Budapest’s magnificent Hungarian State Opera House (Andrassy ut 22), housed in a late 19th-century neo-Renaissance structure, is a fitting testimony to Hungary’s rich architectural past. Operas, classical concerts, and ballets can easily be overshadowed indoors by visually stunning frescoes and gold-studded boxes.
You may experience the great and dignified ambiance that the Hungarian State Opera House exudes when it is operating at full capacity by attending one of the extravagant performances held there. Evening concerts typically start at roughly 3,300 HUF (US$ 17).
Even if you decide not to attend an evening of arias and pirouettes, many visitors are in wonder after taking a 45-minute tour of the opera theatre during the day.
Budapest (located in northern Hungary) was once divided into two cities by the Danube River: the steep Buda and the flat Pest.
The fascinating mummified arm of King István, Hungary’s first Christian king, is displayed in St. Stephen’s Basilica. Other fascinating cultural attractions include city walks, seasonal festivals, and museums bursting with art, history, and unusual sights.
Coffe Shops and Pastries in Budapest
Numerous coffee cafes may be found around central Budapest. Diets should be left at home because the variety of sweet pastries and cakes offered in the city’s lovely coffee shops will likely push your capacity for resistance to the limit.
Retes is a flaky strudel filled with apples, cherries, cheese, or poppy seeds and is one delectable dessert you ought to look for. The Hungarian State Opera House is tucked away among a slew of retail stores, upscale eateries, and cafes on Pest’s Andrassy Avenue, which serves as the city’s major thoroughfare.
Muvesz Kavehaz, often known as the Artist Coffeehouse, is prominently displayed across from the opera house at Andrassy ut 29. This classic Hungarian coffee house has a distinct personality. Wicker chairs arranged around little cafe tables and baroque-style mirrors create an appearance of elegance and spaciousness.
Steaming cups of robust, dark kave go perfectly with temptingly presented cakes, tortes, and pastries.
You’ll enjoy Budapest’s numerous pedestrian-friendly streets if you enjoy strolling (and what better way to work off those slices of torta?). The city’s picturesque surroundings and variety of walking paths are ideal for both leisurely strolls and energising treks.
The tranquil greenery of Margaret Island, which is about 2.5 km long and situated in the middle of the Danube and is reachable by foot or tram, and Buda Hills, the location of the Budakeszi Game Preserve, are two notable treks.
Stunning Architecture
While exploring the city, keep your eyes peeled for beautiful specimens of architecture, including several structures designed in the Art Nouveau style.
The Castle District is located on the Buda side of the city, over the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. This region, which consists of Castle Hill and Watertown, is rich in regal, military, and religious history. Castle Hill, which rises 60 metres above the Danube, is constructed over a vast network of caves that measure 28 km (17 m) in length and were carved out of the surrounding terrain by thermal springs.
On Castle Hill, in addition to attractions like the Royal Palace, Vienna Gate, and Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom), you may visit a number of museums such the Museum of Military History, Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum, and Hungarian National Gallery.
Permanent collections by well-known Hungarian artists are housed in the latter. The Baroque works of Jakab Bogdany and the 20th-century artworks of Karoly Ferenczy and Ferenc Medgyessy are some of the important pieces of art found here. Several significant bridges cross the Danube.
The most stunning and elaborate bridge is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, which Scottish architect Adam Clark finished in 1849. The oldest bridge in Budapest provides more than just a pedestrian path; stop anywhere on the bridge for breathtaking vistas and countless photo opportunities.
On Castle Hill is also the House of Hungarian Wines (Szentháromság ter). During a tasting tour, guests can learn about Hungary’s 22 wine-growing areas while savouring fine selections.
A City Built on Thermal Springs
One of Budapest’s distinguishing features is that the city’s famed baths were founded on roughly 100 thermal springs (there are about 1,000 springs in all of Hungary).
There are about 40 spas in the city, ranging from public baths to medical and therapeutic spas. Many large hotels include spas, but the most renowned of them all is the renowned Gellért Thermal Bath (Szent Gellért ter 1), located in the opulent Gellért Hotel.
Originally, the Romans used this spring’s water to supply public baths. A thermal pool, an effervescent pool, and a wave pool are just a few of the possibilities available at the Gellért Thermal Bath, which was constructed in 1918. Between April and September, a huge outdoor pool and a naturist sunbathing area are open.
The Great Market Hall (IX Fovam ter), sometimes referred to as the Central Market Hall, is Budapest’s largest covered indoor food market and a must-see during any visit.
The Great Market Hall is a foodie’s dream, with stand after stall of colourfully displayed meats, seafood, deli goods, wines, fruits, cheese, vegetables and of course, that staple of Hungarian cuisine, paprika.
The spice is offered for sale in this location in a variety of forms, including dried, crushed, fresh, on a string, pickled, and in a jar. If the sight and scent of all the goods start to make you hungry (which they will certainly do), you can join the residents upstairs and eat like a local by getting traditional Hungarian food from food booths like csirke paprikas (chicken paprika) or gulyas (goulash).