Budapest is a truly authentic and historic European capital, but it also has an innovative, pulsating personality--making it a versatile and cosmopolitan city. The beautiful built and natural environment, the grandiose architecture, the historical thermal spas, the diverse and vibrant gastronomy, a blossoming fashion and design scene, and the rich cultural life define Budapest’s sparkling and original character. Come with us and indulge in the spice that is Budapest. Make memories you will remember for the rest of your life.
Hungarian Forint, HUF (Ft)
Emergency: 112
Ambulance: 104
Fire brigade: 105
Police: 107
Business hours are usually from 8am–5pm. Certain offices might have shortened opening hours on Fridays. Major shopping malls and selected shops are open until around 8pm including weekends.
1.756 million (2016)
Deák Ferenc Square
1052 Budapest, Sütő u. 2.
Opening hours: 8am–8pm
Phone: +36 1 576 1401
www.budapestinfo.hu/en
www.spiceofeurope.com
www.wowhungary.com/en
Budapest is a very central European and a global city at the same time. This apparent paradox is due to its lively history, its diverse population and the continuous, inspirational blend of cultures.
The city’s liberating atmosphere continually stimulates your senses. Budapest’s spice derives from its vitality and cultural effervescence, and we Hungarians use the city in a creative way. We are able to do “usual” things unusually well. Let us show you the majestic Buda castle hosting a wine festival, the Liberty bridge turning into a picnic spot above the Danube river, or the unique vibe of the ruin bars in the Jewish District.
It is almost impossible to list everything that is worth doing, seeing or tasting in Budapest, especially because a journey in and around the Hungarian capital will surely lead to personal discoveries as well for each visitor.
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.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Buda Castle District
The Széchenyi Baths
Heroes' Square
The Great Synagogue
Shoes on the Danube Bank
Gellért Thermal Baths
Margaret Island (Margitsziget)
City Városliget
Rudas Thermal Baths
Citadel
Hungarian National Museum
Tram Line 2
Erzsébet Lookout Tower
A gastronomic revolution has taken over Hungary in the past few years. New restaurants, bistros, and street food places have been opening on almost every corner of its capital city, but cuisine in the countryside is in bloom as well. Whether they want to have a multi-course meal while tasting the best wines of the country or prefer to grab a bite in a more casual place, visitors to Hungary will definitely find something for themselves in the large selection of venues for dining. From exquisite wine bars to unique and creative cooking courses and gastronomy festivals, the country offers an exciting spectrum to everyone who loves to eat.
Onyx Restaurant
Costes Downtown
Gundel Restaurant
Déryné Bisztró
Menza
Fakanál
Borkonyha
Spinoza Café & Restaurant
Kék Rózsa
Lecsó
Retro Lángos
Al Dente
Fecske Presszó
Leves.
From opulent, fin de siècle cafes to new wave coffee houses, Budapest never fails to entice lovers of caffeine. Confectioneries too abound to offer you traditional Hungarian desserts--make sure to try a good strudel or kürtőskalács, a spit cake best had with a cinnamon coating (look in markets or Váci street). Winter favourites include walnut puree with whipped cream and flódni, a rich dessert layered with poppy seeds, walnut, and apple.
Gerbeaud
New York Café
Centrál Café
Művész Kávéház
Ruszwurm
Gerlóczy Café
Callas Café
Szamos Gourmet House
Auguszt Confectionery
Hadik Café
Lumen Café
Fekete
Artigiana Gelati
Cafe Frei
Cserpes Tejivó
Fruska Bisztró
Cat Café
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.
Szimpla Kert
Instant-Fogas
Gozsdu Courtyard
Kisüzem
PONTOON
Morrison's 2
A38
Macska
Grandio Bar
4es6os Wesselényi
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.
Váci Street
Great Market Hall
Andrássy Avenue
Fashion Street
Retrock
WestEnd
Downtown Market in Hold Street
Ecseri Flea Market
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.
The Széchenyi Baths
Gellért Thermal Baths
Rudas Thermal Baths
Dandár Baths
Király Thermal Bath
Palatinus
Csillaghegyi Baths
Paskál Thermal and Open-air Bath
Pünkösdfürdői Open-air Baths
Római Bath
Aquaworld
Veli bej Bath
Corinthia Hotel Royal Spa
Mandala Day Spa
Magnolia Day Spa
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
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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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