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Tourist guide: what to do and see in Budapest
The city on the Danube
Hungary's capital is the union of two cities: Buda and Pest which, together with a pair of islands in the middle of the Danube River running through the city, add up to a surprising, often spectacular urban destination. Its centuries of heritage -especially including its status as co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire- have endowed it with a richness of architecture and culture that's enough for several repeat visits. It also boasts some quite unique features - perhaps the foremost of which are its reknowned thermal baths, some dating back to many generations of occupation by the Ottoman Turks. In short, Budapest will wow you.
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- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
Ecseri Flea Market
Amid the junk, some brilliant deals on some unusual items, 40 minutes south of the city centre
Vintage Treasures From Hungary's Attic
More than half a century old, Budapest's top flea market is an indoor/outdoor affair located at Nagykőrösi Út 156, in an outlying district of Pest, a 40-minute bus ride south of the city centre. As is often the case with this type of thing, Ecseri is a mix of used junk, antiques and some real vintage finds. Special treasures include artwork; Magyar and Roma (gypsy) folk art; vintage traditional embroidered linens and clothing; old street signs; enamel and porcelain objects; and all manner of memorabilia from the Communist era (and occasionally even the Nazi occupation). Many vendors speak some English and while a bit of haggling is expected, you'll find prices generally quite appealing. For the best choice, get there as early as you can (it opens daily at 08:00). Happy hunting!
WestEnd City Center
If you fancy a bit of cutting-edge shopping, hundreds of options at your service (and you can even stay the night!)
The Biggest Shopping Deal on Váci Utca
Another of Budapest's high-profile shopping centres, WestEnd brings together, in an imposing Váci Utca complex, 50,000 square metres (538,000 square feet) of shops, offices and 40 restaurants and pubs - along with a 14-screen cinema and the five-star, 230-room Hilton Budapest WestEnd hotel. Half of the 400 retailers here are devoted to fashion. It opens Monday to Saturday at 10:00 and closes between 20:00 and 21:00. On Sunday it opens at 10:00, closing between 18:00 and 19:00. Metro stop Lehel Tér.
sand square
Would you never have imagined finding a shopping center in the purest capitalist style in Budapest?
Also here.
One of the largest shopping centers in Budapest. It is quite new as it was opened in 2007. It is located on Kerepesi street (Keleti Pályaudvar metro). It has 180,000 square meters of surface area full of clothing stores, electrical appliances, shoes, bookstores... There are even some outlets where you can buy interesting clothes at a very reasonable price. It also has one of the largest cinemas in the country. The shops open from 10:00 a.m. at 9:00 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays they close at 10:00 p.m. Like most of these sites, only restaurants and cinemas remain open on Sundays. Of course, it offers its customers all kinds of services: free parking with spaces for people with reduced mobility, adapted toilets and baby changing tables, 24-hour security surveillance, ATMs... Everything so you can buy as much as possible and spend some time pleasant. Capitalism in its purest form, who would have thought!
Andrássy Avenue
A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage street lined with restaurants and retailers
Budapest's Most Prominent & Pricey Boulevard
Named after the 19th-century prime minister instrumental in its construction, Pest's Andrássy Út, along with Váci Utca, is one of Budapest's most prominent (and priciest thoroughfares, connecting Erzsébet Tér (Elizabeth Square) with Heroes' Square, the gateway to City Park (see above). Lined with grand and beautiful neo-Renaissance buildings (earning it UNESCO World Heritage status), it was such a big deal for Hungary's capital that the day of its completion, 20 August 1876, was declared a national holiday. Today, these premises house embassies as well as upmarket restaurants, cafés and retailers such as Luis Vuitton, Burberry, Diro, Roberto Cadavi and Gucci; here too is one of the city's most prominent cultural landmarks, the Budapest Opera House. Budapest's Metro Line 1 runs along its length.
Váci Utca
A classic European commercial thoroughfare with a Hungarian touch
Budapest's Main Pedestrian High Street
One of Budapest's two main high streets, pedestrian Váci Utca harks back to the days when one entered the city through gates in the old city walls. The medieval and Renaissance buildings are long gone; today the architecture is primarily 19th- and early 20th-century (the oldest is at No. 13, dating back to 1805) and the businesses include some of the city's more prominent retailers. These include international names such as Zara, Mango, Hugo Boss and H&M, as well as one of the biggest shopping centres, West End City Center. Váci Utca also makes for a lively and entertaining evening stroll (just watch your wallets and purses!).
Great Market Hall
The biggest of Budapest's classic covered markets
To Market, to Market…
Traditional indoor public markets are a great way to rub shoulders with the locals and of the five still existing in Budapest, the neo-Gothic, colourful-tile-roofed Great Market Hall (aka Central Market) is the biggest. It was established like the others around the end of the 19th century to standardise the quality of foodstuffs offered for public sale (though some of said public weren't completely sold at first, because this also entailed a bump in prices). Severely damaged in World War II and consequently closed for decades, this three-storey market was renovated and reopened in the 1990s. It is a fabulous place to explore and taste Hungarian specialities such as paprika, Tokaj wines and lángos fried-dough treats; There is an especially lively scene on Saturdays and there are also special programmes and events that can be booked. Open 06:00 to 18:00 (Mondays to 17:00, Saturdays to 15:00; closed Sundays).
King Bike
Pedal your way past Budapest's top sights whilst quaffing various liquid refreshments
When Drinking and Driving is OK
When you think of bicycle bars, what naturally comes to mind is those things at the front you use to steer. Here in Budapest, they are also rolling pubs on wheels, in which 6 to 15 (!) people sit in a unique pedal-powered contraption to cruise the streets past some of the city's signature landmarks whilst downing beer, mulled wine, soft drinks or other bevvies, with snacks also available (the company's driver remains sober, FYI!). Daytime or night-time excursions - King Bike is a fun, highly original way to experience Hungary's capital. More info: KingBike.hu.
Running Tours Budapest
A tour operator for runners which combines city highlights and great workouts
Budapest (Literally) on the Run
If you're a runner, these tours will have you happily hot-footing it through some of the best Budapest has to offer, in every season of the year. There are both daytime and nocturnal itineraries (one as long as 21 kilometres/13 miles!) and it's an especially cool experience at night when the weather's fine. You run in a small group, led by a guide who explains historical and cultural highlights along the way. At the end, you can cap it off with a lovely, relaxing soak in one of the city's famous thermal spas (aahhh...). More info: www.RunningToursBudapest.com.
Óbuda Island
Fabulous for both nature and nightlife, plus one of Europe's top summer festivals
The Danube's Largest Island, a Double Treat
In the Danube River, north of somewhat better known Margaret Island, Óbuda (old Buda) Island -also known as Hajógyári Island- is a bit larger, at 108 hectares (267 acres). It is home to a pretty wooded park which makes a tranquil getaway by day. After dark, the action heats up, as it's a destination for several clubs and pubs such as Mokka Cuka. This indie outdoor club is also the venue of one of Europe's best annual music/theatre/film fests, August's Sziget Festival, founded the year after the fall of Communism.
Memento Park
Another fascinating museum of the Communist era, half an hour from the centre, containing dozens of retired public statues and monuments
Say Hello to Marx, Lenin, and the Heroic Red Army!
After the fall of the Communist dictatorship in 1989, 42 gigantic, bombastic statues and monuments to the glory of Marxism that had been planted around the city were moved to this open-air museum inaugurated in 1993 in an outlying district about half an hour south of the city (reachable via public transportation). Today, they provide local and foreign visitors alike with a reminder of a dark period indeed in this country's (and Europe's) 20th-century history; many of the statues are Hungarian, but Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and monuments to the Soviet Red Army can be found here as well. There are other relics from the Communist Era here as well, such as a Trabant (the tiny, clunky East German car), an exhibition covering that era, a "Communist hotline" with extracts of political speeches; a film about the secret police; and of course a shop with propaganda posters and replicas of other items from that era. Open daily from 10:00 to sunset; 25-percent discount when booking online.
Margaret Island
Woods, gardens, restaurants, a thermal spa - enjoy what used to be a strictly aristocrat-only affair
A Charming Island Getaway in the Big City
Tapered at both ends and connected to both Buda and Pest by two bridges, 97-hectare (238-acre) Margit-Sziget in the middle of the Danube was a playground for aristocrats until 1908. It is considered the "lungs" of Budapest, covered as it mostly is with woods, gardens (one of them Japanese in style) and parkland - all fabulous for strolling and biking. There are buildings here too, starting with the islet's namesake, St. Margaret's Convent (now in ruins). Others interesting features include a 1911 Art Nouveau "Water Tower" (now an exhibition hall and lookout tower); a "dancing fountain'; a pair of hotels (one of which features a thermal spa); and a swimming pool/water park.
City Park
Right in the heart of Pest, here you'll find some of the city's top attractions right next to each other
A Venerable Budapest Recreation Classic
This park has been the premiere cultural, recreational and entertainment-packed playground for locals for more than a century (in fact, it was one of Europe's earliest public parks). The Városliget, in the heart of Pest, packs a lot into its 120 hectares (300 acres), such as the city zoo and botanical garden; the Capital Circus; Vajdahunyad Castle and its lake/ skating rink; Széchenyi Thermal Baths; the Museum of Fine Arts; and a famous restaurant called Gundel. All this, plus the fresh air and greenery, means City Park has pretty much something for everyone; many visitors find themselves returning more than once during their Budapest sojourn.
Central Café
Elegant old-time décor, delicious fare, classy piano music - the good old days live again
A Favourite Amongst Budapest's Top Artists in its Belle-Époque Glory
Another of Budapest's classic coffeehouses, the Centrál Kávéház is indeed central - on Pest's Károlyi Utca a hop and a skip from the Hungarian National Museum. Established in 1887, it became a salon for many of the city's writers, musicians and artists of all stripes until the Communists closed it down after World War II. Since reopening after the advent of democracy in 1989, it's been restored to its Belle-Époque glory and serves not just terrific coffee but other libations and a tasty Hungarian menu (the weekday lunch menu is especially worthwhile). What's more, while you're enjoying your treats amid the glittering chandeliers, candelabras, vaulted ceilings and the rest of the elegant decor, you'll also be serenaded by live piano music. This is the life...
First Strudel House of Pest
A historic eatery specialising in apple strudel but also plenty of other flavours both sweet and savoury
Tops for a Fruity, Flaky Favourite
On pedestrian Október 6 Utca in a historic building near the Gresham Palace (see above) in central Pest, the Első Pesti Rétesház dates back to 1812 as Budapest's premier spot for sampling that delightfully flaky Central European pastry known as strudel (rétes in Hungarian). Although apple is of course the most typical, studels also come in other fruit flavours, as well as other varieties such as cottage cheese, poppy seed, mushoom and cabbage. However, the rest of the fine menu of Hungarian specialities is not to be overlooked; bear in mind that the place is not necessarily super-cheap - for a meal you might end up paying the equivalent of around 20 euros per person. However, it's worth every forint for the quality as well as the ambiance - warm, golden and Old-World in style, complete with antiques, books and other cosy features.
Kürtőskalács
This tubular Transylvanian treat is now an everyday offering throughout Hungary
A Pastry Easier to Wrap Your Tongue Around Physically than Verbally
You might hurt your tongue if you try to pronouce the name of Hungary's most famous pastry ("koortos-ka-LACH"), but your taste buds will certainly love this conical, baked-dough treat originally from Transylvania (a Magyar territory now part of Romania). Once limited to special occasions, kürtőskalács became popular at carnivals and are now sold more widely on the streets and in shops, usually for around 3 euros. Sweet toppings are often added for variety - such as vanilla sugar, chocolate sprinkles, coconut, cinammon, almonds, walnuts and more. They're big, as well as filling, so two people can easily share!
Trófea Grill
A buffet chain with six restaurants dotted around the city, good food and highly appealing prices
All You Can Eat, Woo Hoo!
A trophy indeed for hungry visitors on a budget, Trófea has six locations throughout Budapest (including two which are especially central, at Margit Bridge and Király Utca 30-32). It is open for lunch and dinner with a buffet-style all-you-can-eat (unlimited drinks of most kinds, as well), plus a grill where they'll cook up a variety of meats for you on the spot. You're allowed two hours at lunchtime and three at dinner, with weekday lunch costing 3,900 forints and dinner 5,500; Friday night and weekends it's 6,000 (for kids under age 12, half price on weekdays, free on weekends). The fare is hearty Magyar soul food (try the Burgundy venison and the paprika mutton stew will have you bleating!), while at dinner they also throw in some traditional live folk performances.
Szimpla Kert
A trendy spot by day and night set in a dilapidated Communist-era factory - you've really got to see this
What's a "Ruin Pub"?
When this pub opened in 2002 on Kazinczy Út in the trendy Erzsébetvóros neighbourhood, it represented a milestone on Budapest's alternative scene because of its location: in a dilapidated, abandoned factory left over from the Communist era. These days it's as alt-trendy and popular as ever (sometimes even with a queue to get in on weekends), and has a super-cool ambiance; a mix of mod and retro decor (including an old Trabant, the tiny, clunky, Communist-era car); pretty good drink and snack prices; and all manner of concerts, theatre pieces, flea markets and other eclectic events. Szimpla is a milestone because it launched a wave of so-called "ruin pubs" in similar run-down relics of the bad old days - all cleverly repurposed for modern-day fun and progress. But this is the granddaddy of them all - and still, say many, the best.
New York Café
Delicious coffee, desserts and dainty fare in an equally elegant hotel
A Jaw-Dropping Neo-Baroque Icon
Another legendary Budapest café, established in 1894, this one will make your jaw drop with the sheer opulence of its heavily gilded, neo-Baroque decor (in fact, some have called it the world's most beautiful coffeehouse). Now part of the Hotel Boscolo, it backs up its elegant ambiance with a varied menu of coffees, other libations, light Hungarian and international fare and desserts (its ice cream sundaes are simply divine). One potential downside: you could feel like a real peasant here in tourist shorts and a T-shirt.
Fatál Restaurant
"The Platter" restaurant specialises in hearty, homely Hungarian favourites at very affordable prices
Rich Yes - But Fatal Only in the Long Term and in Excess
Funny language, Hungarian - here, fatál means "platter" and many a tasty platter of home-style, traditional Magyar goodies are indeed served in this rustic eatery with lovely stained-glass windows on central Pest's Váci 'Ut near Liberty Bridge. For that reason, it's especially popular with visitors and nostalgic locals (not to mention the ample portions and quite good prices). Served on country-style clay platters and dishes, some of the best known specialities here include "sour ragout" buns filled with beef and sour cream; bean soup with cabbage and pork; and huge cottage-cheese dumplings. All hearty fare, indeed, so we'd recommend going for lunch to give you more time to digest! Open noon to midnight daily.
Hutte Café Terrace
Tables in the park when it's warm out, a cosy bubble when it's chilly
A Delightful Outdoor Treat in Central Pest
Right in the middle of the green and very charming Szabadsag Tér (Liberty Square) near the Hungarian parliament, Hütte is a round, glassed-in bit of business surrounded by outdoor tables. Very popular especially in spring and summer (and on days when they put out a huge screen to show live sporting events), it's a particular favourite amongst families on warm-weather outings (it is also well worth a visit in autumn and winter, when it's enveloped in a clear bubble-shaped tent). The drinks list is varied and there is also a menu of light fare, at quite reasonable prices - all the more reason for visitors to keep this fetching little spot in mind when strolling around central Pest. It's ideal for taking a pit stop and a load off the feet.
Café Gerbeaud
An opulent one-time favourite of royalty, this Budapest icon still serves desserts (and now an entire menu) to die for
One of the World's Most Famous Coffeehouses
One of Europe's most famous traditional coffeehouses, Gerbeaud was founded in Pest's Vörösmarty Square in 1858, and was a favourite of the Habsburg Empress Elizabeth, queen of Hungary as well as consort of Austria-Hungary emperor Franz Josef I. It was renovated in 1997, but is still awash in luxurious Old World atmosphere - not to mention luxurious sweets (the five-layer chocolate sponge cake known as Dobos torte, so ubiquitous in Budapest, is spectacular here). An ice cream on a summer's day at one of its outdoor tables is a similarly splendid experience (unfortunately not in August, though, as the cafe closes for the month). In addition, there's also now gourmet dining at its bistro and Onyx restaurant. Such is Gerbeaud's fame that it now has an offshoot in Tokyo. Empress Sisi would approve.
Spoon Café & Lounge
Bars and restaurants on a boat with fabulous city views - welcome aboard!
The Atmosphere/Food Will Have You Positively Floating
Moored right near the Vigardó Concert Hall and the Chain Bridge, this double-decker, 1,600-square-metre (17,222-square-foot) boat has been turned into a dining/drinking-complex. It has an occupancy of 600, five bars and three eateries that are open all year round, plus two additional outdoor cafés in summer. In fact, Spoon is one of the most romantic and special settings in town for creative international cuisine and smashing views of the river and up to Buda Castle - but it doesn't come particularly cheap: prices for dinner start at around 30 euros per person.
Menza
A touch of nostalgia for the locals, but with a very 21st-century vibe and sophisticated eats
Retro-mod, Trendy Dining in Downtown Pest
One of the most fashionable restaurants of the moment amongst young people (and indeed, even those not so young). It can be found at Liszt Ference Tér 2, very near the main boulevard Adrássu Út and right in the thick of the Budapest nightlife zone. The reasons Menza is such a hit are various: its modern take on a retro late-Communist-era canteen (menza), funky wallpaper included; the disco-flavoured soundtrack; and the superb quality of the international/updated Hungarian menu.
Tropicarium
A lush rainforest and aquarium full of fabulously beaky, slithery and toothy denizens
Shark Attack!
In the Campona shopping centre down in Budapest's outlying district XXII, you'll find this collection of aquariums (including Europe's largest saltwater) and rainforest environments with an impressive number of exotic critters - crocodiles, huge snakes and other reptiles; free-flying tropical birds; small monkeys; and a myriad of freshwater and saltwater creatures, including moray eels, rays and the big stars of the show, four species of sharks (in fact, Tropicarium is also known as the "Shark Zoo"). There's a 13-metre (43-foot) observation tunnel which lets you stroll through the shark tank as its eight toothy denizens swim around and over you. Brave certified divers who book ahead can even take a plunge with them. The Tropicarium is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00 and you can expect to spend at least a couple of hours here.
Capital Circus
Ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages - it's the greatest show in Hungary!
Come One, Come All!
Camels, horses, elephants, trapeze artists, jugglers, clowns - check! Standard circus fare, certainly - but unlike most others out there these days, this one is permanent. In fact, it is downright historic - it was founded in 1891 and has been based in City Park since 1970. With three rotating productions, it's open all year except for the month of September, when it goes on tour throughout the country, Europe and beyond. This is a fantastic option for families both because of the marvellous show and the fact that its right next to the park's other attractions, such as the zoo and the botanical garden (see above). If you buy tickets online, at www.fnc.hu/eng, you'll get a 10% discount.
Caving in Budapest
Would you believe this city has more than 200 caves - and a couple are visitable
We Kid You Not
Another of the cool and unusual things about Budapest is that underneath it's riddled with at least 200 caves. Most were discovered early in the 20th century and today there are several that are open to the public. The largest, stalactite-rich Pálvölgyi, was opened to the public in 1927 and stretches more than seven kilometres (over four miles). Its entrance is out of the city centre, at the foot of Mount Mátyás on the Buda side of the Danube (address Szépvölgyi Út 162). The other main cave, the smaller Szemlő-hegyi (Pusztaszeri Út 35), is dubbed "Budapest's Underground Garden" due to the mineral formations down here, reminiscent of bunches of grapes.
Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden
Lions, tigers and bears, oh my - plus hundreds of other species in a modern zoo which still preserves much landmark Art Nouveau architecture
Copious Fauna & Flora Right in City Park
One of the world's oldest zoos (established in 1866), centrally located in City Park just behind Heroes' Square, conserves some of the handsome Art Nouveau architecture of its founding era (considered national monuments, in fact). However, the facilities have been greatly updated and modernised. Today, the zoo and botanical garden receive more than a million visitors annually, who come to see 733 animal species and more than 2,000 types of plants from across the planet. From the elephant house, you can climb an observation tower for a good look out over the park, while the garden's Palm House has a delightfully tropical feel to it. The whole business is of course quite family friendly, with plenty of activities and workshops for the little ones.
National Theatre
Shakespeare (and István Örkény) in the park, as Hungary's premiere stage presents an eclectic international repertoire
Modern Digs for a Distinguished Institution
If one of Hungary's long-time cultural mainstays looks awfully modern, it's because the original 1837 building is long gone. Since 2002, the 600-seat Nemzeti Színház has been occupying graceful contemporary digs in Bajor Gizi Park alongside the Danube in the Millennium Quarter, a bit south of central Budapest. The repertoire runs the gamut from Hungarian classics to contemporary productions, but also includes the international likes of Shakespeare, Ibsen and Molière; furthermore, works are performed occasionally in English or with English subtitles. The park itself is also worth a stroll, with its sometimes labyrinthine gardens, pond and statues of famous Hungarian actors; it also sometimes hosts open-air performances.
Vigadó Concert Hall
Folkloric, classical and dramatic performances, along with art exhibitions, at another of Budapest's cultural lodestars
Majestic Venue, Cultural Potpourri
Budapest is packed with majestic building, but this one stands out as especially lovely. Named for its location in Vigadó Square near Pest's Danube bank, this Art Nouveau masterpiece was inaugurated in 1865 and last renovated in 2006. Its 900 seats (200 of them VIP) make this Budapest's second largest concert hall and it is the home stage of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble (see above). The Vigadó runs a year-round programme of varied performances, from chamber music to drama, and also has a popular art exhibition hall. Reachable via Metro lines 1, 2 and 3, and Tram Line 1.
Danube Cruises
Sure, it's touristy, but so what - the iconic river which helps define this city offers truly memorable experiences
Experiencing Budapest from the Water
The Danube may in fact not be particularly blue these days, but it still provides a fabulous dimension to any Budapest visit with a number of cruises (usually at around 15 euros, quite affordable, too, especially compared with the likes of Paris). You can book them through your travel agency, hotel or at riverside ticket kiosks (sometimes you might even nab a last-minute offer). Many cruises last about an hour and may include an on-board snack; dinner cruises can be booked for around 30 euros, including live performances (family discounts are usually available). A two-hour night-time cruise, taking in the illuminated city with a good meal and a show, will be a highlight of your visit; there are usually three per evening, 19:00, 20:00 and 22:00. Longer excursions are also available upriver to the Danube Bend.
Hungarian Folkloric Performances
Embroidered aprons, gypsy violins, and csárdás - you can't understand Hungary without experiencing its traditional dance and music
Music/Costumes of Hungary's Folk Art
Add an extra dimension to your Budapest visit by sampling the country's folklore in the form of performances of peasant music and dance often centuries old, passed down through the generations by dancers, musicians and singers garbed in colourful traditional costumes. The three top folkloric troupes (which perform locally at the Duna Palota cultural centre and other venues when they're not touring) are the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, with more than 30 dancers and two orchestras; the Danube Folk Ensemble, 24 dancers/five musicians; and the Rajkó Folk Ensemble, a Roma (gypsy) group of some 60 highly trained dancers and several orchestras and bands, with an especially varied repertoire extending even to classical and modern dance. Cue the gypsy violins!
Thermal Spas
118 underground springs gave rise to spectacular historic spas, from medieval Turkish to Belle Époque and modern offerings
Budapest is the "City of Spas" for a Reason
What makes Budapest really stand out from other European capitals is its thermal-water spas, thanks to 118 underground springs. When the Ottoman Turks ruled here (1541-1699), they started harnessing these in earnest, creating incredibly atmospheric hammams (Turkish baths), several of which are still in operation, such as Rudas (one of our favourites, with a stone dome and octagonal pool), Császár and Király. Then, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, "taking the waters" became especially fashionable and gave rise to magnificent classics such as the city's most famous spa (and hotel), the Gellért, built in 1918 with both indoor and outdoor pools. Another is the neo-Gothic Széchenyi, built in 1913 with three large outdoor pools and a dozen indoors. All of the above of course also include facilities such as saunas and massage rooms. It's a particularly amazing experience to luxuriate in water of 37 degrees (99°F) or even warmer on a chilly winter night.
Hungarian State Opera House
One of Europe's premiere old-style classical-music venues, with some of the world's best acoustics, and it is also open for tours
Cultural High Notes in a Historic Venue
Also known as the Budapest Opera, this neo-Renaissance cultural lodestar at Andrássu Út 22 in Pest was inaugurated in 1884. The Habsburg emperor of the day, Franz Josef, commissioned what was to be one of Europe's largest opera houses but stipulated that it couldn't be larger than the opera house of Vienna (co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). Even if you're not into attending one of the practically daily opera, ballet or classical-music performances, you can take the guided tour that runs several times a day. However, catching a performance here is highly recommended, especially since it's considered to have some of the best acoustics of any classical venue in the world.
Hungarian Railway History Park
A one-time rail depot still chugs along with nearly 100 train-related vehicles on display - and even lets you operate some!
All Aboard!
On the site of a former state railway depot in Pest, this open-air museum of more than 70,000 square metres (17 acres) has more than 100 train cars or rail-related vehicles on display. Cracking good fun for kids from eight to eighty and beyond, its highlights include a steam locomotive from 1870; a 1912 dining car from the legendary Orient Express; and the Arpad train, which in the 1930s did the Vienna-Budapest run in three hours. Furthermore, visitors don't merely gaze at the trains, but get to climb on board and sometimes even operate them. There are also interactive exhibits, a simulator which lets you play train engineer (and see how tricky it can be). The little ones can hop on a miniature train around the park. Closed January through March.
House of Terror
A chilling look at nearly half a century of Hungarian history under fascism, then Communism
Remembering the Victims of Totalitarianism
Located in Pest at Andrássy Út 60, Budapest's "Terror Háza" sounds like one of those scary-fun haunted houses that pop up each year around Halloween. Unfortunately, it's an actual museum, inaugurated in 2002, documenting the real-life horror show that was the year-long Hungarian fascist regime and Nazi occupation of the 1940s, followed by 42 years of Communism. The four storeys here display a range of exhibits about political, cultural and everyday life under totalitarianism; particularly chilling are the basement-level mock-ups of secret-police holding cells and torture chambers. A sobering reminder not just of the grim past, but that a few similar such regimes still exist in the present.
Budapest History Museum
If you don't know much about the history of Budapest, you can amply remedy that in this four-floor museum in Buda Castle
Better Known as the Castle Museum
Commonly known simply as the Castle Museum due to its location in Buda Castle, this exploration of the history of the Budapest area is spread over four floors and includes pieces dating back a whopping 40,000 years (such as a cave bear skull and stone tools). Much of the collection and recreations focus on the Middle Ages and the history of the castle itself (as of this writing, the section on Budapest as of 1868 was still under construction). In the meantime, the halls and passageways of the museum are as much of interest as the displays themselves. Like most other Budapest museums, it's closed Mondays; also, November through February it closes early, at 16:00, rather than the usual 10:00-18:00.
Ethnographic Museum
One of the most grandiose museums in town is home to one of its most down-to-earth collections: objects and artefacts that teach about the Hungarian way of life
Hungarian Customs, Culture & Traditions
Head to this ornate Renaissance Revival building -decked out up with all manner of statues and grand columns- just across from the Hungarian parliament to explore the customs, folk traditions and cultural underpinnings of the Magyar Nemzet, the Hungarian nation. The interior is a masterpiece in its own right, with sweeping staircases, candelabras, blue marble columns, richly painted ceilings and gobs of gilt. Once you've pick your jaw up off the floor, it's time for the collections, which include musical instruments; religious objects from the Hungarian Catholic tradition to Hare Krishna; antique costumes; children's toys; farm implements; kitchen and household goods; and artefacts relating to trades and crafts. It's a remarkable exploration of Hungarian culture through all manner of objects both sacred and profane. Beyond that, there are also significant collections of items from cultures around the world.
Hungarian National Gallery
You probably know little or nothing about Hungarian fine art - so this museum will be an impressive eye-opener
Hungarian Art from the Middle Ages to the Early 20th Century
Established in Buda Castle in 1957, this showcase of Hungarian art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century (90 percent painting, but also sculpture and photography) is a real eye-opener. Collections include medieval/Renaissance stone carving; Gothic wood sculptures and panel paintings; late Gothic altarpieces; High Renaissance/Baroque art; 19th-century painting; 19th-century sculpture; 20th century pre-1945; and a special section devoted to late-19th-century realism. Top names here include Mihály Munkácsy, Pal Szinyei Merse, László Paál and Bertalan Székely. Themes and artists venture internationally a bit as well, with temporary exhibitions and a collection on temporary loan from the Museum of Fine Arts while that museum is closed for renovation. Visiting hours daily except Mondays, 10:00 to 18:00.
Museum of Applied Art
Though not amongst the most popular Budapest museums, this collection of furniture, textiles, metalwork and the like merits a visit as an artistic tour de force
A Collection of Objects Well Worth Applying Yourself To
Many "applied arts" museums the world over tend to get short shrift in favour of "sexier" or "more important" institutions and the world's third oldest of this genre, Budapest's Iparművészeti Múzeum, is no exception. In fact, this palatial Art Nouveau building inaugurated in 1896 -located in Buda but a bit off the tourist track- is all too often passed over by visitors. A pity, because there's some truly marvellous stuff in here along the lines of textiles, ceramics, antique furniture, Turkish rugs, costumes, glasswork, metalwork, timepieces and architicture. If you appreciate the great art in the artisanry of fine objects, you'll want to squeeze this spot onto your cultural itinerary. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 to 18:00.
Museum of Fine Arts
Nearly all the great names of European art are on display; however, there's one big catch...
The Heritage of Europe and Ancient Egypt/Greece
It's no coincidence that over half a million visitors a year walk through the doors of the Museum of Fine Art in Heroes' Square. This enormous neoclassical building, with its main facade a majestic portico supported by eight enormous columns, is home to more than 100,000 top-tier works of art - mostly by the impressive international likes of Rafael, El Greco, Cézanne and Chagall (though there's also a significant collection of work by 20th-century Franco-Hungarian multimedia artist Victor Vasarely). It's organised into half a dozen sections: ancient Egypt; classical antiquity; Old Master painting; sculpture; and prints/drawings. Having said all that, please be aware that the museum is actually closed for renovation until March 2018. Until then, however, we heartily recommend that culture vultures direct themselves to the Hungarian National Gallery (see below), where some selected works of this museum have been temporarily relocated - and where you'll also discover just how splendid Hungarian high art can be.
Aquincum Museum and Ruins
Walk the fascinating remnants of the local civilisation of the first several centuries A.D.
Budapest's Ancient Roman Legacy
Like many European cities, Budapest traces part of its lineage back to an ancient Roman settlement. In this case, that settlement was called Aquincum and its ruins - discovered in the 18th century and reconstructed in the 1960s, are located nine kilometres (5½ miles) outside central Budapest in the Óbuda district (on the Buda side of the Danube, reachable by train). Founded the 1st century AD, by the end of the 2nd century AD, it had grown to as many as 40,000 inhabitants. Today, visitors can stroll amid the ruins of temples, houses, shops, public baths and an amphitheatre, and have a look at features such as an underground heating system, a water organ and the stone sewage system. At the edge of the archaeological park is the Aquincum Museum, with displays on the life and times of the ancient Romans of this area and their predecessors, the Celts. Closed Mondays.
Holocaust Memorial Centre
This modern museum paired with a historic synagogue is a must for those interested in modern Hungarian as well as Jewish history
Documenting the Attempted Extermination of Hungary's Jews
Opened in 2004 in a complex including the former Páva Street Synagogue, the Holocaust Memorial Centre documents one of Hungary's most traumatic episodes - the oppression and mass murder of more than half a million of the country's Jews and Roma (gypsies) by the Nazis and their Hungarian puppet regime - with original artefacts as well as multimedia and some interactive displays. Covering the gradual deprivation of rights beginning in 1938 through to the genocide of the Shoah (one in ten of the victims was Hungarian), this museum is an experience that has moved many to tears. It stages temporary exhibitions and also serves as a research facility. Open daily except Monday, 10:00 to 18:00.
Hungarian National Museum
A museum which runs the gamut of the Hungarian experience, from prehistory through the Communist era
A Treasure Chest of Hungarian History
Founded in 1802 with the collection of the family of Count Széchényi, the country's oldest public museum is home to key artefacts and relics of Magyar history and culture. The pieces, dating from prehistory through to the 1980s, are displayed in a handsome, classical Roman-temple-style building (which also became a symbol of Hungarian nationalism during the revolution of 1848). Amid statuary, fluted columns and walls and ceilings adorned with impressive frescoes, visitors can explore seven permanent collections including art, furniture, textiles, weapons, metalwork and ceramics. Highlights include the coronation mantle of Hungary's kings, a 13th-century funerary crown and a handcrafted golden deer from the 6th century BC. The museum gardens are also well worth a visit. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 to 18:00.
Shoes on the Danube Bank - Danube Walk
This work, a tribute to the thousands of Jews shot here, will leave you stunned and speechless.
Palpable barbarism.
Speechless. Silence. Perhaps with the willies or even a tear escapes you. All this can happen to you when you contemplate this work on the banks of the Danube River. It is about 60 iron shoes, placed on the river bank. A work designed in 2005 by Gyula Pauer and Can Togay in memory of the 20,000 Budapest Jews shot between December 1944 and the end of January 1945 and whose bodies were thrown into the river. There is a continuous trickle of people, citizens of Budapest even, who come there to leave a flower, a lighted candle or spend a while in prayer and silence for the souls of those murdered Hungarians. It is shocking to know that these 20,000 Jews shot there were among the few who remained living in the ghetto after hundreds of thousands of Hungarians were deported to concentration camps or deported from Hungary.
Sándor Palace
An opulent Buda mansion that's been a key seat of political power for much of its existence and whose interior is occasionally open to the public
Digs of Hungary's Prime Ministers & Presidents
Built for the aristocratic Sándor family at the start of the 19th century, this red-roofed, neoclassical palace in Szent György Square, just north of Buda Castle, was so luxurious that even its stables were made from marble. The facade is adorned with bas reliefs over the entrance depicting the Sándors as well as the Roman goddess Venus and the celebration of the solstice; the interior is even more opulent, designed in a largely Baroque style. The palace served as the residence of the Habsburg governor and then of the country's prime ministers up until World War II, during which it suffered significant damage and was not fully restored until 1983. Since 2003, it has been the official residence and office of the Hungarian president and parts of it are open to the public on summer weekends and during special exhibitions.
Liberty Statue
High atop Gellért Hill, an imposing Soviet monument to liberation from the Nazis, cleansed of Soviet references in 1989
A Key Monument of the Budapest Citadel
"In memory of all those who sacrificed their lives for the independence, liberty and prosperity of Hungary". Thus reads the inscription, in Hungarian and Russian, on the base of this socialist-heroic-style monument erected in 1947 to memorialise the Soviet Red Army's liberation of the country from Nazi occupation. At 40 metres (131 feet) in height, it's visible from a good portion of the city below. After the fall of Communism in 1989, the inscription was actually changed from the original, "To the memory of the liberating Soviet heroes [erected by] the grateful Hungarian people [in] 1945" and two accompanying statues of Soviet soldiers were transferred to Memento Park in Pest (see below).
The Citadel
Magnificent views, of course, but it also offers a masterclass in key episodes of 19th- and 20th-century Hungarian history
Habsburg Fortress, Highest Point in the City
The highest point in all of Budapest is atop Buda's Gellért Hill at the Citadel, built between 1851-1854 by the Habsburg rulers -using forced labour- to keep an eye on the city after a revolutionary uprising. During World War II it was used as a bunker, then by the Soviets in 1956 to quell the Hungarian uprising against them. Head up here from either the Erzsebét (Elizabeth) Bridge or Szent Gellért Square and you'll be greeted by some stupendous views out over the city. You'll also find several restaurants, market stands, a monument to liberation from the Nazis and the fortress itself, which is relatively low-standing with walls four metres (13 feet) high, but which are 220 metres (722 feet) long and 60 metres (197 feet) wide. The three-storey building today houses wax figures illustrating key episodes of World War II - an interesting way of learning about Budapest's experience of this traumatic conflict. The fortress closes for the day at 19:00.
Vajdchunyad Castle
A celebration of Hungarian history next to a lovely lake perfect for rowing in summer and skating in winter
A Grandiose Pastiche in Pest's City Park
Located just behind Heroes' Square, this grandiose bit of business was originally built in 1896 for the Millennial Exhibition in City Park, to mark a thousand years of the Madyar nation. Vajdchunyad Castle is actually something of a pastiche of styles and borrowings from other landmark castles in Hungary (fun fact: it was originally built from wood and cardboard, due to a lack of both time and money, but proved so popular it was rebuilt a decade later in proper stone and brick). Its lake-dotted surroundings are particularly lovely; in warm weather you can rent a boat and in winter the lake becomes a postcard-perfect skating rink. Inside, a particular highlight is the statue of "Anonymous", the unnamed 12th-century author of the first chronicles about the origin of the Magyars and their conquest of the Carpathian Basin. Take a close look at the rather shiny tip of the chronicler's pen; touching it is thought to bring good luck).
Inner City Parish Church
It looks Baroque from the outside, but actually contains a mix of styles dating back to its 11th-century origin - and even a touch of Islam!
Pest's Oldest Remaining Building
Right next to the Erzsebet Bridge, the Inner City Parish Church is the oldest building still standing in Pest, built in 1046 on the grave site of the martyred bishop Gellért, an Italian who played a key part in converting Magyars to Christianity. It has had many guises over the years, starting as a Romanesque church; converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Turkish occupation; rebuilt in the Gothic style, then embellished with later Baroque features. Inside, what first catches the eye is a Gothic-Renaissance vault, but there is also a Gothic chapel, a neo-Gothic wooden pulpit, a 20th-century altar and even a mihrab - a Muslim prayer niche facing Mecca, a relic of its time as a mosque. It is open daily from 09:00 to 19:00.
Church of St. Anne
Distinguished by a pair of impressive towers, this 18th-century church has been through hell and high water, but its Italianate beauty is intact today
A Baroque Gem in Buda
On the Buda side of the Danube, in the busy riverside Batthyhány Square, you'll see two beautiful Italianate Baroque towers that usually catch the eye of all visitors to the area. The Szent Anna Templom was built between 1740 and 1762, and over the course of the next 200 years it has endured floods, earthquake and warfare (damage from World War II was especially heavy, though you wouldn't know it after the restoration work of 1948 and 1970). Dedicated to the grandmother of Christ, the church's facade features St. Anne with her daughter Mary and its interior is designed in a distinctively Baroque style, with two chapels, a choir, an oval nave and particularly distinctive decorative elements such as a great marble column on either side of the altar. There are also some paintings dating from the 18th century and dome frescoes from the 20th. One catch for visitors is that it's open only during masses and occasional concerts - so visits must be planned accordingly.
Gellért Hill Cave Church
A church unlike any other in Hungary (and precious few in Europe), it will capture your imagination with its evocative atmosphere
A Mysterious Underground Monastery in a Fabled Hill
South of Buda Hill, on the same side of the Danube River, there lies another great icon of the city called Gellért Hill. This hill is home to several key landmarks, including a church that's radically different from any other in town with their ostentatious adornments. Built inside a cave in the 1920s by monks inspired by a pilgrimage to Lourdes, it served as a consecrated church until being closed and sealed off by the Communist dictatorship in 1951. It was reopened in 1989, after the fall of Communism, and the Pauline monks continue their work here today. It's easy to find, as the entrance is right at the foot of the hill next to the famous Gellért Hotel and thermal baths. Inside, dramatic craggy walls blend with neo-Gothic architectural details and highlights include a copy of the Virgin of Czestochowa in Poland (said to have once saved the church from a fire) and a painting of Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish friar who volunteered to die in place of a stranger at the Auschwitz death camp and was sainted in 1982. It's all a powerful mix and a most unusual experience indeed.
Hősök Tere (Heroes' Square)
Statues of national heroes, fine museums and a park are all part of this plaza's draw
One of Budapest's Most Iconic Public Places
At the end of Budapest's main thoroughfare, Andrássy Út, lies this impressive plaza, which merits a visit both by day and by night. Finished in 1900, it was designed around the Millennium Monument, a colonnade incorporating statues of the leaders of the seven Magyar tribes which founded Hungary in the 9th century, joined nearby by statues of other important Hungarian historical figures and by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hősök Tere also marks the entrance to City Park and is flanked by the city's Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art (a contemporary art museum). The square has played an important role in national history during the 20th and 21st centuries, such as the 1989 reburial of the 1950s Communist prime minister Imre Nagy, who challenged Soviet control and was executed for it.
Buda Castle
A grandiose witness (and creator) of history since the 14th century, today this palace houses museums and offers eye-popping city views
Dominating the Skyline, this Royal Palace is a Must
Top of the list of must-sees for visitors to Budapest, for various reasons. For starters, 14th-century Buda Castle is one of the most prominent symbols of Hungary's capital - but not far behind that, however, are the spectacular views from the top of Buda Hill over the city. Its architecture and historical/cultural significance (it was once a royal palace) also led to its designation way back in 1987 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it houses the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Széchenyi Library. You can get here via steps rising from the Bridge of Chains or a funicular, open daily from 07:30 to 22:00 (one good option is to make the ascent via funicular, then come back down at a leisurely stroll).
Budapest Great Synagogue
Europe's largest Jewish temple was built in the 1850s but lived its most traumatic history during the Nazi occupation of the 1940s
Exotic-looking, with a Highly Emotional History
Also known as the Dohány Street Synagogue, Budapest's premier Jewish temple is without a doubt also one of the city's most emotion-evoking spots. The so-called Great Synagogue is quite literally so, being Europe's largest and the world's second largest. Built between 1854 and 1859 according to a neo-Moorish design by architect Ludwig Förster, who was inspired by the Alhambra palace in Granada, it seats nearly 3,000 worshippers (divided into 1,492 for men and 1,472 for women). However, it's more than facts and figures which lends this house of worship such momentous importance. The traumatic events during World War II, when Dohány Street was on the edge of the city's Jewish ghetto, have converted this temple into a symbol for the entire Jewish community. The Nazis imprisoned more than 70,000 Hungarian Jews in this ghetto and also occupied the synagogue itself, which ended up suffering major damage (not fully rectified until many years later, when a seven-year restoration campaign concluded in 1998). Here, too, is the Jewish Museum, the Heroes' Temple, the Budapest Jewish cemetery and the Tree of Life, a memorial in the form of a weeping willow dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust - on which more than 400,000 names are inscribed.
Gresham Palace
You can tour this grand bit of business built in 1906, or you can check in as today it's a Four Seasons hotel
The Art Nouveau Masterpiece Where You Can Spend the Night
Built by a London-based insurance company in 1906 to house flats and offices for its local employees, the Art Nouveau Gresham Palace can be visit like any other palatial building. But if you've got the money, you can also stay here as it's now the Four Seasons Hotel Budapest Palace. What's more, this luxury hotel also has a 5-star location on the banks of the Danube, opposite Széchnenyi Square and the Chain Bridge. During the Soviet occupation after World War II, it was commandeered as a Red Army barracks, then converted to apartments, which of course over time deteriorated under the Communist regime. After the advent of democracy in 1991, ownership passed to the city and an agreement was signed with Four Seasons to turn it into a luxury hotel. After reopening in 1999, one more major renovation was carried out in 2001. Today it has 179 rooms and 11 suites which allow guests to awake each morning to some rather exclusive views of the city.
Matthias Church
Rivalling St. Stephen's in fame and importance, this royal church dates back to the Middle Ages
A 14th-century Gothic Landmark Near Buda Castle
Built during the reign of Béla IV between the 13th and 14th century, this royal church was modified several times - most notably in 1470 when King Matthias had its southern tower extensively renovated (it was named after him in the 19th century) and for the last time in the late 19th century. Matthias and other royals were wed here, such as Habsburg Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz Josef I of Austria, and Charles IV of Hungary was also crowned here following World War I. Interior highlights include its stained-glass windows, frescoes and impressive acoustics (it's a very popular venue for organ and other classical music concerts). There's also a museum displaying a wealth of ecclesiastical art.
Fisherman's Bastion
Named after the old Fishermen's Guild and offering some of the most panoramic views in town
An Historic Buda Lookout with Smashing Views
Offering some of the best views in Pest, this building is a labyrinth of stairs and passageways. It was built on the ramparts of the old Pest city walls in the neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style in 1902. It has seven towers, representing the seven Madyar tribes which founded the Hungarian nation at the end of the 9th century, but was named after the Fisherman's Guild, once charged with defending this section of the walls. Highlights include the 1906 bronze sculpture of Hungary's first king, Stephen I, the stone pedestal of which includes carvings of several episodes of his life. Visitors usually also call in at the nearby Buda Castle and the Matthias Church (aim to see these in the afternoon and finish up at the bastion around sunset to catch one of the very best views over the city).
Hungarian National Parliament
A particularly spectacular icon of the city, it's also the world's third largest building
Hungary's Largest Building
Országház, as it's called in Hungarian, is arguably Budapest's most recognisable building, as well as the country's largest and the world's third largest. In Kossuth Square, right on the Buda bank of the Danube, it can be reached via tram line 2 or metro line M2 (Kossuth Tér station). The dimensions are truly impressive: 268 metres (879 feet) long, 123 metres (404 feet) wide and a maximum height of 96 metres (315 feet). Built in the Gothic Revival style between 1884 and 1902, it houses the unicameral National Assembly. The north wing is reserved for the country's prime minister and the south wing for the president. There are three main areas open to visitors: the main staircase, the dome hall and the old upper chamber. The medieval Crown of St. Stephen is also displayed here in the central hall. Guided tours are available and tickets are sold online.
Chain Bridge
A Budapest classic which links Buda and Pest over the Danube River
Another Symbol of the City
Look at the average Budapest guidebook and this bridge –a symbol of the city and even the country– will often grace its cover (ditto much of Hungary's currency and postage stamps). Prior to its inauguration in 1849, locals had to cross between Buda and Pest by boat (or in the depth of winter, crossing the ice on foot or in horse-drawn carriages). Its official name in Hungarian is Széchenyi Lánchíd, after Count István Széchenyi who was instrumental in its construction. Széchenyi commissioned British engineer Adam Clark to build the bridge, who drew inspiration from London's Hammersmith Bridge. It was blown up by the Nazis as they were losing World War II and rebuilt in 1949 in time for its hundredth anniversary. Its sunset and night-time views are especially inspiring.
St. Stephen's Basilica
Not only its history and its architecture will attract your attention: its bell and its views are priceless.
The most essential cult.
It is the cathedral of Budapest and one of the must-see monuments. Building of Catholic worship, it was built in 1905, after 54 years of complex works in which the dome even had to be destroyed in 1868 and redone. It is the highest in the city together with the Parliament and its architect was Miklós Ybl. Without a doubt, it was a large-scale work, since the building has a foundation almost as long as the cathedral itself, with three floors downwards. Neoclassical in style, it has two towers on each side of the main façade. In one of them, the one on the right, is the bell that weighs the most in the entire country, 9 tons. It was placed in the place that was the previous one, of 8 tons, which was cast in World War II. The cathedral was erected in honor of Stephen I, who was the first King of Hungary and a saint. In it responds to the so-called "Santa right hand", her relic hand. It is worth climbing to the top of the tower on the right to see the views of Budapest. If you feel strong you can do it ascending the 364 steps. But don't worry, there are also elevators. It is allowed to climb between the months of April and October.
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