Budapest - the main attractions of the city (photos and description). Let's go to Hungary and Budapest - free online guide The most interesting sights of Budapest

Are you wondering: “What to see in Budapest”? The rich history of the capital of Hungary is reflected in the exquisite architecture, which has been preserved to this day. Tourists are attracted here by numerous basilicas, fortresses, museums, thermal springs, as well as the national flavor and unique Hungarian cuisine. It is impossible to see all the sights of Budapest in one trip, so you should read their descriptions in advance and choose the most interesting ones.

What to see first in Budapest

Due to the fact that many interesting places are concentrated in one part of the city, many travelers choose sightseeing places, rightly believing that there is no point in overpaying for visiting individual monuments. If, after the first inspection, you want to explore some attraction in more detail, you can always go there after the end of the excursion.

1. Buda Castle

Buda Castle in Budapest

The first thing you should definitely visit in Budapest is the Buda Castle (this place can easily be classified as a castle), which is a whole area that contains many historical monuments and interesting places.

On its territory there are objects, the interest in which has not waned for many years. Among them are:

Royal Palace;
Matthias Church;
ruins of a castle built in the Middle Ages;
fisherman's bastion;
Sándora Palace;
art and history museum.

2. Chain Bridge or Szechenyi Lanzhid

Szechenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest

Various sights of Budapest include numerous bridges, the most grandiose and beautiful of which is rightfully considered the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.

Its historical significance for the capital is priceless, since it was he who became a powerful stimulus for the unification of the cities of Pest and Buda, which formed Budapest in 1873.

During the war, the Nazis, retreating, blew up the bridge. However, 4 years later he again appeared in all his greatness. The structure is decorated with royal lions, massive stylized chains, arches and lanterns. Szechenyi Lanzhid is especially beautiful at night, when numerous lanterns light up and reflect in the dark waters of the Danube.

3. Szechenyi Bath

Szechenyi Bath in Budapest

When deciding what to visit in Budapest, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of visiting the Széchenyi Baths, located in Városliget Park.

This largest complex in Europe is open all year round. It harmoniously combines beautiful architecture, a variety of services, excellent service and the healing effects of thermal water containing sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron salts, as well as fluorine and organic acids.

Inside this landmark of Budapest there are halls decorated with mosaics, statues, stucco and paintings depicting a water theme. There are 5 swimming pools and 11 baths with hot thermal water. Visitors can undergo a course of healing massage and mud applications, visit a Finnish or Turkish bath, and take medicinal baths. People who have problems with the musculoskeletal system, digestive, genitourinary and respiratory systems come to the baths.

The complex also has gyms, a swimming pool for aqua fitness, a solarium, and a cozy cafeteria.

4. Fisherman's Bastion

Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest

When choosing what to see in Budapest on your first visit, you should pay attention to the Fisherman's Bastion, located in the very center of the Hungarian capital.

Built in 1905, it resembles a medieval white-stone castle surrounded by an openwork wall. This impression is created due to the abundance of window openings, arches, protrusions and recesses on it. The seven wall towers symbolize the number of tribes that united to create a single Hungarian state. The square inside the bastion is decorated with a statue of the first king of Hungary.

The undoubted advantage of this Budapest attraction is free admission. Tickets must be purchased only to enter the upper balconies of the towers, from which a magnificent view of the city opens.

5. Central Market

Central Market in Budapest

Not knowing what to visit in Budapest in order to simultaneously admire its sights and buy gifts and souvenirs to remember your trip to Hungary, you should choose the central covered market near the Freedom Bridge.

This delightful building made of colored bricks looks more like a museum than a shopping arcade. Its walls are decorated with stucco, ornaments and forging elements. The abundance of windows and arches gives them external lightness. But the roof covered with multi-colored tiles is especially admirable.

The building is located on 10,000 m2 and has three floors. Its project was developed by the famous architect Samuil Pec with the support of the then mayor of the capital, Karl Kamermeier.

In the market's numerous trading kiosks you can buy food, clothing, dishes, and national souvenirs, which include rag dolls, embroidered napkins and other handmade items, at affordable prices.

Be sure to watch this beautiful video about Budapest!

6. Citadel

Citadel in Budapest Civertan Grafikai Stúdió

The towering Statue of Liberty on Gellert Hill is visible from all over Budapest. But the fact that there is a citadel behind it can only be found out by going upstairs.

The reason for its construction was the uprising of Hungarian patriots against the rule of the Habsburg dynasty. After its suppression, the need arose for control and, if necessary, to pacify the newly rebellious citizens. At the same time, the mountain was an ideal place for the construction of a citadel, from which Pest and Buda were clearly visible and under fire.

After the departure of the Austrian garrison, the townspeople wanted to destroy this building, but only demolished the main gate.

During World War II, it was again used against the Hungarian people, but only by fascist troops. This is told in the exhibition on display in the citadel museum, which is currently closed for reconstruction.

7. Vajdahunyad Castle

Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest Marc Ryckaert (MJJR)

There are sights of Budapest that do not often appear in brochures and guides to Hungary, but at the same time they are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty and are very loved by tourists. Such places include Vajdahunyad Castle, located in the cozy Városliget Park.

It is simply impossible not to notice him. Visitors entering the complex get the impression that it was built in the distant Middle Ages and served as a reliable shelter from enemies and robbers. However, this is only stylization. In fact, the castle was built at the beginning of the last century, so it is quite well preserved.

After admiring the architectural ensemble, visitors can visit the Museum of Agriculture. It displays numerous exhibits and photographs showing the wonders of plant and animal breeding. In a separate room you can see examples of hand tools and mechanized equipment that many generations of Hungarians used to cultivate the land. And connoisseurs of good wine can go to the tasting room, where numerous varieties of this wonderful drink made by local winemakers are exhibited.

8. Heroes Square

Heroes' Square in Budapest Gabor Dvornik

Sights of Budapest include the central square, an image of which can often be seen in guidebooks to the capital. On the square there is a huge Thousand-Year Marble Column, with a statue of the Archangel Gabriel installed on it, holding the symbols of the Hungarian state.

At the base of the column are equestrian sculptures of the leaders of the seven Magyar tribes, whose unification laid the foundation of Hungary. Behind the monuments there are 2 semicircular colonnades. Here you can see 14 heroes who went down in Hungarian history. But in the center of the square you can see a memorial to the soldiers who died liberating their native country from invaders.

After admiring the beauty and grandeur of the sculptures, you can visit the Museum of Fine Arts, located here on the square.

9. Matthias Church

Matthias Church in Budapest

When deciding what to see in Budapest, you should not miss the opportunity to visit Matthias Church, built on Buda Hill.

Visitors enter the main building through a large gate. Inside the temple there are numerous sculptures, wall paintings and stained glass windows, the beauty of which fascinates at first sight. Although the church underwent a complete restoration at the end of the 19th century, it retains 2 columns dating from the mid-thirteenth century. Along one of the walls, a number of chapels of saints revered in Hungary, as well as the royal family, are clearly visible. One of the galleries houses a museum of religious art.

Attached to the main building of the temple is a tall bell tower and King Bela's tower, which are open to visitors and parishioners.

10. Hungarian State Opera House

State Opera House in Budapest

Music lovers know that visiting the State Opera House in Budapest is a must, because its acoustic quality is one of the three best halls in Europe.

The building itself amazes with the luxury of its decoration. Its walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings by Hungarian masters, frescoes, bronze chandeliers, and numerous sculptures. The hall of this landmark of Budapest can accommodate 1261 people at a time. But at the same time, tickets for the concert should be booked in advance.

For those who do not plan to visit the opera, excursions are conducted in several languages, including Russian, after which you can listen to arias performed by theater artists.

Sights of Budapest: what else to see in Budapest

They deserve special attention, as they may have different experience, level of knowledge of foreign languages, and also differ in prices for their services. To organize everything in the best possible way, we recommend that you initially decide which specific museums, cathedrals, etc. want to visit and how much are you willing to spend on an accompanying person.

11. St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest

Some sights of Budapest are shrines for every resident of the country. One of these places is St. Stephen's Basilica, built in honor of King Stephen I the Saint, who founded the Hungarian state.

This monumental building has the shape of an equilateral cross. Bell towers are attached to the main building on both sides, in one of which hangs a giant bell weighing 9 tons.

The twilight of the room sets you up for sublime feelings and thoughts, making you forget your problems for a while and leave the fuss at the threshold. The rich decoration of the temple also makes a strong impression. The walls and columns are decorated with multi-colored mosaics, paintings by artists, carvings and gilding. From the stained glass windows, the faces of saints look at visitors with love and forgiveness. In the altar part of the basilica there is a mummified hand of the first ruler of Hungary.

12. Hungarian National Museum of Ethnography

Hungarian National Museum of Ethnography in Budapest

If you choose what to see in Budapest, it is best to go to the Hungarian National Museum, where more than one million exhibits are on display.

Opened at the very beginning of the 19th century, this museum represented only the collection of Count Ferenc Szechenyi, consisting of manuscripts, ancient coins and a collection of books. However, today there are numerous halls representing various topics.

This landmark of Budapest contains archaeological finds from the times of the Roman Empire, household items of people who lived in the Middle Ages, and exhibits dedicated to revolutions and wars.

The hall in which the robe of the first Hungarian monarch, Stephen the Saint, is displayed deserves special attention. Richly decorated with pearls and gilded embroidery, it has been admired for many centuries.

13. Hungarian Parliament building

Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest

The majestic building of the Hungarian Parliament rightfully adorns the first pages of guidebooks to the capital. Therefore, when deciding what to see in Budapest, you should look here first.

This building is one of the largest residences of European rulers. It has 691 rooms and 29 staircases. The architecture of the structure is also interesting, in which neo-Gothic and eclecticism are harmoniously intertwined.

But parliament looks most elegant at night thanks to professionally designed illumination. Reflected in the dark waters of the majestic Danube, the building is a mesmerizing sight.

14. Margaret Island

Margaret Island in the center of Budapest

Tired of the bustle of noisy and rushing Budapest, it is better to go to Margaret Island, to which the Arpad Bridge leads. This green oasis has everything that lovers of active recreation need. Convenient jogging and cycling paths, courts, stadium, swimming pools and children's playgrounds. There is also a bathhouse with thermal water, where you can not only relax, but also improve your health.

Sightseeing lovers will enjoy visiting the ruins of an ancient monastery and the grave of Princess Margaret, after whom the island is named. A “dancing” fountain operates here around the clock, which in the evening is illuminated with all the colors of the rainbow.

15. Hungarian National Gallery

Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest

The National Gallery is one of the main attractions of Budapest not only by the number of exhibits, but also by the fact that they all belong only to Hungarian masters.

Since the opening of the gallery in the Royal Palace building, the collection has been constantly replenished with works from private collections, museums, exhibitions and other sources. More than 100,000 works on display span the medieval, gothic, renaissance and modern periods. In one visit it is impossible to go through all the halls and look at every exhibit, so many come back here again and again, taking away new impressions and emotions each time.

16. Shoes on the Danube embankment

Shoes on the Danube Embankment in Budapest

One of the most famous and sad monuments to the victims of fascism was the metal shoes that appeared on the Danube embankment in Budapest in 2005. 60 pairs of children's shoes, women's shoes and worn-out men's shoes are a reminder of the hundreds of thousands of Jews shot and tortured during World War II.

Permissiveness and thirst for profit made the fascists and their supporters on the part of the Hungarian National Socialists cruel. People chained together in a human chain were shot right on the shore, so that one person would drag other innocent victims into the water with him. Before execution, they were forced to remove their shoes so that they could then be used for sale. This is how the idea of creating this monument came about.

17. Therapeutic bath and swimming pool named after. Rudasha

Therapeutic bath and swimming pool named after. Rudasa in Budapest misibacsi

Budapest attractions such as the Rudas Spa attract visitors not only with the opportunity to improve their health and have a good time, but also to admire the unusual architecture of the building. A special feature of the thermal water bath is the opportunity to visit it at night, while admiring the starry sky through the unusual glass dome.

There are 5 swimming pools, the healing water in which has a temperature from 28 to 42°C. Also on site you can visit the Turkish bath, take massage and aromatherapy courses. Purified water from the springs is used to treat diseases of the digestive system.

Sights of Budapest on the map. new map in Russian for tourists

Beautiful, bewitching, extraordinary, elegant... these words of praise can be continued endlessly and they are all true. After all, they belong to the capital of Hungary, Budapest. It’s hard to imagine that in one city there are so many beautiful places where you can walk, sit and take bright, memorable photos. If you have not been to this city yet, we recommend that you look at the sights of Budapest on a map in Russian to understand where and what is located. Thanks to the map, you can easily find any object in the city and won’t waste your time. Although in such a city every minute is a passion and new discoveries.

Budapest is famous for its bridges. There are many of them in the city and they are all good in their own way. But among them there is one that every tourist visits and this bridge is called the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.

Everyone comes to it: local residents, couples in love, families with children and people just walking around the city. After all, this is not just a bridge over a river, it is a bridge over the Danube, and it is the oldest in the city. They say that it was this bridge that connected the two banks and gave the name to the city - Budapest. After all, earlier one coast was called Buda, and the other Pest. Thanks to the bridge, we have a beautiful city that humanity should be proud of!

Not only human buildings are attractions in the city. The same Danube can be safely attributed to them. A beautiful river along which boats, boats and yachts float. The Danube is a symbol not only of the city, but of the whole of Hungary.

The Danube embankment is a separate matter. No cars drive along it, only people walk. It is so long that you can spend the whole day walking along the river bank. In the evening, lanterns light up along the entire embankment and it becomes even more beautiful. This is a favorite place for romantic meetings and dates.

There are a lot of ancient churches and castles in the city. They all have their own history and their own unique look. For example, Vajdahunyad Castle was built in honor of the millennium of Hungary. And the Armenian Catholic Church is the official Armenian temple in Budapest.

But let's return to natural attractions. Let's pay attention to Mount Gellert. Climbing to the very top, you will see the whole of Budapest. From its height you can see all corners of the city. People come here around the clock. After all, day and night the views are completely different. If during the day in the light of the sun the city is simply beautiful, then at night it is all in lights and seems to be “burning”!

The Eagle Mountain Nature Preserve is located in the city center. This is very surprising. After all, usually in big cities the center is shops, offices, large buildings. And here the center is a nature reserve and has been like this for many years.

Updated 03/07/2019

I took all my articles and collected in one place an online guide to Budapest and Hungary in Russian. This large article combines useful posts and provides only relevant information. I hope that someday I will be able to publish a full-fledged guide to Hungary. It will be very easy to write it, because when you do what you love, everything works out :).

Friends, dear readers! Your opinion is very important to me, so please, after reading the guide, leave a review about it in the comments at the end of the article. All information on the blog is free, but I will be pleased if, after reading the guide, you decide to treat me to a cup of coffee. “Treat form” is located at the end of the article.

About Hungary in a nutshell

Hungary is a country in Central Europe in which fewer people live than in Moscow (10 million), and the territory (93 thousand square kilometers) is comparable to the Kemerovo region alone.

The favorable geographical location of the state makes it advantageous for starting a trip throughout Europe. Hungary borders Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, and Serbia. There are mild winters and hot summers. Already in February, the thermometer rises to 15 degrees.

One of the main wealth of Hungary is its balneological and thermal resorts. They work all year round. You can undergo a course of treatment both in the baths of Budapest and in resorts outside the capital (Egerszalok, Hajduszoboszlo and others).

How to get to Budapest from Russia

Automobile.
Train.
Airplane.

By car from Russia to Hungary you need to go through Belarus, Poland and Slovakia. If you start from Moscow, then one night will be enough on the trip (in Poland or Slovakia), if from a more distant city, then you will need two stops - in Belarus and Slovakia, as I did.

When driving through Slovakia and Hungary, do not forget to purchase a vignette for driving on toll roads. In both countries it is electronic and is bought on the Internet.

Another way to get to Hungary by car is to become a travel companion and find a driver using the service. In this case, the journey will cost from 1,500 rubles.

Train - the average cost of one seat in a compartment in the direction Moscow - Budapest is 15,000 rubles. Travel time is more than a day.

Airplane - several airlines fly to Budapest from Moscow and other Russian cities. Aeroflot and the Hungarian low-cost airline WizzAir have direct flights . The latter flies to Budapest from Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as on the Moscow-Debrecen route.

WizzAir is a low-cost carrier, so you need to pay for all options separately or not take them. Baggage, meals on board and even check-in at the airport are all paid separately. In the case of the last point, it is much easier to check in for the flight yourself and print tickets on a regular printer. The second option is to install the WizzAir application on your smartphone and store tickets there.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets Moscow – Budapest.

Another option to get to Hungary is to take a trip to the Heviz sanatorium.

Visa to Hungary

Hungary is part of the Schengen zone, so if there is an open Schengen area, there is no visa issue. If there is none, then a visa to Hungary (also known as a Schengen visa) is issued at the consulates. They operate in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Kazan. The second option is . Its representative offices are open in many Russian cities.

Travel insurance

To apply for Schengen, it is necessary to purchase an insurance policy. I recommend it, which works with the most reliable assistance in the world - Mondial.

What money to take to Hungary

The national currency of Hungary is the Hungarian forint. I do not recommend looking for forints in Russian banks. It’s easier to go to Hungary with dollars or euros, which you can change on the spot.

The exchange rate of the euro and dollar to the forint does not change much. Average for 1 euro they give from 305 to 325 forints, for 1 dollar – from 270 – to 285 forints. Do not change money at Budapest airport. The exchange rate there is extortionate (about 30% lower than the real one).

As for the ruble to forint exchange rate, it has changed a lot in recent years. If in the summer of 2014 100 forints cost about 15 rubles, then as of the summer of 2019, 100 forints cost approximately 22.5 rubles.

Feel free to take bank cards with you, since you can pay with them almost everywhere - from public transport to baths and museums, not to mention shops and restaurants.

To travel outside of Budapest, use railways, intercity buses or rent a car.

From Budapest airport to the city

You can get from Budapest Airport to the city in the following ways:

Public transport;

Taxi;

By rented car.

A taxi is taken upon arrival or ordered in advance.

Budapest has both five-star hotels, such as the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, and simple hostels. A selection of hotels is posted below.

I book apartments through the Airbnb website - a convenient and reliable service for finding apartments. They are rented out by the owners themselves. Moreover, here you can find both huge apartments in the city center and a separate room in an apartment for 10-15 dollars a day.

If you are not yet registered in the service, then there is a special one for you. In this case, you will immediately receive up to 25 euros discount on your first booking. A great way to save money.

Advice. If you are already registered on Airbnb, ask those you are traveling with (wife, husband, friend, brother, etc.) if they are registered on the site. After all, it doesn’t matter who will book the accommodation, the main thing is to get a discount on it.

A selection of hotels in Budapest

Hotel descriptions and ratings are taken from the popular booking system Booking.com.

Prices in Budapest

Housing and transport prices in Budapest were discussed above. This will give you an idea of food prices in Budapest. It lists prices for bread and pastries, cheeses and sausages, dairy products, vegetables and fruits, and alcohol.

The Hungarian capital has several large shopping centers (Arena, West End, Arkad, Mammut, Duna Plaza and others) and outlets (Premier Outlet), where things from European and world brands are presented.

People often go from Budapest to do some shopping.

Food in Budapest

For a gourmet, Budapest is paradise and freedom. Hungarian cuisine is very hearty, boasting a large number of meat dishes using vegetables and seasonings. Perkelt, paprikash, tokan, goulash, lecho - you should definitely try it when visiting Hungary.

There will be no problems choosing a restaurant or cafe. Budapest has a huge number of establishments to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets.

Those with a sweet tooth will also enjoy Budapest. Traditional Hungarian desserts are “Dobos”, “Shomloi dumplings”, “Esterházy” and “Rigo Jancsi”, as well as puff pancakes stuffed with sweet filling. There are dozens of pastry shops in the Hungarian capital.

The list of must-see cafes in Budapest includes the New York Cafe, which some visitors initially mistake for a palace. This establishment is one of the five most beautiful cafes in the world. The building amazes with its luxury both outside and inside. You can look at the elements of a chic interior for a very long time. But the quality of desserts and prices in a cafe will cause less pleasure.

Don't forget about Hungarian alcohol, of which there is also plenty in Budapest. Beer connoisseurs may not be impressed by the foamy drink from local brands (Dreher, Soproni). But overall it's very good. Well, wine lovers will certainly be pleased with the white Tokaj. Wine in Hungary is very cheap (prices for a bottle of local wine in a store start from 300 forints).

But I advise you to buy bottles from 1,000 forints. For those who prefer strong alcohol, I recommend trying Hungarian palinka (fruit-infused vodka) and the Unicum herbal balm, the recipe for which is kept a closely guarded secret.

Mobile communications and Internet in Hungary

There are three mobile operators in Hungary - Vodafone, Telenor, T-Mobile. You can buy a SIM card at the airport, shopping centers and branded points of sale. In addition to money, prepare a foreign passport.

*102# — find out balance (UCCD command)
*121# — find out your number (UCCD command)

171 – find out balance (call)
179 – change language from Hungarian to German or English (call)

*114# (then press number 4, then 1) – find out your number (UCCD command).

Internet settings are usually installed automatically. If you have any questions, please contact one of our points of sale.

Using your phone, you can create a Wi-Fi hotspot and distribute mobile Internet to your tablet or laptop.

Prices for mobile communication and Internet services higher than in Russia. Only by concluding an annual contract is it possible to reduce the cost of services.

If you plan to travel not only in Hungary, but also in other European countries, I recommend it. One SIM card, and the Internet will be throughout Europe. Suitable for phone, tablet and router. A special mobile application helps you manage expenses.

Sights of Budapest

However, I recommend starting your acquaintance with Budapest with the most important attractions. The easiest way to do this is to book a sightseeing tour by bus. Or a personal excursion with a personal guide. These and many other excursions can be found at

There is a discount on the excursion for readers. This is a walking sightseeing tour of the Hungarian capital.

The must see attractions on the Pest side are:

( , and much more).

and s.

(Margate, Szechenyi, Erzsebet and Svoboda), Deak Square.

The buildings of the Nyugati and Keleti railway stations and the Jewish quarter, where it stands, deserve attention.

It will help you to see all these sights. By purchasing it, you will receive discounts on excursions, free or discounted passes to museums and baths, which I will talk about below. I have built several route options for tourists with a Budapest Card.

The must see attractions on the Buda side are:

and the Erzsebet observation tower.

I advise you to start getting acquainted with Buda from Buda Hill, on which a good half of the attractions stand (Royal Palace of Budapest, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church and much more). Don't be lazy to climb Mount Gellert, located nearby. I advise more experienced travelers to get to Aquincum.

Unobvious sights of Budapest

One of the most unusual sights in Budapest is the cemetery. A new burial site was discovered on the outskirts of Pest in the mid-19th century. Just before the revolution of 1848-1849. After its suppression, the first graves were dug in the cemetery. Since then, it has become a tradition that Kerepesi is the most prestigious cemetery in Budapest. Something like the Novodevichy cemetery for Moscow.

Visit other unobvious attractions of the Hungarian capital - a microdistrict in the 19th district of Budapest, Bottomless Lake and others.

Unusual monuments of Budapest

Budapest can easily be called a city of monuments. You will not find any kind of monuments, sculptures and statues here. Among them is the famous princess girl sitting on a fence next to the Danube embankment, dedicated to the Jews who died during the Second World War, and.

Baths of Budapest

In the Hungarian capital, thermal waters make their way to the surface in 130 places. Thanks to this, there are about 30 baths and beaches in Budapest. 13 of them are therapeutic.

For example, Visegrad, which previously had the status of the Hungarian capital. And here, according to legend, the ruler of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler, was kept in captivity, who became prototype of Count Dracula.

Szentendre- a small town on the banks of the Danube, located 20 kilometers from Budapest. It is also called the city of artists and tile roofs. There are more than 15 museums, including the Marzipan Museum, the Wine Museum, the Retro Museum, the Museum of Christmas Tree Decorations and the Skanzen Ethnographic Museum. Read more about the town at the link above.

Szekesfehervar and Bory Castle

Lake Balaton and summer holidays in Hungary

Thermal springs and healing resorts of Hungary

More than a dozen health resorts operate on a permanent basis in Hungary. It will take a lot of time to visit them all and choose your favorite. Therefore, I invite you to briefly familiarize yourself with each of the resorts on the blog pages. You will find a detailed description, many photos, prices and, of course, real reviews.

Heviz is considered the most popular thermal resort in Hungary. Order to get to your hotel or apartment comfortably. Below is a convenient search form for medical sanatoriums on the thermal lake.

Tours to Heviz
There is a detailed one on the website. There is also a separate article dedicated to. There you will find complete instructions for visiting the thermal lake with prices, tips and secrets.

What's not to like about Hungary

There are several points that need to be addressed Prepare yourself when visiting Budapest and Hungary so as not to spoil your vacation impressions. It’s unlikely that a regular guide to Budapest will tell you about them.

Homeless people in Budapest

First of all, we are talking about large number of homeless people on the streets of the Hungarian capital. In other words, homeless people.

You will find them everywhere: in subway passages, at train stations, under the covered galleries of buildings in the very center of the city, or simply at the entrance to a store closed for the night. They can wash something in the fountain next to the temple, beg for alms with a plastic cup in their hands, or simply sleep, wrapped in whatever they can. I saw homeless people playing cards, reading by candlelight, making crafts to sell, drinking, swearing and just watching people pass by.

The police do not chase homeless people and they receive support from the state, so just take their presence for granted. Don't snort, swear and ruin your mood. This will not make the homeless disappear, but your impression of the wonderful city will spoil.

On October 15, 2018, a law on homeless people came into force in Hungary, according to which people without a fixed place of residence are prohibited from living on the streets. There are significantly fewer homeless people on the streets, parks and metro crossings.

Abandoned buildings, garbage

Budapest has a large number of abandoned buildings. Even on the central streets there are boarded-up houses. Accordingly, no one cares for them or monitors them. Broken windows, crumbling facades, rust, dirt and debris are indispensable companions of such buildings. Some of them were chosen by the homeless, causing even more pollution. Such houses cannot a priori evoke positive emotions. And this is one of the few things I don't like about Budapest. Not to say that it’s annoying, but it would be better if such houses weren’t here.

The situation is similar with garbage on the city streets. Personal experience shows that in Budapest they clean up very selectively. One street can be very clean, but the next one has garbage lying under your feet. To say that the city is not cleaned is a big lie, but to say that the Hungarian capital is clean is also hard to come by. In such cases, I think that a wise man (I don’t remember his name) was right when he said: we see what we want to see.

Not long ago ranked among the tourist capitals of Europe, Budapest is capable of surprising and exceeding expectations. It is called the “pearl of the Danube”. The city does not attract crowds of tourists, like some European cities, for example, or, and charms visitors with its quiet grandeur.

The Silver Danube divides the capital of Hungary into two halves - Buda and Pest. Buda is located on the right bank of the river, Pest is on the left. Less than a century and a half ago, they were considered separate cities.

General information about Budapest

Buda historically played the role of the residence of the royal court, and Pest was a city of merchants. On the Buda side is the town of Óbuda, smaller in size but the oldest of all. It grew out of the ancient Roman settlement of Aquincum, and is older in age than the Celtic village of An-Inc, founded before our era.

In 1873, these cities, already closely connected, officially merged into a single conglomerate - Budapest, although for some time the city was called Pestbuda. Today 1 million 740 thousand people live here. To a certain extent, the division of the city has been preserved - the cultural heritage is concentrated on the Buda coast, and the Pest coast is the center of business activity and trade.

Budapest survived the Turkish yoke, the Austrians, and the influence of the USSR. The former inherited bathhouses, the latter - elegant buildings in the secession style, the third - panel high-rise buildings, and the modern era has added its own touches in the form of megamarkets like IKEA.

Tourist discount card: free museums, excursions!

Card holders are provided with discounts from 10% to 50% in almost 100 different establishments (thermal baths, museums, attractions, various events, excursions, restaurants). The Budapest map brochure contains a detailed description of the available services and their discounts.

How to get to Budapest

There are many options for getting to Budapest. The fastest and most convenient option is by plane. You can buy online by comparing airline prices and choosing the best option. Flight prices vary depending on the dates. Using the air ticket price calendar, find out the cost of flights to Budapest throughout the year.

In addition, you can get to Budapest through Ukraine - by train Kyiv-Budapest. A trip from the capital of Ukraine by train will take about a day, and the ticket price will be about 3,950 rubles. The Lviv-Budapest train will cost a slightly lower amount - 2868 rubles.

In addition, there is a cheaper way - to cross the border on the Chop-Zahony train (a ticket for it costs about 175 rubles, and then transfer to the train to Budapest, the ticket costs 5160 - 5750 forints (1100 - 1300 rubles). Timetables and prices can be found find here.

A direct bus to Budapest from Kyiv costs 3,200 rubles, from Lvov - 2,800 rubles, from Chop - 1,000 rubles.

If you have the patience to go to Budapest by car, or rather stand in line at one of the Transcarpathian border crossing points, keep in mind that a toll highway for 10 days will cost 2975 forints (620 rubles). In addition, to cross the border you need green card insurance - it costs from 1100-1300 rubles. Keep in mind that fuel is more expensive in the EU.

Public transport in the city

Almost all types of public transport are available in Budapest: buses, trams, trolleybuses, metro, commuter trains. A one-time trip on any of them costs 350 forints (72 rubles) if you purchase a ticket in advance and 450 forints (93 rubles) if you purchase a ticket on the vehicle. The ticket is valid for direct travel for 80 minutes after validation. A pass for a whole week will cost 2,450 forints (510 rubles). It is worth highlighting bus number 100E, connecting the city center with the airport. The fare is higher - 900 forints (187 rubles).

Tram No. 2 in Budapest - photo

The colorful route of tram number 2 runs along the Danube embankment and past a number of attractions. The optimal means of transportation to quickly get from the suburbs to the center is one of the 4 subway lines. In addition, this is the oldest metro in continental Europe.

Interesting sights of Budapest

It is advisable to start getting acquainted with the city from the banks of the Danube, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, between Buda and Pest, there is a picturesque Chain Bridge, which is guarded by wary stone lions. Boats carrying vacationers scurry along the river: a walk along the Danube is a popular tourist attraction. Costs on average 15-20 euros, depending on the service you receive on board.

Sights of Budapest: Chain Bridge - photos

On the left side of the Pest bank there is a magical panorama of the monumental Buda Castle and the Gellert Mountains with a statue, which in the original is called “Motherland”.

Sights of Budapest: Buda Castle - photos

You can get to the castle by cable car along small serpentines. It was built in the 13th century, and since then the fortress has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The last restoration work was carried out after the Second World War. Now the royal palace houses a historical museum, the National Art Gallery and a library. From the castle courtyards, decorated with flower beds, sculptures and fountains, it is almost a stone's throw to the Church of St. Matthias. In the evening, its Gothic spiers are illuminated with gold, and during the day the roof shimmers with patterned multi-colored tiles.

Sights of Budapest: Matthias Cathedral

To the right of the church rise the fabulous towers of the Fisherman's Bastion. They say that in the Middle Ages the defense of this section of the fortress was assigned to an artel of fishermen. But the bastion itself is much younger - it is a little over a hundred years old. The filigree towers and aerial arcades are not intended for defense, but to decorate the city, and also to admire the breathtaking view of the opposite shore from here.

Sights of Budapest: Fisherman's Bastion - photos

The most grandiose building in Budapest is the neo-Gothic parliament. With needle-shaped spiers pointing upward, dotted with rows of openwork parapets and lancet windows, it seems to float on the waves of the Danube, like a huge ship. Its architect took inspiration from the Palace of Westminster. Within the walls of the parliament, among the luxuriously decorated interiors, is the crown of Hungary. There are guided tours inside, and you need to pay 3,500 forints (720 rubles) for entry.

Sights: Parliament in Budapest - photo

The height of the parliament building is 96 m. In the city, only one building equals it - St. Stephen's Basilica, the towers of which, when viewed from the Buda shore, are visible in the distance to the right of the parliament. The number 96 is symbolic: it is believed that the ancestors of the Hungarians came to Europe in 896, and the parliament and basilica were erected in honor of the millennium of this event. If some stunning skyscraper appears in Budapest by the next millennium, we can already guess how tall it will be.

Sights of Budapest: St. Stephen's Basilica - photos

Time is running out like water. To say - like thermal water. The Romans and Turks swam in the thermal waters of Budapest. They flow from hundreds of sources, pouring from street pump rooms. Budapest is a resort capital with more than 20 thermal baths. and the Gellert baths are real palaces where both soul and body rest. There are reservoirs with water of different temperatures - from hot (40°C) to very cool (18°C) - a great opportunity to harden the body! The Rudas Bath at the foot of Mount Gellert was founded by the Turks, and its schedule includes “men’s”, “women’s” and “general” days. Prices here are relatively affordable (3,700 forints), and on weekends the pools are open until four in the morning.

Gellert Baths - photo

The capital of Hungary has its own legends and mysteries. On the parapet of the embankment, a bronze boy in a jester’s hat dangles his legs - he is nicknamed “the little princess.” And the mystical statue is the chronicler Anonymous, who sits in Városliget park in a monastic robe with a hood pulled down over his face. They say that if you make a wish by touching the feather in your hand, it will come true. Another version is that Anonymous’s pen multiplies scientific and literary talents.

Where to eat and relax

To eat a hefty portion of goulash, try the Drum Cafe (Dob u. 2) or the fast food restaurant Belvarosi Disznotoros (Károlyi u. 17).

When you want to spend an evening in an informal atmosphere with driving music, go to one of the Budapest bars. An absolutely iconic place is the ruin pub Szimpla Kert (Kazinczy u. 14).

DJs and drinks for every taste await you at the bar-club Fogasház (Akacfa u. 51). You can enjoy the signature sweets of the Hungarian confectionery house Szamos at Szamos Gourmet Ház (address: Vaci u. 1).

Those who prefer refined classics should recommend Costes, Budapest's first Michelin-starred restaurant. The address of the establishment is Raday utca 4.
Where to stay in Budapest

Hotels and hostels in Budapest

Budapest hostels are in many ways superior to hotels due to the creativity of their design, not so much inferior to them in terms of convenience and will delight you with affordable prices. In Shantee House, decorated as an Indian ashram (address: Takács Menyhért u. 33), you can spend the night for 750 rubles.

In the Baroque Hostel, decorated with antique furniture (address: Dózsa György u. 80 / a), accommodation will cost 690 rubles.

At Marco Polo Top Hostel halfway between Keleti station and the historical center (address: Nyár u. 6) - 760 rubles.

If you're not comfortable with the prospect of sharing your space with strangers, a single room in a hotel like Hotel Eben near the M2 metro station (address: Nagy Lajos király útja 15-17) costs from 2,100 rubles per night. Previously, I often stayed there, although the last time I got the feeling that the hotel was aging very quickly

Although, Budapest is the only city where twice, in the middle of the night, I was accommodated in conditions other than those that were booked. And there is no point in arguing if you are standing with your children at night, in the middle of the street.

Map of Budapest with attractions in Russian

Budapest hotel map in Russian— with the help of a hotel card you can choose an inexpensive hotel, find out about the location of public transport stops, find out Budapest sights on the map.

Shopping in Budapest

World brand stores are constantly opening in Budapest. The WestEnd shopping center (address: Váci út 1-3) features world-famous Zara, Bershka, Story Shop, Calzedonia, Adidas, GAP, etc. In fact, the pedestrian street Váci is the most popular place for shopping. The first floors of the buildings are occupied by cheap stores like Benetton, C&A and H&M.

The most expensive brands in Budapest line the main Andrássy Avenue: Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Christian Dior.

The main sales begin about a month before Christmas and New Year. Although, a lot of Hungarians complain about high prices and go shopping to Austria.

Against the backdrop of such giants, you should not bypass local brands that cannot be found anywhere else. The women's clothing brand Nanushka (address: Bécsi u. 3) and showrooms of Hungarian designers such as Printa (address: Rumbach Sebestyén u. 10) and Monofashion Shop (address: Kossuth Lajos u. 20) are noteworthy.

Budapest is proud of its amazing monuments and at the same time has a vibrant nightlife and resort life. He will be on friendly terms with both those who value cultural recreation and seekers of noisy entertainment and creativity. You may not understand each other on a verbal level, but absorbing this city with all your senses, it is impossible not to be imbued with its hospitable atmosphere.

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