Many visitors consider this Hungarian city to be amongst the most beautiful cities in Europe. Budapest is actually made up of three unified cities, with Buda and Óbuda, which are on the west bank of Danube, and Pesta on the east bank. With a city this size, there’s plenty of things that would keep you busy, and to keep you from dwelling too much on what activities you should be doing once you’re in the city, we have put together a list of the best things to do in Budapest which will make your trip a lot better.
Admire the Beauty of the Hungarian Opera House
First opened in 1884, this Neo-renaissance building has a 1200 seat auditorium, which is considered to be one of the best in the world for operatic performances. This building was the life’s work of the architect Milos Ybl, and the sheer brilliance of this space is stunning. The main staircase and the foyer illustrate an elegance that was always associated to attending an opera, and it still possesses it.
Take a Tour of the Parliament Building
The Parliament Building, one of the largest buildings in Hungary, is a real masterpiece and carries great historical value. It was designed and built in the Gothic Revival style and is home to hundreds of parliamentary offices. Although you can’t see most of the building from the inside, tours of certain areas of the building are available daily and run in different languages, so it is definitely worth a visit.
Pamper Yourself at the Gellért Baths
Since the 13th Century, healing waters were found at the foot of Gellért Hill. There was even a hospital there in the Middle Ages, which was destroyed in the Second World War but resurrected and rebuilt after. Now, Gellert Bath and Spa is one of the grandest spas in the city, including an open air pool, an effervescent swimming pool, and a range of other saunas and pools of different temperatures.
Promenade along the Danube
The stretch of Danube walkway provides a short but interesting stroll. Promenading along the Danube is a great way to see many of the famous sites, like the Buda Castle, the Liberty Statue, the Gellért Hill, and the Fisherman’s Bastion. You can enjoy restaurants, cafes, and a range of different sculptures on the promenade side of the river.
Pick a Picnic Spot at the City Park
The City Park is a wonderful leisure spot which includes sports facilities, swimming baths and a boating lake. It is also home to Budapest Municipal Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Budapest Circus, and the Vajdahunyad Castle, which houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture. During the winter months, the boating lake transforms into one of Europe’s largest skating rinks.
Take a Stroll at the Andrássy Avenue
Due to the interesting cultural heritage of this wonderful boulevard, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002. Taking a walk down Andrássy is a great way to see a number of Budapest’s different architectural styles. The famous street also has some of the city’s lovely restaurants, cafes, and luxury boutiques. If you’re in the mood of shopping then you’re in for a good treat!
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