Ports of Call - Hungary - Budapest
Budapest, known as the 'Queen of the Danube', is a magnificent city exuding a cultural sophistication that entices and enchants. Gracing both sides of the legendary river with grand historic buildings, regal bridges and graceful tree-lined boulevards, it is the city's elegant beauty and romantic atmosphere that has given Budapest Parisian status among the Eastern European countries.
Budapest offers the visitor the familiarity of European culture with a distinct Hungarian flavour. It is evident in the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings, sidewalk cafes and Magyar cuisine; classical concerts and Hungarian folk music; the cobbled streets of medieval neighbourhoods and shady parks, and everywhere the sounds of an unfamiliar language. Highlights for visitors include a river cruise on the Danube and a thermal bath in one of the Turkish-era bathhouses.
Budapest was originally two cities built on either side of the Danube, namely Buda and Pest. The two districts are still distinct in their contrasting makeup, with the older and more charming Buda comprising of atmospheric cobbled streets, little picturesque coloured houses and a medieval, neo-Classical mixture of architecture set among the gentle hills of the west bank. It is famous for its historic Castle Hill featuring the Royal Palace, museums and galleries, St Matthias Church and the ramparts of Fisherman's Bastion.
Pest lies on a flat plain and is the commercial core of the city. It bustles with fashionable shopping areas and has characteristically wide, leafy boulevards. Andrássy Boulevard is the Champs-Elysées of Budapest, lined with a typical mosaic of architectural styles and buildings with the enormous Heroes' Square at the end.
A history of numerous wars and invasions, with repeated destruction and rebuilding, has created the Budapest of today, with an amalgamation of styles, created over time during periods of loving restoration by a proud and resilient nation of people; a city of charm and character, both European and singularly Hungarian.
The Basics
Budapest has an extensive, inexpensive and efficient public transport system that includes the metro, trams, buses, trolley buses and trains. Most transport runs until about 11.30pm after which there is a limited night bus and tram service until about 5am. The metro is clean, safe and frequent, and although there are only three lines it reaches most areas of interest to tourists. Trams are good for travelling around the Great Boulevard or along the embankment; trolleybuses (electric buses) operate in Pest; and although more difficult to use, buses are useful for journeys that can't be made by metro, especially around Buda. There are regular incidents of pick pocketing on buses and metro lines though, particularly when they are crowded. An over ground HÉV train network services the outer suburbs. All forms of public transport require the self-validation of pre-purchased tickets, which can get complicated; it is best to get a travel pass for convenience that will also save money. Day or multi-day passes are inexpensive and hassle-free, although the tourist Budapest Cardcombining three days of travel with discounted attractions isn't all that good value. Budapest's taxis have a reputation for cheating foreigners and visitors are warned not to do business with private, unmarked vehicles that hang around stations. Legal taxis should have a yellow number plate, clearly display their rates and have a meter that is switched on. It is cheaper to order one by phone from reputable companies such as Citytaxi, Fo Taxi or Tele-5-Taxi.
Events
Sziget Festival
Budapest - Obuda Island
The green island of Obuda in the Danube River just north of Budapest is the venue each summer for what has become one of the largest open-air rock and pop gatherings in Europe. Thousands gather on the island for a week-long music extravaganza with more than 1,000 performances across 60 venues. The island is equipped with basic camping facilities and numerous pubs and restaurants, which cause it to become a 'festival city' for the duration of the event. Literary events, classical music, theatre, dance of all genres and art exhibitions also add spice to the happening festival scene which has something to offer all age groups.
August 2011 TBA
Web:www.sziget.hu/festival_english
Hungarian F1 Grand Prix
Budapest - Hungaroring Circuit, Mogyorod
One of the most popular meetings on the Formula 1 motor-racing circuit is the Hungarian Grand Prix. World class race drivers pit their wits and skills against each other on the Hungaroring track about 12 miles (20km) from central Budapest.
July to August 2011 TBA
Web:www.formula1.com
Budapest Spring Festival
Budapest - Various
What began as a city cultural event in 1981 has now spread its wings and grown to become a nation-wide celebration of Hungarian culture and talent, drawing thousands of appreciative classical, opera and jazz fans from all over Europe. The Academy of Music and Budapest Convention Centre play host to most of the classical concerts on the programme, opening with the National Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir rendering Wagner and Berlioz. The city resounds with chamber music recitals and church concerts, while opera buffs feast at the State Opera House. Other Hungarian towns and cities where the festival concerts and events are held include Sopron, Szombathely, Pecs and Szentendre.
18 March to 3 April 2011
Web:www.festivalcity.hu
Budapest Fair
Budapest - Felvonulási Square, Heroes' Square, City Park
This joyful celebration of summer, enjoyed by the people of Budapest was first organised by the city council in 1991 to commemorate the departure of Soviet troops from Hungary. Now it has become defined as one of the most popular and enjoyable events on the city calendar, incorporating a host of free attractions over two days. These include a classical music concert, a summer carnival, a costume contest, jazz concerts in the park and children's entertainment For more information contact the Budapesti Fesztiválközpont Kht on +36 (0)1 486 3300 or info@festivalcity.hu
Last weekend of June annually
Budapest Autumn Festival
Budapest - Various
On the other side of the seasons to the Spring Festival is this Autumnal celebration of contemporary arts. A wide selection including music, arts, dance, theatre, photography, film and computer-generated art take place at various venues throughout the city. Artists include both local and international acts.
September - October 2011 TBA
Web:www.festivalcity.hu
Attractions
Royal Palace
Located at the top of Castle Hill in the picturesque Castle District of Buda, the Royal Palace was first inhabited by King Béla in the 13th century who, after the Mongol invasion, turned it into a fortified stronghold against further attack. Over the next 700 years it was the residence of many royal figures. The strategic location of Budapest, situated in the heart of Europe and straddling the Danube, offered whoever controlled the city a defensive position and potential control of the main waterway. This led to repeated invasions, followed by rebuilding in the style of the period. The castle has a mixture of architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to Baroque. Today it is the country's most important cultural centre housing numerous museums and the majority of the buildings are historical monuments. The Budapest History Museum contains an exhibition explaining the history of the city as well as archaeological remains of the palace. Also within the palace complex are the Hungarian National Gallery, the National Library and the Ludwig Museum.
Tel: +36 (0)1 375 7533
Matthias Church
Situated in the centre of the Castle Quarter, the 700-year-old Church of Our Lady is popularly known as Matthias Church after the nation's famous ruler, King Matthias (1458-90), a patron of learning and the arts who reconstructed the Hungarian state after decades of feudal anarchy. With its distinctive multicoloured tiled roof and Gothic spire, the church is one of Budapest's best-known structures, and it was here that the nation's kings were crowned and King Matthias was married. Today the church continues to hold High Mass, as well as concerts, organ and choir recitals owing to its magnificent acoustics. Matthias Church is a mixture of styles from the various kings, occupations and periods. When the Turks occupied the Castle in 1541 it was converted into a mosque, and the interior walls were whitewashed and painted over with scenes from the Koran. It suffered heavily in the later siege and was restored again in the 19th century, reconstructed in its characteristic neo-Gothic style, and remains of the original medieval frescoes were discovered underneath the whitewash. The interior is richly decorated with gilded altars, statues, rose windows and frescoes. Inside is the Church Museum, which gives access to the crypt, and a small collection of religious treasures and jewels. A fantastic paradox is visible in the reflection of the Gothic church in the sleek dark glass sides of the contemporary Budapest Hilton alongside.
Tel: +36 (0)1 489 0717 Email: turizmus@matyas-templom.hu
Gellért Hill
Gellért Hill offers unrivalled panoramic views of the city, taking in both Buda and Pest and the meandering Danube. The hill was named after a bishop who was asked to convert pagan Magyars to Christianity but, according to legend, was killed by being rolled off the hillside in a barrel by militant heathens. A statue of the martyred Bishop stands at the base of the hill. On its summit stands the Liberation Monument, a female figure holding aloft the palm of victory, dedicated to the memory of Soviet troops who died freeing Hungary in 1945. With the fall of communism the inscription was changed to honour those who died for 'Hungary's prosperity'. Behind the monument is the Citadella, or fortress, built after the 1848 revolution to provide military control against further uprisings. Today it houses a hostel and a museum. The hill is also home to several historic spas, valued for their medicinal qualities since the Turkish occupation. The city's most famous spa, the Gellért Baths, is attached to the grand establishment of the Art Nouveau Gellért Hotel. Here visitors can relax in the thermal waters of the Roman-styled pool with its lion-headed spouts, surrounded by columns and mosaic patterns, or indulge themselves with private therapeutic treatments or a massage.
Tel: +36 (0)1 385 2200
Parliament Buildings
On the bank of the Danube stands one of the world's most beautiful parliament buildings, an imposing sight and a prominent feature of the city's panorama. With its red dome, white stone lace ornamentation and spires, it is the city's most decorative structure. Stone lions flank the entrance guarding a rich interior of marble and gold, statues and columns, and magnificent artefacts, including the 1,000-year-old crown of the first Hungarian King, all of which can be viewed on a guided tour. The grand edifice, stretching for 820 ft (250m) along the embankment, is one of the biggest national assemblies in the world.
Tel: +36 (0)1 441 4904/ 4415/ 4138/ 4412 (for bookings) Email: idegenforgalom@parlament.hu (for bookings)
Memento Park
One of the city's popular but more bizarre attractions is Memento Park, containing the giant figures of the Communist era that once filled the streets of Budapest. After the change in the political system the monuments glorifying Communism were banished into the exile of this outdoor museum and among the statues, busts and monuments are the forms of Lenin, Marx and Engels, as well as memorials to the Soviet Soldiers and the Communist Martyrs. This is the only collection in the world from the time of Communist politics. Some of the interesting souvenirs sold at the park are cans of air from the 'last breath of socialism' and Stalin and Lenin shaped candles.
Tel: +36 (0)1 424 7500 Email: office@szoborpark.hu
Fisherman's Bastion
Built in 1905 on the medieval castle walls, the neo-Romanesque ramparts were so named after the city's fishermen whose duty it was to defend this side of the hill during the Middle Ages, but the existing bastion never actually served a defensive purpose. It is solely ornamental with gleaming white cloisters and stairways connecting seven turrets symbolic of the Magyar tribes that conquered the Carpathian Basin in the 9th century. Set back from the ramparts is an equestrian statue of King Stephen, a memorial to the founder of the Hungarian nation. The view from Fisherman's Bastion, over the Danube, the Chain Bridge and the Parliament Buildings with Pest stretching out into the distance, is outstanding. Floodlit at night, the bastion is a mesmerising sight from across the river.
Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge was the first stone bridge to be built over the Danube and is the most famous with its lion statues. Today nine bridges span the river linking Buda to Pest, but Chain Bridge takes pride of place as the city's symbol, a magnificent sight when floodlit at night. It owes its construction to Count István Széchenyi who decided to build a permanent crossing after having to wait a week to cross the river to bury his father. The Chain Bridge was built by William and Adam Clark, who also constructed London Bridge. It was considered an amazing feat of engineering when it was opened in 1849. At the foot of the bridge is Kilometre Zero, the point in Budapest from which all distances are measured.
The Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum
Situated within Erzsébet Town, the charming old Jewish quarter and former ghetto, the Great or Central Synagogue is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world, able to seat 3,000 people. Completed in 1859 the style is typically Byzantine-Moorish, with exquisitely patterned brickwork in the red, blue and yellow colours of the city's coat of arms. Gilded domed towers, archways and beautiful window designs are just some of the features that make this one of Budapest's landmarks. The splendid interior glitters with lights; gilded arches and balconies line the walls, the ceiling is covered in Stars of David, and the floor is tiled in decorative stars. On Jewish festivals it is packed with Jews from all over Hungary who come to celebrate within its splendour. Next door is the Jewish Museum containing relics from the Hungarian Jewish Community, including religious objects from festivals, and the Holocaust Memorial room. In the courtyard is the Holocaust Memorial in the shape of a weeping willow tree, each metal leaf engraved with the names of Nazi victims.
Tel: +36 (0)1 317 2754
Budapest Puppet Theatre
The Budapest Puppet Theatre (Bábszínház) is a fantastic attraction for kids in the city. While the shows are presented in Hungarian, kids are still enthralled by the enactment of familiar stories such as Cinderella and Snow White, and can often be heard calling out warnings when villains are approaching or encouraging the heroes in their endeavours.
Tel: +36 (0)1 321 5200 or +36 (0)1 342 2702
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Vidám Park
Vidám Park is an excellent amusement park for kids in Budapest to visit. The park features a wooden merry-go-round (körhinta) that is over 100 years old, as well as a slow-moving Ferris wheel (óriáskerék) and the longest wooden roller coaster in Europe. Kis Vidám Park is the neighbouring amusement park for toddlers.
Great Circus
There's nothing kids love more than a circus performance and Budapest offers a fantastic display of this Hungarian tradition. The Great Circus (Nagy Cirkusz) features an array of clowns, animals, jugglers and acrobats to keep children happily entertained.
Tel: +36 (0)1 343 8300 Email: circus2@mail.datanet.hu
Airports
Budapest Ferihegy International Airport
The airport is located 10 miles (16km) south east of Budapest.
Tel: +36 (0)1 296 9696.
Facilities include ATMs, bureaux de change, left luggage, first aid, duty-free shops, childcare, post office, chapel, restaurants, tourist information and hotel reservations. There are facilities for disabled passengers and wheelchairs are available from the airport help desks; travellers with special needs are advised to contact their airline or travel agent in advance. A short walk from Terminal 2 there is an open-air aircraft museum.
Short and long term parking lots are situated close to the terminal buildings.
Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar and Airport Rent-a-Car.
Terminal 2A (Schengen destinations) and 2B (non-Schengen destinations) are close enough to be accessible by foot, there is a covered walkway between these two terminals. For transfers between Terminal 1 and 2, the easiest way is with Budapest Airport Minibusz (BAM) which operates a shuttle costing 700Ft. Taxis are also available and the #93 bus may also be used.
Restaurants
Indigo - Indian
Budapest - Jokai 13
One of Budapest's finest Indian eateries by far, the trendy Indigo is popular with locals and visitors alike and never fails to please with its mouth-watering curries and fragrant dishes. Stylish, yet modern décor and clean lines create a fresh atmosphere and the great food and service make for a memorable dining experience. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards accepted.
Web:www.indigo-restaurant.hu
Café Vian - Local
Budapest - Liszt Ferenc tér 9
Those looking for a trendy eatery with both indoor and outdoor dining options need look no further than Café Vian. The food is good, the prices are reasonable and many young and hip locals frequent this popular restaurant. Try the Grilled chicken breast 'Vian' style with ratatouille and candied lemon and potato pancake, or the Red wine flavoured beef stew with dumplings. Open daily. Reservations accepted.
Web:www.cafevian.com
Fortuna Restaurant - Local
Budapest - Hess András tér 4
This stylish restaurants features five dining rooms for guests to choose from, namely the Fortuna room, the Royal room, the Knights room, the Terrace and the Sparkling wine cellar. The delicious tradition Hungarian dishes and wines are a taste sensation and visitors will not be disappointed. Try the pheasant breast filled with quince and served with curd-cheese flan, or the sirloin steak with bull's blood wine sauce served with a porcini, chantarelle and shitake mushroom trio ragout. Open daily. Reservations recommended.
Web:www.fortuna-restaurant.hu
Náncsi Néni Vendéglője - Local
Budapest - Ordogarok ut 80
Also known as Aunt Nancsi's Restaurant, this family-run place is situated in the peaceful Buda Hills. It serves hearty Hungarian food at its best and is worth the short taxi ride out of the city centre. Try the Hungarian black truffle cream soup or the 'joy stew'.
Web:http://www.nancsineni.hu/eng/index2.html
Régi Sípos Halászkert - Local
Budapest - Lajos utca 46, District 3, Obuda
With a menu that is updated and refreshed on a weekly basis it's difficult to pin down a dish that this place is particularly well known for. Régi Sípos Halászkert is the best restaurant to go to if you want to try authentic Hungarian cuisine, and authentic Hungarian fish soup in particular. This restaurant offers a variety of other dishes and a superb wine list.
Web:http://regisipos.hu/
