Attractions

Budapest

Heroes’ Square Conveniently located at the end of Andrassy Avenue, this square is the top destination in Budapest for both tourists and locals alike. The main attraction of the square is the Millennium Monument, which honors the millennial anniversary of the Magyar Conquest. It is decorated with statues of important Hungarian historical figures such as King Stephen I, who introduced Christianity to the country.

Parliament Building When construction was completed in 1902, this building was the biggest parliamentary building in the world. At 268-meters long, it contains 28 kilometers of stairs and 691 rooms. The Parliament’s architecture covers several styles, from Baroque to neo-Gothic with Renaissance attributes.

Castle Hill This dense rock towers 48 meters over the River Danube. Marked as the spot where Budapest was founded, this hill is home to the Buda Castle. The castle, whose foundation was built in the 13th century, has survived 31 sieges.

The Fisherman’s Bastion This tribute to the Magyar tribes that first came to Hungary in 896 features seven towers that represent each one of the establishing tribes. This exceptional structure fuses neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque architectures with attributes such as turrets, climbing stairways and parapets.

Matthias Church Originally built in the 13th century as the first parish church in Budapest, the church has been reconstructed many times to fashion it in contemporary architectural style. Its namesake derives from King Matthias, who brought Hungary into a state of artistic and cultural enlightenment during his rule from 1458 to 1490.

Vienna

Schonbrunn Palace This splendid baroque palace is the Hapsburg family’s attempt to match France’s Versailles. Though it’s slightly less extravagant than its French counterpart, the Palace is currently Vienna’s top attraction.

Hofburg Once a medieval castle, this structure underwent thorough renovations at the height of the Hapsburg monarchy. Thus, the castle’s architecture spans multiple styles, from Gothic to art nouveau. Today, Hofburg is home to Austria’s National Library, Imperial Treasury and other important national works.

The Vienna Opera House Located on the first district of Vienna, this grand opera house is an impressive Renaissance structure built 1861–1869. It’s internationally renowned for exemplary performances, both operatic and symphonic.

Anchor Clock This art nouveau clock was completed in 1917. It’s set between two parts of the Anker Insurance Company building, creating a bridge between the exterior walls. At the top of each hour this clock produces a different Viennese historical figure that moves across the bridge. The true spectacle occurs at noon when all twelve of the figures appear and move in time to music.

Danube Tower This modern structure is the place to go for a first-class view of the city. Rising 352 meters into the sky, the tower provides views of the surrounding scenery from the café that specializes in authentic Viennese cuisine. As you’re seated, the café slowly rotates, giving you a 360-degree view of Vienna.

Prague

St. Vitus Cathedral King Charles IV commissioned St. Vitus Cathedral in the 12th century, but it remained unfinished until 1929. Its elaborate Gothic design consists of a chancel with a surrounding ring of chapels, the Golden Portal and St. Wenceslas Chapel. It’s the largest and most significant church in Prague and the site for coronations of Czech queens and kings.

Hradcany Castle Built in the 9th century, it is now considered the largest surviving ancient castle in the world. As rulers changed, various additions were made to the castle, creating a fusion of architectural styles. Hradcany Castle has always been the official royal residence of Czech rulers and maintains the classical renovations done by Queen Maria Theresa in the 18th century.

Golden Lane Originally named Goldsmith’s Lane because of the numerous goldsmiths that lived there, the street was established in the 15th century and now offers a look into Prague as it was more than 600 years ago. Eleven historic homes line the lane and display medieval wares such as armor.

Charles Bridge The focus of many photographs of Prague, the Charles Bridge has become a defining symbol of the city. Commissioned by King Charles IV, its original purpose was to act as a site for knight tournaments. The designer, Peter Parler, chose to adorn the bridge with a simple crucifix. The Catholic church had a different idea; from 1600 to 1800 the bridge was embellished with 30 statues.

Old Town Square Located in the center of the city, this square and its surrounding buildings display Gothic, baroque and Romanesque facades. One of the quintessential sights of Prague, the square dates back more than 600 years. In the 12th century the square was the chief marketplace for the city.