Budapest – Pearl of the Danube
Budapest – Pearl of the Danube
Budapest is one of the most visited cities in Europe. The city, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, has for years been attracting crowds of tourists from all over the world who admire the multitude of local monuments during the day and disappear in fashionable clubs in the evenings. The capital of Hungary is a great place for a weekend trip, although to learn most of the city’s secrets you should spend at least a week here.
Two cities, one story
The capital of Hungary has a lot to offer, both in terms of sightseeing and attractions, thanks to which you can spend unforgettable moments in the city. Today’s Budapest was historically divided by the Danube River into two separate cities, Pest and Buda, which developed independently over the years. It was not until 1849 that the famous Chain Bridge over the Danube connected the two metropolises, and the cities were finally united in 1873. The turbulent history of the city has left many traces. During the reign of the Turks, famous baths and thermal pools were built here, but the information about the Celtic settlement on the Danube bank dates back to the 1st century AD. Most of the monuments, however, come from the times of Austria-Hungary and the reign of the Habsburg family. The most important items on the sightseeing list include the Gellert Hill on the Buda side. It was on its top that the Citadel was built to intimidate people rebelling against reunification. From here there is also a beautiful panorama of Budapest, so you must visit this place not only during the day, but also after sunset. Less than 3 kilometers further along the river is the Castle Hill, on which the Royal Castle was built. In the center of the courtyard, you can admire the statue of Eugene of Savoy on horseback. Right next to it, on St. Trinity, you will find the Fisherman’s Bastion, which is also one of the most characteristic monuments of Budapest and a viewpoint over the city. If you find a moment, it is also worth visiting the famous Labirintus – the underground arranged into a vampire cave. On the other side of the Danube, in Pest, you must visit the magnificent Parliament building, as well as take a walk down Andrassy Street. This 2.5-kilometer-long avenue is one of the most beautiful streets in Europe, with the Hungarian State Opera House, the Terror Museum and dozens of beautiful tenement houses that are today the seat of embassies and state institutions.
What to eat in Budapest?
The main dish to eat in the Hungarian capital is Goulash. This dish needs no introduction, although the original Hungarian dish is much more paprika than the one served on the Vistula River. Fortunately, in many restaurants hot pepper paste is served separately so that everyone has a chance to reach their endurance limit. The second characteristic dish is goulash soup, or Bogracz, but you should not forget about the famous Hungarian fish soup Halaszle. Each chef has his own secret recipe, which is guarded by the greatest treasure, so you have little chance of repeating the taste in another restaurant. Langosz is also a definite culinary hit – a type of street food consisting of a deep-fried yeast pancake and many additives. It’s also worth trying Kaphato, which is actually a large dumpling filled with stuffing. Lovers of sweets will surely like the famous cakes, Tort Dobosza, or Raj Rachel Flodnija – traditional Jewish cake layered with poppy seeds. In search of culinary delights, you should definitely go to Gozsdu Udvar, which is also the party center of Budapest. Hungarian specialties can also be found in pubs located in Hala Targowa. Budapest cannot be visited in one weekend or even in a week. The city has a lot of charm, and history is mixed here with modernity. Anyone who feels the atmosphere of this cultural mix will certainly come back here more than once. Our comfortable cars from PANEK Rent a Car are waiting for you ready and fueled. Nothing but set off on a great Hungarian adventure!