Schmap Budapest Introduction

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Budapest - Introduction
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Budapest Home
Schmap Budapest guide and map

Budapest is an easy city to negotiate; as long as you remember where the River Danube is, you will not get lost. Having taken that into consideration, it is best to begin viewing the city from the banks of the river.

This tour is an orientation to the city and its sights; you will start and end in the same spot, making a circular tour of the downtown area. A good place to start is the Duna Korzo on the Pest side. This long pedestrianised stretch passes in front of the Marriott Hotel, and continues along to the Inter-Continental, where it ends at the foot of the Chain Bridge.

From anywhere on the Corso you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the city: you will be able to see Buda, with its impressive castle, Gellert Hill and much more. It never fails to take the breath away on first viewing.

Stroll along the Korzo, maybe stopping at a café or two. If you want, take one of the green staircases down and hop on any passing No 2 tram for a faster moving view. Continue by walking across the city's most famous bridge - the Chain Bridge. It was the capital's first, and it affords wonderful views: north to the Parliament, Margaret Island and the distant hills, south to Gellert Hill and the buildings of Pest. The river runs almost directly north south through the city center, with Pest on the East side and Buda on the West. Stay for a few moments taking in the scenery and orienting yourself.

At the Buda end of the Chain Bridge you will see the tunnel under Castle Hill, Clark Adam Square, the O kilometer stone and the station where you can catch the Funicular up to the top of Castle Hill. The ride to the top is short, but during it you will get a sweeping and panoramic view of Pest (from where you have just walked).

At the top of the funicular you will see the massive Castle to your left (south), while the old town attractions begin off to the right (north). You might want to visit one of the museums in the castle at this point, or continue along with general viewing, leaving the museums for later. As you walk north into the Old Town, you will get some of the finest views in this city of fine views. In a moment you will arrive in the cobbled Old Town. This might be a good time for another coffee break, maybe at Miro for something modern, or at one of the many traditional Hungarian places.

Further along lies the plague column, a memorial to the countless plague victims who were too numerous to be buried in standard graves. Here you will also find the most photographed church in the city, Matthias Church, backed on the riverside by the fairy-tale like Fisherman's Bastion. Take time to admire the views from the top, once again they are stunning.

The Hilton Hotel is worth a look: inside are the remains of an ancient church. You can now catch the Castle Bus from in front of the Hilton down to the last stop, Moskva ter (Moscow Square). From here, catch tram No 4 and if you still have energy, get off at Margaret Island. Otherwise you can save the island for another day, now that you know how to get here.

By now you will probably be quite tired: On Margaret Island there are baths to relax you, grassy fields to nap in and flower-filled sections to enjoy. When you've relaxed enough, get back on the next tram No 4 and take it all the way back to the Pest side, getting off at Oktogon. You should remember this place for your next tour.

After a quick look around, start walking down Andrassy ut towards the river (about 15 minutes). If you're tired, catch the oldest Metro on the continent and get off at the last stop—Vorosmarty. You will now find yourself in the main café square near the river, and at the start of Vaci utca, the famous shopping street. You may well want to leave the shopping for another day, and just relax in Gerbeaud, sipping coffee and enjoying a cake or pastry. Walk another hundred meters west (towards the river) and you will be right back where you started; having completed a circle of the main sights, you are now well oriented and ready for more touring, but leave that until tomorrow!

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

0 Kilometer Stone

All distances measured from here

Clark Adam ter
District I
Budapest 1013
Hungary

Located in a small park near Clark Adam ter, this is a huge oval stone. It serves as an official point for measuring distances all over Hungary. So if you spot distance markings on your way to Budapest, you know now what they mean.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Steve Tietze

Photo: taligatamas™

0 Kilometer Stone photo by Krisztina Hoka

Photo: Krisztina Hoka

Andrassy ut

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

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Buda

Western half of the city Western side of the river
Budapest 1052
Hungary
Historic Buda occupies the western side of the Danube. It is the home of Castle Hill, Gellért Hill, and the wonderful Buda Hills. Traditionally, this was where the nobility lived (while Pest was a workers' and merchants' area). The city began to come into its own in 1873 when Buda was united with Pest. The best views of Buda are from the Duna Korzo, the Chain Bridge, or from one of the rooms and balconies of the world class hotels that line the Pest side of the Danube.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Budapest Marriott Hotel

Classy & Cozy Hotel Apaczai Csere Janos utca, 4
(District V)
Budapest 1052
Hungary
+36 1 266 7000
http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2... Taken over by the Marriott chain in 1992 and renovated room by room, this hotel has been completely revamped with the exception of the monolithic, Stalinist architecture of the exterior. Most of the rooms have a small balcony overlooking the river and are comfortably and well furnished. The Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch is very popular with ex-pats. The hotel also has a large and well-situated fitness center with windows overlooking the Danube.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: C. Oertel

Chain Bridge

Budapest's most famous bridge Clark Adam ter - Roosevelt ter
Budapest 1013
Hungary
This spectacular bridge has an equally spectacular history. It's a great place from which to take in a panorama of the city (which becomes even more impressive at night). This was the very first bridge to link the two cities of Buda and Pest. The project was started in 1839 by designer William Tierney Clark and engineer Adam Clark, and it was completed in 1849. The bridge celebrated its 150th birthday recently with a huge open-air festival.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Clark Adam Square

Named after a British engineer Clark Adam ter
Budapest 1013
Hungary
+36 1 322 4098 (Tourist Information) Adam Clark was the British engineer who built the first permanent bridge, Lanc Hid or Chain Bridge, over the Danube in the 1840's. In his honour, the square (actually a fiendishly busy traffic roundabout) was permanently named after him. It stands at the end of the bridge on the Buda side, just before the tunnel (also built by Adam Clark) under the castle. This bridge - like all the bridges - was blown up by the retreating Germans during the Second World War, but has since been reconstructed, along with the others.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Duna Korzo (Embankment)

Beautiful views of the Danube Marcius 15 ter-Roosevelt ter
District V
Budapest 1052
Hungary
This pleasant elevated walkway is much less crowded than Vaci utca and has magnificent views across the Danube to the Buda side. You will pass several of the city's finest hotels - all of which are equipped with spacious, sun-drenched terraces - as well as many private restaurants and cafés. You will also see the famous, ever-popular Budapest wooden chairs and benches - if you have a good look around you'll eventually find a free one. The No 2 tram runs between the korzo and the river and down below is a road where cars rush by out of sight. If you continue walking to the northern end of the korzo, you'll reach the Chain Bridge.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: lorentey
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Hilton Hotel

Amazing views over the city Hess Andras ter, 1-3
Budapest 1014
Hungary
+36 1 889 6600
http://www.budapest.hilton.com/ Built in 1976 around the ruins of a thirteenth-century Dominican monastery (the cloisters of which you can still walk around), this hotel offers amazing views over the Danube to Pest (for an extra HUF9,309). However, it should be noted that if your business is in Pest, the journey can be tedious during the rush-hour. The hotel's successful integration into the old ruins won it an architectural award, although today it may be considered a slightly intrusive addition to the Castle District skyline.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Hotel Inter-Continental

Situated on the river Apaczai Csere Janos utca, 12-14
District V
Budapest 1368
Hungary
+36 1 327 6333
http://www.budapest.interconti... Half the rooms here offer stunning views over the river to the Castle. During a major set of renovations, the hotel added the latest in high-tech conference facilities and improved on its business offerings. Its location is excellent, being close to most major sights and within a stone's throw of the chain bridge.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Thomas Pitz
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Margaret Island

Peaceful spot for relaxation Margitsziget
Budapest 1138
Hungary
Despite its central location, Margaret Island is extremely peaceful. In summer, it is popular with the locals who come here to relax. Rent a bicycle, jog, swim in one of two pools, throw a Frisbee or just stroll around. This was originally a religious centre. The ruins of St Margaret's Dominican nunnery are on the east side near the ruins of a Franciscan church. The water tower is a listed building. A very fine lunch can be had in the Ramada Grand Hotel at the north-east end of the island.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Matthias Church

Dates back to thirteenth century Szentharomsag ter 2
Castle District
Budapest 1014
Hungary
+36 1 355 5657 There has been a church here since the thirteenth century, even though the Turks converted many religious buildings into mosques. Although it was badly damaged in the last war, it was restored (mainly rebuilt) in the sixties. An original fourteenth-century Gothic portal survives on the south side of the church. The interior is a riot of colour and the crypt can be visited. Organ concerts - which are well worth attending - are often held here so it would be an idea to check for more information in a local events guide on your arrival.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Moszkva ter

Busy and famous Buda square Moszkva ter
district II
Budapest 1024
Hungary
This busy and bustling square is an important transport hub and a good location to become familiar with. The red metro line (line 2) passes through here on its way to Deli station, the Castle Hill bus starts and ends here, and it's also the starting point for catching transport up into the beautiful green Buda hills. The name means Moscow square.The square is also like a small bazaar, with every type of activity going on. There is a large shopping centre right next to it (Mammut).

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Pest

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

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Plague Column (Szentharomsag)

Monument to plague victims Szentharomsag ter
District I
Budapest 1014
Hungary
+36 1 322 4098 / +36 1 488 0475(Tourism Ministry) This striking chalk-white column attracts a lot of attention. It sits outside Matyas Church and is therefore an often-photographed landmark. It was erected in 1713, at a time when not one but four outbreaks of plague had swept over the city. The dead could not be buried separately - this column was built as a memorial to those buried in mass graves. There are similar monuments in other Hungarian towns, Sopron's being perhaps the most impressive.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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River Danube

Budapest's famous river Dowtown
Budapest 1052
Hungary
The Danube - Europe's most celebrated river - runs majestically through the center of Budapest. The city has taken full advantage of this and it now offers some of the finest panoramas to be found anywhere on the continent. Starting far away in Germany (where the Breg and Brigach rivers meet), the Danube runs some 2859 kilometers before spilling into the Black Sea. On its journey, it passes through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Romania. Incidentally, contrary to the name of the famous waltz, it is not blue!

Review © 2007, Wcities

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