Budapest, Hungary - October 27 to 30, 2003


Hungarian Flag

Budapest and Vienna, both capitals of the former Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy, are closely connected to each other by its history. That's probably why I felt so comfortable in Budapest. Although there are still some communism traces to be seen, Budapest is very similar to Vienna: the Big Ring Road (Nagykörút), parks, bridges crossing the Danube and history everywhere.

The city of Budapest (population ~ 1.9 million) was formed in 1873 by uniting Buda, Pest and Óbuda, whereas Buda lies on the western, hilly bank of the Danube and the flat plain of Pest on the eastern bank.

You can easily spend 4 days to a week in Budapest to see all the city's sights. In Buda you may stroll around Castle Hill (recognised by the UNESCO as world cultural heritage) to explore Buda Castle, Royal Palace, Trinity Square, Matthias Church, Fishermen's Bastion, etc. Moreover, the Castle District is also one of the most romantic pedestrian quarters in Budapest. It's a little medieval town with atmospheric streets, lovely houses, gas lamps and monuments. Pest, on the other hand, is more commercial - here you'll find shopping centers but also historic and cultural monuments: St. Stephen's Basilica, the Parliament, Opera House, Hereos' Square, and the Synagogue - just to name a few.

All in all, Budapest is great city where the curious visitor can see, do and experience a lot - not to mention the food! Keep your eyes open and you'll love this metropolis at the Danube!

Last but not least, I wanna thank Eszter - our host - for her hospitality, for her priceless tips on her hometown, for her refreshing nature, for everything! And thanks to her mum Erika for the delicious Pörkölt!

Following you find some pictures of Oli and my stay in Budapest.


Buda

Buda Castle Dani in the Buda Castle Buda Castle Buda Castle
Matthias Church Matthias Church Inside Matthias Church Fishermen's Bastion
Fishermen's Bastion Dani enjoying the view down from the Fishermen's Bastion View to Fishermen's Bastion and Gellért Hill Liberation Monument at Gellért Hill

Pest

Opera House Andrássy Avenue St. Stephen's Basilica St. Stephen's Basilica
Parliament Parliament Inside the Parliament Synagogue
Central Market Inside Central Market "Paprika Shop" at Central Market Hungarian Folklore at Central Market
Váci Street Vörösmarty Square Vörösmarty Square Metro Station Moszkva Square
Hereos' Square Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park Be inspired by Anonymus
Autumn Autumn Nyugati Railway Station Keleti Railway Station

The Danube - connecting Buda and Pest

Chain Bridge View to Chain Bridge View to Chain Bridge and Pest View to Chain Bridge and Pest
View to the Parliament and Pest View down to Buda Castle Hill (Buda) by night Chain Bridge and Buda by night

People

Oli and Eszter reading the map Apartment building where Eszter lives Eszter and Oli Eszter, Oli and I
Enjoying Eszter's mum's Pörkölt Eszter eating a gherkin Eszter, her mum Erika and I Going out

Hungary Tourism
Lonely Planet - Destination Budapest
Budapest Info
Go to Hungary


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