![]() |
BUDAPEST | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TIPS FROM LOCALS
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On this Jewish heritage in Budapest tour you will be introduced to the history and to the most beautiful monuments of the Jewish district of Budapest with the guidance of an English-speaking guide :
Inner City of Budapest Walking TourThis quick stroll introduces to you the most notable sights along a circle in the heart of Pest in the V. district. Starting point: Széchenyi István Square (formerly Roosevelt Square) - Pest bridgehead of Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) Getting there: tram 2 or 2A Széchenyi István tér stop, or a short walk from M2 (red) metro Kossuth tér or Deák tér stations
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Standing in front of the bridgehead you can admire one of Budapest's most scenic panorama with the Gellért Hill and the Statue of Liberty perching at its top to the left and the Royal Palace and the graceful tower of Matthias church in Castle District on the opposite bank.
|
To the north of the bridge the green Buda Hills enchants you to go for hiking while the green Baroque towers of Church of St. Anne draw your eyes in Víziváros (Watertown).
You can see the bridges spanning the Danube:
Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) to the left of Chain Bridge, Petőfi Bridge and the red Rákóczi Bridge (formerly Lágymányosi híd) further south. To the right the white and graceful structure of Elizabeth Bridge (Erzsébet híd) stretches over the river.
The neo-Renaissance building of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences encloses the square on the north.
The stunning building on the eastern side of Széchenyi István Square is the Gresham Palace where the luxury Four Seasons Hotel welcomes its guests with lavish rooms.

Two statues stand on Széchenyi István Square: the standing form is Count István Széchenyi (1791-1860) whose idea was the Chain Bridge, the founding of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and numerous other development programs in the Reform Era in the 19th century.
The other statue is of Ferenc Deák (1803-1876) another outstanding figure of the Reform period - often called "the Wise man of the Nation" - who facilitated and organized the compromise between Austria and Hungary in 1867.
![]() |
|
Heading south you pass the statue of József Eötvös (1813-1871) writer and politician standing on the square of the same name. Walk straight ahead on Dorottya utca and you'll reach the heart of Pest, Vörösmarty Square.
![]() |
The plaza is the main square of the inner city. The white marble statue of the great Hungarian poet, Mihály Vörösmarty (1800-1855) writer of the Szózat. Szózat, a patriotic poem (Appeal) is often cited on public holidays and deemed to be the second national anthem of Hungary. |
The opening line of the poem is carved into the pedestal of the composition: "Be faithful to your land forever, O Hungarians!". Unfortunately the statue is covered in canvas in winter to protect it from corrosion.
![]() |
The Luxus Department Store on the eastern side of the square was one of the rare places in the communist era where you could buy quality clothes. Today only a jewelry shops operates in the 3-storey building which will be refurbished. |
![]() |
Take your time wandering around the square. If you feel like taking a rest and have a cup of coffee pop in the famous Gerbeaud Cafe & Confectionery. Although being a very touristy area the place is a bit pricey but it has very attractive rooms decorated with 19th-century furniture and artworks. |
In one of the rooms you can see a portrait of Emile Gerbeuad the Swiss confectioner who bought the place in 1884. If you can find place sit on the terrace in warm weather.
![]() |
The Millennium Underground (M1, yellow metro line) has its termini on the square. If you pay attention you can here the murmur of the trains while sipping your coffee in Gerbeaud. Budapest's main Christmas Market is held here, too. Around Christmas Váci street also dresses up in decorations and lights for the holiday . |
From the south end of Vörösmarty square you can continue your walk the famous Váci pedestrian shopping street which abounds in fancy boutiques, shops, cafes and restaurants. Apart from the highly commercialized aspect of the street you'll find some remarkable architecture in the area. So don't just window-shop, scan the building facades occasionally and you'll spot some real gems.
For instance the facade of the building at No. 11 is decorated with beautiful Zsolnay tiles. Turn into Kristóf tér where a delicate statue of the Well of the Fishmonger Girl stands erected by the Pest city's Guild of Fishermen. Another nice statue is the Fountain of Mercury (Hermész kút) on the corner of Régiposta utca. It's a replica of Giovanni Bologna's "Flying Mercury" in Florence.
The Philantila flower shop at No. 9 with its art-nouveau decor is another interesting building and shop in Váci utca.
If you want to stock up on English-language books browse the shelves in the Libri Studium Bookshop (63., Váci street, open: Mon-Fri: 10.00-18.30).
![]() |
![]() |
In Szervita tér where the Baroque Szervita church welcomes those who long for some quite moments.
![]() |
The stained glass facade with a huge mosaic picture on the house at No. 3 will caught your eye. Miksa Róth, one of the most outstanding stained glass artists of the time created the incredible mosaic artwork titled the "Birth of Hungaria" on the building of the former Turkish bank. Great historical figures and representatives of Hungary pay homage to patron of Hungary, ... |
![]() |
Walk along Petőfi street that flanks Szervita tér and you'll reach the City Hall of Budapest (9-11., Városház utca). Built between 1716-1741 the Baroque building's original purpose was to provide shelter for those who became crippled in the war between Austria and the Turkish army. The building has been housing the Municipality of Budapest and been functioning as City Hall since 1894. Detail of the City Hall's baroque facade designed by Anton Erhards Martinelli -Atlas, the God from Greek mythology holding the sky on his shoulders. |
Városháza utca takes you to a charming inner city plaza, Kammermayer Square with the very Parisian-atmosphere Gerlóczy cafe on its side where you can take a rest and have lunch.
![]() |
![]() |
At this point you have several choices: if you feel like continuing walking and exploring more of downtown Budapest than the former Jewish quarter with the Central Synagogue in Dohány utca is at just a stone's throw from here.
If your had enough walking and want to return to your hotel room you can get on the blue metro at Ferenciek tere or on any of Budapest's three metro lines in Deák tér.
For mor tips on what to see in downtown Budapest read our page about Budapest city centre.
See also our detailed list of the most popular attractions in Budapest.
The New Main Street of Budapest between Kálvin tér and Szabadság tér is great place for a walk and to have coffee and snacks in of the many cafes in the area.
See also our page about a nice walk in North Buda.
Andrássy Avenue with its fine buildings, cafes and restaurants is also an excellent place for strolling.
Absolute Walking Tours an entertaining and interactive Budapest tour, sights, history, culture
Tour starts: summer 16th May-30th Sept every day at 9.30 and 13.30
winter 1st October- 15th May (no tours on 25th-26th Dec) every day at 10.30
Meeting point: Deák Square in front of the yellow church, no reservation necessary
Price: 3500 HUF/14 € for students with ID card, 4000 HUF/16 € for adults
Budget Accommodation in Budapest
Return from Budapest walking Tours to Budapest Sightseeing or
Homepage of Budapest Tourist Guide.
Copyright © 2005-2012 - All Rights Reserved www.budapest-tourist-guide.com
|
|
Search Our Site!
Upcoming Events
|
||||||||||
Related |
||
|
|
||