Disclaimer: I will very often mention historical or cultural facts in my articles. I really don’t guarantee that the information is 100% correct since I have not the pretension to be a journalist. I just like sharing my thoughts and also my knowledge and understanding of local history. So if you are interested in the subject, check on Wikipedia for more accuracy/details.
The name Budapest comes from the names of the 2 cities which merged end of the 19th century: Buda, the hilly and Pest, the flat, separated by the Danube river. The construction of a first bridge (the famous and beautiful chain bridge) helped to unite both sides, but they still have their own identity. Buda is famous for its hills dominating the Danube, and his beautiful castle and viewpoints on Pest. Pest is more the chic city with shopping and fancy elegant cafes.
I spent a beautiful day on Buda side, climbing up and down the hills, and wanted to share a few impressions with you.
The day started with a metro ride from the Pest to the Buda side using the brand-new metro line 4. I was quite impressed by how beautiful and expensive the stations looked like – real concrete cathedrals. I learned from my Hungarian couchsurfer host Peter that the costs were exorbitant and controversial, as often for these big projects. The stations are also very deep, since the line passes a tunnel under the river, and the station Gellert where I got out is just a few meters away from the river shore!
As soon as you get out at Gellert station, you are standing in front of the beautiful Art Nouveau Gellert hotel, also famous for his baths. And that’s where the climb of Gellert hill starts, with his quite steep paths or stairs to get on the top. The vistas on the river and its bridges are really stunning, especially by nice weather, and I couldn’t resist but sat on many benches, enjoying some paprika sausage, smoked cheese and bread every 15 minutes. haha!
At the top of the hill, there is a citadel but also the Liberty Statue commemorating the liberation of nazi-occupied Hungary by the soviets.
I went down the hill on the other side, having some new views on the Castle Hill and passing by the Saint Gellert monument dominating the hill side.
After walking a bit along the river, it was time to go up again on Castle hill… with an escalator! The 18th century castle which was the palace of the Hungarian kings is quite massive and impressive.
Leaving the castle, you pass by the office of the Prime Minister… an office with a view… and its cool guards.
The next neighborhood is really pretty… very baroque and has an old town character. It gets busier and busier though, until you suddenly meet thousands of tourists, all gathered behind the Matthias church, at the Fisherman’s bastion. This is I guess the most beloved viewpoint of Budapest, certainly because of its kitschy neoromantic 1900 architecture. I must admit I also enjoy it. It feels a bit like in Disneyland, and the view on the other Disneyland-ish building, the Parliament, is great!
After enjoying the view and the last rays of sun, I went down the bastion’s stairs and finally crossed the Danube like a star, on the scenic chain bridge!
Free like a bear 