Budapest is the political, administrative, economic, scientific, and cultural centre of the country. Budapest is often called as Paris of Eastern Europe .With its abundance of beautiful parks, luxury shopping, vibrant contemporary art scene and pulsating nightlife, Budapest is one of the most memorable holiday destinations in Central Europe.
Dubbed by artists and writers the ‘Paris of the East’ and the ‘Pearl of the Danube’ – with ‘Buda’ and ‘Pest’ sitting astride the great river on the city’s West and East banks respectively – Hungary’s pivotal role as the capital of the mighty Hapsburg Empire has imbued it with an appetite for both high culture and the good life.
Excellent local champagnes are served everywhere and as befits the world’s second-largest producer of foie gras, fine dining is always on the menu. Attractions include a plethora of ‘must-see’ World Heritage sites, theatres and museums and as the only capital city in the world to boast an intricate network of thermal caves, Budapest has much to interest guests for whom spa and wellness is an intrinsic part of their holiday.
Four days of city pleasures
Day 1
Explore the capital city with a private, chauffeur driven-car plus guide or via a comfortable, informative coach tour. Don’t miss the breathtaking Parliament building, the Royal Palace or the biggest synagogue in Europe and take time to unwind on Margaret Island; a pedestrianised oasis in the centre of the city with musical fountain and exquisite gardens.
Day 2
Swap Budapest's urban backdrop for the rustic landscape of the Puszta, the vast flatlands which offer an intriguing insight into traditional rural Hungarian life. Combine the great outdoors with a visit to Eger, Tokaj or Villa´ny and a taste of the country’s world-famous wines.
Day 3
If any building captures the sights, sounds and smells of Budapest, it is the Central or Great Market Hall; whose three levels are packed with everything from local black sausage to exquisite dolls and other souvenirs. Take a walk down Va´ci Street; a pedestrianised area bustling with luxury shops, restaurants and coffee houses, and complete your day with an afternoon at the world-famous thermal baths.
Day 4
Take a half-day trip to Godollo and visit the second largest baroque chateau in the world; the former summer residence of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary. Discover the quaint Szentendre village via one of our boat trips and round off a perfect day with a romantic dinner on the Danube
History and Culture
Budapest's recorded history begins with the Roman town of Aquincum, founded in 89 AD on the site of an earlier Celtic settlement. By around 900 AD, the area had been occupied by the Magyars, the ancestors of today's ethnic Hungarians. Mongol invaders destroyed the city of Pest in 1241, but it was Buda, situated on the opposite side of the River Danube and the seat of a royal castle since 1247, which became the capital of Hungary in 1361.
The Ottoman Turks' conquest of most of Hungary in the 16th century interrupted the growth of both cities. Pest, on the left bank of the Danube, was largely derelict by the time of its recapture in 1686 by Austria's Hapsburg rulers, but it enjoyed rapid growth in the 18th and 19th centuries. It eventually became part a single city in 1873 following its amalgamation with Buda and Óbuda, on the right bank of the river.
Hungary’s losses during World War I, and the impact of the Trianon Peace Agreement, eventually left Budapest as the capital of a smaller but sovereign state and despite being severely damaged during the Soviet siege of World War II, Budapest has prospered since joining the European Union in 2004.
Attractions
A leisurely stroll through Budapest's winding back streets is an attraction in itself, as is a walk by the romantic River Danube or a trip to the 19th century Parliament building which overlooks it, but as every passing Hungarian will tell you, there is far more to the city than any of these.
Don’t neglect either Chain Bridge – one of Budapest’s most famous landmarks – or Saint Stephen’s Basilica, and do take the time to explore the Cave Chapel on Gellert Hill and the ancient Roman ruins of Aquincum.
World Heritage Sites such as the Castle District, with its extraordinary Fisherman's Bastion, are waiting to intrigue you and when you find yourself at the 13th century Matthias Church or The Church of Our Lady; which was transformed into a Mosque when the Turks ruled Buda, don’t miss the astonishing replicas of the Hungarian royal crown and jewellery.
Outdoor attractions in the city include Vorosmarty Square, littered with chic cafes, Central Market Hall with its tempting food, drink and souvenir stalls and City Park, home to Heroes Square. The lyrical Vajdahunyad Castle, with its picturesque moat and boating lake, offers a period of calm reflection while the world-famous Gundel Restaurant will tempt you with anything from Hungarian goose liver to breast of pheasant.
One last recommendation. Budapest is famous for its thermal spas, the oldest of which dates back to the 13th century, and as you enjoy the sights and sounds of this most colourful of Central European cities, you will find you are never too far away from an outdoor pool or indoor bathing facility.
Immersing yourself in the city’s natural healing waters while you bask in the warmth of the sun, or indulging in a luxury steam bath inside one of the city’s Baroque bath houses, is an experience you are guaranteed never to forget.
Museums
Hungarians are rightly proud of their long and colourful history and if it’s the past that fascinates you, you have come to the right place. If you plan ahead and bear in mind that most of the important museums are closed on Mondays, there are enough history/culture/art establishments here to keep you busy for a month.
For a panoramic glimpse of Hungary’s past, the Royal Castle Museum covers the country’s story right from Roman times, taking you through the Mediaeval era to the Gothic period and it marries up all the rich history with some fascinating artefacts from more modern times too.
To experience the seat of Government, the Parliament building is a must but do be warned that entrance tickets - free to all EU citizens – can be hard to come by.
For an insight into the Jewish experience, the Dohany Synagogue and the haunting Holocaust Museum are both must-sees (closed on Saturdays) while the marble staircases and spacious galleries on offer at the city’s Ethnography Museum will transport you to less harrowing times.
For the post-Soviet era, don’t miss Memento Park (open daily) or indeed Terror House, which is located in the former headquarters of the Hungarian secret police and which offers a grim reminder of how life was just a few decades ago.
Budapest Spas and Thermal Baths
The thermal resources of Budapest are unique in the world. On the territory of the city 118 natural springs rise (most of them with warm water). The water raising from natural and drilled springs are usually between 21 and 76 °C and give daily 30.000quadtratmetre water.
Already the Celts and Romans used the warm springs of the Buda-hills. According to memos during the Roman times there have been 14 baths in the city, while during the Turkish rule 8. The baths originating from the Turks are still operating. Today Budapest has 24 thermal baths, swimming pools and open-air pools, from which 10 are thermal baths.
The most important thermal baths in Budapest : Gellert Bath - Király Bath - Lukács Thermal Bath - Rudas Thermal Bath - Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Entertainment
For a city with fewer than two million inhabitants, Budapest offers a surprisingly wide variety of nightlife. Bars, pubs, clubs and live music venues abound and when twinned with a first-rate public transport system, make this a city well-worth exploring after dark.
The Danube is a must – take a sunset boat trip to admire the Castle and Parliament building twinkling under a mantle of lights, and take your pick of fine restaurants for dinner and a candlelit serenade by gypsy musicians. Va´ci, a pedestrianised shopping street packed with good-quality souvenir and designer fashion shops, also boasts authentic Hungarian pavement cafes and good-quality restaurants. Sampling the country’s ubiquitous goulash and locally produced wines should also feature on your city break agenda.
A visit to the city's majestic State Opera House makes for an unforgettable cultural evening, as well as a reminder that Budapest's legendary love affair with classical music has helped build orchestras and venues of the highest standard.
If your taste is more techno than Tchaikovsky, there are a number of night clubs and jazz or rock venues in Budapest, as well as casinos and even musical folklore evenings. Both Franz Liszt Square (near the Oktogon) and Ráday Utca are full of bars, restaurants and small, intimate cafés that stay open until the early hours of the morning.
Daylight options abound, but don’t miss the sight of mass jogging in Margaret Island Park and do consider a hot air balloon ride over the city. The award-winning Elephant House at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden will help keep children occupied and if they tire of all the wildlife, take them to the Funfair Park or the Budapest Puppet Theatre.
Shopping
Open-air markets selling temptingly-fragrant, fresh-from-the-farm produce standing side-by-side with mammoth shopping malls bursting with the very best designer fashion items. As with outdoor and indoor bathing, Hungary likes to mix and match its pleasures.
There's a plethora of traditional products on offer, from folk embroidery to porcelain, and from goose feather duvets to salami, but be aware that while shopping in Budapest tends to be cheaper than other parts of Europe or North America, branded shoes, clothes and jewellery may not offer many bargains.
If you are looking for typically Hungarian goods or souvenirs, try to buy direct from a factory outlet to avoid the sizeable mark-ups of many tourist shops and remember that in smaller stores, cash is still king.
While the city’s Central Market allows you to browse your way through the very best food products and crafts on offer in Budapest, the key haunts of all serious shoppers remain the Váci Utca and the Nagy Körút.
For travellers with provenance in mind, a trip to the Ecseri Flea Market is recommended, while Falk Miksa utca in Pest has become a centre for intriguing antique shops.
You're likely to see signs advertising small shops in the courtyards (udvar) of residential blocks and while at least some of them will be offering little more than cheap toys, dodgy fashions and trinkets, others may be an Aladdin’s Cave of unique souvenirs and truly interesting local gifts.
With plentiful buses from the airport, you will probably never need to shell out on a taxi. If you do, avoid the private, unmarked vehicles that hang around all the key stations. Legal taxis have a yellow number plate, clearly display their rates and unlike the rogues, have a meter that is switched on.
Dining and bars
Best restaurants in budapest by budapest-tourist-guide.com
A wide selection of Budapest restaurants. Mmmmm.... Which one to choose? You'll definitely ask yourself this question after a whole the day of tiring sightseeing in the city.
Do you want to sit in a cosy little restaurant, have delicious food and just relax? Perhaps do you wish to try traditional Hungarian dishes? Are you a vegetarian and looking for a vegan restaurant ?
Our Budapest Restaurant Guide helps you to choose the right place to eat, suitable to both your taste and budget. Budapest has the advantage that you can have good meals at affordable prices.
The city has some exclusive restaurants too where you have to dig deeper in your purse.To be precise those eateries we think have the right combination of criteria like:the quality of food,polite and quick service, and fine atmosphere.
We've based this list on our own and our friends' and relatives' dining experiences in Budapest and on other reliable resources (restaurant reviews, gastronomy magazines etc.).Budapest has more than 1,000 restaurants and other eateries. Besides restaurants offering Hungarian dishes, you can taste every major world cuisine, as well. To give you further help to choose a good place to eat in, we've grouped the best restaurants in Budapest by their location within the city.
More info : http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/best-restaurants-in-budapest.html
TOURIST INFORMATION :
http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com
Useful links
sightseeings
Guided sightseeings in Budapest and Hungary with air conditioned buses in several languages.Pick-up free of charge from your hotel to the departure place!
Budapest tours by budapestsite.com
The sightseeing buses depart from front of the Hotel Inter-Continental by the Pest side of the Chain Bridge.
The taxi will pick you up at your hotel or apartment at latest a half an hour before the program starts.
Budapest Sightseeing and Hungary Tour
Programs are guaranteed. You should pay in cash before the departure on the bus to the guide.
You can pay in EURO or HUF.
Hear is a list of available tours. Please check the program (click on particular tour) and make reservation.
Budapest Tours:
- Budapest City Tour
- Budapest Grand City Tour
- Budapest tour + 1 hour Free River Danube Cruise
- Budapest sightseeing without stop + 1 hour Free River Danube Cruise
- Budapest sightseeing by boat
- 2-hour Buda Tour
- Panorama Danube
- Jewish Budapest
- Budapest by Night
- Sound of Budapest
- Szentendre Nostalgia Tour
- Magic Hungary Tour
- Danube Tour
- Puszta Tour
- Lake Balaton, Herend
- Private Tour in Budapest
More info : http://www.budapestsite.com/budapest-sightseeing-tours/
Budapest River Ride by riverride.hu
First in Europe! Budapest - as you can only see it with us
Until now you could choose between touring our beautiful capital on four wheels or marvelling at the city from the deck of a pleasure boat. Now you don't need to choose: RiverRide is a special sightseeing tour on which you can see the sights of Budapest from a comfortable seat, first along its busy streets, and then, from one second to the next - to the gasps of some of your fellow travellers - you splash into the lapping water of the river. Budapest without the Danube would not be Budapest, and whoever tries it once will never forget the magic of admiring the view while being gently rocked on the rippling waves. But taking everything in from the deck of a luxury coach makes the experience even more special. After the watery adventure, climbing back to the rivershore, you'll find yourself once again in the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
Take a seat on our amphibious coach, enjoy and splash in the Danube with us!
Quality and safety assurance of the amphibious vehicle is backed by both TÜV Rheinland and Lloyd's Register, and its operating permit is underwritten by the National Transport Authority of Hungary and the Malta Maritime Authority.
More info : http://www.riverride.hu/riverride_en.php
Plenty of Events All The Year Round at budapest & hungary
Cultural Festivals, Sport Events, Exhibitions, Conferences by budapest-tourist-guide.com
You'll find all sorts of events in Budapest. You won't be bored no matter in which season you come. The Hungarian capital hosts several cultural festivals, sport events, concerts and exhibitions all the year round.
Our up-to-date guide helps you to choose the programs that match your interests.Make sure you book your hotel in advance especially for popular events like the Sziget Festival, the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, and New Year's Eve.
More info : http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/events-in-budapest.html
Visit also : http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/Budapest-blog.html
Budapest pictures
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/45236146
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=404093
http://www.budapestdailyphoto.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g274887-Budapest.html
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„Last minute” booking with short notice.
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