Budapest
Must-see attractions and places to visit in Budapest (Hungary) span two banks of the Danube. The Hungarian capital is famous for its neo-Gothic Parliament Building, the hilltop Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion, the Chain Bridge, and its grand thermal baths such as Szechenyi and Gellert.
General information
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is one of Central Europe's most striking cities — the "Pearl of the Danube", where the hilly, historic Buda side and the flat, bustling Pest side face each other across the great river, joined by a series of famous bridges. Grand nineteenth-century boulevards, a monumental Parliament, thermal spas fed by hot springs, and a buzzing nightlife of "ruin bars" give the city a rare mix of imperial elegance and youthful energy. Hungarian is the language — unrelated to its neighbours — but English is widely spoken in the centre. Beautiful, affordable and full of character, Budapest is a favourite city break.
Transport and how to get there
The gateway is Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD), about 20 km from the centre and linked by the 100E airport bus and taxis. Budapest is a Central European rail hub, with direct trains to Vienna (about 2.5 hours), Bratislava and beyond. In the city, four metro lines — including continental Europe's oldest — plus trams and buses cover everything on a single ticket system, and the compact centre and riverbanks are lovely to explore on foot.
Prices
Budapest is excellent value by Western European standards. Expect roughly 25,000-55,000 HUF per night for a mid-range hotel (about 65-140 EUR), with hostels from around 6,000 HUF. A meal at a casual restaurant runs about 4,000-7,000 HUF, and a local beer is only 700-1,200 HUF. A 24-hour transport ticket is around 2,500 HUF, entry to a grand thermal bath such as Szechenyi about 7,000-10,000 HUF, and museums roughly 3,000-4,000 HUF. The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF); prices are approximate and vary by season.
Main attractions
The neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament dominates the Pest riverbank, best admired from across the water or on a Danube cruise. On the Buda side, the Castle District holds Buda Castle, Matthias Church and the fairy-tale turrets of the Fishermen's Bastion, reached by the historic Chain Bridge. Soak in the thermal waters of the Szechenyi or Gellert baths, climb St Stephen's Basilica, browse the Great Market Hall, and by night explore the atmospheric ruin bars of the old Jewish Quarter, such as Szimpla Kert. Add Heroes' Square and Andrassy Avenue for a complete visit.