Budapest | Budapest general info | Budapest district guide | Getting here | Arrival | Getting around
Budapest (pron. boo-dah-pesht), which
became the capital of Hungary in 1873 with
the unification of Pest, Buda, and Óbuda, in
no time at all turned from a provincial-type
center with a combined population of
nearly 200 thousand into a cosmopolitan,
European-style metropolis which strove to
become the worthy sister-capital of Vienna
(Bécs) in the Dual Monarchy.
However, this incredibly quick change in
size and character cut Budapest off from
the rest of the country, which regarded it as
a "sinful city", and resented it, too, for it
attracted the country's talent and money to
itself like a magnet (and indeed, those
whose forbears had lived in Budapest, like
themselves, are still the minority); it was
mockingly referred to as vízfej (lit.
hydrocephalus or 'waterhead', i.e.
'pumpkinhead'), and followed the Piece
Treaty of Versailles (Trianon) after WWI., it
did grow
became the capital of Hungary in 1873 with
the unification of Pest, Buda, and Óbuda, in
no time at all turned from a provincial-type
center with a combined population of
nearly 200 thousand into a cosmopolitan,
European-style metropolis which strove to
become the worthy sister-capital of Vienna
(Bécs) in the Dual Monarchy.
However, this incredibly quick change in
size and character cut Budapest off from
the rest of the country, which regarded it as
a "sinful city", and resented it, too, for it
attracted the country's talent and money to
itself like a magnet (and indeed, those
whose forbears had lived in Budapest, like
themselves, are still the minority); it was
mockingly referred to as vízfej (lit.
hydrocephalus or 'waterhead', i.e.
'pumpkinhead'), and followed the Piece
Treaty of Versailles (Trianon) after WWI., it
did grow
disproportionately large compared to the
rest of the country (today, one out of five
Hungarians live here).
The people of Budapest, on the other hand,
insist that near and far (within and without
the country's borders) it is the only real city
(where money, pluck, spirit, brains and
talent converge, even if they do not always
meet), and they won't hear of living
anywhere else; they are even proud of the
scandals, which in their eyes are proof of
the city's big-city character, and are
convinced that everyone in the country
envies their status; of course, with the rapid
pace of development elsewhere in the
country, especially in the towns of
Transdanubia (Dunántúl), this is no longer
the case.
Source:
Istvan Bart, Hungary & the Hungarians.
The Keywords
rest of the country (today, one out of five
Hungarians live here).
The people of Budapest, on the other hand,
insist that near and far (within and without
the country's borders) it is the only real city
(where money, pluck, spirit, brains and
talent converge, even if they do not always
meet), and they won't hear of living
anywhere else; they are even proud of the
scandals, which in their eyes are proof of
the city's big-city character, and are
convinced that everyone in the country
envies their status; of course, with the rapid
pace of development elsewhere in the
country, especially in the towns of
Transdanubia (Dunántúl), this is no longer
the case.
Source:
Istvan Bart, Hungary & the Hungarians.
The Keywords
Hungary is a link between Eastern and Western Europe. New investment is revitalizing the
country, and grand old Budapest is slowly being restored. It's the country's cultural,
political, intellectual, and commercial heart - and it teems with cafés, restaurants, markets,
and bars. Budapest's extraordinary atmosphere can be felt everywhere. From old women
selling boxes of raspberries in the heart of downtown Pest, cars careening by on all sides,
to young boys playing soccer in the green foothills of Buda, where the air is fresh and
clean, this city and the people of Budapest will take you in and hold you tight.
country, and grand old Budapest is slowly being restored. It's the country's cultural,
political, intellectual, and commercial heart - and it teems with cafés, restaurants, markets,
and bars. Budapest's extraordinary atmosphere can be felt everywhere. From old women
selling boxes of raspberries in the heart of downtown Pest, cars careening by on all sides,
to young boys playing soccer in the green foothills of Buda, where the air is fresh and
clean, this city and the people of Budapest will take you in and hold you tight.
Much of the charm of a visit to Budapest
lies in unexpected glimpses into
shadowy courtyards and in long vistas
down sunlit cobbled streets.
You will spy rows of salamis hanging in
the window of the grocery store next
door. In the park across the way, men
play chess in the shade of chestnut
trees, young lovers kiss on a bench, and
the famed Hungarian pedigree dog, the
vizsla, can be glimpsed darting through
the trees.
lies in unexpected glimpses into
shadowy courtyards and in long vistas
down sunlit cobbled streets.
You will spy rows of salamis hanging in
the window of the grocery store next
door. In the park across the way, men
play chess in the shade of chestnut
trees, young lovers kiss on a bench, and
the famed Hungarian pedigree dog, the
vizsla, can be glimpsed darting through
the trees.
Budapest offers
breathtaking Old World
grandeur and thriving
cultural life. Situated on
both banks of the
Danube River, the city
unites the colorful hills
of Buda and the wide,
businesslike
boulevards of Pest.
breathtaking Old World
grandeur and thriving
cultural life. Situated on
both banks of the
Danube River, the city
unites the colorful hills
of Buda and the wide,
businesslike
boulevards of Pest.
| The hilly part of the city to the left of the river is called Buda. |
| The flat part of the city to the right of the river is called Pest. |
Hungary is famous for its medicinal spas
, and Budapest alone has some 14
historic working baths.
They attract everyone from ailing patients
to tourists, all of whom want to soak in
the relaxing waters and experience
some therapeutic treatments.
There's plenty to do in Budapest, but
some visitors travel southwest to explore
the spa resorts, vineyards, and quaint
villages that dot the area around Lake
Balaton -- the largest lake in Central
Europe.
Others take side-trips north, to the
romantic and historic towns along the
Danube. Yet for the 20% of the nation's
population who live in Budapest,
anywhere else is simply vidék ("the
country").
, and Budapest alone has some 14
historic working baths.
They attract everyone from ailing patients
to tourists, all of whom want to soak in
the relaxing waters and experience
some therapeutic treatments.
There's plenty to do in Budapest, but
some visitors travel southwest to explore
the spa resorts, vineyards, and quaint
villages that dot the area around Lake
Balaton -- the largest lake in Central
Europe.
Others take side-trips north, to the
romantic and historic towns along the
Danube. Yet for the 20% of the nation's
population who live in Budapest,
anywhere else is simply vidék ("the
country").
Budapest is a remarkable and
wholly unpretentious place.
Explore it fully. On the following
pages, you'll find my personal take
on the best experiences that the city
has to offer.
wholly unpretentious place.
Explore it fully. On the following
pages, you'll find my personal take
on the best experiences that the city
has to offer.
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Hungarian
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
Introducing Budapest
Photos: © Peter Visontay
Things to do in Budapest | Events | Budapest for Kids in the Summer | Budapest for Kids in the Winter | Family Day Trip Ideas
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