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Budapest's Castle Hill is crowned by Buda Castle, a beautiful 18th-century 200-room palace complex built on 13th-century foundations. This is the perfect location from which to begin exploring the Hungarian capital.
Buda Castle houses the Hungarian National Gallery. The collection features Hungarian art in all genres, including paintings and sculpture representing the Medieval, Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque periods.
The Budapest History Museum occupies the south wing of Buda Castle and explores the city's 2,000-year-old history over four floors. Allow yourself a couple of hours or so to absorb the numerous exhibits, many set in glorious Gothic and Renaissance halls.
The most rewarding way to discover Castle Hill itself is by using the restored funicular railway. There are regular departures from the Buda end of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
One of Budapest's grandest visitor attractions, the Hungarian Parliament Building is situated on Kossuth Square in the Pest side of the city and overlooks the Danube. This Neo-Gothic marvel was inaugurated in 1886 and is the world's third-largest parliament building. Joining a guided tour is the most rewarding way of discovering more about this notable landmark.
The Parliament Building houses the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Included in the priceless collection, exhibited in the central hall, is the extraordinary 13th-century Holy Crown of Hungary (pictured).
The Museum of Ethnography is certainly worth investigating for its collection of Hungarian folk curios and objet d'art. In fact, it's worth a visit just for the magnificent interior. The museum stands opposite the Parliament Building, on Kossuth Square.
Dedicated to St. Stephen, Hungary's holy king and the founder of the Hungarian state, the splendid St. Stephen's Basilica is a relatively modern structure, having been dedicated in 1905.
The basilica's interior dazzles with its richly decorated and opulent ornamentation: the Venetian mosaic in the sanctuary is especially sumptuous. The cathedral's most holy relic, however,—and also its most ghoulish—is the mummified right hand of St. Stephen himself.
Set near the castle at the edge of the Danube is Fisherman's Bastion. One of the city's most recognized landmarks, the monument dates back to the late 19th century and is named for a medieval fishermen's guild, the members of which built the original walls back in 1700. Fisherman's Bastion is another location affording spectacular river and city views.
A stroll along the north bank of the Danube near the Parliament Building will bring you to one of the city's most poignant monuments, a trail of iron footwear set along the site where thousands of Jews were executed after removing their shoes at gunpoint (footwear being a valuable commodity during the Second World War). The monument serves as a permanent reminder of the Nazi atrocities suffered by Hungary during the conflict.
For a different point of view, consider a sightseeing cruise along the Danube. There are regular departures from the landing stages at Vigadó tér on the Pest bank and Bem József tér on the Buda bank. A night cruise is particularly romantic and takes in an enchanting and illuminated Budapest.
Among the must-see visitor attractions crowning Castle Hill is Matthias Church. Dating back to the mid-14th century, the church served as the venue for the coronation of King Charles I of Hungary in 1309 and the coronation of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and his consort Elisabeth as rulers of Hungary.
For a spot of authentic retail therapy, browse the city's fantastic indoor Great Market Hall. This is where to shop for meats, pastries, candies, spirits, and wines. Favorite take homes include paprika spices, Tokaji wines, and a bewildering choice of salami.
Budapest's museums rank among some of the best in Europe. One of the most celebrated is the Museum of Fine Arts. The scope of the collections include ancient Egyptian artifacts and Old Master paintings, exemplified by this 1622 tavern scene by Spanish artist Diego Velázquez (1599–1660).
You'll no doubt end up in Heroes' Square at some during your Budapest city break. This is the largest and most symbolic square in the city and is dominated by the 36-m (118 ft) Millenary Monument.
Budapest is famous for its thermal springs and one of the most famous of these warm and bubbly temples to well-being is Széchenyi Thermal Bath. Built in 1913, this is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. You can soak aches and pains away in three outdoor pools or any one of 15 indoor pools. There are also sauna and steam room facilities, and massage salon options.
Another iconic thermal bath facility is Gellért Spa. One of the most photographed of Europe's historic bath complexes, Gellért is a wonder of Art Nouveau design and serves an an enticing extension of the equally attractive Hotel Gellért in Buda.
Budapest's impressive opera house building dates back to 1884. This is the city's premier cultural venue and is home to the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hungarian National Ballet. If you can, plan your travel itinerary to coincide with a performance from either. The orchestra's season typically runs from September to June, and tickets can be purchased online.
Budapest Zoo is one of the oldest zoological parks in the world, having opened in 1866. The entire site is a designated nature reserve. Among the 1,000 or so resident species are lions, elephants, orangutans, and red pandas (pictured).
One of the more unusual Budapest tourist attractions is the Hospital in the Rock. Set under a network of natural caves and tunnels beneath Castle Hill, this subterranean facility served as a secret hospital during the Second World War and later as a nuclear fallout shelter during the Cold War. Exhibits on display in the museum include 1940s-era medical dressings (pictured).
An enormous mid-19th-century Neoclassical building distinguished by a towering portico serves as a suitably monumental venue for the Hungarian National Museum. Collections chronicle the history, art, and archaeology of the country. An exhibit highlight is the resplendent Crown of St. Stephen with its precious stones and pearls.
Spring is undoubtedly the best time to wander through City Park, just as carpets of wildflowers burst out in bloom. The fairy-tale Vajdahunyad Castle (pictured) provides a suitably romantic backdrop.
A favorite local hangout is Margaret Island, a slither of land anchored in the middle of the Danube replete with a landscaped park, a cluster of medieval ruins, and the popular Palatinus Baths, a spa complex complete with a collection of pools, one of which features artificial waves.
The city's major arts pageant is the annual Budapest Spring Festival. Taking place throughout the first two weeks of April, the festival brings together an exciting agenda of opera, ballet, jazz and classical music, street performances, pantomime, and open-air concerts hosted at different venues throughout the city.
Indeed, Hungary suffered greatly under Nazi and Soviet tyranny. In Budapest alone, thousands died under the jackboot and, later, the hammer and sickle. The city's Terror Háza, or House of Terror, commemorates those who perished during both regimes, and is designed deliberately to appear dark, gloomy, and forbidding.
As one of the great Eastern European capital cities, Budapest has always promoted a lively café culture. There are some truly historic places to visit, among them Central Café and Restaurant 1887, and the exquisite New York Café (pictured), one of the most beautiful coffee shops in the world and set inside the plush Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel.
Don't leave Budapest without tasting some of Hungary's finest wines, labels that include the famous sweet Tokaji wine.
Sources: (Encyclopedia)
See also: How to taste wine like a pro
Hungarian or Magyar cuisine is justly famous for its rich, spicy dishes. Goulash is well known, but more representative than even that are the nation's paprikash stews. Pictured is chicken paprikash—tender braised chicken simmered in thick creamy paprika sauce served with homemade pasta called nokedli.
Budapest is celebrated for its flamboyant, UNESCO-protected architecture, world-class museums, and healing thermal waters. It's also known for its beautiful cafés, delicious cuisine, and a vibrant and eccentric nightlife. In fact, Hungary's capital, split in two by the Danube River, is one of Europe's most beguiling cities, and a perfect city-break destination.
Bags already packed? Click through and find out where to go and what to see.
Hundreds of Budapest bars and pubs serve thirsty locals and tourists alike, and there's a venue to suit every taste and pocket. One place you should check out is the For Sale Pub. This bar allows drinkers from all over the world to leave their mark on the premises' walls, floor, and even the ceiling.
Enjoy a city break in Budapest
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Budapest is celebrated for its flamboyant, UNESCO-protected architecture, world-class museums, and healing thermal waters. It's also known for its beautiful cafés, delicious cuisine, and a vibrant and eccentric nightlife. In fact, Hungary's capital, split in two by the Danube River, is one of Europe's most beguiling cities, and a perfect city-break destination.
Bags already packed? Click through and find out where to go and what to see.