Budapest Pictures

Budapest is a modern city drenched in history and culture. Tanatat pongphibool, thailand Getty Images

Don't let the vintage look fool you – trams are still an effective way to get around the city. jon chica parada iStock / Getty Images

Budapest's thermal baths, which are remnants of the Ottoman influence in Hungary, are heated by natural thermal springs. Dance60 Getty Images

Also known as the Dohány Street Synagogue, this house of worship is an intergral part of the Jewish heritage in Budapest.  Westend61 Getty Images

The cities of Buda and Pest, located on opposite sides of the Danube River, became one in 1873. Peter Zelei Images Getty Images

For the scenic route up to Castle Hill, take the funicular. amoklv iStock / Getty Images

One of Budapest's largest thermal baths is Szechenyi Baths, which boasts 18 thermal pools, hot spring baths, steam rooms and more. benedek Getty Images

Budapest's Heroes' Square was built in 1896 in honor of Hungary's 1000th anniversary. balti007 iStock / Getty Images

Matthias Church sits adjacent to Fisherman's Bastion in the city's Castle Hill neighborhood. bpperry iStock / Getty Images

Stored safely in the U.S. during the Cold War, the Hungarian crown jewels were returned to the Hungarian Parliament in 1978. They have been on display in the building since 2000. Benjamin B Flickr

On the cupola balcony at St. Stephen's Basilica, you can admire the attraction's two clock towers and take in sweeping city views. _ultraforma_ Getty Images

Two stone lions flank each entrance of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Peter_Horvath iStock / Getty Images

Designed by architect Miklós Ybl, the Hungarian State Opera House features a limestone facade and marble sphinxes. Brendan Hunter iStock / Getty Images

Designed by Frigyes Schulek in the late 19th century, Fisherman's Bastion offers panoramic views of the Danube River, Margaret Island and the Pest side of the city. tupungato iStock / Getty Images

It's hard to miss the colorful tiles adorning Matthias Church's roof. AlexandreFagundes iStock / Getty Images

The Moorish Revival-style Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe. Czgur iStock / Getty Images

A beautiful spot to catch a sunrise here is on the Danube River's west bank in front of the Hungarian Parliament. Gergo Csorba iStock / Getty Images

St. Stephen's Basilica took 59 years to build and decorate thanks in part to the collapse of its original cupola. TomasSereda iStock / Getty Images

This Gellért Hill memorial pays homage to Saint Gerard, an Italian monk who was pushed off of the hill by local pagans. petekarici iStock / Getty Images

The Danube River is Europe's second-longest river. It travels through Hungary, Germany and eight other countries. Peter Zelei Images Getty Images

On select Friday evenings throughout the year, Matthias Church hosts performances by the Hungarian Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. Manuel Bischof Getty Images

During a guided tour of St. Stephen's Basilica, you'll visit the ornate main chapel, which is still used for Sunday Mass. Spaces Images Getty Images

Originally built in the 13th century as a royal palace for Béla IV, Buda Castle now houses a history museum, a library and an impressive art collection. emicristea iStock / Getty Images

Named after Count István Széchenyi, the man who suggested building the bridge, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge was completed in 1849. At the time, it was the second-longest suspension bridge in the world. Jonathan Herbert I JH Images Getty Images

At Heroes' Square, you'll see the archangel Gabriel, multiple Hungarian leaders and more represented. by Andrea Pucci Getty Images

The neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament is the largest building of its kind in Hungary. vasiliki iStock / Getty Images

The Hungarian State Opera House's "Apotheosis of Music" cupola fresco was painted by local artist Károly Lotz. Spaces Images Getty Images

A statue of Hungary's first king, St. Stephen, sits outside Fisherman's Bastion. Antonistock iStock / Getty Images

Gellért Hill's biggest draws are its citadel, the Liberty Statue and breathtaking city panoramas. Zsolt Hlinka Getty Images

One of Hungary's most famous dishes is gulyás, a soup made with meat and vegetables and seasoned with paprika. falcon0125 Getty Images

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge, which was built by English engineer William Tiernery Clark, connects the Buda and Pest sides of the city. Romeo Reidl Getty Images

Built between 1884 and 1904 by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl, the Hungarian Parliament boasts 691 rooms with gilded arches, stained-glass windows and vivid fabrics. by Andrea Pucci Getty Images

Even if you're not a fan of the opera, you should still make plans to stop by the Hungarian State Opera House to see its architecture.  klug-photo iStock / Getty Images

Lights illuminate Heroes' Square's statues at night, making this a great time to visit. Gergely Antal - pgaalien@gmail.com Getty Images

Historic attractions located in the Castle Hill area include Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. GordonBellPhotography iStock / Getty Images

Gellért Hill – a residential area that once served as a strategic military post – sits by Elisabeth Bridge's western entrance. Westend61 Getty Images

The aptly named House of Terror Museum sits within the former State Protection Authority headquarters, where political dissidents were tortured between the 1920s and '40s. Adam Szuly iStock / Getty Images

Fisherman's Bastion is named after the guild of fishermen who protected the structure during the Middle Ages. Maor Winetrob iStock / Getty Images

Inside Matthias Church, you'll see stained-glass windows, towering arches, wooden pews and frescoes with orange, brown and yellow hues. Lost Horizon Images Getty Images

Designed by architect Miklós Ybl, the Hungarian State Opera House took nine years to build. It opened in 1884. VitalyEdush iStock / Getty Images

The Castle Hill district sits just a couple of blocks away from the Danube River's west bank. Westend61 Getty Images

Like other Gothic churches, Matthias Church features tall turrets and intricate stonework. TomasSereda iStock / Getty Images

Just beyond the Széchenyi Chain Bridge's west entrance lies St. Stephen's Basilica. Chan Srithaweeporn Getty Images

Like other religious buildings in Budapest, Dohány Street Synagogue offers dramatic ceilings, intricate archways and stunning stained-glass windows. AndresGarciaM iStock / Getty Images

Walk east through the aptly named St. Stephen's Square and you'll reach St. Stephen's Basilica, named after the king who founded Hungary in 1000. vadimgouida iStock / Getty Images

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge offers gorgeous views of Buda Castle 24 hours a day. Westend61 Getty Images

Figurines of Hungary's seven chieftains and 10th-century soldiers are carved into Fisherman's Bastion's stone walls. chrisdorney iStock / Getty Images

As its name suggests, the Hungarian Parliament's primary role is to serve as a meeting place for Hungary's National Assembly. by Andrea Pucci Getty Images

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Castle Hill neighborhood is home to cobblestone streets lined with Gothic and Baroque buildings Artur Bogacki iStock / Getty Images

Artifacts from when the Soviet Union occupied Hungary are on display inside the House of Terror Museum. Heather Cowper Flickr