Budapest is unique among European capitals, oft quoted as the town of caves and medicinal waters. Eight protected natural resources can be found in this city of two million.

The city is divided into two parts, the hilly side of Buda on the western banks of the River Danube, and the flat plain of Pest on the eastern bank.

These two parts of the city were once separate towns and were merged together with Ancient Buda (Óbuda) only in 1873.

Buda

The Royal Palace is situated on the southern part of Castle Hill. The medieval palace that stood here was destroyed during the battles against Turkish invaders, leaving only the fortified walls as a memento. The site was then filled in to lay the foundations of the new grandiose Baroque palace started by Maria-Theresa and later expanded in the 19th century.

The Palace was gutted during the Second World War. Today, it functions as home to important cultural institutions and museums.

The Castle District is one of the most romantic pedestrian sections in Budapest. A medieval little town with atmospheric streets, picturesque houses, gas lamps and beautiful monuments.

The main street of the district - Tárnok Street - ranges from Dísz Square to today's district centre, Matthias Church. Colourful little houses border the square and the neighbouring streets.

The winding streets and narrow houses date back to the Middle Ages, occasionally decorated with valuable Gothic window and door frames. Elegant Baroque and Louis XVI-style palaces are relics of the restoration work after the Turkish occupation.      

Pest

The Pest Concert Hall, a masterpiece of Hungarian Romantic architecture, was opened in 1865. It has seen the appearance of such celebrities as Franz Liszt, Wagner, Brahms, Richard Strauss, Bartók and Kodály.

The city centre starts on Vörösmarty Square. Váci Street, the pedestrian main street of downtown Budapest, sets out from here and the square holds the two most popular cafés of the capital: the old Gerbeaud and the trendy Art Café. The square is always busy and full of life.

Built at the turn of the century, the building of the Parliament quickly became a dominant sight and symbol of Budapest and the Danube panorama.

A typically Eclectic edifice with a lot of small spikes and stone lace ornamentation, it is one of the most decorative structures of the capital. It also ranks as one of the biggest national assemblies in the world.

Majestic stone lions flank the VIP entrance taking visitors to the magnificent staircase leading to the cupola room, home of the most elegant state receptions. The rich interior and decoration of the Parliament building are well worth seeing as part of a guided tour.

The Hungarian National Museum is one of the finest examples of Hungarian Classicism.

Hungarian history is presented from the foundation of the state up until 1990. The Hungarian Holy Crown and the Crown Jewels were housed here, but since January 2000 have been housed in the Parliament.

Stonework remains from the Roman period, the Middle Ages and from early modern times.

Budapest is proud of possessing one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The opening performance of the Opera House was held in the neo-Renaissance building in 1884 after nine years of construction.

The staircase and the auditorium of the palace, designed by one of the best architects of those days, Miklós Ybl, are decorated with frescos of eminent Hungarian painters such as Bertalan Székely, Mór Thán and Károly Lotz.

The first director was Ferenc Erkel. Gustav Mahler held this post for several years, and Puccini directed the premiere of two of his operas here. Renowned guest conductors include Otto Klemperer, Sergio Failoni and Lamberto Gardelli. It is still one of the best opera houses in Europe.

Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge over the Danube. Budapest owes its construction to Count István Széchenyi who had to wait a week before he could cross the river to bury his father. This is when he decided to build a permanent crossing for the city.

Architect William Clark and namesake Adam Clark supervised construction works and the bridge was finally completed in 1849.

It has since rightly become a symbol of Budapest city, a magnificent sight when illuminated at night.

The abundance of medicinal waters in Budapest is unparalleled. A capital city featuring the highest number of medical thermal springs in the world, Budapest was granted the title of 'Spa City' in 1934. The Celts and the Romans used the hot springs on the Buda side, and the name of Aquincum may also refer to the springs (the name may be a derivation from the Celtic word for 'water', or from the Latin aqua quinque, 'five waters').

There is probably no other capital city on the globe with swimming pools and bathing halls dating back to the Turkish occupation and still in use today, with thermal spas irradiating the rich colours and forms of Art Nouveau and featuring one of the largest spas in Europe.

Natural springs and wells in the territory of Budapest (a total of 118 different sources) provide up to 30,000 cubic metres of 21 to 76-degree C thermal water every day: mostly dolomitic water ranging from lukewarm karst to thermal hot water. Romans used 14 thermal spas, and a British traveller reported 10 spas in Turkish times (1669). There are 24 medical spas, public baths, indoor and outdoor swimming pools in the capital today - ten with a special medical capacity and therapeutic value.

Theatres, nightclubs, cabarets and museums abound in Budapest.

Traditionally, the term Pest Broadway was used for Nagymez Street where most of the theatres of Budapest are located, like the Operetta Theatre, the Tivoli Theatre, a cabaret stage known as Microscope and the Thália Theatre with no acting company of its own.

Today's night programme venues have shifted more in the direction of the Academy of Music and Liszt Ferenc Square.

There are about four dozen museums and even more exhibition rooms and art galleries in the city.

Two amphitheatres are the earliest reminders of an acting tradition. The first theatre of Pest opened in 1719. Today there are over 40 theatres in Budapest.

The State Opera House, the Parliament building, Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, the Academy of Music and the Synagogue offer an exclusive location and remarkable atmosphere for classical music concerts.

Indoor and open-air sports stadiums attract thousands to frequently organized pop concerts.