The district V neighborhood is divided in two parts.To the north is Leopold Town, which host government and financial areas.To the south is Town center and you will find shopping dinning and nightlife
Top notch building in Hungary, a neo-gothic palace with neo-Renaissance dome. Built for the 1000 yr anniversary of the Hungarians in 1896 (but finished in 1902). Best views at sunset across the Danube
The "eternal" flame to remember the victims of communism was here, but president Fidesz took it away.
Originally the house of the Supreme Court, it's design was a runner up for the parliament proposals. Now it's home for this nice museum with the history of Hungary. Worth if you have time.
At the right end of the protruding arcade, you can still see the evidence of how the communist government massacred the uprising protesters in 1956
Imre Nagy was killed in 1956, it may be considered that his ideas survived as after his death the softer "goulash" communism emerged.
Somehow this square is a metaphor of a rough 20 century. In the middle an obelisk remembering the Russians who liberated them from Nazis, but also Ronald Reagan who helped end the Soviet domination
Smaller and less touristy than Great Market Hall, this is a great stop by to eat if you are in the area.
As almost everything, it was built for the 1000 anniversary of Hungary.
The whole palace has been restored to its former glory in the late 90s. It's really worth visiting, even if you don't sleep there.
Built in the 1840s, then destroyed by the nazis 100 years later. It's a symbol of the twin cities union.
This is the central square of Pest's Town Center. From here you can visit great places. If you only go through Váci Utca, you will miss great spots around the promenade and Károlyi Mihály Utca.
Back in the days, used to be the favorite sport of well-to-do ladies. Now is full of tourist, it's overpriced but the old decor is nice.
The M1 was the first metro line in continental Europe. It was inaugurated in, of course, 1896.
The first western shops behind the iron curtain including McDonald's opened here in the 80s.
Great views of Buda ! The promenade connects the parliament with the great market hall.
Originally build in the 1800s, then almost destroyed during the Austrian invasion and re built in 1864. This is a great ball room. Check their website for concerts.
If you go in person and say you are a "Rick Steves" reader, they will give you a discount. I got this tip from reading a Budapest book by him.
Under glass are the rests of the third century Roman fortress "Contra-Aquincum". The Romans considered the Danube the limit of civilization and this fortress protected them against the barbarians.
Sándor Petőfi read a poem against the Hamburgs in the "Március 15 ter" and that same day, March 15 1848 a small revolution lead by a group called Pest Youth began.
A communist legacy, opened in 1952 and serves cheap, traditional recipe cakes and coffee. Everything is to go.
If you find it open, it's because you are lucky. So step inside and enjoy a journey into time and space, more or less to the 17th century in Eastern Europe,
At the end of the first block of stalls, don't miss where they sell Túró Rudi, a semi-sweet cottage cheese covered in chocolate (red-and-white polka-dot wrapper).
From here you can start a walking tour through Andrássy Út, where you will find the Pest Broadway, museums, a beautiful boulevard and fine shops.
Don't miss the kürtőskalács (Hungarian pastry) at the far end of the plaza, following the Bubi rentals.
A glass roof underneath a pool, this a cool club where all the best DJs play in Hungary.
One of the finest Art Nouveau interiors, but outdoor seating facing the Opera is also great.
Tour in English usually run at 15:00 and 16:00. If your are attending to a performance, you may skip the tour as the greatest thing is the interiors.
The gilded cafe is marvelous, but combined with excellent pricing makes this cafe a great place to stop by.
Mostly everything in Hungarian, there are shows for kids and shows for adults. The shows for adults usually are opera recreations.
Although the opera house is not expensive, concerts here are really cheap. Interior has been restore and it's amazing.
Key to understanding 20 century Hungarian history, the museum show how little difference there is between fascist and communist regimes. Must see.
The best of both contemporary Hungarian and international fine art in Budapest is find here. Check website for current exhibitions.
The 2nd biggest synagogue worldwide, it's construction was commissioned to a Gentile and (vaguely) designed according to the biblical descriptions of Salomon's Temple. Tours are recommended and cheap
Built originally in 1870, destroyed during WW2, and re built in 1986. Today, being touristy and pricey, is a great 90 seconds connection between Chain bridge and the top of Castle Hill.
If you are interested in knowing more about the history of Budapest, it's Asian origins, the different occupation like ottomans and soviets, the 1000th anniversary, etc, THIS IS YOUR PLACE,
Tour is 1 hour and you will visit a crazy hospital used during WW2 and then converted into a soviet nuclear bunker. Tours start on the hour.
Named after bishop Gellért, a venetian monk, who was brought by King István to educate his son. Locals were not all so happy with recent conversion, to Christianity, and through the monk down the hill
Amazing coffee beans mixed with a cool place and great staff. I asked for a Kenyan double espresso. It was amazingly done, flavor was creamy, fruity and extremely strong. Love it.
A tiny little pearl, recommended for those who prefer to avoid cowded/touristic places. Has an authentic Turkish bath with 5 different pools, sauna, infrasauna, jacuzzi.
This place is a symbol of the triumph of Liberty over communism. This was the first McDonald’s inside the iron curtain! It opened in the late 80s.
Oldest building in town, it has survived playing different roles as Romanesque basilica, Gothic hall church and even Ottoman mosque.
Check the facades dating from the late 19 century. Them may seem full of soot, but they are untouched.
