The stylish capital of Hungary is a New City of Lights. Along the hills of Buda, gleaming castles and churches hold stories of the many empires who swept through. On the flat Pest side, the residents are taking care of business and keeping the lights on in commercial centers. As you cruise along the Danube, the illuminated Parliament strikes an imposing figure. Its grand architecture is a blend of Baroque, Neoclassical, Gothic, and Art Nouveau treasures.

Must Sees | Food

MUST SEES

Heroes’ Square

The Millennium Monument in Heroes’ Square commemorates the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin in 896. At the base of the column, Árpád triumphantly leads the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars on horseback. Behind the column are two enormous arcades with statues of seven kings on each side.

Mátyás Church

After Matthias Corvinus built the Gothic bell tower, the church was renamed for him. Over the centuries, Mongols and Ottomans destroyed the church. The church is a mix of architectural styles and a hodgepodge of spires, towers, and stonework.

Fisherman’s Bastion

This was the site of Buda’s defensive walls and medieval square where fish was once sold. The seven cone-shaped stone towers resemble Magyar tribal tents. The hilltop provides a remarkable view of the landmarks of Buda and Pest’s skyline of across the river.

Hungarian Parliament

The exquisite Hungarian Parliament dominates the Danube shore with its Neo-Gothic spires, buttresses, and corner towers. The 315-foot dome once had a red star, but now Parliament is an enduring symbol of Hungary’s independence.

Gödöllő Palace

Queen Elizabeth (Sisi) loved staying at Gödöllő. Her chambers included a secret room where musicians could perform. She also had a secret staircase for discreet getaways. Emperor Franz Joseph’s spartan chambers are a striking contrast with Sisi’s white and gold rococo style. Gödöllő is 45 minutes from Budapest.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

The Neo-Classical church has a 315 feet tall dome – the same height as Parliament’s dome. The ceiling has golden mosaics and a chapel reliquary contains St. István’s forearm. István was the first Christian king of Hungary.

Chain Bridge

The Chain Bridge was the first bridge to connect hilly Buda with flat Pest. In 1849, William Clark designed the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Adam Clark built this chain suspension bridge stone and cast iron with two lions on each end.

Shoes on the Danube Bank

In 2005, Can Togay created this memorial along the Pest side of the Danube. During WWII, the fascist Hungarian militia executed hundreds of Jews by the river. They had been ordered to remove their shoes before falling into the Danube.

Danube Night Cruise

Embark on a Danube dinner cruise at night. From the upper deck, marvel at magnificently lit and colorful buildings – glowing jewels on a Danubian crown. Listen to Strauss’s The Blue Danube while observing the Castle District, Gellert Hill, and Parliament.

Szentendre

Skanzen is an open-air museum that shows what village life was like in Hungary. The park has workshops showing different trades. At a communal oven, a baker offers warm bread with garlic and cheese. Millers demonstrate how grindstones work. Candlestick makers patiently create candles.

FOOD

Gulyásleves

Gulyásleves, or goulash, is a soup with beef, potatoes, onions, peppers, tomatoes, meat, garlic, salt, caraway seeds, and noodles. Paprika is the key to the dish’s flavor. Hungarian cattle ranchers used to cook this red bubbling soup in a black cauldron over an open fire.

Paprika

Paprika is a spice from a variety of ground red chili peppers. The Ottoman Empire helped spread paprika to Hungary in the 16^th century. Paprika is essential to Hungarian cuisine. It comes in many varieties, but the spicy and sweet types are the most common.

Dobostorta

The Dobos Torte has six layers of vanilla sponge cake with chocolate buttercream in between. A golden, crunchy, caramel layer tops the cake. In Budapest, József Dobos presented his cake to Queen Elizabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph in 1885. At Café Gerbeaud, try the famous Dobos Torte.

Fatányéros

This Hungarian mixed grill dish from Transylvania arrives on a large wooden plate. It contains sliced sirloin steak, herbed potatoes, sausage, and pasta with cottage cheese and sour cream. It’s accompanied by a red paprika pepper, tomatoes, onions, and a brown mushroom cream sauce.

Csirkepaprikás

Chicken paprikash is chicken simmered in a paprika roux sauce and finished with sour cream. It is normally served with dumpling-like egg noodles.

Rétes

Rétes is a crispy strudel of puff pastry layers with sour cherry, apple, raisin, and cottage cheese.