Budapest has long been a favourite vacation spot due to its reputation as one of Europe’s loveliest towns.
Budapest, Hungary’s capital and greatest city, has a rich history that includes periods of rule by the Romans, the Ottomans, and the Austro-Hungarians. Historical landmarks, fascinating museums, and stunning architectural styles abound in the city as a result.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Budapest
Budapest, or “the City of Spas” as it is often known, is located on both sides of the Danube River; it was originally two separate cities, Buda on the western bank and Pest on the eastern bank, which merged in 1873.
The ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter are the epicentre of Budapest’s thriving nightlife culture, which draws visitors in addition to the city’s numerous other attractions. Budapest is one of the highlights of any trip to Central Europe and should not be missed.
1. Liberty Bridge
The Liberty Bridge, which was constructed in 1896, spans the Danube between Gellert square in Buda and Fovam square in Pest. In addition to serving as a convenient pedestrian link between the Central Market Hall and Gellert Hill and Gellert Spa, the bridge’s Art Nouveau details and riverside vistas make it a sight to behold.
Wonderful mythological bronze statues can be found at either end of the bridge, which was created for the Millennium World Fair and was originally named after Emperor Franz Joseph I, who attended its opening.
2. Central Market Hall
Central Market Hall, the city’s oldest and largest covered market, is a blast to explore. Its vast interior houses a dizzying array of stores, kiosks, and restaurants.
The market occupies three storeys of a beautiful structure from 1897 and is a bustling hub of activity, with stallholders hawking their wares and tourists and residents going about their business.
The Central Market Hall, located in Fovam square, is a perfect spot to try regional specialties and buy gifts for friends and family.
3. Hospital in the Rock
The fascinating system of caves beneath Buda Castle is home to the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum, which was established in the 1930s. During World War Two, it served as a makeshift hospital and bomb shelter, and in the Cold War, it was transformed into a top-secret nuclear bunker.
It is now a well-liked destination for sightseers. Walking past waxwork figures, hospital beds, and Soviet spy equipment as you explore the museum’s underground is a thrilling experience. The galleries and displays not only depict the building as it once appeared but also provide extensive background information.
4. Vajdahunyad Castle
Vajdahunyad Castle is a stunning blend of Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque styles that looks like it belongs in a fantasy. It was originally built out of cardboard and wood for the Millennium World Fair, and it was based on a citadel in Transylvania.
The magical elements, however, were so well received by the community that architect Ignac Alpar was able to realise his idea in 1896 using conventional building techniques. The strange and fascinating castle in City Park is an excellent photo opportunity. It’s conveniently close to Szechenyi Spa and Heroes’ Square.
5. Great Synagogue
One of the most notable and significant structures in the city, the Great Synagogue is also known as the Dohany Street Synagogue. Constructed in 1859, its exterior is a stunning example of the Moorish Revival style, and the interior is just as impressive.
Its size, second only to the Belz Great Synagogue in Jerusalem, is a testament to the once-powerful and numerous Jewish community in Budapest.
The Great Synagogue is an excellent starting point for exploring the city’s Jewish history, as it is linked to both the sizable Jewish cemetery behind it and a Jewish museum, as well as various memorials commemorating the Holocaust.
6. Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square is located at the end of Andrassy Avenue, near to City Park, and is dominated by the enormous monument at its centre. The enormous column that dominates the square is framed by two beautiful colonnades that rise far into the sky. Each one shows a statue of a prominent Hungarian figure with pride.
The ‘Seven Chieftains of the Magyars,’ the original leaders of the Hungarian people, are shown in a series of spectacular and epic-looking statues at the base of the column. Heroes’ Plaza is the largest and most significant square in Budapest, bordered by the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art.
7. Matthias Church
Matthias Church, one of the most beautiful structures in the city, is located in a picture-perfect setting close to the Fishermen’s Bastion. Incredible Gothic details can be seen on its towering spire and magnificent facade, and its light-colored bricks literally glitter in the sunlight.
The church, which was destroyed by the Mongols and then rebuilt in the 14th century, has a rich history. The inside of this building, which served as a mosque during the Ottoman era, was elaborately decorated for the coronation of Franz Joseph I as Emperor.
The beautiful Matthias Church in Budapest is a must-see for any photographer, and it looks even more enchanted when lit up at night.
8. Shoes on the Danube Bank
This memorial was only built in 2005, yet it tells the tragic tale of 3,500 victims of the Arrow Cross Party, a fascist group that briefly dominated Hungary during World War II.
The unfortunate victims were collected up by the militiamen, told to take off their shoes, and then shot dead before their remains were washed away by the river. The bronze shoes honouring their awful lives are scattered along the Danube not far from the Hungarian Parliament Building.
9. Citadella
The Citadella, located atop Gellert Hill, provides breathtaking panoramas over Budapest and the Danube River. The Hapsburgs constructed the sturdy-looking fort in 1851, but it was eventually taken over by the Nazis and the Communists. It has served as a bulwark and a yoke to the locals at various points in time.
These days, the pinnacle is home to the impressive Liberation Monument. Although access to the fort’s interior has been restricted as of late, the fort’s vantage point continues to offer breathtaking panoramas.
10. Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is the largest structure in the entire country and is absolutely massive in comparison to its surroundings. The massive structure, located on the Danube River’s banks, is instantly identifiable as a symbol of the city.
Its two symmetrical facades, which flank a vast, towering dome, are among the greatest specimens of Gothic Revival architecture in the area. They are lavishly embellished with statues of important Hungarian characters.
The Golden Staircase, Dome Hall, and Congress Hall are just as magical as the outside of this building, which was completed in 1904. There are a total of 691 rooms in the parliament, all of which are magnificently furnished.
The Hungarian Parliament Building, which is still in operation as the seat of government, is one of Budapest’s most visited landmarks and a must-see for any visitor.
