Where Is Budapest?

Budapest is the capital city of the Republic of Hungary, and is situated along the banks of the River Danube, in East/Central Europe. The Hungarian capital is located 218 km (135 miles) from Vienna, Austria, and 445 km (276 miles) from Prague, Czech Republic. With a total population of 2.4 million, Budapest is the largest city in Hungary and one of the largest in East/Central Europe.

Budapest was established in 1873, with the merger of three independent municipalities, namely Pest, Buda and Óbuda. Even though Budapest as such may be relatively young, the area has been inhabited since 106 AD, when the Romans established a settlement called Aquincum. Pest, located on the eastern banks of the River Danube, remains the Hungarian capital's centre of finance, industry and entertainment. Most luxury hotels are located in Pest's 5th District, while the city's outskirts are characterized by massive communist era apartment complexes, industrial zones, as well as Ferihegy International Airport. Buda, on the other hand, is located on the Western side of the Danube and is known for its hills, parks, prosperous residential neighbourhoods and for the famous Castle District. The Castle District remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Budapest, as it is home to the Royal Palace, the Budapest History Museum, the St. Matyás Church and the Fisherman's Bastion. The Gellért and Rudas thermal baths are also located on the Buda side, and these attract tourists looking to ease their rheumatic pains, or those seeking to relax in historic Roman and Turkish environments.