Budapest is the capital of Hungary with a population of 1.8 million citizens, it is by far the largest city in the country. The twin cities of Buda and Pest, unified in 1873, face each other across the famous Danube River, linked by the graceful spans of several bridges. The “gateway to Eastern Europe”, Budapest is renowned as a warm-hearted city, with a rich artistic, architectural and cultural legacy, of which its citizens are justly proud. Incredible architecture and rich cultural heritage, Hungary’s capital deserves its reputation as the “Paris of Central Europe”. The picturesque setting on two sides of the Danube, the nine connecting bridges, and the villas and public buildings, make Budapest one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe. The city straddles a gentle curve in the Danube. It has broad avenues, leafy parks and elaborate bathhouses.

The collection of palaces, churches and monuments has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is a must see for every tourist. The UNESCO realized this and included the most important sights on its World Heritage programe. Budapest has some very good museums as well, including the National Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, National Gallery and the Historical Museum of Budapest. Budapest has many things you have to see. Starting with the Parliament, the Citadella, the castle district, the opera and so much more that we decided to make two sections for you, the Buda sightseeing and the Pest sightseeing. If you stay for a weekend and just want to see the main sightseeing places of Budapest please have a look at the section Sightseeing Tours where you can find 3 or 4 hours tours that how you the most famous things.

The Chain Bridge is one of Budapest’s most famous landmarks. The bridge ignited the economic revival that would lead to Budapest’s golden century and it was one of the factors that made the provincial towns of Pest and Buda into a fast-growing metropolitan. The magnificent suspension bridge the river Danube between Pest and Buda, at the time still separate cities. In 1832, count Istvan Szechenyi, “the greatest Hungarian” began to organize the construction of the bridge. The 375 meter (1230ft) long and 16 meter wide bridge, a superb engineering feat, was opened on November 20, 1849. In 1857 Adam Clark dug a 350 meter Chain Bridge at nightlong tunnel through the Castle Hill to connect the bridge with the Buda hinterland. In 1989 people demonstrated on the chain bridge for freedom and independence. Since then, the bridge has become a symbol of Hungarian liberty.

The most famous landmark of Budapest is the Parliament building. The monumental Parliament gives a good counterweight to the Buda Castle on the opposite bank of the river Danube. From a distance it looks a lot like the English Houses of Parliament, with Big Ben conspicuously absent. The construction of Parliament began in 1885 according to plans by Imre Steindl. Completed in 1904 it is one of Europe’s most splendid Parliament buildings. The magnificent structure is a symbol of Hungary’s independence. The building has a length of 268 meters and is 118 meters wide. The parliament house contains more than 20 km staircase, and 691 rooms. The elegant dome has a height of 69 meters. The outer walls are decorated with statues of Hungarian monarchs and military commanders.

Situated at the entrance to the City Park, Budapest’s Heroes Square stands in honor and memory of the great leaders in Hungary’s history. Situated at the end of Andrassy Avenue, Heroes Square is one of the most-visited attractions in Budapest, both by visitors and locals. The center of the square is the Millennium Monument, built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar conquest. The monument was designed by Albert Schickedanz and Fülöp Herczog. Many of the statues representing Hungarian Monarchs and Princes of Transylvania were made by György Zala. At the center of the Monument there is a column surrounded by seven figures – leaders of the seven Hungarian tribes.

Inside the niches of the two semi-circles that make up the monument you’ll find statues of famous men of Hungarian history, including kings, governors, and others held in high regard like King Stephen I, who brought Christianity to the country. A top the Millennium Monument, Heroes Square, Budapest-semi-circles are the symbols of War and Peace, Work and Welfare, and Knowledge and Glory. Soaring above the monument, you’ll see the Millennial Column, standing 118-feet-tall and topped with a statue of the Archangel Gabriel, meant to be a symbol of the Millennial Column, Heroes’ Square, Budapest Roman Catholic Church. In front of the column is the Monument of National Heroes, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, a tribute to Hungary’s nameless heroes of war.

Budapest has become a very lively city, with many good restaurants and a nightlife scene you need to check out to believe. By night you can have dinner at either a cheap or a fancy restaurant, go to the opera, and afterwards dance the night away. For those after a dose of culture, a visit to the city’s majestic State Opera House makes for an unforgettable evening, while Budapest’s love affair with classical music ensures that orchestras and venues are of the highest standard. You can a throw back to the days of cheesy 70s disco, glitter balls and alarmingly wide trousers, locals have always found places in which to party until the early hours. Of the more “sophisticated” western style clubs which have sprung up since then, many come with burly bouncers, expensive beer and journeymen DJs. Also easy to find a lively salsa bar or enjoy the laid back atmosphere of a Budapest jazz club.
Famed, since Roman times, for its thermal and curative springs, the city has 80 hot-water springs, still used today as treatment for a variety of ailments. Budapest, which is famous for its health and thermal spas, offers a unique opportunity for ladies to use the thermal pool of a Turkish bath, the Rudas Health Spa. Marvellous scenery, a wealth of attractions and a cosmopolitan “cafe culture”, most evident in Pest, makes this city a unique and exciting destination.