TRICIA STEVENS
PERSPECTIVES
HUNGARY
Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a rich history shaped by Magyar traditions, empires, and modern resilience. Its capital, Budapest, straddles the Danube River and is famous for thermal baths, grand architecture, and vibrant culture. Hungarian cuisine features paprika, goulash, and hearty pastries. The language, Magyar, is unique in Europe, unrelated to most neighboring tongues. Hungary blends medieval castles, rolling plains, and lively folk music with contemporary arts, science, and innovation, making it a distinctive bridge between Eastern and Western Europe.
ABSOLUTE MUSTS
Walk the Promenade
Walking the Danube Promenade is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Budapest. Stretching along the river in Pest, it offers stunning views of Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, and the Hungarian Parliament. The walk passes cafés, monuments, and memorials, including the Shoes on the Danube Bank. Especially beautiful at sunset or at night, the promenade showcases the city’s romantic atmosphere and illuminated skyline.
Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, standing majestically along the Danube River. Completed in 1904, it features a striking neo-Gothic design inspired by London’s Westminster Palace. Inside, the building boasts grand staircases, ornate halls, and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Its symmetrical façade and illuminated nighttime views make it a symbol of Hungary’s national identity and political history.
Explore the
Ruin Bars
Budapest’s ruin bars are a unique nightlife phenomenon, created inside abandoned buildings and courtyards in the Jewish Quarter. Instead of polished interiors, they feature mismatched furniture, street art, and eclectic decorations. Bars like Szimpla Kert combine music, drinks, and creative spaces, reflecting the city’s alternative spirit. Ruin bars are popular with locals and visitors alike, offering a relaxed, social atmosphere and a distinctive way to experience Budapest after dark.
Vajdahunyad Castle &
Heroes Square
Heroes’ Square is one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, celebrating Hungary’s history through statues of national leaders and the Millennium Monument. It forms a grand ceremonial space at the end of Andrássy Avenue. Nearby, Vajdahunyad Castle sits in City Park, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Originally built for the 1896 Millennium Exhibition, the castle showcases Hungary’s architectural heritage and now houses museums and picturesque courtyards.
Shoes on the Danube
The Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial is a moving tribute to Jewish victims murdered during World War II. Created by sculptor Gyula Pauer and filmmaker Can Togay, it features iron shoes lining the river’s edge, representing people forced to remove their footwear before being shot into the Danube. The simple, haunting design encourages quiet reflection and remembrance while honoring lives lost during Hungary’s darkest historical period.
St. Stephen's Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica is Budapest’s largest and most important church, named after Hungary’s first king. Built in a grand neoclassical style, it features an impressive dome visible across the city. Inside, visitors can admire ornate interiors, mosaics, and the Holy Right Hand relic of St. Stephen. The basilica also offers a panoramic viewing platform, providing breathtaking views over Budapest’s skyline and the Danube River.
Kolodko Statues
The Kolodko statues in Budapest are whimsical bronze sculptures created by artist László Kolodko. Scattered throughout the city, they often depict playful or surreal figures, such as people balancing on chairs, walking on stilts, or interacting with everyday objects in unexpected ways. These imaginative works add charm and humor to public spaces, inviting locals and visitors alike to pause, explore, and photograph them, reflecting Budapest’s creative spirit and blending art with urban life.
Fisherman's Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion is a fairytale-like terrace in Budapest, perched on Castle Hill, offering panoramic views of the Danube, Parliament, and the city skyline. Built in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style, its towers, arches, and stairways create a picturesque atmosphere. Named after the medieval guild of fishermen who defended this part of the city, the bastion combines history, architecture, and photography opportunities, making it one of Budapest’s most visited and iconic landmarks.
