From its majestic bridges spanning the Danube River to its grandiose castles to its historical thermal baths, Budapest captivates visitors with its rich heritage and vibrant energy. Regarded as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, this enchanting city seamlessly blends its medieval past with modern flair, offering a myriad of attractions, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, a thriving culinary scene, and a pulsating nightlife.
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Situated along the banks of the Danube River, Budapest’s origins trace back to the merging of two historic towns: Buda, which sits on the hilly west bank of the Danube, and Pest, located on the flat east bank.
The history of Budapest is marked by a series of invasions, occupations, and revolutions. From Roman settlements to Ottoman rule and Habsburg dominance, Budapest has seen its share of conquests and conflicts.
The city reached its peak during the 19th century when it emerged as a vibrant cultural hub of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, witnessing the construction of iconic landmarks like the Hungarian Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge.
However, the 20th century brought turmoil to Budapest with World Wars, communist rule, and the 1956 uprising against Soviet control. The fall of communism in 1989 marked a turning point, ushering in an era of democratic governance, economic reform, and cultural revival.
Today, Budapest stands as a testament to resilience and renewal, blending its rich past with modern innovation. Visitors flock to the city to explore its magnificent architecture, relax in its thermal baths, and savour its vibrant culinary scene. With its bustling markets, lively festivals, and thriving arts scene, Budapest continues to captivate travellers from around the world.
Budapest offers plenty of entertainment all year round: from green parks and soothing thermal baths to architectural gems and fascinating museums.
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Széchenyi Chain Bridge
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Castle District
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Heroes' Square
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Dohány Street Synagogue (The Great Synagogue)
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Shoes on the Danube Bank
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Margaret Island (Margitsziget)
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City Park (Városliget)
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Citadella
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Hungarian National Museum
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House of Terror
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Tram Line 2
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Elizabeth Lookout Tower
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Memento Park
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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.
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Széchenyi Thermal Bath
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Rudas Thermal Bath
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Lukács Baths
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. 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.
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Onyx
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Gundel
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Déryné
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Menza
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Costes Downtown
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Fakanál
Hungarian Tourism Agency
Borkonyha
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Spinoza Café & Restaurant
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Retro Lángos
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Kék Rózsa
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Lecsó
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Leves.
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Al Dente
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Fecske Presszó
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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 traditional Hungarian Jewish pastry, filled with layers of apple, walnuts, poppy seeds, and plum jam.
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Gerbeaud
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Centrál Grand Cafe & Bar
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Művész Kávéház
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Ruszwurm Confectionery
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Gerlóczy Kávéház
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Callas Café
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Szamos Gourmet Ház
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Auguszt Cukrászda
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Hadik Café
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Lumen Café
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Fekete
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Artigiana Gelati
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Cafe Frei
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Cserpes Tejivó
Hungarian Tourism Agency
Fruska Bisztró
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Cat Café
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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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Pontoon
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Spoon
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Gozsdu Court
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Instant-Fogas
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A38
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Kisüzem
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Morrison's 2
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Macska
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Grandio Jungle Bar
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4es6os Wesselényi
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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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Ecseri Flea Market
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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 amongst 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) travellers 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 (BUD)
Budapest’s main airport sits about 16 km east-southeast of the city centre, with the journey taking around 30–40 minutes. If you're taking public transport, the 100E Airport Express bus runs around the clock and connects directly to key central hubs such as Deák Ferenc tér, Kálvin tér, and Astoria, typically in about 40 minutes. Alternatively, bus 200E links Terminal 2 with Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, where you can transfer to Metro Line 3 and reach the centre in roughly 45 minutes. For door-to-door service, Főtaxi is the official airport taxi operator, while ride-hailing apps like Bolt and Uber also operate from designated pick-up zones just outside arrivals.
Address: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
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Phone: +36 1 296 7000
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. 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.
For information on timetables and tickets, visit BKK's website.
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Website: https://bkk.hu/en
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Taxi
Contact any of the operators below:
Budapest Taxi
+36 1 777 7777
Főtaxi
+36 1 222 2222
6x6 Taxi
+36 1 666 6666
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Post
Postal services in Hungary are provided by Magyar Posta. Most post offices in Budapest are open from 7 am or 8 am until 6 pm. Letterboxes in the country are in the colour red.
Address: Budapest 62 Nyugati postahivatal, Budapest, Teréz körút 51
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Phone: +36 1 312 1200
Website: www.posta.hu
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Telephone
Country code: +36
Area code: 1
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Electricity
230V/50 Hz. Type F plug.
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Pharmacy
One of the main pharmacy chains in Budapest is called Benu, boasting multiple locations across the city.
Address: Benu Pharmacy, Budapest, Irányi utca 15
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Phone: +36 1 266 2952
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