Overview:
Budapest, known as the 'Queen of the Danube', is
a magnificent city exuding a cultural sophistication that entices
and enchants. Gracing both sides of the legendary river with grand
historic buildings, regal bridges and graceful tree-lined
boulevards, it is the city's elegant beauty and romantic atmosphere
that has given Budapest Parisian status among the Eastern European
countries. Budapest offers the visitor the
familiarity of European culture with a distinct Hungarian flavour.
It is evident in the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings, sidewalk
cafes and Magyar cuisine; classical concerts and Hungarian folk
music; the cobbled streets of medieval neighbourhoods and shady
parks, and everywhere the sounds of an unfamiliar language.
Highlights for visitors include a river cruise on the Danube and a
thermal bath in one of the Turkish-era bathhouses.
Budapest was originally two cities built on either side of
the Danube, namely Buda and Pest. The two districts are still
distinct in their contrasting makeup, with the older and more
charming Buda comprising atmospheric cobbled streets, little
picturesque coloured houses and a medieval, neo-Classical mixture
of architecture set among the gentle hills of the west bank. It is
famous for its historic Castle Hill featuring the Royal Palace,
museums and galleries, St Matthias Church and the ramparts of
Fisherman's Bastion. Pest lies on a flat plain
and is the commercial core of the city. It bustles with fashionable
shopping areas and has characteristically wide, leafy boulevards.
Andrassy Boulevard is the Champs-Elyses of Budapest,
lined with a typical mosaic of architectural styles and buildings
with the enormous Heroes' Square at the end. A
history of numerous wars and invasions, with repeated destruction
and rebuilding, has created the Budapest of today, with an
amalgamation of styles, created over time during periods of loving
restoration by a proud and resilient nation of people; a city of
charm and character, both European and singularly
Hungarian.
Getting Around:Budapest has an extensive, inexpensive and
efficient public transport system that includes the metro, trams,
buses, trolley buses and trains. Most transport runs until about
11.30pm after which there is a limited night bus and tram service
until about 5am. The metro is clean, safe and frequent, and
although there are only three lines it reaches most areas of
interest to tourists. Trams are good for travelling around the
Great Boulevard or along the embankment; trolleybuses (electric
buses) operate in Pest; and although more difficult to use, buses
are useful for journeys that can't be made by metro, especially
around Buda. There are regular incidents of pick pocketing on buses
and metro lines though, particularly when they are crowded. An
overground train network services the outer suburbs. One of the
few ways to reach the Castle District other than on foot is by
means of a funicular from Clark. All
forms of public transport require the self-validation of
pre-purchased tickets, which can get complicated; it is best to get
a travel pass for convenience that will also save money. Day or
multi-day passes are inexpensive and hassle-free, although the
tourist Budapest Card combining three days of
travel with discounted attractions isn't all that good value.
Budapest's taxis have a reputation for cheating foreigners and
visitors are warned not to do business with private, unmarked
vehicles that hang around stations. Legal taxis should have a
yellow number plate, clearly display their rates and have a meter
that is switched on. It is cheaper to order one by phone from
reputable companies such as Citytaxi, Fo Taxi or
Tele-5-Taxi.
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