If you run a Windows computer, you might see different pictures from all across the world whenever your computer starts up. Yesterday, a picture from Budapest suddenly showed up, portraying the amazing Fishermen’s bastion.
The Windows opening picture as of December 11th, 2019
The text in the picture says as follows:
Why this building is called a bastion, no one really knows – it never actually defended the great city below. It’s probably just a fish story.
Windows startup picture, December 11th – 2019
It is a great joy to see Budapest getting some attention from Microsoft and the world, and maybe this will attract some more visitors to Budapest.
But, what is the truth behind the Fishermen’s Bastion? Well, the name comes because of the look. It is true that is has never actually defended the city, but it was built as an attraction and was named after the fishermen who guarded that part of the wall surrounding the castle several hundred years ago.
In other words, there is no big mystery related to the actual Fishermen’s Bastion. So, come and check it out for yourself and enjoy Budapest with all its magnificent attractions, amazing food, and interesting programs.
Coming to Budapest and wonder what are the most important attractions to see when in town? We have created a list telling you what are the top five Budapest attractions.
The attractions on this list are things to see, which means that we have not included activities and programs. These are buildings and landmarks that you simple need to see, because they are stunning and because if you do not see them, you can not return home claiming to have seen the most important sights in Budapest. So here we go, our top five Budapest attractions.
Top five Budapest attractions
St. Stephens Basilica
We have always been big fans of the St. Stephens Basilica. It has a beautiful exterior and interior. From the square outside the church it is possible to make magnificent pictures, from the dome you can enjoy the best view available on the Pest side, and inside you can enjoy the mixture of prayer, organ music and beautiful paintings, sculptures and much more!
St. Stephens Basilica is in our eyes the most beautiful church in all of Budapest! Majestic both on the inside and the outside.
Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament might be the most impressive of all buildings in Budapest. It is located by the Danube and it reminds quite a lot about the Parliament in London. As you watch the building from the outside you will be extremely impressed, but do not make the mistake to think that you have seen it once your bus or taxi has driven next to it during daytime. It is when the lights are turned on in the evening it turns into one of the most beautiful buildings Europe has to offer.
One of the nicest Parliament buildings in the world can be found in Budapest
Heroes Square
If you want an introduction to the history of Hungary, bring a guide book or a guide with you to the Heroes Square. The square is beautiful both during daytime and nighttime, but be aware of the fact that in the hottest months it is hard to be out on the square for more than 5-10 minutes. The monuments and the statues at the square are delightful, and the two wonderful museums at both sides of the square just gives a plus to it all.
The best place to get an introduction to the history of Hungary, the Heroes Square
Chain Bridge
If you buy a postcard from Budapest, it is very possible that the Chain Bridge is the landmark you will see on it. The bridge is first of all a favorite object to photograph when it is illuminated in the evening, and it is also the oldest bridge connecting Pest with Buda. Beautiful, and almost impossible to miss out on when in Budapest.
The Chain Bridge is one of the most beautiful attractions in Budapest
Castle Hill
The fifth and last attraction on our list of the Top five Budapest attractions is the Castle Hill. We realize that the Castle Hill in fact is a hill and not one attraction, so it is kind of tricky. However, as we write the Castle Hill as an attraction it includes the castle building itself, but also the Matthias Church and the Fishermens Bastion.
The Matthias Church is beautiful, and its location next to the Fishermens Bastion is perfect.
The best route to see these five attractions
If you decide to see all these five attraction on one and the same little trip on your own, then we recommend the following route.
Start your tour at the Heroes Square
Take the yellow metro or walk your way down the Andrassy avenue to the St. Stephens Basilica
Continue towards the Chain Bridge and walk across it
Walk on foot or use the funicular to get to the Castle Hill
Walk from the Castle towards the Trinity square (Szentharomsag ter)
Enjoy the view of the Matthias Church and the Fishermens Bastion
Walk to the top of one of the viewing points at the Fishermens Bastion and see the beautiful Parliament from there.
Enjoy your trip and if you have further thoughts and advices, just write a comment!
Good news to everyone coming to Budapest between October 16 and March 15. In this period it is free entrance to the Fishermens Bastion, so if you would like to enjoy the second best view in Budapest, you are free to do so, without even having to pay for it. In my opinion the best view can be seen from the Gellert Hill, and then the Fishermens Bastion can be ranked at a nice second place.
A building such as the Parliament cant be seen at all (almost) from the Gellert Hill, but from the Fishermens Bastion that can be seen very nicely (though it is most pretty from a boat on the Danube or from the Batthyány Square).
Anyway; enjoy the freen entrance to the Fishermens Bastion, and lets hope they will soon finish the work at the part of the Fishermens Bastion located outside the Hilton Hotel.
Yet another time I just brought my camera as I walked around in Budapest (of course working with tourists), and below you can see some of the Budapest pictures. None of them are extraordinary, but they will still give a little feeling of what Budapest is like for those who have never been around in the capital of Hungary before.
