Budapest

Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary. It has over 1.7 million people living in the city, and its larger area has about 3.3 million people. This makes it one of the biggest cities in the European Union. Budapest is important for politics, business, and culture in Hungary and is located on the River Danube.

The city is known for its beautiful old buildings, such as the Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle. It also has many places to learn, with over 30 universities and lots of students. Budapest has a long history, starting with early settlements and growing through many changes over time.

Today, Budapest is famous for its special spas with warm water, its delicious food, and its fun nightlife. The city also hosts big sports events and has become a popular place for movies. In 2025, it welcomed 7 million visitors from around the world, showing just how many people enjoy visiting this wonderful city.

Etymology and pronunciation

The cities of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest joined together in 1873 to become Budapest. Before that, people sometimes called the area "Pest-Buda." Today, many people in Hungary use "Pest" to mean the whole city, especially the part east of the Danube River. "Buda" usually means the west side, including Óbuda. The islands in the Danube, like Csepel, are not part of either Buda or Pest.

People in English say the name with the "s" sounding like in the word "pest." The "u" in "Buda" can sound like in "food" or like in "cue," depending on where you are from. In Hungarian, the "s" sounds like in "wash."

There are many ideas about where the names "Buda" and "Pest" come from. "Buda" might have been the name of the first guard of a castle built on a hill in the 11th century. Or it could come from an old word meaning "twig." Some stories say it was named after a brother of a famous leader named Attila.

For "Pest," some think it comes from an old Roman fortress named "Pession." Others believe it comes from a word for "cave" or a place where fires were kept.

History

Main article: History of Budapest

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Budapest.

Early history

The first people to live in the area that is now Budapest were Celts before the year 1 AD. Later, the Romans came and built a town called Aquincum. This became an important city in a Roman province called Pannonia Inferior in 106 AD. It started as a place for soldiers, but grew into a busy town with roads, big halls for shows, baths, and houses with warm floors. Today, this old Roman town is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Hungary and has been turned into a museum.

After the Romans left, people from Germany and Sarmatia lived on the east side of the Danube River. Then, in the late 800s, Magyar tribes led by Árpád arrived. They pushed out other groups and set up their own homes. Later, they built strong walls around the towns and made a royal palace on a hill. German families were invited to help rebuild the towns. By 1361, Budapest became the capital of Hungary.

During the time of King Matthias Corvinus, Buda was very important and got ideas from Italy. His big library was one of the best in Europe. The first Hungarian university opened in a town called Pécs in 1367, and another one started in Óbuda in 1395. The first book printed in Hungary was made in Buda in 1473. Around the year 1500, about 5,000 people lived there.

In 1526, soldiers from the Ottoman Empire took over Buda. They ruled for over 150 years and built many nice places to wash and relax, like the Rudas Baths and Király Baths, which people still use today. During this time, the number of Christians in the city got very small.

In 1686, a big group of soldiers from many countries worked together to take Buda back. They succeeded, and soon all the lands that used to belong to the Ottoman Empire were freed.

Contemporary history after Unification

See also: Hungary during World War II

The 1800s were a time when Hungary wanted to be independent and modern. In 1848, people in the Hungarian capital stood up against rulers from another country, but they were not successful. In 1867, Hungary and another country made a deal, and Budapest became a very important city. In 1849, a bridge was built connecting Buda and Pest, and in 1873, the three parts of the city joined together to form Budapest.

In 1918, a big war ended, and Hungary became its own country again. But soon after, another country took over Budapest for a short time. In 1920, Hungary lost a lot of its land and many of its people after a big agreement.

During World War II, Budapest was damaged by air attacks and a long battle. Many people sadly lost their lives, and all the bridges were destroyed. Some very important people helped save many during this hard time.

After the war, a new government took control and made big changes to the city. In 1956, people protested for change, but soldiers came in to stop them. Later, the city was repaired, and new subway lines opened. Today, Budapest is a lively and historic city.

Geography

Budapest is located in the middle of the Pannonian Basin, sitting on an old path that connects hilly areas to flat lands. It is about 216 kilometres from Vienna, Austria and much farther from places like Moscow, Russia and Athens, Greece.

The city covers 525 square kilometres and sits along the Danube River, which flows around two islands, Óbuda Island and Margaret Island. One part, Pest, is flat, while the other, Buda, is hilly. The highest point in Budapest is János Hill, which is 527 metres above sea level.

Budapest has warm summers and chilly winters, with snow sometimes falling in winter. The city gets about 586 millimetres of rain each year and enjoys around 1,988 hours of sunshine. The Danube River and many roads and railways make Budapest an important place for travel and trade. The city also has natural warm springs, which are popular for their relaxing feelings.

Architecture

See also: Category:Buildings and structures in Budapest and List of churches in Budapest

Budapest has many interesting buildings from different times and styles. You can see structures from ancient Roman times, like the ruins of Aquincum, up to modern buildings like the Palace of Arts.

Most buildings in Budapest are not very tall. There are rules to protect the city's historic look and its status as a World Heritage Site. Because of these rules, there aren't many skyscrapers in the inner city. Some people would like to see more tall buildings outside the historic center.

Budapest's architecture shows many styles over time. It began with ancient Roman buildings, then Gothic buildings like the Hungarian Parliament Building and Matthias Church. Renaissance style came next, with buildings like the Hungarian State Opera House and St. Stephen's Basilica.

During the time when Budapest was ruled by others, Ottoman architecture appeared, including baths and mosques. After that, Baroque style became popular, with examples like the Church of St. Anna. Later, Classical and Neoclassical styles were used in buildings such as the Hungarian National Museum and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.

In the late 1800s, Art Nouveau style appeared, with beautiful buildings like the Museum of Applied Arts and the Hotel Gellért. In the 20th century, many new apartment blocks were built. Today, Budapest continues to grow with new modern buildings while trying to keep its historic charm.

Districts

Main article: List of districts in Budapest

Budapest is split into 23 districts, each with its own mayor and local government. These districts help manage different parts of the city. Some districts have names that people commonly use, like Belváros in the 5th district or Újbuda in the 11th district. These names often come from older villages that were added to the city over time.

The city grew in steps. It started with 10 districts after Buda, Pest, and Óbuda joined in 1873. Later, more towns were added, especially after 1950, to create Greater Budapest. This brought the number of districts to 22, and then to 23 in 1994. Today, Budapest has districts in Buda, Pest, and Csepel.

The districts are numbered in a pattern that follows three half-circles around the city. The first district is a small area in central Buda, including the Castle Quarter. Other districts follow this pattern, with some in Buda and others in Pest, making up the city's center and outer areas.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Budapest

Budapest is the biggest city in Hungary and one of the largest in the European Union. In 2019, about 1.8 million people lived there, and the area around the city had around 3.3 million people. This means about a third of all people in Hungary live in or near Budapest. The city is very crowded, with many people living close together.

People in Budapest come from many places. Most are Hungarians, but there are also Germans, Romani, Romanians, and Slovaks living there. Many people speak more than one language, with most speaking Hungarian as their first language. English, German, French, and Russian are also common.

Budapest has many people who follow different religions, including Roman Catholics, Calvinists, Lutherans, and others. Some people do not follow any religion. The city is also home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe.

Economy

Further information: List of companies based in Budapest and Economy of Hungary

Budapest is a very important place for business and money. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe for jobs and income. The city creates almost 40% of all the money made in Hungary. In 2015, Budapest had more than $100 billion in total money made, making it one of the biggest cities in Europe for business.

Budapest is a big center for many jobs like banking, shopping, travel, and making new technology. Many big companies and banks have their offices there. The city also has many places to visit, with lots of hotels, restaurants, and fun activities, which helps bring more money to the city.

Finance and corporate location

Hungarian Stock Exchange Palace on Liberty Square

The Budapest Stock Exchange is in Budapest and helps manage money for many companies. Big companies from Hungary and around the world have their offices in Budapest. The city also has many banks from other countries, which helps make it a strong place for money and business.

Politics and government

Main article: Politics of Hungary

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and the home of the country's national government. Important leaders, such as the President and Prime Minister, work in special buildings in the city. Many government offices are located in District V, known as Leopoldtown. The big Hungarian Parliament building is also there.

Budapest is also where Hungary's top courts are located. These courts help make sure laws are followed fairly. The city is important for international groups too, hosting many offices for groups that help countries work together. There are also over 100 embassies in Budapest. The city works hard to care for the environment and has good public transportation, including buses, trams, and subways, making it easier for people to get around without cars.

Main sights and tourism

See also: List of sights and historic places in Budapest and List of tourist attractions in Budapest

Budapest is famous for its beautiful old buildings and many interesting places to visit. One of the most famous sights is the neo-Gothic Parliament building, which is the largest building in Hungary.

Saint Stephen's Basilica is an important church in the city, and Hungarian cuisine can be enjoyed in many cafes and restaurants.

There are many museums in Budapest, including the Aquincum Museum with Roman remains and the Nagytétény Castle Museum with historic furniture. The House of Terror is a museum in a building that was once a place of great sadness during difficult times.

Budapest has many beautiful areas, such as Castle Hill, the River Danube, and Andrássy út, which are recognized as important places by the world.

In Pest, Andrássy út is a long, elegant street with many important buildings. It is a special place with old shops and grand houses. The street also has Europe’s oldest underground train, and at the end is Heroes’ Square with a big monument and museums.

The Dohány Street Synagogue is one of the largest synagogues in the world, and the city has many beautiful bridges over the Danube River.

Tourists can get free maps and cards that help with travel and visiting places in Budapest.

Squares

Budapest has many squares, including Heroes’ Square, Kossuth Square, and Liberty Square. Heroes’ Square is very large and has a big monument in the center. Kossuth Square is an important place for Hungary’s government, and Liberty Square has many beautiful buildings and statues.

Parks and gardens

See also: Category:Parks in Budapest

Budapest has many parks with playgrounds and places to play in different seasons. The city has many green spaces, including City Park, Margaret Island, and the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden.

The Buda Hills offer outdoor activities and beautiful views, and Normafa is a popular spot for locals.

Islands

Budapest has several islands on the Danube River. Margaret Island is a long, green park popular with visitors and locals. Csepel Island is the largest island in the Danube, though only a small part is inside the city. Hajógyári Island is known for fun activities and festivals.

Spas

Budapest is well known for its warm water baths, which have been used for many years. The Széchenyi Baths are one of the largest and most famous, with many pools and treatments. Other popular baths include the Rudas Baths, Gellért Baths, and Lukács Baths.

Infrastructure and transportation

Airport

Budapest has a big airport called Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. It is named after Franz Liszt, a famous Hungarian composer. The airport is one of the busiest in Central and Eastern Europe and is located about 16 kilometres east-southeast of the city centre, in the District XVIII. It has flights to many cities in Europe and also to places in North America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The airport is where many flights in Hungary start and end. It has around 250 flights every day and many more special flights called charters.

You can get to the airport from the city centre using Metro line 3 and then taking a bus, such as bus 200E or 100E.

Public transportation

Public transportation in Budapest is managed by the Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK, Budapesti Közlekedési Központ). BKK runs 4 metro lines, 5 suburban railway lines, 33 tram lines, 15 trolleybus lines, 264 bus lines, and 4 boat services. There is also a bicycle sharing system called BuBi. On average, more than 3 million people use public transport each weekday.

People who are 65 years old or older and children under 14 get to ride for free. The city is working on making traffic smarter with special traffic lights that help public transport and give real-time updates about traffic and travel times. There is also a system called Futár that gives real-time information about where buses and trams are, which you can see on smartphones and special displays at stops.

Roads and railways

Main articles: Hungarian State Railways and Motorways in Hungary

Budapest is very important for roads and railways. Many major highways and railways end in the city. The city has ring roads and avenues that spread out from the centre, similar to Paris. The Ring road M0 around Budapest is almost finished.

There are three main railway stations in Budapest: Keleti (Eastern), Nyugati (Western), and Déli (Southern). Budapest is also a stop on the famous Orient Express train. There are also suburban rail services around Budapest.

Ports, shipping and others

The Danube River flows through Budapest and has been an important waterway for trade. Budapest has big ports, especially in the Csepel District and New Pest District. In the summer, there are special boat services on the Danube to Vienna.

BKK also runs boat services within the city. There are routes that connect different parts of the city and also sightseeing boat trips. People also enjoy activities like kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, and sailing on the Danube.

Budapest has many special ways to get around, such as trams, boats, and even a funicular railway up Castle Hill. There are also places to rent small cars on Margaret Island and special railways for children in the hills of Buda.

Culture and contemporary life

Main pages: Category:Culture in Budapest and Culture of Hungary

Budapest is a vibrant city with a rich culture. Many important Hungarian cultural movements started here. The city is a center for music, film, theatre, dance, and visual art. Artists are attracted to Budapest because of the opportunities and support from the city government.

Budapest became known as a "City of Design" in December 2015 and joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network that same year.

Museums and galleries

Budapest has many museums and galleries. The city has 223 of them, showing memories from Hungary and around the world. Some famous ones are the Hungarian National Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts, the House of Terror, the Budapest Historical Museum, the Aquincum Museum, the Semmelweis Museum of Medical History, the Memento Park, Museum of Applied Arts, and the Palace of Arts Budapest. Budapest also has 837 monuments showing many European artistic styles. The city's unique Hungarian Art Nouveau buildings stand out.

Libraries

Budapest has many libraries with special collections. The National Széchényi Library holds old items from before books were printed. The Metropolitan Szabó Ervin Library helps with education in the city. Other libraries include the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös University Library, the Parliamentary Library, and more.

Opera and theatres

Main article: Hungarian opera

Budapest has forty theatres, seven concert halls, and an opera house. Summer brings outdoor festivals, concerts, and lectures, often in old buildings. Big theatres include the Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre, the József Attila Theatre, the Katona József Theatre, the Madách Theatre, the Hungarian State Opera House, the National Theatre, the Vigadó Concert Hall, Radnóti Miklós Theatre, the Comedy Theatre, and the Palace of Arts (MUPA). The Budapest Opera Ball is a special yearly event held at the Budapest Opera House on the last Saturday of carnival season, usually in late February.

Casinos

There are eleven casinos in Hungary, with five of them in Budapest. The largest is the Las Vegas Casino at the Corvin promenade.

Performing arts and festivals

Further information: Music of Budapest

Budapest hosts many yearly festivals. The Sziget Festival is one of Europe’s biggest outdoor music festivals. The Budapest Spring Festival features concerts across the city. The Café Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival brings free music, dance, art, and other events to the city streets. The Budapest Wine Festival and Budapest Pálinka Festival in May focus on food and drink. The Budapest Pride festival includes a parade on Andrássy Avenue. Other festivals are the Budapest Fringe Festival, bringing over 500 artists to many shows, and the LOW Festival in Budapest and Pécs from February to March. The Budapest Jewish Summer Festival in late August is one of the largest in Europe.

Budapest has many symphony orchestras, with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra being the most famous. It started in 1853 by Ferenc Erkel and still gives concerts at the Hungarian State Opera House and National Theatre. Budapest also has a lively jazz scene.

The dance traditions of the Carpathian Basin are special, mixing Balkan and Western European styles. Budapest has several folk dance groups, from small teams to professional troupes. The city even has a high school for learning folk dance.

Fashion

Budapest holds a fashion week twice a year, where designers show their collections. Famous models like Barbara Palvin and Enikő Mihalik often appear. Big fashion brands such as Zara, H&M, Mango, and Nike are found in shopping malls and on streets.

Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Rolex are on famous streets like Váci Street and Andrássy Avenue in the upscale Leopoldtown area.

Media

Budapest is important for Hungary’s entertainment industry. Many films, TV shows, and books are set there. Budapest is the main center for film and TV production in Hungary. In 2011, it employed over 50,000 people and made 63.9% of the country’s media revenue. Budapest is home to Hungary’s main TV and radio stations, including Hungarian Television, M1, M2, Duna TV, RTL Klub, TV2 (Hungary), and many others. In 2012, Hungary had 7.2 million internet users, which was 72% of the population.

Cuisine

Further information: Hungarian cuisine

Budapest has its own special cuisine using local ingredients like lamb, pork, and vegetables. Hungarian food mixes old Asian styles with French, Germanic, Italian, and Slavic influences. Over time, people from different places, like Saxons, Armenians, Italians, Jews, and Serbs, added their dishes. Turkish food also influenced Hungarian cuisine during the Ottoman era, bringing sweets, quince (birsalma), Turkish delight, Turkish coffee, and rice dishes like pilaf. Under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austrian food and cooking methods also had an impact.

Budapest restaurants offer many choices, from traditional Hungarian food to new and exciting styles. The city is known for its high-quality food shops and several Michelin-starred restaurants.

In fiction

The 1906 novel The Paul Street Boys, the 1937 novel Journey by Moonlight, the 1957 book The Bridge at Andau, the 1975 novel Fateless, the 1977 novel The End of a Family Story, the 1986 book Between the Woods and the Water, the 1992 novel Under the Frog, the 1987 novel The Door, the 2002 novel Prague, the 2003 book Budapeste, the 2004 novel Ballad of the Whisky Robber, the 2005 novels Parallel Stories and The Historian, and the 2012 novel Budapest Noir are set in Budapest. Well-known films set in Budapest include Kontroll, The District!, Gloomy Sunday, Sunshine, An American Rhapsody, As You Desire Me, The Good Fairy, Hanna's War, The Journey, Ladies in Love, Music Box, The Shop Around the Corner, Zoo in Budapest, Underworld, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and Spy. Budapest has attracted Hollywood filmmakers for its beautiful settings and landmarks. Films such as Love and Death, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Blade Runner 2049, The Martian, Spy, Atomic Blonde, Red Sparrow, A Good Day to Die Hard, and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) have used Budapest as a backdrop. The Grand Budapest Hotel was filmed in Germany but set in a made-up country inspired by Hungary.

Sports

See also: Category:Sport in Budapest and Football in Hungary

Budapest has hosted many important international sports events in the past twenty years, such as the 1994 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, 1997 World Amateur Boxing Championships, and several World Championships in fencing, speed skating, and wrestling. The city has also been a venue for European tournaments and will host the 2023 World Championships in Athletics and some matches in the UEFA Euro 2020.

Hungarians love sports and have won many Olympic medals over the years, especially in fencing, swimming, water polo, canoeing, wrestling, and track and field. Popular sports in Budapest today include football, with several top clubs, and the Hungarian Grand Prix in Formula One, held at the Hungaroring race track. The city is also known for its annual marathons and has many sports stadiums, including the large Puskás Aréna.

Education

See also: Education in Hungary

Budapest has more than 35 schools for higher learning, including many universities. Because of the Bologna Process, the qualifications from these schools are accepted in many European countries. Foreign students often choose Budapest to study medicine, dentistry, pharmaceuticals, veterinary science, and engineering.

Most universities in Budapest have courses taught in English, and some also offer courses in German, French, and Dutch for students from other countries. Many students from Europe come to Budapest for one or two terms through the Erasmus Programme.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Budapest

Budapest has been home to many famous people throughout history. The city has produced leaders, artists, scientists, and thinkers who have made important contributions to Hungary and the world. Many well-known individuals were born or lived in Budapest and helped shape its rich cultural heritage.

International relations

Budapest has many sister cities and partner cities around the world. These cities are often important and large, just like Budapest. The mayor of Budapest wants these relationships to help share ideas and work together in areas like city management, education, culture, tourism, and business.

Historic sister cities

Partnerships around the world

Some districts in Budapest are also connected with smaller cities or districts in other big cities. For more details, see the article List of districts in Budapest.