Budapest: TravelGuide

Some fall in love with the city at first sight, others are won over only after a longer period of discovery; but all agree that it is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. The metropolis with a population of two million is bisected by the mighty flow of the Danube with hills and... More

Some fall in love with the city at first sight, others are won over only after a longer period of discovery; but all agree that it is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. The metropolis with a population of two million is bisected by the mighty flow of the Danube with hills and valleys on the Buda side and the flat, low-lying Pest on the other. The riverside panorama has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Anybody who has ever seen it illuminated by night can understand why. Here are some interesting facts about Budapest: – Although initially inhabited fifty thousand years ago, it has only had its present name for a mere 128 years. Prior to 1873, Óbuda, Buda and Pest were separate towns. – Under its hills there is a system of caves with thermal waters gushing from 80 thermal springs which supply 12 spas with 70 million litres of water daily. – It's monuments include 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatres, 400-year-old Turkish baths and unique Hungarian Art Nouveau buildings from the 19th century. The cityscape owes its uniform appearance to the elegant mansions erected in Eclectic style in the early 20th century. – The transport system also has some interesting features. The first underground railway of Europe has been connecting the downtown with the City Park for over 100 years. In the Buda hills you will find the world's third hill railway and a narrow-gauge forest railway operated by children. – Lovers of culture are spoilt for choice with 237 monuments, 223 museums and galleries, 35 theatres, 90 cinemas, 2 opera houses and 12 concert halls. Around 200 excursion destinations offer a wide variety of things to do. Throughout the 365 days of the year, travel agencies organise walks and sightseeing tours by coach and boat, tailored to individual requirements. Buda The most important sights of the city can be found here, on the right bank of the Danube. Buda is the capital city's green belt with popular hiking destinations like the János-hegy ('hegy' meaning 'hill'), Normafa, Széchenyi-hegy, Kis- and Nagy-Hárs-hegy, Remete-hegy, Hármashatár-hegy and the Game Park in Budakeszi, all of them parts of the Buda Nature Reserve. We suggest the following route: take the cog-wheel railway (one stop from Moszkva tér by tram 56) to Széchenyi-hegy, then the children's railway to Hűvösvölgy. The train stops at Budapest's highest point on János-hegy (526 m). From here, take the chair lift to Zugliget, then bus 158 back to Moszkva tér. The only two caves open to the public in Budapest are the Pálvölgyi stalactite cave, which can be explored to a length of 500 m (entrance to the cave at 162 Szépvölgyi út) and Szemlő Hill cave (entrance to the cave at 35 Pusztaszeri út), a saline cave 300 m of which is open to visitors (reached by bus from Kolosy tér in Óbuda). Pest Pest, on the left bank of the Danube, also has many historic districts, resorts and famous sights. There are nine bridges spanning the Danube, the oldest being the Széchenyi Chain Bridge built in 1849. Less