Europe Hungary Budapest Budapest, Hungary - Twin Cities on the Danube River By Linda Garrison Linda Garrison Linda Paull Garrison is a travel writer who has taken over 150 cruises and spent over 1,100 days at sea. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/06/19 Share Pin Email Linda Garrison Buda and Pest Are Fascinating Cities with Intriguing History The Danube River runs right through the center of Budapest, dividing the city into two parts--Buda and Pest. Since the city links western and eastern Europe, Budapest has long had an intriguing history. River ships sailing the Danube always stopover in Budapest for the day, docking in a perfect place, with a marvelous view of Fishermen's Bastion and the Palace in Buda on one side and the downtown area of Pest on the other. The ships often wait until after dark to sail away since the city lights on the river are truly memorable. Budapest has many fascinating sites on both sides of the river. Many of these sites are diverse, with fascinating histories. They range from churches such as St. Stephen's and Matthias to monuments, parks, and beautiful bridges across the Danube. Since the ships dock conveniently near many of the tourist areas, passengers can explore the city on their own. In addition, river cruises usually include an overview tour of the city as part of the fare. Budapest is also one of my favorite sail away ports in the world. 01 of 35 Parliament Building on the Danube River in Budapest TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris Continue to 2 of 35 below. 02 of 35 Chain Bridge in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The Chain Bridge was named after count Széchenyi, who sponsored the building of the bridge. The Chain Bridge was built by Scotsmen William Tierney Clark and Adam Clark and opened in 1849. Continue to 3 of 35 below. 03 of 35 Chain Bridge Over the Danube in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 4 of 35 below. 04 of 35 Erzsebet (Elizabeth) Bridge Over the Danube River in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The Erzsebet (Elizabeth) Bridge over the Danube River in Budapest was named after Queen Elizabeth, a popular empress of Austria-Hungary assassinated in 1898. Continue to 5 of 35 below. 05 of 35 Gresham Palace and St. Stephens Basilica in Budapest, Hungary TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris Continue to 6 of 35 below. 06 of 35 Palace of Art in Budapest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The Palace of Art in Budapest, Hungary sits on Heroes' Square. The Palace of Art was built in 1895 and contains exhibits of Hungarian as well as other artists. Continue to 7 of 35 below. 07 of 35 Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. The Széchenyi bath is found in the City Park of Pest. Continue to 8 of 35 below. 08 of 35 St. Stephen's Basilica in Downtown Pest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 9 of 35 below. 09 of 35 St. Stephen's Cathedral in Budapest, Hungary TripSavvy / Christopher Larson St. Stephen's is the largest church in Budapest and holds about 8500 people. Continue to 10 of 35 below. 10 of 35 Dome Interior of St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 11 of 35 below. 11 of 35 Budapest Central Market Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The Budapest Central Market is a short walk from where the river ships dock. Is has many fascinating food products, handicrafts, and other wares for sale. Continue to 12 of 35 below. 12 of 35 Paprika Peppers for Sale at the Budapest Central Market in Budapest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 13 of 35 below. 13 of 35 Corinthian Column in the Millennium Monument at Heroes' Square in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The Millennium Monument was started in 1896 and completed in 1929. Continue to 14 of 35 below. 14 of 35 Millennium Monument at Heroes' Square in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The base of the Corinthian column of the Millennium Monument at Heroes' Square in Budapest. The column is topped with a statue of the archangel Gabriel and surrounded by seven mounted men representing the Magyar chiefs who led the Hungarian people over 1100 years ago. Continue to 15 of 35 below. 15 of 35 Heroes' Square in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Heroes' Square in Budapest is at the end of Andrassy Avenue. Heroes' Square is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to 16 of 35 below. 16 of 35 Heroes' Square in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 17 of 35 below. 17 of 35 Shoes on the Danube Promenade - Budapest Jewish Holocaust Memorial Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Sixty pairs of cast iron shoes, cast in the styles of the 1940's, stand in remembrance of the people shot into the Danube during the Arrow Cross terror. Continue to 18 of 35 below. 18 of 35 Budapest Parliament Building in Pest, Hungary on the Danube River Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 19 of 35 below. 19 of 35 Budapest Opera House Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 20 of 35 below. 20 of 35 Gresham Palace Four Seasons Hotel Lobby in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 21 of 35 below. 21 of 35 Downtown Pest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Pest is on the flat side of the Danube River, and Buda is on the hilly side of the river. Continue to 22 of 35 below. 22 of 35 Matthias Church Steeple in Budapest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 23 of 35 below. 23 of 35 Matthias Church - Budapest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 24 of 35 below. 24 of 35 Mathias Church Interior in Budapest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 25 of 35 below. 25 of 35 Stained Glass Window in Matthias Church, Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 26 of 35 below. 26 of 35 Fishermen's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Fishermen's Bastion is part of the Buda Castle District and is near Matthias Church and the Palace. Continue to 27 of 35 below. 27 of 35 Fishermen's Bastion Overlooking the Danube River in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison In the Middle Ages, fishermen set up their defense positions at the area known as Fishermen's Bastion. The site is filled with towers, turrets, and river views. Continue to 28 of 35 below. 28 of 35 St. Stephen Statue at Fishermen's Bastion in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 29 of 35 below. 29 of 35 Budapest Castle District Monument Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The Buda Castle complex was once the palace of Hungarian kings. It was once called the royal palace. This monument is one of many in the castle district. Budapest, including the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue up to Heroes' Square are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to 30 of 35 below. 30 of 35 Liberation Monument on Gellert Hill in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 31 of 35 below. 31 of 35 Liberation Monument in Budapest Overlooks the Danube River from Buda, Hungary Budapest (c) Linda Garrison The monument was erected in 1947 on Gellert Hill in Buda to mark the liberation of the capital from the Germans in 1945 by Soviet troops. Continue to 32 of 35 below. 32 of 35 Viking River Cruises' Viking Spirit on the Danube River in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 33 of 35 below. 33 of 35 Viking Neptune and Viking Danube on the Danube River in Budapest Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 34 of 35 below. 34 of 35 Budapest Parliament at Night Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Continue to 35 of 35 below. 35 of 35 Chain Bridge in Budapest at Night Budapest (c) Linda Garrison Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit