You might have been like me and have not heard much about this oddly named city. I was greatly surprised by my experience in Budapest. There are lots to see and do, but here is my short list of things you must check out and try, along with some useful inside information for a great time!
Budapest is actually 2 towns separated by the Dunabe River...(Buda means water...Pest means Fireplace). In 1873, Buda and Pest became 1 city. There are 8 bridges that connect the 2 sides. Buda is the more mountainous residential side, and Pest is more city-like with more restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
Some of the highlights seen above are the Hungarian Parliament Building, also known as the Parliament of Budapest...the most notable landmark of Hungary, and a popular tourist destination in Budapest. Heroes Square is one of the major squares in Budapest, noted for its iconic statues featuring the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders, as well as the Memorial Stone of Heroes, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Matthias Church is a Roman Catholic church located in front of the Fisherman's Bastion at the heart of Buda's Castle District. This gothic-style church is a site to see inside and out. Now this is my personal preference and favorite...if you are a fan of Columbo, you have to find this life-size statue of the man himself! You will find it on the Pest side of town on Falk Miksa St.
There is another known highlight in Budapest that I, unfortunately, did not experience...Chain Bridge. It is the most famous and centrally located of all 8 bridges with a pedestrian walkway and is beautifully illuminated at night. However, at the time of my visit, the bridge was closed for renovation...(apparently, it has been closed for the past 2 years for renovations with another estimated 2 years to go at least). Considering my hotel (The Clark Hotel) was just adjacent to Chain Bridge, and I choose a room with a view, that was very disappointing.
Outside of missing out on the opportunity to cross the Chain Bridge, I truly enjoyed my time in Budapest and left feeling that I would certainly make it a point to come back again in the future. But first I must do my duty and spread the word about this great town!:)
Additional Note: If you are interested in high fashion such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and so on, Budapest is one of the more affordable places to purchase those items. I find that items and prices vary from city to city and location to location, but Budapest offers no taxes. Remember to carry your passport if you plan on visiting any of those stores to receive the tax-free benefit.
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