Budapest Travel Guide

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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Situated on the romantic Danube River, with the Great Plain to the east and the Buda Hills to the west, Budapest''s beauty is undeniable to anyone who comes and sees for themselves. Not only is its natural setting simply sublime; the rich blend of architectural styles comes together to add to the city''s attraction.

There are so many stunning sights that you simply must go and see on any trip to the Hungarian capital: the city''s spectacular neo-Gothic Parliament House is the country''s largest building, and was once even the largest parliamentary building in the world, with impressive rooms and halls inside that you will marvel at. With a guided tour every step of the way you''ll get to learn more about the place.

Across Budapest, you will find so many more sights that will capture your eye and enthral you. If you take a walk over Margaret Bridge after leaving the Parliament House, crossing the river, you can go towards the Royal Castle in the western side of the city. There are a great many famous attractions open to you: Matthias Church, the old Citadel, and Heroes'' Square at the City Park.

There is ...
... so much beauty to see in Budapest, and a great deal to go out and experience too. If you want to go out and sample the local cuisine, specialties include gulyas, a goulash-like stew filled with onions called porkolt, fishermen''s soup known as halaszle, always with plenty of paprika.

The city enjoys a vibrant restaurant scene, thanks to the typically Hungarian approach to cuisine of keeping pride in their own traditions whilst always welcoming influences from elsewhere. These days it has also become the region''s party town, particularly in the spring and outdoor when the city''s outdoor entertainment areas known as ?kertek? (which literally means ?gardens?) become filled with party-goers.

With a range of cool, happening bars as well as more bohemian, downmarket joints, you will always find plenty of good places to have a drink. The borozo, or wine pub, is a great place to find cheap but very good Hungarian wine available on tap.

For the culture vultures the city hosts an array of attractions: the Hungarian State Opera House is one of Europe''s most stunning buildings of its kind and attracts stunning adaptations of classical operas. Budapest attracts not only traditional opera and drama, but also the most postmodern shows too. At the Palace of Arts, for example, you can visit an excellent modern art museum, a festival theatre, not to mention the Bela Bartok National Concert Hall.

So if you want to visit a city where you are sure to be captivated by the splendour, both of the natural and man-made, then book a flight, find a hotel, and head off to Budapest. Bonny Kominek is an experienced travel writer who has travelled the world for over 10 years and recommends Octopustravel.com for Budapest hotels.