Buda
Language aside, Budapest is a city seemingly made for tourists. Getting lost is a pleasure, since the architecture is spectacular and there are historical sights in almost every neighborhood in the city. Start with Citadella, a fortress and monument atop Gellert Hill (so named because St. Gellert was thrown from the hill to his death). From the top, reachable by bus or foot, there is a perfect view of all Budapest — the winding streets, grand boulevards and beautiful spires of bustling Pest across the Danube, and the green, almost rural hills of Buda, the more peaceful and more expensive segment of the city. At the top there is also the Liberation Memorial, a girl holding a palm leaf in her upstretched hands. At one time, the statue was accompanied by Red Army soldiers to commemorate the Soviet Union’s "liberation" of Hungary. Those figures have been taken away — with other now offensive statues — to the city’s Statue Park in the 22nd district. The fortress today has a restaurant, beer garden, and youth hostel.
Alongside Gellert Hill is the famous Gellert Hotel, known for its thermal baths as much as for its accommodations. One of Budapest’s 100-plus thermal baths, the Gellert is like something out of The Road to Wellville, with baths fed by hot springs that have been around for more than 2,000 years. There are massage services, a sauna and an outdoor pool. The Gellert also offers low-cost dental care and treatments such as underwater traction, which must be ordered by a doctor.
Nearby in Buda is the breath-taking Castle District, atop a hill overlooking the river. Be warned: the area is well traveled by tourists and thus very expensive. Instead, savor the views from Fisherman’s Bastion, the turreted remains of Castle Hill’s oldest church. Stop also into nearby Matthias Church before wandering the old, narrow streets of the Castle District. Not to be missed are the city’s national museums, clustered on the southern end of the district. These include the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest Historic Museum and the Museum of Recent History (formerly the Museum of the Hungarian Working Class Movement). In the center of the Castle District is the Budavari Labiruntus (labyrinth of Buda Castle)—touristy but fun.
Buda travel guide - Wikitravel
