Millenium Underground railway route

The Millennium Underground Railway was the first underground railway in continental Europe (1896), and today it is part of the World Heritage. In that year, the country celebrated the millennium of the Settlement of the Magyars with festivals and exhibitions. The underground railway under Budapest’s longest avenue (Andrássy Avenue) was also constructed in honour of the event.

The construction works began in August 1894, and the official inauguration was on 2 May 1896. It was also then unique in the whole world that the railway operated using electricity instead of steam engines. Franz Joseph emperor and king, the ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, visited the underground railway on 8 May 1896, and after that the railway was named after him. In 1973 the surface line at the City Park was routed under the ground as well, and the route was extended to Mexikói út. For the centenary of the underground railway in 1996, the whole route was reconstructed to its original condition from 1896 in many details.  If you try this form of transport, you will have the opportunity to visit the most beautiful sights of the Pest side. 

VÖRÖSMARTY SQUARE

it is the real centre of the Pest life with its legendary Hungarian patisserie (Gerbeaud) and the Carrara marble sculpture of the famous Hungarian poet and writer, Mihály Vörömarty. The square connects the Danube Promenade with Váci Street, Budapest’s most famous and most beautiful pedestrian street. In addition, the square hosts many programmes and events almost each day of the year.

Budapest Card discount: Gerbeaud Brasserie & Restaurant, Peppers! Mediterranean Grill, Danube Concert, Rajkó Band and Folk-Music Orchetstra

DEÁK FERENC SQUARE

iit is one of the central squares in the city centre and an important traffic junction. Visitors can find many promenades, cafés, hotels and restaurants in its neighbourhood. There is a Lutheran church in the square, and Váci Street, one of the capital’s most beautiful promenades, is just a few minutes away. You can also discover the Millennium Underground Railway Museum at the underground station.

Budapest Card discount: Multi-GO walking sightseeing tour – Pest, Merlin Theatre, Tourinform Internet, Programcentrum sightseeing

BAJCSY-ZSILINSZKY STREET

a few steps away from the stop, you can see one of the most significant religious buildings in Hungary, St. Stephen’s Basilica, which is named after our king who founded the Hungarian state. The spectacular church was built in Neo-Renaissance style, but it also includes some Classicist features.

Budapest Card discount: St. Stephen’s Basilica, Vakvarjú Restaurant, City Tour Hop on Hop off

OPERA

At this stop you can visit one of the capital’s most significant monuments from the 19th century, which is at the same time the centre of Budapest's cultural and musical life.  The especially amazing building of the Opera House combines the Baroque and Renaisance styles.

Budapest Card discount: Visiting the Opera

OKTOGON

the square, which was named after the corners of the palaces, which give the square the shape of an octagon, is situated where the Nagykörút and Andrássy Avenue intersect. Andrássy Avenue, which is part of the World Heritage in Budapest, is just a few steps away from here. Nagymező Street, where culture lovers are awaited by several theatres (among others the Thália Theatre, Radnóti Theatre and the Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre), is also nearby.

Budapest Card discount: Alexandra Book House, Bohémia Brasserie & Restaurant, Karma Restaurant, Liszt Ferenc Memorial Museum

KODÁLY KÖRÖND

this symmetric square received its name after the Hungarian composer, Zoltán Kodály. In front of its four buildings there are little parks, with one statue of a great personality from Hungarian history in each. Kodály Zoltán Memorial House and Archives can also be found in the square.

Budapest Card discount: Hopp Ferenc Museum, Kodály Zoltán Memorial Museum, House of Terror Museum

HEROES' SQUARE

Budapest’s most spacious and imposing square. It hosts concerts, festivals, political actions and sport days.
Here you can see the Millennium memorial, which had been constructed in honour of the Settlement of the Magyars. The most famous sight on the square is the group of statues of important historical personalities and the heads of the seven Hungarian tribes who led the Settlement.  The Memorial of National Heroes stands in the middle of the square, and from Andrássy Avenue you can see a 36-metre column with the statue of archangel Gabriel at its top. On the two sides of the square there are two representative buildings: the Hall of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Budapest Card discount: Museum of Fine Arts, Hall of Art, Gundel Restaurant, Bagolyvár Restaurant, Budapest Zoo

SZÉCHENYI BATHS

Széchenyi Baths, which is one of the largest and most charming bath complexes in Europe, is situated in the heart of the City Park, in a 98 hectare area.  Due to the influences of Roman, Greek and Northern bathing culture, the spectacular halls, bathtubs and pools of the bath provide a special atmosphere and experience. Opposite the baths you can visit the Budapest Zoo and the Botanical Garden, or you can spend a pleasant evening in the Amusement Park, or you can take a look at the Renaissance-Baroque, Gothic or Roman building groups of the Vajdahunyad Castle.

Budapest Card discount: Széchenyi Baths, Zoo, Amusement Park, Museum of Agriculture, Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transport.