Budapest City

First things first: if you've decided to spend a holiday in this wonderful city, you need to book a hotel in Budapest. You can choose from a great many places, but keep in mind some pointers:

1. Your Location

If you want to walk and admire the historical sights, stay in a centrally located hotel, like the Novotel Hotel right on the banks of the Danube, or the Mamaison Hotel, situated on the exquisite Andrássy Avenue, the Champs-Élysées of Budapest.

If, however, you prefer to rent a car and go for day-trips, choose an accommodation more out of the busy down-town, since you could lose precious time on traffic and getting lost. There are some very nice hotels in the Northern district Óbuda, like Hunor Hotel, or Hotel Korona Pension on the hill, behind the Castle district.

2. Transportation

Budapest is the economic and industrial centre of Hungary, so there is a lot of transportation device to choose from. The metró (underground) links most of the city districts, plus it's fast, reliable and cheap. There are also buses, trams and little in-town trains called HÉV, to get you anywhere you like. But before booking, make sure you know what gets you where, and how far is the next station.

3. Your Budget

You might think if on a tight budget, you can't get nice hotels. That's not true, since there are some great ones in the centre and even some children-friendly pensions outside the busy area for a very affordable price. Hotel Rila is in the middle area tourists like to visit, while
Gerand Hotel Touring is ideal for families with children, and accessible both by car and public transportation at a really good money-value ratio.

4. Special Requests

There are some of us who need to have certain caprices satisfied in order to feel comfortable on their stay. If you're one of them, make sure you double check for that special spa or spacious bathroom. But if you really want to make your stay unforgettable, book a room at the floating Botel Lisa Hotel, and let the waves rock you to sleep.

For more information, visit us at book a hotel in Budapest.

Before you arrive to Budapest city, you might want to have a basic plan about all the things you would like to see over there.

Remember, Budapest is a big city, with a lot of great things to do and some marvellous sights you shouldn't miss. But, yes, we hate to break it to you, but it's true: you probably won't have time to visit all the places in Budapest, travel books recommend you should.

So choose your destinations and pick only the events you really want to be part of.
For a little help, check out our list of the top 5 things to do in Budapest.

1. Admire the Duna (Danube)

Budapest's promenade around the Danube river is a breathtaking sight. On one part there is the rocky hill of Buda with its bastions, church towers and the Royal Palace, while on the other side, the more dynamic, eclectic and modern Pest shows off its best buildings. The link between these two worlds is the majestically flowing Duna river, and the hundred years old iron Szécsenyi Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) on its iconic two stone pillars and protective lion statues.

2. Walk Around in the Castle District

Accessible by buses from the Moscow Square or with the funicular from the Chain Bridge, the Castle District is a must. It has some beautiful historical buildings like the Fisherman's Bastion, the Matthias Church or the Royal Palace hosting the National Gallery and the Museum of Military History. Because of its aristocratic atmosphere and spectacular view over the city, there are also top notch hotels like the Hilton, expensive traditional restaurants and souvenir shops.

3. Have a Night Stroll in Pest

Budapest is famous for its exciting night-life, so don't forget to take a look at it under the moonlight and the sparks of street lamps. Just wonder carelessly in down-town Budapest, admire the architecture, the bustle, take in the sights changed under the dominion of the night. For some really unforgettable moments, visit the Andrássy Avenue with the brilliantly lit Opera House on it, walk down to the Heroes Square and have a coffee at the Vörösmarty Square. But remember, if you want to catch Pest in its splendour and your little midnight escapade on snapshots, bring your tripod.

4. Go To a Museum

The City of Budapest is a museum Paradise. There are many kinds of museums for every taste and interest, and nothing helps you understand a city's hidden past more than a museum does. If you're really not an exhibition-visitor person, at least linger around in some public places like the Váci Street or the Great Market Hall next to the Liberty Bridge to get in touch with the atmosphere of the place.

5. Visit the City Park and Have a Go At the Roller Coaster

The City Park is a wonderful idea for a day outside if the sun is out. It has the Heroes Square at the end with two affluent museums (the Museum of Fine Arts and Palace of Art), ponds and lakes with ducks to feed and ice-skate on during winter, large green areas where you can have a picknick or even a short football match with the locals. There is also the Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Grand Circus and the Amusement Park. Trust me, if the weather is reasonably nice, you're gonna have an amazing time over here.

These are just some main ideas, but there are many other events you can attend to. For some more ideas, read our article Budapest, City of Delights. Make a list, and see what fits in your schedule. Don't worry if you can't squeeze everything in, at least you'll have a reason to come back another time.

When you go to a foreign country, you are filled with excitement and daring. This makes you more open to opportunities, so get out of your comfort zone, and try some new things! One of the best ways to experience a different culture is to feast on their traditional food. Also, one of the most delicious ways too. If you want to try out Hungarian food, but you don't know what to order, here is our top 5 foods to try selection.

1. Halászlé (fish-soup)

It is the characteristic taste of Hungarian cuisine, and nowhere else they make it as good as here. It has a rich flavour, a beautiful red colour, and it's very substantial. Made of fish, paprika, tomato and onion, it can be pretty filling, so don't order a big second course after it. Traditionally almost every region has its own type of halászlé, made from their own favourite fish. If it's your first time, though, try the one prepared from catfish, not carp, since it has a less dominant taste.

2. Hortobágyi palacsinta (Pancakes from Hortobágy)

Not as we usually think of pancakes, since these are salted, filled with a delicious and savoury veal stew, seasoned and covered with sour cream. It is a very popular dish, while also decorative and nutrient. Like most traditional cooked food, it's not a particularly light one, so choose a good Hungarian wine for accompanying it, to balance your meal.

3. Gulyás

We couldn't leave out the goulash, as sometimes foreigners call it, because it's the best known Hungarian dish. If you never tasted it, you have to try it out. It basically is a meat and vegetable stew, traditionally made in a cauldron on an open fire. Even nowadays people prepare it in the nature, when on a day-trip or picknick, because it isn't just an easily made tasty dish, but also a centrepiece around which a group can socialize: pealing the onion, cleaning the potato, cutting the meat - these are all tasks to give out which unite a group into a well organized team. But the best job is mixing and seasoning the gulyás, while being the first to taste is a sign of the highest importance.

4. Újházi tyúkhúsleves (Hen-soup à la Újházi) and Jókai bableves (Beans-soup à la Jókai)

Number 4 is a tie between two of Hungary's favourite soups. The hen-soup was voted favourite soup by 77 thousand hungry Hungarians, while it was also immortalized by renown writer Krúdy Gyula in a lyric description about its silky golden surface and mouthwatering smell. Made by hen instead of chicken, it has a much more characteristic taste, while the vegetables provide a healthy substance to it.

The beans-soup was named after famous romantic writer Jókai Mór, who liked this dish very much until the public found it out, and all his friends started preparing it for him whenever they invited him over for dinner. What sets it apart from regular beans-soup is that it's cooked with smoked trotters to ensure its specific piquant relish. Mmmmm, I'm hungry already!

5. Somlói galuska

Finally we had to mention a dessert too, although we could write a whole list of these delicious treats. With an untranslatable name, the Somlói galuska has an indescribably rich taste, so make sure you have one on your trip in Budapest. Traditionally made with three different sponge-cakes, it has walnuts, raisins and chocolate inside, topped with three different creams: delicate vanilla, a savoury rum-cream and a chocolate icing. Served with a sweet Tokaji wine, it's the best ending to a wonderful dinner you'll always remember.

So when you are in Budapest city, make sure you try some of these dishes out, and let us know which was your favourite.

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