With the growth of city breaks, particularly for cultural tourism, Budapest has once again become a much-visited capital. As a combination of the hilltop royal city of Buda and the industrial city of Pest on the other bank of the Danube, the city has a rich history that has produced some fine monuments. The Ruin Bars have also given a face to the local underground.

01. Parliament building

Completed in 1902, this is Budapest’s most famous monument. Its architecture is inspired by London’s Palace of Westminster, in the neo-Gothic style, with intricate details of spires and sculptures adorning the facades. The interior, which can be visited, is just as sumptuous, with the best craftsmen of the day involved in its construction.

02. Shoes on the Danube Bank

This memorial stands in front of Parliament since 2005. It consists of 60 pairs of rusty iron shoes scattered along the river. It commemorates the tragic events of the Second World War, when Jews were lined up along the Danube, forced to remove their shoes, then shot in the river by militiamen.

03. Chain Bridge

This was the first bridge to link Buda and Pest, originally two separate cities. Completed in 1849, it was a technical marvel for its time. Its impressive iron chains supported a deck 1,180 feet, 360 meters, long. Destroyed in the fighting of 1945, it was rebuilt identically and remains the emblematic symbol of the Hungarian capital.

04. Budavár Palace

The former royal palace is perched on a castle hill overlooking the Danube and the city of Pest. Originally built in the 13th century, it was gradually enlarged and embellished by the Hungarian monarchy, later associated with the Austrian Empire. Seriously damaged in the fighting of 1945, it is gradually being rebuilt to its former splendor.

05. Sándor Palace

Built in the early 19th century, it was used by Hungarian prime ministers in the early 20th century. Neglected during the communist period, the palace was renovated and since 2003 has been used by the President of the Republic. It houses his official residence, offices and function rooms.

06. Fisherman’s Castle

Built in the late 19th century, this neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque structure was designed to evoke a romantic medieval atmosphere. The bastion’s name pays tribute to the medieval fishermen’s guild that once protected the city walls. Today, the bastion is a popular tourist destination, offering panoramic views of the Danube and the city.

07. Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

The church associated with the royal palace has played an important role in Hungarian history, being the ceremonial venue for royal events such as coronations. On a foundation dating from 1255, the church was restructured in the neo-Gothic style towards the end of the 19th century. During the Ottoman occupation, it was transformed into a mosque for over a century.

08. St. Stephen’s Basilica

Built in the late 19th century, the basilica is named after the first king of Hungary, St. Stephen, whose mummified right hand is preserved as a relic. Its vast nave can accommodate 8,500 participants, making it one of the largest sanctuaries in the country. The gallery running beneath the dome affords a panoramic view of the city centre.

09. Millennium monument

The monument commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar nation in 1896. Located on Heroes’ Square, at the end of the long perspective of Andrássy Avenue, the monument is a symbol of national pride and historical importance. It has also become a major cultural and tourist attraction, just a stone’s throw from the 120-hectare City Park.

10. Ethnographic museum

Budapest’s new Ethnographic Museum opened in May 2022 on the edge of the City Park, replacing a parking lot with a huge curved building that seems to go underground. It’s a fine example of contemporary architecture in Budapest, part of a global project to concentrate several cultural institutions in the area.