Welcome To the e-travelguide to Hotels, guest houses and attractions in Budapest

Make the most of your time in Budapest, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links above to plan your visit.

Set astride the mighty River Danube, Budapest’s illustrious history, magnificent architecture and cultural splendour has earned it the moniker of the ‘Paris of Central Europe’. In just a few short years it has gone from being an economically stagnant capital of Communist Eastern Europe, to one of the continent’s most vibrant cities, blending a forward-looking mentality with the traditions of yesteryear. Formed from the merger of the cities of Buda and Pest on either side of the Danube, throughout its long history Budapest, and indeed Hungary as a whole, has been a battleground. The city’s history begins as the Roman town of Aquincum, founded in 89 AD, and capital of the Roman province of lower Pannonia. The region was later conquered during the 10 th century by the Magyars, the ancestors of modern Hungarians. However, it was not until 1000 AD that the Kingdom of Hungary was established. Pest was destroyed by Mongol invaders in the 13 th century, but rapidly recovered the economic and political status it had once held. However, it was Buda, the site of a royal castle since the 13 th century, which became the capital of Hungary in 1361. Hungary was once again conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the 16 th century, during which time the rampant growth of both Buda and Pest was halted. Following its recapture by the Habsburg Kings of Hungary a century later, Buda and Pest once again began to thrive. Following the 1867 Compromise, under which the dual-monarch was established, Buda and Pest were formally combined to create Budapest. It became the capital of the sovereign state of Hungary following the end of World War One, further contributing to its growing prestige as a European capital. Despite extensive damage by allied air raids and the retreating German forces towards the end of World War Two, today Budapest is one of the most visually spectacular cities in Europe.

Much of the city dates from the turn of the century, lending it’s a historic feel akin to Prague or Krakow. From the Fishermens’ Bastion on Castle Hill visitors can see the elegant city spreading out before them, making it easy to understand why Budapest is commonly referred to as the ‘ Pearl of the Danube’. Its cultural heritage is also second to none, home as it is to innumerable museums, art galleries, historical monuments, concert venues and bathhouses. But while its leafy parks, broad avenues and elaborate bathhouses create a chic and stylish ambience, Budapest boasts a social vibrancy to match any of Europe’s great capitals. Since the fall of Communism Budapest has enjoyed explosive economic growth, contributing to a higher standard of living and a proliferation in the number of restaurants, bars and clubs. And with a sex industry that has earned Budapest the reputation of the ‘Bangkok of Europe’, whether it be hedonism or heritage visitors are after, Budapest is the place to find it.

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