Budapest
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flows spectacularly through
this city that unified the west bank of Buda with the east bank of Pest in 1873. The 6th most visited
city in Europe, this beautiful city is home to numerous World Heritage Listed Sites and around 80
geothermal springs.History
Originally a Celtic settlement around 1 AD, Budapest became the Roman capital city of Pannonia Inferior,
Aquincum, in 106 AD. The Romans built roads, baths, and houses, as well as amphitheaters in what was a
fortified military camp. The Hungarians did not arrive until the 9th century and officially founded the Kingdom of Hungary a century later. They overcame Mongol attacks in the 13th century to re-establish their town as one of the centers of Renaissance humanist culture in the 15th century.
Ruled by the Ottomans for around 140 years after their pillaging resulted in occupation in 1541, the Turks erected many bathing facilities within the city that are still in use today. During this period, many of the city's inhabitants converted from Christianity to Islam under the Turkish influence.
The 18th and 19th centuries saw increased prosperity for Budapest which became the second capital city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire with Reconciliation in 1867.
The struggle for independence and development dominated the late 19th century and unification of Buda and Pest in 1873 created a metropolis that evolved into the country's administrative, political, economic, trade, and cultural hub.
When Austria-Hungary
lost the war in 1918, Hungary
declared independence and lost around two-thirds of its territory and inhabitants when the country was divided up in the
Treaty of Trianon .The city has been the stage for many of Hungary’s most pivotal historic events: the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, the Hungarian Republic of Councils in 1919, and Operation Panzerfaust in 1944.
In 1944, Budapest was attacked by British and American air raids, and again from late 1944 to early 1945 by Soviet and Romanian troops in the Battle of Budapest. The Germans destroyed all of the city’s bridges and more than 38,000 civilians lost their lives. Many of Budapest’s 250,000 Jewish inhabitants were also killed during the Nazi genocide of World War II.
The Fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989-90 led to political and social changes within the city that is, today, embarking on a new era of democracy.
Geography
Covering an area of 525 square kilometers, Budapest occupies both banks of the River Danube. Its location at the center of the Carpathian Basin lies on an ancient route that linked the hills of Transdanubia with the Great Plain.
Today, it occupies a central position in Europe with all major European roads and railway lines leading into the city.
In the center of Hungary, Budapest is surrounded by the settlements of Pest county and stretches 25 km north-south and 29 km east-west.
The River Danube cuts through the city from the north, encircling three islands - Óbuda Island, Margaret Island, and the tip of Csepel Island – all of which are within the city limits. It has played a significant role throughout history as an important trade route.
Buda, to the west, is built up on high river terraces and hills while Pest, to the east, sprawls across the plains. The limestone and dolomite that comprise the environmentally protected Buda Hills have eroded into fantastic cave formations since their formation during the Triassic Period.
Climate
Budapest enjoys a long summer, stretching from May until September, when temperatures are warm with maximums averaging around 26 °C. Winters, however, can be bitterly cold with little sunshine. Nighttime temperatures often drop to -15°C and snowfall is prevalent most years. Late March and April is often the most pleasant time to visit when the days are warm and nights are fresh. September to late October often sees long, sunny days and little rain, although things change abruptly at the end of October.
Things to See and Do
Castle Hill & The Royal Palace
Matthias Church
Dominating Budapest’s cityscape is Matthias Church, a neo-Gothic building with stunning frescoes and glass walls, while the Fisherman’s Bastion offers outstanding views across the Danube to Pest. Another great view can be seen from the Savoyai Terrace where a bronze statue of Austrian Prince, Eugene of Savoy, the man responsible for freeing Hungary from Ottoman occupation, stands boldly.Lion's Courtyard
Guarded by four stone lions created by sculptor, János Fadrusz, in 1902, the Lions’ Courtyard borders the Hungarian National Museum, the Budapest Museum of History, and the National Széchenyi Library, all of which offer insights into the history and development of this city and country.Museums
Budapest is home to some fantastic museums, and those situated on the Buda side include the open-air Aquincum museum and ruins that detail the Roman history of the city, The Gellért Hill Cave with its rock church, the Kassák Museum of modern Hungarian art, and the Budapest Picture Gallery (otherwise known as the Kiscelli Museum).Crossing the Danube on one of its beautiful bridges is a must with the Chain Bridge& being particularly memorable at night when it is all lit up. You can also take boat rides along the Danube either during the day or on nightly dinner cruises.
Budapest Parliament
On the Pest side of the river lies the Budapest Parliament Building, which is an impressive 268-meter neo-Gothic structure worth visiting. Guided tours costs 4,000 HUF and can be bought each morning from 8 AM.St. Stephen's Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica is Budapest’s most important church and a fine example of neoclassical architecture. You can climb over the dome to get fantastic views across the city.Great Synagogue
The Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum bring to life the Jewish history of Budapest. Home to one of the largest European Jewish communities before WWII, the Dohány Street Synagogue was opened in 1859. It is the largest synagogue in Europe and was recently restored. The museum next-door details the Jewish history of the city and the old Jewish Quarter, bordered by Károly Boulevard, Erzsébet Boulevard, Király Street, and Rákóczi Road, is an interesting area to explore.Andrássy út
boulevard
which stretches from Downtown to the City Park is a 2.5 km long tree-lined avenue in Pest, listed on UNESCO’s World
Heritage List. Sites of importance include the Hungarian State Opera House,
the House of Terror (documenting the Nazi and Communist eras), the Ernst Museum of contemporary Hungarian art,
and the Central Market Hall – a vibrant covered market open every day (except Sunday).No trip to Budapest is complete without a session at one of their numerous thermal baths. The Art Nouveau Gellért Baths are among the city’s most famous, and entrance, including cabin rental, is 3,500 HUF.
Accommodation
From hostels starting at around €7 per night to luxury 5 star hotels, Budapest has accommodation to suit all budgets. The most expensive options are generally around the castle, and hostels are dotted throughout the city. Renting an apartment can be a cheap alternative, particularly for longer stays, and there are often touts that meet incoming trains at Keleti Station if you haven’t already booked ahead.Budget
$ 30 USD
Budapest Panorama Central
$ 56 USD
Cosmo City Hotel
$ 63 USD
A15 Downtown Apartment
$ 47 USD
Gozsdu Court Aparthotel
$ 22 USD
Hotel Chesscom
$ 41 USD
The Three Corners Hotel Art Superior
Comfortable
$ 68 USD
Residence Baron
$ 122 USD
Hotel Palazzo Zichy
$ 92 USD
7Seasons Apartments Budapest
$ 72 USD
Bohem Art Hotel
$ 66 USD
NH Budapest City
$ 58 USD
Opera Garden Hotel and Apartments
Splurge
$ 60 USD
Eurostars Budapest Center
$ 228 USD
Corinthia Hotel Budapest
$ 163 USD
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
$ 143 USD
Boscolo Budapest - Autograph Collection Hotel
$ 105 USD
St. George Residence All Suite Hotel DeLuxe
$ 126 USD
Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace
Population and Economy
Budapest’s population has been decreasing, down from 2.1 million in 1989 to around 1.75 million. The extended Budapest Metropolitan Area is home to around 3.3 million people.It is a financial hub for Central Europe and ranked as the most inhabitable Central and Eastern European city on EIU’s quality of life index. Home to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology headquarters, it is known for being a technology and start-up hub. In addition, Budapest is a major center for banking and finance, real estate, advertising, accountancy, insurance, arts, and tourism – all of which contribute significantly to the economy.
Dining
While Hungarian food has strong traditional routes in Budapest you will find it fused with a number of other cuisines that has resulted in a vibrant restaurant scene. Meat based stews and cabbage feature heavily, as does the use of paprika, both the hot and mild varieties.If you want to sample authentic, locally inspired cuisine at a good price steer clear of the tourist restaurants in Vaci utca and head to Raday utca or other more central areas where the locals dine. Although the menus may not be in English chances are the food will be much better and you won't get unknown expenses added to your bill.
Shopping
Vaci utca is home to all the big name fashion chain stores but if you venture out of this area Budapest also has some great local designers with uniquely Hungarian wares for sale.
Getting There and Around
Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport, located 16 km southeast of the city center, is the country’s air hub with connections to other major European destinations and the United Arab Emirates. Airport shuttle buses or trains transport visitors from the airport to the city center in around half an hour.Budapest Keleti Station is the main railway hub with connections to all Eastern and Central European countries. Prague can be reached in around 7 hours, Berlin in 12 hours, and Moscow in 39 hours.
Volán Association operates Hungary’s domestic bus route, linking most cities, while Eurolines handles international destinations. Long distance buses leave from one of four bus stations located outside of the city center but all are well connected with inner city transport options.
Metro-lines, buses, trolleys, and trams all operate within the public transport framework, making transport around the city relatively easy as there is always an option nearby. Run by Budapest Transport Limited Company, single tickets cost from 350-450 HUF, transfer tickets are 530 HUF, and 24-hour travel cards are 1,650 HUF. If visiting for a long period, there are more economical options such as weekly passes for 4,950 HUF and monthly passes for 10,500 HUF.
Because of its beautiful architecture and location on the Danube, Budapest is a pleasant city to explore on foot but as the city’s sights are spread over a large area, public transport often proves useful.
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Author: Pip23. Last updated: Apr 04, 2015
Pictures of Budapest
