Andrássy Avenue and Heroes’ Square
Andrássy Avenue is named after the former prime minister Gyula Andrássy who wanted to make Budapest a metropolis and build something similar to the Champs Elysees in Paris. It is Budapest’s luxury shopping street and ends in Heroes’ Square. Heroes’ Square is a symbol of the history of the country remembering war but also peace times. It is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites in Budapest.
Buda Castle Quarter
At the end of Castle Hill and situated in the old town of Buda you can find the Buda Royal Palace. It was built in the 14th century and rebuilt many times. Now it houses the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery and the National Széchenyi Library. It is also part of the UNESCO world heritage site.
Saint Stephen’s Basilica and Dohány Street Synagogue
Saint Stephen’s Basilica is the second tallest building and the biggest Catholic church in the city. It took 54 years to build and it provides enough space for over 8,000 people.
Dohány Street Synagogue is situated in the Jewish district of Budapest. It is the largest synagogue in Europe and one of the largest in the world. It includes the Jewish Museum, the Heroes’ Temple, the Jewish Cemetery and the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park.
The Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is is one of the oldest legislative buildings in Europe. Construction took 19 years, and was completed in 1904. Currently it is the largest building in Hungary and the tallest building in Budapest, followed by Saint Stephen’s Basilica. Besides being the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary it’s also home to the Hungarian Crown Jewels.
Baths and spas
Budapest is Europe’s spa capital. Baths and spas are as popular among tourists as among residents. At Rudas baths you can enjoy warm thermal waters and massages indoors as well as outdoors. It was built in the 15th century under the Turkish occupation and there are still some antique parts in use today.
Széchenyi bath is one of the largest baths in Europe. It is open all year round and offers over 10 separate pools including medicinal baths outdoors and indoors. It is built in a charming and modern Renaissance style.
Museums
Most museums can be found in the city centre. The National Gallery is located in the Royal Palace at Castle Hill. The Historical Museum of Budapest hosts an exhibition of medieval Budapest and the history of the Royal Palace. The Music Museum offers a collection of musical instruments. In the Military Museum you can learn more about Hungary’s history and have a look at military uniforms and weapons.
There are many more museums worth visiting in Budapest, for example:
- Marzipan Museum
- Pharmacy Museum
- Museum of Medieval Judaism
- National Museum
- Museum of Transport
- Jewish Museum
- Museum of Applied Science
- Museum of Ethnology