Budapest is the capital of Hungary. It is one of the most enjoyable cities in Eastern Europe and is often referred to as “The pearl of Danube”. Budapest was founded when the Romans established the town of Aquincum (Obuda) in 89 A.D. As a city, Budapest has seen its share of wars and invasions. Budapest was made the capital of Hungary, the kingdom founded by the Magyars after the First World War. Budapest suffered heavily during the Second World War resulting in the death of nearly 40,000 civilians and nearly 40 % of the Jewish community. After the war Budapest was briefly under the control of a communist government which was eventually overthrown. Modern day Budapest is the wealthiest city in Hungary. It is extremely popular among tourists and is a part of the UNESCO world heritage list for its rich cultural and architectural heritage.

What to see

Budapest is one of Europe’s finest cities, blessed with a rich heritage and old world charm. Budapest is a city that is filled with old world architecture which includes grand buildings and crooked streets made of cobble stones. Budapest has a little bit of something for everyone from grand old coffee shops and opera houses to modern day cafes and night clubs. Some of the must see sights of the city are the river Danube with its magnificent bridges, the Buda castle that was built by the Magyars, the exotic Margaret islands and the evergreen Buda hills.

When to visit

The best time to visit Budapest would be in the months of May to September, as these months receive maximum sunlight. In the months of January to April the city receives very little sunlight and temperatures vary between 13 and 16 degrees. There is usually only 13 days of rainfall in a month in Budapest and the climate is quite transitional and also temperate. Budapest has four clear cut seasons although there is a high variability within these seasons.

Where to stay

Budapest is a city that has a large number of tourists pouring in every year and as such it offers an extensive range of hotels in various price range. Backpackers and people travelling on a tight budget can find rooms in hostels and pensions which start at nine pounds per night. Hostels for backpackers are usually found across the river in Pest while the more expensive hotels are found in and around Castle hill. Budapest also has a number of luxurious five star hotels although the costs are higher than anywhere else in Hungary. Many locals even offer their apartments for rent which is a good choice for those who are planning a long trip. Most tourist who are visiting the city on vacation prefer to stay in Buda as it is closer to the mountains and has cleaner fresher air.

Where to shop

Most of the tourists that visit Budapest shop in Pest, V’aci utca and nearby places. It is one of the most commercial parts of the city and historically one of the most expensive. Many locally made items, handicrafts and souvenirs can be found here. The great market hall at Fővám tér is a must visit for shoppers. Prices over here are negotiable and vary from seller to seller, so be ready to bargain. V’aci utca also has a number of chain stores such as C&A, H&M, Clinique, Estee Lauder, New Yorker, etc. Electronics can be bought at the cheaper supermarkets such as Media Markt and Electro World. Common liquor stores sell Absinthe although many of the brands are of poor quality.

Food

Hungary’s approach to food is a combination of pride in its own heritage and a willingness to experiment with foreign influences. Some of the local specialities are: Lake Balaton pike-perch, paprika, pörkölt (a stew similar to goulash), halászlé (a locally made soup), stuffed cabbage and gulyas. There are many restaurants that cater to various tastes and also a great choice of pastries.

What to wear

Budapest in the winters is usually quite cold so one should remember to pack a lot of warm clothes. Even for those travelling in the summer a light sweater or jacket is compulsory. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella with you whichever month of the year you choose to visit Budapest.

Transport

Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport is the largest airport in the country. It is around 16 km from the city centre. The airport’s telephone number is: +36-1 296-9696 or on +36-1 296-7000.
One can make it from the airport to the city by using either the suburban trains (avoid the long distance ones), the mini bus service or taxis.
Getting around in Budapest can be done in many ways as it has a well-connected bus and train system. One can even rent cars, bikes or taxis. It is important to note that in Budapest there will be many areas of interest that can be found within walking distance.

Money

The official currency, as of now, is the Forint. It is better to exchange your money upon arrival in Hungary as they offer better rates. Money can be exchanged in banks, travel agencies and official currency exchange offices. It is not advisable to change money in hotels and changing money in the streets illegally should be avoided at all costs.

Medical

Pharmacies in Budapest are well organised and can usually provide medication for most common ailments. There is at least one all night pharmacy in every district. There are also many hospitals with English speaking doctors such as the First Med centres and the IMC. For 24 hours medical assistance one can contact: 200 0100

Visa and Passport

Hungary became a part of the Schengen towards the end of December 2007. Citizens belonging to Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland can enter Hungary with a personal id card for a period of up to 90 days. However, they are not allowed to work or conduct any business activities in that time.. European citizens excepting those from countries such as Albania, Russia, Serbia-Montenegro, Turkey and the Ukraine do not need a visa to visit Hungary. Similarly some citizens of certain countries outside of Europe such as Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay also do not require a visa.

U.S. citizens can travel to Budapest as a tourist or for business without visa for a period of 90 days provided, your passport remains valid for at least three months beyond the 90 days period of stay. You would also need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.

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