About the city of Budapest
UK: /ˌb(j)uːdəˈpɛst, ˌbʊd-, ˈb(j)uːdəpɛst, ˈbʊd-/, US: /ˈbuːdəpɛst/; Hungarian pronunciation: /ˈbudɒpɛʃt/.
Brief history
Budapest is the capital and most populous city of Hungary. The ninth-largest city in the European Union by population within city limits and the second-largest city on the Danube river. The city has an estimated population of 1.8 millions over about 525 km2 while the metropolitan area adds another 3.3 millions, constituting 33% of the population of the country.
The area has been inhabited since the iron age, roamed and ruled by Celts, Romans, Huns, Mongols, Ottomans, Habsburgs, Nazis, Soviets. Following the unification of Pest, Buda, and Óbuda on 17 November 1873 - thus becoming Budapest - the city garnered global influence, being the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The central area of Budapest along the Danube River is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has several notable monuments of classical architecture, attracting around 12 million international tourists per year.
The city has always been a melting point of cultures as well as regional centre of education, finance, technology, while acting as the catalyst of changes: it was the focal point of the Revolution of 1848, the Battle of Budapest in 1945, the Revolution of 1956, and it of course held CMWC 2001 and ECMC 2010. Now it’s up to you to write history yourselves.
What to see/do
We wouldn’t want to get into much detail about the usual stuff of historic sites, museums, sites of religious importance. We suggest you to head to WeLoveBudapest or the LonelyPlanet for recommendations.
For those wanting a more detailed sightseeing trip, there are countless city walks of various themes.
If you have specific interests please get in touch to see how those can be fulfilled.
