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Hungary : Budapest - December 2008

Country Code: Dial 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. , 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. ) does reasonably priced Italian. Facing the Chain Bridge, Kyoto (7-8 Roosevelt tér, tel. ) 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. ) 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. ) 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. ) 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