Budapest

Budapest tourism – your trip will surely be filled with more than a few welcome surprises.

A Burning Desire for Budapest

The ancient Hungarian capital of Budapest is slowly but surely becoming one of the most visited cities in Europe today. This bustling city offers colorful contrasts – from the lush, green parks, to the vibrant nightlife that never fails to engage the travelers who come from all over the world just to experience the vivid Budapest culture.

As you go around the city, you will get to know for yourself just why Budapest tourism is keeping up with other Central European cities and why Budapest is considered by seasoned travelers from across the globe as one of the most beautiful cities in the world; whatever your interests may be, you will surely find something fascinating to occupy your time as you explore the wonders of Budapest.

Budapest Fast Facts

The city of Budapest is divided into 23 administrative districts, with each district represented by a Roman numeral.

However, the simplest division that can be considered for the city is for it to be seen as three separate entities – one historic district, and two cities separated by the River Danube; these are:
Castle Hill – Considered as District I, this is the oldest part of the city. It also encompasses the area of the Buda Castle (once called Royal Palace), Mathias Church, Labyrinth and Fisherman’s Bastion.
Buda – Includes Districts I-III, XI-XII and XXII; this area lies on the west side of the River Danube.
Pest – Considered as the business and administrative centre of the city of Budapest and the whole of Hungary as well.

Let’s now go to the reasons why Budapest is visited by roughly 20 million visitors every year – the city’s most popular (not to mention most interesting) tourist attractions.

Must-See Budapest Spots

There is something magical about the city of Budapest, which attracts hordes of tourists from all over the world on a yearly basis. You can spend countless days going around the city’s tourist spots, and still marvel each time you get to visit the numerous wonders that the city is very proud of.

To get you started on your Budapest adventure, here’s a short list of the sites you should include in your itinerary:
Budapest City Park (Varosliget) – Get to spend a few hours enjoying the outdoors in this lush green park, where fun activities are seemingly endless. There is a sizable lake which features boats for rent in the summer; come wintertime, it transforms into a skating rink where speed-skating championships are held. The park also features Gundel Restaurant, which is considered to be the best fine dining venue in Budapest.

Buda Castle (formerly called Royal Palace) – Where Hungarian kings used to hold residence in Budapest, is it part of the Budapest UNESCO World Heritage Site. The majestic castle overlooks the River Danube, and is one of the most visited sites in the whole country.

Central Market Hall – Housed in one of the most picturesque buildings in Budapest, the market has been selling all kinds of merchandise since 1897. The basement houses a sprawling modern supermarket, while the first floor features fresh goods and produce; the second floor is where you will see traditional Hungarian products.

The Historical Museum of Budapest – Here you can go back in time to explore the history of the Buda Castle, as well as take a peek into what medieval Budapest was like.

State Opera House – Considered as one of the world’s most beautiful opera houses.
In addition to the spots mentioned above, you can also relax in one of the numerous aqua parks and swimming pools that dot the city; after all, Budapest is known as the City of Spas! Modern facilities will take care of your every need and whim, although the spas have started as far back as 1600 years ago (and have since been catering to the needs of countless individuals ever since).

Just when you think your adventures end as the day turns into night, think again; Budapest is known for one of the liveliest and more exciting nightlife scenes not only in Europe, but the rest of the world as well. Prepare to spend a few hours partying the night away – or quietly nursing a drink or two – in Budapest’s selection of trendy bars and clubs.

Budapest is a wonderfully contrasting city – it is common to see medieval structures alongside the most modern amenities any traveler can wish for as you go around the numerous attractions. Your Budapest trip will surely be filled with more than a few welcome surprises – most of which you will definitely remember for a very long time afterwards.

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