The Splendour Of Budapest

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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With the misty waters of the Danube flowing through, and flanked by the Great Plain and the heights of the Buda Hills, the city of Budapest has a rich, almost romantic beauty about it. The natural environment in which it is located as well as the striking monuments of the city itself make it a wonderful place to behold.

Around town there is a host of attractions of such splendour and magnitude as befits a great capital city. Budapest''s grand Parliament House is the largest building in the whole of Hungary, and once upon a time could boast of being the largest parliament building in the whole world. On the inside you can be shown around the vast halls and stately rooms.

That''s not all: there is so much more across the rest of the city that you can see and enjoy. After visiting the Parliament House, you might want to cross the Danube over Margaret Bridge and then take a drive to the Royal Castle over on the Buda side of Budapest. You can have a look inside Matthias Church, visit the old Citadel, go for a walk at Heroes'' Square and the City Park too.

If ever you tire of the sightseeing, you will be in for ...
... a treat when you stop off to enjoy the local fare. There are so many local delicacies you will find, like the goulash stew ? porkolt - filled with onions, and a fishermen''s soup called halaszle. Almost everything is served with plenty of paprika.

The range of restaurants across Budapest will open your eyes ? as well as your taste buds ? to what Hungarians do well: producing the beautiful flavours that they have had for a long time, at the same time as embracing influences from all over the world. As well as the great places to eat, you are sure to find some great bars, as Budapest is becoming more and more the region''s destination of choice for party-goers. In the warmer seasons the outdoor entertainment areas across the city are always teeming with crowds having fun.

There are plenty of trendy bars where you can while away the evenings. A favourite Budapest hangout is the wine bar, or ?borozo?, where you''ll be treated to Hungarian wines on tap, usually without having to pour all your spending money away too.

The country''s theatre scene is rich, nowhere more so than in Budapest. Classical dramas and traditional operas are regularly produced alongside the latest avant-garde shows. The Hungarian State Opera House is worth a visit for its own sake, as it is one of the continent''s architecturally most breathtaking opera houses. The Palace of Arts meanwhile appears more like a power plant but its facade hides an excellent modern art museum, a festival theatre and the Bela Bartok National Concert Hall.

A cultural haven and a city of true beauty: if you are looking for a break away, then find somewhere to stay in Budapest and then go and see it all for yourself. Bonny Kominek writes professional travel articles and was inspired by Octopustravel.com to provide further information on other useful online resources including Budapest hotels.