Budapest edit

When in Hungary, don’t fail to explore its capital city, Budapest. It is a huge city that offers various attractions for every tourist. Although it is administratively divided into 23 numbered districts, it can most simply be divided into the two cities of which it is comprised (Buda and Pest) and one historic district:

• Buda – The hilly West side of the Danube (Districts I-III, XI-XII). • Castle Hill – District I of Buda, the oldest part of the city containing the eponymous Castle and many of Budapest’s best-known attractions. • Pest – The flat East side of the Danube, covering the modern commercial core of the city (Districts IV-IX).

What To Do:

Budapest is rich in natural and architectural beauty. No wonder it was nominated as the Best City Break Destination of the British Travel Awards in 2008.

• Try to visit Buda Castle It is a UNESCO World Heritage location, offering many interesting attractions, museums, evocative streets, squares, restaurants and shops.

• Go to Aquincum Museum and Roman Ruins These two thousand year-old ruins are remains of the Roman town of Aquincum, and include an impressive ruin of the amphitheatre. The contents of the museum include murals, mosaic floors, a reconstructed water organ and more.

• Listen to their music Budapest is still one of the major music centers in Europe. Concerts are held in the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, in the Pesti Vigadó and in the Erkel Theatre.

• Experience their thermal and medicinal spas Take a dip in Széchenyi Baths found in the City Park.

Where To Eat:

Sample a bowl of one of their famous soups – fish soup (halászlé), Jókai bean soup (Jókai bableves) and Újházi chicken soup (Újházi tyúkhúsleves). Another Hungarian classic is stuffed cabbage with sausage a lá Kolozsvár. Check out the following eateries:

• Új Sípos Halászkert – Address: Budapest III. Fő tér 6. • Margitkert -Address: Budapest II. Margit utca 15. • Vegetarium -Address: Budapest V: Cukor utca 3.

Where To Stay:

The most expensive accommodations are on or near Castle Hill, while backpacker hostels are mostly across the river in the suburbs of Pest. Apartments may be a cheap alternative for those making extended stays. Stay in one of the following places:

• Adina Apartment Hotel Budapest – 133 Budapest, Hegedűs Gyula utca 52-54 • Aquarium Youth Hostel – VII. Alsserdssor u. 12 • Budai Hotel - XII. Rácz Aladár u. 45-47

How to get there:

Budapest is connected with the major European cities and most of the EU countries by direct flights. There is scheduled service between Budapest and North America. The city is also connected with some countries of the Middle East, Asia and North Africa