Hungary
Budapest
Welcome to Hungary! Budapest was once two separate towns, hilly Buda and flat Pest, joined together by grand bridges across the Danube River. Look for castle towers, storybook turrets, and steamy thermal pools bubbling up from deep underground.
Why is it famous?
Budapest is Hungary's capital, split by the wide Danube River into hilly Buda on one side and flat, busy Pest on the other.
The city is famous for its stunning Hungarian Parliament Building, one of the most beautiful government buildings on Earth, and for the natural hot springs bubbling up beneath the streets.
How did it grow so big?
Budapest actually began as three separate towns — Buda, Óbuda, and Pest — that grew up along the Danube River for centuries.
In 1873, the three towns officially joined together to form one great city, and grand bridges were built to connect both riverbanks.
Amazing facts
The Hungarian Parliament Building has 691 rooms and nearly 700 windows, and it glows gold when it's lit up at night.
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge, finished in 1849, was the very first permanent bridge to connect Buda and Pest across the Danube.
Quick facts
- The Hungarian Parliament Building has 691 rooms and nearly 700 windows, and it glows gold when it's lit up at night.
- The Széchenyi Chain Bridge, finished in 1849, was the very first permanent bridge to connect Buda and Pest across the Danube.
- Budapest sits on top of more than 100 natural hot springs, so people have been soaking in warm thermal baths here for centuries.
- Fisherman's Bastion, a fairy-tale terrace with cone-shaped towers, offers one of the best views over the whole city and river.