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 Beautiful old tree-lined street |
Andrassy ut District VI (section from Oktogon to City Park) Budapest 1061 Hungary |
Once you get past the rather built up and hectic (though still picturesque) section of Andrassy utca that leads to Oktogon, you will discover that the street suddenly changes. Huge and beautiful buildings with intricate and ornate façades are separated from the main road by grassy traffic islands reflecting good urban planning. This street was constructed as part of the nation's millennium celebrations in 1896, along with the M1 metro, which runs beneath it. It was started in 1872 and took twelve years to complete. Since then, it has been renamed several times: first after Prime Minister Andrassy, then it changed to (believe it or not) Sztalin (i.e. Stalin) utca and after Stalin was denounced it was changed again to 'Avenue of the People's Republic'. Finally, in 1990 it changed back to Andrassy utca; which many had continued calling it all along. Enjoy a stroll all the way up to Heroes' Square, from where you can catch the M1 back to Vorosmarty. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ross Wood |
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 Hungarian money from National Bank |
National Bank, Szabadsag ter, 8 District V Budapest 1054 Hungary +36 1 302 3000 |
Coin and bank note lovers had better hope that they're in town on a Thursday, because that's the only time this small museum is open. Hungarian coins and notes (and their actual designs) dating from 1924 onward are on display here. There is also a collection of valuable commemorative coins on show. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The river and surrounding areas |
Bathory utca, 22 District V Budapest 1054 Hungary +36 1 302 4382 |
It is a beautiful river and this is a beautiful way to see it and the surrounding area. The tour will bus you to the Danube bend (a point where the river makes a sharp ninety-degree turn) at Visegrad, site of an ancient castle (allegedly that of Vlad The Impaler), and then on to Esztergom where there is a fine cathedral. After lunch, you will be taken back to Szentendre, a charming old Slav town which is now an artists' hang-out. There are lots of art galleries and also plenty of opportunity for shopping. Finally, you will return to Budapest by boat. NB the return trip is available only in summer - May to the end of September. The trip lasts around ten hours. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Neil Best |
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 Photo: Lisa Batty, harrisonphoto.co.uk |
 Photo: János Szüdi |
 Photo: Keith Newnham |
 Photo: Pedro Dias |
 Photo: Cristiano Pagnutti |
 Photo: dr. Csaba Koltai |
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Small, stylish modern art gallery |
Nagymezo utca, 8 District VI Budapest 1065 Hungary +36 1 341 4355 http://www.ernstmuzeum.hu/ |
This small gallery is the perfect place to find out what's happening in the world of contemporary art. The exhibition space is clean and simple, with few distractions, and the plain walls and floors set off the work well. Sculptures can also be found amongst the paintings and other contemporary projects. You may not like all of it, but there's bound to be something you will find fascinating. This is a great place to explore. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Joseph Gooders |
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Apartment of the famous composer |
Vorosmarty utca, 35 District VI Budapest 1064 Hungary +36 1 322 9804 |
This museum is the actual four-room apartment that was given to Liszt by the Hungarian government. He lived here every winter for six years until 1886 (the year of his death). Despite his preference for simplicity, the government provided him with all the luxuries of the day, which make for interesting viewing. The building and its furnishings give us a glimpse into the composer's life and times. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sunschein |
 Photo: Frantisek Fuka |
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Endless linked courtyards |
Kiraly utca 11 through Dob utca 16 District VI Budapest 1061 Hungary |
This unique series of interconnected courtyards and buildings stretching between Kiraly and Dob streets came within a hair's breadth of being demolished. This would have been an act of the utmost stupidity, as anyone strolling the now-empty passageways would agree. It once boasted apartments and many artisans' workshops and small retailers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sandy Hodges |
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Built for British insurance company |
Roosevelt Square District V Budapest 1051 Hungary |
Many imposing buildings in Budapest are called 'palaces' (palota) although like this one, most of them have had no royal or aristocratic tenants. This city block stands opposite the Chain Bridge and was built by and for the Gresham Insurance Company of London in wonderful art-nouveau style. It has been in a state of decay for years, but now the builders are in as the palace has been bought by the Four Seasons hotel group, after a long wrangle with sitting tenants. Their intention is to turn it into the city's most luxurious hotel, and the only obligation they have is to retain the façade as it once was. Check out the splendid wrought-iron peacocks on the gates to the courtyard and the marble plaque in the entrance hall listing all the company's directors from the time it was built. There is also a bust of Sir Thomas Gresham on the façade. When it is finished, this will probably be the most prestigious building in the city but if you have the chance, visit it now to get an idea of what it would have looked like a hundred years ago. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kai Wörner |
 Photo: Stuart Caie |
 Photo: Kai Wörner |
 Photo: David Danzig |
 Photo: Darcy Quesnel |
 Photo: Judit Mosolygó |
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 Photo: C. E. Legg 06 |
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 Photo: c a t h i e k i m |
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Hungarian war memorial |
Top of Andrassy ut (District VI) Budapest 1062 Hungary |
This imposing square was built for the 1896 millennium celebrations. It is dominated by the Archangel Gabriel who is surrounded by seven statues representing the chiefs of the seven Magyar tribes who settled in this area (supposedly in AD 896). The large open space is dedicated to the Hungarian war memorial and attracts tourists, skateboarders and inline skaters in their dozens. Check out the recently restored art museums on either side of the square. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Christopher Walker |
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Authentic memorial collection |
Kodaly korond, 1 District VI Budapest 1062 Hungary +36 1 352 7106 |
Zoltan Kodaly was a contemporary of Bartok; in fact, they both studied Hungarian folk music together, traveling throughout the country. The two men made some 16,000 recordings (on wax cylinders) of peasant and folk music. Kodaly's apartment is an authentic and largely unaltered testament to his work. It contains period furniture as well as folk objects, manuscripts and items from his personal collection. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Train reservations and tickets |
Andrassy ut 35 District VI Budapest 1061 Hungary +36 1 461 5400 |
It's best to book tickets in advance during the tourist season, due less to lack of space than ridiculously long lines at the ticket counters. These lines are often long enough to make you miss your train. This office is conveniently located on Andrassy ut, and you can pick up schedules for domestic and international trains here. Clerks speak English at the international desk. Closes at 5pm off-season. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Oldest in continental Europe |
Vorosmarty ter, Deak ter Budapest 1051 Hungary |
This short metro line (marked in yellow on all the maps) was the first underground railway to be built in continental Europe (London's was the first ever). It was built just below street level for the 1896 millennium celebrations. Only 11 stations long, it starts at Vorosmarty ter, followed by Deak ter and heads up through Opera and Oktagon, running under Andrassy ut to Hosok tere and finishing two stops later at Mexikoi ut. As it takes in many of the tourist sites, it's a very useful and quick way of getting about. All the stations were refurbished in 1995/6 and remain virtually exactly the same as they were when first built. Make sure you go down the correct entrance - trains run on the same side as the direction of the traffic above them. Normal metro/bus tickets can be used. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Johannes Rudolph |
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Wonderful collection in stunning building |
Dózsa György út 41 Budapest 1146 Hungary +36 1 469 7100 http://www.museum.hu/search/mu... |
This spectacular and renovated building houses a museum that's massive in scale (slightly intimidating in fact), with a wide range of exhibits. It's noted for its Spanish collection, most of which comes from the famous Count Esterhazy who picked up the pieces at bargain prices. Everything from El Greco to Goya is here. There is also an interesting display of Roman vases and artifacts (lots of huge toga-holding safety pins) as well as many other works. Admission: free Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: jaime.silva |
 Photo: Crypto Quagga |
 Photo: Ana Allen |
 Photo: Enrico Miquiabas |
 Photo: Andrew Hargitai |
 Photo: Andrea Karacs |
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 Photo: Ana Allen |
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Hungary's ambulance service |
Marko utca 22 district V Budapest 1055 Hungary +36 1 350 3737 |
This museum traces the development of the Hungarian Ambulance Service. Budapest seems to have just about every other kind of museum you can think of, so why not this? And since the fire brigade has a museum, the ambulance folks couldn't be left out. Dozens of photos and historic signs and notices as well as actual equipment make up the bulk of the exhibit. Admission is HUF 60. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Interesting architecture, stunning interior |
Erzsebet korut, 9-11 District VII Budapest 1073 Hungary +36 1 322 3849 |
This was once the office of an insurance company. There has been protective wooden scaffolding around it for years to protect pedestrians against falling masonry. It is an imposing building, which seems to be lying in wait for an understanding (and rich) benefactor. The interior has been fully renovated and is a riot of gold and cherubs, velvet and marble. The operators of the coffee house - once a hang-out for authors, journalists, playwrights, students and dissidents - got fed up with tourists coming in just to look around so there is now an entrance fee of a few hundred forints. As this is deductible from your bill, you may as well treat yourself to a coffee and a Danish while you are there. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Beautiful neo-Renaissance building |
Andrassy ut, 22 Budapest 1061 Hungary +36 (0)1 353 0170 http://www.opera.hu/ |
Famous Hungarian architect Miklos Ybl completed this building in 1884. Its style is very neo-Renaissance with a wildly exotic interior featuring cherubs, marble, gilt and frescoes. A 45-minute tour of the building in most major languages can be arranged for HUF900. These tend to start at 3pm or 4pm; go to the door on the right of the building, beside the sphinx. Tickets to see the opera here are extremely inexpensive. Thália Theater Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Josh Hadley |
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 Photo: The Horror |
 Photo: The Horror |
 Photo: Ming Wu |
 Photo: PDXdj |
 Photo: Wai-Tai Li |
 Photo: Paul C. Nendick |
 Photo: James Lowes |
 Photo: Matt Ackerman |
 Photo: Ozlem Akay |
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 Photo: Markus Lütkemeyer |
 Photo: Damion and Saleeta |
 Photo: Adriane Gelpi |
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 Photo: Jack Nork |
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The east side of the Danube |
the eastern side of the Danube Budapest 1011 Hungary |
Pest lies, flat and proud, as far as the eye can see. The best vantage-point to gaze upon it is from hilly Buda, and the opposite is also true; Buda is best seen from Pest. To fully appreciate Pest, climb to the top of Gellert Hill, or stare down from one of the many fine panoramic points on Castle Hill. Buda and Pest were two separate cities until as recently as 1873. They have very different characters but it's not possible to say that there is a right or a wrong side of the river; they both have their charms and surprises. Fortunately it's easy to explore both sides. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Wayne Bell |
 Photo: Paul Ark |
 Photo: tokyoryoko |
 Photo: Karen A. Piotrowski |
 Photo: David Cabezón Santos |
 Photo: David Cabezón Santos |
 Photo: Paul Ark |
 Photo: Jacob Wolman |
 Photo: Markus Lutz |
 Photo: Frank Yang |
 Photo: staceyheaven |
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Postage stamps of the world |
Harsfa utca 47 district VII Budapest 1074 Hungary +36 1 341 5526 |
Stamp collectors will be in awe of the fact that this museum has EVERY Hungarian first edition stamp as well as all their variations (every philatelist's dream). They also have stamps from around the world, all neatly displayed behind glass and at easy viewing level. Bring your magnifying glass. Admission is HUF 50. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jay Carlson |
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Two authentic-looking post offices |
Andrassy ut 3 district VI Budapest 1061 Hungary +36 1 268 1997 http://www.postamuzeum.hu |
This small, cute museum is not to be confused with the Postage Stamp museum. Instead, this exhibit features two post offices as they looked at the turn of the century, along with some old equipment including delivery vehicles. It is definite must-see for those interested in the postal system. It is also a very quaint and original little bit of historical fun. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Nick Richards |
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Famous collector and curator |
Varosligeti fasor 12 district VI Budapest 1068 Hungary +36 1 142 3916 |
This small museum offers you the chance to visit one of the beautiful villas on this street. Unfortunately, the inside has been completely remodelled to display the personal collection of Rath Gyorgy but it's definitely worth stepping into. Rath Gyorgy was the first director of the Fine Arts museum and, like many in his day, he had a passion for Japanese and Chinese objects. These items are clearly displayed inside the building that used to be his home. Admission is HUF 160. Guides are available in English, German, Hungarian and - believe it or not- Mongolian. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Michelle Enemark |
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Gold, silver and jewels |
Szent Istvan ter District V Budapest 1051 Hungary +36 1 317 2859 |
This treasury is attached to the famous St. Stephen's Basilica. It features devotional objects from Hungary, Austria and Germany as well as a large collection of chasubles (the garments worn by priests). The amount of gold used in some of the objects is startling and the detail of the work is also quite stunning. Review © 2007, Wcities |
