Sightseeing in Budapest - what to see. Complete travel guide

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is often called 'the pearl of the Danube'. The Danube flows through the city and divides it into two parts. The bridge, which connects Buda and Pest, was built only in the 19th century. This fact has given Budapest is modern name. Nowadays, this is a marvellous city with numerous historical buildings, beautiful squares, cozy parks and interesting museums. However, the city is particularly famous for its bathhouses.

The Fisherman's Bastion. The Fisherman's Bastion is one of the most famous sights of Budapest. Supposedly, this place has got its name from the fish market, which was situated nearby. Nowadays, this place of interest has another function - it has been turned into a romantic place. Its hidden recesses and stone benches have become one of the most favourite places for couples. The bastion itself with all its marvellous towers and fabulous staircases resembles a wedding cake. Its towers feature truly stunning panoramic views of the Danube, Margaret Island and the ancient part of the city.

Andrassy Avenue. This magnificent street in the centre of the city was founded in 1870. The avenue, that resembles world-famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, lies between Erzsebet Square and Heroes' Square. Every year this beautiful place hosts famous Budapest Parade. Deep in the ground under Andrassy Avenue there is the underground Millennium line, which was built in 1896 in honour of the change of centuries. In 2002 Andrassy Avenue and this underground line were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Castle Hill. Castle Hill with its fabulous castle on the top is one of the factors why Budapest is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Castle Hill is the location of the Castle District that is home to numerous ancient monuments, different museums and narrow streets. This is one of the main attractions of Budapest. Visitors will easily get to the top of the hill with the help of the funicular built in the 18th century. That place features wonderful panoramic view of the Danube and Budapest. It will take at least a day to see all the sights of the hill.

Nagy Vasarcsarnok. Nagy Vasarcsarnok is the biggest tented market in Budapest. The main product of the market is food. Here visitors can fish, meat, fruit, cheese and so on. Moreover, there are also some delicatessens there - foie gras, pepper of all sorts and sizes, caviar… The market was projected by Gustave Eiffel, the architect of the well-known tower in Paris. There are many outlets and souvenir shops near the market. They are a great place to purchase various souvenirs and gifts.

Matthias Church. Matthias Church is one of the symbols of Budapest. The church has got its name from King Matthias, who married there two times. This church has a long and exciting story. For example, it was the place of coronation of many kings. This building itself is a good example of the European eclecticism - it harmonically unites different architectural styles. The tower and the colorful roof of the church can be seen even from the other bank of the Danube. Matthias Church was restored many times from the 14th till the 19th century.

The Bathhouses. First of all, Budapest is famous for its bathhouses. Gellert Bathhouse is surely the most famous and attractive of them. Inside the bathhouse there are more than 70 million litres of water that flow out of 118 springs. Visitors will find numerous swimming pools (both indoor and outdoor) and saunas. You can also get massage, pedicure and manicure in the bathhouse. The floor of the bathhouse is decorated with beautiful mosaic. Some people say that water in this bathhouse can cure many diseases. If you forget to take a swimming costume with you, you can always hire it there.

St. Istvan Basilica. St Istvan Basilica is the biggest church in Budapest. The church was built in honour of the 1st king of Hungary – Istvan. The construction works started in 1851 and lasted 50 years. In 1868 the main cupola of the church was destroyed, and the works had to be started from the beginning. In 1905 the church was finally completed and the result was really tremendous. The building was fabulous not only inside, but also outside. Famous sculptors and artists of that time took part in the decoration of the church. The Basilica is located in front of the Parliament Building and provides a wonderful view of Andrassy Avenue.

Margaret Island. Margaret Island is an ideal place for tourists, who wish to relax in piece and enjoy the privacy of nature far from the noise of the city. When you are on the island, it is simply impossible to believe that Margaret Island is situated in the centre of the city. This is the place where you can jog, swim, have a picnic or simply walk, enjoying the beauty of the surroundings. The history of this place started in the Middle Ages, when an abbey was built there. Much time passed since that time, and the island has been turned into a park. There are bridges on both sides of the island - Arpad on the north and Margaret on the south. These bridges connect Margaret Island with the city.

The Parliament Building. The Parliament Building in Budapest is one of the most important buildings of Hungary. Its total area is 17,745 m2. The design of the building was chosen with the help of the contest for the best architectural project. The contest was won by Imre Shteindl. The Parliament Building was built in1884 - 1902. The architect’s source of inspiration was the Houses of Parliament located in London. On weekends 45-minute excursions are organized there, and everyone is welcome to attend them.