Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is divided
into two by the Danube River. One side is called Buda and the other (the
eastern side) is called Pest. Buda is the older sibling – cobbled
streets and historical buildings. Cross the river to Pest and you’ll see commercial
buildings – banks, shops, theatres and the parliament.
During World War II, the Germans had destroyed all bridges across the
Danube and cut off the two settlements from each other. At present there are three bridges
that connect both sides of the city. If you are strolling around the city be careful with
landmarks – streets and roads are saying adieu to their Communist past and are being
renamed. Budapest is not only the political and commercial capital of the city but its
intellectual and cultural focus as well. The beauty of nearby provincial towns, vine
valleys, beach resorts in the east and rugged plains in the south all combine to make
Budapest the ideal start to your discovery of Hungary.
