One of the gems of Eastern Europe, and the Pearl of Danube, Budapest is a fascinating destination - a city with pulsating nightlife, charming parks, stunning architectural landmarks, and museums that will inspire, surprise and even provoke. The city is divided by the Danube into distinctive areas, very different yet in perfect harmony: Buda, on the West side, the historic cradle of the city; and Pest, on the East bank, the modern commercial center.
A Bit of History
Like many cities in this part of the world, Budapest has a rich legacy, but history has not always been fair with the Capital of Hungary. The first settlement on these lands was founded by the Celts, but Budapest first appeared on the world map when the Romans founded the town of Aquincum around 89 AD. This was the capital of Lower Pannonia till about 900 when the Magyars took the power, founding the kingdom of Hungary (Magyarország). To resist the Tatar invasion in the 13th century, Béla IV of Hungary ordered the construction of reinforced stone walls around the towns, and built the iconic royal castle that still dominates Buda from atop Castle Hill.
Another historic mishap that plagued Budapest was the World War II, when over 400,000 Jews in the area were murdered by the Nazis and their Nyilas sympathizers, and many of the city's monuments and landmarks have been destroyed. Finally, in more recent years, Hungary's hard-line Communist government kept the city in obscurity for decades. Scarred by war, wounded by Nazism, impoverished by communism, and stripped of an important part of his soul, Budapest has nevertheless managed to fight back impressively, regaining its luster and now, thanks to its entry into the Union European, finally beginning to shine once more.
The Flight of the Phoenix
Since the collapse of Eastern Bloc, Budapest has changed its face. Things moved slowly at first, but thanks to the engine of foreign investment the stunning old buildings in the city center, which portray fabulous examples of Art Nouveau, have gradually been restored to their past glory. The best example of this restoration is the Royal Palace, built over three hundred years from the 13th to the 16th centuries and now housing the Hungarian National Museum and the National Gallery.
More stunning sights can be found in the Buda Castle Hill area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that can be easily seen from anywhere in the city due to its elevation. The district is characterized by numerous beautiful, colorful buildings, winding cobblestone streets, churches and bustling markets.
Crossing from Buda into Pest means strolling across the incredible Chain Bridge, which was the first to span the Danube and is a considerable attraction in its own right. Considered to be one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world at the time it was built, it might only be a short walk from end to end, but the view is simply stunning in both directions.
Night time in Budapest is equally impressive, with the city offering entertainment suit all tastes. From festivals such as the Budapest Spring Festival, which see the streets come alive, to the World Music festival in summer, it seems as if there is always something happening in this city. Add to the festivities the city’s casinos, which stay open all afternoon and all night, plus a surprisingly large number of trendy pubs, wine bars and nightclubs, and there’s already more than enough to keep visitors busy for the duration of their stay.
Main attractions: Castle Hill, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square, Millennium Underground Railway, Hungarian State Opera House, National Széchenyi Library, Hungarian Parliament Building, and many more.
Currency: Forint (HUF)
Official language: Hungarian
Area: 202.7 sq mi (525 km2)
Population: 1,733,685
Electricity:
- Voltage: 220-240 Volts (U.S./Canada are 110-120 Volts)
- Primary Socket Type: Europlug, Schuko
- Multi-voltage appliances (laptops, etc.): Plug adapter
- 110-120V electronics: Plug adapter + step-down transformer
- Hair dryers, curling irons, etc.: Plug adapter + voltage converter
Other places to see & things to do: Dohány Street Synagogue, Esztergom Basilica, Museum of Fine Arts, Hungarian National Museum, Liberty Bridge, National Theatre, Margaret Island, Csepel Island, and more.
Images courtesy, Wikipedia.
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