Budapest (HUNGARY / EUROPE)

Budapest is the largest city in Hungary and also the capital of the country. It is famous for its rich history and culture.  Actually you can explore two cities in one, because Budapest is made up of Buda and Pest, with the Danube flowing between them, along a stretch of 28 kilometers. 

Buda is built on a hill, on the Western bank of the river and forms the historical part of the city. Pest stands on a plain and it’s more businesslike with its shops and boulevards. You can walk between the two connected, but still very different parts of the city on magnificent bridges. The city consists of 23 districts.

The Hungarian capital is chock-full of arts, history, spa centers, mind-blowing landmarks, and unique bars.

Budapest was the twin capital of the Dual Monarchy. From 1867 to 1918, Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. When in 1873 Buda, Pest, and Óbuda unified, they became the co-capital of the empire, alongside Vienna.

Eight gorgeous bridges connect Buda and Pest. The first permanent bridge to span the Danube River was erected in 1849. Today, the Chain Bridge is a popular attraction. You can walk from one side of the river to the opposite in around 20 minutes. Budapest is called the Queen of the Danube. When you visit Budapest, you’ll have the chance to explore a city with a rich history, unique food and multiple sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

A very common nickname for Budapest is The City of Spas. Roman legionnaires were the first to recognize the city’s healing thermal springs over 2,000 years ago. Today, you can choose from five medicinal baths featuring a total of 47 pools which they vary in terms of size and architecture. 

Budapest is the only capital in the world that hides caves underneath its streets. In fact, a whole city exists beneath Castle Hill. The subterranean world consists of 200+ caverns. They are the result of the great number of geothermal springs in the area. 

The Hungarian Parliament Building is the 3^rd-largest national assembly in the world. It’s also the biggest building in Hungary and Budapest’s top attraction. The Parliament covers an area of 194,000 sq. ft. (18,000 sq. m) and features 691 rooms, 28 entrances, 10 courtyards, and 29 staircases. The exterior is a mixture of three architectural styles : Neo-Gothic, Neo-Romantic and Neo-Baroque.

The largest synagogue in Europe is located in Budapest. Finished in 1859, the Great Synagogue is the second-largest in the world, after the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem. The Dohany Street Synagogue follows the Moorish Revival style and is inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Spain. 

There is an interesting legend that says that the architect of the Chain Bridge killed himself of embarrassment. Before the opening, he had proudly declared that his statues were perfect, and if somebody found anything wrong, he’d kill himself. At the inauguration of the magnificent bridge, a boy shouted that the lions which guard the four ends didn’t have any tongues. Embarrassed, the architect jumped into the Danube River.

You will find a lot of tributes to the victims of the Holocaust on the banks of the Danube River because  Hungary was one of the biggest sufferers of the  World War II. 

Another interesting fact is that the city is dotted with ruin bars. Ghettos turned to lively pubs and restaurants and abandoned houses became ruin pubs. The city is full of parties,  nightlife and festivals.