Heroes’ Square and the City Park
One iconic symbol of Budapest is the Heroes’ Square, the gateway to the City Park. To reach this incredible monument from our apartment, hop on tram 4/6 for 2 stops to the Oktogon station, from here it’s a lovely walk up Andrássy Rd up to the square.
Before heading to the monument, though, I highly recommend taking a slight detour in the other direction down Andrássy to the Opera House (found at #22). Designed by Ybl Miklós, our breathtakingly beautiful, highly ornamented Opera opened its doors in 1884.
From here, you can hop the Underground and quickly reach the Heroes’ Square (5 stops, direction: Mexikói út). This underground line was the first in Europe and just the 2nd in the world. The Heroes’ Square commemorates the thousand-year history of the Hungarian people. Each member of the group of statues which line the square pays tribute to a a legendary figure from Hungarian history.
The square also serves as a home to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Kunst Halle. If you have time, be sure to visit both, they are home to world-class exhibitions.
Leaving the square, you will see an ice skating rink on your right, in the winter, this will be a crowded spot, while in in the summer, you can row a rowboat around the lake. After the bridge, make sure and stop by the Vajdahunyad Castle, currently home to the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture. It’s worth strolling around here and exploring the area, it’s lush and green, and the architecture is stunning.
Continuing on the Kós Károly Promenade, you will arrive to the largest mineral bath complex in the city (quite a statement in this town, full of baths!): known as “Szecska” (pronounced “SECH-kah”) by the locals, the Széchenyi Baths are renowned for both their exquisite architecture and therapeutic warm water baths. It’s worth exploring if you have the time, the buildings are beautiful and the mineral pools relaxing.
Back to the Vajdahunyad Castle, continue along the Promenade which bisects the Castle, turning right onto Paál Lászlo Rd, then again right onto Olof Palme Promenade which brings us to a brand new addition to Budapest’s extraordinary landscape, the House of Music, Hungary. This brand new building offers a home to world-class concerts and exhibitions. In addition, there is a café with incredible views over the City Park. Continuing on toward the Ötvenhatosok tere, we arrive to what will be the new home of the Museum of Ethnography, currently under construction.
At the far end of the Heroes’ Square, you will find the Budapest Zoo, parts of which were designed by Eiffel himself. If you are famished from a long day of exploration, drop by one of the most iconic restaurants of the city, the Gundel, and be sure and try the legendary Gundel pancakes (hot crepes filled with walnuts and rum-soaked raisins drenched in chocolate sauce) or another legendary Hungarian dessert, the Somlói galuska, first prepared here in 1958. Incredibly delicious, delectable!
From here, it’s easy to return to your home in Budapest, as tram #75 stops at the corner of Gundel Károly Rd and Dózsa György út and drops you back at Budai Nagy Andtal utca, right next to our apartment!
