Budapest is the capital of Hungary, and one of the world´s most beautiful cities. This city has succeeded in preserving its essence, and being at the same time quickly modernised. Today the Danube, the old Art Nouveau palace and the large boulevards have been joined by gourmet restaurants and stylish bars. History, culture, nightlife and steam baths are some of the many things this amazing city has to offer.

REASONS TO GO

The several bridges over Danube River that connect Buda to Pest.

A city of Cafés, from historic ones to modern cafés, there is a huge variety of places you can go.

The Géllert Spa - the finest Art Nouveau pool in Europe with beautiful and relaxing baths.

TO AVOID

V�ci utca - avoid being victimized by the many tourist traps and scams in this area

ORIENTATION

Budapest is 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, XXII);

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).

River Danube splits the city in two areas: Buda and Pest. Aside from the very centre, the city's structure is quite logical. Landmarks in Buda as the Royal Castle or Citadella Castle also help you to find your way. Besides the Danube itself, the best reference points for orienting yourself are the bridges crossing the river.

The Danube Bridges, especially the Chain Bridge (Sz�chenyi L�nch�d) are really attractive and make it worthy to promenade along the river bank.

BEST TIME TO GO

Budapest has a temperate continental climate. Seasons are usually well defined, with July and August the hottest months (28-30º C, 82-86º F) and December and January the coldest. Spring and autumn months are a good choice. The weather is pleasant and the city is not so crowded with tourists.

HOW TO GET THERE

By plane

Budapest (Ferihegy) International Airport is around 15 km south-east of the city centre and has 2 Terminals.

The shuttle service is available at Budapest Airport by the name Airport Minibusz  (www.airportshuttle.hu). A taxi ride to the centre costs around Euros 25.

Bus 200E takes you to KÅ‘bnya-Kispest Metro 3 station. Buses stop outside the airport terminals. The journey to the metro station takes approximately 26-30 minutes from Terminal 2 or 15-17 minutes from Terminal 1.

If your flight lands at Terminal 1, there is a quick train service from the nearby Ferihegy railway station to Nyugati station in the centre of Budapest (on the Pest side). The journey takes about 25 minutes.

By train

More than fifty trains a day offer direct links between Budapest and other capital cities. Trains to Vienna run every three hours. There is also a popular network of Inter City trains linking Budapest with the main Hungarian centres. International trains operate from the three largest stations- http://www.elvira.hu/

By boat

A hydrofoil services (www.mahartpassnave.hu) operates from April to October connecting the heart of Budapest with Vienna and Bratislava. International boat landings are situated on the Danube between the Chain Bridge (L�nch�d) and the Freedom Bridge (Szabads�g h�d).

TRAVELLING AROUND

Many of Budapest's tourist attractions are easy to visit walking, and in the centre you find many pedestrian zones.

The urban area is well served by three metro lines, blue urban buses, yellow trams and red trolley-buses. However, the schedules are not very reliable, vehicles are not always clean, and tickets are quite expensive.

INFO

www.budapestinfo.hu

www.budapestfunzine.hu