The capital of Hungary,
Budapest stands on the Danube river and has a sophisticated
atmosphere with elegant architecture, graceful bridges
and picturesque tree lined boulevards. There are road
side cafes, parks and historic buildings and the city
has been described as the Paris of Eastern Europe.
Tourist attractions include cruises on the river Danube,
Statue Park, Matthias Church, the Royal Palace and
the cities galleries and museums.
Once two cities called Buda and Pest, separated by
the Danube river, the two parts of Budapest retain
their own character. Buda lies among gently rolling
and has more of the historic architecture, with colourful
houses and cobbled streets. Located on a flat plain,
Pest is busier and home to the shopping and commercial
heart of the city, with wide roads and squares. Together
they form a capital city whose architecture reflects
its often troubled past, which required periods of
rebuilding.
Public transport in Budapest is reliable and inexpensive,
combining trains, buses, trams and the metro, though
you should take care of your belongings. There is
a limited tram and night bus service running after
midnight until around 5am. Tickets must be purchased
before you travel and daily travel cards might be
a good option. Taxi drivers using unmarked cars often
overcharge tourists, so it is advisable to book through
a reputable taxi company when using them.
