Sightseeing by tram along the Danube embankment
Most tourist attractions in Budapest are situated along the river Danube. Fortunately, there is a tram line (tram # 2) running parallel to the river, directly on the embankment, so for the price of a single ticket you can see more Budapest sights than on any other ride by public transportation. The most interesting sights can be seen on a cca. 20-minute journey - make sure to pre-purchase a ticket and validate it at the beginning of the trip, as ticket controllers can easily ruin your day if you don't.
The following is a list of sights near the route of the tram, with short commentary on the most important things to see nearby.
Jászai Mari tér
This is the northern terminus of tram # 2 at the Pest bridgehead of Margit híd. The white building between the tram stop and the Danube is the office building of the Hungarian Parliament. There is an extensive bunker system directly underneath the area, built by the German army in WWII, a part of which has been transformed into an art gallery - look for the stairs in front of the adjacent McDonalds.
Szalay utca and the Parliament
Arriving to Kossuth tér, Hungary's biggest building, the Parliament comes into view on the right side. On the opposite side stands the former Palace of Justice, which gives home to the Museum of Ethnography today. A memorial dedicated to Lajos Kossuth, an equestrian statue of Ferenc Rákóczi and an eternal flame memorial for the victims of the 1956 uprising against the Soviet rule decorate the square. The south-eastern side is dominated by the building of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Roosevelt tér
The square, named after former American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, has quite a few interesting buildings and landmarks. The Hungarian Academy of Sciences borders the square on the northern side. Looking out on the right, there is a full panorama of the Buda Castle District and the Chain Bridge. Built in perfect symmetry with the Chain Bridge stands the Art Nouveau-style Gresham Palace, a former continental headquarters of the London-based Gresham insurance company, today giving home to a luxury hotel. Next to it is the Ministry of Justice building.
Eötvös tér
On the left side are several luxury hotels (InterContinental, Sofitel, Marriott) that line the "Dunakorzó" or "Danube Promenade", as well as several top restaurants, which all have a great view of the Buda Castle District. The Dunakorzó is a perfect place for a nice stroll.
Vigadó tér
The building of the "Vigadó" on the left is a famous concert hall. Here is one of Budapest's newest attractions: the statue of the "Little Princess" sits on the balustrade separating the tram rail tracks from the Dunakorzó. It is an extremely popular place for travelers to take pictures with the statue, with the Buda Castle in the background.
Március 15. tér
Március 15. tér features tall, Classicist-style buildings, built at the beginning of the 19th century. One of these has the famed Mathias Cellar Restaurant, which is over 100 years old. The 140-metre-high Gellért Hill, with the Citadel on top is the highest point of downtown Budapest. From the Pest side, it's easy to understand why the Gellért Hill has always served defense purposes: it's the single most important strategic point of town.
Fővám tér
The name of the square literally means "Main Customs Square", as merchants have been selling their produce in the adjacent Grand Market Hall, dating back to the 1890-s. Next to the market is the University of Economics. The Liberty Bridge (Szabadság-híd) on the right leads directly to the Gellért Hotel and Baths on the Buda side. The Rock Chapel (Sziklakápolna), in the side of Gellért Hill, is also visible from here, as well as the Technical University of Budapest.
Boráros tér
The 4 and the 6 trams cross above, affording the second (and final) opportunity to change and see the buildings of the Outer Ring Road (Nagykörút). There are not many tourists around here, for this is very much everyday Budapest
Haller utca
The liqueur factory on the left hand side is a venerable Budapest institution. The flats and office buildings on the right are part of the brand new Millennium City Centre complex. The bridge whose red support columns are now coming into view is the Lágymányosi Bridge.
Közvágóhíd - Millennium Cultural Centre
The Közvágóhíd is on the left. On the right are the controversial new National Theatre and the popular Palace of Arts buildings. The latter contains a concert hall and theatre, as well as the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art (known popularly as "Lumú").
