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 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.

currency

Hungarian Forint, HUF (Ft)

phone

Emergency: 112
Ambulance: 104
Fire brigade: 105
Police: 107

newspaper

The Budapest Times (in English): www.budapesttimes.hu

hours

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.

population

Metro area: 1,778,000 (2023)

info

Budapestinfo
Budapest Városháza park, Károly körút
Opening hours: daily 9am–7pm

website

www.budapestinfo.hu/en

Budapest Hungary, city skyline at Fisherman Bastion Gate Noppasin Wongchum/Shutterstock

The City

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.

Do & See

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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Hungarian Parliament Building

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Castle District

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Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise

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St Stephen's Basilica

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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

Hungarian Tourism Agency

Hungarian State Opera

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Margaret Island (Margitsziget)

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City Park (Városliget)

Hungarian Tourism Agency

Museum of Fine Arts

Hungarian Tourism Agency

Palace of Arts (Müpa Budapest)

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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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Spas & 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.

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Széchenyi Thermal Bath

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Gellért Thermal Bath

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Rudas Thermal Bath

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Palatinus Strand Baths

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Veli Bej Bath

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Lukács Baths

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Dandár Thermal Bath

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Csillaghegyi Baths

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Paskál Spa & Swimming Pool

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Pünkösdfürdői Open-air Baths

Dining

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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Cafés

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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New York Café

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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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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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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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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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Ecseri Flea Market

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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 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 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.

Address: Budapest Liszt Ferenc Nemzetközi Repülőtér

Email:

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

Email:

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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