica                                                       Thermal bathes of Budapest

Budapest is the capital of Hungary or as it is often referred to “the Paris of the East”. The city can be found on the two sides of the Danube and was born in 1873 when the two cities of Buda and Pest were united. The green hills and historical monuments of Buda offer plenty of sites to visit. Constructions on the Buda Castle begun in 1243. Because of the several attacks through out history, it gained its present appearance after several re-buildings and additions, preserving the stamps of the renaissance era beside the distinctive marks of the gothic style. The Palace of the Buda Castle is the most visited attraction of the tourists visiting Hungary, which gives place for the Hungarian Historical Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery and the National (Széchenyi) Library. The walls surrounding the castle gives place to the Castle Town, where the population moved seeking protection from the attacks of the Mongols and from the following attacks throughout history. The Castle District today is a little city with a great ambient full of tales of the past, a real tourist paradise. The center of it is Trinity Square with the baroque style Statue of Trinity. One can also find here the Mathias Church (its original name is Nagyboldogasszony-főtemplom), the Fishermen’s Bastion, and the Incline Railway. The Buda Castle is a part of the World Heritage. Besides these attractions the Castle District offers a lively atmosphere with its continuous programs, intimate restaurants, coffee shops, marketplaces and a casino.

The jewel of Buda is the 235 m high Gellért Mountain. According to the old myths it was a homestead for witches. It was named after Gellért Bishop who was forced into a barrel and thrown down from the top. His statue can be found on the side looking at the Danube above the waterfall. The Citadel was built on the top of the mountain and its terraces offer a beautiful vista of Budapest. That is where a woman representing the Statue of Liberty stands, which was raised in 1947 as a memorial for the downfall of Nazism.

Before we turn to the Pest side, it is important to mention that today the two parts of the city are connected by nine bridges. Among these we can find some real spectacles. A lot of people’s favorite is the Chain Bridge. Its building was started in 1842 on István Széchenyi’s proposal. Its name was inspired by the iron chains that are holding the tracks. These are held by two classicist style pillars. The bridge’s entrances are guarded by four lions design by the sculptor, János Marschalkó. According to popular belief the tongues of these lions are missing. However they are there. But one has to have the courage to look inside the mouth of the lions from the top. The view of the bridge is breathtaking in the night when it is all lit up.
Another beautiful bridge is the Liberty Bridge, which was the third bridge in Budapest and has a distinctive characteristic iron frame. This is Budapest’s shortest bridge. Originally it was called József Ferenc Bridge, after it was inaugurated by József Ferenc, who personal placed a silver stud with his monogram in the bridgehead. Unfortunately the stud disappeared during the 1956 revolution.

  
Liberty Bridge                                                                 Chain Bridge                   

The Elizabeth Bridge parades with its glittering whiteness above the Danube. It was inaugurated in today’s form in 21 November, 1964, after it was blown up by the Germans in World War II.
Because of the little turn in the shape of the Margaret Bridge, it does not only join Buda and Pest, but the Margaret Island as well.

Pest is located on flat land. This is the centre of Hungary’s business and political life. Nevertheless it is not short in historical sights either. 
The Parliament can be found on the bank (and in the reflection) of the Danube. Its construction was started in 12 October, 1885 and took 17 years, giving labor for about 1000 people. It was designed by Imre Steindl. Only Hungarian materials, techniques and craftsmen were involved in its building, which gave a big push to the Hungarian industry, and we can say that it has fought for the title: the country’s building. In its style similarly to the House of Parliament in London, it is neo-gothic, which was the topic of great debate at those times. The Hungarian Parliament is not only the home of the parliament, but one of the main tourist attractions in Budapest. Therefore its doors are open for the visiting tourists, so the beautiful murals, the fancy staircases, the statues and the crown of King Stephen, the first Hungarian king all can be seen.

Not far away from the parliament, the shore of the Danube offers excellent entertainment for the promenaders. From its pedestrianized street we can take pleasure in the smiling face of Buda, we can refresh ourselves in one of its many coffee shops and restaurants with a drink or a meal. Váci street can be also found here, which is always visited by every tourist, which with its newly renovated section leads as far as the building of the Marketplace. Váci streets and its surrounding streets are the main shopping area, where a lot of high-end shops, restaurants and coffee shops are located. Everybody will have a good time here among its colorful swirl and friendly buildings.

As we continue our tour of the Pest side, we have to stop and admire the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It is Budapest biggest church as it is able to hold 8500 people at one time. Hungary’s first king’s, St. Stephen’s right hand is treasured here, the St. Right. The building started on 4 October, 1851 and it was designed by Miklós Ybl. However in 1868 the dome collapsed. Miklós Ybl led the construction until his seath, so the finishing touches and the inside were done by József Kauser. Renovations, which took 20 years were just finished. According to most its more beatiful then ever. The attractive dome is 96 meters high and the visitors can walk around it and can look down on the city from 65 meters high. We can find the pictures and sculptures of Hungary’s best artists from Árpád Feszty, Gyula Benczúr, János Fadrusz, Alajos Stróbl and so on.

Just a few steps away from the Cathedral is the starting point of Budapest most beautiful avenue, the Andrássy road, which after running across the city finishes in the Heroes Square. This graceful avenue is part of the World Heritage and a lot of Budapest’s sights, cultural institutions, entertainment places and cozy coffee shops can be found on and around it.
I have to mention the Hungarian National Opera House, which can be found on the first third of the avenue. It is a neo-renaissance building designed by Miklós Ybl, where besides operas, ballet and other performances, the annual Opera Ball takes place. The Opera Ball is attended by Hungarian and international celebrities and by such important persons as ministers, leaders of the business world, actors, actresses, etc.

Heroes Square is the biggest square of the country and it might be even the most beautiful. Looking at it from the Andrássy road, the ”arms” of the Millennium Memorial welcome us. On the monument important historical figures remind us to the 1000 years old history of Hungary. On its top, at 36 meters high the figure of Archangel Gabriel can be seen, who appearing in King Stephens dream, brought him the crown. At the bottom of the statue stand the seven chiefs, who led the nomad Hungarians home and on statues along the two sides the nation’s favorite kings and emperors can be found. On the two sides of the square, facing each other stand two of Budapest most important museums, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Arts Museum. The Heroes Square holds together the Andrássy road and the City Park.
The City Park is the most exciting green place in Budapest. It offers a lot of opportunities for relaxation and entertainment among its special trees and plants. Arriving from Heroes Square we enter the park over a small bridge across the park’s small lake. We can row during the summer and skate during the winter on the lake. In the reflection of the lake we can find the building of the Vajdahunyad Castle, which looks as it just stepped out from a fairy tell. Its parts were designed after the one standing next to the river Zalasd in Transylvania. It was built from wood and paper for the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian state to demonstrate the different architectural styles in Hungary. But it was such a success, that it was rebuilt from stone in 1896. Therefore one can find parts built in roman, gothic, renaissance, and baroque. Today the building which is made up of 21 different units is the home of the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.
Across the Vajdahunyad Castle stands the neo-baroque building of the Széchenyi Spa, which was built in 1913.
It is the most important and most visited spa of Budapest, where we can test several different bathing cultures.
There are 15 pools waiting for the visitors. 12 indoor, thermal water pools and 3 outdoors: there is an adventure pool, a regular swimming pool and a thermal water pool. The temperature of the water is between 20 and 38 degrees Celsius. But what is the Széchenyi Spa’s water good for? As treatment on the outside it is very good for rheumatoid arthritis and orthopedic illnesses. As drinking water it is good for several stomach illnesses, a few forms of kidney illnesses, metabolic disorders, and for several liver illnesses. We can get water from the Spa’s Drinking Hall. Besides swimming we can enjoy several other services such as massage, working out, and treatments for losing weight and so on.
The Amusement Park, the Capitol Big Circus and the Zoo can be found in the city park as well.
The Zoo’s exotic parks, wonderful Palm House are worth a visit. We shouldn’t forget about one of the most famous places in Budapest the Gundel Restaurant, which continuously makes a name for the Hungarian kitchen. But the restaurant is not only a place to eat, it also houses several collections of paintings and there is a gallery as well. Such illustrious guest has dined in the restaurant as John Paul II, Prince Albert of Monaco, Queen Elisabeth II but even Antonio Banderas and Silvester Stallone have stepped within these doors.
Those who like the noisy, crowded places will definitely have a good time if they visit the second hand market on any given Saturday morning in the Petőfi Hall.

I could continue listing the sights and curiosities but I let you do the discovery.

      Holiday rental in Budapest

      Advanced search