What to See in Budapest

Sightseeing Overview

The Széchenyi Lánchíd (Chain Bridge) is the central point of Budapest.

From here, hilly Buda is to the west, and the plains of commercial Pest are to the east.

A steep climb in the Sikló, the 19th-century funicular, leads to Buda’s Várhegy (Castle
Hill), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where many attractions are clustered.

Szentháromság tér (Trinity Square) is at the heart of the district, and usually thronging with
tourists.

Nearby is the mosaic-roofed Mátyás templom (Matthias Church), fronted by King Stephen’
s statue and the fairytale Halászbástya (Fishermen’s Bastion), with the best views of Pest
– particularly of the Országház (Houses of Parliament).

Places to See in Budapest

Castles & Fortresses
The first castle, which had been built for 300 years in Gothic style, was
almost completely destroyed during the retaking of Buda from the Turks
(1686), and a Baroque palace of modest dimensions was only begun in
1715. Large-scale extension began in 1749 and finished in 1790,
however minor extensions and conversion were also... more >>>

Churches
A symbol of the Hungarian Reformed Church. Built in Classicist style in
1816-1830. The Calvin Room in the west wing features stained glass
windows by Miksa Róth, depicting the key personalities of the church.
17-19th c.... more >>>

Interesting Buildings & Monuments
If you want to see the whole town on the northern side of the Castle, you
need to walk about 3 km around the Castle District between the two
entrances - Bécsi kapu tér and Dísz tér. Major sights: Matthias Church
Fishermen's Bastion, tower of Mary Magdalene Church... more >>>

Bridges
The first permanent bridge over the Danube, a symbol of Budapest was
built in 1839-1849 on the initiative of Count István Széchenyi. It was
designed by an Englishman William Tierney Clark, and built by his
namesake Adam Clark... more >>>

Museums
The biggest gallery of Budapest and Hungary. Temporary exhibitions of
contemporary Hungarian and international arts, design, photography,
and new artistic trends... more >>>

Theaters, Concert Halls
The opening performance of the Opera House was held in the
neo-Renaissance building, the jewel of the avenue, in 1884 after nine
years of construction. The staircase and the auditorium of the palace,
designed by one the... more >>>

Cafés, Pastry Shops
Budapest's most famous pastry shop and café. Founded by Henrik
Kugler, a pioneer of Hungarian confectionery in 1858, it was taken over
by Emil Gerbeaud, a Swiss confectioner... more >>>

Caves & Labyrinths
The stalactite-rich cave, the longest in the Buda Hills and the third
longest in Hungary, was discovered in 1904 during quarrying... more >>>

Parks & Nature
City Park, Gellert Hill, Margaret Island and the Buda hills... more >>>

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hungary >>>

The Best Views of Budapest - recommended spots to take the
best pictures >>>

The busiest parts are the shop-lined Váci utca and the square, Vörösmarty tér, marked by a statue of the poet, Mihály
Vörösmarty (1800-1855), and the location of the Gerbeaud pâtisserie.

The most grandiose monument in Pest, Hősök tere (Heroes’ Square), is reached via Andrássy út, home to the Opera
House. The Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) and Műcsarnok (Palace of Art) border the monument and
Városliget (City Park) is just behind it. Warm vapours rising from underground hot springs swirl up into the square, which is
much favoured by teenage skateboarders.

Moving closer to the River Danube lies the Dohány Synagogue, the second largest in Europe, as well as the small Jewish
quarter (district VII). Further south is the Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum (Hungarian National Museum). The reconstructed
remains of the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia lie in northern Budapest’s Óbuda district.

Budapest is so steeped in history that a trip into the city center
reveals Baroque, classical, and modern building designs.

Andrassy Avenue, that ends at Heroe’s Square, is modeled after
Paris’ Champs Elysees, with the trees on each side, and
beautiful buildings such as the Opera House, Drechsler Palace,
now the State Ballet Institute. Also on this tree-lined street is the
Terror Museum. Once the headquarters of the Nazis, KGB and
Hungary's repressive secret police. Of all the attractions here, this
one had the longest line to get in.

From the Buda side of the Danube, this two sided city's skyline is
marked by the impressive Gothic Parliament building, the world’s
third largest parliament, dripping with porticoes and detail and
stunning when lit up at night. This, like the St. Stephen’s
Cathedral, rises to 96 meters, these two visual high points can be
seen from the Buda hills and especially clear from the Citadel
here. Having Saint Steven's actual right hand enshrined there
adds to the mysterious Magyar mix of the place.

Cobblestone streets and more formal dining makes the Buda
side a little more stiff than the more relaxed Pest side of the city.
On the Pest front, the cruising zone for restaurants and shops is
Vaci Street. It is a pedestrian area, perfect for strolling and people
watching.

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