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Hungary : Budapest - December 2008 Country Code: Dial ++36 for Hungary
Budapest in December sees
Christmas markets pop up
everywhere, most notably at
Vörösmarty tér, where you’ll fi nd
daily performances and stalls of
high-quality, hand-made gifts.
Although the weather may be
cold, you can warm up with a mug
of mulled wine, sold all over town
this month, says Carolyn Bánfalvi
Getting around
Ferihegy International Airport
Bus: The No 93 bus leaves Terminal 1 and takes about 20 minutes, leaving every half hour from 4.55am to 8.50pm. Tickets cost €1 /HUF 230. A travel card gives you unlimited use of Budapest’s buses, trams, metro and cog-railway. A one-day card costs €5/HUF 1,350, a one-week card costs €15/HUF 3,600.
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city will take about 30 minutes and there’s a fixed price of €17/ HUF 4,200. Go to the Zona Taxi window at arrivals.
Tourist information: Located at 7 Március 15 tér (tel. (0)1 266 0479, www.budapestinfo.hu).
DEÁK FERENC TÉR
Deák Ferenc tér (where the three metro
lines meet), and the blocks surrounding
it, are the very centre of the city.
Sleep soundly – The Four Seasons
Gresham Palace is
arguably the most beautiful hotel in the
city. Live more like a local at the
Millennium Court – Marriott
Executive Apartments.
Culture vultures – The Merlin
International Theatre (4 Gerlóczy
utca) stages English-language
productions. A few blocks away, the
Pesti Vigadó (Vigadó tér) holds
frequent folk performances.
Must eat – Vapiano (5 Bécsi utca, tel.
(0)1 411 0864) does reasonably priced
Italian. Facing the Chain Bridge, Kyoto
(7-8 Roosevelt tér, tel. (0)1 801 9862)
serves gorgeous sushi.
Must drink – This
neighbourhood is ground central for
shopping. In addition to the Christmas
Market in Vörösmarty tér, there’s
Fashion Street (Deák Ferenc utca),
which is lined with high-end boutiques.
SEVENTH DISTRICT
Dominated by the synagogue, this
former Jewish neighbourhood is now
home to edgy bars and galleries.
Sleep soundly – The all suite Queen’s
Court features a fantastic spa and
wellness centre
Culture vultures – The Great
Synagogue (2 Dohány utca) is Europe’s
largest. Király utca is filling up with art
galleries, such as acb Gallery of
Contemporary Fine Arts (6 Király
utca) and Inda Galéria (34 Király utca).
Must eat – Dupla (48 Kertész utca, tel.
(0)1 342 1034) is a cosy place that
serves big portions of Hungarian cuisine.
Must drink – Szimpla Kert (14
Kazinczy utca) is a cool, sprawling bar
set in an old abandoned building.
Shop til you drop – Látomás (16-18
Dohány utca) stocks clothing from
local designers as well as vintage pieces
and accessories.
ANDRÁSSY ÚT
The city’s grandest
boulevard, tree-lined
Andrássy, is decked
out in lights at this
time of the year.
Sleep soundly – Every room at the
lovely MaMaison Andrássy Hotel is different. The
K+K Hotel Opera is right by the
opera house.
Culture vultures – Budapest Puppet
Theatre (69 Andrássy út) is great for kids.
Must eat – Arguably Budapest’s best
bistro, Klassz (41 Andrássy út) doesn’t
take reservations and fills up quickly. Goa
Café (8 Andrássy út, tel. (0)1 302 2570)
serves Asian fusion food.
Must drink – Join the café society at
Muvész Kávéház (29 Andrássy út).
» Shop till you drop Andrássy út is
home to fancy boutiques like Herend
(18) and Ermenegildo Zegna (15).
NAGYMEZO UTCA
Nagymezo utca is Budapest’s
Broadway with a wealth of theatres.
Culture vultures – Not knowing
Hungrian won’t prevent you enjoying the
Budapest Operetta Theatre (17
Nagymezo utca). Visit the Hungarian
House of Photography (20 Nagymezo
utca) for the fantastic architecture.
Must eat – Két Szerecsen (14
Nagymezo utca, tel. (0)1 343 1984) is
good for Mediterranean-inspired food
and has a reasonably priced wine list.
Must drink – Below the House of
Photography, the Mai Manó Kávézó is
good for coffee or late-night drinks.
Housed in an abandoned building,
Instant (38 Nagymezo utca) is one of
the city’s newest favourites. Piaf Klub
(25 Nagymezo utca) is a slightly
more subdued spot
Shop til you drop – Find handmade
shirts at Fleischer
Ingkészíto (7
Nagymezo utca).
Compiled by Carolyn Bánfalvi
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