V District is known as the inner city of Budapest, home to the country’s government, businesses and financial centre. Located in the Pest district of the city, there are many cultural attractions, parks, shops, bars and restaurants to discover.
Begin an exploration of V District by taking a trip to beautiful St. Stephen’s Basilica. With its impressive dome and twin bell towers it is an architectural gem of the city. Climb the 364 stairs to the viewing deck of the cupola and view Budapest and the River Danube from an elevated perspective. Visitors keen to indulge in retail therapy will adore V District. Váci Street is the city’s popular shopping street running from Vörösmarty Square to Central Market Hall. Here, travellers will discover charming restaurants, designer fashion boutiques and a fabulous café culture. Central Market Hall is the place to purchase fresh produce or picnic items. Pick up some authentic paprika or traditional folk art from one of the many stalls, or indulge in a variety of Hungarian delicacies at the food court. Many visitors enjoy a stroll by the banks of the River Danube. On route travellers will encounter "Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial" commemorating people of the Jewish faith who perished during World War II. Continue onto Parliament, the government building of Hungary. The striking Neo-Gothic structure is the third largest Parliament building in the world. The exterior has 27 decorative spires and an impressive dome which reaches 96 metres in height. Take a tour inside to explore ten central courtyards, stately rooms and over 20 kilometres of staircases. At sunset head to Chain Bridge, the connecting force between the two cities of Buda and Pest. As the city begins to illuminate, admire the old medieval buildings of Castle Hill and the majesty of the River Danube.
Navigating V District is easy. The transport system is frequent and plentiful, and it’s an easy area to walk around with many attractions just 10 to 20 minutes apart. There are regular buses, trams, trolley buses and yellow streetcars and the local metro operates throughout the city. Visitors wishing to view the city from the river can travel via the Danube River Ferry Service or on the riverboats.
There are 23 districts in Budapest, V District in Pest is the flat area located on the east bank of the River Danube. Chain Bridge opened in 1849 to link Buda and Pest and was the first permanent bridge over the River Danube to mark the city officially as merged. Pest has grown into a dynamic, trade and cultural centre with reminders of the past, yet a forward-thinking attitude and energetic atmosphere.