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Sightseeing
Sightseeing Overview
The Széchenyi Lánchíd (Chain Bridge) is the central point of Budapest. From here, hilly Buda is to the west and the plains of commercial Pest are to the east. A steep climb in the Sikló, the 19th-century funicular, leads to Buda’s Várhegy (Castle Hill), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where many attractions are clustered. Szentháromság tér (Trinity Square) is at the heart of the district and usually thronging with tourists. Nearby is the mosaic-roofed Mátyás templom (Matthias Church), fronted by King Stephen’s statue and the fairytale Halászbástya (Fishermen’s Bastion), with the best views of Pest – particularly of the Országház (Houses of Parliament). A mass of museums are housed within Budavári Palota (Buda Castle Palace), first built by Béla III, following the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, and reconstructed over the centuries. South of the Chain Bridge lies Gellért-hegy (Gellért Hill), named after Bishop Gellért, who was – as legend has it – rolled off the hillside in a barrel for converting the Magyars to Christianity. At the summit are the Liberation Monument and Citadella, a Hapsburg fortress built to subdue the Magyars after the 1848-9 revolution. Nearby are some of Budapest’s oldest spas – the Rudas and Rác baths – enjoyed during the Turkish occupation (1526-1699), as well as the Hotel Gellért, which was built in 1913.
| From here, Szabadság híd leads to Pest, which extends out from the Belváros (inner city). The busiest parts are the shop-lined Váci utca and the square, Vörösmarty tér, marked by a statue of the poet, Mihály Vörösmarty (1800-1855), and the location of the Gerbeaud pâtisserie. The most grandiose monument in Pest, Hosök tere (Heroes’ Square), is reached via Andrássy út, home to the Opera House. The Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) and Műcsarnok (Palace of Art) border the monument and Városliget (City Park) is just behind it. Warm vapours rising from underground hot springs swirl up into the square, which is much favoured by teenage skateboarders. Moving closer to the River Danube lies the Dohány Synagogue, the second largest in Europe, as well as the small Jewish quarter (district VII). Further south is the Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum (Hungarian National Museum). The reconstructed remains of the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia lie in northern Budapest’s Óbuda district.
Tourist Information
Tourinform Budapest
V. Süto utca 2
Tel: (01) 438 8080. Fax: (01) 356 1964.
E-mail: tourinfo@mail.hungarytourism.hu
Website: www.hungarytourism.hu
Opening hours: Daily 0800-2000.
IBUSZ tourist office, V. Ferenciek tere 10, and Budapest Tourist, Roosevelt tér 5 (by the Chain Bridge) and VIII Baross tér 3 (near Keleti station), also provide tourist information. Information offices of the Tourism Office of Budapest are in the main hall of Nyugati station, at Budaörs in the AGIP Complex, VII Király utca, and the Castle District, I Tarnok utca 9-11. Budapest is the first European city to have developed unified computerised tourist information terminals.
Passes
The Budapest Card is simple to use and excellent value. The card provides free travel on public transport, entrance to 60 museums and attractions – such as the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest Zoo and the Museum of Fine Art – half-price city sightseeing programmes, reductions on cultural and folklore programmes and further discounts at spas, shops, restaurants, airport minibus and car hire services, sports facilities and flights. Full details are provided in the information guide that accompanies the card. The Budapest Card costs Ft3700 for two days and Ft4500 for three days and is valid for one adult and one child under 14 years. Cards are available at tourist information offices, hotels and at main underground ticket booths. Budapest Tourism Office provides online details of the discounts available at each location.
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