Budapest is the owner of two World Heritage Sites, which, uniquely in the world, form a single, continuous road; taking tourists along the most beautiful parts of Budapest (Heroes’ Square, villa buildings, Kodály-körönd, Pesti Broadway, Buda Castle Quarter, House of the Hungarian National Ballet, Budapest Opera House, Danube-panorama, Jewish Quarter, Andrássy Road ).

Budapest is home to 1,72 million people (2.06 million in 1980). Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification on 17 November 1873 of right (west)-bank Buda and Óbuda with left (east)-bank Pest.

Photo by Nathan Demeny Photography

Budapest is one of the sophisticated cities in Hungary. Budapest has become a rendezvous of political big brothers, business tycoons and celebrities.

Budapest also welcomes modern technology and you will find a number of IT sectors in this city. It is a vital commercial hub in Central Europe. For this reason, when you plan to go to Budapest on vacation, you must watch closely how the city life in Budapest runs smoothly on its rut. Numerous brick and mortar made skyscrapers, monuments, sophisticated market plazas, malls, storefronts, aerodromes, luxurious hotels, bars and cafes have changed the facelift of this city. At night, streets, lanes and by-lanes are illuminated in gorgeous fluorescent light.

Before visiting Budapest, you must choose some important attractions/sights/tourist spots which are located in different parts of this capital city in Hungary.

Fishermen’s Bastion is one of the major tourist attractions in Budapest, located in Castle Hill in Budapest. This terrace was constructed for better viewing. Fishermen’s Bastion was decorated by a famous architect named Schulek dating back to 1895. You can climb up Bastion terrace to extend your vision over Pest.

Matthias Church belongs to the top sights in Budapest as well. It is beautifully decorated. It is a religious shrine. Matthias was a brave Hungarian king who planned to build this historical building for celebrating his nuptial ceremony. This church came into existence during 13th century. However, eminent architects and designers have modified this heritage establishment several times to make it more attractive.

Before starting your journey to reach Budapest in Hungary, you can contact tourist agencies to take a backup for ensuring trouble free trip to this capital city of Hungary. Guides will escort you to visit exotic places in Budapest to update your mind regarding religion, culture, heritage, science, literature and trading in Budapest.

What to see in Budapest

Panoramic views

• Naphegy panoramic view to Gellért Hill, best near view to south side of Buda Castle, historic district Krisztinaváros
• The Fisherman’s Bastion panoramic view across the Danube to Pest, in the heart of the Castle District.
• Tabán historic site, near panoramic view to Buda Castle, Danube Promenade, Erzsébet Bridge, park and 1956 Hungarian Revolution Memorial
• Gellért Hill best far view to the Danube Bridges, Danube Promenade and Gellért Baths
• Danube Promenade view to Buda Castle, Gellért Hill
• Sashegy impressive, far view from the top of the Natural Reserve Park to: Gellérthegy, Naphegy, Buda Castle, Danube Promenade. End of the Tájék street.
• Széchenyi-hegy, far view to: Gellérthegy, Naphegy, Sashegy, Buda Castle, Danube Promenade

Main sights

• Andrássy Avenue with its several sights including the Hungarian State Opera House, the Pest Broadway and the House of Terror
• Bauhaus in Budapest
• Buda Castle with the Royal Palace, the Funicular, Hungarian National Gallery and National Széchényi Library, Matthias Church, Holy Trinity Column (a plague column) and Fisherman’s Bastion
• City Park with Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, Vajdahunyad Castle, the Timewheel, the Zoo, the Municipal Grand Circus and the Amusement Park
• Danube Promenade
• Ferenciek tere with Paris Courtyard and Erzsébet Bridge with Inner City Parish Church nearby
• Franz Liszt Academy of Music
• Gellért Baths, Gellért Hill with Gellért Statue, Cave Church and Citadel with Liberty Statue
• Geological Museum
• Great Market Hall and Liberty Bridge
• Heroes’ Square with the Millenary Monument, the Palace of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts
• Margaret Island with the Centennial Memorial, a Japanese garden, a Musical Fountain, several recreation facilities and Franciscan, Dominican and Premonstratensian ruins from the Middle Ages
  Museum of Applied Arts
• National Museum
• Szabadság tér One of the most beautiful squares in downtown Budapest
• Corvin tér Beautifully restored square at the foot of Castle Hill
• Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe with the Holocaust Memorial (weeping willow statue)
• New York Café
• Óbuda
• Palace of Arts and National Theatre
• Parliament Building with the Holy Crown of Hungary and sceptre, Kossuth Memorial, Ethnographical Museum, Attila József statue, Imre Nagy statue
• Saint Stephen’s Basilica
• Sashegy – The largest Natural Reserve Park of Budapest
• Shoes on the Danube Promenade Gyula Pauer – Holocaust Memorial
  Statue Park
• Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Academy of Sciences and Gresham Palace
• Tomb of Gül Baba
• Váczi utca and Vörösmarty Square
• Western Railway Station
• Erzsébetváros District VII, the former Jewish quarter

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Although the history of Bulgaria is closely connected with Turkish influence, cultural roots date back to the days of the Roman Empire. At that time, today’s territory of Bulgaria became a Roman province. Bulgaria was founded in the 7th century. Part of the residents were Slavic, and part came from Asia.

In the 11th century Bulgaria was conquered by Byzantium, and from the late 14th century it belonged to Turks throughout five centuries. Perhaps due to this fact, Bulgaria didn’t build any castles during the Middle Ages, just like in Central Europe. The resistance against Turkish domination culminated in the early 20th century, when Bulgaria became independent. However they didn’t enjoy the independence for a long time and before 1 World War II it was merged with neighboring countries against Turkey. After inappropriate policy Bulgaria has lost part of its territory in a dispute with its allies. After World War I and later after World War II, Bulgaria again had to give up other parts of its territory. The inclusion of Bulgaria into Eastern Bloc meant to stop economic development. Just the revolutionary period in the late of 20th century enabled the reforms and reorientation. Today Bulgaria is one of the leading tourist destination countries.

Further information:

Official name: Republic of Bulgaria
Capital city: Sofia
Area: 110.910 km2
Number of residents: 7.537.929
Density: 74 people per km2
Time zone: GMT + 2 h (+ 3 h in summer)
Currency: lev (Lv)
Official language: Bulgarian
Water area: 360 km2
Land area: 110550 km2
Board lengths: 1808 km
Coast lengths: 354 km
Neighbours: Romania, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Turkey
Average age of man: 70
Average age of woman: 76
Ethnic group: Roma
Religion: Orthodox 30%, Muslim 7%, Atheists 60%
GDP per person: 1510 $
The highest mountain: Musala – 2.925m above the sea level
The lowest point: Black sea
The longest river: Marica (526 km)
Biggest city: Sofia (1.125.000 people)
Ports: Burgas, Lom, Nesebur, Ruse, Varna, Vidin

Why visit Bulgaria?
- Bulgaria is an interesting country that has everything: sea, sandy beaches, quaint historic towns, cultural and architectural attractions, old monasteries, modern resorts, high mountain… In Bulgaria, everyone can find something interesting, whether you like to relax by the sea, discover the historical treasures, walk through the picturesque streets of coastal towns or mountain hiking.
- Bulgaria is cheaper than Croatia, France, Italy, Spain and other traditional tourist destinations.
- In Bulgaria you can taste various dishes typical for Bulgaria (Shopska salad, kaškaval, Moussaka and many others)

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