The spectacular Great Market Hall is a good source of Hungarian products. You can also make it a pit-stop for a quick bite of traditional Hungarian food when touring the city. Shop with the locals for sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and pastries. Fancy bottles of Tokaji, a variety of paprika and handicrafts are also available.

Originally named after Emperor Franz Joseph today called Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) was built between 1894 and 1896. Opened in the year of the Millennium and was officially completed when Emperor Franz Joseph inserted the last silver rivet into its iron structure. The top of each of the bridge’s pillars is decorated with a 'Turul' bird, the mythical bird of Hungary.

The Castle Garden Bazaar (Várkert Bazár), a recently restored neo-Renaissance building on Buda riverfront was built in 1883 according to the plans of one of Hungary's great architects Miklós Ybl.

The Chain Bridge was the first bridge to permanently connect Buda and Pest. At the time of its completion, Chain Bridge was considered to be one of the wonders of the world. Chief engineer Adam Clark completed the span in 1849. Crossing the bridge is just a short walk and no matter which direction you go, the view is beautiful.

A walking path runs from near the Parliament to the Chain Bridge right on the bank of the Danube. Here, near the water, you find a pile of abandoned shoes, apparently in no particular, yet somehow still ominous arrangement. The shoes are all made of bronze, and their owners will never come back for them. This memorial, so effective in its simplicity, serves the memory of those Budapest Jews – many of them innocent children, women, and elderly – who were mercilessly shot into the Danube by the thugs of the fascist Arrow Cross Party in the fall of 1944. Before they were shot, the executors made them remove their shoes, a valuable item to be had at the time.

The Parlament, a magnificent example of Neo-Gothic architecture, is just over 100 years old. It's the third largest Parliament building in the world, and is also home to the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Guided tours are available in different languages.

Margaret Island is the green oasis of Budapest featuring flower gardens, historical ruins, musical fountains, swimming pools and much more that makes it the most popular outdoor location of the city. In the Middle Ages, Margaret Island was called the Island of the Rabbits, simply because there were many rabbits there. The island received its current name after Saint Margaret (1242–1270), the daughter of King Béla IV, who lived in the Dominican convent on the island. King Béla IV vowed to raise his daughter as a nun if Hungary survived the Mongol invasion. Ruins of this 13th-century Dominican church and convent can still be seen.

The Musical Fountain
The Musical Fountain is the most well known and absolutely free attraction of the island. The fountain operates from April till the end of October with regular daily musical shows starting every hour from 11 am till 10 pm. At showtime, the water shoots 10 m high into the air to the rhythm of the music, a mixture of classical and pop music, and at night it is illuminated by alternating colored lights. Regular show duration is 10 minutes except for the last and most spectacular 55-minute show at 9 pm.

Margaret Bridge (Margit híd), the second oldest permanent bridge to span the Danube after the Chain Bridge, shines again in its former glory following recent renovations. Originally built between 1872 and 1876, the bridge has a unique design, as it connects Buda and Pest with Margaret Island.

This World Heritage Site is the oldest neighborhood in the city. Its unique atmosphere with beautiful ancient buildings such as Matthias Church, The Fisherman's Bastion, The Royal Palace, silent courtyards, twisted, narrow cobblestone streets, and superb views make it the most important architectural heritage and a top destination of Budapest.

The 700-year-old Matthias Church was the scene of several coronations, including that of Charles IV in 1916, the last Habsburg king. It was also the site for the great Hungarian King Matthias' two weddings, hence its name. The eastern gate of the church was built in the 13th century. Today, Matthias Church remains one of the city's most prominent buildings.

Fisherman's Bastion is one of the most fascinating sights on Castle Hill. Although fishermen from Watertown (Víziváros) reputedly defended this part of the city during the Middle Ages, Fishermen’s Bastion was built in the 1890s and it’s purely decorative. Today, it's a favorite lookout.

The first royal residence on Castle Hill was built in the 13th century, after the Mongolian invasion. Construction continued in the 15th century, following the marriage of King Matthias Corvinus and Beatrix of Naples in 1476. Many Italian artists and craftsmen accompanied the new queen, bringing the Renaissance style to Buda. The palace was completely destroyed when liberating Buda from the Turks. In the 18th century, a Baroque palace was built, which is identical to the core structure of the present-day palace. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the palace gave a home to lavish ceremonies symbolizing peace between the dynasty and the nation.

Gellert Hill (Gellért-hegy) offers some of the best panoramic views of Budapest. The hill was named after bishop Gellért (Gerald), who was thrown to death from the hill by pagans in the fight against Christianity in 1046.

Located at the foot of Gellért Hill, this Art Nouveau style hotel has been an important landmark in Budapest for more than 80 years. The building also houses the world-famous Gellért Baths, offering indoor and outdoor bathing. Built between 1912 and 1918 and inspired by the Vienna Secession, the German Jugendstil, Art Nouveau from Belgium and France and traditional Hungarian designs like Zsolnay mosaics, the Gellért is the most photographed spa in Hungary.

Liberty Statue of Liberty (Szabadság Szobor) -stands on top of the hill, and she can be seen from all parts of the city. The statue was erected in 1947 during the Communist era. As Liberty had already become a symbol of the city, she was not removed unlike other Communist icons, such as the Red Army soldier who used to stand at her feet, allowing us to see her in her original surroundings.

At the top of the hill is the Citadel (Citadella), a fortress built by the Habsburgs after defeating Hungary's War of Independence in 1849. It was a prime, strategic site for shelling both Buda and Pest in the event of a future rebellion.

Probably the most elegant bridge in Budapest was named in honor of Queen Elisabeth, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph. The original suspension bridge was built at the end of the 19th century, but the damage sustained in World War II left the bridge beyond repair. Using the old pillars, a new bridge was built in the 1960s.

The Hungarian National Museum (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum) is the oldest public museum in Hungary. The museum's present building was built between 1837 and 1847, and it stands as a great example of Neo-Classicist architecture. Founded 200 years ago, the museum is dedicated to the history of Hungary and today it remains a symbol of Hungary's national identity. The permanent exhibition includes furniture, textiles, weapons, metalwork, and ceramics. One of the most valuable items is the Coronation Mantle (the Crown Jewels are on display in Budapest's Parlament).

All our tours start and finish at Budapest Scooter Tour office at 1053 Budapest Vámház körút 10. The office is inside the courtyard of the building.