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Houses of Parliament
Situated along the banks of the Danube in Budapest, is the splendid neo-gothic House of Parliament which is the city's most prominent and popular landmark. It has an intricately carved sandstone facade replete with towering spires and domes that dominates the waterfront.
St Stephens Basilica
St Stephens is the focal point of religious celebration in Budapest and is a simply massive structure, able to accommodate up to 8000 worshippers at a time. It has a large central dome with an exterior platform providing sweeping views of the city and a vivid interior of brightly coloured byzantine frescoes.
River Danube Cruise
The iconic Danube splits the city of Budapest in two and is its lifeblood, which can be experienced with a rewarding river cruise. Enjoyable sightseeing trips on the water are available daily or indulge in a romantic evening dinner cruise to the sounds of classical musicians. The river itself houses several elegant floating restaurants also perfect for a romantic evening meal.
Spas
Renowned worldwide for its healing properties, the underground springs in Budapest have been soothing the ailments of visitors for centuries. This makes Budapest a perfect destination for a spa city break. There are still several historic art nouveau public spas and bath houses alongside many upmarket spa hotels offering a range of hydrotherapy treatments and simple luxury pampering that has become its most popular attraction in recent years.
Central Market
The Central Market is the largest covered marketplace in the city and is exceedingly popular with local bargain hunters and visiting tourists alike. It is the best place to search for locally produced crafts and gifts with woodcarvings, silverware and leather goods particularly good value. It provides a bustling street bazaar style ambience with an exotic mix of traders and goods for sale.
Adressy Boulevard
Budapest's answer to the Champs Elysee, Adressy Boulevard is its most attractive, affluent thoroughfare, filled with opulent villas, stately homes and commanding monuments. It houses many striking luxury hotels and two city squares and is a popular place to simply stroll along or hang out in a plethora of elegant courtyard cafes.
Statue Park
At the fall of Communism in Hungary, all remnants of the Soviet era were removed from the streets and transported to this park on the outskirts of Budapest. The Statue Park has since become an incredibly popular attraction with visitors. It contains a motley collection of massive memorials to Lenin and Stalin, giant statues and Soviet revolutionary sculptures. It is fabulously atmospheric and provides an intriguing historical and cultural insight into the cold war era.
Aquincum
Budapest's original Roman settlement was located on this site which has now been turned into a museum and cultural park. It houses an impressive amphitheatre and sunken baths and exhibits a number of well preserved artefacts and sculptures. It offers an inspiring history lesson and is well worth a visit.
Lazar Lovaspark Riding Centre
Almost as famous as Vienna's Spanish Riding School, the celebrated Lazar brothers run this marvellous equestrian farm showcasing majestic Lipizzaner and Arabian thoroughbreds with stirring displays of horsemanship. Take a ride on an oxen drawn carriage through the countryside, concluding with a Hungarian feast in the award winning restaurant. It is a must for any horse lovers and a pleasant change from historic sightseeing.
The National Museum
This is one of Budapest's most impressive buildings and history buffs will be treated to a dazzling range of exhibits from the Stone Age to avant garde contemporary art from home and abroad. There is an adjacent sculpture garden with beautifully manicured lawns and fountains that makes a perfect spot for an al fresco lunch.
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