Budapest is on the Danube River at Killometer post 1652 Km to 1637 Km. The cities of Buda and Pest were joined together in 1873. There are eight bridges crossing the river. There are many buildings which are 19th century architecture. The Hungarian Empire from 1541 to 1686. The Hapsburg Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled in the 18th and 19th century. Century buildings include the Castle Palace which dominates Buda’s Castle Hill and was reduced in 1944 by shellfire. The building is restored and houses the Hungarian National Library and National Gallery. Surrounding the castle quarter are charming lanes including the Baroque Palais Erdody containing the Museum of Music History. The Church of St Matthias 13th to 15th has much restored as well. Nearby is Fisherman’s Bastion with views of the Donau. Gillert Hall is renouned for it’s historic baths. Budapest is also called the City of Spas.
Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, the largest in East-Central Europe and the seventh largest in the European Union, It is the country’s political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation center. Budapest has 1.74 million inhabitants. The Budapest Commuter Area is home to 3.3 million people. The city covers 525 square kilometers (202.7 sq. miles) with in the city limits.
Set in the heart of Budapest, the Sofitel enjoys an excellent location on the bank of the Danube. It is a few steps from major shopping. Walking is therefore your best option to explore the city. Budapest has a very efficient public transport network which is safe and inexpensive. Tickets can be purchased at most shops selling newspapers, cigarettes and even at hotels. Make sure you buy a ticket and stamp it when entering the transport.
The currency in Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). It is handy to have a bit of local currency for small purchases, The closest place to get HUF would be the hotel or you can use an ATM. Most places take Euros in the shops and restaurants they will also accept credit cards. Do not change money on the street. 1 USD equals 294 HUD. ATM’s accept all major credit cards (your card needs to be chipped) and (American Express needs to be a metal card as well as the chipped). It is reccommended not to buy HUF in the USA.
On the other side of the river, Pest does have a number of older churches and the St. Stephan’s Bisilica from 1851-1905. The Parliment Building (1845-1902) with a dome over 310 feet high. The great Market Hall is nearby along with Hero’s Square, the Hungarian National Museum and the Great Synagogue.
Ama Waterways Free Time Suggestions
- House of Terror Museum Exhibits related to the facist and communist regimes in 20th-century Hungary. Address is Budapest, Andrassy ut 60 and is closed on Monday
- Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum is a hospital created under Buda Castle in the 1930’s in preparation for WWII. The address is Lovas ut 4/c. This is open every day.
- State Opera is a Neo-Renaissance building considered one of the most amazing in Budapest. Check for the guided tours at www.operavisit,hu, The address is Andrassy ut 22. The Opera House was under repair when I visited in August 2019.
- St. Stephen’s Basilica is the larges church in Budapest named in honour of the first King of Hungry. The Basilica is also the highest lookout point in Pest with a 360 degree view of the city.
- Parliment Building is an architectural jewel of Budapest and home to the Holy Crown of Hungary. If you plan a visit to incude a stop to the nearby monument “Shoes on the Danube” at the embankment of the river! Address is Kossuth Lajos ter 1-3, You will need to buy tickets in advance and bring your ID.
- Buda Castle is an amazing palace , stroll through the gardens and possibly also visit the Hungarian National Gallery, There are several cafes and restaurants located here. You can also take the funicular leaving from the end of chain bridge. Other attractions include the Lion Courtyard; the Matthias Well, a bronze statue of King Matthias; and the statue of the Turul Bird, the mythological bird of the Magyars. Under Buda Castle are the beautiful Renaissance Gardens offering great views and relaxation.
- Citadela and Cave Church is a nice hike up to the Citadela, on top of the Gellert Hill and has marvelous views. On the way up, visit the cave church inside a natural cave system formed by thermal springs, At the foot of Gellert Hill is located the Garden of Philosphy (Filozofiai Kert). Home to a group of statues that depict well-known religious and spiritual figures.
- Danube Promenade can be strolled between Elizabeth and Chain Bridgte and passes by famous statues and buildings, including the little princess sitting on a railing, or a statesman Istvan Scechenyi or the Neo-Byzantine Parliment, Vigado concert hall. There are cafes and restaurants along the way. Little bit further, before the Parliament are the iron shoes, named “Shoes on the Danube Bank” (3,500 people, 800 of them Jews were shot into the Danube during the Arrow Cross terror). The Danube Promenade is near the Sofel Hotel.
- Vatci Utca is the most famous shopping street in Budapest starting from Vorosmarty Square, where it is predestrianized and leads to the Central Market Hall and you will end it with a totally different experience at the Central Market Hall on Vamhaz korut.
- Falk Miksa Street is famous for antique row of Budapest is just steps away from the Parliment Building.
- Central Market Hall is the city’s largest indoor market, You’ll find here three stories of stalls selling local specialities and Hungarian crafts. On the upper floor some stands serving typical Hungarian dishes. Gift ideas: Hungarian paprika, Tokaji wine, porcelain folk art and handmade jewellry of crystal and porcelain. Food Tip: Langos a Hungarian fried hot bred with sour cream, cheese and garlic.
- Well Known Spas: Rudas Baths, Gellert Thermal Baths, and Szechenyi Bath
Gift Ideas from Hungary
Hungarian products make great gifts, You can find a lot of Hungarian specialties such as food (goose liver, paprika, and wine), Porcelain (world famous brands Herend and Zsolnay) folk art (hand made embroidery, tablecloths). Keep an eye out for older Hungarian women, dressed in traditional folk clothes and with kerchiefs around their heads. They travel to Budapest from their country homes
Food from Hungary
Traditional Hungarian dishes are primarily based on meats, seasonal vegetables, fruits, fresh bread, cheeses, and honey. Mixing different types of meat is also a traditional feature of Hungarian cuisine. Food is often spicy, due to the liberal use of hot paprika (ground red pepper). Try Langos which is a deep fried bread, Chimney Cake, pickles, Fozelek a healthy soup, Pockoit and Paprika a stew with sweet paprika over noodles, Daboa Torte Cake, Taltottkaposzta is stuffed cabbage leaves, Kurtos Kalacs is cylindered bread sweet yeast baked over the charcoals, Turos Csasza a pasta with cottage cheese and bacon.
Besides their world-famous goulash, you’ll find delicious soups, (hot and cold), chicken paprikash (a sort of stew), freshwater fish and savory deserts. The most well-known pastries are stuffed pancakes,
The best known wines are the white dessert wines, called Tokaji and the red wine from Villany. Hungary’s most notable liquors are Unicum (made with herbal bitters) and Palinka, fruit brandies in a variety of flavors (plum and pear are the most popular),
General Facts
Climate in August is warm and sunny with average temperature 93 degrees. When I visited in August the temperatures were 105 degrees. A little bit warm.
Time Zone is GMT plus 1 (CET). Internet Country Code is NU.
Tipping Rate: 10 percent in restaurants, taxis, and other services. In a restaurant tips are not left on the table. Simply ask your waiter to add 10 percent to your bill and then round up. Tell your waiter the exact amount to bill.