First Time in Budapest

Our Local Expert Says:

The classic must do in any city. With the freedom to hop on and hop off at any of the 16 stops, it’s a simple and convenient means of exploring the city. Especially handy on a rainy day when no one feels the urge to walk about. The hosts and hostesses are extremely friendly and helpful too.

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Enjoy the view of the city from a double-decker bus with huge panorama windows, while listening to commentary in 16 languages.

Our Local Expert Says:

This boulevard is a must-see; skipping a walk along here would be like skipping the Leaning Tower of Pisa on visiting Italy. The Andrássy and its stylish component Hero’s Square have been labeled a world heritage site, creating the face of the city Budapest is so proud of. It stands to boast about a golden age that once was, allowing such architectural masterpieces to come into existence. Most of the buildings are in desperate need of renovation today, but still portray the air of elegance that used to surround them in the 19th century.

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The avenue, quite rightly entitled the Hungarian Champs-Élysées, runs from the heart of the city to the City Park, connecting the bustling inner city to one of its nature oases. It is named after Count Andrássy, prime minister of Hungary when the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy came into existence. He was keen on developing the city into a metropolis and instigated the planning of the avenue. Starting at Deak Square, walk along the avenue to enjoy the row of Eclectic architectural masterpieces so typical of the city, while enjoying the elegant atmosphere created by the classy shops, boutiques and cafés. The magnificent Neo Renaissance building of the National Opera House is located along the avenue, known for being amongst the best sounding opera houses of Europe. Further up, take a peek into Nagymező Street, the theatrical district of the city, where the Operetta Theatre and the former residence of the photographer Mai Mano can be found. Liszt Ferec Square off the avenue is a pedestrian only area and mini paradise of restaurants and cafés. At Oktogon visit the House of Terror, a powerful, insightful yet not so objective museum about the horrors of the Communist era in Hungary. The next square,... read more

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If you want a really dramatic experience, come up from the yellow metro station at Hosök tere from the city center at night. When Hosök tere is lit it is majestic in its splendor, not to say that it is not stunning during the day too. Located at the end of the grand World Heritage Boulevard, Andrássy út, the square is the entryway into the best-known park in the city, City Park (Városliget). Like so many other things in the city, the square and the park were planned and built to celebrate the arrival and settling of the Magyars' forming a nation in 896. The tricky part at the time was that Hungary was part of the Austrian Empire and was beholden to the emperor while celebrating their independence as a nation. The monument as it is seen today was not completed until 1929, which had the collapse of the empire precede it.

In the center of the monument is a column 37m (120 ft.) high, topped by a large statue of Gabriel, the Archangel. The sculptor György Zala won a prize for his work at the World Exhibition in Paris after it had been shipped where it waited out testing of the strength of the column to support it. If you look at Gabriel's hands, he is holding a crown. Legend has it that...

Our Local Expert Says:

The largest and most beautiful bath house of the city - no visit to Budapest is complete without a visit to Széchényi!

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Though not the oldest thermal bath in the city, it is definitely the most beautiful! The pale yellow Neo Classicist building of the Széchényi Thermal Bath houses the largest spa of the city and of central Europe, though this will not be apparent from its exterior.

Once inside, an endless number of pools seem to unfold in a palace-like interior. Indoor and outdoor pools are filled with thermal water of varying temperatures and mineral content, all fed by two of the 123 thermal springs under Budapest. A swimming pool for those after some exercise, a wave pool for the kids, saunas and steam rooms plus a massage salon and a physiotherapy department can all be found in the complex.

Széchényi awaits guests with long opening hours between 6 am and 10 pm, so whether it'd be after a long day of sightseeing or a long night out, this is the place to relax!

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The monumental building of the St. Stephen's Basilica completed in 1905 after 50 years of construction is the largest Roman Catholic Church of the city, named after Hungary's first king St. Stephen who was later canonized for converting the once pagan nation to Catholicism. With such a lengthy construction period, the Basilica saw three consecutive architects explaining its architectural diversity; predominantly neo-Renaissance exterior with a hint of Classical, and an ornate neo-Baroque interior. The central dome being 96 meters high makes the Basilica the tallest building of the city, alongside the House of Parliament whose central dome also measures the same height. It is not just its size that makes the Basilica one of the most impressive religious building s of the country; the marble and golden interior with mosaics depicting biblical scenes and stain glass windows illustrating scenes from the life of Christ all contribute to its grandeur. One of its smaller chapels, the Chapel of the Holy Right Hand, houses something of interest for the morbidly curious: St. Stephen's mummified holy right hand. It is on exhibit in a golden shrine that needs illuminating by two 100ft coins. You... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

The place to take a stroll enjoying the picturesque view of the Buda hills!

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This pleasant elevated walkway is much less crowded than Vaci utca and has magnificent views across the Danube to the Buda side. You will pass several of the city's finest hotels - all of which are equipped with spacious, sun-drenched terraces - as well as many private restaurants and cafés. You will also see the famous, ever-popular Budapest wooden chairs and benches - if you have a good look around you'll eventually find a free one. The No 2 tram runs between the korzo and the river and down below is a road where cars rush by out of sight. If you continue walking to the northern end of the korzo, you'll reach the Chain Bridge.

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Prior to the building of this bridge, people relied on a structure on the water that had to be dismantled when ships passed and that easily wrecked in stormy weather. The Széchenyi Chain Bridge was named for the man who financed it in its original form, Count István Széchenyi. Széchenyi reportedly funded the bridge while his father was dying because he was not able to cross the river by ferry for medical assistance; bad weather delayed the ferry for 8 days, and his father died in the meantime. He came from one of the wealthiest families of the time and was intent on bringing Hungary into the modern times by funding a number of projects.. He wanted to not only unite Buda with Pest for the first time, but also to unite the country as well. After successive trips to London to view bridge construction, he commissioned Tierney Clark to design the bridge. The bridge was an exact copy of the bridge Clark designed at Marlowe for crossing the Thames. Ádám Clark, no relation to the designer, was hired as the chief engineer. He is responsible for the tunnel that runs under Castle Hill and the square at the foot of the bridge is named for him.

During the war with Austria in May 1849, the Austrians...

Our Local Expert Says:

Tops a short-list of "must-see" architecture in Budapest; strongly recommended. English language tours daily at 10, 12, and 2. Reservations are essential, particularly as there are new security regulations due to recent political troubles.

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The Hungarian House of Parliament designed by Imre Steindl stands 96 meters tall, reminding the nation of the glorious year of the Hungarian Conquest in 896, symbolizing the grandeur of the Habsburg Empire to this day. Its design is similar to the Palace of Westminster in London and is the second largest parliament building in Europe. Taking part in one of the scheduled tours around the building, you will be led up the magnificent staircase where a dome hovers over a 16-sided hallway and statues of Hungarian rulers ornament each of the sides. Here you will also be privy to viewing the legendary St. Stephen's crown that was kept at the U.S. Pentagon for safety during World War II. The dazzling stain glass windows are the work of the famous Hungarian artist, Miksa Róth.

Our Local Expert Says:

Watching night fall upon Pest is an unbelievable experience from here. The crooked little medieval streets bathed in warm yellow light also create and unmatchable atmosphere.

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After you've seen the Royal Palace, take a stroll northwards. The medieval street network remains unaltered and although most of the buildings have been thoroughly restored (the war damage was severe) many retain their original features. You will be able to see the remains of the Dominican monastery; note the Plague monument outside Matyas Church; walk along the castle walls on the Buda side and see the Turkish tombstones at the north-western corner. There are many places to eat out here, but you should expect to pay tourist prices.

Our Local Expert Says:

This area is named after St. Gellert, the first Hungarian martyr. Legend has it that in 1047, while attempting to convert the pagans, Gellert was forced into a wooden barrel filled with nails and then rolled down this steep hill to a bloody death.

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Right next to the Danube River, Gellért Hill is the largest hill in Pest, topped with a beautiful park. Gellért Hill is home to the famed Citadel, the Wax Museum in the Bunker, Liberty Statue, Cave Church, and more. Located in Budapest's XIth District, Gellért Hill is named for the saint who was thrown to his death from the hill. Here you can find the best panoramic view of the city.