Destination: Heroes' Square and City Park
Heroes’ Square – Our glorified tribe
Let’s travel back in time to the era when the Hungarians took possesions in the Carpathian Basin. Seven chieftains made blood contract, which was the oldest type of basic contract that fostered the birth of Hungary. Our country has always been proud of these kind of ancestral roots and history as well. The central feature of the square is the Millenial Monument. On the pedestal you can catch a sight of the equestrian statues of the seven chieftains. On top of the memorial coloumn Gabriel Archangel is placed guarding over our nation and represents God and Christianity. He holds the Holy Crown of St. Stephen and the two-barred apostolic cross. On the left handside a colonnade can be seen with statues of ancient kings and leaders such as St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary who had a great effort to convert the pagan country into Christianity. Let’s look up and discover the allegoric statues that present symbols in order from left to right: Labour and Wealth, Charioteer with a snake symbolizing War. The colonnade on the right provides home for more significant kings for example Matthias Corvinus. Symbols on top in order from left to right: the female statue of Peace and next to it Knowledge and Glory are visible. Stories are revealed and told by reliefs at the bottom of the statues. Heroes’ Square is the part of the world heritage. The remarkable area is surrounded by two important buildings: Museum of Fine Arts on the left and Palace of Art, also known by Hall of Art on the right. On the other side it faces Andrássy Avenue which also belongs to the world heritage. Don’t forget to walk a few steps behind the colonnades and discover one of the biggest green-side of our town: Városliget!
Budapest City Zoo & Botanical Garden
Take a visit to the country’s oldest Zoo with more then 8000 animals that signifies the biggest collection in Hungary. The institute was opened in 1866 and has a warm welcome for everyone to the present days. A fun fact for you: the first giraffe owned by the Zoo was given by Queen Elizabeth „Sisi” who respected and loved wildlife and nature as well. Since then high number of species moved into the city. Nowadays it gets a lot of emphasis to dissemination of knowledge about wildlife conservation and protection. It is also an essential aim of the institute to porvide a relaxing and entertaining experience for the young and the ones with young in heart. Visitors have several path options to discover the territory and hiding residents of the Zoo. Observe the very large variety of animals from close up. Hundreds of marvellous and colourful butterflies are waiting in the Butterfly House to land on visitor’s body. Sea lion pool is a must see if you are into these beautiful kind of creatures. Take your time at the Great Lake that gives place to the oldest animal show. Don’t miss the iconic buildings such as Palm House, Elephant House and the Great Rock. If you want to be a part of a close to nature experience don’t hesitate to buy tickets online or at the ticket office before entering the monumental place.
Gundel Restaurant
Gundel Restaurant is one of the most well-known place that serves your taste and enchants your eyes with the refined interior design and style. The legendary restaurant offers you traditional Hungarian dishes made in the entaglement of traditions and innovation. Gundel owns a more than 130 years old world famous family brand so it has to be on your bucket list if you’d like to experience a qualitative service and taste the typical flavors of Hungary.
Robinson Restaurant
Robinson is an elegant waterfront restaurant in the City Park. It has a remarkable location surrounded by Liget’s ancient trees and the harmony of nature. It is a popular and famous place among celebrities and tourists. The restaurant’s aim to provide a high-level experience of an exciting and special flavor-adventure for guests. Robinson is the „Mecca” of meat lovers: its stakehouse tempts guests with renewable specialties. Wide selection of dishes are available beside traditional Hungarian meals.
Capital Circus of Budapest
Let’s travel back in time 130 years when City Park became popular among people and several inns opened for guests. Performing artists and entertainers were invited to the Park and into the Zoo to amuse visitors longing for attractions. Since then the Capital Circus became the one and only ring circus in Middle-Europe that provides home to circus art and preservates circus traditions. Weather conditions don’t matter to entertaining events, this unique place welcomes you in every season. Classical music concerts are organized beside circus productions if you want to experience this kind of relaxation.
House of Music Hungary
Music connects us. The mission of the House of Music is to nurturing values of Hungarian and International, traditional, popular and classical music. The three pillar of the institution are exhibition, concerts and music dissemination. Programs are organized and offered related to music with an experience based way. Unique concert experiences, captivating exhibitions and interactive music shows make The House of Music a special and entertaining place.
Museum of Ethnography
This extraordinary institute collects, archives, researches and communicates Hungarian, European and non-European communities’ traditional and modern cultural memories. The larg-scale collection of the museum has nearly 3600 artefacts from Hungarian and global cultures revealing ethnographic history and human heritage. An extensive collection of items, photos, texts, sounds and thoughts that helps to understand the world better. History and present comes together and generations meet each other. Let’s see into the workshop of life by the consistency of knowledge and experience.
BalloonFly
Get in the basket and discover City Park from high above! Special sights that have never seen before from this perspective before. The magical green of Városliget and iconic buildings such as Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Heroes’ Square will amaze you from a hight of 150 meters. It is a unique and unmatched experience in the heart of the Park. If the weather is kind to you, the snowy peaks of Tatra Mountains can be seen and admired. Experienced crew members grant the safe floating of the balloon.
Vajdahunyad Castle
This gripping and colorful destination is one of the most popular attractions in Budapest. The building was originally constructed and built for a library that is why you can see elves holding books on each tower top. This unique building is constructed by splicing different blocks together where visitors can gain insight of the history of the Hungarian architecture. Since 1907 it gives home to the Hungarian Agricultural Museum, exhibition was officially opened by Franz Joseph I. Discover the breathtaking view from high above and find more great spots in the city such as Gellért Hill with Citadella, Buda Castle and St. Stephen’s Basilica. Meet the hooded-figure of Anonymus and touch the pen in his hand to experience good luck. If you walk with open eyes you can stumble into the head sculpture of Dracula with features of Béla Lugosi, the famous Hungarian actor. Let’s find a mini Kolodko-statue of a reading Dracula near to the lake shore.
City Park Ice Rink
A special winter destination in the embrace of nature, history and arts. Every year City Park Ice Rink is opened for visitors to get some freezing memories on ice. Extensive services are available locally: ice skates are rentable for kids and adults as well. It is dangerous to step on ice with an unsharp blade therefore a professional service is accessible for you. „Bobby seal” the aid accessorie can be rented for kids under the age of 14. The valid ticket includes the use of the lockers or the cloackroom. Catering units and food trucks are available with all types of food such as the Hungarian Chimney Cake „Kürtőskalács” on both sides of the rink. Let’s rent a powerbank in help to capture all the crazy and funny moments.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Relaxation and indulgence in a luxurious environment that captivates body and soul. The Thermal Bath is the biggest spa complex in the city where Europe’s most warm hot water source is used up. Take a visit to the different areas of the building and discover the interior and exterior decoration in connection with water such as mermaids, water monsters and shells. When you enter the dome hall, Greek, Roman an Egyptian bath scenes can be seen in mosaic pictures. Several types of body treatments, out- and indoor pools, light therapy and aroma saunas are included in its services. The medicinal water benefits for guests with illnesses such as joint diseases and arthritis. It is also recommended as a supplement of orthopedic and post- accident treatments.
Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts has a significant European Art collection of the region, displaying treasures spanning from ancient times to the end of the 18th century.
The institute’s main profile is collecting universal art. Beside the permanent exhibition, periodic ones can be visited from time to time. The Museum would like to grab the attention of the younger generations but also wants to spark and nurture curiosity in adults as well. A wide scale of exhibitions are recommended to you by the Museum in various themes. Discover art and beauty individually or with guided tours. Route tips are compiled by theme.
Hungarian Agricultural Museum
Meet the world’s first Agricultural Museum which gives a glimpse of the Hungarian Agricultural memories. The representative collection is for visitors whom interested in the proceeding of modern production in all sectors of agriculture. Thousands of objects are part of the collection like trophies, gray cattle-skulls, horse tools made by craftsmen and hunting weapons. We recommend a visit to the hall that represents viticulture and winemaking in Hungary. The Museum also has a unique collection of wheat varieties from the era between the 1st and 2nd World War.
Palace of Art
The institute is the center of contemporary Hungarian fine art and has the biggest exhibition hall in the city. Art objects of national and foreign visual artist are gathered to explore and reveal stories and essences of life. Programs are completed with other forms of art besides organizing exhibitions. All age groups are welcomed to join a walk in one of the capital’s cultural center. Guided tours help you to interpretate opuses and objects of art.
Andrássy Avenue
The Boulvard was originally made to serve the increased traffic of the city. The Avenue connects the city centre and the City Park and gives a metropolitan character to the capital of Hungary. The Millennium Underground Railway can be found and taken at its terminus. Both Andrássy Avenue and The Millenium Underground Railway are the part of the World Heritage. It has three defining sections to visit attracions like the Hungarian State Opera and The House of Terror. Discover the admirable buildings of embassies and palaces through a relaxing easy walk.
The Millennium Underground Railway
This is the first metro line of the continental Europe so it deservedly became a part of the World Heritage. It runs from Vörösmarty Square to Mexikói Street stations with 9 optional stations on the route. The idea and implementation of the underground railway construction is as old as the birth of the one in London and was put into operation in 1863. It is one of the curiosities of the city and a preferable way to get to the City Park from the city centre.
