Place

Parliament

The most on show building in the city, Parliament was completed in 1902 and has 690 gorgeous rooms mixed in a neo-Gothic, neo-Romanesque and neobaroque styles. You’ll only get to see three on a guided tour which takes you around the North Wing. On a tour you’re likely to see the Crown of St Stephen on display, along with the ceremonial sword and, orb and the 10th century Persian crafted sceptre with a crystal lion’s head. The tour will also pass through the Congress hall and the Loge Hall. English speaking tours usually operate around 10am, noon and 2pm but to avoid disappointment book ahead in person.

City guide

Overview & visitor information

Address: V Kossuth Lajos ter 1-3, Gate X Tel: 441 4904 Times: Mon and Wed-Fri 8am-6pm, to 4pm Sat, to 2pm Sun May-Sept, 8am-4pm Mon and Wed-Sat, to 2pm Sun Oct-Apr Prices: adult/child 2520/1260Ft

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What to do with Children in Tow

Activity

One of the great things about Budapest is that it has an abundance of playgrounds, theme parks and roller-skating parks. One of the best theme parks is Varosliget (City Park) which has an abundance of activities to entertain children: playgrounds, the city zoo, a circus and a fairground. The Szechenyi Baths are well-liked by the older children, especially the whirlpool, and there is also rowing in the summer and ice-skating in the winter (Nov-Mar, Mon-Fri 9am to 1pm and 4-8pm, Sat and Sun 10am-2pm, 4-8pm, depending on weather). Another highlight is the caves underneath the city which are good fun as long as your child isn’t scared of the dark. There are two notable cave formations here such as the ones under the Varhegy, Buda Castle Labyrinth (Budavari Labirintus, daily 9:30am-7:30pm, 1500Ft;) and the Szemlolgyi Caves at Pusztaszeri ut 35 (tours hourly Mon & Wed-Sun 10am-4pm; 1250Ft) which have stunning formations.

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Royal Palace (Buda Castle)

Palace

Location: Budavari Palota

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Fisherman’s Bastion

Building

The Fisherman’s Bastion is a medieval looking stronghold that offers impressive views of the city, fitting as it was built as a viewing platform in 1905. The name comes from a medieval guild of fishermen who were responsible for defending that part of the wall. The seven white turrets represent the Magyar tribes that first entered the Carpathian Basin in the late 9th century. In front of the bastion is a statue to St Stephen.

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Citadella

Fortress

A fortress that never saw battle, it was erected by the Hasburgs after the 1848-49 War of Independence just in case of further rebellion. However by the time it was ready, the political climate had cooled and the citadella was of no use. Today it contains some of the city’s artillery, the Bunker Waxworks (466 5794, times 9am-7pm, price 1200Ft) and a rather rundown hostel/hotel. However if you walk north along it you’ll come to a lookout that is the best in the city.

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Liberty Monument

monument

A 14m statue of a lady with the palm frond, she symbolises freedom throughout Budapest. Erected in 1947 in tribute to the Soviet forces that died liberating the city at the end World War II, she can be found east of the citadella.

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Chain Bridge

Bridge

If you can walk across only one of the city’s three bridges that join Buda and Pest together, then make it this one. The city’s oldest and probably the most beautiful bridge, it is named in honour of the man who designed it, Lstvan Szechenyi. When it opened in 1849, it was unique for two reasons: it was at the time, the city’s only dry link between Buda and Pest and the city’s aristocracy who had been previously exempt from taxation, had to pay a toll!

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Aquincum Museum

Museum

Purposely built on the western edge of an ancient Roman civilian settlement, this museum offers extensive exhibits on Roman life in Budapest. There is a vast collection of Roman coins and wall paintings, a replica of a 3rd century organ called a ‘hydra’ and stone sarcophagi. Across the road is the Roman Civilian Amphitheatre which, while smaller than the original thing, leaves much to the imagination; you can still see stone cubicles where the lions were kept and the ‘Gate of Death’ to the west where slain gladiators were carried through.

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Gul Baba’s Tomb

Cemetery

This tomb is the resting place of Gul Baba, an Ottoman Dervish who played a part in the capture of Buda in 1541. Known as the ‘Father of Roses’, this tomb is a pilgrimage place for Muslims. You must remove your shoes before entering.

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Zsigmond Kun Folk Art Collection

Museum

Be prepared for lengthy and detailed descriptions from the staff at this museum as they are very proud of their collection! Put together by a wealthy ethnographer, a lot of the pottery is from Mezotur near the Tisa River but there are some Transylvanian furniture and textiles on display too.

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Margaret Island

island

This island doesn’t have any famous landmarks but is a great spot for sports and other activities such as cycling and swimming (there are two swimming pools here). Or you could go and have a pampering session at the Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget which is one of most modern spas in Budapest.

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Café Pierrot

A curious mix of café, bar and restaurant, this long established eatery is very stylish on Castle Hill. The décor is clownish and there is daily live piano music. The cuisine is Hungarian though it does offer interesting hybrids with international flavours.

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Tabani Terasz

For something lovely to remember, you should try this enchanting cellar and terrace restaurant below Buda Castle; the place becomes very distinctive during winter when candlelit. Offering a more modern Hungarian cuisine accompanied by an excellent wine list.

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Spoon

Dining on the high waters of the river Danube (don’t worry, you’re still tethered to the bank!), here you’ll experience international cuisines with great choices for vegetarians. The décor is bright and the views for the castle and Chain Bridge are amazing.

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Lou Lou

A foodie hangout for expatriate French, this bistro offers delicious French cuisine with reasonable daily specials. Some of the food highlights on offer at this antiquely furnished place are the smoked duck breast and grilled scallops.

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Tom-George

Address: V Oktober 6 utca 8 Tel: +266 3525 Times: Noon to midnight

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Artesano

Address: VI O utca 24-26 Tel: + 688 1696 Times: Noon to midnight, Monday to Saturday

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Salaam Bombay

Address: V Merleg utca 6 Tel: + 411 1252 Times: Noon to 3pm & 6-11pm

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Stex Haz

Address: VIII Jozsef korut 55-57 Tel: + 318 5716 Opening Times: 8am to 4am Monday to Saturday, 9am to 2am Sunday

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Mongolian Barbecue

Address: XII Marvany utca 19 Tel: + 212 1859 Opening Tomes: Noon to 5pm & 6pm to midnight

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Iguana

Address: V Zoltan utca 16 Tel: + 331 4352 Opening Times: 11:30am to 12:30am

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Buda Castle Fashion Hotel

The building is from the 15th century, the vaulted brickwork in the lobby is stylish, but the hotel name itself is noted for its boutique standards. There are 25 rooms and suites that look upon a cobbled stoned street or facing a quiet grass courtyard. Services on offer are a rich, buffet breakfast, bar lounge and free Wi-Fi; the hotel itself does not have a restaurant but there are restaurants nearby and the staff can assist in locating them or any other particular dining requirements you might have.

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Lanchid 19

Situated at the feet of Buda Castle, this hotel is stylish to the max and has the awards to prove it. The Lanchid is the winner of the Best Architecture category at the European Hotel Design Awards in 2008, and has 45 rooms on offer, 3 panorama suites, 3 meeting rooms and a terraced restaurant with a bar. The rooms are distinctive with modern artwork and minimalist flair; all rooms are equipped with air conditioning, free internet access, mini bar and safe and a flat-screen, internet connected TV. The hotel itself offers: business services (copy machines, telephone, and fax), luggage storage, dry-cleaning, car rental, airport transfers, cultural programs and massage and babysitting upon request.

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Danubius Gellert Hotel

The grande dame of Budapest hotels, this establishment has 221 rooms and 13 suites; each fitted with satellite TV, telephone, radio and mini-bar. There are business rooms, unlimited wi-fi, a souvenir shop, laundry and dry cleaning, a newsstand, baby-sitting services, transfers and a car park available at this hotel. Be sure to check out the thermal spa and swimming pool with its arched glass entrance hall; designed in 1909 and completed in 1918, because it truly is a wondrous sight to see. The hotel architecture uses much of art nouveau. Other facilities also include an outdoor swimming pool and wave pool (operated in the summer season), a jacuzzi, a sauna and steam room, Thai massage, a beauty salon, sun terrace and solarium. Dining options are the Panorama Restaurant that offers Hungarian cuisine; gipsy music is hosted from spring to autumn. In the summer a terrace café terrace opens.

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Le Merdien Budapest

Expensive Hotels

French polished furniture and brocade are the style here in this expensive hotel. Accommodating up to 210 guests, with eight meeting rooms, the hotel’s has its own catering staff that can plan a themed dinner, ranging from a Hungarian or French Buffet Campagnard to a decadent chocolate buffet - the choice is yours! The hotel also comes with its own spa, including an indoor pool, a jacuzzi, and massage services.

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Andrassy Hotel

A beautiful, high-class hotel just off Andrassy ut (go through Munkacsy Mihaly utca 5-7), it was built in 1937 and renovated in 2007. Services provided include a 24-hour front desk, multi-lingual staff, free Wi-Fi, high speed internet, restaurant and lounge, gourmet breakfast, room service, business facilities and parking spaces. There are 61 rooms with 7 suites to choose from.

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Papillon Hotel

With only 20 rooms, this is one of the smallest, best-kept secrets in Budapest. The hotel has a beautiful back garden with a swimming pool and some of the rooms even have balconies. There are also four apartments within the building, one of which has its own roof terrace.

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Green Bridge Hostel

In terms of location, reception and comfort, Green Bridge has it all in spades. The rooms have variety in doubles, triples and quads to eight person dormitories and the establishment is on a quiet street just one city block away from the Danube. Coffee is available throughout the day.

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Boat Hotel Fortuna

If you had to give an award for most unassuming accommodation, this hotel would win hands down: it’s a one-time ferry that’s anchored in the Danube. A ‘boatel’ with 42 single and double rooms have air-conditioning with a shower and toilet at water level. However if you go below deck, there are an additional 14 rooms with 2 or 3 beds and a washbasin.

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Hotel Benczur

Situated in a fantastic location, near Andrassy ut, Heroes’ Sq and City Park, this hotel has 161 rooms on seven floors. Some look down onto a garden and over 65 of the rooms have been renovated in recent years.

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Hotel Griff Junior

With 120 rooms – some with their own shower, this hotel offers dirt cheap prices for those on a small budget. What it lacks in facilities it makes up for in location; nearby there is the Campona shopping mall and Amusement Centre which features the Tropicarium-Oceanarium that houses the biggest shark-aquarium in Middle-Europe. Gellért Hill is also nearby and the rest of the city sights can be reached by mass transit easily.