The capital of Hungary, the incomparable city of Budapest, is divided by the Danube River into two parts: Buda and Pest.
Buda and Pest, as well as Obuda (which means “Old Buda”), were originally ancient, but since 1873, after the unification of three independent cities, they became parts of one big city - Budapest.
Although the historical Buda and óbuda, located on the West side of the Danube, and pest, located on the East side of the river, this is a much smaller territory than now, but today to the localities in a broader sense, there are two names: Buda and Óbuda - the Buda and Pest, respectively the "pest".
To be brief, the majority of tourists for your stay in Budapest prefer to stay on the pest side.
What are the differences between Buda from pest
Buda - the hilly terrain and mostly wooded (with abundant vegetation), occupying one third of the total area of modern Budapest.
Pest is flat terrain and a large part of the city.
The Buda side is more quiet and more green and therefore more romantic and colorful. Side of the pest is more developed, more crowded and lively.
On the pest side is the greater number of cafes, restaurants, nightlife and museums, as well as transportation, ranging from cars and ending with public transport. But this does not mean that on the Buda side there is no infrastructure, the area also has cafes, restaurants and museums, served by public transport and drive cars, but in much smaller amounts than in pest. But active nightlife Buda can not boast.
The important sights of the city located on the pest side and the Buda side.
Sights of Buda mainly historical, that can tell about the rich and long history of the city and the development of Hungary as a whole. Attractions of pest, at its core, younger, although, of course, not modern, and more classic.
The Buda Side
For lovers of active leisure and panoramic views of the Buda side can offer more interesting routes than just walking through the streets from one tourist attraction to another (from one object to another), for example:
- Castle hill, where Buda castle, which is one of the best and most impressive landmark of Budapest. Within the Castle hill arethe famous Royal Palace, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, museums and other important facilities;
- gellért hill, where the remarkable: the statue of Liberty, one of the symbols of Budapest, the citadel, founded in 1854 and is built on an ancient settlement; the rock Church, consisting of two parts: the upper is an ancient cave known as the cave of St. Ivan (later the cave of Lourdes) and the lower artificial stone cavity, located inside the mountain, where the temperature in winter and in summer is 21°C;
- cable car - a gondola lift, near the upper station which is an observation tower, Elizabeth, and hillside Hiking trails (tourist routes);
- cave: mountain cave in Her and stalactite cave PAL-Velde that you can visit;
- Zichy Palace - two-storeyed building in Baroque style, originally built for count miklós Zichy in the years 1746-1757, the walls of which there are currently three museums and a concert hall in the yard;
archaeological Museum of Aquincum, which is the ruins (archaeological sites) of the ancient Roman city of Aquincum., which presents objects, wall paintings and the remains of buildings relating to the life of the ancient Romans, once living in the area;
- the famous Hungarian baths and spas, for example: bath gellért, located in a historic building, which also housed the eponymous 4-star Danubius hotel Gellert.
As well as Rudas baths, Kiraly baths, Lukacs baths and the baths Were Bay. Read more about Bude and the beach.
Where to stay in Bude
For quicker access to downtown and the Pest is to choose a location close to Danube promenade, close to Baltiansky square (Batthyany ter) and Adam Clark square (Clark Adam ter) that the chain bridge. In a broader sense - between the Elizabeth bridge and Margaret bridge. For example, the 4-star Boutique Hotel Victoria Budapest, the 4-star art'otel budapest, by park plaza and 4-star hotel Novotel Budapest Danube.
In addition to greater transport accessibility should also stay close to the area of Celle Kalman (Szell Kalman square). For example, a guest house, Fifteen Rooms Budapest Boutique and guest house BI&BI.
Fans of flavor you can stay on the territory of Buda castle and within walking distance of its attractions. For example, the 5-star Hilton Budapest, a 5-star. George Residence - All Suite Hotel DeLuxe, 4-star hotel Baltazar Budapest is a Barber and the 4-star Maison Bistro & Hotel.
Fans of booth and relaxing holiday should consider the choice of accommodation facilities on the hill of Normafa (Normafa hill) or, more clearly, the mountain of Janos (Janos-hegy), where an observation tower is Elizabeth (Erzsebet-kilato). For example, apartments Zen offers Healing House with garden views, the 4-star Hotel is Unforgettable - Hotel Tiliana by Homoky Hotels, 3-star Beatrix Hotel and apartments, Buda Side, located in the neighboring town of Budakeszi.
Summing up on the side of Buda: districts 1, 2 and 12 are the most Central parts of the Buda side. On the maps of the districts of Budapest are identified in Roman numbers: District I, District II, District XII, etc.
The Pest Side
The pest side, where from morning to late evening, and often in a separate location from morning to morning, full of life, attracts its guests with extensive areas for Hiking and sightseeing.
Pest is a mess, in her good sense. Pest - when life abounds and draws you in rhythm. Pest is square, streets, squares, shops and boutiques, cafes, pubs, restaurants and clubs. That only is such a thing as "ruin bars" - bars and pubs in the truest sense of word located in the ruins. Read more about ruin bars in Budapest...
Of the main attractions of pest, it is possible to allocate: the Hungarian Parliament building; the sculptural composition "Shoes on the Danube promenade"; Erzsebet square, where the Ferris wheel; St. Stephen's Basilica; the Vaci street - the main tourist street of the city; Central market; Jewish quarter, which houses the Great synagogue; new York Palace 5-star hotel and its famous cafes; Liberty square; the andrássy Avenue with its buildings in neo-Renaissance style; the Heroes ' square and the Park Városliget or city Park within which are the széchenyi bath, lake, Vajdahunyad castle and the zoo-Botanical garden. Read more about Pest and attractions...
Where to stay in pest
The closer to the Pest embankment, the easier for sightseeing and travel. For example, the 5-star Budapest Marriott, 5-star hotel InterContinental Budapest, the 5-star Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge is a luxury 5-star Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, located in the walls of the historic Gresham Palace.
Also 4-star accommodation with a Wellness centre and the 5-star Iberostar Grand Hotel Budapest, located near the Freedom square.
Close to Heroes square and Varosliget Park you can stay at: 4-star hotel Mirage Medic, apartment Heroes' Residence or apartment Lendvay Palace.
The Central tourist districts of the pest side are: the 5th, 6th and 7th districts.
Areas 8 and 9 attracts tourists with some notable museums such as: the Hungarian national Museum, Museum of applied arts, Holocaust memorial center and the Hungarian Museum of natural Sciences. Stay in 4-star hotel Ibis Budapest Centrum, a 3-star apart-hotel Prince Apartments, Indigo apartment Apartment With Free Parking or apartment Three Corners Hotel Art Superior.
Separately, you can highlight an area water Park, Aquaworld (AquaWorld) is the largest water entertainment venues of Hungary, with both indoor (year-round) and outdoor (from may to October) areas, which also is a 4-star resort hotel Aquaworld Resort Budapest is a Spa and fitness center, with swimming pool with thermal water, sauna, Hammam and gym.
The Park is located remotely from the city center, on the Northern outskirts of Budapest.
What connects Buda and pest
Across the Danube is spanned by bridges connecting the two parts of Budapest - Buda and pest.
In the centre of Budapest, where the main touristic center and the main attractions of the city, over the Danube river are six bridges, each beautiful in its own way. For each of these bridges runs the transport, including both public and equipped with pedestrian areas on both sides of each bridge. Read more about the bridges and embankments of Budapest...
In addition to ground transportation, between Pest and Buda, you can move on a river boat plying in the warm season and in good weather.
The website of the public transport of Budapest: bkk.
Margaret Island
Separately stands out the Margaret island (Margitsziget / Margit-sziget), located on the Danube in Central Budapest, close to Buda embankment.
Vehicular traffic, except buses (№№26 and 226), taxis and rickshaws that can be rented on the island is prohibited.
Currently, the Margaret island is a popular recreation Park for the whole family, with cafes and restaurants, Seating areas, green areas with paths and alleys for walking, children playgrounds and attractions, Japanese garden, musical fountain, mini zoo, swimming, and historical sites. Read more about Margaret island...
On Margaret island has three accommodation facilities: 4-star Ensana Thermal hotel Margaret Island, the 4-star Grand Ensana Margaret Island and hostel Island Hostel Budapest.
Conclusion! If you enjoy a quieter stay in the cities, you like rolling countryside and secluded walks in such, or, perhaps, you are a romantic with a capital "R", then you, without a doubt, more suited to the Buda side.
If you're a fan of more "moving" areas, as well as shopping, cafes and pubs, and(or) saturated evening-night life, then your choice should fall on the side of pest.
If you are a thinker or a dreamer, you are to stay in Budapest, as an option, we should consider the Margaret island.
All accommodation facilities in Budapest (in Buda, the pest side and Margaret island), you can view and book here
Buda (Buda) pest (Pest) and Margaret island (Margit) on the map
