Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you can enter only on guided tours (the
half-hour tour is worthwhile for the chance
to go inside). See p. 313 for tour times and
information.
Royal Palace itself and the so-called Cas-
tle District, a mostly reconstructed
medieval city. For a detailed, 3-hour itin-
erary of this area, see “Walking Tour: The
Castle District,” p. 324.
Otherwise, this is a great area for walk-
ing and wandering. You might stop into a
few highlights, including the
Hungarian
National Gallery
(p. 315), the
Budapest History Museum
(p. 326),
and the
Ludwig Museum of Contempo-
rary Art
3
PARLAMENT KÁVÉHÁZ
Per Hungarian tradition, sit down in a cof-
feehouse to read the newspaper, relax,
ponder the past, and dream of the future!
Situated adjacent to Hungary's parliament
buildings, the Parlament Kávéház is deco-
rated with an impressive rounded painting
of the parliament buildings, and even
a ceiling mural.
(p. 317).
V.
Vértanúk tere 1.
&
1/269-4352.
6
RIVALDA CAFÉ & RESTAURANT
After a long day walking and sightseeing,
you might want to have a meal at the
Rivalda Café & Restaurant. This restaurant,
the brainchild of the Canadian-Hungarian
Agnes Weininger, retains the charm of the
world of theater that Hungarians love so
much. Here, a sole saxophonist plays his
lonely tunes, dwarfed by the large yellow
backdrop at the far end of the restaurant.
Theater lights and riggings adorn the
ceilings; the walls are painted with the
backdrops of plays and are lined with cari-
catures of famous Hungarian actors.
I. Szinház u. 5-9.
&
1/489-0236.
Walk south about .4km (
1
⁄
4
mile) toward the his-
toric Chain Bridge, which you will see in the
distance:
4
Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge crosses the Danube
and empties out into Roosevelt Square.
The bridge holds the distinction of being
the first permanent crossing to link Buda
and Pest. It was initiated at the behest of
19th-century Hungarian reformer Count
István Széchenyi after bad weather in
1820 had forced him to wait 8 days
before being able to get to his father's
funeral. Designed by William Tierney
Clark, an Englishman, the bridge was one
of the largest suspension bridges of its
time when it opened in 1849. According
to legend the omission of sculpted
tongues on the lions which guard the
bridge at either end caused the sculptor to
drown himself in the river out of shame.
See p. 324. (
Note:
You might duck
into the
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham
Palace
while you're here to view its
breathtaking interiors; see p. 296.)
Walk across the Chain Bridge, and take the
funicular up to the:
5
Castle District
Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Cultural
Heritage site, consists of two parts: the
After dinner, you might head back to your hotel
to relax for a bit so you'll be ready to:
7
Socialize at a Bar, Club, or Bistro
Get a glimpse of Budapest's lively
nightlife culture firsthand at a bar, club,
or bistro. You'll find all levels of partying
available, whether you're looking for
hard-core clubbing or just a pub for
drinks with the locals. You also might try
a hotel bar or a bistro. Bistros are quite
popular places for late-night drinks and
socializing, and you'll find locals of all
ages mingling here. Hungarians can be a
bit shy at first, but they open up the more
you talk to them. Why not chat them up
about your day in the city? See p. 340,
“Budapest After Dark.”
