Budapest
Budapest experienced its cultural heyday around 1900, similar to Vienna or Paris. Today, the capital of Hungary is an ultra-modern city, even if the charming touch of slight nostalgia is always noticeable. The boulevard "Andrássy út" is home to cultural highlights such as the Hungarian State Opera, the Operetta Theater, the Moulin Rouge, Oktogon Square and, more recently, luxury stores such as Louis Vuitton. Don't miss a visit to one of the city's historic thermal baths, such as the architecturally spectacular Gellért Baths. www.gellertbath.com
Eating out in Budapest - top restaurants with moderate prices
Budapest has more than 1,000 restaurants offering Hungarian and international cuisine. In the past ten years, the choice of other specialties has increased significantly; from French, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Serbian, Indian, American, Greek, British, Czech and Danish. Numerous vegetarian restaurants have also opened in recent years. All the well-known fast-food chains also have branches in Budapest. But in general, you will have no problem finding a restaurant that suits your budget.
The easiest way to get to know a nation is through its cuisine. But what is Hungarian cuisine actually like? Many people think that heavy, fatty dishes are an important part of Hungarian cuisine and that hot red paprika is a main ingredient in every dish. But this is not the case. Lard has long since been replaced by vegetable oils and red paprika is now only used to enhance the flavor of dishes.
Sights in Budapest - For discerning visitors Budapest is a beautiful city with numerous attractions to satisfy even the most demanding visitors. The thermal baths of Budapest are famous and certainly worth a visit. Or you can climb up the hill to the citadel for a good view of the city. Visiting the castle district usually takes a whole day and is definitely worth seeing. The UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Buda side of the city includes several palaces, museums, churches and is one of the most important sights in Budapest. At the Statue of Liberty you have a magnificent view over Buda, Pest and the elaborate green cast iron Szabadsag Bridge.
There is also plenty to see on the Pest side of the city. It is the area around Held Sqare (Hosok tere), with several museums, an architectural feature of Vajdahunyad Castle, the zoo and the stately residential area where most of Budapest's embassies are located. Don't forget to visit the Parliament building, St. Stephen's Basilica, and the large indoor food market at Fövam ter.
Shopping in Budapest - bargain hunters beware
Budapest offers many opportunities to find good bargains. The number of stores in Budapest has increased significantly since the 1990s, and large shopping centers and new boutiques can be found on every corner of the city.
Many stores in Budapest used to mostly have a poor selection and often a shortage of certain goods in the communist era, so people were hungry for the new form of shopping as the new political system and economy expanded the product selection.
If you prefer charming, small stores with unique products to faceless shopping malls, then Budapest is the place for you.
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