Must-See Sights in Budapest, Hungary
"In this city you involuntarily begins to sing. The mountains around Buda, the waves of the Danube, the squares and streets are so in tune, which seem to play. I love this city!"
That's what José Carreras, famous Spanish tenor said about Budapest, and I could not agree more. I think Budapest is one of the most enchanting and elegant cities in Europe, with a special atmosphere, halfway between the West and the East. Whether you're headed there soon or dreaming about a trip there one day, here are some must-see sights in Budapest.
[caption id="attachment_5242" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="view of the Danube and Pest from the Buda side"][/caption]
Budapest is divided into two sides by the Danube, the Buda side (the historical side, with the amazing Buda Castle and the breathless view of the rest of the city) and the Pest side (with its squares, the cafes, the restaurants, the Jewish area with its beautiful synagogue).Of course, we cannot forget the little islands in the Danube, such as Margaret Island and Hajógyári-sziget ( this one is the island where each summer the famous rock Sziget Festival takes place).
[caption id="attachment_5243" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="funicolar railway to get to Buda"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_5244" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="part of the Buda Castle"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_5246" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="the Parliament"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_5247" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="St. Stephen's Basilica"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_5248" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="the Great Synagogue"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_5249" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Budapest by night"][/caption]
Budapest is probably one of my favourite cities in Europe, not only because it is related to one of the happiest periods of my life, but also because it's lovely. You can visit it in a weekend.
I suggest spring or summer to visit it; the air is more sweet...and it's very pleasant walking in the park of Margaret Island and eat a delicious cake at the famous Gerbeaud Patisserie in Pest.
This was a guest post by Lucia Novelli, a blogger, avid traveler and medical doctor who currently lives in Rome but grew up in a small village in the centre of Italy. To read more about her adventures in Budapest and other cities around the world, visit her blog: http://the-travelbook.blogspot.com/.