Before my first visit to Budapest, I read the description snapshot "Paris of Eastern Europe" in various travel guides and thought that was a rather excessive - if not oxymorou. After the first day of my trip there, I ended that that the characterization is unfair.
Not because it is "better" than Paris, but because it is unique. Why has a its own, unique atmosphere, an incomparable scenery, a veil of mystery to the covers. There is "the Paris of Eastern Europe" for the same reason that it could be "in Tokyo in Eastern Europe" or "San Francisco in Eastern Europe." Why is Budapest in Eastern Europe.
A city authentic, which is the charm for visitors of mystery, like the origin of the inhabitants of concern linguists and anthropologists for centuries. When asked what makes Budapest magical, personally I do not have answers. It is not as beautiful as Prague, both hype and Berlin, both "grown" as the Vienna stylati such as Paris. Perhaps the same mystirio to is what makes it so interesting.
With the official history to start around 90 AD when the Romans founded the city here Aquincum, which will soon become the capital of the wider region, to move then into the hands of Bulgarians, Magyaron - the origin of which is hitherto issue under discussion and which are considered descendants of today-Hungarian, Ottoman, Austrian, German and Soviet, Budapest can now be proud that played an important role in the cultural, geographical and policy formulation of the old continent.
Natural border of the two regions - Pestis, in the east, flat piece and skarfalomenis the hills to the west Buddha-the Danube in Budapest gives much of the charm. With six bridges to govern, significantly sights to classify the banks of the list of monuments of cultural heritage of Unesco and lighting fantasmagorikous be reflected on its surface at night, is one of the most beautiful and most typical, images of Budapest.
The hills of the Buddha are "aristokratikotero" quiet part of Budapest. Here are concentrated and many of the most interesting sights of the city: the castle, the palace, the church of San Matyas, dating from the 13 th century and which was in the stepsi the kings of Afstrooungarias, the National Gallery, the maze of castle and the Museum of Music History.
Even if you have limited time available, it is to calculate at least one day in your itinerary in the hills of Buddha. Even if they do not intend to visit all the attractions it has to show, is sure to spend several hours here, walking the streets of stone-built, enjoying a meal in one of the stylish restaurants or simply admiring the view of the Danube and the opposite bank .
On the east side, Pest is the modern part of town, where beats the heart of the Hungarian capital. Polyvoues highways, major attractions, buildings-architectural monuments, dozens of museums, luxury spa, restaurants and café and a lovely park just up the profile of a city that has nothing to feel jealous of the modern metropolis of western Europe.
Kosmima, on the east bank of the Danube, Parliament - the largest in Europe-is one of the most spectacular buildings across the city. Designed by the architect Imre Steindl and built in 1902 in Gothic pace, the imposing building hosts in prosopsi 88 statues of kings, prigkipon and leaders of Hungary.
The Andrassy Avenue is one of the most popular points of Pestis. Starting from the square Erzsébet, to come to the park in the city, open this museum hosts some of the most interesting historical buildings in the city - from the House of Horror, who served as headquarters of the Nazi and Soviet, with underground prisons, and which today houses the impressive museum of terror, a history in these dark times, until the Staatsoper and the square Oktogon.
At the end of the avenue, the Heroes Square, the Millennium Monument, the imposing statues of the heads of seven breeds of Magyaron many symbolic emblems, is equally impressive. Two of the most interesting museums of the city, Fine Arts and Modern Art, occupying an impressive square. Just behind the entrance to the park seems to lead visitors on a completely different part of town.
An imposing castle, unique sample ingenious architecture that combines the Gothic, Baroque and romanesk, which housed the Museum of Georgia, a small chapel and a clear lake, the winter turns into pagodromio, while summer offers romantic varkades complete ideal image of a kataprasinou park, perfect for endless hours stroll.
The whole city is covered by an extensive network of transport - metro, trams and buses. The yellow line Metro presents, except its credibility, and historical interest, as it is the oldest continental Europe - launched in 1886. The tram 4 and 6 could well replace the sightseeing buses, and pass through the main points of interest - including the bridge Margaret, passing beside the homonymous island of the Danube-and are ideal solution for your first acquaintance with the city.
The inhabitants of Budapest you might initially appear psychroi - will help in this and the fact that most speak little or no English but in reality is not so. We try to help, even in aptaisti… sign, while any attempt by you to say even one word in their language would be sincerely appreciated.
Accommodation
As dimofilestatos tourist destination, Budapest has a wealth of valuable options residence, able to meet every taste and budget.
From the best choices, hotels Gellert, the Buddha and Gresham Palace in Pest, have all the specifications 5-star hotel, along with exclusive benefits and services, and magnificent views so Danube - in the case of Gresham, add impressive, renovated Art Nouveau building which housed and have the image of the ideal choice to reside in such a city. Prices for double rooms start at 130 euros.
Excellent value for money option, the Hotel Marco Polo, in the town centre has comfortable rooms with television and telephone, hospitable public areas-internet access room, dining room, lobby and bar-youthful atmosphere and just a great breakfast buffet. The double room will cost over 50 euros.
Food and fun
The Hungarian cuisine you may initially seem a little heavier, more likely, however, is that after the first contact will appreciate. If not again, Budapest is not lagging behind any options in international cuisine.
For your first acquaintance with local specialties, the popular head of the cellar Fatál (Váci utca 67), in Firkasz, outside the metro Nyugati and Leroy Cafe (Arany János utca), which has several Italian dishes. Excellent gourmet cuisine based on traditional Hungarian dishes with exotic influences offer, slightly more expensive, Képiró (V. Képiró u. 3).
From the best restaurants in the Buddha Szent Jupát Sörözô & Étterem, opposite the square Mozkva, serves excellent local dishes, while in Seoul House (Fo utca 8, next to the embassy of South Korea) will have the opportunity to taste excellent Korean kitchen.
The Old Man's Pub (Akacfa 6) offers excellent menu of traditional flavours in the basement and allowed to resume night dancing or watching one of the highly organized often live on the ground floor.
Most bar in the city are concentrated in the square Franz Liszt and the way Ráday utca, which each evening full of life. From the best clubs in Budapest, Dokk Beach (Mammut 2, Emelet) is actually a small island in the Danube River has become a club with six (!) Different stages. Do not forget also to visit the A38, the old Ukrainian naval ship has become one of the most popular club restaurants in the city, only a few meters from the bridge Petofi, the Buddha.
* Visit any of the hundreds spa which established as one of the most popular destinations throughout the spa lovers - proposed the Gellért Baths in Buddha and Széchényi Baths, right next to the zoo Pestis.
* Parakolouthisete at least one opera in imposing Opera House, the Avenue Andrassy.
* Explore the caves and Pálvölgy Szemlő and the labyrinth of the castle of Buddha.
* Spend one afternoon in the park
* Visit as much as possible from the dozens of museums - and particularly the Archaeological and Modern Art.
* Taxidepsete noera in Budapest of the Soviet regime, visiting the Statue Park, with statues of Marx, Engels, Lenin and others gathered from the streets and squares and transferred here after the fall of the regime.
* Try as more of the famous traditional sweets can tolerate.
* Make a mini-cruise on the Danube with one of the boats that run daily.
· * Visit the lush green island Margaret, in the middle of the Danube
