The Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd) is the central point of Budapest. From here, hilly Buda is to the west and the plains of commercial Pest are to the east. A steep climb in the Sikló, the 19th-century funicular, leads to Buda's Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where many attractions are clustered. Trinity Square is at the heart of the district and usually thronging with tourists. Nearby is the mosaic-roofed Matthias Church, fronted by King Stephen's statue and the fairytale Fishermen's Bastion, with the best views of Pest - particularly of the Houses of Parliament.

First built by Béla III following the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, and reconstructed over the following centuries, the Buda Castle Palace now houses several museums. South of the Chain Bridge lies Gellért Hill, named after Bishop Gellért, who was (as legend has it) rolled off the hillside in a barrel for converting the Magyars to Christianity. At the summit are the Liberation Monument and Citadella, a Hapsburg fortress built to subdue the Magyars after the 1848-9 revolution.

From here, Independence Bridge (Szabadság híd) leads to Pest, which extends out from the Belváros (inner city). The busiest spots here are the shop-lined Váci utca and the square, Vörösmarty tér, marked by a statue of the poet, Mihály Vörösmarty (1800-1855), and the Gerbeaud pâtisserie. The most grandiose monument in Pest, Hosök tér (Heroes' Square), is reached via Andrássy út, home to the Opera House and House of Terror. The Museum of Fine Arts and Palace of Art border the monument and City Park is just behind it.

Warm vapours rising from underground hot springs swirl up into the square, which is much favoured by teenage skateboarders. Moving closer to the River Danube lies the Dohány Synagogue, the second largest in Europe, as well as the small Jewish quarter (district VII). Further south is the Hungarian National Museum and Applied Arts Museum.

Budapest Tourism Office
1056 Budapest Marcius 15 tér 7
Tel: (01) 266 0479.
Website: www.budapestinfo.hu
Opening hours: Daily 0800-2000.

IBUSZ tourist office, V Ferenciek tere 10 (website: www.ibusz.hu), open Monday to Friday 0900 to 1700 and Tourinform, Sütő utca 2, (tel: (01) 438 8080; website: www.tourinform.hu), open daily 0800 to 2000 also provide tourist information.

The main information office of the Budapest Tourism Office is located in Liszt Ferenc tér 9-11 (tel: (01) 322 4098), open Monday to Friday 1000 to 1800 (October to May); daily 1000 to 1800 (June to September).

Other offices can be found in the main hall of Nyugati station, at the airport, and the Castle District.

The Budapest Card (website: www.budapestinfo.hu) is simple to use and excellent value. It provides free travel on public transport, entrance to 60 museums and attractions (such as the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest Zoo and the Museum of Fine Art), half-price city sightseeing programmes, reductions on cultural and folklore programmes and further discounts at spas, shops, restaurants, airport minibus and car hire services, sports facilities and flights.

The card is valid for one adult and one child under 14 years for two or three days. You can buy the cards at tourist information offices, hotels and at main underground ticket booths. Budapest Tourism Office provides online details of the discounts available at each location.