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Hungary

Hungary

Destination Guide

If you are looking to visit a European country packed with history, culture and fun things to do that won’t break the bank – Hungary and its capital Budapest should be close to the top of your bucket list. It may be a bold claim to make but we think that Budapest just might be our favourite city break in Europe. From luxury hotels and excellent restaurants to thermal baths and wine tasting caves, Budapest has something for everyone.

But what really makes Budapest the perfect weekend getaway? Well for starters, the flight only takes a couple of hours from the UK which is ideal for those of you who are short on time and don’t want to travel too far. Once you arrive in Budapest you will also realise that the city centre is quite compact so you will be able to cover most of the city during your weekend away. Finally, there are is so much to see and do that is unique to Budapest like the famous natural thermal spas across the city. Our favourite are the Széchenyi Baths which are the largest medicinal baths in Europe.

Things to See and Do in Budapest

Take a dip at the Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Soak in the view from Fisherman's Bastion
Taste local wines in a cave beneath Buda Castle
Check out the nightlife in the Ruin Bars
Learn about Hungary's troubled past at the House of Terrors
Explore the city on a free walking tour
Relax at the spa in the Corinthia Hotel
Visit Dohany Street Synangogue - the largest in Europe
Budapest viewpoint

Matthias Church

Budapest

Hungarian Parliament

What to Expect in Budapest

Currency – Hungarian Forint.

Best Time To Visit – Budapest is fantastic all-year round but for the best weather and without the crowds we would recommend visiting between April and June. That said we last visited in November and the Christmas markets were fantastic.

Accommodation –  Whether you are looking for a life of luxury or a budget weekend base, there are fantastic options in Budapest to suit all budgets. However, our top tip is to keep a look out on Voyage Prive who seem to almost always have an incredible hotel deal in Budapest. On our last visit we booked through Voyage Prive and stayed at the incredible Corinthia Hotel. Our executive room was discounted by 80% which made it incredibly good value. Read our review to find out why we think you would love the Corinthia Hotel too.

Food – One of the best surprises that Budapest has to offer is its fantastic food scene. Every time we have visited we have discovered so many great places to eat with the added bonus that eating out in Budapest is incredibly cheap. It felt like a real luxury to be able to eat out in a nice restaurant and really not pay attention to the prices in the menu! In terms of Hungarian cuisine, expect lots of the hearty, meaty dishes that are typical of Eastern Europe.

Transport – We found the public transport in Budapest to be very easy to use. To get from the airport into the city centre we took the 200E bus from outside the aiport to Nepliget tram station and then a tram into the centre. The transport network is very easy to navigate and you can pick up a bus ticket in Budapest airport once you arrive. Budapest is a very walkable city once you are in the city centre but we did use the tram a few times after a long day exploring. The tram can be especially useful instead of taking the long walk up to Hero’s Square and the Széchenyi Baths.

Hungary - Pest

How much will it cost me – Budapest is cheap – I mean really cheap. Our five night stay at the Corinthia Hotel in Budapest was incredibly reasonable as we received an 80% discount for booking through Voyage Prive. A pint costs around 550Ft or £1.35 and a meal for two in a nice restaurant will set you back around £30-40.

Clock Out Check In’s Top Tips

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Look for deals on Voyage Prive Voyage Prive seems to have a deal on a hotel in Budapest almost permanently. On our last visit we stayed in the incredible Corinthia Hotel and can highly recommend it. Since our last trip Voyage Prive has offered deals at this hotel on a number of occasions so keep an eye out and get yourself a bargain!
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Check out the view at Fisherman's Bastion For the best views of Budapest, take a walk up the hill to Fisherman's Bastion. The terraces which are open to the public are the most picturesque sights in the city and offer a fantastic view over the Danube to the imposing Hungarian parliament.
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Go for a dip at the Széchenyi Baths Now bear with us on this one - when you first step out of the changing rooms at the Széchenyi Baths you will first be a little lost and second be a little scared of all of the locals bathing in the indoor baths. But that is not what you are here for! Find your way to the outdoor thermal baths and take a dip all year round in the most majestic of surroundings. It's a little expensive but definitely worth it!
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Take a walk at night Budapest is a beautiful city at any time of day but we think that it really comes into its own at night. All of the famous sights and monuments are lit up and it is truly breathtaking. Head back over to Fisherman's Bastion for the best view or go on a short river cruise for a different perspective. Avoid the dinner cruises though - they're really not worth it!
Budapest…is in fact almost ludicrously beautiful.
Anthony Bourdain

Ready to start planning?

If you can’t wait to start planning your next trip to Budapest – we don’t blame you! Hungary is one of our favourite destinations so check out these posts for the rest of our top tips on how to make the most of a long weekend in Budapest.

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September 10, 2018

Alex is a solicitor at an international law firm based in London. He has always loved travelling and loves to eat like a local. His favourite destination is Peru where he spent a month travelling in 2009 with World Challenge.

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