Buda Castle, Budapest (must see)

Otherwise known as Royal, the Buda Castle of Budapest is named after the Buda Hill that it stands on. Once home to the Hungarian royalty, this spacious – over 300 meters long – complex totally dominates the city skyline and is a grand sight to behold, particularly at night, yet it is just as good in daylight a place to walk around, too.

From an architectural standpoint, the castle represents a mixture of styles – Gothic, Romantic, and Baroque. In large part, this is due to its having been destroyed and rebuilt, at least six times, over the course of the past seven centuries. Unlike similar former royal properties, the interior of the Buda Castle does not convey the idea of what life here was like centuries ago, when kings were still around. Instead, it accommodates several public institutions, such as the Budapest History Museum – recounting history of Budapest from the outset to the modern era; the Hungarian National Gallery – housing a collection of Hungary's most precious artifacts and works of art; and the Hungarian National Library holding, among other books, some rare and antique ones printed in Hungary and abroad.

The castle is always open – even at night – and, as such, deserves a visit. Other than the historic buildings, it treats visitors to the outstanding views of the lower part of Buda and Pest across the Danube. There is no shortage of courtyards, quiet nooks and corners here to wander in, whilst walking around. The fountain in the main courtyard is quite impressive and unique in its own right, depicting hunting party of King Matthias. The sculpted figures are so lifelike that one can almost hear the dogs panting and barking whilst chasing the prey. The military guards here are also of interest, especially when doing their routine, marching and shouldering rifles as an exercise between long stints of standing guard.

If lucky, your visit may coincide with a festival featuring medieval displays, concerts and parades of old weaponry and military uniforms. But if you're simply looking for a quiet spot to stretch out on a hot sunny afternoon, then head to the Várkért Bazár with its beautifully landscaped gardens, ideal for a picnic. Just make sure to fetch a blanket and a bottle of your favorite wine... Tokaji maybe?