Welcome to Budapest
Straddling the Danube with the Buda Hills as backdrop and boasting enough baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture to satisfy anyone, Budapest is endowed with both natural and human-created beauty. But the Queen of the Danube is not just a pretty face. At night she dons her party dress to enjoy the regions premier party town.
across the Danube River | ZSOLT HLINKA / GETTY IMAGES
BudapestTop Sights
Seat of power for centuries.
TIBOR BOGNAR / GETTY IMAGES
Budapest Top Sights
Like bathing in a cathedral.
ATLANTIDE PHOTOTRAVEL / GETTY IMAGES
Budapest Top Sights
Hungarys most sacred church and relic.
JIRI SEBESTA / SHUTTERSTOCK
Budapest Top Sights
The nations most important historical collection.
INGOLF POMPE / LOOK-FOTO / GETTY IMAGES
Budapest Top Sights
Hungarys largest and most iconic building.
PHOTO.UA / SHUTTERSTOCK
Budapest Top Sights
A fortress that never saw battle.
SERGIO DELLE VEDOVE / SHUTTERSTOCK
Budapest Top Sights
A kitsch Disneyland of socialist Hungary.
NIGAR ALIZADA / SHUTTERSTOCK
Budapest Top Sights
Well-preserved Roman town.
DANITA DELIMONT / GETTY IMAGES
Budapest Top Sights
Pests delightful green lung.
VIDALGO / SHUTTERSTOCK
Budapest Top Sights
Worlds largest synagogue outside NYC.
FROG DARES / SHUTTERSTOCK
Eating
The dining scene in Budapest has undergone a sea change in recent years. Hungarian food has lightened up, offering the same wonderfully earthy and spicy tastes but in less calorific dishes. The number of vegetarian (or partially meatless) and even vegan restaurants has increased, and the choice of eateries with cuisines other than Magyar is greater than ever before.
TSUGULIEV / SHUTTERSTOCK
Dining Diversity
A wide choice of ethnic food from Middle Eastern and Greek to Japanese, Indian, Chinese and even vegetarian, has become almost the norm in Budapest. And the fast food of choice in the capital is no longer cheap-and-cheerful lngos (deep-fried dough with various toppings, usually cheese and sour cream), but kebabs and falafel.
Hungarian Cuisine
Gulys (goulash) is Hungarys signature dish, though here its more like a soup than a stew and made with beef, onions and tomatoes. Paprika-infused prklt is closer to what wed call goulash. Halszl is a highly recommended fish soup made from poached freshwater fish, tomatoes, green peppers and paprika. A popular dessert is palacsinta, a crpe filled with jam, sweet cheese or chocolate sauce.
Best Traditional Hungarian
Lunch-only tkezde (canteen) on an atmospheric square.
Excellent Hungarian homestyle dishes.
Best Modern Hungarian
Inventive Hungarian dishes from a daily-changing blackboard.
Fine Hungarian dining in the Castle District.
New modern Hungarian bistro offering superb value.
Best Italian & Mediterranean
Hip go-to spot for inspired Mediterranean dishes.
This simple Italian place has been a student favourite for two decades.
Quite simply the best real Italian pizza in town.
Best Fish & Seafood
Reliable Hungarian fish dishes by the Danube.
Super-fresh fish and shellfish.
Fresh, simple and good-value fish dishes.
Best for Breakfast
Breakfast spot with good vegetarian choices.
Traditional cafe with a terrace for sunny mornings.
Retro-style cafe on a tree-lined street perfect for brunch.
Top Tip
If youre on a buget, eat your main meal at lunchtime; set meals at lunch at most restaurants including high-end ones cost a fraction of what they do at dinnertime.