Budapest

How Budapest Works

Paris of the East, Queen of the Danube, Budapest has many nicknames, and is a perfect city for those on an exploratory mission. Budapest is made up of two different sides - Buda and Pest - and 23 districts, each with its own local government. There are six districts in Buda, 16 districts in Pest and there is one district on Csepel Island between them.

Bevaros

Belvaros, District V, the "inner city" of Budapest, is the where most of the action can be found. This is the area with most of the historic wonders and interesting shops. The main street for strolling and shopping is Vaci utca, but little shops and hidden boutiques are to be found everywhere in this district. Vaci begins in the south across from the Central Market Hall, and proceeds as a pedestrian street passing tourist restaurants and gift shops and book stores (and the nearly-renovated St.Michael's Church), up to Kossuth Lajosutca.

Watertown

Watertown is a narrow neighbourhood that can be found between the Castle District and the Danube, and it makes up district II. Víziváros is historically a quarter where fishermen and artisans reside. Built on the slope of Castle Hill, it has slender alleyways and stairs instead of roads in many places and is a charmingly quaint area to explore as a tourist. Its main street, Foutca, runs the length of the Víziváros, very near to the river. In this area you'll find sights like the Chain Bridge, Batthyany Square, St Annes Church and the Konig Baths.

Buda Hills

The Buda Hills are remote neighbourhoods that feel worlds away from any kind of big city! The hills are considered one of Budapest's more upmarket areas; neighbourhoods are generally known by the name of the hill on which they stand. Some parts of the hills are located within Pest, and some are a completely separate, more rural landscape where many Budapest families have summer homes - think of it like the Hamptons to New York! Make sure that you pack your walking boots are the Buda Hills are a lovely place to explore on foot, especially in the summer!

Theresa Town (Terézváros)

The character of Terézváros, district VI, is defined by Andrássy út, the great boulevard running the length of the neighbourhood from Heroes' Square through Oktogon and down into the Inner City. This majestic street has over the past couple of years been establishing its previously aristocratic reputation: Andrássy út is once again the "best address" in town, especially since part of it is now a World Heritage site. The Teréz körút section of the Outer Ring cuts through Terézváros; Oktogon is its major square. The area around Nagymezo utca is the city's small theatre district.