Budapest Guide - City Map - Top Attractions - Accommodation
One of the most majestic cities in Europe, Budapest is the capital of Hungary and is situated on the banks of the River Danube.
The origins of the city date back to before Roman times, but Budapest as we know it today came into being in 1873, when the independent cities of Buda, Óbuda and Pest almagamated. Buda is the older, more graceful part on the west side of the Danube, while Pest, the bustling commercial centre is to the east. The city has a rich cultural heritage and is the heart and soul of Hungary, famous for its thermal baths, elegant bridges and a brilliant nightlife - it deserves its reputation as the 'Paris of Central Europe.'
Top AttractionsTop Attractions
The Royal Palace
Located in Budapest's picturesque Old Town, Buda Castle Palace was first inhabited by King Béla of Hungary during the 13th century. The king, who fled to the Adriatic Sea in 1241 following the Mongol invasion, returned to live in the palace, building a stronghold to protect the palace from further attack. Today, the palace is home to a number of museums, including the Ludwig Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
Parliament (Országház)
Built for the millennium celebrations of 1896, the impressive Parliament House was inspired in part, by the Palace of Westminster, and its white neo-gothic turrets and arches stretch for over 250 metres along the Danube embankment. Group excursions take place when Parliament is not in session, usually taking in the chamber of the former upper house. Each tour lasts approx. 20 minutes and photography is allowed.
Thermal Baths
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. Not for nothing is it known as the City of Spas. Among its most precious treasures are its sixteenth century Turkish baths, as well as the Széchenyi, the Gellért and the Lukács Baths, and the Rác Baths, which are currently closed for renovation. All are known for the healing qualities of their waters.
The Caves
Budapest is also famous for its remarkable caves. Formed by thermal waters over several million years, there are now two hundred known caves under the city - the most extensive and spectacular ones are open to the public.
The Chain Bridge
An iconic landmark, the Széchenyi Lánchíd or "Chain Bridge", was commissioned by Count Istvan Széchenyi and was the first of the eight permanent bridges linking Buda and Pest.
Budapest Central Synagogue
Budapest Central Synagogue (Nagy Zsinagóga) is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world after the Emanuel Synagogue in New York. Completed in 1859, it was built in a Moorish-Byzantine style, but was partly destroyed during World War II and has been the subject of much renovation to restore its two shining Moorish domes to their former brilliance.
AccommodationAccommodation
Mellow Mood Hostel
Becsi utca 2.
H 1052 Budapest
Hungary
Mellow Mood Central Hostel is a brand new hostel and a real backpacker's place right in the centre of Budapest, near many points of interest such as Chain Bridge, the famous shopping street Váci utca, the National Museum and the Houses of Parliament.
Book Here!
Prices: Dorm Rooms from 10.00 Euros; Private Rooms from 13.50 Euros.
Directions: Just 2 minutes walk from the Danube promenade, the famous pedestrian street: Váci utca, the main metro station (Deák Ferenc tér) where the city's undergrounds lines meet. Take the metro to DEAK FERENCE TER. Exit the metro on to the pedestrian Deák Ferenc utca (right next to Le Meridian Hotel), walk down the street and turn left onto Bécsi utca. The hostel entrance is 50m on the right side of the street.
