 At a glance
With its multifarious and often embittered history, incredible architecture and rich cultural heritage, Hungary's capital deserves its reputation as the 'Paris of Central Europe'. It has a complex identity, somewhere between Western luxury and simple traditions.
The city straddles a gentle curve in the Danube. It has broad avenues, leafy parks and elaborate bathhouses. It also has a turn-of-the-century feel to it, for it was then - during the industrial boom and the capital's heyday - that most of the city was built.
When To Go
Budapest averages 2000 hours of sunshine a year, among the highest in Europe, providing many opportunities to visit Budapest in reasonably fine weather and avoid the madness and expense of Europe's high season. Both spring and autumn are glorious in Budapest, with plenty to see and do, and the winter cold doesn't really hit until mid-December when many museums and tourist sights close. Often, even in winter there are spectacular blue skies. During Budapest's (usually) very long and very hot summer, what are called kertek, literally 'gardens' but in Budapest any outdoor spot that has been converted into an entertainment zone, have been emptying out even the most popular indoor bars and clubs since 1999.
Places to See
Budapest's highlights include a cruise along the Danube, strolling along the riverfront or across romantic bridges, browsing through antique bookshops and jewellery stores, or 'taking the waters' at one of the city's many Turkish-style baths. The city is well laid-out, rarely confusing, and ideal for walking.
Places to Eat
Budapest's grand culinary tradition stretches back to the nineteenth century. Though there's no shortage of Hungarian cuisine on offer in the city - a meat- and spice-heavy style - there's plenty of other choices to tempt palates used to lighter flavours.
Night Time Venues
For a city of its size, Budapest has a huge choice of things to do and places to go after dark - from opera and folk dancing to jazz and meat-market clubs. It's almost never difficult getting tickets or getting in; the hard part is deciding what to do.
Places to Shop
New and old exist side by side in Budapest. Open-air markets selling farm produce stand side by side with mammoth shopping malls that set new standards in variety. There's a plethora of traditional products on offer, from folk embroidery to porcelain, goose feather duvets to Pick-brand salami.
Tipping
Hungary is a very tip-conscious society and virtually everyone in Budapest routinely tips waiters, hairdressers and taxi drivers. Doctors and dentists accept 'gratitude money', and even petrol station and thermal spa attendants expect something. If you were less than impressed with the service at the restaurant, the joyride in the taxi, or the way someone cut your hair, leave next to nothing or nothing at all. He or she will get the message loud and clear. The way you tip in restaurants is unusual. You never leave the money on the table - this is considered both rude and stupid in Hungary - but tell the waiter how much you're paying in total, or how much change you expect to be returned to you. Some restaurants add a service to the bill automatically, making a tip unnecessary.
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