Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Hungary : Budapest - February 2009

Country Code: Dial for Hungary

February in Budapest still feels far from spring-like, but there’s lots to do indoors. The annual Hungarian Film Week, which showcases the most recent home-grown movies, is held from 27 January – 3 February this year. If you miss that, duck into one of the city’s cosy little cafés and while away the hours over creamy coff ee and cake. Carolyn Bánfalvi keeps out the cold

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).

CENTRAL BUDA

While Buda’s highlight is the castle, the neighborhoods surrounding it are also interesting.

Sleep soundly – On the banks of the Danube, Lánchíd 19 has recently picked up several design awards. Art’otel Budapest (16-19 Bem Rakpart, tel. , artotel.hu, rooms from €95/HUF 25,000) commands Danube views on one side, and castle views on the other.

Culture vultures – Check out the library or the café at the French Institute (17 Fõ utca). Or soak at the Király Baths (84 Fõ utca).

Must eat – Dunaparti Matróz Kocsma (1 Halász utca, tel. ) does food from all the Danube regions. Csalogány 26 (26 Csalogány utca, tel. ) has a lunch special, which is amazing value, as well as a fancier dinner menu.

Must drink – The smoky Polo Pub Sörözo (4 Batthyány utca) hosts live bluegrass music. Bambi Presszó (2-4 Frankel Leó út) is an old-school place with retro décor and cheap drinks.

Shop til you drop – The Mammut Shopping & Entertainment Center (2-6 Lövõház utca) is actually two buildings connected by a bridge.

RÁDAY UTCA

Lined with cafés, restaurants and galleries, the ninth district’s Ráday utca is one of Budapest’s trendiest addresses.

Sleep soundly – The rooms may be quite simple at the Ibis Budapest Centrum, but the hotel’s location is stellar.

Culture vultures – See local art at the 2B Gallery (47 Ráday utca) and contemporary pieces at the Ráday Galéria (8 Ráday utca).

Must eat – Costes Restobar (4 Ráday utca, tel. ) has been getting rave reviews from local foodies. Café Eckermann (58 Ráday utca, tel. ), at the Goethe Institute, has simple, inexpensive snacks.

Must drink – Among Ráday utca’s many bars, Fecske Presszó (34 Ráday utca) is a standout.

Shop til you drop – Buy local wine and brandy at Bortársaság (7 Ráday utca).

KIRÁLY UTCA

This area borders districts six and seven. It had a major makeover a few years back and is now filling up with stylish new shops, restaurants and galleries.

Sleep soundly – Just a short walk from Deák tér, Domina Inn Fiesta’s location couldn’t be better.

Culture vultures – Founded by a few collectors, the acb Gallery of Contemporary Fine Arts (6 Király utca) features frequent exhibitions. Hipster hangout Sirály (50 Király utca) hosts concerts, plays and literary events.

Must eat – Donatella’s Kitchen (30-32 Király utca, tel. ) does excellent Italian food.

Must drink – One block from Király utca, Ellátó (1-2 Klauzál tér) is a smoky little place that’s always packed out.

Shop til you drop – Katica (101 Király utca) stocks good quality wooden children’s toys and games.

LISZT FERENC TÉR

A statue of Franz Liszt sits in the centre of the square. The Academy of Music is to be found here, as well as plenty of cafés and bars.

Culture vultures – There’s always something going on at the Academy of Music (8 Liszt Ferenc tér). The nearby Knoll Gallery (10 Liszt Ferenc tér) holds edgier events.

Must eat – Menza (2 Liszt Ferenc tér, tel. ) has the best Hungarian menu on the square. A block away, Ristorante Krizia (12 Mozsár utca, tel. ) is a small Italian restaurant that is definitely worth seeking out.

Must drink – There’s no shortage of bars in this locality. You could try Buena Vista (4-5 Liszt Ferenc tér).

Compiled by Carolyn Bánfalvi