Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe in my opinion, with a rich architectural and cultural heritage that compliments the spectacular natural surroundings. This city is divided by the Danube River into two parts: Buda on the Western shore and Pest on the Eastern shore– which were originally separate cities until their union in 1873. Here is a brief guide to the two, very different parts of this impressive city:
Buda, including Obuda (old Buda), is far smaller and quieter than Pest and is famous for being the historical part of the city. The Buda area is hilly and dotted with forests which add to the charm of its old winding streets, towered over by the Castle on the main hill. Other than the Royal Palace, tourists and locals alike flock to this side of town for a spot of relaxation at the famous Turkish-style baths at the bottom of Gellert Hill. The building which houses the baths is luxurious and ornate and the complex of hot springs, indoor and outdoor pools and saunas is enough to keep you entertained for the whole day. Buda is not only a place for history and relaxation though; there are an increasing number of bars and entertainment venues that have the younger population travelling over the river to party, particularly during the Sziget Music Festival.
Pest is the larger, more sprawling side of town and suffers far more traffic, hustle and bustle. That is not to say that Pest doesn’t have its own charming, historical areas too though. Heroes Square, the Hungarian Parliament on the riverside, Andrassy Avenue and the beautiful historical centre and shopping area – Belvaros, are all well-worth a visit. The fantastic Budapest Spring Festival is another huge draw to this side of town and hotels near to the event book up well in advance so don’t miss out if you wish to attend this exciting cultural celebration.
Despite countless attacks on this capital city during the Second World War and the Hungarian Revolution, Budapest has stood the test of time and, although it bears the scars of the past, it remains one of the most impressive European cities in terms of architecture and was awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Budapest is a beautiful city which is attracting an increasing amount of visitors every year thanks to its affordable accommodation options and cheap cost of living. Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit the Hungarian capital will tell you – there is no better place in Central Europe for a quick getaway with that special someone.
