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"Budapest" a Budapest Travel Page by antistar

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"Budapest" a Budapest Travel Page by antistar

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antistar   
Treat hosts like your girlfriend, and never tell them how wonderful the last one was.


Real Name: Tim Partlett
Lives In: Budapest, HU
Member Since: Feb 08, 2004
VT Rank: 89

 

Page Views: 1,532            Last Visit to Budapest: August, 2007      I Live Here

Budapest

by antistar - last update: May 10, 2008

Fisherman's Bastion, Buda
The banks of the Danube between Buda and Pest must be some of the most stunning real estate anywhere on the planet. On the Buda side you have the castle, a UNESCO protected enclave of medieval buildings that would make any town claiming medieval status to be jealous. The rolling, green Buda Hills, home to the rich and famous of Hungary, provide the dramatic backdrop for this and the impressive Citadel.

On the Pest side you have the outstanding national Parliament and the regal St. Stephen's Basilca. In between the two are the vast waters of the Danube, spanned by some impressive and distinguished bridges. Not least of which is the iconic Chain Bridge that runs from the funicular, and links Buda with the long and elegant Andrassy Ut, which runs across Pest all the way to the imposing monuments at Hero's Square.
Parliament from the Palace
The city is famously two in one. Reflecting the old iron curtain divide which once hid this great city from us, the eastern Pest side is bigger, grubbier, and more industrial. It's also where everything happens in the city. This is where all the shops, hotels, nightclubs, and everything else of importance to every day Hungarians, as well as tourists. The Buda side is greener and more pleasant, and it's no surprise that the banks of the Buda Hills are populated with grand mansions of the wealthy, with house prices matching those of other Western cities.

The Buda side was my favourite. It was more relaxed and more dignified. The moment I crossed over to the Pest side I felt an immediate change of pace, but also an increase in edginess. Wandering around the castle and its environs could have been any small town anywhere in Europe, even at night, but Pest felt immediately like the big, bustling city of nearly 2 million people. Usually that would be good for me, but after a week of city slicking I was happy to hang loose in Buda.
Parliament at Night
If Budapest is stunning during the day, it is spectacular at night. The clear views the Danube offers of the buildings along its banks, along with the reflections on its surface of the bright lights that illuminate them, gives some fantastic opportunities for great night photographs. The views are great on both banks, but the Buda castle offers some particularly great views from its elevated position above the city. The only problem is the fact that the amount of light pollution, especially from uplights for the prominent buildings, can mean you will find yourself competing with many other avid photographers for the best spots.

Budapest is not just a photogenic city either, it also has plenty to do outside of sightseeing. It has a vibrant nightlife with great restaurants, all at a price lower than you'd expect in Western Europe for an equivalent quality. It has great museums, and a fascinating history to discover, from the Turkish occupation, through its part in the Austro-Hungarian empire, through to the modern day, the Soviet influence and the 1956 revolution. I was there on the fiftieth anniversary of that event, and revolution was in the air again as people protested outside the Parliament about a recent scandal. There had been violent protests before I'd arrived, and the elections were that weekend.

Things I Loved

Buda Castle, the Danube, the city at night, the Parliament, the Buda Hills, the amazing views, the bridges, great restaurants (when you know where they are) and the value for money.

Surprises

The first view of Budapest on the Danube was breathtaking.

Disappointments

The number of bums (worse than Frankfurt) and the local food (heavy like German).

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antistar's Budapest Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 15 - Photos: 56
 
Restaurants
Tips: 25 - Photos: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 4
 
Nightlife
Tips: 19
Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Tourist Traps
Tips: 1
Warnings Or Dangers
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Transportation
Tips: 5 - Photos: 1
Local Customs
Tips: 5 - Photos: 3
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 5
 
Sports Travel
Tips: 1 - Photos: 3
General Tips
Tips: 3 - Photos: 2

antistar's Budapest Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
The Hideous Mannequins of the Transport Museum2008 6

Comments for antistar about Budapest
Freebeacher Wed Jul 1, 2009 23:57 UTC
 Good job Tim. Thanks for your Budapest page!
hindu1936 Sat Mar 21, 2009 02:28 UTC
 Hi again, Tim. Well your other pages were not flukes. This one holds up the banner of excellence quite well. again, thank you. really like your note on Hero's square.
VZ-Pam Sun Jan 18, 2009 22:45 UTC
 I will soon find out & thanks for the tips about the Hideous Mannequins of the Transport Museum...I think I probably stay out of it
hunterV Sat Jan 10, 2009 19:53 UTC
 Hello, Tim! Thanks for your wonderful page!
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