Hungary's charming capital has something for everyone: the Danube river is lined with imposing architecture and a promenade perfect for a romantic walk, the city centre just a few minutes away is buzzing with quirky ruin pubs and trendy restaurants, while the castle-topped hills towering above the city offer a scenery you won't soon forget.
Hungarian Forint, HUF (Ft)
Emergency: 112
Ambulance: 104
Fire brigade: 105
Police: 107
Magyar Hírlap
Magyar Nemzet
English:
Budapest Business Journal
Daily News Hungary
Business hours are usually from 8.00 until 17.00. Certain offices might have shortened opening hours on Fridays. Major shopping malls and selected shops are open until around 20.00 including weekends.
1.7 million
Deák Ferenc Square
1052 Budapest, Sütő u. 2.
Opening hours: 8.00–20.00
Phone: +36 1 576 1401
www.budapestinfo.hu/en
www.welovebudapest.com/en
www.hellohungary.com/en
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The City
The early history of Budapest dates back to the Roman ages, as many important settlements of the Empire were located in what we call Hungary today. Present-day Budapest was born in 1873 with the unification of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest, and this was also the period that saw several large-scale construction works, having largely contributed to the postcard-perfect outlook the Paris of the East has today.
It was, however, a long way to come: the country was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire for over 200 years, and has a history heavily intertwined with the Hapsburg dynasty. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was dissolved with the outbreak of WWI, and even though the outcome of the second war brought relief to a Hungary with a populous Jewish community, years of Soviet suppression followed.
In the 1990s, the change of regime opened up a world of possibilities for a war-torn country, but the past will never be forgotten. Today, turbulent history is remembered in finely preserved landmarks scattered across the city, coexisting with vibrant young venues celebrating a whole new era.
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Do & See
Budapest offers plenty of entertainment all year round: from green parks and soothing thermal baths to architectural gems and museums, to be explored in city quarters all different in character.
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The Parliament
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Shoes on the Danube Bank
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Buda Castle District
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The Széchenyi Baths
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Rudas Thermal Baths
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Deák Ferenc tér
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St. Stephen's Basilica
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Heroes' Square
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City Városliget
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Citadel
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Gellért Thermal Baths
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Széchenyi Chain Bridge
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Hungarian National Museum
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The Great Synagogue
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Hungarian State Opera
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House of Terror
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Margaret Island (Margitsziget)
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Bud Spencer Statue
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Tram Line 2
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Erzsébet Lookout Tower
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Memento Sculpture Park
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Restaurants
From gourmet dining to little canteen-like eateries, Budapest has plenty of options for a culinary adventure: international restaurants abound in the city, but you never have to look far to find a filling bowl of goulash or a crispy, cheese-topped lángos bread.
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Onyx Restaurant
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Costes Downtown
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Gundel Restaurant
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Déryné Bisztró
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Bock Bisztró
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Menza
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Baraka
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Fakanál
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Borssó Bistro
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Klassz
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Spinoza Café & Restaurant
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Kék Rózsa
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Lecsó
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Retro Lángos
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Al Dente
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Fecske Presszó
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LEVES.
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Cafes
From opulent, fin de siècle cafés to new wave coffee houses, Budapest never fails to entice the lovers of caffeine. Confectioneries too abound to offer you traditional Hungarian desserts: make sure you try a good strudel or kürtőskalács, a spit cake best had with cinnamon coating (look in markets or Váci street). Winter favourites include walnut puree with whipped cream, and flódni, a rich dessert layered with poppy seed, walnut, and apple. Whenever your visit is, there's plenty to see in the city to walk all these off.
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New York Café
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Centrál Café
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Gerbeaud
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Ruszwurm
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Gerlóczy Café
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Művész Kávéház
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Callas Café
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Szamos Gourmet House
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Auguszt Confectionery
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Hadik Café
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Lumen
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Fekete
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Artigiana Gelati
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Café Frei
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Cserpes Tejivó
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Cat Café
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Bars & Nightlife
Ruin pubs in Budapest are having their heyday, as old abandoned buildings are given a second chance by being creatively transformed into quirky eclectic bars, having earned the city the nickname Party Capital of Europe.
Head to Deák Ferenc tér or get off the tram anywhere along the Grand Boulevard, and take to the streets of the fifth and seventh districts, the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods where parties and shots of pálinka never seem to come to an end.
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Szimpla Kert
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Fogas Ház
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Gozsdu Courtyard
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Kisüzem
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Ellátó Kert
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PONTOON
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Morrison's 2
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A38
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Macska
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Grandio Bar
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Spoon
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4es 6os
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Shopping
Upscale shopping streets, unique antique shops, and a vast selection of western brands at convenient eastern European prices have made Budapest a popular shopping destination. The city is also abundant in world-famous treasures of Hungarian origin, as porcelain manufacturers Herend and Zsolnay both have a factory shop here.
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Váci Street
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Great Market Hall
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Andrássy Avenue
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Fashion Street
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Retrock
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WestEnd
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Downtown Market in Hold Street
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Ecseri Flea Market
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Spas and Thermal Baths
Thanks to the geological features of the Carpathian Basin, Hungary is extremely rich in thermal springs, and the area of Budapest is no exception: the capital stretches across over 100 springs, many of them accessible to the public in beautiful historical buildings, abundant in the City of Baths.
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The Széchenyi Baths
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Lukács Baths
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Rudas Thermal Baths
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Gellért Thermal Baths
Dandár Baths
Király Thermal Bath
Palatinus
Csillaghegyi Baths
Paskál Beach
Pünkösdfürdői Beach
Római Beach
Aquaworld
Veli bej Bath
Corinthia Hotel Royal Spa
Mandala Day Spa
Magnolia Day Spa
Masculin Gentlemen's Salon & Day Spa
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Tourist Information
Best Time to Visit
Hungary has a mild continental climate with considerable differences in temperature between the summer and winter seasons. The warmest months are June to August with averages above 25°C, while they tend to drop below zero around December and January. Rainfall is to be expected all year round, but especially in May, June, and in the autumn season from September to November.
There is a plethora of activities to do in and around Budapest all year round. The Christmas market in Vörösmarty square is noted among the most beautiful in Europe, while the Sziget Fesztivál held every August features a lineup that attracts visitors from all over the world year by year.
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Passport / Visa
Hungary can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend that you contact the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
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Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) lies 16 km southeast of the city, and there are various means of transport linking it with the city centre. You can either take Metro 3 towards Kőbánya-Kispest and change to bus 200E using your standard pass or ticket, or take the direct bus 100E right from the city centre, in which case a special fare applies.
Address: 1185 Budapest
Email:
Phone: +36 1 296 9696
Website: www.bud.hu/en
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Public Transport
Public transportation in Budapest is provided by BKK. Tickets and passes can be purchased from purple ticket machines near the stops, or on board at an elevated price. A single ticket is only valid for a single journey excluding any changes (except within the same metro station), so it is worth buying a pass valid for a selected number of days.
Budapest has a very well-connected public transportation system, but apart from a few sights, it is easy to explore on foot. The four metro lines as well as trams 2, 4, and 6 can be used to the major sights of the city.
Budapest is served by four railway stations for regional transport: Keleti, Déli, Nyugati, and Kelenföld, whereas the national bus terminal is found at Népliget.
Address: BKK Centre: Rumbach Sebestyén u. 19–21., Széll Kálmán tér (metro 2)
Email: bkk@bkk.hu
Phone: +36 1 3 255 255
Website: www.bkk.hu
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Taxi
Contact any of the operators below:
Budapest Taxi
+36 1 777 7777
rendeles@budapesttaxi.hu
www.budapesttaxi.hu
Fő Taxi
www.fotaxi.hu/?lang=en
+36 1 222 2222
6x6 Taxi
+36 1 6 666 6666
www.new.6x6taxi.hu
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Post
Postal services in Hungary are provided by Magyar Posta Zrt., and post offices in Budapest are open from 7.00 or 8.00 until around 19.00. Nyugati railway station has extended opening hours until 20.00, among a few others.
Address: Teréz körút 51
Email: ugyfelszolgalat@posta.hu
Phone: +36 1 767 8282
Website: www.posta.hu/international
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Telephone
Country code: +36
Area code: 1
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Electricity
230 volts, 50 Hz
Type F plug
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Pharmacy
Several pharmacies have 24-hour service numbers you can phone at any time.
Mária Gyógyszertár
1139, Béke tér 11
+36 1 320 8006
Royal Gyógyszertár
1073, Erzsébet krt. 58
+36 1 235 0137
Uránia Gyógyszertár
1088, Rákóczi út 23
+36 1 338 4036
Széna-tér Patika-Fitotéka-Homeopátia
1015, Széna tér 1
+36 1 225 7830
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