Budapest: A Tale Of Two Cities

With the River Danube at its heart, Budapest is really a tale of two cities, with the historic district of Buda to the west, and the bohemian district of Pest in the East. 

Things to see and do The western district of Buda is dominated by the stunning neo-baroque palace situated on Castle Hill. Rebuilt by the Hapsburgs in the 18th Century, today this UNESCO World Heritage Site houses the Hungarian National Gallery, the Castle Museum and the National Library. While it is possible to spend a couple of hours in and around the grounds of the Royal Palace, the surrounding Castle Hill district is well worth further exploration. A stroll through the cobblestone streets will allow visitors to take in all the sights, from the ancient Matthias Church, through Trinity Square and onto Fishermen’s Bastion with its stunning views out over the city and beyond.

If a day’s sightseeing has taken its toll, Budapest has the answer in the form of its thermal waters. The city is renowned for its bathhouses, with the Art Noveau baths of Gellert’s being perhaps the most famous. The water in Szechenyi Baths is rich in calcium and magnesium and is ideal for easing aching limbs and other ailments. For families, Palatinus Beach on Margaret Island offers something for everyone, thermal baths for parents and water slides and wave pools for the kids. Margaret Island is popular among locals looking to relax in the middle of the city, once the site for a royal hunting lodge, today it is home to ornamental gardens, historic ruins and a wide range of sporting activites alongside the thermal baths.