Budapest, the capital city of Hungary is one of the most fascinating and rewarding destinations of Europe. What makes this city so special is its over a thousand years old history and rich culture.  World famous thermal baths, delicious Hungarian cuisine, buzzing nightlife, colorful festivals, numerous historic and cultural sites, and age old caves below the city is what attracts millions of tourists to this vibrant city throughout the year. Anyone travelling to Budapest would surely fall in love with the city at first sight.

The Major highlight for anyone travelling to Hungary and its capital is taking a cruise on the famous Danube River that runs through the city and divides the two sides 'Buda' and 'Pest'. The cruise takes you through some of the charming old towns along the river known for their legendary stories, impressive history and architectural buildings. With the Danube River cruise tour, you also get an opportunity to get down at the famous Margaret Island and explore its splendid beauty on foot or Bringóhintó (a special kind of four wheel pedal car). Lush green areas, romantic walkways, flowery gardens and a relaxing atmosphere make this place a perfect hideaway from the busy downtown of Budapest.

For couples on trip to Budapest, an evening cruise is the best as the city lights reflecting through this mighty river make a romantic setting for the love birds on board.

How can one miss the famous Chain Bridge, the first suspension bridge of Budapest which connects the two sides of 'Buda' and 'Pest'? This bridge, considered to be the icon for Budapest, is an architectural marvel and offers great vistas of the Buda Castle, Parliament and the majestic Danube River. Besides taking a walk across the bridge, take a moment to stand and enjoy the picture perfect views all around. Soak yourself in the magical beauty of this bridge during the night.

As you walk across the Chain Bridge, head yourself to the famous Castle Hill facing the spectacular Danube River. You can discover the beauty of this splendid hill at your own pace, exploring the cobblestone streets and the medieval buildings. A visit to the Buda Castle, which offers panoramic views of the Budapest skyline and the Danube River, is a must when you are at the Castle Hill. Every year, this castle plays a host to various events and festivals most famous of which is the Buda Castle Beer Festival where one can enjoy great local Hungarian food along with some of the best local beers. Other important events and festivals organized at the Buda Castle include the famous Palinka and Sausage Festival, Buda Castle Wine Festival and Buda Castle Chocolate Festival.

Trip to the Castle Hill is incomplete without a visit to the 700 years old 'Matthias Church' which has been a witness to many historical events in Budapest. The church is splendidly beautiful and has the grandeur of a medieval cathedral with stained glasses, soaring columns and stunning stone work. There is also a museum inside where you can get to see the artifacts belonging to the 16th century. It would not be incorrect to say that this church is definitely a gem amongst all the buildings in the Buda Castle District.

Located behind the 'Matthias Church' is another famous tourist attraction of the Castle Hill, the 'Fishermen's Bastion' from where you can get breathtaking views of the Pest skyline, Margaret Island and the Parliament building. Lots of cafes and restaurants adorn the area nearby where one can enjoy delicious snacks along with a glass of wine while getting great views of the Pest side of the city especially during night hours.

If you are thinking that your trip to the Castle Hill is over then you are mistaken - the 'Hospital in the Rock Museum' awaits your visit. This hospital was built as a secret emergency hospital connecting kilometers long caves and tunnels beneath the Castle Hill during World War II. Soldiers and injured civilians during the World War were treated in this hospital. The history of this hospital will definitely fascinate the history buffs. You will be amazed to see the wax models dressed as doctors, nurses and injured patients being used to bring the stories of World War II to life. You will also get to see here the original furniture and medical equipments used during the time of war.

Budapest has always been famous for its great Turkish thermal baths and hot springs with medicinal qualities. Once you are done with the all day long tours of the Buda Castle district, get a quintessential Budapest experience by soaking yourself in one of the great thermal baths to take away all your fatigue. The Szechenyi Bath is the most famous and largest thermal bath in entire Europe where you can not only relax your muscles in the hot waters of the thermal pools but can also engage yourself in a long game of water chess with your friends and family. Other famous thermal baths of Budapest are the Rudas Thermal Bath and the Gellert Thermal Bath.

After indulging yourself in a refreshing bath, you can head towards the famous Heroes Square which is the most impressive square of the city and was built as a tribute to the historic heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of Hungary. Art lovers can visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Arts nearby. The museum holds an exquisite collection from the masters of art like Raphael, Vermeer and Rubens. Contemporary art exhibitions are also held frequently in the museum and the Palace of Arts. The City Park near the Heroes Square is a perfect place for kids to play and take some horse rides.

If you get bored of normal sightseeing, then a visit to the Hungarian Opera House can get you out of your boredom. The Opera House in Budapest is an impressive and incredibly beautiful building where you can enjoy some of the great opera performances. Known for its great acoustics, Budapest Opera House is considered to be one of the best opera houses in the world that can seat around 1200 people at a time. 

If you want to be more adventurous in Budapest then you can go exploring the caves beneath the capital city. There exists over 100 kilometers long natural caving system underneath the city that has been formed over the years by the same hot water springs that supply water to the thermal baths. An excursion to some of these innumerable caves can make your trip more fun, exciting and adventurous as you will often have to crawl through narrow passages and climb the walls of these caves. 

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your next vacation and visit this beautiful capital of Hungary !