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 erected in 1896. The monument honors the 1,000th anniversary of the Magyar Conquest. It is decorated with statues of important Hungarian historical figures such as King Stephen I, responsible for introducing Christianity to the country.

Parliament Building When construction was completed in 1902, this building was acclaimed as 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 its Baroque plan, to its Neo-Gothic exterior donning renaissance attributes.

Castle Hill Castle Hill 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 first constructed in the 13th century and has survived 31 sieges.

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

Matthias Church Originally built in the 13th century as the first parish church in Budapest, this church was named for the beloved King Mathias, who brought Hungary into a state of artistic and cultural enlightenment during his rule from 1458 to 1490. Not much of the original design is visible, as the exterior has been reconstructed many times to fashion it in the contemporary architectural style of the era.

Vienna

Schonbrunn Palace This splendid Baroque palace is actually a less extravagant version of what the Habsburg family had envisioned as a palace to match France’s Versailles. Thereafter, the Schonbrunn turned into the summer home of the Habsburg monarchy. In 1918, it was endowed to the nation, subsequently becoming the top attraction in Vienna.

Hofburg Once a medieval castle, this structure underwent thorough renovations at the height of the Habsburg 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 The Vienna Opera House is located on the first district of Vienna. This grand opera house is an impressive Renaissance structure built between the years of 1861 to 1869. It is internationally renowned for its supreme performances, both operatic and symphonic.

Anchor Clock This art nouveau clock was completed in 1917. It is set between two parts of the Anker Insurance Company building, creating a bridge between the exterior walls. At the top of every hour this clock comes alive, producing 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 a procession to music.

Danube Tower This modern structure is place to go for a first-class view of the city. Rising 352 meters into the sky, the Danube Tower provides spectacular views of the city and surrounding scenery from the restaurant and café. The café, which specializes in authentic Viennese cuisine, slowly rotates, giving you an ever-changing view of the city.

Prague

St. Vitus Cathedral King Charles IV commissioned St. Vitus Cathedral in the 12th century, but it was only completed in 1929. Its elaborate Gothic design consists of a chancel with a surrounding ring of chapels, the Golden Portal, the lower section of the main steeple and St. Wenceslas Chapel. It is the largest and most significant church in Prague, and the site for the coronations of Czech queens and kings.

Hradcany Castle Built in the 9th century, it is now considered the biggest surviving ancient castle in the world. As in most historic structures in the area, as rulers changed, additions were made to the castle, displaying 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 Golden Lane was originally named Goldsmith’s Lane because of the numerous goldsmiths that lived and plied their trade there. The street was established in the 15th century and now offers a look at how Prague was over 600 years ago. Eleven historic homes line the lane, displaying medieval wares such as armory and many souvenirs.

Charles Bridge As one of the most recognizable images of Prague, the Charles Bridge has become a defining symbol of the city. Commissioned by King Charles IV, its purpose was to act as a site for knights’ tournaments. The architect, Peter Parler, chose to leave the bridge’s adornment simple with a mere crucifix, but the Catholic church had a different idea in mind. Between the years of 1600 and 1800, the Church embellished the bridge with 30 statues.

Old Town Square Located in the center of the city, this square and its surrounding buildings display Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque façades and are a quintessential sight in Prague. Dating back more than 600 years, the history of the city lies within every corner. In the 12th century, the square was the chief marketplace for the city.