Budapest Museum Central Hotel is located directly in the heart of the historical city center, within walking distance of the city’s administrative, business and cultural districts as well as the famous shopping area of Váci Street. The building is also right next door to the majority of Budapest’s main cultural attractions; the Hungarian National Museum, the Dohany Synagogue (Europe’s largest) and St. Stephen’s Basilica – Budapest’s most famous Cathedral. Andrassy Avenue Budapest’s most elegant street is also only a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Of special interest and a must see attraction, Budapest’s most famous and grand spa center the Szechenyi Baths are only a 10 minute metro ride away. Ask at reception about how to get there.

Hungarian National Museum

Hungarian National Museum: now responsible for the safe keeping of over a million objects, the National Museum traces its own history back to 1802 when it was founded with the medal, book and manuscript collection belonging to Count Ferenc Széchenyi. In 1846 it moved into the fine neo-Classical building designed by Mihály Pollack where it has been ever since. Permanent exhibitions: Hungarian History from the Founding of the State until 1990, Lapidarium – Roman Stonework, and Coronation Jewels and Robes.The museum’s architecture alone warrants a stop, but it also played a major role in Hungary’s history: Petofi recited his famous ‘national song’ from the steps here in 1848; there is a plaque to commemorate this famous event. The inside of the museum is also stunning, with lavish use of marble and ceremonial architecture. The displays give a thorough account of the history of the Hungarian nation.The last thousand years of Hungarian history are represented in the main exhibition, starting with such items as an ivory saddle and chain mail, and ending with political posters and a video of the Soviets leaving Hungary. On the first floor is displayed the Hungarian coronation mantle, made of faded silk and dating from 1031.

The Great Synagogue of Dohany Street

The Great Synagogue in Dohány Street, also known as the Dohány Synagogue, or the Tabac-Schul, the Yiddish translation of dohány (tobacco), after the Hungarian name of the street, is located in Belváros, the inner city of Pest, in the historical center of Budapest. It was built between 1854-1859 by the Neolog Jewish community of Pest according to the plans of the Viennese architect Ludwig Foerster. The synagogue neighbors a major Budapest thoroughfare expressing the optimism and the newly elevated status of the Hungarian Jews in the mid years of the 19th century. It is a monumental, magnificent synagogue, with a capacity of 2,964 seats (1,492 for men and 1,472 in the women’s galleries) making it one of the largest in the world. The building has a length of more than 53 meters while its width has 26.5 meters. The design of the Dohány Street synagogue, while basically in a Moorish style, also features a mixture of Byzantine, Romantic, and Gothic elements.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

Budapest’s largest church, whose landmark dome can be seen from all over the city, was built in Classical style between 1851 and 1905. Inside is the Hungarians’ most revered relic – the mummified right hand of Hungary’s first monarch, King Saint Stephen. Among many famous works of art the statues of Alajos Stróbl are well worth studying, as is the painting by Gyula Benczúr depicting St. Stephen commending his country, by the offering up of his crown, to the patronage of the Virgin Mary. A grandiose cupola dominates the edifice offering visitors a good view of the city from its rim. From the unique 360-degree circular lookout you can admire Budapest from a height of 65 meters. A modern and secure elevator will take you most of the way up, from where you climb to the circular lookout on a spiral staircase.

Thermal Spas

Budapest has had several great thermal baths for many centuries. The Turkish baths along the river Danube are still functional and much favored. But more than a thousand years before the Turks, the Romans and even before them, the Celts have been enjoying the warm spring waters as baths, healing waters and drinks.