Budapest — is the capital and the most populous city of Hungary, and one of the largest cities in the European Union. Budapest is also one of the most densely populated major cities in the EU.
In 1849 the Chain Bridge linking Buda with Pest was opened as the first permanent bridge across the Danube and in 1873 Buda and Pest were officially merged with the third part, Óbuda (Old Buda), thus creating the new metropolis of Budapest.
Place of interest — what I saw!
In Pest
▲▲ Hungarian Parliament Vast riverside government center with remarkable interior.
▲▲ St. István’s Basilica Budapest’s largest church, with a saint’s withered fist and great city views.
▲▲ The Ethnographic Museum is considered one of the largest museums of Ethnography in Europe. The Museum is took place in the former Palace of justice in the area of Lajos Kossuth in front of the Hungarian Parliament building.
▲▲ Great Market Hall Colorful Old World mall with produce, eateries, souvenirs, and great people-watching.
▲▲ Heroes’ Square Mammoth tribute to Hungary’s historic figures, fronted by art museums.
▲▲ House of Terror Harrowing remembrance of Nazis and communist secret police in former headquarters/torture site.
▲▲ Vajdahunyad Castle Epcot-like replica of a Transylvanian castle and other historical buildings.
▲▲ City Park Budapest’s backyard, with Art Nouveau zoo, Transylvanian Vajdahunyad Castle replica, amusement park, and Széchenyi Baths.
What I misssed: (I read about these sightseeings after coming back)
▲▲ Great Synagogue The world’s second-largest, with fancy interior, good museum, and memorial garden.
▲▲ Hungarian State Opera House Neo-Renaissance splendor and affordable opera.
▲▲ Holocaust Memorial Center Excellent memorial and museum honoring Hungarian victims of the Holocaust.
▲ Hungarian National Museum Expansive collection of fragments from Hungary’s history.
▲ Margaret Island Budapest’s traffic-free urban playground, with spas, ruins, gardens, a game farm, and fountains, set in the middle of the Danube.
▲ Zwack Museum Venerable Zwack family distillery and samples of Hungary’s favorite liquor, Unicum.
In Buda
▲▲ Matthias Church Landmark Neo-Gothic church with gilded history-book interior and revered 16th-century statue of Mary and Jesus.
▲▲ Gellért Hill One of the best panoramic views of Budapest.
▲▲ Fisherman’s Bastion is the panoramic viewing terrace with fairy tale towers in Budapest.
▲▲ Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest
▲▲ Buda Castle Park and Grand Staircase Lovely Neo-Renaissance people zone from the Danube riverbank to the Royal Palace.
▲▲Hungarian National Gallery Top works by Hungarian artists, housed in the Royal Palace.
What I missed:
▲▲ Memento Park Larger-than-life communist statues collected in one park, on the outskirts of town.
▲ Hospital in the Rock Fascinating underground network of hospital and bomb-shelter corridors from WWII and the Cold War.
In Óbuda
I missed these places!
▲ Vasarely Museum Mind-bending works by Op Art founder.
▲ Imre Varga Collection Evocative works by Hungary’s top sculptor.