BUDAPEST and surroundings
Some fall in love with the city at first sight, others are won over only after a longer period of discovery; but all agree that it is one of the most beautiful locations in the world.
The metropolis with a population of two million is bisected by the mighty flow of the Danube with hills and valleys on the Buda side and the flat, low-lying Pest on the other. The riverside panorama has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Anybody who has ever seen it illuminated by night can understand why.
Rather than dividing the city, the Danube is in full harmony with the two parts, presenting Budapest with striking vistas. Budapest deserves its other nicknames "The Pearl of Danube" or the "Queen of the Danube". The Hungarian capital is not too large and not too small. It has just the right size, that makes it a pleasant place to live in and to discover.
Budapest is ideal for romantic vacations. Budapest offers you affordable luxury. Fine quisine, delicious wines, lively cultural life, historic spas, traditional and modern wellness treatments. That's Budapest, in the heart of Europe, where East and West meet.
Top attractions:
The neo-Gothic Parliament
Containing amongst other things the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Saint Stephen's Basilica, where the Holy Right Hand of the founder of Hungary, King Saint Stephen is on display. The Hungarian cuisine and café culture: for example, Gerbeaud Café, and the Százéves, Biarritz, Fortuna, Alabárdos, Arany Szarvas, Kárpátia and the world famous Mátyás Pince Restaurants. There are Roman remains at the Aquincum Museum, and historic furniture at the Nagytétény Castle Museum.
The Castle Hill
The River Danube embankments and the whole of Andrássy út have been officially recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Castle Hill and the Castle District; there are three churches here, six museums, and a host of interesting buildings, streets and squares. The former Royal Palace is one of the symbols of Hungary – and has been the scene of battles and wars ever since the thirteenth century. Nowadays it houses two impressive museums and the National Széchenyi Library. The nearby Sándor Palace contains the offices and official residence of the President of Hungary. The seven-hundred year-old Matthias Church is one of the jewels of Budapest.
The Pest discrict
In Pest, arguably the most important sight is Andrássy út. As far as Kodály Körönd and Oktogon both sides are lined with large shops and flats built close together. Between there and Heroes’ Square the houses are detached and altogether grander. Under the whole runs continental Europe’s oldest Underground railway, most of whose stations retain their original appearance. Heroes’ Square is dominated by the Millenary Monument, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front. To the sides are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Arts, and behind City Park opens out, with Vajdahunyad Castle. One of the jewels of Andrássy út is the Hungarian State Opera House.
The city is home to the largest synagogue in Europe
(Dohány Street Synagogue), the largest medicinal bath in Europe (Széchenyi Medicinal Bath) and the third largest Parliament building in the world, once the largest in the world. The third largest church in Europe (Esztergom Basilica) and the second largest Baroque castle in the world (Gödöllő) are in the vicinity.
Seven islands
Can be found on the Danube: Hajógyári sziget (literal translation: Shipyard Island), Margit-sziget (Margaret Island), and Csepel sziget (the northernmost part of this island belonging to Budapest is a separate district of the city, the XXI., while the other islands are parts of other districts, the III. and XIII. respectively), Palotai-sziget (in fact, it's a peninsula today), Népsziget (connected to the above, but mostly surrounded by water), Háros-sziget and Molnár-sziget.
Budapest Surroundings
The Danube Bend offers some of the country's finest landscapes, where the river passes between the hills and turns south. Formerly the property of the Crown, this land was the scene of major historic events in Medieval Hungary.
Szentendre
With its winding lanes, seven aspiring church towers, colourful houses, narrow sidestreets, genuine Mediterranean ambience and scores of museums, galleries, guest houses and warm restaurants, is the most frequented tourist destination of the Danube Bend. Monuments of folk art earmarked for preservation are transported here from across the country. Upon completion, a total of 340 buildings will be arranged in a breakdown of geographical regions detailing the characteristics of Hungarian folk architecture. Currently, seven geographical regions, a Greek Orthodox Church, a Protestant graveyard with tombstones and an ethnographic exhibition are open to the public from April to October. During the weekends, visitors can learn the art of traditional folk handicrafts. The notable days of Hungarian folk tradition are also celebrated.
Visegrád
From here the Papal Nuncio, well used to pomp and chivalry, headed his letters 'from Visegrád, a Paradise on Earth' when he stayed as a guest and saw the breathtaking palace of the great Renaissance monarch, King Matthias (1458-1490). With 350 rooms and two-tier fountains of red marble, it was one of the most luxurious royal residences of the age. The Renaissance courtyard of the palace and the so-called Hercules Fountain, which used to stream wine on various celebratory occasions, have been faithfully restored.
Esztergom
Is the seat of the archbishop of Esztergom, the primate of the Hungarian Catholic Church. St. Stephen (970?-1038), the first Hungarian king and founder of the country, was born in the castle erected here in around 970. Built on Castle Hill in the first half of the 19th century, the Classicist cathedral on Szent István tér is the country's largest church with the world's largest altarpiece, painted on a single piece of canvas. The cathedral incorporates the early 16th-century red marble Bakócz Chapel, the only intact Renaissance edifice in Hungary. The Treasury of the Cathedral exhibits the richest collection of Hungarian ecclesiastical art of some 400 items.
Vác
Is a one-thousand-year-old episcopal seat on the Danube bank. The country's only triumphal arch, the Kőkapu ('Stone Gate'), can be seen here, erected in 1764 to celebrate the visit of the Empress Maria Theresa. Konstantin tér is dominated by the imposing Classicist cathedral.
Ráckeve
The Ráckeve Danube branch is a favourite area for anglers and water sport enthusiasts. The main attraction of the town is the fine Baroque mansion.
Gödöllő
Emperor Franz Joseph and his royal consort Queen Elisabeth, affectionately called Sissi by Hungarians, would often stay in the 250-year-old Baroque royal palace of Gödöllő. Classical music concerts and festivals are held in the stateroom and on the ceremonial courtyard. The chapel and Calvary in Elisabeth Park are from the 18th century. There is an aquapark adjoining Hungaroring.