Historic Budapest is surprisingly small, and many sights listed in the following pages can be reached by foot from the city center. Take the time to stroll from one place to the next -- you'll find yourself passing magnificent, if often run-down, examples of the city's distinctive architecture.
Roman Ruins--The ruins of Aquincum, the once-bustling capital of the Roman province of Pannonia, are spread throughout the southern part of Óbuda. Unfortunately, the various sites are far away from one another, and the layout of modern Óbuda is quite anti-pedestrian (the main Budapest-Szentendre highway cuts right through Óbuda), so it's difficult to see everything. Fortunately, two major sites are right across the road from one another, near the Aquincum station of the suburban HÉV railroad. The ruined Amphitheater of the Civilian Town is directly beside the HÉV station. It's open all the time and you're free to wander through (you should be aware that homeless people sometimes set up shelter within the walls). Across the highway from the amphitheater stand the ruins of the Civilian Town. Everything is visible from the roadside, except for the collection at the Aquincum Museum, which is located at III. Szentendrei u. 139 (tel. 1/250-1650; www.aquincum.hu). This neoclassical structure was built at the end of the 19th century in harmony with its surroundings. The museum exhibits coins, utensils, jewelry, and pottery from Roman times. Its most unique exhibit is a portable water organ (a rare and precious musical instrument) from A.D. 228. Entry to the museum is 700 Ft ($3.50). It's open from May to September, Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and from October to April, Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 5pm. Take the HÉV suburban railroad from Batthyány tér to Aquincum.
