Things to see in Budapest

When the cities of Buda, Pest and Óbuda were united, the government commissioned a new parliament building to express the nation's sovereignty. Inspired by London's Houses of Parliament, the design by local architect Imre Steindl was inaugurated on the 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian nation. With its elegant neo-Renaissance dome, topped by a pointy neo-Gothic spire, the building stretches over 250m (820ft) along the River Danube. It was here that the crowds assembled on 23 October 1989, when Mátyás Szurös declared Hungary a Republic from the balcony on Kossuth Lajos tér. There are guided tours in English at 1000, then on the hour from 1200-1500. 

Europe's largest synagogue (and one of the biggest in the world) was designed by Lajos Föster, in a Byzantine-Moorish style, and completed in 1859. The intricately decorated interior, with beautiful frescos, an ornamental eastern wall and chandeliers, was finished by Frigyes Feszl. Desecrated by German and Hungarian Nazis, its two domes now gleam again after a 10-year restoration project. Some 724,000 Hungarian Jews were murdered in the Holocaust and their lives are remembered in the Jewish History Museum, annexed to the synagogue, and at Imre Varga's memorial to the side of the synagogue.

Many regard the thermal baths attached to Hotel Gellért as the finest in the city. A bathhouse has stood on the site since the 1500s, when its waters were valued for their medicinal qualities by the Turks. Its current building is an art nouveau masterpiece. Bathing in its soothing waters, surrounded by flower motifs, columns and delicate wall designs, is one of Budapest's highlights, but even if you're not up for a dip, stop by to drink in the glorious foyer. A huge array of treatments and massages are offered, so read the display board carefully before approaching the grumpy staff. Swimmers are forbidden to enter the pool without a swimming hat.

The Museum of Fine Arts offers a fine collection of international work from old masters to the present artists, housed in a neo-classical building near Heroes' Square. The wealth of work here is so vast because the Hungarian Parliament passed a law to unify all of the art collections in the capital. The museum also has an Egyptian collection and plenty of paintings from the classical period. European art is well-represented with works by Delacroix, Monet, Cézanne, Gauguin, Kokoschka and Chagall. There is a programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest's largest church, was designed by József Hild and begun in 1851. It wasn't consecrated until 1905 though, as much of the Basilica had to be rebuilt after storm damage. Inside, Gyula Benczúr's painting of Szent István offering the Hungarian crown to the Virgin Mary symbolises the alliance between Hungary and Western Europe. The church is named after St Stephen, the first King of Hungary, and his holy right hand can be viewed in the Chapel. The cupola at the top of the Basilica’s tower offers excellent views of the city.

Wedged in a loop of the River Danube, and linked by Árpád híd and Margit híd to Buda and Pest, the 2km (1.5-mile) Margaret Island is one of the calmest and greenest spots in Budapest. No cars are allowed or needed - visitors can walk end-to-end in just 20 minutes. The island is named after the devout daughter of King Béla IV, who lived here in a Dominican convent in the 13th century. In summer, Margaret Island is bustling with people heading for a swim at the Hajós Alfréd swimming pool or Palatinus pool.