Date travelled: 5-8 February 2006
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has only recently opened up to the world, thanks to E.U. membership. Now Westerners can enjoy this up and coming city, with all its inner treasures.
From the airport, you could take a taxi, price 1500HUF (£5), or you could do what the locals do. Take bus 200 to Kóbánya-Kispest Metro station (tickets 185HUF - about 45p), then jump on the Metro to the centre (again, tickets 185HUF - 45p).
To start your Budapest sightseeing, head to St. Stephens Basilica, the largest church in Budapest. The Dome dominates the city skyline.
St. Stephens Basilica.
From the Basilica, head towards the riverside, where you will soon see the river Danube. the Danube runs through not just Budapest, but three other European capital cities (the others being Vienna, Bratislava and Belgrade). Alongside the river, you will see Hungary's parliament building, deliberately built as a close resemblance to England's Houses of Parliament.
Hungary's Parliament Building.
Continue along the riverside, following the pleasant pedestrian path that runs alongside. You will come across the Chain bridge, built in 1849 to link the old city of Buda and the modern city of Pest.
The Chain Bridge.
Walk over the bridge, then once you get to the other side, look behind you. You will now be able to see Budapest's castle, overlooking the bridge.
Budapest Castle.
You can take the steep steps to the top, to get fine views over the city.
If you like shopping, head to the Metro. The Metro is the 2nd oldest underground system in Europe (London being the oldest). It's best to buy a 24hour ticket, for unlimited use on the Metro (price 400HUF - just over £1). Head towards Moszkva Tér, where there is Budapest's biggest shopping centre. The shops include modern supastores, and local market traders.
A shop in Budapest's shopping centre. A name that you couldn't get away with in Britain!
Once you've had a good walk through the shopping centre, head back onto the Metro towards Hösök tere. Here is Hero's Square, built in 1896 to celebrate 1000 years of Magyar (Hungarian) settlement in the region.
Hero's Square.
In the winter, there is a massive open-air ice rink here, along with a café that sells fabulous mulled wine for about 100HUF (30p).
The Beer in Hungary is excellent. The local brew, Dreher, is available pretty much everywhere, for about 300HUF (90p) in pubs and restaurants, or 80HUF (20p) in the supermarket. The local liquor is called "Unicum", which is a strong herb type drink. Locals say this drink is a potent afrodisiac!
An advertising board, with Unicum featured. In English "Unicum brings positive results!"
If you have a spare couple of hours, it is worthwhile visiting the World's only communist statue park, which is situated 45 minutes away from the city. Buses head to Szoborpark Museum daily at 11am, tickets 1600HUF (about £6), which also includes admission to the museum. The museum includes statues which used to dominate Budapest city centre until the fall of Communism.
A statue of Lenin at Szoborpark.
Budapest, a city of two halves, is ready to welcome you.
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