Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Budapest is considered an important Central European point for business, culture and tourism. It's world heritage sites include the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrassy Avenue and the Millennium Underground railway, the first on the European continent.
Flowing north to south through the centre of the city is the mighty River Danube. Buda and Obuda, comprising roughly a third of the total, are situated mainly in the hills to the west, with commercial Pest on the plains to the east. Budapest possesses a rich and fascinating history as well as a vibrant cultural heritage. Recognizing the unique value of its traditions it has managed to maintain its magic and charm, and is rightly known as the Queen of the Danube. It has also been called the City of Spas, as there are a dozen thermal baths complexes served by over a hundred natural thermal springs.
Places to See...
Thermal Spas:
Budapest is richly endowed with natural springs of thermal waters possessing various medicinal properties, and it is these that supply the city’s many thermal baths. This is why it is known as the City of Spas.
Gellert Bath - This must surely be one of the all-time favourites of visitors to Budapest. Its natural spring was known about as early as the thirteenth century.
The sixteenth century Csaszar Bath is part of the complex, and besides traditional Turkish baths there is also a very popular swimming pool.
The Szechenyi is one of the biggest bathing complexes anywhere in Europe, whose hot spring – both the city’s hottest and deepest – was discovered in 1879. The neo-baroque building containing the thermal baths dates from 1913 and the adjacent swimming pool opened in 1927. The water is so warm that the outdoor pools are popular with bathers even in the depths of winter!
Military History Museum - This contains a remarkable collection of historical weaponry stretching back from before the Turkish wars to the twentieth century; also uniforms, flags, maps, shells, a coin collection containing no fewer than 28,000 items, and an exhibition devoted to the recollections of Hungarian airmen who emigrated after the Second World War.
Culture:
The Budapest Spring Festival and the Budapest Autumn Festival are two major international music, theatre, film and art festivals. Grand opera and ballet are staged at both the Opera House and the Erkel Theatre, whereas the Operetta Theatre is the place to see and hear the operettas and musicals of Lehar, Kalman and Abraham. “The Phantom of the Opera” is on all the year round at the Madach Theatre, and foreign language productions, mostly English, are put on at the Merlin Theatre. Vibrant folk music and dancing shows are regularly held at the Buda Vigadó and Duna Palota Theatres.
Caves:
Budapest is not only famous for its thermal baths, but also for its remarkable caves, some of which is open to the public. The two are linked, of course: the caves were formed by thermal waters in the first place, albeit over several millions of years. There are two hundred known caves under the city, and one can visit four of the most extensive and spectacular ones.
Dining:
Between the wars Budapest’s coffee houses were famous. Taking on some of the functions of English clubs each had its own loyal clientele. Of those old coffee houses few now remain, although it is true a number of newcomers are trying to recreate some of former atmosphere.
Many of Budapest’s famous cake shops are also, in effect, coffee houses. In the heart of the city, the most famous of all is Gerbeaud, on Vorosmarty Square. It has operated continually since 1858 and is known the world over.
Shopping:
Nowadays Budapest is once again becoming known to visitors as much for being a mecca for shoppers – a reputation which last held true a century ago – as for being a country that for half of that century had been held in the ruthless grip of Communism.
There are now, for example, places where one can buy antique style building materials, where one can have pictures framed, or buy fine cheeses, pipes and tobacco, books from the time of Newton, bakelite records, Wagner manuscripts and antique clocks. Two elements of the Budapest shopping experience that really should not be missed out on are a visit to one of the market halls and a trip out to the Ecseri Flea Market. But then there is also much to be discovered by taking a walk down Falk Miksa utca. This Pest street, like certain areas in Paris and Rome, has become a centre for antique shops.
Nightlife:
Many parts of Budapest are beautifully floodlit at night. There is also plenty of night life. The Moulin Rouge hosts cabaret but is also a coffee house and restaurant all in one; it is open until four in the morning.
Both Franz Liszt Square (near the Oktogon) and Raday utca are places full of bars, restaurants and intimate little cafés that appeal particularly to young people. Most are open until one or two in the morning.
Xmas in Budapest - The Markets:
Budapest’s traditional Christmas Market takes place from 24 November to 29 December in Vorosmarty Square in the heart of Pest. Though one of the larger Christmas markets you will see, the quality of goods sold is very good with the organisers taking care to avoid the garish and mass produced in favour of traditional hand made gifts.
With the festive atmosphere further enhanced by 150 stage shows taking place, and the tempting aroma of mulled wine, doughnuts, strudles and other local specialities you won’t fail to feel that Christmas spirit.
Note: If you plan to visit the Christmas markets here be sure to book your accommodation around June/July. The Christmas markets are extremely popular at this time of year in this city. If you leave it until November/December you will be gravely disappointed.
Getting Here...
By Air:
Budapest (Ferihegy) International Airport is ten miles south-east of the city centre. It has two terminals: Terminal One is reopened for low-cost airlines in September 2005; Terminal Two is divided into two, with Terminal 2A the departure and arrival point for flights of Malév Hungarian Airlines and Terminal 2B hosting all international carriers’ flights, including some of the budget airlines.
By Rail:
More than fifty trains a day provide direct links between Budapest and no fewer than 25 other capital cities.
By Coach:
International services terminate and depart from Nepliget Coach Station, which is also the terminus for a number of domestic routes.
By Ferry:
A hydrofoil services operates during the summer months (from April to October) linking the heart of Budapest with Vienna and Bratislava. International boat landings are situated on the Danube between the Chain Bridge (Lanchid) and the Freedom Bridge.
By car:
All Hungary’s motorways and most of her main roads lead out from the capital. The M1, M3, M5 and M7 are toll motorways, and you must pay the appropriate toll (either at the border or at larger petrol stations) and display the windscreen sticker before joining the road. Road signs conform to continental standards.
Photo courtesy of BudapestTourism
