Budapest, Hungary — Activities
Budapest Culture
Budapest has a grand history in music, ranging from virtuoso pianist Franz Liszt (whose playing frequently induced the ladies to swoon but who was not, in fact, Hungarian) to the operas of Ferenc Erkel, and folk songs of Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály.
Listings in English are provided in The Budapest Sun (www.budapestsun.com) but for more comprehensive coverage, in Hungarian, consult the weekly freebies PestiEst (www.est.hu) and Exit (www.exit.hu), or Pesti Műsor (www.pestimusor.hu). You can buy tickets for most cultural and sporting events from TEX Ticket Express, I Déli pályaudvar, VI Andrássy út 18, and other locations, or order online at www.tex.hu.
Music
Bartók Memorial House
Friday evening chamber concerts, given by Hungary's best musicians, are performed in Bartók Memorial House, the former residence of the great composer and now a museum in his honor. In the early 20th century, Béla Bartók (1881-1945) and Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967) scoured the country to capture its vanishing folk songs. Their work has enriched today's vibrant Hungarian music scene.
II Csalán utca 29
Tel: (01) 394 2100.
Website: www.bartokmuseum.hu
Palace of Arts
The Palace of Arts is Budapest's latest cultural center. It features two concert venues: the Bartók National Concert Hall seats 1,700 while the smaller Festival Theater has a capacity of 452.
IX Komor Marcell utca 1
Tel: (01) 555 3300.
Website: www.mupa.hu
Zeneakadémia
Zeneakadémia is Hungary's most attractive music venue and also houses the Ferenc (Franz) Liszt Music Academy - tickets are difficult to get, with most events being sold out many days in advance.
VI Liszt Ferenc tér 8
Tel: (01) 462 4600.
Website: www.zeneakademia.hu
Theater
Katona József Szinház
Katona József Szinház is reputed to show the best Hungarian theater.
V Petofi Sandor utca 6
Tel: (01) 318 6599.
Website: http://katona.szinhaz.hu
Nemzeti Szinhaz
The Nemzeti Szinhaz (National Theater) is the city's largest center for theater. It stages mainly domestic and international musicals and dramas.
XI Bajor Gizi Park 1
Tel: (01) 476 6868.
Website: www.nemzetiszinhaz.hu
Dance
Buda Concert Hall
The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble perform at the Buda Concert Hall and put on professional performances of traditional dancing and music.
I Corvin tér 8
Tel: (01) 317 2754.
Website: www.hungariakoncert.hu
Trafó House of Contemporary Arts
Fans of modern dance can catch performances at the Trafó House of Contemporary Arts.
IX Liliom utca 41
Tel: (01) 456 2040.
Website: www.trafo.hu
Budapest Tours
Walking tours
Absolute Tours offers a selection of daily walking tours, for which reservations are not usually necessary. These take around three hours and cover Budapest's major sights. Themed tours include the 'Hammer and Sickle Tour', 'Night Tour' and more.
Tel: (30) 211 8861.
Website: www.absolutetours.com
Bus tours
Budatours is one of many bus tour operators in the city. City tours typically last for two hours and depart from V Andrássy út 3. Hungary Program Centrum also offers two-hour tours of the city, including specialized tours taking in Budapest's Jewish sites. Buses normally depart from V Erzsébet tér.
Budatours
Tel: (01) 374 7050.
Website: www.budatours.hu
Hungary Program Centrum
Tel: (01) 317 7767.
Website: www.programcentrum.hu
Boat tours
Legenda offers a one-hour boat tour with an optional one-hour walking tour of Margaret Island. Mahart PassNave also has tours along the Danube from early May to mid September. Boats depart from the Vigadó tér pier.
Legenda
Tel: (01) 317 2203.
Website: www.legenda.hu
Mahart PassNave
Tel: (01) 484 4013.
Website: www.mahartpassnave.hu
Other tours
Yellow Zebra Bikes provides cycle tours of the city's big sites from April to October. It also has bikes for hire.
Tel: (01) 266 8777.
Website: www.yellowzebrabikes.com
