Budapest Hungary:

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and the largest city in the country. These were once three separate cities built on the Danube River: Buda, Óbuda and Pest, then in 1873 they merged to form the city we know today.

The climate here is temperate continental, winters are warm and short, and summers are long and hot, so a holiday in Budapest is a pleasant experience. The mild climate allows tourists from different countries to quickly adapt.

Here are 5 must visit places in Budapest:

1. Hungarian Parliament:

If you and your family are vacationing in Budapest, you simply won’t be able to pass by such a palace. In addition, excursions to the Hungarian Parliament building are organized everywhere. Let’s figure out why it is so interesting and what children and adults are curious to see.

The Hungarian Parliament is the most visited attraction in Budapest. Not a single excursion is complete without a tour of this building, even a cursory one. Externally, it amazes not only with its scale, but also with its architectural style, somewhat reminiscent of London’s Palace of Westminster. Photos of the parliament do not fully reflect the grandeur that emanates from the building. And this, by the way, is the longest building in all of Hungary! And one of the largest government residences in all of Europe!

The parliament building took 19 years to build according to the drawings of Imre Steindl, and its construction was completed in 1904. As mentioned above, it is the longest building in the country – its length is 268 m and its width is 123 m. The highest dome is at a height of 96 m, and its diameter is as much as 20 m. The parliament consists of 10 courtyards, 13 entrances , 29 staircases and almost 700 offices and halls.

You can see the entire parliament building only when you cross one of the Danube bridges. By the way, it is from the river side that it is most often photographed. The main entrance is located from Lajos Kossuth Square. If you want to get beautiful photos, it is better to climb Mount Heller or one of the balconies of the Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest.

The building looks most impressive at night, when the lights turn on. Architectural reliefs and lines acquire increased clarity with the onset of darkness, falling shadows create bizarre compositions. Even children will enjoy the scale of the spectacle, so a walk to the parliament in the evening with them will also be useful. And there is something to see inside! On days when there are no parliamentary meetings, organized excursions are held in 8 languages, including Russian.

Interesting Facts:

• So that you have no doubt that the inside of the Hungarian Parliament building (Orsagaz) in Budapest is no less interesting than the outside, we will give you some amazing facts.
• During the construction of the building, 40 million bricks and 40 kg of gold were used, and thousands of people took part in the construction.
• The architect never saw his creation completed, as he died in 1902. What is noteworthy is that he did not live only 5 weeks before the grand opening of parliament in 1902 (and external finishing work continued until 1904).
• From the mid-twentieth century until the collapse of the USSR, there was a red star on the spire of the dome, the same as on the Kremlin towers. It was removed after Hungary turned to the West.
• The domed hall houses the main state symbols of Hungary – the scepter, sword, orb, and the crown of St. Stephen (aka Stephen). This spacious hall is decorated with statues of 16 kings and rulers of Hungary.
• There are a total of 250 statues inside and outside the parliament.
• The first meeting of parliament took place on the occasion of the millennium of Hungary and happened before the building was completed – in 1896.

2. Museum of Agriculture:

Despite the fact that the name Museum of Agriculture makes one doubt the interest of this place, there is something to see here for both children and adults. The very fact that the museum is located in Vajdahunyad Castle makes it attractive to architecture connoisseurs. The castle is located in Városliget Park, next to it there is a picturesque pond with sun loungers on the shore.

A walk with children in the fresh air can be combined with a visit to the museum, which occupies a large area, so it is not always possible to examine the exhibitions in detail at one time. The halls of the building attract with their scale, and the expositions add color to the interior. They are mainly devoted to the development of agriculture in Hungary in different years and eras. There is even a corner dedicated to the primitive system – children of any age will be interested in looking at the paraphernalia of cave people. The exhibitions are rich in hunting and fishing trophies.

Museum exhibition:

Among the many exhibits are exhibitions dedicated to horses, cattle domestication, conservation and conservation. Children are attracted to hand tools from different eras at an exhibition of agricultural machinery. The large-scale exhibition of deer antlers on the wall of the spacious hall with columns and high arches is impressive; a large stuffed bear is also installed here.

The museum is interesting because in its large exhibitions the atmosphere of rural life has been restored, close to reality – poultry and animals “wander” near mannequins in themed clothing, carts stand and other surroundings.

At an exhibition dedicated to horses, children will not only see exhibits, but also learn a lot of information: why these animals are shoed, what color they come in, what products are used for care. Children will be able to sit in a real saddle or on a wooden pony, which is especially impressive for younger children. The exhibition on the domestication of cattle introduces visitors to how agriculture evolved and animals were domesticated. Among the local exhibitions are tools from the caveman era, flora and fauna of the Paleolithic period, bones and skulls of ancient animals, and other objects found during archaeological excavations.

The exhibition, dedicated to nature conservation, will introduce visitors to the flora and fauna of Hungary, the features of the use of useful plants in everyday life, medicine, and pharmacy. There are large screens with a collection of flowers on the wall.

From time to time, the Millennium Agricultural Museum hosts themed children’s events with elements of games. At the entrance, each child receives a charade card and a magnifying glass with a pencil, after which he must look for answers on the museum grounds and fill out the card. This is interesting, but, alas, the information is only in Hungarian. There is a cafe in the center of the museum. If you want to contemplate beautiful landscapes, come here in the evening – there is an observation deck in the park, and the castle itself is spectacularly illuminated.

3. AQUARENA WATER PARK:

Mogyorod Water Park “Aquarena” is a real oasis of water attractions in Hungary. Visitors of all ages will find breathtaking adventures here. And rest assured, there are also entertainment areas for kids. Looking ahead, it can be noted that there are as many as 26 water slides, and one of the key attractions is a 300 m long river passing through an exotic cave. The atmosphere in it is identical to that of the island of Capri. Be prepared to spend at least half a day here unnoticed. You don’t have to stock up on food – there are many places on the territory where you can have a snack and, according to tourists, the menu prices are quite affordable.

Water park area:

The water park in the suburbs of Budapest is located on natural green hills. It is 18 km away from the city, located in the village of Modyorod. The Formula 1 track lies right next to it, which is partially visible from the water park. Go-karts are in operation, so beloved by fans of all ages. The total area of ​​the amusement park is 11.5 hectares. When installing the slides, the creators tried not to disturb the natural landscape, so the rides are surrounded by greenery, and in general the impression of coziness and well-groomed territory is created. All slides and attractions are located outdoors. The creators claim that it uses a perfect American system of water purification and heating. Thanks to it, the water on the slides and in the pools remains equally clean and warm in any weather. In the summer, of course. The water park is closed in winter.

Not everyone has enough time to spend a whole day playing in the Aquarena park. For such visitors, a panoramic campsite with parking for 600 cars is provided on the territory of the aquatic center. Among the entertainment areas there was also a place for food establishments. The water park has more than 10 restaurants and cafes. Among them there is a pizzeria, as well as a special children’s bar. The menu is designed exclusively for children. You can relax with a massage service for an additional fee. Of course, there are also souvenir shops on site. However, similar magnets and other small items can be purchased directly in Budapest, but much cheaper.

Slides and pools at Aquarena:

As already mentioned, this park has 26 water slides. Their total length is 1.5 km. Among the slides, everyone will find their favorite. There are gutters, spiral pipes, and simply high-speed descents. Water routes pass not only above, but also underground. A very interesting journey along the river, the flow of which leads guests to an underground cave.

Direct water descents are considered the fastest. However, closed tube slides are no less popular. There is the legendary “Black Hole”, without which no water park can do.

Slides on inflatable cheesecakes are also in demand. To acquire such an inflatable watercraft, you need to stand in line of tourists. But the rush only happens on weekends, because on weekdays it’s usually not crowded.

The “UFO” slide is popular – at one of its intervals the person going down falls into a large cauldron. The current carries the body several times around its circumference, after which the descent continues, and the tourist ends up in the pool. By the way, there are a total of 8 swimming pools on the territory. Among them there are regular ones, Jacuzzis, and multi-level ones. There is even a special one for jumping, as well as a separate one for children. The total area of ​​the pools reaches 3500 sq. m.

Children’s zone:

There is a separate area in the water park for the youngest visitors. In a large shallow pool with clear water there are low slides, houses, mushrooms, and animal figures. Older children can go down the twisty but low slides. Nearby there is a large sunbathing terrace with sun loungers – adults will comfortably keep an eye on the children. In addition to water activities, the water park has grounds for sports games and chess areas. Interesting events dedicated to sports and a variety of leisure activities are held. Family and sports days are often held. It is interesting to visit this place at any age. There is a doctor on site at all times. Tourists who visited here noted that the prices inside the water park are quite affordable. On weekdays it is not crowded, the main contingent is Hungarians. Getting here without a car is not very convenient, so many people advise renting a car. You can also get there with transfers by train and bus.

4. VADASHPARK: WILDLIFE PARK:

Even if you have repeatedly visited the zoo in your homeland, any child will enjoy another visit to the animals. Especially if it is the Budakeszi wild animal park in Budapest. It is notable for its huge territory, reaching 350 hectares. The animals here live in spacious enclosures, so the conditions are as close as possible to their natural habitat.

Park territory:

In the park, young visitors will get to know bears, lynxes, wolves, roe deer, wild boars, buffalos, raccoons, birds of prey and many others. You can get in during the period of feeding and training the animals – it’s better to check more details about the time on the official website, but usually this happens in the first half of the day. Children will be able to hand-feed many of the inhabitants – for this purpose, appropriate signs are installed in the enclosures, and special food is sold.

The area is landscaped, there is a picnic lawn where children can frolic, and there are many benches and tables for snacking. Often visitors take food with them and come here to walk for the whole day. If you haven’t taken care of a snack, there is a café at Budakeszi Vadaspark. When kids get bored of wandering around the wildlife park on the outskirts of Budapest, they can be fascinated by the playground. It is large, interesting and thematic.

In addition to the standard slides and swings, there are rocking chairs on springs in the shape of beetles with their Latin names, a spider web between mushrooms, and a giant acorn. 20 m from the entrance to Vadashpark there is a mini-farm where poultry and animals are presented. It will be especially interesting for children to get acquainted with furry Mangalitsa pigs, donkeys, and goats.

You can appreciate the territory of the park and enjoy the scenery from the observation tower, which is 12 m high. Entry by car into the park is paid (300 HUF), but you can leave it in the parking lot in front of the checkpoint. True, you need to walk about a kilometer from there. There is an adventure park nearby where children overcome obstacles under the supervision of adults.

For example, they race along a suspended rope from one house to another. This park has some restrictions on the height of children. A trip to Vadashpark is a great opportunity to take a short break between excursion routes around the city and enjoy nature by communicating with the animals of the park.

5. Hungarian Opera House:

When exploring the sights of Budapest with your children, pay attention to the Hungarian Opera House. The building is located in one of the most beautiful quarters of the capital – Andrassy, ​​which is often called the Budapest Champs Elysees. All its houses are built in a pseudo-historical style, and the avenue itself is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. An educational and enjoyable walk is a great idea to spend a day with your family. Plus, if your children are taking piano lessons or any other instrument, a visit to the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest will broaden their horizons in terms of musical and aesthetic education. Content

History of the Opera House:

Since, starting from the 17th century, opera performances were given exclusively in the homes of aristocrats, in 1872 it was decided to build a separate opera theater. The ideological inspirer of the large-scale project was the famous composer Franz Liszt, as well as his colleague, the founder of the Hungarian national opera, Ferenc Erkel, who later became the first director of the opera.

Construction began in 1875 under the direction of architect Miklos Ibl and continued for 9 years. Only Hungarian craftsmen took part in the work.

In 1884, the grand opening of the theater took place in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph I, who was the main investor of the project. That is why at first the theater was called the Royal Opera House.

Such works as “Bank Ban” and “László Hunyadi” by F. Erkel, as well as the first act of Wagner’s “Lohengrin” were the first to receive the honor of being performed on the stage of the new theater. Later, the repertoire included masterpieces by the Hungarian composer and pianist Bela Bartok – the opera Duke Bluebeard’s Castle and the ballet The Wooden Prince.

In 1886, they decided to hold the Budapest Opera Ball annually, which to this day retains enormous social significance and takes place brilliantly every year, attracting the cultural, business and political elite of the country. Despite the enormous success of the first performances, until 1888 the theater was in a difficult financial situation. The new director, composer and conductor Gustav Mahler showed himself not only to be a talented musician, but also an effective crisis manager, who managed to pull the theater out of debt and raise it to a high musical level.

After the end of the First World War and before the beginning of the Second World War, the Hungarian State Opera House invited leading world-famous conductors – Thomas Beecham from Great Britain, Bruno Walter and Herbert von Karajan from Vienna, etc. The ambitious Miklos Ibl dreamed of building a building that, in its architecture and interior decoration, will be able to surpass the Vienna Opera, as well as the theater in Dresden and the Opera Garnier – the center of French musical and theatrical culture.

Whether the master succeeded in his idea or not is up to you to judge. Be that as it may, the building of the Hungarian Opera is today considered one of the best in the world. In 1980, the theater was closed for reconstruction and reopened its doors in 1984.