City Break to Budapest

Anyone who has been to Budapest will know exactly what makes it one of Europe’s best-loved city break destinations; you are really getting two cities for the price of one. Bisected by the mighty Danube the city has something of a split personality. On the west side of the river is historic Buda; the ancient heart of the capital. On the east side is industrious Pest; defined by handsome boulevards and the familiar sights and sounds of European commerce.
Each side of the Danube has its own temptations: To the west hilly Buda corrals together some of the city’s finest monuments with the Roman ruins at buda providing the obvious historical starting point. For a lesson in medieval architecture wander the cat’s cradle of narrow streets that surround the picturesque castle district. Keep an eye open for the Fisherman’s Bastion; a group of seven towers that symbolise each of the seven Magyar tribes that founded the nation.

A day out for the kids in Budapest

City breaks are great for a cultural and historic revitalizing holiday, but what about if you have kids? A museum or gallery would be fine in small doses, with the reward of a treat. So what about a whole day focusing on what your children like to do? Here are some suggestions to fill a morning or afternoon. Or if you are adventurous, a whole day….

The Budapest Zoo and Botanic gardens (Fõvárosi Állat - és Növénykert) *****

The Budapest Zoo started out as a spectacular collection and exhibition of animals, one of the few in Europe at the late 19th century. Donations of money and animals were received from all over Europe, making the Zoo a famous and popular place in Hungary as well as on the whole continent. Barely avoiding bankruptcy during the early part of the 20th, the Zoo slowly recovered, and aims to become the very institute it founded on. Nowadays, the Zoo has a more animal-centered policy than ever before. Most of the income is spent on improving the conditions for the animals and the experience of the visitors. Lately, the Budapest Zoo managed to renovate and re-open the Palm House along with the Aquarium in the basement, and the Elephant House, attractions that no family should miss.

Designed by the Hungarian architects du jour circa in 1865, one of the more striking features at the zoo is the Art Nouveau buildings that is home to a few of the animals. Amongst the attractions includes the Palm House (a rain-forest habitat for tropical animals), and the blue domed elephants’ house. To help fund the breeding program for endangered species, you can adopt an animal.

To help entertain the kids there is the added attraction of a soft-play next door to the zoo, just in case the weather is less than clement.

Hösök Tér - Heroes Square

Heroes Square is one of the most famous sights of Budapest. It is located on the end of Andrássy street, near the City Park. In the center of the Square is the statue of Archangel Gabriel, surrounded by the seven leaders of the settling Hungarians. There are statues of other significant ungarian statesmen as well, including St. Stephen, King Matthias, and Louis Kossuth. The famous monument was built for the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Hungary, in 1896. The Heroes Square is surrounded by the National Art Gallery on one side, and the Museum of Fine Art on the other, both offering various regular exhibitions as well as those of foreign museums.

Vörös Oroszlánhoz Teaház

The traditional fuel of urban Central Europe. It’s late afternoon, to fill the gaping hole between lunch and huge dinner, you could dive into one of the grand old confectioneries of Pest, such as Gerbaud, Mûvész or Astoria, for a cup of coffee topped by a Matterhorn of whipped cream, accompanied by a slab of some incredibly rich Hungarian cake, similarly slathered.

Looking for something less grand? There are many good places to have a coffee near the flat. Budapest has many small coffee shops and tearooms, which have plenty of charm and character. If you take a walk down Muzeum Korut, towards Raday Utca you’ll find plenty of great places to eat and drink. At the top of Raday Utca I can recommend this tearoom, Voros Oroszlanhoz Teahaz.

Old signs

Statues and building details - Budapest

Statues in Budapest

Doorways

Some impressive doorways in Budapest.

A walk to St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest

This is a short trip from the flat to the Basilica.

Deak Ter.

Architecture in Budapest - photos

Despite amazing development, Budapest has preserved its classical charm and magic. It is a city where the pleasing harmony of different architectural styles and superb structures, the cafés, baths, the food and culture, combined with legendary hospitality blend into an unforgettable experience for visitors.