Walk along Andrássy út, the most prestigious avenue in Hungary

Budapest's widest road, Andrássy út, together with the Millennium Underground Railway and Hősök tere, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Did you know that this Little Underground was the continent’s first motorised, electric, underground railway? You can go back in time on these nostalgic trains and admire the elegant stations. Also visit the gem of Városliget, Hősök tere, where you can meet the iconic figures of Hungarian history up close.

Wherever you look when walking on Andrássy út, you will see sights that are sure to amaze you. Just a few examples: 

• you can admire the Hungarian State Opera House, designed by the famous Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl, in Neo-RenaissanceBaroque style,
• you can pay respect to the memory of the victims of the 20th century dictatorships in the thought-provoking House of Terror Museum.
• not far from the beginning of the road stands one of the most beautiful and significant churches in the country, the imposing St. Stephen's Basilica.
   

The sumptuous Andrássy út in the centre of Budapest can be divided into three sections, which differ in terms of the buildings as well as the layout and the size of the road. This is not by chance: The avenue was designed in this way because as the buildings get lower and more ornate pedestrians are gradually prepared for the tranquillity of the City Park from the bustling downtown.  

• The first section of the road, which is 34 metres wide, runs from Deák Ferenc tér to Oktogon, and is mainly lined with three to four-storey buildings, palatial apartment buildings, elegant cafes, shops and boutiques.
• The middle section is 45.5 metres wide and the buildings are lower, with two service roads giving an alley-like character to each side. These used to be reserved for horse drawn carriages.
• The third section, which is also 45.5 metres across has a distinct suburban character. Palatial houses and villas line the road. 

• Andrássy út was completed in 1896, on the 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian conquest, in the year of the millennium celebrations.
• The name of the road was originally Sugárút (Avenue). In 1885 it was renamed in honour of Count Gyula Andrássy, the Hungarian Prime Minister, whose efforts we can thank for the completion of the widest road in Budapest.
• The Prime Minister borrowed the idea and the patterns of the avenue mainly from Paris.
• Count Frigyes Podmaniczky, who supervised the construction of the road, did not build churches on Andrássy út purposefully so as not to disturb the aristocrats riding in their horse and carriages.
• During the construction of Andrássy út, Podmaniczky ensured that artists would be among the avenue’s denizens: He offered plots of land to painters and sculptors at a discounted price. 

It is worth visiting the heart of Budapest and exploring this 6th district World Heritage Site and the wonderful surrounding sights.