Same Empire, Different Vibes

My friend once asked which is the better place for a budget-limited trip, Vienna or Budapest? I found it interesting, yet incomparable. Both belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and are linked by the Danube River. But geographic proximity does not make them the same.

Vienna, Austria

The Habsburgs owned the Schönbrunn Palace from 1569. This Baroque complex has 1441 Rococo rooms. Mozart made music in a mirrored hall. The Grand Gallery has held the Congress of Vienna. Along with the Millions Room, these are a few of my favorite rooms.

The empire was a major power in decline after WWII. Signing of the State Treaty in Belvedere and the declaration of neutrality ended the division by 4 Allied forces. It is landlocked and the Danube is a global waterway today. Bless their homeland forever, edelweiss.

Vienna is alive with the sound of music. I was lucky to catch a highly-acclaimed show in the Wiener Musikverein, a concert hall inaugurated in 1870. The performers gave an outstanding Mozart concert, donning elaborate costumes. Floating with sublime vocals, what a night.

No kangaroos in Austria. But there are a million reasons to visit Austria, aside from its capital Vienna. Salzburg. Hallstatt. Innsbruck. A handful of bucket lists for tourism, as vibrant as the Hundertwasser House. Just follow every rainbow, till you find your dream destination.

Budapest, Hungary

The Austrian Empire liberated the Kingdom of Hungary from Turks in 1699. Even it enjoyed considerable autonomy under the Habsburg, the Hungarian Parliament declared its independence by the end of WWI. Since then, Hungary has begun its unique paths.

Budapest provides different vibes. The capital is formed by Buda and Pest, which belong to different places. Buda on the west, while Pest on the east, separated by the Danube River. In 1849, the 2 halves were bridged by the Chain Bridge, yet their personalities remained.

For a panoramic view, Fisherman’s Bastion offers the best place, with 7 towers featuring the 7 chieftains who settled their tribes down. Getting lost in Castle Hill guides you to the Trinity Square eventually, flanked by the towering white spire of the Matthias Church.

Aside from the stately Hungarian Parliament Building, Pest is more than a flat bar-and-pub district. Started by the Romans, the city thrives on spa culture, thanks to the water that is rich in dissolved minerals. Built in 1913, Széchenyi Bath became a tourist attraction to soak up.

Impossible to make a choice between Vienna and Budapest? Save enough money rather.