Budapest Musts

[Iberostar Hotels & Resorts]

Hungary's capital Budapest is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beautiful and charming cities. Taking a gentle stroll and losing yourself in its streets is definitely the best way of getting the feel of this city, although there are certain sights that are simply not to be missed. So to make things easy for you, we’ve come up with a list of absolute must-sees when visiting the city!

· The Parliament Building, one of the largest in the world, with its characteristic Gothic stone towers, eighty-eight statues decorating the façade and a Baroque staircase with mosaic windows, Gobelin tapestries and paintings. The Holy Crown of Hungary is on display in this building.

· The Hungarian State Opera House, considered one of Budapest’s finest jewels. It opened in 1884 after nine years of construction work.

· St Stephen’s Basilica houses the Hungarian Catholic Church’s most treasured relic: the "Holy Right" – the mummified right hand of the "Saint King," the eponymous St. Stephen.

· A trip around the Danube Bend, the most beautiful stretch of this river. In this area, the river changes its easterly direction, making its way south around Visegrád Hill.

· Thermal Spas: with 118 thermal springs, Budapest is considered the world capital of medicinal waters. The waters flow at temperatures that range from 21º C to 78º C at a rate of 70 million litres a day. Don’t even think of leaving the city without indulging in the sheer pleasure of bathing in the waters of one of its numerous thermal spas.

· The Bridge of Chains or Széchenyi Bridge (so-called in honour of its designer) is the oldest of the five bridges that cross the Danube in Budapest and also the most popular with visitors. When night falls, the floodlit bridge and Buda Castle form one of the city’s most spectacular sights, and its most popular postcard scene.

· Budapest Castle, also known as Buda Castle, houses the city’s major museums. Together with the famous Bridge of Chains, this 14th century building, which has been rebuilt on numerous occasions, forms one of the most eye-catching cityscapes.  Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was originally the home of Hungary’s monarchs.

· Margaret Island is considered to be Budapest’s most attractive and peaceful park. Although local residents prefer to spend their leisure time in Városliget, or the city’s huge public park (and one of the world’s first ever public gardens), we strongly recommend you spend a day or even just an afternoon in this delightful green lung that stretches out some two and a half kilometres and which offers the perfect mix of relaxation and leisure.

Naturally there’s loads more to see, but these are the 7 sights not to be missed when visiting this splendid city!

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has one hotel in Budapest, the five star IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Budapest, situated in a prime location, surrounded by impressive buildings, embassies and shopping areas.  Built in 2011, the rooms in this hotel are the perfect expression of luxury.”