Turkish baths and old coffee houses abound in Budapest
and in the spring and summer, pavement cafés fill up
and the atmosphere gets more lively. The most famous landmark
Budapest is the Parliament building on the banks of the Danube.
This collection of palaces, churches and monuments has been
declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are many good
restaurants and a busy nightlife scene.
Castle Royal Palace
Budavári Palota, Dísz tér 17
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm.
The Palace was first inhabited in the thirteenth century and during the next seven hundred years was the residence of many royal figures. The castle has a mixture of architectural styles and today is Hungary’s most important cultural centre.
Matthias Church
Szentháromság tér
Telephone - +36 1 355 5657
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm.
This is one of Budapest’s best-known structures, and it was here that the nation’s kings were crowned and King Matthias was married. It continues to hold High Mass, as well as concerts, organ and choir recitals.
Chain Bridge
Chain Bridge was the first stone bridge to be built over the Danube and acts as a symbol for the city. It is an impressive bridge which had to be rebuilt after World War II.
The Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum
Dohány utca 2
Telephone - +36 1 342 1335
Hours: Monday to Thursday 10 am to pm, Friday 10 am to 3 pm, Sunday 10 am to 2 pm.
The Great or Central Synagogue is the largest in Europe and the second largest synagogue in the world. Next door is the Jewish Museum and in the courtyard is the unusual Holocaust Memorial. The piece of sculpture is like a weeping willow tree, and each metal leaf is carefully engraved with the names of victims of the Holocaust.
Parliament Buildings
Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3
Telephone - +36 1 441 4904
Hours: Monday 8 am to 11 am, Tuesday to Saturday 8 am to 4 pm, Sunday 8 am to 2 pm.
With its red dome and white stone lace ornamentation and spires the Parliament buildings form the city’s most decorative structure. Many claim it is the most sumptuous Parliament Buildings in Europe if not the world. A guided tour is available to allow you appreciate the wonderful ceilings, the majestic staircases and the history of it all.
Statue Park
Corner of Balatoni út and Szabadkai út
Telephone - + 36 1 424 7500
Hours: 10 am to sunset
Statue Park contains the giant figures of the Communist era
that once filled the streets of Budapest. Among the statues,
busts and monuments are the forms of Lenin, Marx and Engels,
as well as memorials to the Soviet Soldier and the Communist
Martyrs. This is the only collection in the world from the
time of Communist politics and is quite an amazing sight.
It is a bit outside the city and can be reached easily by
public transport - ask at your hotel for directions.
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