Budapest virtual tour with a 360° panorama of 'Budapest Map' linked to a Google map. A Budapest attractions travel guide.
The Budapest Map - over 100 high quality 360° panoramas of the sights and attraction in Budapest linked to an interactive map. Zoom in the Google map, change to satellite images of Budapest, explore this famous city on this interactive virtual tour of Budapest. Each panoramic photograph is accompanied with a local description and there may be other reviews and comments.
A full list of the panoramic photographs featured is found in the Budapest Index.
Budapest - Introduction
Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is popular with tourists from all over the world, and not without reason. It is situated on the River Danube, which runs through the center of the city. Budapest is actually split into two parts of Buda on one side with steep hills and fortresses built on it, and Pest on the other, whose landscape inclines from the river much more gently. A great way to visit Budapest is to stay in a Budapest Apartments, often cheaper than a hotel.
The history of Budapest covers thousands of years, with the recorded history starting with the Romans in 89AD who built a settlement in Óbuda, an earlier Celtic settlement. Pest was established on the other side of the Danube as a small sentry point and slowly grew into a town. Buda contains the royal castle built in 1247 and in 1361 became the capital of Hungary. The growth rate of Pest far outstripped the other two areas as the land around it was flatter and more accessible. The three towns amalgamated in 1873 to form the one untied city of Budapest.
Modern Budapest, having recovered from the ravages of WWII (whose history is documented in the Citadel Bunker Wax Museum), has become a bustling modern city which still retains the old charm typical of Eastern Europe, and is a very popular tourist destination. People come here for various reasons, to see the museums, the old architecture and churches or to visit the thermal springs.
Budapest - Castle District
Most people will visit the Castle District in Buda at some point of their stay in Budapest. There are a number of ways to get there, but among the most popular is to take the Funicular from Clark Adam Ter. This arrives next to Buda Castle which houses the Budapest History Museum, Hungarian National Gallery and National Széchényi Library. Buda Castle is also known as the Buda Royal Palace and the Buda Royal Castle and from here there are great panoramic views over Budapest.
The other main entrance to Castle Mount is up the steep steps which lead to Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya) to visit Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom). There are a number of panoramas taken from within this spectacular church, one of the most popular attractions in Budapest. The Fisherman's Bastion is another great place for views over Budapest.
To the north end of the Castle District is Vienna Gate, when enters Vienna Gate Square (Bécsi Kapu tér). Walking around this part of the Castle District you can see Mary Magdelene Tower, all that remains of a 13C Gothic church after the ravages of WWII.
Budapest - Heroes' Square and around
The most dramatic square in Budapest and a popular tourist attraction. Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) contains a 36m column and surrounded by two curved colonnades. On ether side of Heroes' Square are the Palace of Art (Műcsarnok) and the Museum of Fine Art. Behind the square lies the City Park (Városliget) where you will find Vajdahunyad Castle (Vajdahunyad vára) and the world famous Széchenyi Bath.
Other Budapest Attractions
The Saint Stephen's Basilica (Szt. Istavan Basilica) with a sumptuously decorated interior is well worth a visit. Other interesting churches include the Hungarian Orthodox Church (Magyar ortodox templom) with a unique iconoclast which covers the entire rear wall, the Church of St. Anne which is said to be the best Baroque church in Budapest, and the Cave Church built under Gellert Hill (on top of which is the Liberty Statue).
Budapest - Thermal Baths
Budapest is known as the City of Spas, and not without reason. There are many natural thermal springs scattered underneath Budapest which are used to supply the baths with water that 'possesses various medicinal properties'. Some of these baths are very old, with Turkish baths dating back to the sixteenth century. Below is a list of some of the more popular baths.
- Széchenyi Bath (XIV. Állatkerti út 11): The Szechenyi Baths are one of the biggest bathing complexes anywhere in Europe. The springs here are the hottest and deepest of any in Budapest, discovered in 1879. The neo-baroque building was built in 1913 and an adjacent swimming pool opened in 1927. This open air pool is even used in winter.
- Gellért Bath (XI. Kelenhegyi út 4-6): A top favourite with visitors dating form 13C, with an original interior. The Gellert Baths are behind the Gellert Hotel
- Király Bath (II. Fő u. 82-84): Built by Arslan, Pasha of Buda in 1565. It is one of the finest examples of the Turkish period displaying the splendour of the Ottoman Empire.
- Lukács Bath (II. Frankel Leó u. 25-29): Established in the 16C, the current complex dates from the 19C. It contains the Császár (Emperor) Bath from the 16C as well as a very popular swimming pool.
- The Rudas Bath has been newly refurbished and reopened in December 2005.
