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Budapest from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Budapest.

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Once, in immemorial legendary times, on the banks of the majestic Danube, carrying its green waters through half of Europe, two settlements appeared, each of which was located on the opposite bank from each other. One of the shores was higher, and a village called Buda arose there, and cozy Pest was located on the gently sloping shore. After some time, both cities merged into one - called Budapest. To say that Budapest is the real "pearl" of Europe and its most beautiful capital is to say absolutely nothing. The ancient baroque quarters, luxurious theaters and palaces, which have preserved in their bronze, green domes, the spirit of the empire, the ancient fortifications of Buda, monuments to the great Hungarian kings and holy enlighteners of the Magyar land, of course, majestic building Parliament, beautiful at any time of the day or night.

This is not all that the Hungarian capital is rich in. It is impossible to deny yourself the pleasure, so that at the height of the day or in a quiet evening you do not sit down at the table of a cozy restaurant and taste wonderful goulash and drink a glass or two of Tokay. You can not ignore the famous baths, which Budapest is famous for throughout Europe. It is difficult to list all the sights of this city, so it is better to come and see everything with your own eyes. We can say with certainty about Budapest - this point on the map is a must-see.

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Districts of Budapest

The main thing is that everyone who arrives immediately learns about the geography of the Hungarian capital - the Danube divides it into two parts. Hilly Buda remains on the western shore, and Pest stands proudly on the eastern shore, without the need for elevations. The city is divided into 23 districts. Buda includes districts I, II, III, XI, XII, XXII. Almost the entire region III is the territory of Obuda ("Old Buda"). At the end of the 19th century, three cities, Buda, Obuda and Pest, were merged into one Budapest.

Buda: securely hides antiquity in the shade of trees and the brilliance of restorations

District I (Castle District) is the smallest on the territory of Buda, but it is here that the Buda Castle is located. Everything points to the fact that we will see some kind of medieval castle and ... no. Castles, of course, were built more than once, because Buda was built from the 14th century, but little remains of them: the fortress walls were rebuilt, the Matyasha Cathedral changed its appearance for 700 years, and the Royal Palace (never was a royal residence) from a small palace mid-18th century became grand building beginning 20.

Along the Danube, under the fortress and to the north, the Vizivaros region stretches (regions I, II and III). Art Nouveau fountains (early 20th century), medieval baths "Kiraly" and "Lukács", interesting architectural solutions, including cathedrals, founded in the Middle Ages. Stalagmite cave Pal-Voldi, the most visited among all the underground labyrinths of Budapest, is located here.

Mount Gellert, located south of the castle hill, competes with the much more remote Mount Janos for the title of the best view point in the city. At its foot, since 1918, the Art Nouveau hotel of the same name has been welcoming guests; its Gellert baths are famous far beyond the borders of Hungary.

District III (Obuda). This is a quiet area where the sights coexist perfectly with the sleeping quarters and panel houses. The most remote of all tourist centers in Budapest; considered to be the most ancient. If only because here we will find the ruins of Aquincum, a city that was part of one of the outlying provinces of the Roman Empire. Two amphitheatres have been preserved. Other places are already related to the history of Obuda: Szentlélek tér square and the Zichy family palace, Fyo square (Fő tér) with the city hall building and sculptures by the Hungarian Imre Varga.

According to the locals, the whole of Buda can be easily walked around. A walk from Buda Hill to the central squares in Obuda will take 2-2.5 hours.

Pest: grandiose buildings and avenue geometry

One of the reasons for the disputes between Buda and Pest is where is it better to start exploring the city - from Buda Hill or from old Pest? Let this be a rhetorical question.

So across the river from castle complex the Belváros district, the core of the old city, is spread out, the first surviving buildings in which date back to the 12th century (such as the parish church). Right on the square in front of the church, the ruins of a small fort from the time of the Roman Empire are mothballed. The embankment was rebuilt for walking - it is customary to admire Buda from here.

In Belvaros, as well as throughout central Pest, there are many monuments to prominent Hungarians - this is a kind of national showcase of the formation of statehood. From here, from Vörösmarty Square, the Vaci pedestrian street begins (may the flow of tourists not dry up on it day or night). And the majestic buildings of the city council and the university library are not so far from the no less majestic Central Market.

Belvaros smoothly flows into Liptovaros (the first area that once began to be built outside the walls of Pest). Here the sovereign scope is felt more strongly. What is worth only one building of the Hungarian Parliament, so huge, 268 meters long and 96 meters high, that tourists prefer to photograph it from West Bank. The square in front of the Parliament is again full of monuments, and on public holidays it gathers parades. Barely inferior to him in size, perhaps, the main Hungarian temple - St. Stephen's Basilica (not a museum, so admission is free). Both buildings were built at the beginning of the 20th century.

Liptovaros is famous for its bridges: in the middle of the 19th century, the Chain Bridge (named after Szechenyi) became the first permanent crossing between the two banks, and the Princess Margaret Bridge built after it broke the record for the number of rebuildings and reconstructions.

Both Belváros and Liptovaros are located in the administrative district V, the smallest district of Pest, which gives an idea of ​​the actual size of this part of the city. The territories of the districts grow as they approach the outskirts.

The main street of District VI (Terezváros) is the straight and wide Andrássy Avenue. hackneyed comparison with Champs Elysees sounds silly, but this is one of the most popular streets in Budapest, built up with palaces and mansions from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The avenue ends in area XIV, where the Heroes' Square and the City Park are located (the largest in Europe and the most popular Széchenyi baths among tourists, as well as an eclectic complex of buildings in different architectural styles that are found on the territory of the country - among the people of Vaidahunyadvar). Neighboring District VII is notable not only for its proximity to the old center and Art Nouveau buildings, but also for the Jewish quarter of Erzsébetváros (buildings built at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries). The Great Synagogue on Dohany Street, which can accommodate up to 3,000 people, is still one of the largest in Europe.

Jozsefvaros (district VIII), outlined by Rakoczi Avenue from the north, is interesting for the oldest, opened in 1847, the cemetery "Kerepesi". In the same area and in the same year, the National Museum, the first museum in the history of Hungary, was opened. The baroque building of the St. Roch Hospital appeared 6 years earlier. Two blocks away, you can walk along the narrow street of Pushkin.

The territory of the city is 7 more islands on the Danube, including, in fact, the Palotai Peninsula. Margaret Island, in the center of the capital, is part of District XIII and has been completely turned into a recreation park (mostly active), has several thermal springs. It is not possible to drive here by private car. The largest island, Csepel, stretches for 48 km in length and belongs to Budapest only with its northern tip.

Tourist safety in Budapest

The crime situation in Budapest is by no means worse than in other large European cities. Most often, guests of the capital become victims of scammers, pickpockets and car burglars.

Transport

The role of public transport in Budapest is the metro, trams, trolleybuses and buses, as well as taxis. Tickets can be bought at the entrance to the metro, at newsstands and orange ticket machines located on the street near transport stops. A single ticket costs 350 HUF, a single ticket with the possibility of transfer - 530 HUF, a subscription for 24 hours will cost 1650 HUF, for 72 hours - 4150 HUF. Buying a single ticket already in transport will cost 100 HUF more.

Three metro lines intersect in the city center at Deak Square (Deak ter). Trains run every 2-15 minutes, depending on the time of day. Opening hours from 4:30 to 23:00, after 23:00 you can get to the hotel by night buses, which are marked with the letter "E" in the schedule. In total, there are about 200 bus routes in Budapest, there are even express buses with red numbers, which (you should be careful!) do not stop everywhere. To get off the bus, you need to press a special button above the door.

In addition, more than 30 tram routes have been laid in the capital, which run every 5-10 minutes.

An important point: all stations of the Budapest metro have separate platforms for trains traveling in different directions, with separate entrances, usually located on different sides of the street. It is impossible to go from one side of the station to the other in the metro itself: you have to go upstairs, cross the road, go down and pay the fare again.

We read about modes of transportation that are unexpected for many cities in the world, but not for the Hungarian capital, on the page "Public transport in Budapest".

Taxi

Cars have a TAXI sign and a yellow number plate, the fares are posted on the door glass or on the dashboard. Landing - 300 HUF during the day, 420 HUF - at night; 1 km - 240 HUF during the day, 336 HUF - at night; a minute of waiting - 60-84 HUF respectively. At the request of the client, the driver is obliged to provide an invoice. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Rent a Car

At first glance, being "on horseback" in a car in Budapest is not a very good idea. Parking in the city center is paid, the traffic is dense, there are many pedestrian zones. However, any motorist will object to you that for the sake of freedom of movement (it is easy to get to Obuda, suburbs, see local attractions, and not just those concentrated in the old center), “he will survive this trouble.”

The farther from the old town your hotel is, the more likely that there is free public or private parking. At hotels in the center, parking, as a rule, is paid even for customers. It is cheaper to find a city parking somewhere nearby and leave the car there for a day, saving up to 50%.

The city has a network of municipal parking lots P + R (Parking and ride), designed for 4 thousand cars. parking spaces(about 30 parking zones organized near metro stations or tram stops). Most zones are free for a few hours.

Parking lots are equipped with automatic machines; on weekends, public parking is not charged (on Saturday they can be paid from 8:00 to 12:00), on weekdays - paid hours from 8:00 to 18:00. You should carefully read the information at the machine: in the center and near the sights, parking may remain paid both on weekends and in the late evening and night. Get ready for the fact that you need a trifle. Old-style machines do not accept cards, and sometimes paper money. All parking lots are divided by cost into zones, depending on the approach to the old center. The maximum cost of an hour of parking in the center is from 450 HUF.

In the central part of Pest (the area between the Erzhebet and Chain bridges) there are restrictions on the movement of cars, in Buda the same restrictions apply on the Fortress Hill; it is forbidden to enter by car and to Margaret Island (recreation area).

There are many international car rental companies in the city: Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar. The rental price, of course, depends on the class of the car; There are discounts for the duration of the rental. On average, it comes out from 17,000 HUF per day. Be prepared that the deposit will be frozen on the card - from 400 EUR (again, the amount depends on the terms of the contract and whether you agree to pay extra for insurance). Interestingly, the vignette is usually already included in the price of the contract. There are fewer local offices, but they exist and you can negotiate some bonuses with them: no deposit, a smartphone with a local SIM card and mobile Internet for the driver, walkie-talkies for two or more cars (Smart Trip4, Rent-a-smart Budapest, Fox Auto Rent) .

Communication and Wi-Fi

It is easy to find free Internet access in Budapest, it is more difficult not to find it, but in order to call home using not an Internet messenger, but a cellular network, you will have to put up with rather sad international roaming conditions.

If you need constant mobile access, there is an option to purchase a SIM card from one of the local operators working in 3G and 4G: Telenor, Vodafone or Magyar Telecom (formerly T-Mobile). The latter is somewhat cheaper. On average, the cost of 1 GB of traffic ranges from 1000-1500 HUF. Telenor offers a special "guest" line: only for mobile access, without the possibility of making calls. Such SIM cards require a minimum of settings and are immediately inserted into a tablet or smartphone.

Calling through Hungarian operators to Russia is not a very good idea. Despite the fact that roaming in Russian cellular networks has become more expensive since 2014, tariffs for local operators will be higher. In addition, when buying a Hungarian SIM card, you must present a foreign passport - only the main operator points of Budapest work using this system, in the rest the SIM card may not be sold. Also at Russian tourists often it is not possible to set up a SIM card on your own, even through the menu in English. In this case, the help of a sales assistant is needed.

Once a very common option, telephone booths are becoming less and less common in Budapest.

Now about the pleasant. Free Wi-Fi meets immediately at Franz Liszt Airport. The Budapest metro also has partial coverage. Some bus routes(as a rule, still tourist or long-distance / international) are equipped with hot spots. Moreover, Budapest museums are so interactive that they strive to provide visitors with free access to online guides and online exhibitions, as well as to all other sites.

Tourists are so accustomed to public or private free networks that they complain that Wi-Fi is not available in all city baths. Judging by the reviews, VII administrative region city ​​(Erzsébetváros, bordering old Pest) provides free wifi throughout the territory as a municipal project.

Needless to say, free Wi-Fi has become the norm for most Budapest cafes and restaurants - both for small and for chain establishments ... Hoteliers without fail organize free access in common areas and most often in rooms too. However, before booking, this point should be clarified on the website of a particular hotel.

Budapest Card

In Budapest, to save on travel costs, it makes sense to buy a "tourist pass" or a "Budapest" card. With this card, you can ride public transport for free for three days and visit museums, receiving “up to a heap” discounts in a variety of places: from baths to shops and from restaurants to minibuses towards the airport. The cards are sold at tourist information offices, hotels, travel agencies and major public transport ticket offices (BKV).

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What to buy

Traditional food. Wines (from 300 HUF per bottle) and local beer (from 180 HUF) are advised not to take in duty free: in city markets and grocery stores, the assortment is wider, and prices are lower. It is advisable to choose palinka (brandy on fruit) under a well-known brand, since cheap analogues are far from the original taste. The bitter liqueur "Unicum" (infused with 40 herbs) is produced by the Zwack family company; even a carbonated version of the Unicum Next drink appeared on sale, designed, as the name implies, for a youth audience.

Hungarian salami is not only famous throughout Europe, but also perfect for transportation. Therefore, in Budapest we buy Pick salami, the most “saussy” brand from the city of Szeged. The capital also produces Herz salami, popular in the domestic market but less well known outside of Hungary. Tubed paprika paste (pirosarany) is another local product that is hard to find elsewhere. Saffron, marzipans and other sweets are also brought from here. For example, Dobos torta multi-layer biscuit cake with chocolate cream and caramel cannot be bought anywhere else.

If the food is finished, then what about folklore motifs? As in other countries of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Hungarians retained bright national clothes with embroidery. Even in large quantities, tourists buy embroidered tablecloths, curtains, bed linen. Real Hungarian porcelain is much more difficult to find. In the country for several hundred years it was produced at the two largest factories, Zsolnay and Herend. Until now, such dishes are a luxury item, but due to the economic downturn production capacity had to be significantly reduced. In any case, you need to remember that on souvenir malls in the city center or in shops in the castle area, there are a lot of one-day crafts from China.

Where to buy

Now more about the outlets: some of them are so majestic that they can be recommended for inspection as an architectural landmark. First of all, this is the covered Central Market in the building of the late 19th century. People come here for local products, alcohol, clothes made in Hungry and souvenirs. The Lehel market, located on the street of the same name, is considered a market "for the locals", selling mainly food products. It is on Lehel that farmers bring vegetables, fruits and their home-made products.

Plenty in Budapest shopping centers, where mass network clothing brands are concentrated. So, within walking distance from the Central Market is the West End. The largest shopping center in Budapest at the moment Arena Plaza (more than 200 stores) is located a few kilometers from the historical center. Armani, Zegna, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior, Versace, Lanvin boutiques are located on Andrassy Avenue in the city center. Many tourists are surprised by another sign of Budapest, the abundance of second-hand shops right there, in the city center. Budapest is sometimes referred to as the second-hand European capital. Some stores in this segment claim to be elite and vintage chic (like the Szputnyk chain, which has several outlets around the city).

Usually shops in the city are closed on Sunday and close early on Saturday. However, supermarkets, and even private shops, often do not comply with this rule. The markets are closed on Sundays, and on Saturday at 13:00 they are rapidly emptying. Shopping centers on Saturday are consistently open until 19:00-21:00. Some Tesco stores are open around the clock.

What to try

Good wine, tart cheese, an abundance of meat and vegetable dishes, generously seasoned with spices and paprika - Hungarian (aka Magyar) cuisine is considered an explosive mixture of European traditions and oriental motifs. Some disappointment may await vegetarians, for whom the choice, on the contrary, will not be so great.

The main thing that you cannot miss when you are in the capital of Hungary is goulash. We are talking about a thick, high-calorie and spicy soup - there is so much meat in it that vegetables serve only as a light load ... We eat the “correct” goulash in a restaurant or diner - from 700-800 HUF per serving in a bowl to 3500 HUF and more, for soup served in bread. In addition to the classic version of the dish, in Budapest you can try an even thicker version, “perkelt”, or goulash with mushrooms and green peas - “tokan”.

Meat dishes are the basis of all Magyar cuisine, they are generously seasoned with sour cream and paprika, dumplings and mustard sauce. Few people know, but a special breed of pigs has even been bred in Hungary. In addition to their specific appearance (long bristles), these pigs differ from other brethren in even more fatty meat. Therefore, local sausages, including Debrecen sausages and Hungarian salami, are known far beyond the borders of the country. In supermarkets, a stick of inexpensive sausage costs from 600 HUF, raw smoked meat - from 1500 HUF.

Hungarian cuisine has one important feature: fish appears in it sporadically, and seafood does not. The fact is that the country is deprived of access to the sea, fish are caught in inland rivers or lakes (pike perch from Balaton is called “fogash” here). One of the popular Christmas dishes is the local fish soup, originally from the city of Szeged, on the Tisza River. It is easily prepared in restaurants with traditional cuisine, but shrimp or mussels for you will most likely be thawed first and only then served.

Hungarian wines for visitors start with the most famous, Tokay. The wines of this region cannot be confused with others thanks to the large Tokaji inscription on the label. There are three main varieties. The most popular Aszu (Aszu) due to the peculiarities of cooking causes the most confusion. On each bottle of this wine, the number of puttonyos (puttonyos) is indicated: 3, 4, 5, 6. This is not about the years of aging, but about how many barrels for berries were used to create the wine: the more there are, the sweeter the final product and the more expensive a bottle of wine.

From September 9 to 13, the annual wine festival (Budapest International Wine Festival) is held in Budapest: on the square in front of the Buda castle and other venues throughout the city. In order not to dizzy, more than 170 varieties of local wines should still be eaten - national dishes offered right there.

If you didn't come to Budapest during the festival, and the interest in Hungarian winemaking is not limited to the widest range of supermarkets, welcome to the tasting rooms. You can not go far, but right in the old town look into the Faust Wine Cellar, which is loved by tourists. Tasting accompanied by an English-speaking sommelier lasts about two hours in the format of 5 sets +1 and costs 5900 HUF.

The tasting rooms are interesting because they bring here, among other things, wines from small farms, created according to original or old recipes. Such wines are not available for retail sale.

After the first or second courses and wine tastings, it’s not up to sweets anymore. Therefore, we strongly recommend starting your day in Budapest in a patisserie cafe. Whether it's puff pancakes, chocolate brownies or cakes (the famous almond-chocolate "Esterhazy" also comes from here), you will once again see that counting calories is not customary in Hungary.

Budapest tourist

Cafes and restaurants in Budapest

Hungarian cuisine has not become a brand, like Italian or French, but in Western Europe, spoiled, what can we hide, by establishments of various formats, people love this “neighborly” food, they go for it.

A popular place of deployment not only for tourists, but also for locals is the pedestrian street Vatsi (Vatci utca), similar to the Moscow Arbat. It has many shops and restaurants of all kinds. All in all, in Budapest, according to the most rough estimates, there are more than 3 thousand restaurants.

Even on central streets there are enough "kebab" and burger restaurants, however, as elsewhere in Europe - international catering is flourishing. We find characteristic signs of Budapest in small and cozy pubs, in coffee houses with cakes and marzipans: here the locals sit, it seems, for hours, chatting and not in a hurry. In bakeries, most often there are tables where you can drink coffee with a still warm bun or eat one “tredelnik” (a long baguette, hollow inside, sprinkled with nuts and sugar) for two.

In the pubs of Budapest, you will definitely be offered not only beer, but also wine. Despite the fact that the locals have great respect for their Hungarian beer, the beer list always includes Czech, German and Austrian brands. And to have a snack, for the first acquaintance, God himself ordered Hungarian sausages, and even home-made ones (they, however, are not at all cheap, unlike light alcohol that flows like a river).

Some pubs at the same time literally honor the spirit of old England, but tourists are much more interested in "ruin pubs" (from the English. Ruin - a ruin). This is not only a new format among drinking establishments, but also a real city attraction. The first ruin pubs arose in the bicentennial Jewish quarter of Erzsébetváros, within walking distance of the old center. They were opened right in abandoned buildings, making minimal repairs and making sure that the ceiling would not collapse on the heads of visitors.

Mostly people come here to drink, not to eat; because of the love of tourists, establishments keep an average price tag. Close attention is paid to the interior: broken or worn furniture gets the most unexpected neighborhood in the form of car tires, old bicycles, household appliances turned inside out. It got to the point that "pseudo-ruin-pubs" appeared. The owners open them in ordinary buildings and arrange "artificial wear" in the premises.

IN local restaurants it is customary to call gypsy ensembles that play not on a common stage, but for each table separately. If you do not like this custom or loud music is not included in the plans, then you must immediately make it clear that you do not need to play for you, since it is customary to thank the performer with a tip (the size should not exceed 1500-2000 HUF).

The main thing that tourists note is still democratic prices, and in comparison not only with other European cities, but also with Moscow or St. Petersburg. Yes, it is more expensive here than in other regions of the country, including small resort villages Lake Balaton, but meeting 3500-4500 HUF in one of the many restaurants in Budapest is quite realistic. A piece of pizza or a bun from hawkers on the street - from 200-225 HUF.

Booking a table in the most popular establishments if you want to dine on the weekend is better a few weeks before dinner. Almost all institutions, both inexpensive and respectable, accept payment by card. A tip of 10-15% is usually included in the bill. The kitchen closes one hour before closing. If the cafe is open until 0:00 or until the last visitor, then the kitchen takes orders strictly until 23:00.

Portion size depends on the policy of the institution, but in a traditional Hungarian bistro / bar, all meat is served at the rate of 1 dish for 1.5 people: there should be a lot of hearty food, they say in Budapest.

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Guides in Budapest

Entertainment and attractions in Budapest

Budapest is deservedly considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and the panorama of the central part of the city overlooking the Danube is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The capital of Hungary consists of three historical parts - Pest, Buda and Obuda and is the only city in the world with more than 120 thermal springs. First of all, you should visit the Buda Castle and the Fisherman's Bastion: from there, from the Buda Mountains, there is a magnificent view of the opposite bank of the Danube, including the most beautiful building in the Pest part - the Parliament.

The fortress complex on the mountain can be treated differently: it is called both the “dead” city and the “eclecticism” of Budapest, but this quarter, rebuilt over the centuries, has absorbed so many features ... Its heart is, of course, the Royal Palace, with a typical and at the same time not a very logical and not very royal story.

The first castle erected on this site was, indeed, the home of a royal person (13-14 centuries). The Renaissance, and then the Turkish domination, made their own adjustments, but he did not survive the 17th century. After 30 years, on its ruins, the venerable Empress Maria Theresa of Austria-Hungary began the construction of a new, compact and not particularly necessary for Her Majesty (one wing of the building was eventually transferred convent). When Budapest became the capital of Hungary, the palace was assigned a new role and a truly grandiose construction project was started, which, starting from 1875, was carried out for a full 40 years.

This massive building gives an idea of ​​greatness, but not of the first kings who reigned on this hill (Bele IV or Sigismund). It also houses such important institutions as the National Library, the Museum of the History of Budapest, National Gallery. Not far from the colossus of the Royal Palace, on St. George's Square, stands the less noticeable Shandor Palace. This is the former residence of the Hungarian prime ministers and the current one for the presidents of the country (it was completely destroyed in World War II and reconstructed in the 90s).

But on the Royal Hill there are still buildings that remember the "ancient" kings of Hungary. First of all, the main temple of Buda, the Church of the Virgin: the first mention dates back to the 13th century. The temple survived the Turkish invasion, having been the main city mosque for a century and a half. Major reconstruction took place at the end of the 19th century. The remains of Bela III and his wife (12th century) are buried here, Hungarian rulers were crowned here until 1916. However, in terms of size and decoration, the church is inferior to the main temple of Hungary today, the Basilica of St. Stephen (built in 1905), which rises on the opposite bank in the territory of old Pest.

Once on the Buda Hill, you must visit and underground caves, which pitted the mountain, and also go through the pedestrian tunnel of the middle of the 19th century (connects the Danube embankment with the western regions).

Walking around Pest, you can not pass Andrássy Avenue, also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: with the Opera House, the old building of the Academy of Music, the University of Fine Arts and the round square decorated with sculptures. Kodai. Andrassy Avenue rests on Heroes' Square with an architectural ensemble of museums and the Millennium Monument, a symbol of the Hungarian capital. Most of the most significant sights of Budapest can now be seen from the water, during a rafting excursion on the Danube or on the RiverRide miracle bus.

The picturesque Margaret Island, a nature reserve with a wonderful arboretum park, is one of the main must-sees in Budapest. It is located in the middle of the Danube in the very center of the capital between the Margaret and Arpad bridges.

If the Royal Castle was not enough to get acquainted with the palaces of Hungary, we recommend going to the suburbs. Gödöllő (a place 30 km from the capital, conveniently accessible by HEV suburban trains) also has a royal palace, only built in the first half of the 18th century. The residence was honored with royal favor: Franz Joseph I liked to stay here for a long time. And, having passed in Szentendre, a town on the right bank of the Danube (20 km from Budapest), we will find there many original temples of the early 18th century, museums of wine, marzipan, ceramics, museums several prominent Hungarian artists.

The neat town of Vac (“the pearl of the Hungarian Baroque”) and one of the country’s ancient capitals, Visegrad, are also must-see suburbs, where it is worth seeing the ruins of a medieval fortress on Sibik hill and the well-preserved watchtower of Shalamona ... Acquaintance with Hungary continues.

10 things to do in Budapest

1. Explore the old city in Buda and on the other side, in Pest, to form your own opinion which of these two Budapests you like best.
2. Go on a boat trip along the Danube in the evening: wrap yourself in a blanket, enjoy the backlight, do not spill Tokay from a glass.
3. Inspect the baths: compare Széchenyi, where “we were all” in the city park, with the Gellert view baths under the mountain.
4. Start the day with a cup of strong coffee and a terribly high-calorie cream cake while watching the old center fill up with tourists.
5. Visit the most colorful of the zoos in the Old World - even if you are only a child at heart.
6. Climb to the observation deck on Mount Janos or Mount Gellert, startle.
7. Spend the day, not in a hurry, in one of the city parks: feed the birds, sunbathe and immediately take pictures of historical sites.
8. Surprise at underground Budapest: catacombs under the castle hill, natural labyrinths in the stalagmite cave of Pal-Völdi.
9. Take a ride with or without a breeze: on the funicular (silko) to the Buda Castle, in the car of the longest tram in the world, 1 (yellow) metro line with small cars to imagine how it looked at the end of the 19th century.
10. Rush to one of the nearest suburbs, where you will finally be greeted by natural ancient ruins and baroque untouched by creative alterations.

Museums

Among the main museums of the capital, the National Historical Museum of Hungary, the Hungarian Art Museum and the Hungarian National Museum stand out. natural history, and palace complex with the temple gothic style in Buda and the Parish Church in Belváros. As a rule, museums are open from 10:00 to 18:00, the day off is Monday.

Not so long ago, a museum dedicated to hairdressing (Fodraszmuzeum) was opened in the capital. On permanent display is a recreated hairdressing salon from the 1880s, with more than 2,000 items on display, including very rare tools for making wigs. And also: old hair dryers, razors, scissors, curling irons and many unusual entertaining things.

Budapest for kids

If older children share their parents' passion for architectural beauties and historical monuments, then we simply open the guidebook and start from the old center, diluting the views with gastronomic joys. But even in this case, you will have to devote several days exclusively to "children's" entertainment (a water park, a zoo, a cable car, a skating rink in winter or water procedures V outdoor parks in summer). Of course, it all depends on the interests of your child, and we will only talk about the most "Budapest" of children's joys.

If you are lucky with the weather, we recommend one of the city parks. You should definitely visit Margaret Island, located along the Danube just north of old Buda and old Pest between the Margaret and Arpad bridges. This is a completely green area. active rest, as much as 100 hectares, where there is something to do: the ruins ancient monastery, acting Observation deck, baths at hotels (admission for a fee), a Japanese garden, a rose garden, fountains (including a light one, as well as a fountain with live turtles), a mini-zoo, a singing well. A huge selection of rental equipment for moving around the park (in addition to bikes and rickshaws, electric cars and electric scooters). Bath "Palatinusk" has its own beach, as well as pools and water slides; it is sometimes referred to as a "mini water park".

You can head to the Central City Park (Varoshliget), a no less striking place. The always crowded Szechenyi baths are not very suitable for children under 5-6 years old, since there are no children's pools here, but the hot springs will be of interest to everyone who is older. On the territory of Budapest there are no architectural “miniatures” so common throughout Europe (reduced copies of the very best buildings and monuments), but in Varosliget there is the Vajdahunyad palace complex (elements of 21 of the most famous buildings in Hungary are included here). Next to the palace, opposite the baths, there is a city zoo: not boring with cages and aviaries, but cute, as all visitors note. For example, the elephants are assigned a building in the style of an Indian palace, and a hippo bathes in a thermal bath. Many children have never seen so many heat-loving animals at once: sloths, lemurs, pandas, rhinos, anteaters. IN winter time(November-February) an ice rink is poured in Varoshliget.

Are the kids tired of castles and baths? Then it's time to go on a "big trip" to Mount Janos, the highest point in Budapest (529 m above sea level), and climb the observation tower (admission is free). You will have to desperately climb only in places; The 1.5-kilometer Libego cable car leads up the mountain. It takes about 10 minutes to get to the tower. Do not think that you will use wagons on the cable car - chairs for two with a crossbar clamp to enthusiastically turn your head and dangle your legs in the air. At cable car there is an alternative in the form of a child railway. Then the ascent and descent will lose all sharpness, you will slowly go in one of the open cars (there are no windows as such).

Combine a walk along the old Buda with a trip to the Marzipan Museum: located on the first floor of the Hilton hotel on the Buda Hill (aka Castle Hill or Castle Quarter), next to the Fisherman's Bastion. Marzipan sculptures, interior items, paintings, fruits and plants. The shop and cafe at the museum are considered expensive. Take a look at the exposition, eat sweets, but it will be cheaper to buy marzipans with you elsewhere.September

October

november

December

The climate is temperate continental, seasonal temperature fluctuations are very significant. As a rule, the coldest month is January, the hottest months are June, July and August.

In 1241, the Tatar-Mongol hordes invaded Hungary. After a crushing defeat in the Battle of Mukhi, King Bela IV was forced to flee. A year later, returning to the country, a pile of ruins awaited him. Two-thirds of the population were destroyed, all cities and fortresses were destroyed. Having begun to restore the country, Bela IV built a royal fortress on the Buda hill and Buda became the capital of the country. Arose through the efforts of Bela IV, the settlement around the fortress began to develop rapidly. In the middle of the XIII century. the Cathedral of the Virgin for the German parishioners and the Church of Mary Magdalene for the Hungarians were built.

Over the course of more than 1000 years of history, the Hungarian state changed its capital six times. The first capital of Hungary, or rather the main city, was Szekesfehervar, or as it was then called Alba Civitas (later Alba Regia) - the White City. The word white in Latin also means chief. As the chronicler of the XIII century writes in his chronicle. Shimon Kezai: "... as soon as they crossed the Danube, they came to Pannonia, the leader Arpad himself pitched his tent where Fehervar now stands, and this place was the first settlement of Arpad." In their new homeland, the sons of the Hungarian people fought for eight decades against the countries around them. In these battles, the Hungarians shed a lot of blood, but gained respect for themselves and laid the foundations of the subsequent state. When Árpád Geza's grandson came to power in 970, he had the wisdom to understand that without peace with neighbors, a strong centralized government, and conversion to Christianity, the Hungarians had no future.

The strengthening of power and the transition to another faith did not go smoothly. Sometimes by persuasion, and if necessary, by force, Geza directed the people on the true path. However, it was no secret to him that the most powerful of his subjects were only waiting for an opportunity to return to the old rut and get rid of his power. Therefore, in 972, he transferred the princely throne to Esztergom, a city surrounded by mountains and forests, protected by the Danube. In Esztergom in 976, Geza's son Vaik was born, who adopted the name Istvan (Stephan) in Christianity. In 1000 Stephen was crowned in Esztergom as the first king of the new state in Europe. Istvan turned Esztergom into a real royal city. He built a royal palace on the Fortress Hill, founded a bishopric, built a huge cathedral of St. Adalbert. And although Esztergom was the capital of Hungary for almost 300 years, he had to share his high rank with Szekesfehervar for a long time. In the Basilica of Alba Regia, the coronations of Hungarian kings took place, and many of them were buried there. In this city, in the royal palace, the son of Istvan Prince Imre was born. Here the kings led their betrothed to the crown. Alba Regia kept the royal treasury and archives. 36 coronations, 15 royal funerals (among them Istvan, Kalman, Robert Karoly, Lajos the Great and Matthias) and 47 national assemblies have taken place in this city. For almost 300 years, Hungary had two capitals at the same time.

In 1241, the Tatar-Mongol hordes invaded Hungary. After a crushing defeat in the Battle of Mukhi, King Bela IV was forced to flee. A year later, returning to the country, a pile of ruins awaited him. Two-thirds of the population were destroyed, all cities and fortresses were destroyed. Having begun to restore the country, Bela IV built a royal fortress on the Buda hill and Buda became the capital of the country. Arose through the efforts of Bela IV, the settlement around the fortress began to develop rapidly. In the middle of the XIII century. the Cathedral of the Virgin for the German parishioners and the Church of Mary Magdalene for the Hungarians were built.

The population of Buda consisted mainly of soldiers called to defend the fortress - Hungarians, Germans and representatives of other nationalities, as well as farmers. When the last scion of the Arpad dynasty, King Andras III, died, the people of Buda supported Vladislav, the Czech pretender to the throne, while the Pope sought to place Caroberto of Anjou on the throne. The dispute went so far that the pope anathematized the city, and the townspeople cursed the pope. Despite mutual cursing, the Hungarian throne was occupied by Caroberto of Anjou under the name Caroy Robert. Naturally, the new king did not like Buda. Despite the fact that in 1309 his coronation took place in the Church of Our Lady Kara, Robert was more in Temesvar and Vysehrad than in Buda. In 1320, in a fortress on the bend of the Danube Karoy, Robert married for the third time, taking the Polish princess Erzhebet as his wife.

In 1323, the king finally moved the country's capital to Vysehrad. The crown and other symbols of the state, the royal archives were moved here from Szekesfehervar, and the royal office also moved here. On the banks of the Danube began to build a royal palace. In Visegrad in 1335 a congress was held three countries, where a trade agreement was signed between Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. Here, in 1339, the Polish king recognized Karoy's son Robert Lajos as heir to the Polish throne. For a quarter of a century, out of 305 royal letters known to us, 205 were signed in Vysehrad.

After the Neapolitan campaigns in 1350, Lajos the Great again moved the capital to Buda. And so it was until August 29, 1541, when the Turks captured the city on the 15th anniversary after the Battle of Mohacs. The Austrian emperor Ferdinand I, who was the Hungarian king since 1526, moved the capital of the country to Pozsony (now Bratislava). The government met here, national assemblies were held here. In 1543, after the fall of Esztergom, the Bishop of Esztergom also moved here. In 1552, the crown was transferred to the Pozsony fortress and kept here, with short interruptions until 1784. From 1563 to 1835, the Hungarian kings were crowned in Pozsony, who were now representatives of the Habsburg dynasty.

In 1686 Buda was freed from the Turks. The city was in ruins, the inhabitants left it. Hungary became an Austrian province. Naturally, the Habsburgs were in no hurry to restore Buda. And although back in 1743, on the orders of Maria Theresa, they began to build a royal palace in Buda, Pozsony remained the capital of the country. Only in 1783, the vicegerent council that ruled Hungary was transferred by order of Emperor Joseph II from Pozsony to Buda. By the way, Jozsef did not crown himself the Hungarian king, because. being a great reformer, he did not want the royal oath and the constitution of the country to "" interfere with his deeds. That's what they called him - the king in the hat.

Buda was gradually rebuilt and filled with immigrants from Austria, Bavaria, and the Czech Republic. On the other side of the Danube, Pest developed rapidly. Its development accelerated when in 1795 the son of Leopold II Jozsef became regent of Hungary. In 1848, after the March Revolution, the National Assembly and the seat of the First Hungarian Independent Government were transferred to Pest from Pozsony. Both cities of Pest and Buda became the capital of independent Hungary for several months. After the suppression of the liberation movement in 1849, a military regime again reigned in Pest and Buda. And only after the agreement concluded with Austria in 1867 on the formation of Austria-Hungary, Pest-Buda again becomes the seat of the Hungarian Parliament of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and its Hungarian institutions.

In 1873 three independent cities Pest, Buda and Obuda merged into one city, which became the sixth capital of Hungary under the name of Budapest.

Hungary is an original European country, interesting for tourists in many aspects. The richest cultural heritage, natural attractions, features of the national temperament are combined for Russians with an economic component that allows them to freely plan budget travel. The main difficulty for Russian tourists is language communication, the Hungarian language (belonging to the Finno-Ugric group) contains practically no familiar words, including when written in Latin. Quite a lot of attendants understand Russian, and the number of Russian-speaking guides is growing.

An example of a typical combined tour would be the eight-day autumn tour "Hungarian Pearls". From the train to Brest, tourists, after passing through customs, transfer to a convenient bus, on which they cross Slovakia. The excursion program in Hungary begins with Miskolc-Tapolts, a unique cave complex in which thermal baths are built, decorated with light effects. For tourists, excursion time is provided, it is possible to take a health bath in hot springs, for which you need to pay extra.

Many tourists gladly agree to an additional excursion to Vienna, which is 240 kilometers from Budapest. On the way back to the Belarusian border, tourists stop near the numerous castles of Hungary,. There is a stop in Lublin, a tour of the historical center of the city.

Buda Castle;
Cathedral of King Matthias;
Fisherman's Bastion;
basilica of st. Istvan;
Vajdahunyad castle;
the Hungarian Parliament;
Royal Palace;
Heroes Square.

Purpose of travel

Among the resort areas around huge lake stands out the town of Siofok. The most popular, comfortable resort has also become the center of social life, a place of active youth tourism. The surroundings are decorated with the picturesque river Shio, the beach area is equipped with many well-maintained beaches, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, discos. From the village of Santod it is easy to move to the uncrowded Tihany Peninsula. Popular entertainments of the aristocratic Santod are horse riding parades, equestrian sports.

For budget tourism expensive city will become Budapest, although here you can find an inexpensive hotel. Of the two thousand, the cheapest booking prices are offered by hotels without an international rating, one-star hotels. In the hostels "Sleepover City", "Pesti szálló", the guest house "Jáde Panzió", the apartments "Artist Residence" you can, with varying degrees of comfort, settle for 1000 - 2000 rubles (in hostels - for one visitor).

For Russian tourists, Austria, Slovakia, Serbia, are the most popular from neighboring countries. Among the developed routes for Russian-speaking guides, a one-day excursion to Vienna is in the first place.

Articles about budget holidays in Hungary:

";s:8:"cat_comm";i:3304;s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"description";s:0:"";s:8:"keywords »;s:0:»»;s:8:»descrtop»;s:38842:»Hungary is an original European country, interesting for tourists in many aspects. The richest cultural heritage, natural attractions, and peculiarities of national temperament are combined for Russians with an economic component that allows them to easily plan a budget trip. The main difficulty for Russian tourists is language communication, the Hungarian language (belonging to the Finno-Ugric group) contains practically no familiar words, including when written in Latin. Quite a lot of attendants understand Russian, and the number of Russian-speaking guides is growing.

Visa difficulties, travel to Hungary

To travel to Hungary you need a Schengen visa. The peculiarities of obtaining a Hungarian visa permit were some additional documents (an extensive questionnaire, a certificate - a referral from a doctor, a confirmed hotel reservation). Independent efforts to fill out documents, visit the embassy can be facilitated by visa centers, travel agencies involved in individual tours. clothed visa regime will also provide multiple visits to the Schengen countries.

When preparing documents on your own visa application center(permanent, long-term visa), tourists themselves can take care of travel to Hungary:

• Most tourists prefer to cross several borders by a two-hour flight to Budapest (1569 km). When ordering a ticket for two weeks, the cost of the ticket will be 20300 - 22800 rubles. If you book early, you can find flights much cheaper.
• If air travel is not possible for health reasons, Budapest can be reached by rail. A direct compartment car to the Moscow-Prague train takes thirty hours to Budapest, the ticket costs 14,184 rubles.
• In terms of prices, the most attractive are combined tours (train to Brest, bus around Europe), which can cost about 26,000 rubles (without the cost of a visa), last-minute tours. The rich program of the combined tour does not provide time for a passive, resort holiday, subject to daily transfers.

An example of a typical combined tour would be the eight-day autumn tour "Hungarian Pearls". From the train to Brest, tourists, after passing through customs, transfer to a comfortable bus, on which they cross Poland, Slovakia. The excursion program in Hungary begins with Miskolc-Tapolts, a unique cave complex in which thermal baths are built, decorated with light effects. For tourists, excursion time is provided, it is possible to take a health bath in hot springs, for which you need to pay extra.

The next stages of the journey are a visit to Eger (with an overview bus tour around the city), moving to Budapest. On the way, it is possible to stop in the "Valley of Beauties", lunch in a wine cellar, tasting of collection wines.

A stay in Budapest includes a sightseeing bus and walking tour of the Hungarian capital, optional excursions, a boat trip "Evening Danube", a free day that can be spent on independent walks, shopping, go on an additional excursion to Bratislava (200 km.).

Many tourists gladly agree to an additional excursion to Vienna, which is 240 kilometers from Budapest. On the way back to the Belarusian border, tourists stop near numerous castles in Hungary, Slovakia. There is a stop in Lublin, a tour of the historical center of the city.

A huge plus of such a trip is the constant presence of a bilingual guide. In addition to talking about the sights, cities, areas included in the program, a good guide will tell you best stores, cafe, will help in choosing unfamiliar dishes, communicating with waiters, service services. The recommendations of the guide are also important when choosing additional excursions, places to visit on your own, inexpensive souvenirs that are typical for this region.

Organized tours, selection of the best offers

Most of the offers of tour operators relate to organized tours to Budapest. They are divided by duration, saturation of excursion services. In Moscow, the tour "WEEK-END in Budapest" (4 days) can be bought for 100 euros (without airfare). An eight-day sightseeing tour "Brilliant Budapest" on the same conditions costs 170 euros.

The main objects included in the excursions in Budapest:
Buda Castle;
Cathedral of King Matthias;
Fisherman's Bastion;
basilica of st. Istvan;
Vajdahunyad castle;
the Hungarian Parliament;
Royal Palace;
Heroes Square.

Experienced tourists who have already visited Budapest are interested in other places in Hungary. They can choose an eight-day tour that includes a visit to Budapest, four Hungarian provinces. To the cost of the tour (400 euros) you need to add the price of plane tickets.

Currency exchange, food prices, shopping

The Russian ruble costs about 4 forints (more precisely 4.2-4.3 HUF). Accordingly, for 100 dollars you will receive 28 thousand forints, for 100 euros - 31000. Currency exchange in Hungary does not bring difficulties, but you need to carefully monitor the best rates, commissions, avoid exchange offices at airports, train stations, where rates are overpriced. Almost all hotels and shopping centers accept Visa and MasterCard bank cards. The exception is small shops, sellers in the markets.

In terms of food prices, Hungary can be attributed to the best countries in Europe. In summer and autumn, the prices of fruits and vegetables are much lower than in Moscow. Selected apricots, peaches, pears, apples cost 50-60 cents (per kilogram). At a cost of about a dollar, elite varieties of gourmet table grapes are sold.

Numerous taverns, pubs, cafes, and restaurants are also distinguished by affordable prices. There are many international, Hungarian fast food establishments that are difficult to recommend to gourmets. From fast food, the Hungarian kyurtoskalach is popular. Charcoal fried dough with various toppings costs 600 forints. How much does a big strudel cost? Ice cream is sold in individual balls, 250 forints each.

National Hungarian cuisine, which connoisseurs consider very tasty, prevails in the menu of most cafes and restaurants. The consistently high level of culinary specialists is striking. Even in budget cafes there are no tasteless dishes. The basis of Hungarian cuisine is meat of various varieties (pork, game, poultry). Among the vegetables in the first place are sweet peppers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes. Hungarians treat desserts with restraint, in a typical menu there are two or three simple salads.

Classical dishes of national cuisine combine the first and second. These are the favorite dishes of the Hungarians - goulash, lecho (thick soup made from onions, paprika, tomatoes, boiled smoked pork sausage). Only in Hungary you can taste a real pörkölt - a mixture of several types of meat cooked in a special way. Its ingredients can be veal, rabbit, pork, lamb, wild boar meat. Paprikash is prepared from the same ingredients, stewed in sour cream.

Hungarians love goose liver in all forms (foie gras, medallions). Traditional desserts are "palacsinta" (thin puff pancakes stuffed with sweet stuffing), Dobosh cake.

Huge portions do not allow ordering multiple dishes. Without touching on trendy, expensive restaurants, it must be said that you can dine "to your heart's content" in an average Budapest restaurant for $20. A modest dinner without wine at the famous Gundel restaurant will cost the same amount, where they serve Gendel's signature pike perch, Gundel pancakes known throughout Hungary (“palacsinta” stuffed with nuts, doused with chocolate). In youth restaurants, you can limit yourself to beer, the most expensive dish (goose liver medallions, complemented by a complex side dish). All this costs 2500 forints.

Moving around Budapest is most economical on public transport (metro, bus). One trip costs 350 forints. You need to buy a ticket at a kiosk, the payment to the driver is more expensive - 450 forints. With a large number of movements, a daily (1650 HUF), three-day (4150 HUF) travel pass is convenient. A two-week pass (7000 HUF) is suitable for some intercity buses, trains.

As souvenirs, Russian tourists buy elegant national dolls, marzipan figurines (3 euros), Tokay wines (8 euros), fruit vodka (palinka), delicious Unicum herbal balm (11 euros), ceramics, porcelain vases, figurines (25 -30 euros). Very beautiful embroidered tablecloths, napkins in the national style, which are better to buy in the provinces.

Purpose of travel

The main goals of the trip to Hungary are educational, health, medical, youth tourism. Landlocked, Hungarian tour operators offer extensive beach, resort, wellness holiday at Lake Balaton.

Among the resort areas around the huge lake, the town of Siofok stands out. The most popular, comfortable resort has also become the center of social life, a place of active youth tourism. The surroundings are decorated with the picturesque river Shio, the beach area is equipped with many well-maintained beaches, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, discos. From the village of Santod it is easy to move to the uncrowded Tihany Peninsula. Popular entertainments of the aristocratic Santod are horse riding parades, equestrian sports.

On the north coast for family vacation popular Balatonfured. There are many green areas and healing springs in the city. The nearby Tihany peninsula is notable for its historical architectural monuments. In the towns of Szigliget and Badacsony, you can visit cozy restaurants with fine wines, see the ruins of the Castle Hill fortress.

Many tourists are attracted by the possibilities of effective treatment in Hungary. The country is distinguished by a huge number of mineral springs. Among the resort areas stand out Harkany (treatment of skin diseases), unique lake Heviz.

The volcanic origin of Lake Heviz allows the water to be constantly renewed (in 28-48 hours). This phenomenon is unique to the same lake in New Zealand. Lake silt contains a natural antibiotic, suitable for mud therapy. It is better to swim in the lake in winter (about 26⁰C), in summer the water is too hot (33-34⁰C).

Heviz sanatoriums are specialized in the treatment of arthritis, gout, rheumatism, gastric diseases, gynecology. Successfully undergoes treatment of skin diseases, endocrine disorders, rehabilitation after operations.

Wine tours in Hungary are popular in all seasons, especially successful in autumn. The center of elite winemaking is Tokaj. Wines "Tokaji", "Bull's blood" are unique in taste. Thanks to the grapes growing on volcanic soil, Badacsony wine, popular in Hungary, stands out with its peculiar taste. Other original Hungarian drinks are sweet raisin wine and apricot vodka.

Best seasons to visit Hungary

The climate of Hungary is quite hot in summer and cold in winter. In winter, the activity of tourists is significantly reduced, only trips to Budapest are relevant. Good weather starts from mid-April, the tourist season ends in the second half of October. From an economic point of view, the beginning and end of the season are beneficial, although the lowest prices in tourist regions occur in winter.

Summer prices are highest (public catering, accommodation). This is due to the influx of foreign tourists, Hungarian vacationers. Wonderful spring Hungary is preferable for educational tourism when excursions are not tiring, they are accompanied by the flowering of nature.

In autumn, after the recession of the peak prices, Hungary is open to gastronomic, wine tourism at a minimum cost. In May, October it is easy to find inexpensive accommodation (motels, hostels, campsites, boarding houses), which is problematic in summer.

Independent travel around the country

Rare enthusiasts venture on a long independent road trip to Hungary across several borders, although a small group of tourists can see most of everything by car. An alternative option would be to rent a car, there are a lot of rental car points in Hungary. Average European rental prices (80 - 100 dollars) make it rational with constant movement (savings in transport), dividing the cost into four participants, a well-thought-out program that reduces the cost of excursion services.

The recognized advantages of car travel are obvious: the freedom to choose a route, the ability to search, select inexpensive hotels. You will have to spend time at home preparing the route. A thorough study of materials, historical sites, will allow you to include in the route the maximum number of attractions, interesting natural areas, castles located near the main route of the trip.

Gasoline prices in Hungary tend to European ones, A-95 gasoline here costs 1.22 euros (more expensive than in Poland, the Czech Republic), diesel fuel can be bought for € 1.16. In spring and autumn it is easy to find inexpensive motels, campsites where you can spend the night for twenty euros.

Budget accommodation in Hungarian hotels

For budget tourism, Budapest will be the most expensive city, although here you can find an inexpensive hotel. Of the two thousand hotels in Budapest, the cheapest booking prices are offered by hotels without an international rating, one-star hotels. In the hostels "Sleepover City", "Pesti szálló", the guest house "Jáde Panzió", the apartments "Artist Residence" you can, with varying degrees of comfort, settle for 1000 - 2000 rubles (in hostels - for one visitor).

When booking in advance (a month in advance), you can order budget accommodation in the provincial Balatonfured, choosing from 136 hotels. Three-star hotels "Park", "Panorama" offer two vacationers to settle in September for 4200 - 4800 rubles. The best prices for accommodation are offered by apartments, private boarding houses. In the provincial Buka, you can book accommodation for September at affordable prices. Janza Apartmanház offers a one-room studio for 1480 rubles, Gerti Haus provides a two-bedroom apartment for 1630 rubles.

Possible excursions to neighboring countries

Bratislava castle, Slovakia

For Russian tourists, Austria, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia are the most popular from neighboring countries. Among the developed routes for Russian-speaking guides, a one-day excursion to Vienna is in the first place.

The program of an interesting trip includes travel in a minibus, a sightseeing tour of the Austrian capital, an inspection of the buildings of the Parliament, the Town Hall, the Opera. The pedestrian part usually includes the courtyards of the Hofburg, the City Park. Other places to visit are the Belvedere Palace, the Baroque Karlskirche Church, the pavilions of Otto Wagner, the Hundertwasser House, and old Viennese cafes. An individual tour for two or three people costs 300 - 400 euros.

Excursion to Bratislava allows you to explore the historical center, climb to the Bratislava Castle. Tourists visit new bridge, St. Martin's Cathedral, Fisherman's Gate, National Theater Slovakia, Old Town Hall. On the way to Bratislava, the excursion program usually includes the ancient Gyor. The cozy town is considered the Hungarian center of the Austrian Baroque. Beautiful churches, palaces, well-groomed parks stand out in urban architecture. Lunch is often included in the cost of an excursion for 50-70 euros.

The capital of Hungary, Budapest, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its appearance harmoniously combines Gothic, Venetian, Byzantine and modern elements buildings.

Budapest is located in the central region of Hungary, on the two banks of the majestic Danube. Until 1873, the city included three separate settlements: Buda, Pest and Obuda. After the settlements were united into one large city, it was decided to give it a name by combining parts of the names of the indicated points. Interestingly, in the word "Budapest" both parts are of Slavic origin: "buda" is translated as a building, a house, and "pest" is a stove, hearth.

Mostly Hungarians live on the territory of the city (more than 90%), about 1% of the inhabitants are Germans, almost 0.8% of the population are gypsies, and the rest of the inhabitants belong to other nationalities. The confessional composition of Budapest is rather motley. Most people (about 63%) identify themselves as belonging to different areas of Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy). Almost 20% of the city's population consider themselves atheists. The rest of the inhabitants are adherents of other beliefs.

Modern Budapest is a major cultural, scientific and industrial centre Hungary. Here are the main educational institutions of the country. Also, there are more than 170 exhibition halls, museums and theaters.

The main sectors of the economy of Budapest are mechanical engineering and metalworking. In addition, the textile, clothing, light, food and chemical industries are well developed in the city. It is in Budapest that the head office of such a large pharmaceutical company as Gedeon Richter is located.

The world-famous capital of Hungary was brought by the famous mineral springs, of which there are more than 80 in the city. Interestingly, Budapest is the only capital in the world that has received the official status of a resort. In this city, both young and old people will find entertainment to their liking. Budapest is perfect for families and children.

Climate and weather

Weather conditions in Budapest are due to the temperate continental climate. The area is characterized by short and very mild winters. average daily temperatures-5 °С. Sometimes at this time the thermometer drops to -15 ° C.

Summer in Budapest is long and quite hot. July is called the warmest month, when during the day the thermometer rises to +30 °С, and night air temperatures rarely fall below +18 °С.

Atmospheric precipitation in Budapest is rare, mainly in spring and autumn. Their annual number does not exceed 600 mm.

Most tourists prefer to visit Budapest between April and October. The optimal air temperature and lack of precipitation allow you to focus on relaxing and exploring the unique sights of the Hungarian capital.

Nature

Beautiful Budapest captivates foreign tourists not only with its magnificent sights, numerous mineral springs, but also with incredibly beautiful nature. The capital of Hungary is located in the lowland, which is surrounded on all sides by the Alps, Carpathians and South Slavic mountains. mountain ranges. Budapest is located at the site of a tectonic fault, which leads to the presence of multiple famous thermal springs. There are about 80 mineral springs in the Hungarian capital.

The majestic Danube crosses Budapest from north to south, and at the same time divides the city into two parts: a flat pest and hilly Will. It is interesting that within the city on the river there are seven most beautiful islands.

Attractions

Of course, the main attraction not only of Budapest, but of the whole country, is the Parliament building, built at the end of the 19th century. The neo-Gothic style of the building has become a kind of symbol of the Hungarian capital.

Not far from this most recognizable building in Budapest is the largest church in the Hungarian capital - St. Stephen's Basilica, also built at the end of the 19th century.

In the Buda Hills, you should pay attention to the famous mountain Gellert, Cathedral Matt, Buddhist Fortress and Fisherman's Bastion. The church is of the greatest interest to tourists. Matt, which is named after the first king of Hungary, who was crowned here in 1458.

One of the most remarkable buildings in western Budapest is the Royal Palace, built in the 13th century. Today, it houses the Museum of History and the National Art Gallery.

The symbol of Budapest is the bridge. Count Széchenyi. The locals also call it Lion or Chain. This bridge is a replica of the London Bridge Hammersmith.

Being in the capital of Hungary, it is necessary to visit one of the most stunning avenues in the whole world - Andrassy. This street was recently listed world heritage UNESCO for an incredibly beautiful unified architectural ensemble. The main building of the avenue Andrassy is definitely considered the Opera House, which is one of the best in all of Europe. City park nearby "Varoshleget". Here, during his reign, the Hungarian king Matt He liked to hunt hares and foxes. Today, the park is the most favorite recreational spot for local residents and guests of the capital.

On the territory of Budapest there are a large number of museums and galleries. The most visited tourists are the Hungarian National Museum and the Aquincum Museum. The latter contains the most interesting exhibits (sculptures, sarcophagi, coins, jewelry and other items) related to the culture of the ancient Roman city, which was once located on the territory of modern Budapest.

Nutrition

In the capital of Hungary, Budapest, along with the national one, almost all cuisines of the world are represented. The most famous restaurants in the city are "Gundel" And "Gebro". The first is in the top ten the best restaurants in the world. Opened almost 120 years ago, today this establishment accurately reproduces the atmosphere of the 19th century. Here you can try world-famous Hungarian dishes: goulash, paprikash, perkelt, cabbage rolls, halasle, pancakes a la Gundel, served with nut filling with chocolate sauce and rum. Interestingly, Hungarian goulash is a soup, and the usual dish for us called "goulash" in Hungary is called "perkelt".

The most high-profile event in the life of the Hungarian capital is rightfully considered the Formula 1 Grand Prix stage taking place in August. This event draws a large number of people.

Noisy and fun night life Budapest is reminiscent of the fun in other European capitals, such as Amsterdam. The city has a huge number of nightclubs, bars and discos. Almost all clubs are open until the morning and gather a huge number of people.

Purchases

Many tourists, coming to Budapest, tend to buy dozens of cute souvenirs for their relatives and friends. The most popular shopping centers and souvenir shops among foreign tourists are West End City Center, Duna Plaza, Auchan, Mammut, Tesco. In the large city market, you can buy various goodies ranging from spices to Hungarian wines. Here you can buy the famous Tokay wine and Unicum balsam.

Most often, foreigners buy Hungarian porcelain, crystal, ceramics, national clothes, marzipan figurines, textiles with unique handmade embroidery, as well as wines and spices.

On the central streets of the Hungarian capital, you can find a huge number of jewelry stores and antique shops. The most popular are silver and gold items.

Almost all shops in Budapest are open from 10:00 to 18:00. And on Saturday the working day is reduced to 13:00. On Sunday, the doors of only especially large shopping centers and supermarkets are open. Payments are made in Hungarian forints. Many stores also offer cashless payments.

Transport

The transport system of Budapest is widely developed. Public transport is represented by buses, trolleybuses, trams and metro. In the Hungarian capital, there are as many as three metro lines, about 200 bus routes, 14 trolleybus and 34 tram lines. Tickets for all of these modes of transport cost about 0.55 €. Interestingly, the tram routes of Budapest are recognized as the busiest in the world. And the Budapest metro is considered the oldest on the entire continent.

Near Budapest is a major international airport named after F. Liszt. By air, the Hungarian capital is connected with major cities of the country and neighboring countries.

By rail, Budapest is connected with major cities not only in Hungary, but throughout Europe. The city has three railway stations. The cost of tickets for suburban trains does not exceed 5-10 €, and for interregional - 20 €.

There is also a children's railway in Budapest. One of the tram routes approaches its first terminus, and a cog railway goes to the second one. The latter is another attraction of Budapest. Its difference from a conventional railway is the presence of a toothed rack between the traditional rails, which allows for additional communication with the rolling stock. In Budapest, this road leads to the peaks of the Buda Hills.

In addition to the rack railway, there are several other special modes of transport in the capital of Hungary, namely, the cable car and the funicular. With the help of the cable car you can go up and down from Mount Janos. Tickets for it cost about 3 €.

The funicular of the Buda Castle is especially popular with foreigners. During a trip along it, tourists can observe the amazing natural landscapes of Budapest. The cost of tickets for this vehicle is approximately 3 € for adults and 1.5 € for children.

The Danube is considered one of the main water arteries of Western Europe. Therefore, the capital of Hungary is well developed river transport. In Budapest, you can make an unforgettable trip on the river buses and pleasure boats.

Among other things, in Budapest you can use taxi services. On average, taxi drivers charge 1.2 € for landing and almost 1 € for each kilometer of travel. By the way, you can also rent a car. To do this, you must have an international driver's license, passport, driving experience of at least one year. Driver must be over 21 years of age. It is worth noting that the quality of roads in Budapest deserves the highest praise. Excellent asphalt pavement is present on almost all city streets, even those far from the center. Traffic in the Hungarian capital is right-handed. Drivers in Budapest have a rather aggressive driving style, so a foreigner needs to be extremely careful.

Connection

The system of communication and telecommunications in Budapest has been intensively developed, especially after the entry of Hungary into the European Union. Throughout the capital, there are multiple payphones that run on coins or T-Com phone cards sold in any large trading establishment. For an international call you will have to pay about 0.8 € per minute.

If your trip to Budapest promises to be long, then it makes sense to purchase a SIM card from local mobile operators. Here several operators provide communication of GSM 900/1800 standards at once: T Mobile, Vodafone And Telenor. One minute of conversation on a cell phone will cost only 0.15 €. By the way, all these operators support the roaming of the world's largest mobile companies. The same operators offer residents and guests of the Hungarian capital to use mobile Internet services. Depending on the volume of selected traffic, the cost of this type of communication is approximately 10 € per month.

On the territory of Budapest there is a huge number of Internet cafes with a wireless Wi-Fi network. It should be noted that such Internet can be found in large retail and entertainment centers as well as in restaurants and hotels. Sometimes Internet access may be paid (approximately 2 € per hour). A regular connection is much cheaper - about 0.7 € per hour.

Safety

Budapest is considered one of the safest capitals in the European Union. The overall crime rate here is quite low. However, as in any other large city, you should not lose vigilance in crowded places, where there is a huge likelihood of pickpocketing. It is better not to take especially large sums of money, valuables with you on excursions, but to leave them in the safes of a hotel or hotel.

The sanitary situation in Budapest is quite favorable. There are no dangerous tropical infectious diseases. However, the quality of tap water, despite the treatment measures, is extremely unsatisfactory. Experts recommend using bottled water or boiling it before drinking. When buying fresh fruits or vegetables in stores or markets, be sure to rinse them.

Business climate

Hungary in general, and Budapest in particular, are beautiful place for doing business. State authorities contribute to the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the city. To attract foreign investment in the Hungarian capital, the reporting and accounting system was significantly simplified, a small tax burden was introduced, and a number of laws were adopted to regulate the relationship of foreign enterprises. Such changes in the legislation of the country could not go unnoticed. Numerous investors with a huge number of business proposals reached out to Budapest. The Hungarian capital is recognized as the best city in Europe for registering offshore companies.

The most popular branch of the city's economy is tourism. Most foreign businessmen opt for this particular area of ​​activity. The excellent location of the city, mild climate, urban areas rich in thermal springs, favorable legislation - all this attracts hundreds of investors from all over the world to Budapest.

Real estate

The real estate market in Budapest is one of the most stable in the whole of Central Europe. The desire to purchase a dwelling here is due to several factors. Firstly, the capital of Hungary is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In addition, urban infrastructure and transport are well developed here. Secondly, real estate prices in Budapest are an order of magnitude lower than in the capitals of neighboring countries. The cost of apartments in the Hungarian capital ranges from 1300 € to 2300 € per square meter. Luxury housing will cost a little more (about 2500-4000 €). The most expensive area of ​​the Hungarian capital is Pest, as the commercial and financial center of the city. Here, apartments with an area of ​​​​no more than 40 m 2 will cost about 70,000 €.

A large number of foreigners coming to Budapest for long term prefer to rent a separate dwelling. As a rule, apartments in the city center, located near the metro line, are especially popular. Today, prices for rental housing (one-room apartment) fluctuate around 200-350 € per month in the city center, and no more than 200 € in a residential area of ​​Budapest.

For the safest holiday in Budapest, you must adhere to some rules of conduct in the Hungarian capital. Any foreigner coming to Budapest must respect the local population and its traditions. When communicating with residents of the Hungarian capital, it is not customary to talk about personal topics (about family, work, health, salary, etc.). It is also impossible to discuss the way of life of the Hungarians and their Slavic neighbors.

Foreign guests of Budapest need to be attentive to their belongings in crowded places and in transport. No need to show off on the street large sums of money, expensive jewelry and valuable items. You should not walk along the night streets of Budapest in areas remote from the center, especially alone. It is worth exchanging foreign currency only at state exchange offices.

When purchasing souvenirs for your relatives, it should be borne in mind that, in accordance with Hungarian law, the export of 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages, 5 liters of beer and 500 grams of tobacco is allowed without paying an additional fee. It is allowed to export various spices and seasonings without any restrictions. For the unimpeded export of things and objects of historical and cultural value, jewelry and antiques abroad, it is necessary to issue an appropriate permit in the store.