Budapest/Belváros
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Belváros or Downtown is the V. District of Budapest. It actually consists of two historic neighbourhoods with well-defined borders within the V. District - Lipótváros ("Leopold town", after Emperor Leopold II) in the north includes the Parliament and many governmental buildings, Szent István Basilica and some museums, while the southern part (Belváros proper) is mostly high class accommodations, shops and night life area.
Get in
To/From Buda
On the Underground
All four of the Budapest Metro lines can be used to get to the V. District:- Line
starts in northeastern East Pest and goes southwest with stops in Central Pest district at Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út (near Szent Isztvan Bazilika), Deák Ferenc tér and Vörösmarty tér.
- Line
links the main sights of Buda and Pest. Running through Hegyvidék along the borders of It starts in Belbuda , it starts at the Deli Station and continues to Széll Kálmán tér (at the northwestern foothills of the Belbuda hill) and to the Batthyány tér at the namesake Danube promenade and the northeastern foothill. In the V. District, it has stations at Kossuth Lajos tér (in front of the Parliament) and Deák Ferenc tér. It continues further east Blaha Lujza tér (close to many hotels in Central Pest) and then further to the Keleti station, where most international trains terminate.
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runs north-south, stopping at the Nyugati station (where the train from the airport arrives) and Kőbánya-Kispest in South Pest district (where the bus 200E arrives from the airport as well). Within the I. District, the stops are from north to south: Arany János utca, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út (both close to the Szent Isztvan Bazilika), Deák Ferenc tér (transfer possibility to lines 1 and 2), Ferenciek tere and Kálvin tér. The northern end the line is in New Pest (Újpest Centre) which is part of our North Pest district
- Line
links Belvaros with Újbuda and Tétény. It stops at Szent Gellért tér (for the Geller baths and hotel) and continues to Fővám tér (for the southern end of Vaci utca) and Kálvin tér. This line also stops at the Keleti station further east, where it actually terminates.
Coming from districts of middle Buda (Belbuda and Hegyvidék), you can cross the Danube with Metro line 2 Important stops are Kossuth Lajos Square (get off here to see the Parliament), Deák Ferenc Square (major transport hub), and Keleti pályaudvar (railway station).
Also the brand new (2014.Apr) Metro line 4
On the surface streets
The Downtown linked to Buda with five bridges.If you have time and the weather allows it, walk across one (or more) of these bridges.The links between the Downtown and Belbuda served with two bridges:
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Elisabeth Bridgewhich used bus 15, 115, 178 going parallel with Danube at Castle Hill western side, bus 8E and 108E used also this bidge and take you to Gellért Hill a couple blocks from Citadell and bus 7 made links with Danube side of Gellert Hill and further Moricz Zsigmond Square.
You can also take one of the trams that travel across the bridges. Trams 4 and 6 cross the Danube river twice.
Margaret Bridgemade connection with Óbuda (Old Buda) district and by 'Széll Kálmán Square' connected with Hegyvidék (The Mount area of Buda) district.
Petőfi Bridgelinks the inner ring road (Nagykörút) of Pest with south Buda, Újbuda and Tétény.
Trams 47, 47B, 48 and 49 are also good options exploring this area and also made connection, via Liberty Bridge Újbuda and Tétény (New Buda) which is the southern part of Buda.
On the water
Take a boat from Pest side Vigado Square (Vigadó tér) to a pier at 'Batthyany Square' on Buda side (the most touristic way)Get around
By public transport
The tram line No. 2, running along the Danube river, offers a beautiful view of Buda.By foot
The district size makes it walkable. Almost every part can be suggested for a sightseeing walk, except the noisy Kossuth Lajos street. The best of these walks the Promenad (or Corso) extending from the northern Margaret Bridge (Margit híd) toward south to Liberty Bridge. The pedestrianized Vaci utca makes for a very natural walk, with its many historic buildings, shops, cafes restaurants, starting from Vorosmarty Square (
Parking
Payment parking in Budapest is split into five zone. The Belváros/Downtown entire area is in zona 2 . Each hour costs Ft440 between 08:00-20:00, max. three hours. Payable by cash or parking card or via mobilephone.See
The Parliament
Under the Parliament's cupola the Hungarian crown jewels are exhibited. After World War II, the medieval crown (last used in 1916) was taken out of the country by escaping Hungarian fascists, ending up in the United States. President Carter returned the crown to the Hungarian state in 1978, accompanied by a large American delegation. It was exhibited in the National Museum until 2000 when it was moved to its present location. Tours lasts ~40 minutes. Come back at the specified time on your ticket and join the "with tickets" queue to the right. The tourist information gives tour times for the various languages (e.g. English is 10:00, noon and 14:00), your ticket may have a different time on it, like 10:15, this is because there is more than 1 tour around the times listed, so you will not join the 10AM tour, but the 10.15 tour. The end result of this system is that at first glance, there are people standing in a very slow moving queue, with occasional tourists wandering into an unmarked door in the corner of the building. Suddenly, a large group of people will appear and jump the queue and wander through the security fence (this is a timed tour starting), the guards are not tour advisors and will not tell you if they are sold out of tickets, or if a tour is starting, or that you are in the wrong queue. Parliament is in session Monday and Tuesday, but tours still operate. For the time of your language tour get the slip of paper from a tourist information office.
Along the Danube
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Little Princess statue
address: V. Pesti alsó rakpart (near Vigado ter)A bronze statue created by László Morton, a child sitting on the fence of the tram, on bank of Danube
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Shoes on the Danube memorial
address: On the Danube Promenade near corner Zoltán utcaThe shoes are placed there in memory of the Jews who were shot into the Danube during World War II. -
phone: +36 1 268-6000address: V. Széchenyi István tér 5-6The site was once occupied by Nákó House, a neo-classical palace built in 1827. In 1880, the London-based Gresham Life Assurance Company bought the property. The palace served as an office building and a home for wealthy British aristocrats associated with the Gresham company. Original details restored by the Irish Investment company Quinlan Private include a large staircase, stained glass, mosaics, ironwork and wintergardens.
Bridges
Szechenyi Chain BridgeHungarian pronunciation: ). This is a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Designed by the English engineer William Tierney Clark, it was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849. (It is a larger scale version of William Tierney Clark's earlier Marlow Bridge, across the River Thames in Marlow, England.) It is also the oldest permanent bridge on the Danube. It is anchored on the Pest side of the river to Széchenyi (formerly Roosevelt) Square, adjacent to the Gresham Palace and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and on the Buda side to Adam Clark Square, near the Zero Kilometer Stone and the lower end of the Castle Hill Funicular, leading to Buda Castle. The bridge has the name of István Széchenyi, a major supporter of its construction, attached to it, but is most commonly known as the Chain Bridge. At the time of its construction, it was regarded as one of the modern world's engineering wonders. It has asserted an enormous significance in the country's economic, social and cultural life, much as the Brooklyn Bridge has in New York and United States of America. Its decorations made of cast iron, and its construction, radiating calm dignity and balance, have elevated the Chain Bridge to a high stature in Europe. It became a symbol of advancement, national awakening, and the linkage between East and West. - The bridge was opened in 1849, and thus became the first permanent bridge in the Hungarian capital, after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. At the time, its center span of 202 m was one of the largest in the world. The lions at each of the abutments were carved in stone in 1852, by the sculptor, János Marschalkó. They are visibly similar in design to the famous bronze lions of Trafalgar Square by Edwin Henry Landseer with Marochetti, installed 1867. They are also smaller (and appear from below to lack tongues). The bridge was given its current name in 1898.
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Margaret Bridge
address: V. Szent István körútThis is a three-way bridge, connecting Buda and Pest across the Danube. It is the second oldest public bridge in Budapest. It was designed by French engineer Ernest Goüin and built between 1872–1876. This bridge leads up to Margaret Island, its two parts enclosing 165 degrees with each other at the embranchment towards the island. The reason for this unusual geometry is the fact the small extension to connect to Margaret Island was hastily inserted into the original design but not built until two decades later due to lack of funds. It is 637.5 m in length and 25 m in width. -
address: V.This bridge situated at the narrowest part of the Danube in the Budapest area, spanning only 290 m. It is named after Elisabeth of Bavaria, her large bronze statue sits by the bridge's Buda side connection in the middle of a small garden.
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Lipotvaros
Belvaros
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Vigado Square
address: V. Vigadó térThe girl with a dog sculpture by Raffay Dávid, Fountain of With Water playing children. -
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phone: +36 1 411 6500address: V, Egyetem tér 1-3Here is the center of the Eötvös Lorand University which is the oldest university with the biggest history in Budapest and the whole country. It was founded in 1635 in Trnava, and it was moved to Budapest only in 1777.
Do
Boating
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phone: +36 1 3171377address: Zrínyi street 5 (Danube Palace)If you would like see the attraction of Danube and eat something you can book tickets for lunch & cruise, dinner & cruise with live music. These cruising includes 3 drinks, warm buffet meals.
Cinemas
Concert
Cycling
Fitness
Kayaking and canoeing
Parks
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Park of Széchenyi István tér
address: V. Széchenyi István térFormer named like „Rakpiac"(Loading Market), Lánchíd Square, Ferenc József Square. - Here is the first and one of the nicest Hungarian bridge the Chain Bridge. On the northern side of the square is the building of the Headquarters of the Academy of Sciences. East side is Gresham Palace, and building of the former Pest Hungarian Commercial Bank. In 1880 erected a sculpture of Count István Széchenyi, in 1887 (Count István Széchenyi de Sárvár-Felsővidék (Hungarian: ; 1791–1860) was a Hungarian politician, theorist and writer, one of the greatest statesmen of Hungarian history) here is also another sculpture made to Ferenc Deák,who was a Hungarian statesman and Minister of Justice; he was known as "The Wise Man of the Nation". The park area is more than one hectare with many 'park' trees and evergreen trees. There is a 220-year-old Acacia, supported by crutches. The Széchenyi sculpture is surrounded by huge sycamore
Theatre
Buy
Banks
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Commercial and Credit Bank
phone: +36 1 328 2700address: József Attila utca 24 -
Commercial and Credit Bank
phone: +36 1 327 8080address: Apáczai Csere János u. 4 -
Commercial and Credit Bank
phone: +36 1 327 7530address: Kálvin tér 3 -
Commercial and Credit Bank
phone: +36 1 475 2900address: Kossuth L. tér 18 -
Commercial and Credit Bank
phone: +36 1 354 2190address: Nyugati tér 9
Erste Bank, Kossuth Square Branch
phone: +36 40 222 222
address: Kossuth tér 13-15
Other units: Párisi Street Branc (Párisi utca 3.), Nyugati téri Branch ( Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 74.) open same above
Market
Supermarkets
Stores
Eat
Cafes
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Restaurants
Budget
Mid-range
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phone: +36 1 331 4352address: Zoltán utca 16Mexican food, pretty decent, but don't look for Southern California standards. Recommended that you reserve a table in advance. -
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Splurge
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- The Gresham Palace: Part of the recently renovated amazing art nouveau hotel, reputed to be the most luxurious of the city - see Sleep:Splurge section for details.
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Drink
Teahouses
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phone: +36 12661708address: Brody Sandor utca 13, Budapest 1088This hidden teahouse in Pest is the perfect place to spend a relaxed afternoon. This place is fun and charming and they have a geat selection of tea. its Alice In Wonderland theme is very interesting to look at and make little nooks so you can feel cosy.
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Teaház a Vörös Oroszlánhoz (Red Lion)
phone: +36 1 269 0579address: 1061 Budapest, Jókai tér 8.This teahouse has a top quality selection of teas, an oxygen bar, little nooks, a teashop and is just an oasis of peace.
Bars, Pubs
Wine tasting
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phone: +36 1 3171377address: V. Zrínyi street 5If you would like taste some Hungarian wine and enjoy the panorama of the city, choose Wine & Cruise
Sleep
Budget
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phone: +36 20 478 1423address: Vaci utca 46One-star. Private rooms, one corner from the walking street and second block from Danube. Small hostel and apartments surrounded by pubs and restaurants. No luggage storage!
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phone: +36 30 479 2971address: Bank utca 7, Bell: 11Prime quality services, moderate prices. The manager is very helpful with giving information about points of interest.
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phone: +36 1 266 6922address: V. Molnar u. 22-24Cheap dorms in the winter, no bunk beds, unlimited free tea and coffee.
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Jazzy Vibes Parliament Hostel
phone: +36 20 950 1235address: Nador utca 34Cosy, clean 2-star accommodation for up to 14 persons
Mid-range
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phone: +36 1 889 6000address: Kossuth Lajos ut 19Central 4-star hotel.
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phone: +36 1 266 7868address: V. Muzeum korut 39. II. floor / 5 apt., Door-Bell code: 10.3-star, all rooms with private bathroom. Some rooms with jacuzzi.
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phone: +36 1 266 9041address: Kossuth Lajos u. 2/A.Small modern three-star hotel. It has air conditioning, essential in summer. Enjoy the ancient and ornate lift.
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phone: +36 1 485 3100address: Vaci utca 20Charming neighbourhood and interiors. Some rooms & fittings a bit wornː renovation is under way in spring 2018 and there may be some disturbance while this goes on.
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phone: +36 1 486 8800address: Kecskemeti utca 144-star on the edge of District V, but good transport and far more modern and comfortable than the other Mercure, even featuring a swimming pool. It consists of two buildings, linked by a glazed bridge over Kecskemeti utca.
Splurge
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phone: +36 1 327 9020address: Molnár utca 354-star in S downtown.
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Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace
phone: +36 1 268 6000address: Széchenyi István tér, 55 star in grand Art Nouveau style. looking onto Chain Bridge, the Danube and Castle Hill. With excellent restaurant and cafe. -
phone: +36 1 327 6333address: Apaczai Csere Janos 125-star with 400-rooms in 1980s cereal-box. Riverfront rooms have big windows looking over the Danube and Buda. The rooms are reasonably-sized, but tend to be cluttered with oversize furniture and the bathrooms are smallish, so it is worth upgrading not only for the view. Top-level rooms come with access to the hotel's "Club Intercontinental" lounge. There is a gym, spa and a restaurant with a Danube-facing terrace in the hotel.
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phone: +36 1 266 1234address: Széchenyi tér 25 star, best rooms have a view over the Danube. The less expensive, however, face the poky alley at the back of the hotel.
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phone: +36 1 429 5500address: Erzsebet Ter 9-105 star overlooking the wide and green Erzsebet Ter, with over 200 plush rooms. With restaurant, gym, swimming pool and jacuzzi.
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phone: +36 1 486 5000address: Apaczai Csere Janos 45-star in ugly 1960 slab, great views over Danube.
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Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
phone: +36 1 429 3777address: Erzsébet tér 7-85-star with a host of dining and bar options, a luxury spa and large tasteful rooms.
Stay healthy
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phone: +36 30 870 7427address: lépcsőház 2. emelet, Ferenciek tere 7The Downtown 24-hour ambulatory and medical duty
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phone: +36 1 2699525address: V. Fővám tér 4.
Stay safe
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phone: +36 1 3731000, +36 20 9000-107 (Police SMS line for hearing impaired), 107 (Emergency call), 112 (Emergency call)address: V. Szalay u. 11-13
Connect
Post offices
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phone: +36 1-2664391, +36 1-3188337address: V. Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 16
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#51 Posta
phone: +36 1-3186441, +36 1 3186479address: Dorottya utca 9 -
#56 Posta
phone: +36 1 3182751address: Fővám tér 5 -
phone: +36 1 2655096address: Szalay utca 10-14
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