Destination: Budapest, Hungary

I’ve seen the future, and it is Budapest”. The status message a friend of mine posted on Facebook was clear enough: he had fallen in love with Budapest, and frankly, you can’t blame him.

Whether you are looking for architectural gems or bustling nightlife, Budapest is worth exploring both by day and night, winter and summer.

Sights

Listing all the sights of Budapest in this article is nearly impossible. The city has been wonderfully preserved, despite the turbulent past, and is truly a gem.

I’ll spare you the typical sights you can find in any decent guidebook of the city: the Parliament, St Stephen’s Cathedral, Castle district, … For architecture lovers, there is an abundance of both Barok and Secession-gems over the entire city.

For a different Budapest, head out to the City Park, just behind Hero’s Square. It is an entertainment hub with the Budapest Zoo, one of the oldest of Europe, the amusement park and of course the Széchényi thermal baths.

Even if you’re not into architecture, you simply have to sample the baths. Don’t plan much that day, for once inside, you’ll easily spend half a day in there.

No wonder the Park is a favourite place for the inhabitants as well, and during winter time, the park lake is drained and transformed into a open air ice rink.

Transportation

Budapest is a large city, in fact, it’s two cities, and distances can be quite long. Luckily, Budapest has a vast tram and bus network that crosses the entire city.  Night busses cater those that want to paint the city red.

Even taxis are not really expensive, in comparison to the rest of Europe, and can take you anywhere. Avoid taxis that are not a part of the larger taxi companies (those with a name on the door).

Food&Drinks

Gourmet lovers are in for a treat in Budapest, the city is serious about its’ food and drinks.

The most famous bar, café and bistro is without doubt Gerbeaud. Founded in 1858, it was (and still is) the place where the intellectual and the elite came to sip away at their coffees. Today, it is the place to indulge in the pastries and be awed at the original interior. Gerbeaud is truly a coffee experience.

 Central Kávéhaz Etterem, tradition and modernity. Respect for traditions, openness to new ideas. That’s how this city centre bar and restaurant describes itself. The kitchen is both cosmopolitan and classical Hungarian, the atmosphere loungy, the staff simply adorable.

1000 Tea is well hidden and requires a map. In a small courtyard off lower Váci utca stand a small house, where it is all about tea. Living up to it’s name, the menu only caters tea, but offers such a variety, any tea-addict needs half an hour to pick just one. Lounge in typical Asian style in a Nepalese corner, or go colonial in one of the reed salons. Found your favourite blend ? Then take it home with you, thanks to the small shop.

 Nightlife

Budapest is known for it’s nightlife. Both regular as gay scenes party all night long and the list of bars, clubs, casinos, theatres and pubs is virtually endless. Have a look around in the city centre or browse this list of best clubs and venues.

 Shopping

While Budapest isn’t really Europe’s shopping capital, it makes up with it’s reasonable prices and great atmosphere. Downtown offers the large brands and typical shopping sprees you can find all around Europe.

Around Christmas, almost every square transforms into a Christmas market, with original products.

Photo Gallery

Budapest Parliament

 

 

 

 

 

The Danube