The beautiful city of Budapest is the capital of Hungary and is situated on the banks of the mighty River Danube. Buda occupies the west bank whilst Pest sits on the east bank and the two cities, although just yards apart, only united as one city in 1873.
Known as the "Pearl of the Danube", Budapest is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with stunning architecture, turreted castles, domed churches and green parks throughout the old city. It has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites which include Buda Castle, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, which is the second oldest in the world. The best months to visit are between April and October as winters are cold and snowy. In the summer Budapest enjoys temperatures of around 27C (82F) with occasional showers.
Buda is where the historic Castle District can be found along with a wealth of baroque buildings and many museums. The Royal Palace complex including the Matthias Church with its rose window and royal tombs, the old Town Hall and the delightful onion-domed clock tower are the main landmarks.
Pest has more examples of neo-classic and Art Nouveau architecture including the stunning Gresham Palace at the Chain Bridge. It is also where the massive neo-Gothic Parliament building is situated and EU residents are allowed to tour it for free. The buildings along the Andrassy Ut Boulevard and the State Opera House are quite breathtaking. The whole city is easily explored on foot, or use the Metro, local buses or yellow trams using a travel card. The local currency is the hungarian forint, but credit cards and euros are widely accepted in the city.
Budapest also has more than its fair share of natural wonders with the world's largest thermal water cave system and 80 geothermal springs. Visiting an outdoor spa is a must-do experience when visiting Budapest.