"Budapest" a Budapest Travel Page by antistar

The banks of the Danube between Buda and Pest must be some of the most stunning real estate anywhere on the planet. On the Buda side you have the castle, a UNESCO protected enclave of medieval buildings that would make any town claiming medieval status to be jealous. The rolling, green Buda Hills, home to the rich and famous of Hungary, provide the dramatic backdrop for this and the impressive Citadel.

On the Pest side you have the outstanding national Parliament and the regal St. Stephen's Basilca. In between the two are the vast waters of the Danube, spanned by some impressive and distinguished bridges. Not least of which is the iconic Chain Bridge that runs from the funicular, and links Buda with the long and elegant Andrassy Ut, which runs across Pest all the way to the imposing monuments at Hero's Square.

The city is famously two in one. Reflecting the old iron curtain divide which once hid this great city from us, the eastern Pest side is bigger, grubbier, and more industrial. It's also where everything happens in the city. This is where all the shops, hotels, nightclubs, and everything else of importance to every day Hungarians, as well as tourists. The Buda side is greener and more pleasant, and it's no surprise that the banks of the Buda Hills are populated with grand mansions of the wealthy, with house prices matching those of other Western cities.

The Buda side was my favourite. It was more relaxed and more dignified. The moment I crossed over to the Pest side I felt an immediate change of pace, but also an increase in edginess. Wandering around the castle and its environs could have been any small town anywhere in Europe, even at night, but Pest felt immediately like the big, bustling city of nearly 2 million people. Usually that would be good for me, but after a week of city slicking I was happy to hang loose in Buda.

If Budapest is stunning during the day, it is spectacular at night. The clear views the Danube offers of the buildings along its banks, along with the reflections on its surface of the bright lights that illuminate them, gives some fantastic opportunities for great night photographs. The views are great on both banks, but the Buda castle offers some particularly great views from its elevated position above the city. The only problem is the fact that the amount of light pollution, especially from uplights for the prominent buildings, can mean you will find yourself competing with many other avid photographers for the best spots.

Budapest is not just a photogenic city either, it also has plenty to do outside of sightseeing. It has a vibrant nightlife with great restaurants, all at a price lower than you'd expect in Western Europe for an equivalent quality. It has great museums, and a fascinating history to discover, from the Turkish occupation, through its part in the Austro-Hungarian empire, through to the modern day, the Soviet influence and the 1956 revolution. I was there on the fiftieth anniversary of that event, and revolution was in the air again as people protested outside the Parliament about a recent scandal. There had been violent protests before I'd arrived, and the elections were that weekend.

Things I Loved

Buda Castle, the Danube, the city at night, the Parliament, the Buda Hills, the amazing views, the bridges, great restaurants (when you know where they are) and the value for money.

Surprises

The first view of Budapest on the Danube was breathtaking.

Disappointments

The number of bums (worse than Frankfurt) and the local food (heavy like German).