The Best of Budapest

Fondly known as “the little Paris of Central Europe”, the Hungarian capital of Budapest is one of the best value destinations in Europe. Your euro will certainly go farther in Budapest than in Paris! A 1,000-year old culture means you will find several historical monuments rubbing shoulders with modern buildings. In fact, the city is made up of two distinct sides, Buda and Pest on either sides of the Danube River. There are medieval streets and houses, several museums and Roman ruins in Buda, while the more dynamic Pest is filled with promenades, cafes and markets. Here’s our pick of the best of Budapest.

Chain Bridge

One of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge was the first permanent stone bridge that spanned the Danube and connected Buda and Pest. The suspension bridge was designed by the English engineer William Clark who also designed the Marlow suspension bridge across the Thames in England. It was opened in 1849 and is the oldest permanent bridge on the Danube River. The Chain Bridge was almost completely destroyed in WWII and only its pillars remained standing. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1949. Take a leisurely stroll across the bridge and you will enjoy a magnificent view over the shimmering river and city. The bridge is also worth a look after sunset when it’s illuminated in all its splendour.

The Parliament

One of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings, the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest is quite a popular tourist destination in the city. Sitting pretty on the bank of the Danube, the imposing building is fittingly the largest in Hungary. The huge dome atop the building is a reference to Renaissance-era architecture. There are 10 central courtyards, numerous rooms and halls, and intricately decorated spires. The façade is adorned with 88 statues of Hungarian rulers, several gargoyles and arches. The inside is also richly adorned with paintings, frescoes and gilded ornaments. The Holy Crown of Hungary (coronation crown) and royal insignia are on display in the Copula Hall, which also features an elaborate ceiling.

Buda Castle

Perched 48 metres above the Danube and sitting pretty atop the Várhegy (Castel Hill), the Buda Castle epitomises the best of Budapest. The castle is part of what is known as the Castle District, which has several medieval and Baroque houses, churches and other buildings. Not much remains of the original 14^th century castle nor of the 16^th century medieval castle. The current castle dates back to the 19^th century when it was reconstructed as the new Habsburg Palace. Today the Buda Castle is an imposing complex, more austere than its predecessors but no less impressive. The castle houses two museums – the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Several courtyards, fountains and statues make up the landscape. The Matthias Fountain is one of the attractions as is monumental Lions’ Gate and Courtyard.

Fisherman’s Bastion

On the Buda side of the Danube is an impressive neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque terrace called Halászbástya or Fisherman’s Bastion. It was designed and built in the late 19^th century and has seven towers representing the seven Magyar tribes that founded present-day Hungary. The terrace is built on the site of an old rampart that was protected by a guild of fishermen during the Middle Ages, hence the name. There are many walking paths, stairways, turrets and parapets. You can get sweeping views of Budapest from this vantage point. Entrance is free to the terraces but there is a fee if you want to visit the top turrets.

Matthias Church

In front of the Fisherman’s Bastion, in the heart of the Castle District, stands the Roman Catholic Matthias Church, officially named as the Church of Our Lady. The church became a mosque in 1541 when the Turks captured Buda and large parts of the building were stripped off or whitewashed. The story goes that in 1686 during the liberation of Buda from the Turks, a wall of the church collapsed due to bombardment and a hidden statue of Mary appeared in front of the praying Turks. This demoralised them so much that they capitulated the very next day! Not much remains of the original 13^th century church and it was almost completely reconstructed in the late 19^th century. The church has magnificent stained glass windows, colourful frescos and an impressive altar.

Gellért Hill

Named after Saint Gerard who was thrown to death from here, Gellért Hill rises 235 metres over the Danube. A fortress was built in 1850 on top of the hill, large parts of which stand till today and the old barracks have been converted into a hall. The drive up the winding road is quite charming, with several embassies and diplomatic residences lining the road. The Gellért Hill Cave is part of the network of caves within the hill and is used as a chapel. There is also a monastery carved into the rock.

Heroes Square

Hösök tere or Heroes Square is the major square of Budapest. Get here via the M1 metro line, the world’s oldest metro opened in 1896. The square itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with the adjoining Városliget (city park), the square was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000^th anniversary of the Magyar conquest of Hungary. The soaring Millennium Column and the semi-circular colonnade behind it form the Millennium Monument. The square is also the site of two important museums – the Museum of Fine Arts and Palace of Art.

Thermal Baths

Hot water springs abound in the city and thermal baths truly offer the best of Budapest. The city is called the ‘spa capital of the world’ for a good reason. The Romans built enormous public baths all over the city, remains of which still stand to this day. Most of the present-day baths date from the Turkish period circa mid-16^th century. The Széchenyi Baths in Pest are the largest bathing complex in Europe with both indoor medicinal baths and outdoor pools. The Lukács Baths in Buda are also quite popular. Almost all of the baths in Budapest have an air of grandeur about them and it’s definitely worth your while to take a dip or two!

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