Nicknamed the “Queen of the Danube” after the river that runs through the center of the city, Budapest combines the familiarity of Europe with the old-world culture of Hungary. One of the most sophisticated cities in the world, Budapest has a historic, yet romantic, atmosphere, which is why many consider it the Paris of Eastern Europe. And with several sites to see, restaurants to enjoy and activities to take part in, there’s never a shortage of things to do and see in this breathtaking city.   Originally, Budapest was two cities on either side of the Danube, aptly named Buda and Pest. Now each of these districts has a distinct personality. The area that used to be Buda offers an older, more charming, environment and features a more medieval mixture of architecture, cobblestone streets and vibrantly colored cottages. The most popular attractions in this district can be found on Castle Hill and include the Royal Palace, St. Matthias Church, a number of historic museums and galleries and Fisherman’s Bastion, which features several towers where visitors can take in stunning views of the river and city.

"Queen of the Danube"

While the Buda bank has a greener, more hilly terrain, Pest lies on a flat plain in the more commercialized part of the city. Filled with fashion-forward shopping areas and wide boulevards, the district features several different architectural styles and Heroes’ Square, which features the Millenary Monument with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front. Visitors to the Pest bank will also find the Hungarian State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts and City Park.   And while each bank offers a distinctly different environment, visitors to each side of the river will find culture in every sidewalk café, restaurant, musical venue and theater. Local Budapest cuisine includes Hungarian specialties such as stuffed cabbage and halászlé, a fishermen’s soup that’s served differently in different districts. Though the city is steeped with history, it’s also very open to modern influences, which is why there are a number of Asian-Hungarian fusion modern restaurants scattered throughout streets.

"...steeped with history, it’s also very open to modern influences"

Theater productions in Budapest range from classic dramas to traditional operas to post-modern performances. And though most of the performances are done in Hungarian, they can still be particularly moving for non-native speakers. Budapest is filled with opera and theater houses and outdoor venues so it’s not difficult to find several performances going on throughout the city. But perhaps the most popular activity in Budapest is bathing. Build around hot springs, Budapest baths are basically the equivalent of a spa where locals and visitors gather to relax and soak in the hot water.   It is not difficult to get around the city, thanks to a number of historical landmarks and a well thought out transportation system. Visitors are often able to take a tram, bus or trolley-bus to a particular district and then walk around from site-to-site.

"Budpest build around hot springs."