The Hungarian capital city of Budapest is divided into two parts by the River Danube. The hills, bridges, castles, museums, and churches make this city one of the most beautiful in the world. It is because of the perfect bisection that the River Danube causes to the city that it is widely known as the Pearl of the Danube. Thanks to its strategic location, this city is also popular by the name, Heart of Europe.
Are you planning your trip to this beautiful city? Here are some interesting places that you cannot afford to miss out on your trip:
- Buda Castle
Also known in the earlier days as the Royal Palace or the Royal Castle, the Buda Castle is one of the most historic architectural structures in Budapest. It is the palace of the Hungarian kings who ruled the city many years ago. The sprawling structure that you see today was constructed in the year 1769.
This castle houses the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum in its premises. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hungary. The most striking feature about this palace is that it is constructed in a blend of styles that include Baroque, Middle Ages, Roman, and Gothic styles.
Occupying an area of 4.3sq.km, this palace gives a panoramic view of the city. It has been rightly recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. Don’t miss to visit the palace at night, as it stands majestic when fully illuminated.
- Matthias Church
If you love to visit intricately carved buildings that ooze style, history, and elegance, you have to visit the Mathias Church in the Holy Trinity Square. Known as the Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle, this Roman Catholic Church was built in the Roman architectural style in the year 1015. This beautiful, massive church is the seventh biggest church in Hungary.
The main reason for the popularity of this church was that it witnessed the coronation of kings from two ruling parties of Hungary. It is located very close to Fisherman’s Bastion, which means you can cover two of the most important tourist places in Budapest in one go when you visit the church. It is important to remember this church permits only worshippers and not tourists during one day in a year. This is the day of Holy Saturday, the Saturday that comes before Easter.
- Margaret Island
Are you traveling with kids or in a big group to Budapest? If yes, Margaret Island is one of the must-visit destinations for you. This beautiful and scenic island located in River Danube was once a hunting reserve for the Hungarian Royals. Also known as Rabbit Island, this island is a public park where you can spend quality time with your loved ones while on our vacation. You can be sure that your kids will never have a dull moment here.
Water games, bird spotting, squirrel-watching, going around the island in funny vehicles, getting a dip in the relaxing thermal pools, visiting the Rose Gardens when the flowers are in full bloom, taking a walk around the architectural ruins and visiting the illuminated Music Fountains in the evening are some activities that you can do when you visit the Margaret Island.
- Fisherman’s Bastion
Do you want to sink in the beauty of the Budapest City? Visit the historic and beautiful monument of Fisherman’s Bastion, right now. Your trip to Budapest is incomplete if you haven’t visited this monument. Built-in the Neo Roman style of architecture, this monument has many terraces from where you can get excellent views of the Danube River, Margaret Island, Pest, and Gellert Hill.
Many years ago, the local fishermen from this area were the ones who were responsible for the safety of the Buda Castle. This bastion was named the Fisherman’s Bastion to honor the fisherfolk of yesteryears. You will find seven towers and terraces in this impressive monument. This indicates the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin during as early as 895.
- Parliament Building
You cannot miss the massive Parliament Building that stands majestically right in the heart of Budapest city. It is the biggest building in Hungary and one of the most-visited tourist places in Budapest. We would suggest you take a guided tour of the Parliament Building instead of only viewing the building from the outside and taking pictures in front of it.
A guided tour will help you understand more about the 3rd largest Parliament in the world. This way, you can appreciate the building better than before. Located in Kossuth Square in the Pest region, this building was constructed in 1902 in a Neo-Gothic style. With hundreds of sculptures and paintings of former Hungarian kings, this building is known for its central hall with 16 sides and the Holy Crown of Hungary. Don’t miss the glass art and glass mosaic work when you visit this building.
Other notable places
The five places that we have mentioned below are some of the most famous in Budapest. However, there are other interesting tourist destinations in this historic city that are worth your time and effort. They are:
Underground hospital – Located below the Buda Castle in the Nuclear Bunker Museum, this hospital was originally a sheltered place during the Second World War. The place was thrown open to the public in 2008 and has been witnessing heavy footfalls, ever since.
Danube Bank Stones – These iron shoes were constructed to honor the memory of the innocent Jews who were killed by the Nazis near the Danube River.
Heroes Square = Constructed in 1896 to celebrate the 1000th year of Hungary, this place is a central square that contains statues of horses and princes who fought for the benefit of Hungary. This place is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it represents the rich history and legacy of Hungary.
Before visiting these tourist places, we would recommend you to visit the internet to check for the entrance fee, operating hours, public holidays, etc. This will help you to plan your trip accordingly and visit these places in peace without getting caught in the crowd.
Written By Boyan Minchev
Such a great lovely blog. Keep exploring the world.