Twenty sights that must not be missed in Budapest

Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu has found an interesting list of sights in Budapest that a website called The Crazy Tourist recommends (of course, in a good faith).

As they put it,

The city successfully mixes its fascinating history with a brilliant, laid-back contemporary artistic style.

1. The building of the Parliament

Designed and built in Gothic Revival Style, the Parliament building is one of the largest buildings in Hungary where the Members of Parliament work with commitment on Hungary’s future. It is worth viewing this impressive building from the opposite side of the Danube.

2. The Gellért Baths

Besides the artistic value of the baths built between 1912 and 1918 in Art Noueau style, it also offers enjoyable experience for those who are fond of open air baths as well as wave pools massage, saunas, and other range of spa treatments.

3. Heroes’ Square

photo: pixabay.com

Heroes’ Square makes the end of the famous Andrássy Avenue and is the place of huge iconic monuments representing the Seven Chieftains who are believed to have led the Hungarians to the Carpathian basin from Central Asia. In the middle, Archangel Gabriel holding the Hungarian crown represents the foundation of the Hungary.

4. Margaret Island

The island offers a vast range of opportunities for spending your free time. Those who need some physical exercise can run along the Danube. A music fountain is awaiting those who just want to withdraw from the noisy capital and relax a little bit. Have a romantic walk with your beloved one at the Medieval ruins, or observe injured birds curing themselves at the small aviary.

5. Danube Promenade

photo: pixabay.com

The walkway stretches between the Elizabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge. While promenading along the Danube, you can see all the beautiful buildings and statues of Budapest.

6. House of Terror

Hungary attracts many western-European tourists with the exibitions of the House of Terror, about the Fascist and Communist regimes, which had been ruling Hungary for decades. The building served as a prison for the “enemies” of the Communist regime; many people were tortured here, in the centre of the city, who we still do not know about.

7. St. Stephen’s Basilica

The first Hungarian king, St. Stephen’s right hand is guarded in this holy building. When the weather is clear, you can survey the whole Budapest from here. The basilica is regularly home to classical music concerts and organ concerts.

8. Hungarian State Opera House

Built in 1884 in Gothic Revival Style, the building is unique in terms of its acoustics. With its 1200 seat auditorium, the monument is considered to be the best place for operatic performances. Outside you can see the statues of Ferenc Erkel and Ferenc Liszt, two great Hungarian composers.

9. Fisherman’s Bastion

It was actually built in the beginning of the 20th century and named after the fishermen who defended the walls stretching at the city. The seven towers represent the seven “Magyar tribes” who  are believed to have led the Hungarians to the Carpathian basin.

10. The Invisible Exhibition

photo: lathatatlan.hu

The Invisible Exhibition has been popular for years now, because anyone can experience the everyday life of the blind. Visitors are taken for a tour by registered blind guides in artificially created rooms which are all dark. When you get hungry, you are served by blind waitresses who help you find your plate.

11. Faust Wine Cellars

photo: Facebook/Faust Wine Cellars

Built in the Buda Castle, visitors can taste the wines of 22 different wine regions of Hungary and you can also try traditional Hungarian fruit pálinka.

12. Memento Park

photo: pixabay.com

Situated a bit further from the city centre, the sculpture park is home to many Communist monuments and statues. These statues were either removed from the centre by the government as part of the decommunization process or they were forced out from there by the Hungarian people protesting against the regime.

13. Dohány Street Synagogue

Besides the synagogue in Israel, this is one of the most beautiful one in the world. In the garden there is a weeping willow memorial made of metal, bearing the names of the victims of Holocaust. There is a memorial for Raul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who rescued hundreds of Jews living in Hungary from concentration camps and ghettos.

14. Ruin pubs

If you ever visit Budapest, do not miss the pubs constructed in run-down but safe buildings. They welcome visitors with slightly worn out but comfortable furniture. The website recommends Instant (“the one with the crazy animal pictures”), Fogas Ház (“the one with the teeth”), Kuplung (“the one with the whale”) and Szimpla.

15. Ecseri Flea Market

photo: pixabay.com

The market can be found in the outskirts of Budapest. It is a real flea market in the sense that you can bargain over articles. Even if you are not planning on buying anything, just take a walk around the tangible memories of the past owners from the Communist Era.

16. Central Market Hall

Almost everything can be found in the huge building located by the Danube. The market is incredibly popular among tourists. Products include locally grown fruits and vegetables, souvenirs, individual ingredients and homemade local delicacies.

17. Zugliget Chairlift

Photo: www.bkv.hu

Besides offering a breath-taking view on the city, even in the evening, it is also unique in the world, because the chairs counterweight one another’s mass, thus ensuring the up and down moving of the lift.

18. The Buda Hill

photo: pixabay.com

The Buda Hills are the greenest area in the capital. They offer several hiking, picnic and cycling opportunities. While travelling by the Children’s’ Railway, you can enjoy the forest view with your family.

19. Andrássy Avenue

The avenue leading to the Heroes’ Square has been part of the world heritage since 2002. While walking down the boulevard, you can meet various architectural styles, including the Hungarian National Opera House and neo-renaissance townhouses and mansions.

20. Liberty Statue

photo: Facebook/Szabadság szobor

It is one of the few statues that survived the Communist Era. It was set up in 1947 for the memory of the „Liberation” of Hungary from the German Forces by the Soviets in 1945. By today, it is known, that in 1945, the Soviets occupied Hungary and then begun the Communist Era.

What else would you add to the list?

Photos: pixabay.com, Facebook.com/Szabadság szobor, facebook/Faust Wine Cellars, Lathatatlan.hu

ce: bm

Source: Szeretlek Magyarország.hu, www.thecrazytourist.com