Budapest, Hungary — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Budapest
Budapest's rich and diverse history makes for some exciting sightseeing opportunities and visitors will enjoy exploring this magnificent city and find locals very hospitable. From monuments to museums and palaces, Budapest has a wide variety of sights to keep any tourist busy. Stroll through Memento Park, one of the city's strangest attractions, which features giant statues which lined the city's streets during the Communist era, or marvel at the Royal Palace, which dates back to the 13th Century. Visit the Parliament Buildings along the banks of the Danube River and walk along the Chain Bride, Budapest's first bridge over the Danube. Visitors will do well to purchase the Budapest Tourist Card, which allows them unlimited travel on public transport, free or discounted entry into 60 museums and special sights, reductions on sightseeing tours, discounts on restaurants, spas and car rentals, and is valid for either 48 or 72 hours. The card can be bought from main metro ticket offices, tourist offices, travel agencies, hotels or the airport for HUF 6,300 for 48 hours or HUF 7,500 for 72 hours.
Shopping in Budapest
Shopping in Budapest is fun and varied experience. Must-buys in Budapest include Hungarian folk-art souvenirs such as embroidered goods, Herend porcelain, Tokaji wine and túró cheese. The main Budapest shopping areas are in the city center and the lanes surrounding Pest's Váci utca. There are many trendy designer outlets to be found on Andrássy Avenue in Pest, while the Castle District and Gellért Hill are home to some great specialty, souvenir and craft shops.
Herend porcelain can be found in Zsolany, V Kigó utca 4 and Herend, I Szentháromság utca 5, while bargain hunters should head to the three-story Nagy Vásárcsarnok (Great Market Hall) in IX Fovám tér, which is more than 100 years old. Budapest also has a chain of stores called the BAV stores. These shops are pawn shops, run by the state. The largest BAV store can be found on V Bécsi utca 1 and stocks some great gems and souveniers amoungst all the junk.
Budapest boasts a good selection of shopping malls hosting brand-name and fashion retailers; try West End City Center and Duna Plaza in Pest for brands like Levis, Kookai and Nike. There are cheaper, high-street shops along Nagykörút (Great Boulevard) and bargains can also be found in the Budapest markets, especially the Central Market, Ecseri flea market and Hunyadi tér market.
Unless there is a national holiday, most shops are open all day during the week, and till lunch on Saturday. Large supermarkets tend to have longer opening hours and are also open on Sunday, while some outlets such as Tesco, and city center convenience stores, are open 24 hours. VAT is included in the price of most goods; with the correct documents and receipts (reciept of purchase; seperate receipt indicating the VAT amount on the purchase; VAT reclaim form), refunds are available for purchases exceeding EUR200.
Budapest Nightlife
Nightlife options in Budapest abound, from music lounges and jazz venues to trendy bars and nightclubs. New clubs open up throughout the city all the time, particularly in the areas around IX Raday utca and VII Liszt Ferenc tér. There are a number of drink and party venues in the city with the busiest areas being districts 5, 6 and 9. There is not usually an entry fee at the door but some places will charge between EUR2 and EUR4 if there is an international DJ or live performance scheduled.
Popular Budapest bars include Becketts, an authentic Irish pub, and Crazy Café, which claims to have the longest drinks menu in Hungary. Other good venues include the Trocadero Café, for Latin music, and the Vera Jazz Café. Fat Mo's Music Club is also a great party place, often hosting live music performances and reminiscent of a 1930s American speakeasy.
For the high rollers in Budapest, there are a number of casinos to enjoy in the luxury hotels between the Elizabeth and Chain bridges on Dunakorzó. Late night partying can also be done at a number of trendy Budapest clubs such as the Barokko Club & Lounge, Livingroom, Wigwam Rock Club and Inside. To find out more about events happening while you are in Budapest check the nightlife listings in the city's English-language paper The Budapest Sun.
Attractions for Kids
Hungary is a wonderful family destination, particularly Budapest. Not only does the country offer a plethora of sightseeing attractions, but there are also a number of places that kids will enjoy. Vidam amusement park with it's 100-year old merry-go-round, the Great Circus complete with clowns and acrobats and the Budapest Puppet Theater should all be on your list of things to do in Hungary.
