Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Óbuda is the oldest part of Budapest, though that's hardly the impression given by the
industrialsitesandhigh-risesthatdominatethedistricttoday,hidingsuchancientruins
as remain. Nonetheless, it was here that the Romans built a legionary camp and a civil-
ian town, later taken over by the Huns. Under the Hungarian Árpád dynasty, this de-
veloped into an important town, but in the fifteenth century it was eclipsed by the Vár.
TheoriginalsettlementbecameknownasÓbuda(OldBuda)andwasincorporatedinto
the newly formed Budapest in 1873. The small but spruce old town centre is not much
visitedbytourists,whichisashameasitratesaclutchofveryenjoyablemuseums.But
to find the best-preserved Roman ruins, you'll have to go to the Rómaifürdő district,
further out.
To the west, there is a pair of striking caves near the valley of Szépvölgy, a visit to which can
be combined with the Kiscelli Museum, with its interesting collection of furniture and interi-
or furnishings in a former monastery.
In the middle of the Danube, leafy Margít-sziget is a haven from the noise and pollution
of the city. One of Budapest's favourite parks and summer pleasure-grounds, the island is
part of its grand waterfront panorama - unlike shabby Óbudai-sziget just north which, like
Cinderella, gets but one chance to have fun, by hosting Hungary's equivalent of Glastonbury,
the Sziget festival , each August.
ARRIVAL
Publictransport The HÉV from Batthyány tér provides easy access to riverside Óbuda (get
off at Szentlélek tér for Fő tér and the museums), or take #1 tram from northern Pest. For
Margít-sziget, trams #4 and #6 stop at the southern entrance to the island, while bus #26 runs
the length of the island itself. You can also reach Rómaifürdő and Margít-sziget on one of the
ferries that zigzag up the river from Haller utca (see Boats and other transport ) .
Search WWH ::




Custom Search