Guidebook for Budapest
Shopping
Just a few minutes from the flat there is Budapest most famous indoor market. You can buy here souvenirs, foods and fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses and pastries.
The building also has some architectural significance. The metal roof structure is still the original, and the roof is covered with decorative Zsolnay tiles. There are four other markets like this in Budapest, which were all built in the same style and all five buildings opened on the same day, on February 15th 1897.
Because of its location and size was chosen to be the ‘central’ market hall by the city as opposed to the other markets ranked as ‘district’ markets. When it opened ships sailed right into the building.
1242 locals recommend
Central Market Hall
1-3 Vámház krt.Just a few minutes from the flat there is Budapest most famous indoor market. You can buy here souvenirs, foods and fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses and pastries.
The building also has some architectural significance. The metal roof structure is still the original, and the roof is covered with decorative Zsolnay tiles. There are four other markets like this in Budapest, which were all built in the same style and all five buildings opened on the same day, on February 15th 1897.
Because of its location and size was chosen to be the ‘central’ market hall by the city as opposed to the other markets ranked as ‘district’ markets. When it opened ships sailed right into the building.
Váci Street, located in the city center and designated as a pedestrian precinct, runs from Vámház körút (in front of the Central Market Hall to Vörösmarty Square. The northern part is the busy and fashionable shopping street everyone refers to as Váci Street, while the southern part is lined with restaurants and over-prized souvenir shops.
Start your walk at the Central Market Hall and you will end it with a totally different experience at the famous Gerbeaud Café on Vörösmarty Square. If you are a fan of Art Nouveau, be sure to check out the Philanthia flower shop at No. 9.
800 locals recommend
Vaci Street
Váci utcaVáci Street, located in the city center and designated as a pedestrian precinct, runs from Vámház körút (in front of the Central Market Hall to Vörösmarty Square. The northern part is the busy and fashionable shopping street everyone refers to as Váci Street, while the southern part is lined with restaurants and over-prized souvenir shops.
Start your walk at the Central Market Hall and you will end it with a totally different experience at the famous Gerbeaud Café on Vörösmarty Square. If you are a fan of Art Nouveau, be sure to check out the Philanthia flower shop at No. 9.
Getting Around
Tram number two goes on one of the most scenic route in Budapest (on Pest side) alongside the River. You can see the Parliament, the Castle, the Matthias Church, the Citadelle and reach easily to the Margaret Island. (You must validate a ticket - just 350 HUF - on the tram or have a pass if you want to us the public transport.)
24 locals recommend
Fővám tér
Tram number two goes on one of the most scenic route in Budapest (on Pest side) alongside the River. You can see the Parliament, the Castle, the Matthias Church, the Citadelle and reach easily to the Margaret Island. (You must validate a ticket - just 350 HUF - on the tram or have a pass if you want to us the public transport.)
The Budapest Bike (BUBI) network spreads across Budapest is handy for getting around, and costs little for short periods. You can rent 4 bike with one registraton, which lasts for 1/3/7 days. Just follow the english instructions of the machine, that will buy you a cheap ticket and allow the system to block on your bank account a large amount of deposit (25,000 HUF per bike.) At the end of the ticket period this block will be released. Get your smart phone handy, when the authorisation is complete, and payment has been blocked on your bank card, then a message will be sent by SMS and email immediately. In the message is your telephone number and your pin. Whit these you can unlock your bike.
38 locals recommend
MOL Bubi
The Budapest Bike (BUBI) network spreads across Budapest is handy for getting around, and costs little for short periods. You can rent 4 bike with one registraton, which lasts for 1/3/7 days. Just follow the english instructions of the machine, that will buy you a cheap ticket and allow the system to block on your bank account a large amount of deposit (25,000 HUF per bike.) At the end of the ticket period this block will be released. Get your smart phone handy, when the authorisation is complete, and payment has been blocked on your bank card, then a message will be sent by SMS and email immediately. In the message is your telephone number and your pin. Whit these you can unlock your bike.
You can rent a bike from anywhere with an app for at least one day. For this download the app for free first, than pick-up location, tap “Unlock” and the app will open the bike’s electronic lock. You need to return the rental bike to the exact location where you found it. Lock it and end your rental with the app. Easy way and good price if you want to discover the city riding a bike. It fits for longer period of rental.
Donkey Republic - 24/7 Bike Rental
24 Attila útYou can rent a bike from anywhere with an app for at least one day. For this download the app for free first, than pick-up location, tap “Unlock” and the app will open the bike’s electronic lock. You need to return the rental bike to the exact location where you found it. Lock it and end your rental with the app. Easy way and good price if you want to discover the city riding a bike. It fits for longer period of rental.
Essentials
Tesco
20 Rákóczi útOpen: 6 am - 22 pm every day of the week.
Food Scene
Budapest famous food street has every kind of restaurants, bars, cafés and galleries. Ráday Street (Ráday utca) has a special character, is often referred to as ‘Budapest Soho’.
Ráday Street also has plenty of beautiful buildings. One of these is the Ráday Library, located at Ráday utca 28. It was founded in the 18th century by landowner Gedeon Ráday, the person the street was named after.
Budapest's first restaurant to receive a Michelin Star, Costes, is also located on Ráday Street.
194 locals recommend
Ráday Street
Ráday utcaBudapest famous food street has every kind of restaurants, bars, cafés and galleries. Ráday Street (Ráday utca) has a special character, is often referred to as ‘Budapest Soho’.
Ráday Street also has plenty of beautiful buildings. One of these is the Ráday Library, located at Ráday utca 28. It was founded in the 18th century by landowner Gedeon Ráday, the person the street was named after.
Budapest's first restaurant to receive a Michelin Star, Costes, is also located on Ráday Street.
This café/bakery specializes in Kürtőskalács, a sweet, golden brown, spiral-shaped pastry that is mostly sold in Hungary at festivals and markets. The recipe comes from Transylvania, where they who used to bake Kürtőskalács for festive occasions, like weddings, christenings and Christmas. Mastering the kürtőskalács-baking-technique requires some special tools, including custom-made wooden pins, so it's not a pastry you would bake at home. At Molnár’s you can watch the entire baking process at their onsite bakery, where the pastry is always made fresh.
Kürtőskalács is a must-try delicacy when in Hungary. You can have it plain or rolled into various toppings, my favourite is the cinnamon one.
13 locals recommend
Molnár's kürtőskalács
31 Váci utcaThis café/bakery specializes in Kürtőskalács, a sweet, golden brown, spiral-shaped pastry that is mostly sold in Hungary at festivals and markets. The recipe comes from Transylvania, where they who used to bake Kürtőskalács for festive occasions, like weddings, christenings and Christmas. Mastering the kürtőskalács-baking-technique requires some special tools, including custom-made wooden pins, so it's not a pastry you would bake at home. At Molnár’s you can watch the entire baking process at their onsite bakery, where the pastry is always made fresh.
Kürtőskalács is a must-try delicacy when in Hungary. You can have it plain or rolled into various toppings, my favourite is the cinnamon one.
Soup in paper cups to go. This small place has 4-6 different kinds of soups every day chosen from the total selection of 30-35. The recipes come from all corners of the world and they are modified, too. Apart from toppings, you can order baguettes with your soup, as well.
Interesting flavours and a quick stop during you sightseeing.
51 locals recommend
Leves Gyorsétterem
14 Vámház krt.Soup in paper cups to go. This small place has 4-6 different kinds of soups every day chosen from the total selection of 30-35. The recipes come from all corners of the world and they are modified, too. Apart from toppings, you can order baguettes with your soup, as well.
Interesting flavours and a quick stop during you sightseeing.
Sightseeing
Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) is the largest and most impressive square of the city. The Millennium Monument in the middle of the square was erected to commemorate the 1000-year-old history of the Magyars. Archangel Gabriel stands on top of the center pillar, holding the holy crown and the double cross of Christianity. The seven chieftains who led the Magyar tribes to Hungary can be seen on the stand below. Statues of kings and other important historical figures stand on top of the colonnades on either side of the center pillar.
If you have the time, visit Heroes' Square at least twice: both during the day and at night. Combine it with a stroll along Andrassy Avenue or a visit to City Park.
942 locals recommend
Heroes' Square
Hősök tereHeroes' Square (Hősök tere) is the largest and most impressive square of the city. The Millennium Monument in the middle of the square was erected to commemorate the 1000-year-old history of the Magyars. Archangel Gabriel stands on top of the center pillar, holding the holy crown and the double cross of Christianity. The seven chieftains who led the Magyar tribes to Hungary can be seen on the stand below. Statues of kings and other important historical figures stand on top of the colonnades on either side of the center pillar.
If you have the time, visit Heroes' Square at least twice: both during the day and at night. Combine it with a stroll along Andrassy Avenue or a visit to City Park.
Vörösmarty Square is a popular square in the heart of Budapest, located at the northern end of Váci Street. It was named after the renowned Hungarian poet Mihály Vörösmarty, whose statue can be seen in the middle of the square. This is where the Millennium Underground begins and this is where every year the Christmas Market is held.
358 locals recommend
Vörösmarty Square
3 Vörösmarty térVörösmarty Square is a popular square in the heart of Budapest, located at the northern end of Váci Street. It was named after the renowned Hungarian poet Mihály Vörösmarty, whose statue can be seen in the middle of the square. This is where the Millennium Underground begins and this is where every year the Christmas Market is held.
The Parliament building, a magnificent example of Neo-Gothic architecture (although displaying Renaissance and Baroque characters too), is just over 100 years old. The Budapest Parliament building is the third largest Parliament building in the world and the largest in Europe.
Guided tours of the Parliament are available when the National Assembly is not in session. The tour takes about 45 minutes, it covers the main entrance stairs and hall, one of the lobbies, the old House of Lords and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Tours are held in several languages.
Some of the best views of the Parliament are from the Danube or from across the river, especially from Batthyány Square.
1905 locals recommend
Hungarian Parliament Building
1-3 Kossuth Lajos térThe Parliament building, a magnificent example of Neo-Gothic architecture (although displaying Renaissance and Baroque characters too), is just over 100 years old. The Budapest Parliament building is the third largest Parliament building in the world and the largest in Europe.
Guided tours of the Parliament are available when the National Assembly is not in session. The tour takes about 45 minutes, it covers the main entrance stairs and hall, one of the lobbies, the old House of Lords and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Tours are held in several languages.
Some of the best views of the Parliament are from the Danube or from across the river, especially from Batthyány Square.
The Great Synagogue in Dohány Street (also known as Dohány Street Synagogue) is the largest Synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world, capable of accommodating 3,000 people.
During the inter-war years the Great Synagogue served as a stable and as a radio communication center for the Germans. Today, the compound serves as the main center for the Jewish community.
The buildings and the courtyards of the Synagogue include the Jewish Museum, the Heroes' Temple, the Jewish Cemetery and the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park.
1302 locals recommend
Dohány Street Synagogue
2 Dohány u.The Great Synagogue in Dohány Street (also known as Dohány Street Synagogue) is the largest Synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world, capable of accommodating 3,000 people.
During the inter-war years the Great Synagogue served as a stable and as a radio communication center for the Germans. Today, the compound serves as the main center for the Jewish community.
The buildings and the courtyards of the Synagogue include the Jewish Museum, the Heroes' Temple, the Jewish Cemetery and the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park.
St. Stephen’s Basilica (also known as Budapest Chatedral) is the largest church in Budapest. The dome is 96 meters high, the exact same height as the Budapest Parliament Building.
The patron saint of the church is St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary. His mummified right hand is kept in a glass case in the chapel to the left of the main altar.
For beautiful, panoramic views of Budapest walk up the stairs (364 steps) or take the elevators up to the dome's observation deck (open April 1st through Oct 31st).
From Advent to New Year the square in front of the Basilica gives home to a charming Christmas fair.
1262 locals recommend
St. Stephen's Basilica
1 Szent István térSt. Stephen’s Basilica (also known as Budapest Chatedral) is the largest church in Budapest. The dome is 96 meters high, the exact same height as the Budapest Parliament Building.
The patron saint of the church is St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary. His mummified right hand is kept in a glass case in the chapel to the left of the main altar.
For beautiful, panoramic views of Budapest walk up the stairs (364 steps) or take the elevators up to the dome's observation deck (open April 1st through Oct 31st).
From Advent to New Year the square in front of the Basilica gives home to a charming Christmas fair.
Parks & Nature
The hill was named after bishop Gellért (Gerard), who was thrown to death from the hill by pagans in the fight against Christianity in 1046. There is a colonnade and the statue of St. Gellért commemorate the bishop.
Since 1987, Gellért Hill has been listed as a world heritage site.
Statue of Liberty (Szabadság Szobor) - Budapest's Statue of Liberty stands on top of the hill, and she can be seen from all parts of the city.
Gellért Hill Cave Church (Sziklatemplom) - A network of caves exists within Gellért Hill, built in the 1920s. Today it continues to serve as a church, but its unique setting also makes it a favorite tourist attraction.
430 locals recommend
Gellert Hill
The hill was named after bishop Gellért (Gerard), who was thrown to death from the hill by pagans in the fight against Christianity in 1046. There is a colonnade and the statue of St. Gellért commemorate the bishop.
Since 1987, Gellért Hill has been listed as a world heritage site.
Statue of Liberty (Szabadság Szobor) - Budapest's Statue of Liberty stands on top of the hill, and she can be seen from all parts of the city.
Gellért Hill Cave Church (Sziklatemplom) - A network of caves exists within Gellért Hill, built in the 1920s. Today it continues to serve as a church, but its unique setting also makes it a favorite tourist attraction.
City Park is the largest park in Budapest. The first trees and walkways were established here in 1751. In 1896 the Millennium Celebrations took place here, leaving many attractions behind. Vajdahunyad Castle, a replica of a Transylvanian castle of that name, was built to show the various architectural styles found in Hungary, and has Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque parts.
The castle is surrounded by an artificial lake that's used for boating in the summer and turns into an impressive ice skating ring in the winter, which is a local favorite.
The Budapest Zoo, the Municipal Circus, the legendary Gundel Restaurant and the famous Széchenyi Baths are also located within City Park.
1163 locals recommend
City Park
City Park is the largest park in Budapest. The first trees and walkways were established here in 1751. In 1896 the Millennium Celebrations took place here, leaving many attractions behind. Vajdahunyad Castle, a replica of a Transylvanian castle of that name, was built to show the various architectural styles found in Hungary, and has Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque parts.
The castle is surrounded by an artificial lake that's used for boating in the summer and turns into an impressive ice skating ring in the winter, which is a local favorite.
The Budapest Zoo, the Municipal Circus, the legendary Gundel Restaurant and the famous Széchenyi Baths are also located within City Park.
Drinks & Nightlife
Szimpla Kert is one of the oldest "ruin pubs" in Budapest, and a popular hangout for students and art types. Szimpla offers concerts, movie nights, a computer room, a great collection of old furniture, reasonable prices, and a laid-back atmosphere. Most people come here to have a beer. A good bet almost any night.
'Ruin pubs' (romkocsma), consume formerly abandoned buildings in the city, and are very popular hot spots.
Every Sunday, Szimpla hosts one of the city's best farmer's markets. If you are passionate about markets and local produce be sure to put the Szimpla Kert Farmer's Market on your Budapest to-do list
1582 locals recommend
Szimpla Kert
14 Kazinczy u.Szimpla Kert is one of the oldest "ruin pubs" in Budapest, and a popular hangout for students and art types. Szimpla offers concerts, movie nights, a computer room, a great collection of old furniture, reasonable prices, and a laid-back atmosphere. Most people come here to have a beer. A good bet almost any night.
'Ruin pubs' (romkocsma), consume formerly abandoned buildings in the city, and are very popular hot spots.
Every Sunday, Szimpla hosts one of the city's best farmer's markets. If you are passionate about markets and local produce be sure to put the Szimpla Kert Farmer's Market on your Budapest to-do list