Romantic Budapest

Our Local Expert Says:

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

Description:

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.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great view of the Danube and Buda hills accompanied by delicious foods - a real treat!

Description:

The Spoon Café and Lounge is a docked ship restaurant. There are two restaurants on board along with six bars (one underwater), a charming winter garden plus a 75 meter deck from where the view of the Danube and Buda Hills is exceptional. The cuisine is international with most items on the menu being Eastern European.

Our Local Expert Says:

Join a Legenda cruise and you will see just why Budapest has been labelled the “Pearl of the Danube”. The view of both the Buda and Pest sides are exceptional from the panoramic boat with commentary in 30 languages, plus you will be spoilt by a choice of cocktails and wine – just sit back and enjoy!

Description:

This private company was founded in 1990 and offers several boat tours on the Danube, using two-story steamboats. The daytime tour, called "Duna Bella," operates daily at 2:30pm, year-round, with additional daily trips during the summer. The 2-hour ride includes a stop at Margaret Island, with a walk on the island. Tickets cost 3,800 Ft ($21/£11). The nighttime tour, departing daily at 8:15pm, is called "Danube Legend" and is less than impressive. Take a day tour and then the no. 2 tram for the lit-up view of the river attractions. Danube Legend tickets cost 4,700 Ft ($26/£14). On both trips your ticket entitles you to two free glasses of wine, beer, or soft drinks. A shorter variation of the daytime tour, without the stop on the island, runs from mid-April to mid-October. All boats leave from the Vigadó tér port, Pier 7. Tickets are available through most major hotels, at the dock, and through the Legenda website where they will give you a CD if you book two tickets online.

Description:

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...

Description:

To the side and behind Matthias Church is Fishermen's Bastion, a terrace in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque architecture. The Middle Age fishermen's guild was responsible for defending this part of the hill, thus the name. The seven towers represent the seven tribes that conquered the region now known as Hungary. The panoramic view from here provides a closer view of Margaret Island and the Pest side of the city. Sitting in front of the terrace is a statue of King St. Stephen riding his horse. From the terrace, there are paths to walk down the hill.

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.

Description:

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.