Budapest is an ancient city that has existed since the time of the Roman Empire. The development of the capital has been carried out since the 17th - 19th centuries, and the settlement is a union of two parts (Buda and Pest). Over the past decades, there has been a special level of development of the Hungarian capital.
Budapest has retained the special splendor of the empire, which has been preserved in the architecture of the ancient city. Each attraction deserves special attention.
Interesting objects in Budapest:
The Parliament is located on the right bank of the Danube. It is this object that adorns the capital of Hungary, revealing its attractive sides, which become noticeable even during a boat trip.
The Parliament embodies the Neo-Gothic style, which is manifested in every detail of the building.
If you visit the interior, you can note the pomposity and sophistication. It is not surprising that the Parliament deserves special attention of tourists.
Address: Kossuth Lajos ter 1-3.
Széchenyi
A powerful chain bridge connects the two coasts of Budapest. Its history began back in 1849, so Szechenyi witnessed numerous historical events. In the post-war period, it was possible to restore the footbridge, from which you can admire Budapest. In the evening and at night, one can note worthy lighting, which fascinates with its grandiosity.
Address: Széchenyi Lanchid, 1051.
The castle is an ancient fortress that used to guard the capital of Hungary. The fortress belongs to the medieval period, because it was built in the XIII century. The main task of building a fortress was to protect against potential raids by enemy peoples (primarily the Mongols and Tatars).
To date, three important religious sites have survived:
- Saint Nicholas.
- Mother of God.
- Mary Magdalene.
During the reign of King Sigismund, the New Palace was built in the ancient fortress, which includes a large hall for tournament events with the participation of knights.
Address: Szent György ter-2.
The object belongs to the Fortress Hill, located on the territory of the Var district. There used to be a fish market here. Currently, the object is an architectural ensemble. For the construction of an architectural object, white stone was used. However, not only this aspect turned out to be the main "highlight". The presence of seven towers is noted, each of which symbolizes the people and era associated with Hungary.
Address: Szentháromság ter.
The basilica is a temple for Catholics. At the same time, its height is ninety-six meters. Such a grandiose religious object was erected over several decades. It was consecrated at the beginning of the 20th century.
The basilica is made in the best principles of neo-gothic style:
- Large domed hall.
- Two side towers arranged symmetrically.
- massive bells.
- Central arch with columns and inscriptions.
At the same time, tourists can not only appreciate the architecture of the basilica, but also visit it. The atmosphere and power of Istvan contribute to a special emotional state.
Address: Budapest, Szent István ter- 1, 1051.
At the official level, the religious site is named after the Virgin Mary. The architecture of the religious object is distinguished by its original execution with the inclusion of Gothic elements.
The Matthias Church regularly hosts events during which you can enjoy the choir, sounds of organs, violins.
Address: Szentháromság ter- 2, 1014.
It is the Great Synagogue of Budapest that is one of the largest and most important temples in Europe. The religious object is located in the old quarter of the Jews.
The total area of the synagogue is one thousand two hundred square meters. At the same time, the capacity reaches three thousand people.
During the war, the building was completely looted. Large-scale restoration work was carried out in the 1990s.
Address: Dohany u.-2, 1074.
Heroes' Square belongs to the central part of Budapest. There are also two museum centers dedicated to artistic activity. One of the main objects is the Millennium Monument, which is dedicated to the beginning of the history of Hungary, on top of which you can see the statue of the Archangel Gabriel.
Currently, there are statues of Hungarian kings on the Heroes' Square.
Address: Hősök tere, 1146.
The opera house resembles the architectural appearance of the Vienna Opera. Both theaters contributed to the active development of the cultural life of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At the same time, the institutions went down in history during the era of the Habsburgs.
The theater was opened in 1884. The first performance, which became a grand premiere, attracted even Franz Joseph. From the very beginning, the successful development of the Opera House has been noted, which has managed to gain particular popularity.
Address: Andrássy ut- 22, 1061.
The museum center belongs to the Royal Palace, located on the territory of the ancient fortress of Budapest. The halls of the National Gallery present the best paintings by Hungarian artists. At the same time, the exposition includes more than one hundred thousand legendary works of art that were created over several decades.
The following exhibitions successfully operate on four floors:
- Sculpture made of stone and natural wood.
- Painting of the Middle Ages.
- Artistic canvases.
The exhibits reveal the artistic world up to the twentieth century.
Address: Szent Gyoergy ter- 2, Budavari Palota
It is in this museum center that the best works of many famous painters of different directions are present. Each presented picture reveals the features of the artistic world.
In addition, you can find samples of ancient culture, with the emphasis on Ancient Egypt.
The museum center, which has existed since 1906, enjoys a high level of popularity.
Address: Dózsa György ut- 41.
The museum center has existed since the beginning of the 21st century. The main goal is to demonstrate the history of Hungary, which dates back to the last century. For a whole century the country was dependent on the Soviet government and the communists. However, many historical facts are presented in the wrong light, so the House of Terror is a specific museum.
Address: Andrassy ut- 60, 1062
Shoes are an unusual monument that is dedicated to the history of the Jews. It was the representatives of the Jewish people who were shot in wartime. The executions were carried out by representatives of the Nazi movement.
On the Danube embankment there are numerous pairs of shoes: women's, men's, children's. At the same time, you can find a bench with small memorial inscriptions where you can read the names of the dead Jews.
Address: Id. Antall Jozsef rkp, 1054.
The malls of the Central Market are located on the old Fovam Square. The local market is located in a building that is decorated with a colored ceramic roof. After numerous damages left from the war, a large-scale restoration was carried out. Tourists can buy Hungarian souvenirs or national products at the market.
Address: Vámház krt. 1-3
The Szechenyi Bath has existed since 1913. By choosing this object, you can enjoy swimming in pools filled with healing waters that come from the depths. over 1200 meters. At the same time, the pools are filled with hot and cold wells. Additional services include water gymnastics, gym, sauna.
The Gellert Bath has existed since the 13th century. It is believed that King Andras II took baths in the unique waters. It was by the will of the king that the first hospital was built. After Buda surrendered to the attacking peoples, Turkish baths were built on the site of unique sources. The bath was opened for mass visits in the 19th century, but it gained popularity only after the reign of Franz Joseph and the construction of a modern building.
Address: Állatkerti krt. 9-11.
Mount Gellert is a hill located in Budapest. The hill is named after Saint Gellert, who is the patron saint of the city. Here you can find a monument to the holy martyr, a reservoir and an astronomical observatory of the 19th century.
Andrássy Avenue is the central and most beautiful street in Budapest. Tourists compare this corner of the capital of Hungary with the Champs Elysees in France. There are numerous attractions here:
- museum centers.
- State Puppet Theatre.
- Hungarian opera.
Since 2002, Andrássy Avenue has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Budapest is able to truly surprise anyone who decides to start exploring Hungary ... Every street and attraction proves the unique history of the Hungarian capital.
Continuing the theme of Budapest, today I will show you what made the capital of Hungary firmly entrenched in my heart as one of the most beautiful cities in the world where I have ever been. Budapest deserves the first lines of ratings on sites like AdMe, mainly due to what you will see in this post. And only then do the magnificent boulevards, old luxurious houses and the general atmosphere of the imperial capital, demonstrated in the three previous articles of the cycle, come.
There are beautiful houses in St. Petersburg, Paris and Vienna. You will find mansions and palaces in London, Milan, Rome and Prague. But none of the listed cities has such fabulous views that simply take your breath away. That make you feel like you're in a fairy tale. Or in fantasy. Only all this, of course, is not fiction, not someone's dreams, but a real reality.
Naturally, we will not deviate from the tradition of this blog with you - to accompany photos with interesting stories, to reinforce the pictures with the impressions and emotions that the author experienced before pressing the camera shutter button.
In the meantime, let's freeze for a second together with Ivanka from the previous picture, pressing ourselves into the warm three-hundred-year-old stone of the castle wall, and try to dissolve in the moment, looking at the Danube and ships sailing along it, at the exquisite Parliament building, piercing the sky with sharp arrows of its Gothic towers, at bridges and silhouettes of mountains in the distance. Let's take a deep breath of air and start our acquaintance with the main highlight of Budapest.
Once. Climbing the Buda Hills
I think I won’t open America to anyone if I say that the name of the Hungarian capital, Budapest, is simply a combination of the names of the two cities of Buda and Pest, which merged together in the nineteenth century. I'm sure you've heard this story. That part of Budapest, which is located on the left bank, was named Pest, on the right - Buda. Ancient in themselves, once every few centuries they exchanged significance and the title of capital city among themselves. After Hungary recovered from one of the last enemy invasions, and Pest was completely destroyed and robbed, the local royal family made a decision - a new fortress and family castle should be built on one of the impregnable hills of Buda. In addition, there are also amazing views - not without it :)Since then, Buda has become a stronghold of statehood and royal power. And even after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in the 20th century, when the real center of the country, the point of attraction of everything and everything the scale of Hungary again migrated from one coast to the other, to Pest, Buda remained the same: majestic, imperial, with huge hills and incredible views that open from them, for the sake of which millions of people travel thousands of miles - just to see with their own eyes.
1. I would advise you to start your acquaintance with Buda views from the square near the Chain Bridge - the one on the bank opposite the Parliament. There is a small square, a narrow road near the water and a line of old trams on the embankment. Soothing, a lot of charm, very beautiful. You probably imagined Europe like this in your childhood. Of course, now there are incredibly few such authentic places - each is worth its weight in gold. 
2. The area is very beautiful, compactly located at the very foot of the hill. A tunnel was drilled from it right in the thickness of the mountain, it is very old. There is nothing special to do underground - our goal is at the top, on top of the hill. A little to the left of the tunnel you can see the black strip of the funicular railway - we go there with you. 
3. If you watched the film "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (in fact, it has nothing to do with the city of Budapest), then you will surely remember that the mountain cable car cabin looked exactly like this instance. The golden inscription "Gellert" on the booth is the name of the hill we are about to climb. 
4. The funicular is entirely wooden. I'm sure it's unlikely that he's been serving here since imperial times, but he's stylized for that era just a five-plus. 
5. A small creak, a soft push, and we slowly rise up. With every second, the view from the cabin is more and more breathtaking. I must have exhausted about twenty personnel during the ascent. It would be better to just grab the railing and admire :) 
6. Almost at the very top. The chain bridge and the Danube - at a glance. Already impressive. But this, of course, does not even compare with what we will see very soon. 
7. At the top of the hill, a square with a dozen flagpoles awaits us, on which Hungarian flags develop in warm colors. In the distance you can see the silhouette of an even higher mountain - and we thought that we were at the very top! 
8. Government building. Basically, all the authorities of Hungary left for the opposite bank of the Danube - in Pest, after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The old royal court has been converted into museums and galleries, and only the official residence of the President of the Republic remains here, on top, in this early 19th-century palace. 
9. No ten-meter fences or anti-tank barriers - however, I am already beginning to take the proximity of power to the people in Europe as a matter of course. Only two soldiers on the guard of honor - that's the residence of the president of the country. I won’t be surprised if it’s not difficult to cross paths with the head of state or even get to him for breakfast here :) 
10. General view of the square. The old glazed gazebo on the left is the funicular station. By the way, pay attention to the rather funny name of the vehicle - "Budavari Siklo". Perhaps this is the only time when the Hungarian word found at least some association in our heads :) Usually, the text in the local language seems to be a random set of letters with a predilection for umlauts. 
11. If you go forward - to those people whom you can see in the distance in the previous photo, you will find yourself on the edge of the observation deck. This is the first sight from which the heart stops on the Buda hill. Even despite the crowd around, hundreds of people who want to take pictures, a cacophony of words, languages and emotions. 
Two. View from the royal castle
12. The fence of the old royal palace borders the square with the funicular station. You can go right through the grand gates.
13. Immediately behind the huge gates (I like the Ukrainian word "gate" - it characterizes the massiveness of the lattice and the elegance of the stone component of the royal palace fence like no other) - the descent down and the fascinating views of Pest. To be honest, you don’t expect to see such beauty as soon as you enter the gate. This makes the surprise even more pleasant. 
14. Chain Bridge, St. Stephen's Basilica and curly sky over Pest. 
15. Many tourists are as surprised by what they see, admire this magnificent view, as we are. The result is a traffic jam on the stairs. There are always crowds of people here: someone just looks, someone takes a picture of a friend in the background, and someone, like me, tries to grab the impression by the tail and hide it in a plastic box - a camera. 
16. We enter the territory of the Royal Palace and slowly move on along the fortress wall. Every step is a new, crazy look. At some point, on the lantern of the castle illumination, right in front of us - about fifty centimeters - a hefty crow sits down. With curious coals of eyes he peers at me and Ivanka. 
17. Willingly poses against the background of sights, does not fly away, does not even flinch from our sudden movements, being at arm's length. 
18. In 1945, the Budapest Royal Castle was one of the last points of resistance of the Nazis. The Germans held out here to the last. As a result, the ancient fortress was almost completely swept away from the face of the earth. Restoration, in some places reconstruction began literally immediately after the end of the Second World War, but have not yet ended. Until now, an active stage of repair work continues in different parts of the complex, and from time to time - sometimes in especially beautiful places - you stumble upon a fence with a request to apologize for temporary inconvenience. 
19. We return back along the fortress wall - to where you can go. 
20. Here, by the way, is the former royal palace itself. Today, there is an art gallery inside, which we did not manage to get into. Grounded for the future :) Readers who have been there advise, right? :) 
21. Square in front of the entrance to the palace. It seemed very beautiful - nothing superfluous: moderate luxury without any frills. 
22. We pass a little further, and we find ourselves on the fortress wall from the 18th picture. And here the heart literally goes to the heels, from the truly royal view that has opened up to us. View number two, for which it is worth right now to pack a suitcase and fly to Budapest. 
23. It was probably more beautiful only in California - of course, if we talk about the views that I managed to see with my own eyes with my own eyes. 
24. Hundreds and thousands of red roofs immersed in the greenery of the soft hills of Buda. All this in the rays of the already tired, falling asleep sun. Divine. It's worth living to see this one day. 
25. And here we are with Lenivka. A rare photo together - minus traveling together :) Thanks to the English lady who agreed to do us a favor and take a picture together :) 
Three. Walking the route of the emperors
26. Let's digress a little and go away from the crazy views of the Danube - inside, deep into the castle. There are a lot of impressive things to see. Here is an example of a fountain. Jets of water hit right from behind the wall!
27. The courtyard is extremely cozy and warm to the touch. It's nice to be here. 
28. This is what the royal palace looks like from the inside. Such a classic palace architecture, well known to Petersburgers and, I hope, especially loved :) 
29. Arch in front of the closed courtyard of the royal chambers. 
30. Come here, do not be lazy. Find yourself in a close environment of ancient walls, an old pavement - here it is like the scenery of a bygone century ago of Austria-Hungary. Although who am I kidding - not the scenery. This is the most there is real Empire, the real Golden Age. 
31. Bust in the backyard near the fortress wall. There is no Danube here, but the views are also anywhere - hills, lowlands, and you are at the level of the roofs. 
32. In a corner under the canopy of trees, in the courtyard of the old castle, everyone is given the opportunity to shoot from a bow. From the speakers, skillfully disguised as a sign, comes a medieval melody. Immediately, and at the same moment, you understand: "Nooo. No other city will surpass Budapest in feeling immersed in the beginning of the 20th century - just as no other city except Tallinn can so accurately and clearly recreate the atmosphere of a positive (without blood, massacre and other "Game of Thrones") of the Middle Ages. 
33. I have no idea, due to what circumstances - there were very few people in the fortress. This is generally a huge advantage of Budapest - there are no crowds of noisy tourists in the city. It is quiet and calm here, wherever you go - you are pleased to be there. Something that Prague, Paris and London have long lost. Someday Budapest will also lose this positive property - after all, the fame of a wonderful city on the banks of the Danube is spreading at an alarming rate. So get there before it's too late :) 
34. Let's take a last look at the backyard of the royal palace, and go away, from the former imperial residence - to the old city. 
35. Very often, being in Budapest, you catch yourself thinking that you feel like in a fairy tale. A large number of things, details that you see - literally came to life from the pages of books with fictional stories. Have you thought that somewhere there really is such a gate separating the territory of the castle, with a sad stork at the very top of the arch? It's like a painting come to life. And the gates themselves - see, see them? They look like a web, lazily developing in the wind. 
36. Ivanka pulls along - to the very edge of the fortress wall - the one on the other side of the Danube. This photo should have happened sooner or later :) 
37. Around - an ancient stone, cobblestones on the pavement ... As far as I understand, there was once a building here, and that's all that's left of it. 
Four. Streets of the Old City
38. As soon as you leave the royal castle, you immediately find yourself in the Old City - such a classic quarter with residential development that has been going through at least the third century. The main distinguishing feature of the Budapest Old Town is silence. There are very few people here. While the bulk of tourists and residents of the Hungarian capital find entertainment on the other side of the Danube - in Pest, here there is divine tranquility and stunning views. In the foreground is a 100% electric car, Nissan Leaf. Unfortunately, Hungary is not yet such a developed country - the Soviet past makes itself felt - so there are very few cars that use electricity as fuel. Tesla we did not notice :)
39. There are really few people on the streets. Consequence: the feeling that the old houses around are just a decoration disappears. You again and again plunge into the past of these places, and even modern cars are sometimes unable to dispel the feeling that you are in the 1930s. 
40. Delightful, almost deserted lanes. 
41. Green patios. 
42. Fountains, restaurants, the dome of the royal palace and houses, houses, houses. 
All this adds up to some unrealistically colorful kaleidoscope, which I did not even expect to see in Budapest, just about to go to this city.
43. Restoration is taking place in some places - the roads have been dug up, but there are no people at all, so the narrow passages for pedestrians, enclosed by a metal fence, are not at all embarrassing. And so the brilliant Old City is made even more irresistible. 
44. On some fences there are banners with a photo of what the street will look like after reconstruction, and a funny rhyme: "Please pardon our mess but the new look will impress!" - "Excuse us for the dirt - the new look will impress you." There is no translator of super cute poems from me, I know :) 
45. It's even better than Prague. Better than all those Old Towns I have ever seen. 
46. The only thing that confuses is intensive parking on the roadsides. But here, it seems, nothing can be done - the houses are residential. Move people out of here, turn this quiet old sleeping area into shops and museums - and the feeling of reality, a real immersion a hundred years ago, will disappear forever. 
47. Give me at least one city where there is exactly the same area - and I will make it the number one goal for my next trip. 
48. At the end of the street, in an old house that looks like a Hogwarts library, there is a functioning state institution - the national archives. 
49. Directly under the walls of the archive is the final stop of buses, which are deliberately small here in order to be able to squeeze through the super-narrow streets of the Old City. This ultimate is the place where modern civilization meets the old. 
Five. Fisherman's Bastion.
50. Old houses and streets from previous photos are far from all that magical that can be seen on the Buda hills. There is a real castle here, which looks almost identical to the one from the Disney splash screen. It is called very poetically - "The Fisherman's Bastion", and a narrow paved path leads to it near the walls of this ivory tower.
51. Immediately behind the cathedral from the previous photo - a cobblestone square with a monument and a gallery with towers. 
52. Inside the gallery - an outdoor restaurant. The gallery itself is a fortress wall. Immediately on the other side - a cliff and a bewitching view of the Danube, Buda and Pest. 
53. There is an arch in the wall through which you can go to the stairs. You can go down the stairs to a quiet lowland area - to the very foot of the hill, go to the banks of the Danube. 
54. Part of the gallery is not occupied by restaurants - to enjoy the views from the Fisherman's Bastion, it is not necessary to order super expensive coffee for as much as 5 euros (a robbery! Usually cappuccino or latte in Budapest cost 2-3 euros). 
55. The view is amazing. Here you have the Parliament, and the Danube, and the quiet streets below, and the yellow bridge with Margaret Island in the distance. 
56. The Fisherman's Bastion consists of two parts. Here is a view of the second one - it is larger, more beautiful, and the views from there are simply stunning. Now let's go there. 
57. Restaurant in the gallery of the Fisherman's Bastion. 
58. Again - there is almost not a soul around! It's amazing, we love it. 
59. Tables and chairs, stylized antique, yearn without visitors. 
60. Slowly we move on - we look back, and we see that the balcony of the tower - where we had just been with Lenivka, is already another couple. 
61. Here is the second part of the Fisherman's Bastion, which so desperately reminded me of the Disney castle. Looks amazing. Once again during a walk you catch yourself thinking that you do not believe in the reality of what you see :) 
62. Did you see the ladder in the center in the previous photo? We climb there :) View from the first flight. 
63. This is already a little higher. The sun dissolves into a warm summer evening. 
64. And here are the stunning views. At the top of the fortress wall there are cafe tables. A little further you can see the first part of the Fisherman's Bastion, where we were literally just now, even further - the silhouette of the Chain Bridge. 
65. The view from the top of the fairy-tale castle is also like from a fantasy book. 
66. We go down. The evening slowly embraces Budapest. 
67. We are damn tired, and decide to head to the nearest tram stop. May I wish to stay here indefinitely. 
Six. A piece of Italy
68. As soon as we left the territory of the Old City, as if we were teleported to Italy. - with its narrow streets winding sharply up and down the high hills. Exquisite houses, gentle sun and the same southern nature.
69. Honestly, I could not even think that it could be so beautiful in Budapest - that there is such a thing here. In general, few people know any details about this magical city - a big, big omission! 
70. Looking ahead, I’ll say - after what I saw, I was unrealistically bored in Vienna, I was sad in Bratislava, and, probably, wherever I went after the Hungarian capital, hardly anything would be able to interrupt its charm and superiority. 
71. In Budapest, I would not just like to stay - I would stay here, spitting on local low salaries, expensive gasoline and, possibly, some other shortcomings. Budapest - it's like St. Petersburg, only many times cooler - a city that inspires. And there are not so many of them in the world. 
72. On this, perhaps, let's stop with you. Let's leave falling asleep and sparsely populated Budapest peacefully and quietly basking in the pink rays of the sunset. We will definitely return to this delightful city - for the four posts written so far, I have not been able to fully tell and show everything that I would like. Therefore, throughout July there will definitely be a continuation. Well, do you know what you need to do in order not to miss it? ;) 
All stories about our trip along the route Moscow - Budapest - Bratislava - Vienna - Budapest - Moscow in May 2014:
A review of Budapest based on our first impressions. Yours is a story about the first hours in the Hungarian capital and so far the only low-cost destination in Moscow (the Moscow-Budapest flight from WizzAir costs around 1,500-3,000 rubles - cheaper than a Dobrolet flight from Moscow to Simferopol).
The Danube embankment in Budapest is not to say that it is standard. Usually, after all, the word "embankment" means a promenade on the banks of a river or sea - a wide street lined with benches, cafe tents, covered with the shade of trees. In the capital of Hungary, they decided to get away from the stereotype and show originality - an old tram a la the good old 60s runs along both banks of the Danube, narrow but rather busy roads pass, and at the very edge of a high stone embankment, not separated by any (!) water barriers, there is a neat pedestrian zone. There are no cafes, no crowds, but no matter where you should come to admire the stunning views, watch the sailing boats and admire the Gothic building of the National Parliament, which, sometimes it seems, in some sense even outdoes the hyped London Big Ben.
An almost clean photo essay with a minimum of text, because ranting about Budapest is an empty business. Words can hardly convey the charm of the old imperial city. On it you need to walk, walk - alone, with friends, with a loved one. Once - to be sad with such a bright, pleasant longing; the other is shouting, joking loudly, breaking away, waving a bottle of Newcastle, almost spilling ale on the pavements; the third is to walk quietly, embracing, and follow the falling asleep, as if in your arms, Grand Budapest.- Six views of Budapest, for which it would be worth coming to this city
There are beautiful houses in St. Petersburg, Paris and Vienna. You will find mansions and palaces in London, Milan, Rome and Prague. But none of the listed cities has such fabulous views as in Budapest, from which it simply takes your breath away. That make you feel like you're in a fairy tale. Or in fantasy. Only all this, of course, is not fiction, not someone's dreams, but a real reality. In this part, we will go with you to the Buda Hills, where landscapes from your favorite fantasy and fairy tales came to life and turned into reality.
The station is called Nyugati ( West), it is located in the very center of Budapest. The Parliament building is a stone's throw from here - about fifteen minutes on foot. Around - a sea of cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, museums and attractions. In this article, we will admire Nyugati from different angles, learn a lot of interesting things about it and look into the most beautiful McDonald's in the world, which is also located here in the south wing.
If you ever find yourself in Budapest and want to ride the bus a la City Tour, I strongly recommend that you prefer RiverRide to all other companies. There is one single, but more than significant reason for this - RiverRide will take you not only through the city streets, but also arrange a mini-cruise along the Danube. At the same time, you do not need to transfer to a boat - at your service is the only amphibious bus in continental Europe that can move freely both on land and on water. The article contains my impressions on a walk on a miracle machine, photos and even a video of the dive.
A small sketch about public transport in the capital of Hungary. To be honest, I am not an ardent fan of stories about buses, trolleybuses, trams and metro, but Budapest simply does not leave a chance not to dedicate a separate post to this topic. The reason is uniqueness and atypicality, you don't expect to find this in the very heart of Europe.
In previous reviews, we admired urban architecture, enjoyed restaurants, cafes, sights, and today we will climb into the most beautiful park in Budapest, located on an island in the middle of the Danube - we will enjoy nature and fabulous views.
Budapest is outrageously beautiful and photogenic. The best photos of Budapest are not only world-famous sights like the parliament building or the royal palace. These are ordinary streets and bridges, palaces and monuments, baths and squares, girls and parks, as well as girls in parks (baths and squares). We have selected for you the 25 best photos of Budapest that will make you exclaim: “Why haven’t I been there yet?” Or “I want to go there again” 🙂
Budapest is always beautiful!
At the time of publication of the article (this is important), we were in Budapest twice: in April and October. And since in spring everything in Budapest already blooms and smells like summer, and autumn and winter are not much different from each other, in our photos of Budapest you will see all four seasons. However, it does not matter if you arrived in September, June or February: the capital of Hungary is always beautiful! In the stunning baths of Budapest, it is equally pleasant to warm up in January +5 and cool in July +30, and the impeccable whiteness of the Fisherman's Bastion will dazzle you with luxury both on a bright summer afternoon and on a cool winter evening.
In our selection of the best photos of Budapest today, you will find both famous sights and ordinary (but no less beautiful) streets of the city, as well as our favorite places - parks, squares and even caves and a cemetery. We will show you the Budapest that you will love at first sight.
Best photos of Budapest: TOP-25
The Buda area is located on the right bank of the Danube. Tourists come here mainly for the sake of the Royal Palace and the Fisherman's Bastion. And in vain: there are many charming old, and at the same time almost deserted streets. While crowds of tourists are besieging the Cathedral of St. Matthias, let's move back literally a hundred meters and enjoy the silence and beauty!
Photo of the streets of Budapest: as soon as you turn off the tourist trail, and such beauty will open to your eyes.
The best observation deck in Budapest is not Gellert Hill, as many believe. The most beautiful panoramic photos of Budapest and its sights can be taken from the Buda Hill, from the walls of the Royal Palace.
With your permission, a little me. And I'm here to show that The best photos of Budapest with a panoramic view come from the walls of the Royal Palace. I'll close my pocket, thank you.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge and St. Stephen's Cathedral. The photo was taken from about the same place.
Yes, I almost forgot: here is the Royal Palace itself, also known as the Buda Castle, one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Buda is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. Nothing brightens up a photo of Budapest on a hot summer afternoon like a cool fountain! And the colorful roof of the Church of St. Matthias, of course.
The Fisherman's Bastion is incredibly photogenic from every angle.
Two symbols of Budapest in one photo: the Fisherman's Bastion and the building of the Hungarian Parliament.
And again, two sights in one photo of Budapest: Heroes' Square and a beer bike!)
Okay, let's be objective: photos of Budapest from Gellert Hill also turn out cool. The only problem is that apart from photographing panoramas, there is essentially nothing to do on this hill. Yes, we saw the Citadel and the Philosophical Garden. Still nothing.
And the next photo of Budapest - with a little history. On the wall in our hotel hung a beautiful photograph with the Széchenyi bridge and the Hungarian parliament building "below it". And my passion as I wanted to do the same. Having determined on the map the approximate place where it was made from, I went on a photo hunt.
Upon arrival at the place, it turned out that it was possible to take the same angle only from the banks of the Danube, from a very narrow patch between the water and the busiest highway in the city, along which cars scurry around without interruption. No traffic lights, no "zebra" - it would never occur to anyone to cross the road here, except for a crazy photographer. Who had to wait 10 minutes (I'm not lying!) for a convenient moment to cross the road, and then the same amount to get back. But here is the result!
Ta-dam! The most beautiful photo of Budapest ever made.
When the weather deteriorates in Budapest, we go for a walk on. It is here that the most beautiful monuments and the quietest, wide alleys are located.
We return to life! Whoever was not in, he did not see Hungary. The monitor in the Szechenyi bath shows (from top to bottom): time, water temperature, air temperature. Do you feel a surge of energy? 😉
Night Budapest is beautiful, and photos of the city after dark are simply gorgeous. Palaces, cathedrals, squares and avenues are beautifully illuminated to make it easier for citizens and tourists to pour wine into glasses.
The Royal Palace and the Buda Castle are the architectural dominant of the Buda Hill, the guide would say. We will put it simply: night Budapest, you are beautiful!
A favorite pastime of Hungarian youth is to gather in the evenings on the embankment or the bridge with a bottle of Tokay and enjoy the magical views. We are pouring in! Pictured is the Liberty Bridge.
The building of the Hungarian Parliament is beautiful at night.
Yes, and during the day it is also nothing)
One of the most poignant monuments in the world is installed near the building of the Hungarian Parliament - Shoes on the Danube embankment. No selection of Budapest photos can exist without him. The story goes that the Hungarian Nazis broke into the houses of local Jews in the middle of the night, brought them here, forced them to take off their shoes, which were then very much appreciated, and shot them. The legend causes not only compassion, but also questions. Why only shoes, why the Nazis were not interested in clothes, why in general these nonhumans showed strange concern and allowed the victims to put on shoes, etc. Therefore, it seems to me that the sculpture is more symbolic than realistic. But nevertheless, the monument is very emotional, and the fate of the Hungarian Jews is very tragic. Before the war, the Jewish community of Budapest was one of the largest in Europe; it is not without reason that the largest synagogue of the Old World was built here. The German fascists and their Hungarian accomplices exterminated three-quarters of the Hungarian Jews. In memory of the victims of those terrible events, this monument was erected on April 16, 2005. It consists of 60 pairs of men's, women's and children's shoes, all shoes are made of cast iron and are exact copies of models from the 40s.
Photo of the sights of Budapest, the Shoes monument on the Danube embankment. Day and night, candles burn in them, and excursion groups honor the memory of the dead with a minute of silence.
Not far from Shoes on the embankment there is a monument to Soviet soldiers-liberators. The background, as always in Budapest, is gorgeous.
Businessmen are trying to breathe new life into the abandoned houses of the Jewish District. It is in one of them that the most fun place in Hungary is open!
Budapest is a unique capital. There are real caves right in the city! We are dedicated to them.
Budapest is the culinary capital of Europe, forgive me Rome, Paris and Ryazan. Even in communist times, the Budapest Central Market looked exactly the same. About 50 years ago, such a photo of Budapest could have caused a heart attack in the average resident of the USSR.
The best photos of Budapest, the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral. The square in front of the temple is disfigured by the architectural monster of the soviet style, otherwise everything is fine here, even the ubiquitous European bicycles.
The parks of Budapest are no less beautiful than its avenues. In this photo of Budapest - a luxurious park on
And if the photos of Budapest from our article did not cause you a burning desire to fly there right now, this can only mean one thing: you are already in Budapest and you do not need to fly anywhere. We look forward to your feedback about this beautiful city! And if you're just planning a trip, c we will tell you how to get to all those places that you admired in our selection of photos of Budapest. And the cemetery too. the fun is just getting started!
How is it just starting again?
Budapest traces its history back to the times of the Roman Empire. In the 1st century it was the administrative center of Aquincum, then with the arrival of the Magyars (the self-name of the Hungarian people) in the 9th century the city was renamed Obuda. On the opposite bank of the Danube, along with Obuda, there was a settlement of Pest. Later, under the Habsburgs in the 17th-19th centuries, the united Budapest became one of the most brilliant European capitals.
Modern Budapest has retained the former splendor of the imperial city. The majestic and unusual Parliament building, Gothic basilicas and Baroque quarters are always full of tourists. The Hungarian capital is a place for educational sightseeing tourism, for relaxing in the famous thermal baths, as well as for getting to know hearty Hungarian cuisine and delicious Tokay wine.
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What to see and where to go in Budapest?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
The Parliament is a real architectural masterpiece that adorns the right bank of the Danube, a universally recognized visiting card of the capital. The building was built in neo-Gothic style, its facade is decorated with numerous arches, towers, "flying" spans. The interiors are luxurious and pompous. The building is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Budapest.
Suspension bridge over the Danube river, connecting the two parts of the city. It was designed by the English architect W.T. Clark in 1849. After World War II, the bridge was restored with donations from the townspeople. The building is 380 meters long and 14.8 meters wide. The bridge offers a spectacular view of Budapest, here you can take a lot of good photos. In the evenings, elegant lighting is turned on.
A fortress with reliable walls that protected the ancient capital of Buda in the past. The Buda fortress has existed since the 13th century; it was built to protect against the Mongol-Tatar raids at the behest of King Bela IV. Inside the fort, a royal castle and three churches (St. Nicholas, Mary Magdalene, and the Virgin) were erected. Under King Sigismund, the New Palace castle appeared in the fortress with a spacious knight's hall for tournaments.
The building is located in the ancient city district of Var on the Fortress Hill. Until 1905, this place was a fisherman's market. The construction of the bastion was planned to coincide with the celebration of the millennium of the Hungarian state in 1897, but the work was completed only a few years later. The Fisherman's Bastion is an architectural ensemble of white stone with seven towers, which symbolize the seven Hungarian tribes.
The largest Catholic church in Budapest with a height of 96 meters. This monumental cathedral was built for several decades, and only in 1905 it was consecrated. The basilica was built in the Neo-Gothic style - a large domed hall, two symmetrical bell towers on the sides and a large arched central entrance, decorated with inscriptions and columns. Inside, the relics of St. Stephen, revered by all Hungarians, are kept.
Officially, the temple bears the name of the Virgin Mary, but the inhabitants of the capital call it in honor of the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus. For Budapest, the architecture of the temple is quite unusual, as it is dominated by Gothic elements. Musical evenings are regularly held in the church, where you can listen to the organ, violin, choral singing. The first church on the site of the modern temple appeared in the 11th century at the behest of Prince Istvan.
One of the largest Jewish temples in Europe, located in the Jewish quarter of Budapest. The area of the synagogue is 1200 m², the capacity is up to 3 thousand people. The Jewish Museum is located in the courtyard. The synagogue was built in the Byzantine style with some oriental elements, the interior decoration is reminiscent of the interiors of Catholic cathedrals. During World War II the building was looted. A complete recovery took place in the 1990s. XX century.
The square is located on the central Andrássy Avenue. There are two art museums in Budapest, as well as the Millennium Monument of the beginning of the Hungarian state (36-meter column topped with a statue of the Archangel Gabriel). Previously, sculptures of rulers from the Habsburg dynasty stood on the square, which, under the communist government, were replaced by statues of Hungarian kings.
The famous Budapest Opera, almost the twin sister of the Vienna Opera. Both theaters were cultural centers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the Habsburg era. The theater was opened in 1884. Emperor Franz Joseph was present at the first performance and was amazed by the interior decoration of the halls. The first years the opera was directed by the composer Ferenc Erkel, later he was replaced by the famous Gustav Mahler.
The museum is located on the territory of the Royal Palace of the Buda Castle. The gallery is famous for exhibiting works by Hungarian artists (or works created in Hungary) in its halls. The exposition of the gallery presents more than 100 thousand works of art created over several centuries. Several exhibitions are open on 4 floors: stone and wooden sculpture, medieval painting, paintings of later eras up to the 20th century.
The main art museum of the Hungarian capital on Heroes' Square, where the largest collection of famous painters is exhibited. Among the paintings there are works by Raphael, da Vinci, Manet, Goya, Velazquez, Rubens, El Greco. There are also samples of ancient Egyptian and ancient culture. The museum was opened in 1906, the basis of the exposition was the private collection of the Esterhazy princes.
The museum was founded in the early 2000s. with the support of the government of V. Orban. The main purpose of the expositions is to show the period in the history of Hungary in the 20th century, when the country was under the control of the communist government (supported by the leadership of the USSR). The place is ambiguous, as many facts from the "totalitarian past" of the country are exaggerated and distorted. It is believed that the museum was created for propaganda purposes.
An original and touching monument to the Jews who were shot on the embankment during the Second World War. The executions were carried out by functionaries of the Hungarian Nazi Party. On the stone pavement there are many pairs of shoes of different sizes, among them there are also children's shoes. There is also a bench with memorial plaques, where the names of people who suffered from the massacre are immortalized.
Shopping malls on Fovam Square, where you can find original Hungarian souvenirs or typical national products. The market building is decorated with a colored ceramic roof. The place was renovated in the 1990s. after numerous damages during the war. Quite quickly, the market gained popularity among tourists who go here for memorable purchases and fresh products.
A large bathing complex in Europe, opened in 1913. Medicinal waters in the pools come from a depth of more than 1200 meters from a hot well and several small cold wells. In addition to swimming in the healing water, the complex in Széchenyi provides a number of additional services: a sauna, water gymnastics, a gym, wellness, and so on. All this is included in the price of the entrance ticket.
According to local legend, the bath appeared in the 13th century, and King Andrew II took baths in its waters. By his will, the first hospital was built. After the capture of Buda by the Ottomans, Turkish baths were erected on the site of the springs. Gellert was opened to the public in the 19th century, but it was not popular and was nicknamed the "Muddy Barn". But the situation changed when, under Emperor Franz Joseph, a modern building of the bathhouse appeared.
A hill on the territory of Budapest, named after St. Gellert, the patron saint of the city. In the 11th century, the pagans threw the missionary off this mountain, protesting against his Christian sermons. Previously, Gellert was planted in a barrel with sharp nails. On the slope of the mountain there is a monument to the holy martyr. Inside the mountain there is a large reservoir and an astronomical observatory built in the 19th century.
Archaeological Museum Park in Budapest, which is the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Aquincum - the center of the province of Pannonia. The remains of ancient amphitheaters, some sculptures and crypts are well preserved. On the territory of the park there is a museum built in the 19th century, where unique exhibits are stored: jewelry, coins, household items, dishes. There is even a rare water organ created in the 3rd century.
The avenue is the central street of the Hungarian capital and is considered one of the most beautiful European avenues. Locals and tourists call it the "Champs Elysees of Budapest". Many attractions are concentrated here: the Hungarian Opera, memorial museums of Hungarian composers, the State Puppet Theater and others. Andrássy Avenue was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 2002.
A natural island on the Danube River, used to be called Hare Island. According to legend, King Bela IV turned to God with a prayer to help him cope with the Tatar-Mongols, and in return promised to give his daughter Margarita as a nun. God helped the king, and the girl went to the hare island in the Dominican monastery. After her death, Margaret was canonized, and the island was named after her.
Landscape city park on the site of former hunting grounds and pastures, created at the end of the 18th century. The place is very popular for walking among the people of Budapest. Several thousand trees grow in the park, there are artificial lakes and canals. On the territory there is a zoological and botanical gardens, as well as several popular city attractions: Széchenyi baths, a zoo, Vaydahunyad castle, a circus.
Originally made of wood to celebrate the millennium of the Hungarians finding their homeland, the people liked the castle so much that it was later built of stone. Vajdahunyad is located in the Varosliget park and many tourists walking here think that this is an ancient fortification where the Hungarian kings lived. There is also a real Vajdahunyad in the territory of Transylvania in Romania.
The famous castle is 30 km. from Budapest, built in neo-gothic style. The territory of the park around the castle is designed in the best traditions of English landscape art. The palace is closely associated with the personality of Ludwik van Beethoven, who had many years of friendship with the Brunswick family. The memorial museum of the composer is located here, concerts are often held and films about his life and work are shown.
City zoo on the territory of Varoshliget park. It contains about 3 thousand animals, among them there are representatives of exotic continents. Of interest is the aquarium, the palm pavilion and the butterfly house. Also in the zoo there is a Hungarian ethno-village where domestic animals live. You can not only watch the animals, but also feed them at certain hours. It is necessary to allocate at least 3 hours to visit the zoo.
The water artery of Europe, crossing several countries. Divides Budapest into two parts, which are connected by picturesque suspension bridges. In the warm season, river walks along the Danube and visits to numerous islands are popular with tourists: Csepel, Nepsiget, Margit, Hayodyari Sziget. In addition to tourist ships, public ships ply the river, which can be accessed with a city ticket.
