The view of Budapest as we approached the city along the Danube one evening was jaw-dropping. As far as architecture this is my favorite city in Central Europe – perhaps all of Europe.
Hungarian Parliament on the left.
It began as two cities Buda and Obuda (Pest) but was unified into a single city in 1873. The West side is Buda with Castle Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion; we stayed on the Pest (Parliament side).
It deserves one more picture – a close up.
Strolling around Pest we came upon some street dancers. They would perform and then anyone could join in.
Any evening you can come across these strange, pedal-powered vehicles carrying noisy young people guzzling beer and listening to loud music. Foreigners can buy tickets too, tour the city while partying at the same time.
Beer pedalers… (not peddlers)
Also on the Pest side is the Synagogue. It is hard to get a great shot from the street but this gives you a glimpse I hope is worthwhile.
Budapest was the second capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire ( the first being Vienna). Hence the Baroque Opera House was modeled on the magnificent Viennese Opera House. All the marble you see is faux i.e. painted – they did a fabulous job!
Entrance to the Opera
Central stairway
Opera boxes
The Chain Bridge was built between 1839 and 1849. (Like many other Danube bridges, the Chain Bridge did not survive the ravages of the World War II; it was rebuilt in 1949.)
Chain Bridge
We found it fairly easy to get around on the Pest side (it is flatter and more modern, but still plenty of wonderful old sites to see), both by tram and bus. Other places to go are the thermal Baths and Hero’s Square – there are museums, more architecture, statues, a lake and pretty grounds.
I will save the Buda side of Budapest with Castle Hill for next time. If anything it is even more fabulous! And I have a video – of a large fountain with music and a light show – I need to figure out how to post. Hope to see you then.
Please leave any “travel comments” for the next guy – or me! Has anyone gone to the baths? We missed the soak – would love to hear about it.
A Place in the World 
new comment from KEN-
http://blog.kenkaminesky.com/2013/04/02/hungarian-state-opera-house/
OMG.. This building is incredibly beautiful. I missed the chance to visit this opera house on my first visit to Budapest….you have beautiful photos.
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Looks like a beautiful place! I’ve never been there but we’re planning to visit the baths in Bath this October. I’ll file a report!
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Beautiful photos Cinda. Isn’t it beautiful? I missed the baths as well and I regret it but there just wasn’t enough time. After seeing your photos I feel nostalgic.
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I remember your photos of Central Europe from last year confirmed that we wanted to go there.
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I’ve been to two bath houses in Budapest: Szechenyi and Gelert. They were both beautiful and a lot of fun. Gelert was more regal, and also quieter as I visited at the end of the day. Szechenyi on the other hand was full of people having fun with family and friends. I remember they had great whirlpools!
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You do get around Rosanna! Were the bath houses uni-sex or segregated? I’m sorry we missed the experience, but who knows, maybe I will go back someday.
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I think there were both options. It was quite a few years ago now, so i don’t remember exactly.
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Hi Cinda. A lovely post and your photos are excellent. I think you should be my next subject on The Displaced Nation. Let me know if you are interested.
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Why thank you James – let me know what you have in mind.
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