We often travel to other countries, other cities, but not always for sightseeing. Conference, meeting, maybe for some service. These trips sometimes takes several days, but we can also decide to connect the pleasant to the useful and look around the city.
Here is a brief introduction for those, whose destination is Budapest. What is a must see, from the Hungarian capital. I recommend this article, which contains more than 100 sights, for those who want to spend more days in Budapest, or want to get to know the city better.
Heroes Square and its Surroundings
From Budapest’s countless attractions, some of them are outstanding on its own. One of them is the Heroes’ Square, located in the heart of the city. The hub, which is a transport and tourist hub, plays an important role in the life of the city, both historically and culturally.
From the transport and tourist point of view, both cultural and historical, plays an important role in the life of the city. The huge place provides space for the Millennium Monument dedicated to the 1896 Millennium Celebration, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery, where permanent, temporary and international exhibitions can be viewed. But this is not the only reason why this place plays a central role.
The City Park begins directly from the semicircular group of statues. The second largest public park of the capital city, offers many activities, as the huge park is more than just trees and grassland.
We can find other sights on the boundaries of the City Park, such as the Vajdahunyad Castle, which is also built on the millennium and is intended to showcase Hungary’s millennial architecture. There is also the City Park Lake. The artificial lake, which functioning as a boating lake during the summer, while in the winter its gives home for the City Park Ice Skating rink.
The Hungarian Museum of Technology and Transport is located on the edge of the park. Opposite to it, there is the Petőfi Hall, known as the “PeCsa” by the locals, which is the only youth leisure center in Budapest. The venue hosts hundreds of pop music concerts, youth festivals, exhibitions and other events. On the other side of the Kós Károly Promenade, which starts from the Heroes’ Square, we will find other sights.
More attractions in the area
The Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool is located directly on the promenade, which is the largest spa complex in Budapest and in the whole of Europe.
The thermal water supply of the spa is currently provided by the “Szent István” well, which has opened in 1938. The complex has 3 outdoor and 15 indoor pools. The spa also offers various medical treatments and has a day hospital.
Opposite the entrance of the spa on the other side is the Metropolitan Circus, next to it – and partly around it – the Metropolitan Zoo and Botanical Garden. Mostly known as the Zoo, is the oldest and has the largest collection of zoos in Hungary, and since 1986 is nature reserve.
Opposite the Kós Károly promenade, on the other side of Heroes ‘Square, There is one of Budapest’s most famous roads the Andrássy Avenue, which connects Downtown with Heroes’ Square. On the 2310 m long road, there are embassies, exclusive restaurants and cafés, luxury shops, theaters, as well as the Hungarian State Opera House, and opposite to it, there is the State Ballet Institute.
Heroes’ Square and the Andrássy Avenue in front of it have been a World Heritage Site since 2002.
Buda Castle District
Another popular tourist destination and junction, is one of the most important sights of Budapest, the Buda Castle District. The first district of Budapest is not only important in a historical view.
The first district of Budapest, is at least as big and has as many attractions, if not more, than the City Park. In addition to the historic residential area and the Budavár Palace, the district also hosts the following attractions:
- Budapest Historical Museum,
- Hungarian National Gallery,
- National Széchenyi Library,
- National Archives,
- Fisherman’s Bastion,
- Church of the Assumption of Buda, also known as Matthias Church,
- Sándor Palace.
Legendary restaurants awaits for visitors in the Buda Castle District, of which Pierrot is strongly recommended. This special restaurant in Budapest provides an elegant, sophisticated yet welcoming environment during our meal.
The delicious meals are made from the best ingredients, and the special wines make the meal in the restaurant even more magical. The restaurant has been recommended by the Michelin Guide and the Gault Millau Guide since 2005.
The extensive cave system under the Castle, which has been used as a hospital during World War II, is now functions as a unique tourist attraction. Some of the parts can be viewed in the original condition of the hospital, while others hosts the Budavár Labyrinth, which is open all year round at specified times. Also belongs to the castle, the Budavár Funicular, which is a special railway, and helps provide the transport to the Castle with a distance of 50 m.
Citadel
The Gellert Hill, which rises in the vicinity of the Buda Castle, offers new opportunities. The 235-meter high hill of the Danube-Ipoly National Park is not only a good choice for a pleasant walk.
At the foot of the mountain is another famous thermal bath of Budapest, the Gellért Bath. At the top of the hill, the Citadel’s medieval fortress now a luxury restaurant, hotel and panoptic operates. And the stunning Budapest skyline from the Citadel is legendary.
One of the main motifs of the Budapest panorama of Gellert Hill is the Parliament on the Danube and the Margaret Island behind Margaret Bridge, which is almost besides it. The island that splits the Danube, is a small oasis in the heart of the city. The island, which is a completely green zone (only those can go there by car who have a special permit), is a dream for sports enthusiasts. 
Not only because of the exhaust-free park, but because of the swimming pool, sports fields and the famous Palatinus Beach, the whole island is surrounded by special runway and bike path. Besides, there is also an outdoor theater, pubs and a smaller zoo.
Explore Budapest now!
