Hungary’s capital city, with a population of 1.7 million, also serves as the country’s cultural, industrial and commercial center. Visitors have been drawn to this Queen of the Danube for more than 2,000 years, first for its thermal, therapeutic waters and, today, for its stunning architecture, rich history and decadent culinary traditions.
GETTING THERE & AROUND
Most international visitors arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, which hosts many major carriers, though there are no direct flights from the United States. Transportation options to the city, 15 miles distant, include taxis ($30, 35 minutes, outside Arrivals halls of T2A and T2B), Airport Express bus ($6, 45 minutes), private shuttles and transfers, and car rentals. Get around the city via bus, tram, trolley bus, metro (four lines serve major attractions), Uber and Bolt ridesharing, and MOL Bubi bike- sharing. Download the BudapestGo app for trip planning and tickets, use travel passes for cost-effective public transport, or purchase a Budapest Card for free travel on most public transport and free entry to some attractions.
LODGING
Corinthia Budapest
Located in the heart of the city, this meticulously restored property boasts contemporary amenities and exceptional hospitality. Guests enjoy gourmet cuisine in its restaurants and access to the Royal Spa with its Art Deco pool, therapeutic treatments and wellness programs.
Erzsébet krt. 43-49, Budapest, Hungary
tel 36 1 479 4000
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham
With its location on the banks of the Danube near the Chain Bridge, guests enjoy incredible views from the large, top-floor spa; rooftop pool; and contemporary French brasserie and bar. Warm, welcoming staff ensure a delightful stay in this Art Nouveau palace hotel.
Széchenyi István tér. 5-6, Budapest, Hungary
tel 36 1 268 6000
Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest
This Belle Époque palace and UNESCO World Heritage site melds historical architecture with refined interior design and old-world elegance with modern luxury. Enjoy the rooftop bar with city views, hammam, fitness center, Ocean Spa’s Hungarian thermal treatments and modern therapies, and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago.
Váci üt 36, Budapest, Hungary
tel 36 1 550 5000
DINING
Caviar & Bull
Chef Marvin Gauci blends fresh, local ingredients with globally inspired techniques to create traditional dishes with a contemporary flair. Friendly yet professional staff, wine pairings, tasting menus and, of course, an impressive caviar selection guarantee a standout evening.
Corinthia Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 43-49, Budapest, Hungary
tel 36 30 832 3232
Mazel Tov
This bar/restaurant in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest serves fusion, Middle Eastern cuisine from an à la carte menu supplemented by a chef’s tasting menu updated seasonally. Live music, gastronomic events, wine fairs and monthly updated cocktail lists round out the offerings.
Akácfa üt 47, Budapest, Hungary
tel 36 70 626 4280
New York Café
The beloved coffee house claims the title “most beautiful café in the world” and was a favorite of artists, nobility and commoners alike when it opened in 1894. Serving classic dishes such as goulash and the multicultural cuisine of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it also offers tempting desserts.
Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, Erzsébet krt. 9-11, Budapest, Hungary,
tel 36 1 886 6167
ATTRACTIONS
Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park
The grounds encompass the most complete Roman civilian town in Hungary, built around A.D. 100 and discovered in the late 19th century. Stroll the streets and explore temples, shops, houses, mosaic-decorated thermal baths, fountains and an underfloor central heating system. The museum houses artifacts from Roman daily life.
Szentendrei üt 135, Budapest, Hungary
tel 36 1 250 1650
Great Market Hall
Also known as Central Market Hall, this largest and oldest indoor Budapest market, spread across three floors, was completely restored to its 1897 splendor. Find traditional Hungarian comestibles such as paprika, Tokaji wine and kolbáz sausages, plus folk art and crafts including Halas lace, painted eggs and porcelain, and fine embroidery.
Vámház krt. 1-3, Budapest, Hungary
tel 36 1 366 3540
Széchenyi Thermal Bath House
In a city long renowned for its thermal baths, Széchenyi is the most famous of the public baths. Features include an ornate entrance hall with Roman-style mosaics, a lagoon-sized outside pool, indoor pools with a range of temperatures and minerals, spa treatments in private rooms, and public saunas. Don’t miss the Beer Spa, where a tap pours local lager within arm’s reach of the warm waters infused with hops, yeast and malted grain.
Allatkerti krt. 9-11, Budapest, Hungary
tel 36 20 435 0051
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