One day in Budapest: itinerary and highlights

Budapest in a day is explored by crossing the Danube, which divides the hilly city of Buda from the flat Pest, united by the historic bridges that have made it one of Europe's most recognizable urban profiles.

It's a route that alternates panoramic views, monumental palaces, and the tradition of the thermal baths, then leaving the afternoon choice between two different ways to close the day.

On Castle Hill in Buda stand Buda Castle, the royal residence once seat of the Habsburgs, and the Fishermen's Bastion, the neogothic terrace from which you see all of Pest across the river: this is where to begin.

Beside the bastion stands Matthias Church, with its colorful enameled tile roof, theater of royal coronations for centuries.

Descending toward the river, you cross the Chain Bridge, the first permanent bridge built on the Danube in 1849, to reach Pest and its riverfront.

From here a walk leads to Parliament, the neogothic building whose dome and spires are among the city's most photographed symbols, visitable by guided tour booked in advance.

For lunch, the Central Market, the city's largest and oldest covered market, offers stalls of Hungarian street food like lángos, the fried flatbread seasoned with sour cream and cheese.

The Széchenyi Thermal Baths, one of Europe's largest thermal complexes, have outdoor pools heated within a yellow ochre neorbaroque building.

The Andrássy Avenue, the great tree-lined course and UNESCO heritage, leads instead to the State Opera House and Heroes' Square.

The Jewish Quarter of Pest offers for dinner its famous ruin bars, built in otherwise abandoned courtyards and buildings.

The Castle Hill, the Chain Bridge and the Parliament already bring together the two souls of Budapest, divided by the Danube, while the afternoon chooses between the Széchenyi Thermal Baths and Andrássy Avenue.

Margaret Island, the great riverside park, and a true evening cruise on the Danube await semmai a second visit. Looking out from the Fishermen's Bastion over the Danube remains one of the most beautiful views of Budapest.