Budapest

This charming and elegant capital sitting astride the mighty Danube, offers a breaktaking mix of history and culture. From the architecture of Buda, to the boulevards of Pest, famous cuisine to thermal baths, there is so much to experience it is easy to see why Budapest City Breaks have always been a firm favourite with Cities Direct clients.

What to see...
You will want to visit the Parliament Building, one of the largest state buildings in Europe, this neo-Gothic fantasy was completed in 1902 and remains one of Budapest's most dominant structures. You should also visit the Castle District which provides visitors with spectacular views of the city and Parliament buildings. Here you will find such gems as the Royal Palace (Kiralyi Palota), Mattias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion - the series of ramparts facing the river, named after the traditional defenders of this stretch of the walls. If you are feeling energetic you can walk the stairs to the top of the hill from Clark Adam Square on the Buda side of the Chain Bridge or take the Funicular train. Much of this area down to the embankments of the Danube is a UNESCO world heritage site and with Andrassy Avenue and the Millenium Underground railway also protected by UNESCO these are also well worth a visit. Also a city of spas, you can bathe in turkish baths and thermal springs for therapeutic or relaxation purposes. Try a Dinner Cruise on the Danube, a Hungarian folk dance show or   Cullinary themed walking tour. Budapest has over 100 museums and is also a family friendly city, where a visit to Varosligeti Park (City Park) has an amusement park, zoo and botanical gardens with its lake functioning as an ice rink in the winter months.  Aquaworld and the railway museum are popular too. So, after all the bustle of the city, why not add on a break to Lake Balaton for a few days of calm, unspoilt beauty? Budapest is also popular as part of a twin centre city break such as Prague or Vienna. We would be happy to create your prefect trip, call us and let us know your preferences.

What to eat...
If all the sightseeing is leaving you a bit peckish then you are in for a treat. Traditional Magyar cooking still dominates menus, featuring generously portioned meat dishes followed by rich desserts and don’t forget to try the local Palinka. You will find the cost of meals extremely reasonable compared with other European capitals.

Where to stay...
The 3 star Hotel Erzsebet is a popular choice with our clients, located right in the heart of the capital, on the busy Pest side of the city, close to the river Danube. If you prefer a 4 star hotel, the Atrium Fashion Hotel would be a good choice with rooms that are modern in design and stylishly decorated with bright art work on the walls and colourful bed covers. Even a 5 star hotel needn’t break the bank, we have some great deals on the 5 star Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal, a great choice if you are celebrating a special occasion. Whatever you are looking for let us know and we will be happy to find the right choice for you.

When to go…
The winter months are typically cold but there are so many things to do in Budapest that it can be just as much fun to visit in Winter. Summers are generally warm but can be busy around the main festivals, but there is so much to do, indoors and out that you will enjoy Budapest any time of year

Getting there…
With direct flights to Budapest from 9 airports in the UK and Ireland, including Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, the Hungarian capital has never been easier to reach.

Click here to see all our recommended Budapest hotels