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Travelogues, travel stories
Balatongyörök, the "pearl of Lake Balaton"
The village is situated in one of the most beautif... More »
Budapest 3 days sightseeing
Parliament stands head and shoulders above its nei... More »
Sights of Fertőd
Hungary's largest Baroque structure, the Esterházy... More »
Good to know Budapest II.
General opening times, Electricity, Health matters... More »
Visegrad, Danube Bend
Visegrad is a synthesis of the past, present and f... More »
Travel experiences
Budapest Hungary description II
Budapest Hungary description II
The Saint Gellert Statue is perched on the side of the hill, and above it sits the Citadel. At the southern foot of the hill, another amazing structure, the Liberty Bridge, connects the two shores. We’ll alight from the tram and walk over to the Hotel Gellert. Here we can refresh ourselves with thermal water from the fountain beneath the cupola. On the opposite side of the river, we can see Corvinus University’s Faculty of Economy and the Central Market Hall with its colourful top. Now let’s take tram No 19 towards Batthyany Square. Try to find a seat on the right-hand side of the tram for the best views of the Pest panorama, with the Baroque towers of the Downtown Parish Church, the hotels on the Danube shore, the “Vigado” building and the boats docking at the riverside. We can see the Hungarian Academy of Science and the Secessionist- style Gresham Palace, which now functions as a luxury hotel. At the tram’s terminus, we can study the Parliament building up close, its dome reflected in the water, and stroll around the square before taking the underground to Deak Square. From here, let’s take continental Europe’s oldest underground train line (which has been running since 1896) to Andrassy Avenue and Heroes’ Square. There are regular stops at which we can emerge to enjoy some of the sights along the road above. Castle Hill deserves at least a full day. If you allow enough time, you can visit the most important sights like Matthias Church, the Fishermen’s Bastion and the former Royal Palace. However, we can also take a walk around the narrow streets with their Baroque houses that were originally built in medieval times. After stopping at the Telephone Museum and exploring the Labyrinth, we can have an ice cream or a cake at the traditional Ruszwurm Cafe. To get a proper feel for the city’s colour and energy, we should take tram Nos 4–6 and cross the 4km-long Great Boulevard (Nagykorut) from Margaret Bridge to Petofi Bridge. If you prefer a less-conventional form of transport, try taking the Funicular up Castle Hill, or go into the Buda Hills via the Cogwheel Railway, the Chairlift or the Children’s Railway. If you fancy travelling by water, we could take a boat trip to Margaret Island, one of the biggest parks in the city. There are many cultural attractions for us to enjoy. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Gallery have a range of top-notch exhibitions, and there are many annual events like the Spring and Autumn festivals, the Island Festival and the Celebration of Crafts. Listen to a performance at the Opera House or a concert at the Palace of Arts. Alongside the main venues, there are a number of small theatres, stages, clubs and underground pubs. Liszt Ferenc Square and Raday Street are good places to start. The city has some other rare and special features. It is, for example, the only metropolis in the world where you’ll find 80 hot-water springs. The thermal water has been feeding spas here for almost 2,000 years. The Rudas, Kiraly (Royal) and Csaszar (Imperial) spas – with their splendid cupolas – are among the few surviving examples of Turkish architecture. The Neo-Baroque Szechenyi Thermal Baths – located in City Park (Varosliget) – is the biggest spa complex in Europe; however, you also shouldn’t miss the Secessionist-style Gellert Baths. There are many options for those who prefer some active recreation. Armed with helmet and torch, you can visit some dripstone and aragonite caves; alternatively, you might take a pleasant walk in the Buda Hills. There are several tourist trails and lovely parks like Margaret Island, City Park and Shipyard (Hajogyari) Island. These places can be reached on foot or along cycling routes. After you’ve strolled in the parks, you can go shopping on Vaci Street or at the Westend City Center shopping hall. Finish the day off with a coffee at a cafe terrace or a more substantial meal at one of the many enticing restaurants.