Astoria
It’s quite impossible to go for a sightseeing tour and not cross Astoria. As one of the most popular hotspots, you can easily reach any other parts of the city from here. If you fancy cultural opportunities, head towards Kálvin tér, but if you wish to get involved in city life, you'll find yourself in Deák Ferenc and the heart of the party district within a couple of minutes walking.
On the other hand if you don’t know what to do or where to go, you are just at the right place at Astoria! You’ll find plenty of delightful cafés, vintage shops, posh pubs and the last standing units of the famous ruin pubs can be found in these streets. Take a nice walk in the neighborhood and experience the true feeling of Budapest!
While explore the district, don’t miss the must see sights as the National Museum, the Dohány Street Synagogue and the Károlyi-garden.
Fun fact: Astoria isn’t the official name of any of the streets or the crossing, it only entered the everyday language because of the Astoria Szálló located here. The iconic Hotel is the oldest hotel in the whole city that not only stands in its original form, but still operates.
During your Hop On Hop Off Budapest tour you’ll cross Astoria twice - as it is the 5th and 12th stop -, so you’ll surely have the opportunity to hop off and discover the area on your own. Check out the map for the exact location of the Hop On Hop Of bus stop!
FAQ
The area is named after the Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center, which opened in 1914. It is one of the city's most storied hotels, famously serving as the headquarters for the National Council during the 1918 Aster Revolution and later as a base during WWII. Its Empire-style lobby and café remain top-searched "Old World" experiences.
Yes! The Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe, is just a 2-minute walk (150 meters) from the Astoria metro exit. This makes the square the primary gateway for tours of the Budapest Jewish Quarter.
Astoria is a major transit junction. It serves Metro Line M2 (Red Line), connecting Buda and Pest. It is also a key stop for the 47 and 49 trams, which take you directly to the Great Market Hall and Liberty Bridge. The 100E Airport Express also has a dedicated stop nearby.
Yes, one of the most searched "hidden history" facts is that Astoria sits on the site of the former Hatvani Gate. You can still see original sections of the medieval City Wall preserved inside the courtyards of nearby buildings and in the underpass level near the hotel.
The grand building dominating one side of the square belongs to ELTE University (Faculty of Humanities). Its campus and the nearby University Library (one of the most beautiful libraries in Hungary) are popular keywords for students and architecture lovers alike.
While the Astoria Café is upscale, the area is a hotspot for quick, affordable bites. Search trends frequently point to Vega City for vegan food and the various 24/7 bakeries and pizza shops located in the Astoria underpass and surrounding side streets.
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