Budapest is easily one of the best cities I have seen in Europe! So many wonderful sights.
So interesting to see Danube in various countries …
What I did not like …
Some areas of Budapest are quite messy. I think the city (And the residents/tourists) can do a better job with respect to keeping Budapest clean.
Location in the World map …
Some interesting tidbits about Hungary …
Buda + Pest == Budapest (Buda has hills and greenery. Pest is more urban)
Birthplace of Rubik’s Cube.
Hungary has over 400 breeds of birds.
The Hungarian Parliament is the 3rd largest parliament building in the world, with 691 rooms and 20 kilometers of stairs. It also has 88 pounds of Gold built into it.
The beautiful city of Budapest is made up of 2 parts – Buda and Pest – which are separated by the Danube river.
The 1st subway line of continental Europe was built in Budapest. Budapest has the oldest Metro network in Europe, after London.
Covering almost 600 square kilometers, Lake Balaton (nicknamed “the Hungarian Sea”) is the largest lake in Central Europe. This lake is the World’s largest biologically-active lake.
Each day, 70 million liters of thermal water rise to the surface in Budapest.
Hungary performs very well in Summer Olympics.
The oversized snail-shaped egg noodles (Csiga) that Hungarians use in many recipes are thought to date back to the 9th century.
Hungary was a part of the “Axis” during WWII.
One of the oldest countries in Europe.
Austro-Hungarian Empire!
The Hungarian language is highly complex!
Hungarians refuse to clink beer glasses.
Capital: Budapest
Largest City: Budapest (1.7M)
Population: 10M
Language: Hungarian (16% speak English)
Religion: Christianity (43%. Roman Catholic is the main denomination)
Currency: Forint (1 HUF == 0.26 INR)
GDP: 220 Billion USD
National Animal: Turul (A mythological bird of prey)
Timeline:
9th Century (Life along the Danube plains) > 1000 (1st Christian King of Hungary) > 1241 (Mongolian Invasion) à 1526 (Ottoman Empire) > 1699 (Austrian Habsburgs under Leopold I) > 1867 (Austro-Hungarian Empire) > 1918 (Austro-Hungarian Empire broken up) > 1919 (Turmoil with Romania, Czechoslovakia Etc.) > 1930s (Get closer to Nazis) > 1941 (Hungary joins Nazis) à 1945 (Soviet rule, after WWII) > 1991 (Independence from USSR) > 2004 (Joins EU).
My 1st impressions:
15C! So nice to walk around without freezing to death 🙂
Clearly, the biggest city so far in this trip. Immigrants galore … Indians. Pakistanis. Bangladeshis. You name it …
My Experiences
Budapest-Keleti Train Station … Budapest, Hungary.One of the ornate halls of Budapest-Keleti Train Station … Budapest, Hungary.The imposing station from outside …I hope they meant to draw a dog (Did see a lot of people walking their dogs). It looks more like a monkey 😁 On the pedestrian walkways of Budapest, Hungary.Since it was a Monday, late afternoons meant packed Trams … Budapest, Hungary.Felt like some Kebabs … Tried this Turkish Eatery. Budapest, Hungary.Want a handgun? Budapest, Hungary.“Soproni” Beer. Soproni Brewery is one of Hungary’s largest and oldest breweries, founded in 1895 … Budapest, Hungary.Hungarian Forint (“HUF”). 1 HUF == 0.26 INR. Not often we see INR 💪 😁 With a population of 10M and GDP of 220 Billion USD, the country seems to be doing okay. Lot of people aimlessly loitering around … Will I be forced to bring out my Kung Fu skills 🥋??? 😁Every regular building looks bombastic 😁 Lets see what happens today … Budapest, Hungary.Hungarian countryside …Near the Budapest-Keleti, there are underground walkways to get to nearby streets and also to the Metro lines M2 and M4 … Budapest, Hungary.I think I just got a crash course in Hungarian, one of the World’s complex languages 😳 Budapest has countless people loitering around … At 5am, when I was walking to Metro M2 line station, a young dude came upto me and said something, I assumed he was asking me for money and just walked past, with a glance but otherwise ignoring him … Then from behind, I heard a long !@!%! in an angry voice 😂 He even followed me till the platform … 😳Some of the stations are quite deep … Not to Moscow/St.Petersburg/Baku levels, but still pretty deep … Budapest, Hungary.And the Metro stations are immaculately maintained. Ticket checkers are there to confirm that you are not a freeloader 🙂, both while entering the stations and while exiting … Budapest, Hungary.Breakfast goodies at the Cafe I had BF in … Was confused as to what to pick 🙂 Budapest, Hungary.Finally, went with a Chicken/Egg Baguette and Expresso … Budapest, Hungary.Szilágyi Dezső Square Reformed Church … Budapest, Hungary.Walking across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge (“Chain Bridge”). It was sunny, but still cold. There were many joggers and bikers going across the bridge. You can see the Buda Castle in the background. Budapest, Hungary.The Széchenyi Chain Bridge (“Chain Bridge”). It was sunny, but still cold. There were many joggers and bikers going across the bridge. You can see the Buda Castle in the background. Budapest, Hungary.Buda Castle. From 1265. Home to the Hungarian Kings. Was damaged during the Siege of Budapest in 1944 (By Soviets). Please remember that Hungary was with the “Axis” during WWII. Budapest, Hungary.The yellow Metro M1 line. It is the shortest one of the 4 lines, but do touch some tourist spots. Budapest, Hungary.Hungarian State Opera. From 1884. Has several statues of various composers. Budapest, Hungary.St.Stephen’s Basilica. You need tickets to visit the interiors. Budapest, Hungary.Liked this budding flower bed … Budapest, Hungary.Vajdahunyad Castle … Has a unique architecture. Budapest, Hungary.A Church inside the Vajdahunyad Castle … Budapest, Hungary.Hmm … That is one scary statue 🙂 Budapest, Hungary.Right next to the Vajdahunyad Castle is this Museum … Budapest, Hungary.Heroes Square. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Statues of the leaders of the 7 tribes who founded Hungary. There is also the Millennium Monument, a central column topped by Archangel Gabriel. Budapest, Hungary.Local trams … Budapest, Hungary.Count Gyula Andrássy in Kossuth Square … Next to the Parliament Building. Budapest, Hungary.The Cafe near Fisherman’s Bastion where I had my lunch. They had only outside seating, for food. Budapest, Hungary.The magnificent “The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle”. Matthias Church is on top of Buda Hill, right next to Fisherman’s Bastion. From 1255. One needs a ticket to go inside and it is well worth it! Budapest, Hungary.The magnificent “The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle”. Matthias Church is on top of Buda Hill, right next to Fisherman’s Bastion. From 1255. One needs a ticket to go inside and it is well worth it! Budapest, Hungary.Pothole cover, Budapest style 🙂 Budapest, Hungary.View of the Danube from Fisherman’s Bastion … Budapest, Hungary.Fisherman’s Bastion. Fisherman’s Bastion is a Roman-type terrace on Buda Castle Hill, built in 1902. It is a famous landmark known for its fairytale-like design, panoramic views of the Danube and the Hungarian Parliament building. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Budapest, Hungary.The wonderful stained glass inside The Church Of Our Lady of Buda Castle. Budapest, Hungary.The interior of The Church Of Our Lady Of Buda Castle. Budapest, Hungary.One final look at the magnificent Parliament … Budapest, Hungary.Local bus … Budapest, Hungary.MMA, Hungarian style 🙂 Budapest, Hungary.Foie Gras? Budapest, Hungary.The liqueurs were really tempting, but I refrained from what I did in Riga, Latvia. Budapest, Hungary.The queue to get inside Hungarian Parliament, as a part of a very controlled conducted tour. Budapest, Hungary.Souvenir shop at the Hungarian Parliament. Budapest, Hungary.Time Travel, Virtual Style 🙂 Just for 5 minutes!? At Hungarian Parliament. Budapest, Hungary.Hungarian flag in full glory .. At the Hungarian Parliament. Budapest, Hungary.What interiors the Hungarian Parliament has … No wonder it is so popular with the tourists. Budapest, Hungary.The place where the “action” takes place 🙂 Parliament Chamber, with special seating for the ministers. Budapest, Hungary.Hungarian Parliament, at night. Budapest, Hungary.Hungarian Parliament, at night. Budapest, Hungary.Hungarian Parliament, beside Danube river, Budapest, Hungary. Weather forecast said “Cloudy Day”, but it turned out to be a gorgeous sunny day. And what a city Budapest is … Yes, there is a lot of trash around and there are the ever-loitering bunch of people, but in terms of sights and the quality of those sights and the way they are presented and maintained, Budapest can hang with the other giants like Paris, London, Prague Etc. It is tough to pick, but if I had to pick one, it is this, the spectacular Hungarian Parliament. Exteriors, Interiors and of course, from across Danube. You get a 45min interior tour during which you get to see the “Dome Hall” which is just 😍😘😍, along with its Holy Crown of Hungary. The statues, the artwork on the walls and ceilings, the carpets and the sheer size are amazing.Hungarian Parliament, beside Danube river, Budapest, Hungary.The cafe where I had my Goulash dinner … Budapest, Hungary.It sure hit the spot! I had a 2nd helping as well.Hungarians love Meat 🙂 Central Market. Budapest, Hungary.My lunch … Kolbasz, Cherry Beer and a piece of Cake. Budapest, Hungary.Cured Kolbasz on display. Bought one (Top-Left). Bus Station. Budapest, Hungary.My breakfast … Ham/Cheese/Egg Sandwich. Budapest, Hungary.Breakfast goodies … Bus Station. Budapest, Hungary.Main Bus Station … Budapest, Hungary.Longer distance buses in Hungary. Budapest, Hungary.Inside the Bus Station … Budapest, Hungary.My bus … Was momentarily confused by almost identical buses and got in wrong bus. Corrected my error at the very last minute! Budapest, Hungary.Capitalism! 🙂Small towns on the way … Hungary.Hungarian countryside …
