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Budapest
City Guide
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Budapest City Guide
Practical Information
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Official name: Budapest.
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Language: Hungarian.
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Religion: Catholics (66%), protestant (25%)
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Currency : forint.
Budapest Sights and Museums
Castle Hill: Here the medieval character of Buda has been preserved. The entire panorama of the two banks of the Danube all the way from Margaret Island - Budapest's green Central Park in the middle of the river - to Gellrt Hill and the Castle District has been designated a World Heritage preservation site by UNESCO.
Royal Palace: At the top of Castle Hill visit the Royal Palace, erected in the 14th century and rebuilt in Baroque style 400 years later. It was the residence of Hungarian kings for 700 years. Today it embraces the most visited museums and galleries in Budapest, such as the Budapest Historical Museum, Hungarian National Gallery and National Library.
Matthias Church: The 700-year old Matthias Church with its Gothic spire and multi-colored tiled roof is where the nation's kings were crowned. Now it is the site of organ and choir performances. Be sure to catch the sunset at Fisherman's Bastion, with its view of the river, Chain Bridge, Parliament building and Pest across the horizon.
Dont forget also to visit: the Gellrt Hill, Buda Hills, the Parliament, St. Stephen Basilica, Andrssy Boulevard, City Park or the Margaret Island among others with special attention on the multiple baths around the city.
Budapest Entertainment
Budapest is a cultural mecca and has a long tradition of celebrating its chequered history; each of the four seasons has its own festivals.
Budapesti Bcs (June) is a fervent rock and pop festival held at several open-air venues around Budapest and celebrates the last Russian soldiers' departure from Hungary in 1991. September's International Wine and Champagne Festival is held in the Castle District. By far the capital's largest (200 events at 60 venues) and most important cultural festival is the Budapest Spring Festival, occurring in March at venues throughout the city.
If the classics are not your thing, join the frenzied throng the 'Sziget' Music Festival. Held on the site of an old disused shipyard on buda Island, this is where you'll find central Europe's highest concentration of moshing and doofing. Hungary's premier sporting event is the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix, held in mid-August each year.
Budapest Transports
How to get there by plane: Budapest (Ferihegy) International Airport is ten miles south-east of the city centre. It has two terminals: Terminal One is reopened for low-cost airlines in September 2005; Terminal Two is divided into two, with Terminal 2A the departure and arrival point for flights of Malv Hungarian Airlines and Terminal 2B hosting all international carriers flights, including some of the budget airlines.
By train: More than fifty trains a day provide direct links between Budapest and no fewer than 25 other capital cities. Trains to Vienna run every three hours. There is also a popular network of Inter City trains linking Budapest with the main Hungarian centres
Boat Tours: Legenda Kft., Departure from Vigad tr Boat Station, Piers 6 and 7. Daytime and evening sightseeing boats.
Coach Tours: You can choose from city tours, Parliament, Danube tour or just Szentendre, Gdll Palace, Budapest night tours, Puszta tours, and Balaton tours.
Walking tours: You can visit the most famous sites with English speaking guides. Buda Castle Municipality follows the steps of great rulers and medieval times on its Castle Walk Tours. Tour A: Royal Legends, Tour B: The Secrets of Buda Castle. Available from April 22 to October 22, tours start at 11 am and 3:30 pm. Tickets and information: Buda Castle Info, H-Budapest, Trnok utca 9-11
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