People say...
Visiting the Opera House – atmosphere of the turn of the century
Visiting the Opera House is also a great experience for those who have never seen a performance there. The Opera is perhaps one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest, and this is not only true of its exterior design. Visitors are amazed by the sumptuous interior design, decorations and magnificent paintings as well. A large part of the Opera House has been preserved in its original form, which adds an extra charm to the building. I especially liked the technical solutions, which were regarded as the most modern ones during the original construction, such as the 3-tonne chandelier, which was heavy because of its gas-burners, the heating-cooling system running under the seats – these are things that you cannot really find anywhere else in the world. The building is full of rooms and objects that remind us of the world of Queen Sissy, and generally the whole Opera House is characterised by the atmosphere of before the turn of the century. Visiting the Opera is like a journey in time, and in the building everybody can feel like an aristocrat, like a high-ranked member of the top ten thousand, which is a special experience.
Night at the museum
"We participate each year the Night of Museums at the end of June, I love the extra programs made up for this night, I liked best the planetarium program of the Kiscell Museum and the spirit of the Aquincum Museum."
Anna from Budapest
These institutions are members of the Cultural Budapest Group: www.culturalbudapest.com
Tip: The Nigth of the Museums takes place on 19th of June in 2010
A little Pest in Buda
"If the Nyitott Műhely (Open Workshop) in the Ráth György street would not exist, it would be difficult to guess. Leather goods workshop, tea room, beer house, Internet café, souvenir shop, jazz club, debating day, good topics. A place where you can talk to strangers."
Magdi from Budapest
Hungarian National Gallery
"I like the permanent exhibition of the Hungarian National Gallery too, but when the paintings of Munkácsy were exhibited we spent hours with my father in the waiting queue to get in and see the paintings. I do not regret a moment of it."
Ági from Budapest
This institution is a member of the Cultural Budapest Group: www.culturalbudapest.com
Elegancy and monumentality
"Elegancy, monumental buildings, centenary turn cottages, large space with alleys, tube railways, hive and peace in the same time, this is Andrássy avenue. This is where I ran my first half Marathon too in heavy rain but with even bigger enthusiasm."
Zsófia from Budapest
Tip: run races in Budapest in the full summer and in autumn: River Danube Running Gala on 30 of May, Olympic Marathon Relay on 7 of June, International Half Marathon on 6 of September, Night Running on 12 of September, International Marathon on 4 of October, and further events here.
Sightseeing for 1 €
"I like to travel on the trams in the summer, I even go home on a by pass road. I like watching the Danube and the panorama of Buda from tram numbered 2 and I go with it right until the circuit. There I change for trams 4-6 and admire the circuit, the buildings, the people and the everyday pulse of the town."
Andrea from Budapest
Palace District
"The Palotanegyed (Palace District) recalls a bit of Paris in Budapest. Behind the Hungarian National Museum a separated little world unfolds over here with beautiful buildings, cheery squares, narrow, high streets. The tiny orioles learn to sing for Bach and Haydn due to the nearby rooms of the radio. Reviczky street is the nicest of the town. It is the nicest when the wind blows off the petals from the blooming trees, or when the colourful leafs of autumn covers the street. Just a few streets, but we may often find surprise in every corner."
Andrássy avenue
"Whenever I am on the Andrássy avenue I feel as if I was on an era journey. It worth looking at the frontages of the old building, you may find beautiful things, so heads up!"
Tip: Take a walk through the Cultural Avenue: Nearly half of Budapest’s invariably righ culture is lying along Andrássy út, which was built by the Founding Fathers of Budapest in order to create a representative riding and cart-driving route between the city centre, and the City Park. Visit the beautiful Opera House, have a drink at the Liszt Ferenc square and learn more about Hungarian past at the House of Terror.
Architectural beauty
"For me the Parliament will always remain the number one. "
Ádám from Budapest
Tip: If you are amazed by the building too, have a look inside. The best occasion to visit it after the classical music concert in the Domed Hall that is held monthly.
Castle of Vajdahunyad
"Anonymus’ sculpture in the Castle of Vajdahunyad. It is in a nice environment, for me its pose is very interesting, it makes me think what could it be what does he do… For me the Castle of Vajdahunyad is an exciting build up itself."
Nikoletta from Budapest
Guardians of the city
"I don’t believe that another city exists where we can find as many lion imageries as in Budapest. It can be seen on water spouts, bridge heads, stones of gate entries, wood carving of remained apartment blocks, in front of the public buildings, sculptures of squares, all made in different artistic styles."
Marion from Germany
Floodlit Gresham Palace
"My favourite building is the Gresham Palace, in which the Four Seasons Hotel operates. As people watch it from the Buda side in night floodlight it is like a small jewel case. It is even more beautiful together with the Chain bridge right opposite to it. I was very happy when I heard that the “adorers” are showed around in the renewed building if requested."
Viola from Budapest
A walk to remember
"A walk in the Farkasrét Cemetery, encounter with the past, arrantly unremembered artistic honorary monuments. "
Péter from Budapest
Palace of Arts
"I propose the Palace of Arts in any case. You may find there everything: book shop, museum, movie, not to mention the concerts, both classical and light music and tickets are lot cheaper for the students one hour before the concert!!!"
This institution is a member of the Cultural Budapest Group: www.culturalbudapest.com
Feeling like an Emperor
“The interior of the State Opera House is so full of opulent splendour, you’ll feel you’re back at the height of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Best of all, though: take in a concert there.”
Michelin Guide, Main Cities of Europe, 2009
The ground beneath us
The beautiful manhole covers in Budapest can not go w/o notice. In Budapest you are truly surrounded, from head to toe, with beauty.
An intellectually satisfying city
“It must be one of the most laid-back yet intellectually satisfying cities on the planet.”
Martin Hannan, The Scotsman, UK
Admiring old buildings
“Budapest’s urban hearth is full of bona fide sights plus innumerable tiny streets and grand avenues where you can wander for hours admiring the city’s stately old buildings.”
Douglas Stallings, Budapest, Fodor’s, 2005
Eclectic architectures
"The architecture of Budapest is very eclektic. We love just walking through the streets and lose between the small details and architectural styles. It is a very beautiful city and we would love to come back."
Discover the secrets
"Budapest is a very nice and friendly city, where you can discover a lot of fascinating places and a lot of secret."
Finding the home of a famous Hungarian writer
He is my favourite author beside many other Hungarian writers. We had a hard time finding the street but finally we managed to. The half-length portrait of the writer can be found here as well.
Angeles from Spain
Just now, Just for you, Just in Budapest...
