Most Popular Sights To See In Budapest

Photo by Daniel Olah on Unsplash
Have you ever been so impressed with your vacation that you wanted to tell everyone about it? The days and nights you spent in that place were some of the best holiday times you’ve ever had and you can’t wait to get back there to see even more. This is how I feel about the most popular sights to see in Budapest.

Here’s our selection of the most popular sights to see in Budapest

• The Castle District
• The Funicular
• Fisherman’s Bastion
• Andrassy Avenue
• State Opera House
• Kodaly Memorial Museum
• Hungarian Parliament Building
• The Budapest Eye
• Danube River
• Buda Hills

The Castle District

Budapest’s Castle Hill is deserving of several hours of exploration. There are numerous sites, museums, statues and churches around the area. Here, I will give you the details on only two of them.
Matthias Church, also known as The Church of Our Lady, is truly a living antique, having been open to the people of Budapest since 1015. Although it is open for tours and sightseeing, it still operates as a Catholic church with regularly scheduled liturgies and weddings. The coronation of many Hungarians kings took place in Matthias Church. For a time, the Ottoman Turks took over the nation and while most churches were destroyed, they turned this one into a mosque. Most of the furnishings were destroyed or whitewashed with painted brick, yet the church itself has remained.

Ride the Funicular

A ride in one of these quaint little cable cars should not be missed during your vacation in Budapest. It’s a fun and unique experience and something you’re not likely to find in many holiday spots. But be sure to check their schedule for the regular maintenance. That usually takes place every other Monday and the cars will be shut down for the day.

Fisherman’s Bastion

This is one of my all-time favorite sites in Budapest. Located on Castle Hill, the Fisherman’s Bastion is awe-inspiring. It was built between 1895 and completed in 1902. Although this “new” structure was not used for the castle guards to stand watch over the monarchy, there most likely was something similar to it a couple of centuries ago. These 19th-century lookout towers have seven turrets, each one represents one of the seven Magyar (Hungarian) tribes who helped in the founding of Hungary in 895 AD. You will find a cafe on the terrace and a newly built chapel on the inside.

A World Heritage Street to Enjoy

Andrassy Avenue was built for the millennial celebrations back in 1896. When you’re in the mood for a nice walk to get a little more up close and personal with Budapest, Andrassy Avenue is a great place to stretch your legs. You will find many restaurants and fine cafes along the Avenue as well as luxury boutiques. The musical arts have a number of places to call home here with the State Opera House, the Kodaly Memorial Museum and the Liszt Ferenc (Franz Liszt) Museum all in close proximity to one another. The street is lined with lovely trees and neo-renaissance mansions. Here’s a note for old movie buffs. The 1940 Jimmy Stewart movie, The Shop Around the Corner can be found on Balta Street – around the corner from Andrassy. The Millenium Metro runs underneath Andrassy Avenue. It’s the oldest subway line in continental Europe but is still running well. Make sure to take a quick ride on the Yellow Line while you’re traveling up and down Andrassy. This whole area was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002.

Budapest Parliament Building

WOW! would be one way of describing the Hungarian Parliament Building. You can’t miss it when you’re looking across the river on the Buda side, at the Castle District and the Fisherman’s Bastion. Situated on the banks of the Danube River between the Chain Bridge and the Margaret Bridge, it might seem a bit big for a country the size of Hungary. However, it was built during the time of the Hapsburg Empire when Budapest and Vienna were co-capitals.
As beautiful as it is on the outside, its interior architecture is even more stunning. Guided tours are available during most of the year. Yes, the members of parliament have their meetings and offices here, but this is also a large part of the city’s history and heritage that they allow the public the view. There are 90 statues, 691 rooms and an incredible Grand Staircase inside. The Parliament houses the Hungarian Coronation Regalia which includes the Holy Crown worn by the first king.

The Eye Above the City

Take a ride on one of the city’s newest attractions. The Budapest Eye celebrates its first birthday in the middle of March 2018. This ferris wheel, at 65 meters, is one of the tallest structures in Budapest. From inside one of the 42 carriages, you will see a full array of the beauty of this city. From Andrassy Avenue with its tree-lined streets on the Pest side of the river all the way to the beautiful range of the Buda Hills on the Buda side of the Danube River, the Budapest Eye takes you high above the city to get an incredible look at the whole of central Budapest. The Budapest Eye on Erzsebet Square is open seven days a week. Closing times vary between 11 pm and 1 am.
My goodness, I hope this begins to give you an idea of some of the amazing sites and experiences that are waiting for you on your next visit to Budapest. If it’s your first trip, make sure to ask a lot of questions at your hotel or from your tour guide. There is so much history in this city and so many beautiful places that you will enjoy. Take your camera and your sense of adventure. Budapest is waiting for you!