Walking in Budapest, we come across impressive buildings and eye-catching spaces. UNESCO has also recognised the city’s beauty.
The Hungarian capital is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. What’s more, Budapest has become such a trendy tourist destination that in 2019, it won the prestigious European Best Destination award. That is no coincidence, since the city promises many a wonderful sight: all you have to do is step out into the street, and wherever you look you’ll see a fabulous view on both the Buda and Pest sides of the river.
The first Budapest sight to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 was the view of the Banks of the Danube and the Buda Castle District. This was joined in 2002 by Andrássy Avenue and its historic surroundings.
The Banks of the Danube
There can be no doubt that the Banks of the Danube in Budapest offer a splendid view, with the iconic bridges crossing the river. The World Heritage Site extends from Margaret Bridge to Liberty Bridge and, on the Buda side, includes the historic complex of the castle district, Gellért Hill with THE STATUE OF LIBERTY AND THE CITADEl, and the popular GELLÉRT BATH. As part of the heritage, the most characteristic buildings on the Pest side of the riverbank include the eclectic and captivating PARLIAMENT, the Neo-Renaissance headquarters of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Art Nouveau masterpiece of the Gresham Palace and the Pest Vigadó.
The Buda Castle District
The Buda Castle District is worth a special mention, since with its many sights, this destination alone is worth a full day. Once in the centre of the quarter, surrounded by the castle wall, take a look at the 19th-century Neo-Gothic-style MATTHIAS CHURCH and the Neo-Romanesque FISHERMAN’S BASTION; and don’t miss walking through Buda Castle, once home to kings and today housing the National Széchenyi Library, THE NATIONAL GALLERY and the Budapest History Museum. If we were you, we’d also check out the Várkert Bazár, known as the capital’s special jewellery box, where art and nature live together symbiotically. Check out the exhibits here, enjoy a phenomenal dinner or simply admire the magical panorama.
Andrássy Avenue
Andrássy Avenue has also been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List with its magnificent buildings, such as the Opera House designed by the rightly famous architect Miklós Ybl, the Neo-Renaissance Academy of Music or the Art Nouveau Divatcsarnok (Fashion Hall) department store; but it also includes magnificent HŐSÖK TERE (Heroes’ Square) at the end of Andrássy Avenue, flanked by THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS and the Kunsthalle and with the Millennium Monument, where the complete history of Hungary is on display through large-scale works. If you want to enhance your time travel, we recommend a ride on Europe’s first underground railway, handed over by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1896 and gliding under Andrássy Avenue to this day.
