Castle District – Historic Monuments, Museums, Fine Cafes

The Castle Hill with the Royal Palace and Mathias Church in Buda is featured among the most popular attractions in Budapest in all guidebooks.

The district together with the Danube Bridges and the embankment is a World heritage site due to its importance played in Budapest history and development.

Getting to Castle District:

• by bus 16A or 116 from Széll Kálmán tér (trams 4,6, M2 metro),

• by funicular (sikló) from Clark Adam Square at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge, Ticket: 1 200 HUF/adult, 700 for children (if you plan to use the funicular for both the upward and downward trip then you have to buy a return ticket: 1 800 HUF/ 1 100 HUF for children)

Historical monuments are abound on Castle Hill:

• lovely old houses,

• interesting museums

• romantic walkways, and

• intimate cafes and some great restaurants.

One of the city’s best panoramic views can be admired from Fishermen’s Bastion.

Although the district’s history dates back to medieval times most of the buildings are from later era (17-19. centuries).

See the Top Sights of the Hungarian Capital Protected by the UNESCO’s World Heritage Program. An ideal and relaxing way of exploring the landmarks on the Danube banks and admiring the beautiful vista is by going on a boat excursion.

For a trully romantic experience choose the Cruise with Dinner & Live Music starting every day at 19.00.

During the excursion you can enjoy fine food and drinks, authentic gypsy music, and the illuminated night cityscape of Budapest.

Castle Bazaar and Royal Gardens

The beautiful historical building complex at the southern foot of Castle Hill had been completely renewed by August 2014. One of the most stunning works of the prolific 19-century architect Miklós Ybl was in a run-down state in last decades.

Known to locals as the Varkert Bazar received new functions with the historical monuments restored to their original state:

• exhibition halls,

• a state-of-the-art underground event centre

• escalator up to the castle

• shops and a cafe make the sight one of the new landmarks of Budapest.

Chain Bridge and the Danube Promenade

Another well-known Budapest attraction is the Chain Bridge Szechenyi Lanchid spanning the Danube at the foot of Castle Hill.

Built in the middle of the 19th century the stone bridge with the lion bridgeheads was the first permanent connection between Buda and Pest.

The bridge used to hosted an annual summer festival titled the Summer on the Chain Bridge during which it is a pedestrians only bridge with colourful programs on weekends in July and August.

The Danube Promenade – also part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage program- runs along the river between Chain bridge and Elizabeth Bridge.

A walk along the promenade, or known by locals as Duna Korzó offers wonderful views of the Danube and the Buda side with the Gellért and Castle Hills. The tram 2  runs along the promenade should you wish to see a longer stretch of the river bank.

Gresham Palace – Art Nouveau Splendor

While you walk along the river bank don’t miss one of Budapest’s architectural gems, the art-nouveau Gresham Palace on Széchenyi Square at the Pest end of the Chain Bridge.

After an extensive restoration finished in 2004, the palace houses the Four Seasons Hotel

The palace is especially magnificent illuminated by night.

Gellért Hill – Hiking & Amazing Panorama

The dolomite cliff in Buda is one of the loveliest green spots in Budapest. Gellért hill is one of our favourite places for weekend outings.

Winding walkways lead up to the top where the Citadella, a former fortress and the Liberty Statue stand.

The hill is dotted with groves and flowery parks; an excellent place for Sunday afternoon walks for the family or nice rendezvous spot for couples.

Find out more about  Gellert Hill

St. Stephen’s Basilica & St Stephen’s Square

The church is the largest monument after the   Hungarian Parliament building dominating the Pest side of the Danube.

The Basilica regularly hosts classical concerts including a fantastic organ performance. Inside you can see one of Hungary’s most treasured relics, the Holy Right hand of King St. Stephen.

The spacious plaza in front of the cathedral is flanked by cafes and restaurants.

There’s a Starbucks at the side of the square to the right of the Basilica (if you stand opposite the building); a great place to sip a latte and see the world go by at the small terrace during summer time.

Read details about the  history and architecture of St Stephen basilica

The Central Synagogue in Dohány Utca

The great Synagogue in Dohany street, in district VII. is one of the world’s largest and most beautiful synagogues, so even if you aren’t religious you must see this magnificent Jewish monument.

Budapest once had a large Jewish community, the monuments of which are scattered in the former  Jewish Quarter

Andrássy Avenue-Opera House, Museums, Luxury Shops

One of my absolute favorite attractions in Budapest is Andrássy út; an elegant avenue similar to Parisian boulevards, that connects the inner city with Heroes’ Square and City Park.

The avenue is lined with cafes and restaurants where you can while away by a cup of coffee and cake.

The Lotz Room in the Alexandra Book Cafe is worth a visit for its  old world coffee   with amazing decor and fine cakes.

You can also while away in the spacious two-storey bookstore that has a nice selection of foreign language books and magazines.

The most notable sight on Andrássy road is the hungarian State Opera House an artfuly decorated building which you can explore on guided tours.

Besides the Opera House, the avenue is a treasure trove of fine architecture so it’s well worth a long walk.

For a quick lunch or coffee, try Callas next to the Opera House. Their cakes are scrumptious, and they also serve splendid cocktails that you can enjoy on the terrace.

If you plan a longer walk, you can take a rest in one of the many sidewalk cafes and restaurants lining the road. Két Szerecsen cafe on Pesti Broadway

Liszt Ferenc tér and Nagymező utca, two side streets opening from Andrássy út, offer a wide choice of cafes and restaurants with outdoor terrace.

Some of the best places to stop for eating are

• Pesti Disznó,

• Menza,

• Cafe Vian, and

• Bohemia Bistro.

• Try Két Szerecsen Cafe & Restaurant (Nagymező utca 14.) for a fine cappuccino and tasty breakfast.

• The ice cream in Fragola (Nagymező utca 7.) is a must on a sultry summer day.

Andrássy Avenue and its environs have some unique, interesting museums:

• the Postal Museum in Benczúr utca,

• the House of Hungarian Photographers (Magyar Fotográfusok Háza, Mai Manó Ház) at 20. Nagymező utca,

• the Ferenc Hopp Museum of East Asian Art (Andrássy út 103.)

The House of Terror Museum is located on Andrássy út should you want to find out about the terrible Nazi and Communist Era.

The exhibitions shad light on the violent things the Nazis, and later the organizations of the Communist partycommitted during those years (WW II and after).

Some tourists noted that a little bit more explanation in English would help foreigners to better understand the exhibits

Váci Street – High-End Shops, Some Great Architecture

Although Váci utca tends to be crowded during the tourist season, it is one of the best known attractions in Budapest, and during a walk in low season (early spring or mid-autumn) you’ll be able to discover some nice, historic buildings, and monuments.

As a pedestrian shopping street – and one of the most beautiful ones in the world based on a recent contest – Váci utca offers plenty of luxury shops, boutiques, upscale restaurants, and cafes.

Váci utca ends in Vörösmarty Square where the main Christmas Square is held each year, from mid November till end of December.

A great place to shop for wonderful folk art presents, taste good Hungarian food and sip fragrant hot drinks in the Christmas holiday season.City Centre/Downtown Budapest

the inner city or downtown is district V., strictly speaking the area bordered by the Danube between the Chain Bridge and Elizabeth bridge and the Small Boulevard (Kiskörút).