Budapest
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Budapest
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 immensely rich cultural life, define Budapest’s sparkling and original character. Come with us and indulge in the spice that is Budapest. Make memories you’ll remember for the rest of your life.Find your trip
Spanning the majestic Danube River, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge stands as an iconic symbol of the city's grandeur and architectural prowess. Completed in 1849, it was the first permanent bridge to connect the Buda and Pest sides of the city. Designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark and later modified by Scottish engineer Adam Clark, the bridge's chain-link structure and ornate stone lions guarding its entrances evoke a sense of timeless elegance and pride. The lions guarding the bridge are also connected to the first suicide that happened here, committed by their architect upon the realisation that he had forgotten about the tongues of the animals.
The Parliament is arguably the most prominent landmark of Hungary, also noted as the third largest parliament building in the world. It was designed in the Gothic revival style by architect Imre Steindl. It is 96 metres tall, which refers to the year 1896 when extensive constructions were carried out to celebrate the country's millennium.
The charming district of the Buda Castle entails the prominent Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, several museums, as well as some residential homes. You'll find the National Gallery here, along with a wide range of other museums dedicated to music, military history, pharmacy (housed in the first pharmacy of Buda), and the life of Houdini. Take a stroll under the blossoming trees of Tóth Árpád sétány, watch the change of the guard, and make your way back to the city centre by descending on the most scenic funicular in the world.
Marvel at Budapest's UNESCO-listed panorama on this lovely Danube River evening cruise. See the city's floodlit landmarks, such as the Hungarian Parliament and the Buda Castle district, and sail under the illuminated Chain Bridge as well as other bridges.
St Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest. It was built in Neo-classicist style and has a capacity of up to 8,500 people. Its most noted relic is the mummified right hand of Stephen I, Hungary's first king, who among others converted Hungarians to Christianity. The adjacent square is home to several markets throughout the year and is lined by terraces of trendy bars and cafés.
Situated at the end of Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square is one of Budapest's most iconic landmarks. Dominated by the Millennium Monument, it pays homage to Hungary's history and leaders. It is flanked by the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art, and if you continue your way past the wall of sculptures, you'll reach City Park with Vajdahunyad Castle.
The distinct symbol of the Jewish quarter in Budapest, the Great Synagogue is also noted as the largest synagogue in Europe, seating up to 3,000 people. The visit entails a guided tour with a walk in the building and its surrounding garden, where you will also find sculptures of famous Hungarian writers and artists of Jewish origin. There is also a Jewish museum beside the synagogue, not to be confused with the Holocaust Memorial Centre further away on Páva Street.
Conceived by film director Can Togay, Shoes on the Danube Bank is an ironwork memorial erected in 2005 consisting of sixty pairs of shoes, which pays tribute to the thousands of Jewish victims who were shot into the Danube during the Arrow Cross movement in 1944-45. With over 800,000 people expelled or killed, the Hungarian Jewish community is regarded as one of the biggest victims in the dark era of the Holocaust.
Spanning the majestic Danube River, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge stands as an iconic symbol of the city's grandeur and architectural prowess. Completed in 1849, it was the first permanent bridge to connect the Buda and Pest sides of the city. Designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark and later modified by Scottish engineer Adam Clark, the bridge's chain-link structure and ornate stone lions guarding its entrances evoke a sense of timeless elegance and pride. The lions guarding the bridge are also connected to the first suicide that happened here, committed by their architect upon the realisation that he had forgotten about the tongues of the animals.
The Parliament is arguably the most prominent landmark of Hungary, also noted as the third largest parliament building in the world. It was designed in the Gothic revival style by architect Imre Steindl. It is 96 metres tall, which refers to the year 1896 when extensive constructions were carried out to celebrate the country's millennium.
Budapest's primary, 1.2-km long pedestrian street is dotted with worldwide-known international brands and tiny souvenir shops, along with elegant restaurants and bars serving high-quality Hungarian and international food.
This impressive neo-Gothic building was built in 1894 to replace the expansive outdoor markets at the location. The largest market hall in Budapest is a buzzing scene of everyday life in the city, with several floors to explore: the basement area houses several fish stalls and a supermarket, the ground floor is the main area mainly occupied by grocers, and the upper floor is home to souvenir stands and street food stalls. Make sure you try 'lángos', a deep-fried dough, traditionally topped with cheese and sour cream.
Andrássy út, often referred to as Budapest's own Champs-Élysées, is an elegant tree-lined boulevard connecting the city centre, Erzsébet Square, to Heroes' Square. Notable for hosting the first continental underground line in Europe, the avenue is lined with magnificent Neo-renaissance mansions and townhouses boasting intricate facades and interiors. Also recognised as one of the city's most prestigious shopping streets, it features high-end boutiques, cafés, restaurants, theatres, and embassies. Given its cultural and architectural significance, Andrássy út earned recognition as a World Heritage Site in 2002.
The concept behind this downtown street is to provide a classy atmosphere for shopping and leisure time with friends. Its charming surroundings and central location have attracted many famous and high-quality brands of footwear, apparel, accessories, beauty products, and restaurants. You can find these all in one place, surrounded by elegant bars and the Danube just a couple of minutes away.
Opened in 2013, Bálna is Budapest's contemporary answer to the adjacent Great Market Hall: it is a modern glass building resembling a whale in shape (hence the name), filled with shops, a contemporary art gallery, and several posh bars with splendid views on the riverside.
Retrock is Budapest's largest vintage and designer clothing store, offering a curated collection of second-hand items and fresh creations by talented designers worldwide.
Westend is Budapest's largest, multi-storey shopping mall featuring a wide range of international stores from the moderately priced to the luxurious, as well as eateries, services, a cinema, and further extras such as a spectacular indoor fountain.
No visit to Budapest is complete without some hunt for the treasures of bygone times. Although you will easily find an antique shop in any district of the city centre, the Ecseri Flea Market is well worth a short day trip. From antique furniture and vintage clothing to rare books, ceramics, and quirky collectables, Ecseri is a treasure trove for vintage enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Budapest's primary, 1.2-km long pedestrian street is dotted with worldwide-known international brands and tiny souvenir shops, along with elegant restaurants and bars serving high-quality Hungarian and international food.
This impressive neo-Gothic building was built in 1894 to replace the expansive outdoor markets at the location. The largest market hall in Budapest is a buzzing scene of everyday life in the city, with several floors to explore: the basement area houses several fish stalls and a supermarket, the ground floor is the main area mainly occupied by grocers, and the upper floor is home to souvenir stands and street food stalls. Make sure you try 'lángos', a deep-fried dough, traditionally topped with cheese and sour cream.
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.
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.
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is situated 16 km southeast of the city. There are various transportation options to the city centre. Public transport, including bus lines 100E and 200E, provides convenient access from the airport to key locations like Deák Ferenc Square and Kőbánya-Kispest metro station. Tickets can be purchased and validated directly on the bus. Additionally, travellers can utilize the train service from Ferihegy station to Nyugati railway station, with connections to Terminal 2 via bus 200E. The official airport shuttle service, miniBUD, offers comfortable transfers to and from Budapest's districts, while taxis and car rental options are also available for passengers' convenience.
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.
Contact any of the operators below: Budapest Taxi +36 1 777 7777 Főtaxi +36 1 222 2222 6x6 Taxi +36 1 666 6666
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.
Country code: +36 Area code: 1
230V/50 Hz. Type F plug.
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.
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.
