The tour of historic Budapest is best started from Castle Hill, where there are two remarkable attractions: The Royal Castle and the Fisherman's Bastion. These monumental structures are not only a landmark of the city, but also an excellent history lesson for the little ones.

Budapest's Royal Castle is an impressive structure that dates back to the 13th century. Originally built by King Bela IV after the Mongol invasion, it has been expanded and rebuilt over the centuries, reflecting the changing architectural styles and turbulent history of Hungary. When visiting with children, look out for the many traces of history, from the medieval underground to the Baroque halls. Particularly fascinating is the story of King Matthias Corvinus, who created one of the finest Renaissance courts in Europe here in the 15th century, amassing an impressive library of more than 2,500 volumes - a remarkable achievement for the time!

Today, the castle houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, where interactive exhibitions allow children to travel back in time. Here young explorers can try on replicas of historical costumes, see what daily life was like in the old days, and even take part in archaeological workshops. A curiosity that is sure to interest children is the system of underground corridors and caves under the castle hill, where a field hospital was located during World War II.

Just a few minutes' walk from the Royal Castle rises the fairy-tale Fisherman's Bastion, which looks like it was taken alive from a Disney fairy tale. This unusual building, despite its medieval appearance, was only erected at the turn of the 20th century to commemorate the fishermen who once defended this part of the city. The seven towers symbolize the seven Hungarian tribes that arrived in the Pannonian Basin under the leadership of Arpad in 896. The story, told to children while admiring the city's skyline, is an excellent lesson on the origins of the Hungarian state.

The terrace of the Fisherman's Tower offers one of the most beautiful views of Budapest - a panorama of the Danube, the Chain Bridge and the Parliament building. It's the perfect place to take a souvenir photo and tell the kids about how the city was once divided into two parts, Buda and Pest. The statue of St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary who introduced Christianity to the country, is worth noting for the little ones. Legend has it that touching his hand brings good luck and ensures a return to Budapest.

Comparing the two attractions, the Royal Castle offers a more educational experience with numerous museums and exhibitions, which may appeal to older children interested in history. Fisherman's Tower, on the other hand, impresses with its fairy-tale architecture and spectacular views, making it a favorite for the youngest tourists. It takes about 3-4 hours to visit both sites, so it's a good idea to plan your visit in the first half of the day to have time to explore all the nooks and crannies in peace.

After visiting Castle Hill, it's time to cross the Danube using one of Budapest's most iconic symbols - the Chain Bridge. This majestic bridge, the first permanent bridge connecting Buda and Pest, is not only a practical connection, but also a fascinating lesson in history and engineering for young explorers.

The Chain Bridge in Budapest, completed in 1849, was a true engineering marvel of its time. Designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark, the bridge is 375 meters long and is decorated with distinctive stone lions guarding the entrances. Children love the legend associated with them - the lions are said to have no tongues, and their sculptor was so embarrassed by this oversight that he committed suicide by jumping off the bridge into the Danube. In fact, lions do have tongues, but they are only visible from above! This story is a great excuse to encourage children to carefully observe architectural details.

A walk across the bridge should be planned at sunset, when Budapest's historic buildings are beautifully illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere. On the other side of the Danube, another architectural marvel awaits - the neo-Gothic Parliament Building, which is one of the largest parliamentary buildings in the world and a symbol of Hungarian national pride.

The Parliament Building in Budapest is a true architectural gem that delights adults and children alike. Built between 1885 and 1904, it was designed by Imre Steindel, who was inspired by London's Palace of Westminster. The edifice has impressive dimensions - 268 meters long, 123 meters wide and 96 meters high, making it one of the largest buildings in Budapest. Inside it are as many as 691 rooms, and more than 40 kilograms of gold were used in its construction!

During a tour of the parliament, children can see Hungary's coronation insignia, including the legendary Crown of Saint Stephen, which has survived more than a thousand years of Hungary's turbulent history. The crown has a fascinating history - it was taken out of the country during World War II and stored for a time at Fort Knox in the US, only to return to Hungary in 1978. This tale of the wandering crown is sure to spark the imagination of the little ones.

After visiting the parliament, head to the Hungarian National Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the country's thousand-year history. The museum, founded in 1802, is housed in an impressive neoclassical building and features exhibits from prehistoric times to the present.

The Hungarian National Museum is a veritable paradise for little explorers. Particularly fascinating is the archaeological exhibition, where you can see artifacts from Roman times, including everyday objects from Aquincum, an ancient Roman city that was located on the site of present-day Budapest. Here children can see what Roman baths, houses or everyday objects looked like almost 2,000 years ago.

The museum offers special educational programs for families, including interactive workshops where children can touch replicas of historical objects, try on costumes from different eras or learn to write with ancient script. This is an excellent way to make history tangible and understandable even to the youngest.

Comparing the three attractions, it's worth noting that the Chain Bridge is available free of charge and can be visited at any time of the day or night, making it ideal for an evening stroll. The Parliament Building offers organized guided tours at an average price, but requires advance reservations, especially during the summer season. The Hungarian National Museum has an admission price in the mid-range, but offers free admission for children under 6 and special family discounts, making it the most economical choice for families with several children.

To complete a family journey in the footsteps of Hungarian history, visit one of Budapest's most remarkable sites - Vajdahunyad Castle. This fairy-tale building, located in the City Park (Városliget), is a real treat for lovers of architecture and legends, and its variety of styles delights both children and adults.

Vajdahunyad Castle, contrary to appearances, is not a medieval structure, but was built in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of the Hungarian state. Originally built of wood and cardboard as a temporary structure, it became so popular that it was decided to recreate it in permanent materials. What makes this castle unique? It is a kind of anthology of Hungarian architecture, combining elements of different styles - from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Each part of the castle is a replica or inspiration of an actual historical building from Hungary.

Children are particularly fascinated by the Gothic part, which is a copy of the Transylvanian Corvin Castle (also known as Hunyadi Castle). It is this part, with its distinctive turrets and bridge, that brings to mind tales of vampires and Count Dracula, which can be an excellent excuse to tell children about legends related to Transylvania, which historically was part of the Kingdom of Hungary.

Inside the castle is the Hungarian Agricultural Museum - the only one of its kind in Europe. While the subject may not seem fascinating to children, the museum offers interactive exhibitions showcasing traditional methods of plant cultivation, animal husbandry and food production. Here, young explorers can see what life was like in the Hungarian countryside before the era of electricity and mechanization, as well as learn about the history of Hungarian agricultural-related inventions.

One of the castle's most mysterious attractions is the statue of Anonymus, the medieval chronicler who wrote the oldest surviving Hungarian chronicle 'Gesta Hungarorum.' His identity remains unknown, hence he is depicted as a hooded faceless figure. According to local legend, touching Anonymous' pen brings good luck in learning and writing, which is why his hand holding the pen is wiped to a sheen by countless touches from tourists and students.

Vajdahunyad Castle is surrounded by a picturesque lake, which is used for boating in the summer and turns into Budapest's largest ice rink in the winter. It's a great place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing - you can have a picnic, feed the ducks or just enjoy the peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Comparing all the attractions discussed in terms of suitability for families with children, it is worth noting that Vajdahunyad Castle offers the best combination of education and entertainment in a natural setting. Unlike the Royal Castle or the Parliament, which require a longer tour in a more formal atmosphere, Vajdahunyad allows free exploration at a pace that suits little ones. The park around the castle gives children a chance to run around between sightseeing points, an invaluable advantage when traveling with energetic toddlers.

Ticket prices for the castle and museum are affordable (in the middle category), and admission to the surrounding park is free, making this attraction a more economical option than visiting Parliament. In addition, unlike Fisherman's Tower, which offers mainly views and architecture, Vajdahunyad Castle provides more varied activities, which is important for longer stays.

When planning a family trip in the footsteps of Hungarian history, it is a good idea to spread the tour over several days to avoid overtiring the children. The ideal plan is to combine a tour of historical buildings with relaxation in parks and playgrounds. Hungary, and Budapest in particular, offers the perfect conditions for such an educational adventure, combining fascinating history with attractions tailored to the needs of the youngest explorers. Regardless of the age of the children, there is something for everyone - from fairytale castles to interactive museums, from legends of vampires to tales of brave knights and kings.