The Journey To Heart Of Europe – Budapest: A City of Enchantment and Mystery
The city of Budapest, located in the heart of Europe and famous for its enchanting architecture, has been the home to many historic figures, including kings, queens, poets, and painters. Today, this historical capital city is filled with stunning scenery and mystery that will hold you under its spell as you walk through it’s winding streets. This city might be one of the best kept secrets in Europe, but it’s no longer a secret to those who have discovered how charming it truly is. Welcome to the magical world of Budapest!
Attractions in the city center
Budapest is the capital of Hungary and one of the most beautiful places in Europe. It’s known for its stunning architecture, traditional culture, and mesmerizing river views. The city center is home to many of the city’s most popular attractions, including the Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Fisherman’s Bastion. If you’re looking to experience the heart of Europe, Budapest is the perfect place to start your journey.
There are plenty of mesmerizingly beautiful places to explore, such as Buda Castle Hill where you can see the iconic statue of Gellert on a viewing platform overlooking the Danube River and Royal Palace. You’ll also find some traditional cultures still alive in modern day Hungary like Rácz Kisréti Tancsics Folk Ensemble that perform dance folk music with a traditional drumbeat every Sunday evening at 8pm at Széchenyi square . Don’t forget to try their delicious dishes like Hungarian Goulash made from beef or pork stewed with onions, paprika, and other spices.
These horseback riding tours allow visitors to explore Hungary firsthand. Tours are offered year-round, but summer is the best time to see the green country when Budapest transforms into a lush paradise. Once you’ve completed the thrilling experience of riding through this stunning wonderland, you can stop by the Csepeli Brewery to have a taste of their fantastic beers that they’ve been making since 1872, or the Sziget Festival Island, which annually hosts one of Europe’s largest music festivals, attracting over half a million people.
There is always something new happening in this ever-changing city so be sure to check out what’s happening before your visit!
Getting around the city center
If you’re looking to explore the city center, the best way to get around is on foot. Walking allows you to take in all the sights and sounds of this vibrant city. Plus, with so many cafes and restaurants to pop into, you’ll never be bored. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes! You can also choose from a variety of ways to get from one point to another.
The metro provides access across much of the city, while trams and buses allow travel within specific areas. With its reasonable prices and high frequency, we recommend taking advantage of these modes as often as possible.
If you’re feeling a little less energetic, taxis are readily available by most major tourist attractions. For those who want to do it up big, Budapest has an extensive bike-share program that makes getting around town a breeze! But make sure you’ve got good reflexes because these streets can be busy at times! If you’re more interested in exploring some of Hungary’s natural wonders, then opt for a tour bus or boat trip. These give great views of Buda Castle and other famous landmarks without having to work too hard!
Overall, Budapest is made for easy exploration. It doesn’t matter if you’re on two feet or four wheels—this captivating city will show off its charms every step of the way.
Be sure to check out some of our top places to see in Budapest, including Central Market Hall, Széchenyi thermal bath, Fisherman’s Bastion and much more! There’s plenty to do all around town—just be sure you have time for it all!
Main attractions in Buda (west) side of the river Danube
The Buda side of the river Danube is home to many enchanting and mysterious attractions. The most popular include the Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and Gellért Hill. The Buda Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the home of Hungarian kings. The Fisherman’s Bastion is a beautiful terrace that offers stunning views of the city.
Matthias Church is a Gothic church with intricate designs and stunning stained glass windows. Gellért Hill is home to the Cave Church, which was carved into the hillside in the 11th century. There are also two statues on top of the hill – one for Saint George (the dragon slayer) and one for Saint Stephen (the first Christian king). It can be reached by walking up 108 steps or riding the elevator up inside a tower. Next to Gellért Hill there is an open-air market where you can find fresh fruit, meat, cheese, and flowers at reasonable prices.
On the Pest side of the river Danube are located some other attractions including Central Market Hall where you can find everything from clothes to souvenirs. Here you’ll also find historic landmarks like Buda Castle Labyrinths which consists of winding underground tunnels and stairs made from sandstone walls dating back to medieval times that have been excavated out of huge rocks.
The largest outdoor market in Budapest is Market Hall on Vamhaz korut. It’s open every day except Sundays, but it closes at different times depending on day. On Mondays and Tuesdays, it closes at 19:00 while it’s open until 20:00 from Wednesday to Saturday. Open-air markets with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, flowers are also located near St. Stephen’s Basilica that dates back to Roman times as well as on Pecsárka Utca (also known as Arab market).
Getting to the Buda side
After arriving in the city and settling into my Airbnb, I decided to explore a bit. I walked across the Chain Bridge to get to the Buda side of town. The view was breathtaking, with the castle perched atop the hill. I could see why this city is called the Heart of Europe. It has been at the center of European life for centuries. So many wars have been fought over Hungary throughout history and so many historic events have taken place here, from the coronation of Empress Maria Theresa to World War II
to even modern-day protests against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government.
As if that wasn’t enough, it also happens to be one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe, as well as home to Gellért Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion which overlooks the Danube River and Castle Hill respectively. I’ve never seen anything like it before, and can already tell that I’m going to enjoy my time in Budapest. There are countless things to do and explore, but there are three places that are on my must visit list: the Parliament Building, the Szechenyi Thermal Bath Complex, and Matthias Church. For anyone who loves architecture or just exploring new places, these are a few locations not to miss out on. But you don’t need me telling you what to do while visiting Budapest–just head out and find your own adventures!
Final thoughts on visiting Hungary’s capital city.
I have to say that I absolutely loved my time in Budapest. The city has a certain charm about it that is hard to describe. It’s a mix of old world elegance and modern day vibrancyI don’t want to end this post without discussing what are arguably two of Budapest’s most famous sites, the Buda Castle District and The Parliament Building.
These two attractions are must-sees while exploring this amazing city. When it comes to where we’ll be staying, there are plenty of great hotels on both sides of the river, but I have a special place in my heart for Agoda Hotel Ambasador because they’re right next door to Gellert Hill Park, which has stunning views of Pest below (and even includes its own amusement park).
And when we’re done touring this fantastic capital, there are always plenty of relaxing spa treatments available too! I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that one of my favorite things about Hungary is their food. In particular, Tokaji wine from the Eger region is superb as well as Hungarian goulash soup. There’s no denying these dishes make for perfect accompaniments to any evening at one of Budapest’s many cafes or night clubs.
If wine isn’t your thing, there are other options too like Bull’s Blood vodka or a tasty cold chicken paprikash from the local grocery store.: One last note before ending this blog post: Once again, I would encourage anyone reading this to visit Hungary at some point in their life and experience all it has to offer first hand.
