Nine streets not to be missed in Budapest
The Hungarian capital is full of surprises and beautiful streets, some more famous and touristy, others more hidden and less visited.
1. VÁCI UTCA
The most fashion street of the capital. Completely pedestrian, it is located in the heart of Pest, parallel to the Danube. It connects two beautiful squares, Vörösmarty tér and Fővám tér, where you can find the Gerbaud patisserie and the Central Market Hall. In this street there are beautiful buildings and many shops and restaurants. It is full of tourists, do not be surprised if you hear little Hungarian. Excellent for a nice walk, shopping is not recommended as prices are higher than in other areas.
2. THE LONG DANUBE OF PEST
In Hungarian called Belgrád raktpart and Duna korzó. The romantic walk along the “blue river” between the Chain bridge and the White bridge (Elisabeth bridge) is one of those things that should not be missed. Beautiful when the sun sets and the lights of the buildings turn on. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Gellért and Buda hills.
3. ANDRASSY ÚT
Andrassy Avenue. Great UNESCO heritage site. Connects the city centre to the Heroes’ square. The large buildings of the Hungarian aristocratic families, built in neo-Renaissance style, hide stories not to be missed. Here you can find the Opera and the House of Terror, but also the beautiful Liszt Ferenc square full of restaurants. If Budapest is called the “Paris of the East” it is due to this beautiful avenue.
4. KIRÁLY UTCA
Beating heart of the Jewish quarter. A long narrow street parallel to the large Andrassy avenue. Király street is always alive thanks to the many shops, pubs and restaurants that decorate it. But among the nightlife you can find memories of the dramatic history of the Jewish community in Budapest.
5. KAZINCZY UTCA
This small street in the Jewish quarter has become the centre of Budapest’s nightlife. It all started with Szimpla Kert, the city’s first ruin pub. Starting point of the Hungarian underground scene. There is not only the Szimpla but many other ruin bars and the “street food” garden where you can try the gastronomic delicacies. Kazinczy utca is not only nightlife, on this street there is also the liberty-style Orthodox Synagogue and the small house where the “Hungarian playing cards” were invented.
6. PÁL UTCA
For those who have read the novel “The Paul Street Boys” it is a destination not to be missed. Right here and in the adjacent streets the young Hungarians protagonists of the novel challenged each other to defend their “barracks”. Pál Street is a short street in the 8th district, with residential buildings and no shops. Here there is a plaque in memory of the novel and in the adjacent street (Prater utca) we have a statue of the boys.
Starting from Kálvin tér this beautiful semi-pedestrian street hides beautiful buildings and many restaurants. The ideal place in the evening to take a walk and stop for outdoor dining. In this street you will also find many Jazz clubs, excellent for going to listen to some music.
8. GÜL BABA UTCA
A route that will dive you in a very different Budapest from the one described in the previous lines. A narrow, steep cobbled street leading to the Islamic garden where Gül Baba Pasha of Budapest was buried in the time of Ottoman rule.
9. FŐ UTCA
The main street of Buda, a historical street built back in the Roman time. There are numerous attractions: the Király Turkish baths, with the traditional Ottoman dome, the beautiful Batthyány square from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the parliament, the Casanova house and the adjacent covered market. Then it gets to the Corvin square where the Capuchin Church is also located.
