Housed in a late 19th century neo-Renaissance building, Budapest’s impressive Hungarian State Opera House (Andrassy ut 22) is a fitting testament to Hungary’s rich architectural legacy. Inside, visually striking frescoes and gold-encrusted boxes can easily draw attention away from the operas, classical concerts and ballets. Taking in one of the venue’s lavish performances allows you to absorb the grand and stately atmosphere that the Hungarian State Opera House emits when in full swing. Typical prices for evening performances start at around 3,300 HUF (US$ 17). Even if you don’t choose to enjoy an evening of pirouettes or arias, a 45-minute daytime tour of the opera house leaves many visitors in awe. Until as recently as 1873, Budapest (located in northern Hungary) was two distinct cities —the hilly Buda and the flat Pest — separated by the Danube River. Budapest today is a vibrant city that offers exceptional cultural offerings, as well as city walks, seasonal festivals and museums brimming with everything from art and history to more unusual sights — such as the intriguing mummified arm of King István, Hungary’s first Christian king, in St. Stephen’s Basilica.
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Gellért Hill — under which lies an extensive network of caves.
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Perhaps the best place to begin sightseeing is along the main street of Andrassy Avenue, in Pest, where the Hungarian State Opera House is nestled among a clutch of retail shops, smart restaurants and cafes.
Central Budapest is packed with dozens of coffee shops. Diets should be left at home, as you’ll easily find your powers of resistance being tested to the limit while here, given the array of sweet treats and cakes available in the city’s charming coffeehouses. One decadent pastry you should seek out is retes, a flaky strudel filled with apples, cherries, cheese or poppy seeds.
Opposite the opera house, Muvesz Kavehaz — Artist Coffeehouse — (Andrassy ut 29) stands out from the crowd. This traditional Hungarian coffee shop displays a character of its own. Baroque-style mirrors lend a sense of elegance and expansiveness, and wicker chairs clustered around small cafe tables add to the atmosphere. Temptingly displayed cakes, tortes and pastries are ideal accompaniments for steaming cups of strong, dark kave.
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If you enjoy walking (and what better way is there to burn off those slices of torta?), you’ll appreciate Budapest’s myriad streets geared toward the pedestrian. The city’s beautiful scenery and numerous walking routes are perfect for everything from laidback strolls to invigorating walks. Notable walks include the peaceful greenery of Margaret Island (some 2.5 km long and positioned in the middle of the Danube, the island is accessible by foot or tram) and Buda Hills, home to the Budakeszi Game Preserve. While walking through the city, don’t forget to look up, down and all around, as you’ll find stunning examples of architecture, including many buildings in the Art Nouveau style.
Continued: Travel in Budapest: Twin Cities on the Danube
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