BUDAPEST

Queen of the Danube

Budapest – the preferred destination

The preferred destination of foreigners visiting Hungary for the first time is always Budapest to get an experience  of the city’s rich history, natural sites and unique cuisine.

The capital of Hungary was formed in 1873 when three different towns – Buda, Pest and Óbuda – united resulting in the birth of today’s cosmopolitan Budapest which is affectionately known as the “Queen of the Danube”. Geographically, Budapest is situated on both banks of the Danube: the industrial Pest on the right bank, the hilly and historic Buda on the left bank and Óbuda on the outer edges of the city.

The area has been successively ruled by many different cultures in history – Celts, Romans, Mongols, Germans, Austrians, just to name a few. The mark of each nations remains on the Hungarian capital in cobbled streets, hidden courtyards, Turkish baths and old-world architecture. The architectural beauty of Budapest has earned for it the nickname “The Paris of the East,” for its Roman ruins, contemporary postmodern designs, and an array of major works commissioned in 1896 to mark the millennium since the arrival of the Magyars in Hungary.

The heart-stealer Budapest

It has all the luxury of Western Europe with a Hungarian twist at half the cost. This is the city that toes the line between “Eastern” and “Western” European culture, filled with marvelous restaurants and cafes, breathtaking churches and museums, lively arts, plenty of bathhouses where you can soak in mineral water coming straight from over 100 thermal springs. Vibrant music festivals and a modern nightlife scene attract a younger crowd as well.

When to go to Budapest

No matter when you come to Budapest it is magical in all four seasons. The city offers something for everyone from gastronomical journeys to cultural events and last but not least, great spa complexes all year long. You prefer the first sunrays in fresh spring weather? Enjoy a romantic walk amongst the trees or an excellent picnic on the lawns on one of the verdant islands on the Danube. Or explore galleries and the fashionable ruin pubs in the city. Do you find music festivals and other outdoor venues alluring in the heat of the long summer days? Sziget Festival held every year in August is for you. It has grown from a grass-roots, low-profile 1993 student bash into one of Europe’s largest music and cultural events with over 1,000 performers playing everything from rock and metal to pop and hip-hop tunes nonstop. As the changing leaves start covering Budapest at fall, the city’s cultural agenda is busier than ever, offering an eclectic mix of dance, music, theatre, and food festivals. Winter is romantic in the snow-covered Budapest. The elegant Andrássy Avenue has the most beautiful lights at Christmas time and the several Christmas markets with the joy of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine are also worth a visit.

What not to miss in Budapest

Vajdahunyad Castle

Vajdahunyad Castle is a fairy-tale building complex in the City Park of Budapest. It was built in 1896 as a temporary structure and part of the Millennial Exhibition, along with such Budapest attractions as the Millennial Monument on Heroes’ Square, or the Fisherman’s Bastion in the Buda Castle, which celebrated the 1,000 years of Hungary since the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin in 895-896.

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Heroes’ Square

Heroes’ Square is one of the major squares in Budapest and located in the heart of the city, at the end of the grand World Heritage Boulevard, Andrássy Avenue. The square acts as the entryway into Budapest best-known park, the popular City Park where there are more famous spots locate like City Park Ice Rink, Vajdahunyad Castle, Széchenyi Spa and Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden.

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St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica with its 96 meters is the largest church in Budapest and the 2nd highest church in Hungary after the Basilica in Esztergom. The construction began in 1851 and took more than fifty years, until 1905. It was built in classical style with a little taste of neo-renaissance and neo-baroque as three different Hungarian architects built it.

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The Great Synagogue

Budapest has always been an international Jewish cultural hub. Before World War II more than 20% of Budapest’s population was Jewish. The Great Synagogue is located in Dohány Street in the 7th district of Budapest, also called Jewish quarter which radiates Budapest to the maximum: small streets with trendy bars next to decrepit tenements and posh restaurants.

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Castle Garden Bazaar

Castle Garden Bazaar, this restored neo-Renaissance building complex on the side of Castle Hill offers an experience of culture and history, in a way that we have never seen before. The venue with its arcaded shops and Baroque gardens is perfect for taking a nostalgic walk or learning about Hungary’s history. It is an exquisite venue for leisure and entertainment as well, and is the perfect spot for taking creative wedding photos on your big day.

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Chain Bridge

Széchenyi Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge in Budapest. It was built between 1838-1849, designed by the Scottish engineer Adam Clark and constructed by William Tierney Clark. This bridge was named after the man who financed it in its original form. He was Count István Széchenyi who wanted to not only unite Buda and Pest, but also to unite the country as well.

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Matthias Church

Matthias Church is the symbol of Buda Castle, located at the heart of this quarter. It was originally built in Romanesque style in the 13th century, but unfortunately, there is not too much left. If you enter here today and look around your first impression is probably that this is a Gothic church because whenever it has been enlarged or rebuilt it always happened in Gothic style.

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Fisherman's Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion was built between 1895 and 1902 for the celebration of the thousand year anniversary of the settlement of the Hungarians. The architect wanted to frame the tower of Matthias Church with the smaller tower of the bastion in order to express that the ancestors lived in these strange-shaped tents. The seven towers of the Bastion represent the seven Hungarian tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin in 896.

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Buda Castle

Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest. It was built in the middle of the 13th century, originally in Romanesque style, but later on rebuilt and enlarged in Gothic style. In the 19th century the palace has undergone major transformation, led by Miklós Ybl and Alajos Hauszmann. It has become a magnificent neo-baroque castle with thrilling interiors and majestic features.

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Useful Information

Public transport

Budapest has an extensive public transportation system with buses, trams, trolleys and metro lines. Using public transport in Budapest has never been easier by BudapestGo powered by BKK, The Centre for Budapest Transport. This easy-to-use application contains the function of purchasing digital tickets and passes, planning real-time journeys and traffic information. Be aware that ticket inspections are very common. If you’re travelling on an invalidated ticket, on-the-spot fines can be issued.

Taxi

The cars of reputable taxi companies (e.g. City Taxi, FőTaxi, 6×6 Taxi) in Budapest have a unique yellow color (New York style), are equipped with an air condition and accept credit cards. Since 2013 there has been a unified pricing system for all the taxi companies in Budapest. Based on this price structure the base fare is HUF 1,100, the distanced-base fare unit is HUF 440/km and the time-based fare unit is HUF 110 /minute in case you order a taxi and the driver has to wait for you.

When it comes to ordering a taxi, Budapesters like using the application Bolt. It’s like Uber.

Airport Transfer

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport has two major international terminals. Always make sure to check which terminal you depart or arrive on before ordering transfers. One of the cheapest ways to get to the city from the airport is by using MiniBUD Airport Shuttle Services. It’s a shared taxi.

Budget travelers can use bus line 100E which is in operation between the airport and Deák Ferenc tér and costs a special price ticket (HUF 2,200). Buy your ticket with the mobile app BudapestGo downloaded onto your smart phone.

Bag tagging in the city center

A self-service baggage drop-off facility opened on June 13, 2022 at Kálvin Square in Budapest, where passengers can now print their bag tags easily and simply. Baggage tagging is available for Wizz Air, Air France-KLM, Norwegian and Aegean passengers with valid boarding passes, enabling them to avoid queuing at the airport and to drop off their baggage themselves at the drop-off counters at the airport. At Kálvin Square, it is also possible to print the boarding pass and to check in for certain flights.

Parking in the streets

There are designated parking zones, where a parking fee is required. Tariffs vary according to location, with the innermost areas of the city being the most expensive. These are the areas in and around the central business district of Budapest. The charges are from Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 18.00, but in Zone A until 22.00 and in Zone B until 20:00! It is advisable to purchase a parking ticket as the parking attendants patrol the area quite frequently, and you are most likely to get fined if you don’t have a ticket. Check the parking zones HERE.

Currency

The national currency is Hungarian forint, but Euros are accepted in most of the restaurants and shops. Don’t be tempted! The conversion rate is almost always poor and you end up paying more than you should. If you’re given the choice, always ask to pay in Forints (HUF).

You can find numerous money exchange offices in Budapest to exchange your currency. These money exchange offices are easily found and are located everywhere from airports to train stations, to shopping malls. Most of the shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. accept major credit and debit cards. But I’d suggest carrying some cash on you just in case.

Tipping

Unlike other places in Europe, it is standard to tip your server at least 10% when at a sit-down eatery. Unless a 12.5% service fee (in Hungarian: “szervízdíj”) has already been added to the bill which counts as the tip. It is always advisable to check the bill first then pay.

Tap water

It is safe to drink water straight from the tap, the water is of a good quality.

Electric voltage

220 volts, and the plugs are of the two-pin continental type.

All emergency services can be reached by dialing 112.

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