A World Heritage Site and a Modern Cosmopolitan City
Budapest offers a bit of everything: history and culture, sport, entertainment and conviviality
What could be better than combining a wellness or spa holiday with a sightseeing programme? It’s ideal if the spa hotel is located in the middle of a lively city full of places of interest. When the cultural, sports and entertainment offerings are so diverse, they are hard to ignore. Budapest is a city of tradition and modernity, one of the world’s most beautiful major cities. A European capital, where a stay that is rich in variety is guaranteed.
Even by the time of the Stone Age the area of today’s Budapest had been settled. The Romans later used the base, called Aquincum, as the capital of the province of Pannonia. Attila the Hun founded his kingdom here in the fifth century. Over the course of the following centuries, rule in the area changed several times: From the Avars to the Magyars and then the Turks. Finally, in 1686, Charles of Lorraine eventually reconquered the territories of Óbuda, Buda and Pest for the House of Habsburg from the Turks.
During the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the city grew rapidly and became one of the most important major cities on the continent.
In 1896, the first subway in Europe was opened in Budapest. After the Second World War, Budapest vanished behind the Iron Curtain, until Hungary opened up once again to the West in 1989.
Today, Budapest has two million inhabitants and is one of the most up-and-coming destinations in Europe. And for good reason: Budapest offers a large number of interesting sights to visit, is a traditional city that is rich in culture, but where sports and entertainment are in no short supply. And naturally, Budapest, with its many thermal springs, is the city of baths!
Budapest is worthwhile seeing in every respect.
Here are a few tips and pointers on the main places of interest:
Since 1987 the Castle District has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Buda Castle District is located in the city centre and houses many famous buildings
The Gothic Matthias Church is undoubtedly the most famous church in Budapest
Fisherman’s Bastion is an architectural gem that offers a magnificent view of the city
The Liberty Statue stands 40 metres high and can be seen from almost anywhere in town
In the Citadella visitors will find exhibitions as well as cultural and culinary specialities
Heroes' Square with the 14 statues of the most noted figures from Hungarian history
Vajdahunyad Castle with numerous record trophy animals from all over Hungary
The largest church by far in Budapest is St Stephen’s Basilica
The 375-metre-long Chain Bridge is one of the city’s most famous landmarks
The Parliament Building is the third largest government building in the world
The funicular railway is the most charming way to get to the Castle District
The colossal Buda Castle, once home to Hungarian regents, is today a tourist magnet
Budapest is not just a city of thermal springs and baths – it’s also a city of museums
Shop in style at the Great Market Hall in Budapest, worth seeing in terms of its architecture
City Park, built in 1810, is the largest park in the city with over 6,500 trees
Margaret Island, the leisure paradise of Budapest, with its legendary thermal springs
Take advantage of your stay in Budapest and visit some of the city's places of interest.
Have you any questions? Our hotel staff will be happy to answer your questions and give you a few insider tips.