Our guest house in an 1890’s building is in the very heart of Budapest. The Astoria Metro stop is one block away. We are in easy walking distance to most gay venues and many tourist attractions. The hop-on hop-off City Tour bus can be boarded just 50 meters away in front of the Great Synagogue. There are a number of restaurants and coffee shops in our block as well. Our room rates include tax and breakfast and all rooms have private baths.

Languages spoken: English, Hungarian (fluent) and some Russian, Spanish

Our beds are comfortable and have fine quality cotton and lyocell sheets and pillow cases, down comforters and nice plump pillows.

When a chill is in the air, you will appreciate the towel warmers in the bathrooms. All year long you will enjoy our fluffy towels and central hot water system.

Help yourself anytime to tea or coffee made your way: Espresso or Long coffee from freshly ground beans 1 cup at a time.Decaf also available.

Breakfast 09:00 - 11:00 (earlier on request)

All rooms have free wireless internet if you bring your laptop. Or you can share ours with Skype and Windows Live Messenger so you can make free internet phone calls to other computers that are so enabled.

LCD flat screen TV in all rooms with cable channels in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Greek and Russian.

There is a full size refrigerator/freezer for guests shared use in the hallway.

We have maps and brochures and will give you all the directions and help you need.

Nearby Cities: Szeged, Visegrad, Eger, Gyor, Miskolc-Tapolca, Esztergom, Kecskemet, Szombathely, Harkany, Debrecen

Keywords:budapest, danube, guest house, panzio, acomodation, rooms, hotel, gay, lesbian, tourist, travel, hungary, szallas, turizmus, turista, zimmer, hostel, pension, b and b

 Basilica of St. Stephen (Szent István Bazilika)

V. Szent István tér 33, Metro: M3 Arany János utca/M3 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky u, Website: www.basilica.hu, Open (mass times): 7am-9am, 5:30pm-8pm daily,
The Basilica of St. Stephen (which stands on the square of the same name) is Budapest's largest church holding more than 8000 worshippers.

Designed by Jozsef Hild in 1845, work only began in earnest in 1851. However, Hild died before the project was complete, leaving the task of overseeing its construction to architect Miklós Ybl. During an inspection, Ybl was amazed to find that huge cracks had appeared in many of the building's outer walls. Less than a week after cordoning off the site, the church's vast dome tilted and collapsed. The remainder was also declared structurally unsound and demolished to make way for Ybl's neo-Renaissance design. The building, which was finally opened by Emperor Francis Joseph in 1906, also suffered terribly from allied bombing raids during World War II.

In the Szent jobb kápolna (chapel of the Sacred Right) lies Catholic Hungary's most revered relic - what is claimed to be the mummified right hand of St. Stephen. For the princely sum of 60 HUF, you can get one of the resident attendants to flick a switch, lighting up the small glass case containing the hand. Eerie in the extreme.

Quite rightly, however, the inside of the Basilica has been criticized as being too dark - there are simply not enough windows for such a large building. Consequently, it's hard to fully appreciate the interior decoration of the church, which includes Gyula Benczúr's depiction of St. Stephen offering the Hungarian crown to the Virgin Mary. That said, recent improvements - which include additional lighting in the nave and the overhaul of the cathedral's organ - were part of a protracted restoration programme costing in excess of $17 million USD. Most of the funding, which was spent on the cathedral's exterior, has taken more than twenty years to complete although, judging by the results, it was certainly worth the expense! And, with the addition of an impressive piazza area, the Basilica is definitely a "must see" for first-time visitors to Budapest.

Budapest Eye (Budapesti Kiláto)

VI. Váci út 1-3 (WestEnd City Center Roof Garden), Tel: 238 7623, E-mail: budapestballoon@muber.hu, Websites: www.budapesteye.hu and www.westend.hu, Metro: M3 Nyugati pu,  
Designed by legendary balloonist Per Lindstrand, the Budapest Eye is undoubtedly the best way to see the geography and layout of the city, including hilly Buda across the Danube. Rising 150 metres from the roof of the WestEnd City Center (where the Eye is tethered) each ride takes approximately 20 minutes and operates from 1st May-31st October and 1st November-1st April (usually 10am-6pm). And, though even slight breezes are enough to suspend a flight, a wait is usually made all the easier by a spot of retail therapy in the shopping centre below!

Budapest Zoo (Budapesti Állakert)

XIV. Állakerti út 6-12, Metro: M1 Széchenyi fürdő, Bus 72, Website: http://www.zoobudapest.com,  
Completed in 1911, most of the zoo's original buildings have now been replaced, although the elephant house near the main gate remains largely intact.

Improved funding has meant that facilities are now on a par with standards of those in the west, with the zoo also being very well-signed and child friendly. The attraction is open all year round, but longer hours operate during the summer months.

Castle Hill (Várhegy)

I. Buda, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, Várbusz, Bus 16,  
It's with good reason that many guidebooks on Budapest open with a chapter on the Castle District. The majority of Buda's principal tourist sights - which include the Royal Palace, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church - are situated here. 

Don't be fooled into thinking that you'll be able to conduct a whistle stop tour in a single day though. Almost every cobbled street leads on to a place of interest, whether it's a landmark building, a row of baroque houses or a charming little café where locals chat, play chess, or read the early morning papers. Regarded as Budapest's 'trump card' in attracting tourists, the beauty and historic importance of buildings here is reflected by the fact that the entire area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whilst traffic within the Castle District is supposedly limited to taxis, buses and cars belonging to guests of the Hilton Hotel, we found it quite easy during the Autumn to drive up and park in Dísz tér (car parking charges do apply). In peak season however, we wouldn't recommend you try, it's much easier to use public transport instead.

Castle Theatre (Várszínház)

I. Szinház utca 1-3, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, Várbusz, Bus 16,  
Originally constructed as a Carmelite church in 1736, the building was later redesigned as a theatre following the dissolution of the order by Joseph II in 1784. For a short time it was used by a German theatre company, although performances were given in Hungarian from 1790 onwards.

Despite being heavily damaged during World War II, the theatre retains its original baroque façade, though sadly, the wooden gallery which survived right up until 1924 has since been replaced by a much smaller one made from marble and concrete. Surprisingly, the theatre was not renovated until the late-seventies, before finally re-opening to the public in 1978.

Batthyány Eternal Flame (Batthyány Orökmécses)

V. Báthory utca, Metro: M2 Kossuth tér,
The memorial flame near Báthory utca commemorates Count Lajos Batthyány, Hungarian prime minister at the time of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs.

As one of the most prominent figures in the uprising, Batthyány was immediately imprisoned after the revolt was crushed. The flame actually marks the spot of his execution a year later by firing squad.

Citadella

XI. Gellérthegy, Bus 27, Tram 18, Website http://. www.citadella.hu  
Built by the Habsburgs in the middle of the 19th-century, the Citadella's hill top position was used to strengthen their hold over Buda's inhabitants after the failed War of Independence between 1848-1849. Since then, the building has been used as a prison camp and an anti-aircraft battery by German forces during World War II.
 
Still scarred by bullet holes, the building today houses a restaurant, café and a youth hostel (the most inexpensive accommodation in town) while the area around the Citadella commands some of the most breathtaking views of the city. Just a short walk away is the statue of St. Gellért and the Liberation Monument.

City Park (Városliget)

VI. Dósza Győrgy út, Metro: M1 Hősök tere,  
Known to locals as the Városliget, the park was originally designed to celebrate the Hungarian Millennium (in 1896) and includes the Vajdahunyad Castle and a small artificial lake. As a popular area to stroll around, it's also near to a number of other attractions such as the Széchenyi baths, Heroes' Square and Vidam Park. The famous Gundel restaurant is also just a few minutes walk away.

Clark Ádám Square (Clark Ádám tér)

I. Clark Ádám tér, Bus 16, 86, Tram 19,  
On the Buda side of the Lanchíd (Chain bridge) is a small park named after the famous British engineer who helped construct the crossing.

Aside from serving as the lower terminus of the Castle District Funicular (from where you can ascend to the Royal Palace), the park also houses the Kilometre Zero stone, the point from which all road distances from Budapest are measured.

 Danube Embankment (Dunakorzó)

Although today's Dunakorzó (universally known as the korzó) cannot be compared to the grand promenade which existed during the second half of the 19th-century, it remains a favourite spot for tourists. Running alongside the Danube between the Erszébet and Szabadság bridges, the korzó follows the route of the No. 2 Villamos passed the Sofitel Regency, InterContinental and Marriott Hotels.

On a warm summer's day, it's fashionable to sit and chat over a cold beer or coffee in one of the many riverside cafés (service can be painfully slow during high season though). Alternatively, you can sit and admire the views of Buda, free of charge, from one of the old-time replica 'Buchwald-chairs' on the front. Also worth looking out for is Lazlo Marton's little bronze statue of a child perched on the railings between the korzó and the tramline. Entitled 'Little Princess' the figure is curiously seen wearing a jester's hat. Less than five minutes walk away is the fashionable Váci utca which stretches from Vörösmarty tér to Vámház kórút.

Former Red Hedgehog Inn (Vörös Sün)

I. Buda Castle District, Hess András tér 4, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, M2 Batthyány tér, Várbusz,  
Believed to date back to the late 14th century, this is one of the oldest buildings in the Castle District. During the 18th century the building (which derives its name from the hedgehog relief above the door) was used for theatrical performances and balls. Moreover, the Inn has been re-modelled several times - three medieval houses were joined together in the 17th century and in the early part of the 19th century neo-classical elements were added.

Fishermen's Bastion (Halászbástya)

I. Buda Castle District, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, M2 Batthyány tér, Várbusz,  
The Fishermen's Bastion (designed by Frigyes Schluek) is made up of seven round towers - each one symbolising the seven Magyar tribes that effectively gave rise to the nation a thousand years earlier.

Almost fairytale like in appearance, its decorative white rampart and flowing staircases stretch alongside the eastern front of the Mátyás Templom. According to tradition, the area directly behind the church housed a local fish market during medieval times - hence the name of the Bastion. During the 18th century, the Guild of Fisherman are also said to have traditionally defended this part of the castle wall.

The glorious views of Parliament and Pest beyond are simply breathtaking. In fact, there's arguably no finer place in Budapest to propose to your nearest and dearest, or go for a romantic stroll on a warm summer's night!

In previous years, the area directly opposite the entrance to the Mátyás Templom was also chock-full of stalls selling Hungarian lace and other traditional souvenirs. These have since been relocated further afield towards the Royal Palace at Disz tér. However, local artists still beckon tourists to sit for caricatures, which curiously enough, all finish up with the same exaggerated facial features.
 

Former White Cross Inn

I. Batthyány tér, M2 Batthyány tér,
On the west side of Batthyhány tér is the former White Cross Inn. Dating back to the late 17th century, this fine Baroque building was, at the time, a popular and important venue for theatrical performance. Today it's named Casanova House - apparently after the great man himself, who is said to have stayed here. As far as latter day entertainment is concerned, there's a fairly uninspiring disco/bar on the ground floor.

French Institute (Francia Intézet)

I. Fő utca 17, Metro: M2 Batthyány tér, Tram 19, Website: www.inst-france.hu,  
Opened in 1992 on the site of the former French Embassy, George Maurois' elegant post modernist building (1989) is a welcome addition to Buda's embankment. The institute, which organises a wide variety of cultural events including classical performances, jazz concerts, exhibitions and lectures, also houses a French language library, theatre and bookshop. The views of downtown Pest from the library are magnificent. What's more the institute's chic café provides a relaxing and interesting way to spend an hour.

Funicular (Sikló)

I. Clark Ádam tér, Bus 16, 86, 105, Tram 19, Open: 7:30am-10pm daily. Closed for maintenance every second Monday,  
By far the most tranquil way of ascending Castle Hill to the Royal Palace is the Sikló. Originally opened in 1870, its main function was in providing cheap transport for local workers. Fortune has, however, not always favoured the two little cable cars. Wrecked by German shelling in 1945, the Sikló was left in a state of disrepair until being fully restored in 1986.

Today's replica carriages, which use electricity rather than steam power, complete the steep ascent to Szent György tér in just under one minute. The comparative quiet inside the cars contrasts strikingly with the view across the Danube to bustling downtown Pest.

Whilst photographers and video enthusiasts will find shots from the Sikló irresistible in the early morning, romantic couples will, no doubt, prefer the spectacular floodlit views of the city at night. The lower terminus is just next to the bridge at Clark Ádám tér.

 Heroes' Square (Hősök tere)

VI. Hősök tere, Metro: M1 Hősök tere,  
Built in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of the Hungarian conquest of the Carparthian Basin, Heroes' Square is a vast and grandiose symbol of 19th-century Hungarian nationalism.

An imposing 36-metre high column which supports the winged figure of the Archangel Gabriel (György Zala 1896) is encircled on its pedestal by statues of the seven conquering Magyar tribal chiefs on horseback. Behind, are two semi-circular colonnades housing the statues of the most famous rulers in Hungarian history.

The stone tablet in front of the main column, which on ceremonial occasions is guarded by soldiers, commemorates those who died for national freedom and independence. The square is flanked on either side by the Szépmüvészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Múcsarnok (Palace of Art).

The Hilton Hotel

I. Hess András tér, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, Várbusz,  
On the western side of Hess András tér stands the Budapest Hilton. Although Béla Pintér's mid-70s building is now showing its age, the design is set apart from others in the city thanks to the incorporation of a 13th-century Dominican church (and the wall of a 17th-century Jesuit college) into the hotel's main core. The Dominican courtyard, which sits between the two main wings, is occasionally used as for open-air operas during the summer.

Holy Trinity Column (Szentháromság Szobor)

I. Szentháromság tér, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, Várbusz,
Treated as just another snapshot by the coach loads of tourists that descend on Castle Hill during the summer, the solemn meaning behind the Baroque style Holy Trinity column is often lost amidst the frantic clicking of camera shutters.

The column, which stands in the centre of Szentháromság tér (Trinity Square) was built by Buda's Council in the early part of the 18th century to serve as a lasting memorial to those who died in the devastating plague of 1691.

At the foot of the column, the biblical King David is depicted praying for an end to the plague, while on the main body a multitude of saints and cherubs can be seen under the golden Holy Trinity.

The square itself, which used to be a market place in medieval times, is the highest point of Castle Hill.

The Hungarian National Bank and International Bank Center (Nemzeti Bank)

V. Szabadság tér 8-9 and Bank utca/Sas utca (Bank Center), Metro: M3 Arany János u, Website: www.mnb.hu and www.bankcenter.hu,  
Think of two heavyweight boxers in the ring and you'll get some idea as to the size and style of these two buildings, which stand opposite each other on Bank utca.

Whilst neither can be considered among Budapest's finest, Ignác Alpár's 1905 Hungarian National bank is undoubtedly the grander of the two. On the first floor level are elegant limestone reliefs depicting every aspect of money, commerce and trading in the early 20th century.

Inner City Parish Church (Belvárosi Plébániatemplom)

V. Március 15 tér, Metro: M3 Ferenciek tere, Open: 9am-12:30pm, 6pm-7pm Mon-Sat, 6pm-7pm Sun,  
Standing at the Pest end of the Elizabeth Bridge, the Inner City Parish Church was saved from demolition by popular protest at the time of the original bridge's construction (one of the earliest environmental campaigns in Hungary). While the church's origins date back to the 12th century, it's easy to spot how the building has been altered and enlarged over the centuries. Indeed, it was almost completely rebuilt twice in the 14th and 18th centuries. The Turks also used it as a mosque while they occupied the city, and you can still see a carved Muslim prayer niche on the right side of the church's main altar.

Labyrinth/Catacombs of Buda Castle (Budavári Labirintus)

I. Úri utca, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, Várbusz, Bus/16, Open 9:30am-7.30pm Mon-Sun, Budapest Card accepted, Website: www.labirintus.com,  
The labyrinth of caves and tunnels which stretch for over 10 kilometres beneath Castle Hill are said to have been joined together by the Turks during the middle ages for military purposes. In the 17th century, parts of the catacombs were used to store wine. More recently, the immediate area under Úri utca served as an air-raid shelter during World War II. Today, about 1.5 kilometres are open to the general public, with an area of the labyrinth set aside for a waxwork exhibition on early Hungarian history.

Unfortunately, there's no way of visiting the caves unless you pay to see the exhibition (which many have found disappointing and pricey). One plus point however, is the Labyrinth café which has live music performances during the summer from blues and jazz artists. Guided tours of the caves - which start every 10-20 minutes - are given in four languages including English.

Liberation Monument (Felszabadulási emlékmű)

XI. Gellérthegy, Bus 27, Website: http://www.citadella.hu,  
A short walk from the Citadel is the 14-metre high liberation monument commissioned by Admiral Horthy, Hungary's pre-war and World War II dictator. Zigmond Kisfaludy-Strobl's original design, which featured a female figure holding an aircraft propeller, was commissioned after the death of Horthy's son István who was killed in a plane crash during World War II. It's said that when the Red Army arrived in 1945, a palm replaced the propeller and the monument came instead to symbolise liberation from Fascist rule. In truth, the Russian version of the monument is a different design by the same sculptor. Ironically, the statue of the Red Army soldier that stood guard at the foot of the monument has been unceremoniously carted off to Statue Park on the outskirts of the city.

Mary Magdelene Tower (Mária Magdolna Torony)

I. Országház utca/Kapisztrán tér, Metro: M2 Moszkva tér, Várbusz,  
Today, all that remains of the 13th-century Franciscan church which once stood here is the Mary Magdelene Tower. Both the chancel and nave of the church were destroyed during allied bombing raids in World War II and although the tower itself is largely a post-war reconstruction, the building has a rich turbulent history. For a short time, under Turkish occupation, it continued to hold Christian services, with Protestants using the nave and Catholics the chancel. Eventually, it too was converted into a mosque, although following the expulsion of the Turks in 1686 it reverted back to a church in which Franz I was crowned here in 1872. Later on it served as the garrison church for men stationed at the neighbouring army barracks.

Margaret Island (Margitsziget)

The 1½ mile long Margaret Island (), which is connected to both Buda and Pest by the Margaret and Árpád Bridges, is one of the most beautiful open spaces in the city. Visitors wanting to take time out from the noise and bustle of Pest will enjoy the serenity of the island's park, which was established over one hundred years ago (1869). The island was named after the daughter of King Bela IV (1235-1270) who lived in a Dominican convent here during the 13th century. The ruins of the convent can still be seen today on the island's east bank.

Heading south from Árpád híd along the Pest side of the island, you'll find two spa hotels situated in close proximity to each other (they are actually linked by an underground tunnel). The first is Miklós Ybl's attractively designed Grand Hotel which shares its facilities with the relatively modern Thermal Hotel. A short distance away is the island's distinctive and colourful rock garden, which leads on to Szent Mihály templom, a 20th-century reconstruction of a 12th-century church.

There are two public baths on the island - the first being the sprawling Palatinus strand, which can hold up to 20,000 people in the summer (with both cold/warm water pools and an artificial wave maker). The smaller Hajós baths to the south is named after Hungary's first Olympic gold medallist in swimming.

The Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom)

I. Szentháromság tér 2, Varbusz, Open daily 9am-5pm, Website: http://www.matyas-templom.hu
At the very heart of Buda's Castle District is the Mátyás Templom. Officially named as the Church of Our Lady, it has been popularly named after King Matthias Corvinus (Good King Mátyás) who ordered the construction of its original southern tower. In many respects, the 700 year history of the church serves as a symbol (or perhaps a reminder for Hungarians) of the city's rich, yet often tragic history. Not only was the church the scene of several coronations, including that of Charles IV in 1916 (the last Habsburg king), it was also the site for King Mátyás' two weddings (the first to Catherine of Podiebrad and, after her death, to Beatrice of Aragon).

Any Hungarian historian of note will tell you that the darkest period in the church's history was the century and a half of Turkish occupation. The vast majority of its ecclesiastical treasures were shipped off to Pozsony (Bratislava) and following the capture of Buda in 1541 the church spent life as the city's main mosque. To add insult to injury, ornate frescoes that previously ordained the walls of the building were whitewashed and interior furnishings stripped out.

Although following Turkish expulsion in 1686 an attempt was made to restore the church in the Baroque style, historical evidence shows that the work was largely unsatisfactory. It was not until the great architectural boom towards the end of the 19th century that the building regained much of its former splendour. The architect responsible for this work was Frigyes Schulek.

Not only was the church restored to its original 13th century plan but a number of early original Gothic elements were uncovered. By also adding new motifs of his own (such as the diamond pattern roof tiles and gargoyles laden spire) Schulek ensured that the work, when finished, would be highly controversial. Today however, Schulek's restoration provides visitors with one of the most prominent and characteristic features of Budapest's cityscape.

Inside, visitors tend to head straight for the Ecclesiastical Art museum which begins in the medieval crypt and leads up to the St. Stephen Chapel. The gallery contains a number of sacred relics and medieval stone carvings, along with replicas of the Hungarian royal crown and coronation jewels.

New York Café (New York Kávéház)

VII. Erzsébet körút 9-11, Metro: M2 Astoria, Tram 4, 6
Previously shrouded under scaffolding and a dirty black exterior, visitors 'not in the know' would simply pass by the New York Kávéház without discovering the wonderfully lavish neo-Baroque interior of this late 19th-century building. Unfortunately, the café, which was once the haunt of Budapest's most famous poets and playwrights, was rammed unceremoniously by a Russian tank during the 1956 uprising (it also suffered significant bomb damage during WWII). Until now the resultant structural damage was deemed too costly to repair.

All that is set to change, however, following the acquisition of the New York Palace (in which the café is housed) by Italian hotel group Boscolo. Promising to spend 8 Billion HUF on restoration work alone, they are currently transforming the building into a luxury 235 room, five star hotel. This remodeling started in 2001 and has yet to be finished as of this writing in 2005.

Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház)

VI. Andrássy út 22, Metro: M1 Opera, Box office opens: 10am 7pm daily, Guided Tours 3pm and 4pm daily, Website: www.opera.hu,  
Designed by Miklós Ybl to commemorate the Hungarian millennium celebrations, Budapest's magnificent State Opera House was completed in 1884. Regarded as one of the most important historical buildings in Hungary, its elegantly styled neo-Renaissance proportions fit in perfectly with neighbouring buildings on Andrássy ut.

The façade of the building is decorated with statues of 16 of the world's greatest composers including Monteverdi, Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, Bizet and Tchaikovsky. There are also representations of the muses of opera, together with sculptures of Franz Liszt and Ferenc Erkel (the composer of the Hungarian national anthem and director of the opera house when it opened in 1884) at ground level. The interior of the building is equally lavish. Karoly Lotz's frescoed ceiling in the main auditorium, which depicts 'Olympus, home of the Gods' is particularly breathtaking. What's more, over seven kilograms of gold were used to decorate the horseshoe shaped auditorium, which seats over 1200 people.

Parliament (Országház)

V. Kossuth Lajos tér, Metro: M2 Kossuth Lajos tér, Tram 2, Website: www.mkogy.hu/parl_en.htm (lists times for tours in English, French, German, Russian, Hebrew, Japanese, Italian and Spanish),  
Looking out from the vantage point of the Fisherman's Bastion across the Danube, the flat Pest skyline between the Margaret bridge and Lánchíd is dominated by only one building - the Országház (Houses of Parliament).

Conceived and built for the millennium celebrations of 1896, the Imre Steindl design was only finished in 1902 (the year of his death). Inspired in part, by the Palace of Westminster, its white neo-gothic turrets and arches stretch for over 250 metres along the Danube embankment.

The building, which comprises of 691 rooms, immense halls and over 12.5 miles of corridors, has a central dome of 96-metres (precisely the same height as that of Szent István Basilica). Group excursions take place when Parliament is not in session, usually taking in the chamber of the former upper house (you can actually sit on the members benches). Each tour lasts approximately 20 minutes and flash/video photography is allowed.

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