Budapest - Hungary's Hub of Bridges and Water

Buda, or the Buda district, is the western part of Budapest where you’ll find important Hungarian tourist attractions. These include the Citadel, a 19th-century fortress for defence; Buda Castle, originally from the 13th century and expanded into a grand baroque palace in the 18th century; and the Sándor Palace, the presidential residence built in the 19th century. The western part of Buda is recognised as a prestigious district with rich homes and luxurious residences, where you can enjoy a lot of outdoor activities, such as exploring the forest, hiking or even paragliding.

Pest is the eastern part of the city that covers a large flat area in Budapest. It has several major tourist attractions: Heroes' Square, one of the biggest squares in the city; the Hungarian Parliament, the seat of the Hungarian National Assembly built in 1904; and Andrássy Avenue, lined with characteristic bourgeois houses and palaces built in the Neo-Renaissance style. Among other things, Pest is considered the less prestigious district of the capital, but just as rich in content and interesting to visit for certain monuments - the riverside sculptures of shoes and the Dohány Street Synagogue, built in the Moorish style.

A historical journey through Budapest

The area of Budapest was originally populated by Celtic tribes, and later in 106 AD, the territory of Óbuda gradually developed into the capital of Lower Pannonia - Aquincum. On the other side of the river, the Romans establish the fortress of Contra Aquincum, which leads to the foundation of the city of Pest. In the 4th century, when the Huns were invading much of Europe and gaining control of southeastern European territories, the customs of Asian nomadic peoples from the Caucasus began to establish themselves in the region of Hungary and Budapest.

At the end of the early Middle Ages, with the first Hungarian king, St. Stephen was established by the Kingdom of Hungary, the foundation of which became the Christian religion. Over the centuries, the Hungarian territory underwent various changes with the influence of the Mongol and Ottoman Empires and the conquest of the Kingdom of Hungary, but regardless of this, the monarchy reigned in full from the 10th century until the 20th century, when the Hungarian People's Republic was formed in 1946.

What does the Hungarian capital have to offer?

The easiest way to get to know Budapest is by passenger transport, metro, tram, bus or trolleybus. In any case, it is also possible to pass through the city on foot. You can also walk across the Danube River and eight different bridges that run from north to south. The most famous bridge built in the 19th century is the Chain Bridge. Its first name is Széchenyi Lánchíd, after the main instigator of its construction, the Hungarian politician and writer Count István Széchenyi.

To help you find your way around the city, pick up a Budapest city map, which will give you information on tourist attractions, walking tours and other tips for exploring the capital. Don't forget that the best paths are discovered by chance, so wandering around the city is a good idea, as it will help you discover the city in your own way. Read how our journalist Nastja experienced the capital in her travelogue Wandering Around Budapest.

And your trip should be accompanied by attractive offers that will make exploring Budapest worthwhile. In the centre of spa resorts and thermal baths, you shouldn't miss a visit to the largest thermal bath complex, Széchenyi Spa. While relaxing in the pool, you'll have the option to visit the Palinka Museum, which is located nearby. Széchenyi Spa was built in 1913 in the neo-baroque style and includes private steam baths with three outdoor and fifteen indoor pools.

After using your day pass for the spa, you can continue the experience at Széchenyi Spa with an unforgettable dance event called Sparty. The daytime spa turns into a nighttime party spot, where you can enjoy a big event that combines traditional and modern spa culture. It's an experience you'll remember forever.

Interesting tour options

For your first tour, we recommend visiting the caves beneath Buda Castle. You can explore the cave system and see the unique geology of the caves. Discover the history of cave tunnels that were once used as medieval prisons, shelters, and wine cellars. You will then continue your exploration with a tour of the basilica of St. Stephen and the famous relics of his mummified right hand. The basilica was built in a Neoclassical style, with a panoramic terrace and a richly decorated treasury.

After seeing the beautiful 20th-century basilica, continue your tour in the Buda Castle district and visit St. Stephen's Hall, which was completely rebuilt after being destroyed in World War II. You'll learn about 800 years of history and interesting stories with an experienced guide. The next tour takes you to the residence of Queen Elisabeth of Bavaria, known as Sissi, in the town of Gödöllő, where you can explore the Baroque mansion and admire works of the Queen's paintings.

Explore the world's third-largest parliament building with and audio guide and discover the main staircase, the Assembly chambers and the dome chambers. Learn about the history with an exhibition on the parliamentary building. Use the evening to take a cruise on the Danube River and use an audio guide to learn about the tourist attractions on both sides of the river. You will see the Chain Bridge, the Elizabeth Bridge, the Parliament Building and Buda Castle. A return ticket for the Danube cruise to Szentendre offers a glimpse into the 18th-century town. Baroque buildings, narrow cobblestone streets in the old town, museums, and galleries will leave you impressed for sure. Finish your exploration of Budapest with a dinner cruise along the Danube River and enjoy some live music. During a candlelit dinner cruise, you can see landmarks in the glow of the lights.

My trip to Budapest

Budapest, the capital city known for its mix of cultures and architectural styles, has a lot to offer. Budapest’s cityscape shows the influences of Roman, Ottoman, Gothic, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau styles, each leaving a mark from past generations. The best district for tourists is Belváros-Lipótváros, which is made up of two neighbourhoods in the Pest area. This is where District V, the historic heart of the city, is located. It’s packed with interesting tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

For those who enjoy beauty, culture and the arts, there are numerous museums and galleries, including the Hungarian National Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Hungarian National Museum and the Kunsthalle. If you want to go shopping at a mall, choose the 1.5-kilometre-long, lively Váci Street. You can walk from Vörösmarty Square to Vámház körút.

Did you know?

• The traditional alcoholic beverage for which Budapest is famous is Pálinka, a fruit brandy that originated in the Middle Ages, during the time of the Kingdom of Hungary.
• Hungary, together with its capital Budapest, is known for its natural thermal and mineral water resources, which is why so many people visit the country.
• Budapest's Millennium metro line was the first underground system built in continental Europe in 1896 and the second in Europe after London.
• The national dish in Hungary, made from chunks of meat and vegetables seasoned with red pepper, is called goulash.
• Hungarian is one of the few languages, such as Finnish and Estonian, which do not belong to the group of Indo-European languages, but are instead considered to belong to the group of Finno-Ugric languages.