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Hungary : Budapest - March 2010
Country Code: Dial for HungaryThe weather is still unpredictable come March, but Budapest’s annual Spring Festival (btf.hu), from the 19th, brings a welcome dose of culture at the end of a long winter. With events staged throughout the city, tickets are in great demand. Carolyn Bánfalvi explores as Budapest emerges from 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).
TERÉZVÁROS
The central sixth district holds Liszt Ferenc tér, a café-lined pedestrian area, and Nagymezo utca – known as Budapest’s Broadway because of its abundance of theatres.
Sleep soundly – The K+K Hotel Opera (24 Révay utca, 2, kkhotels.com, rooms from €88/HUF 25,000), next to the State Opera House, offers reliable service and amenities.
Culture vultures – Although Liszt Ferenc Music Academy (8 Liszt Ferenc tér) is being renovated, you can learn about the composer at his Memorial Museum (35 Vörösmarty utca).
Must eat – Menza (2 Liszt Ferenc tér, 2) serves updated Hungarian classics, while cheery Két Szerecsen (14 Nagymezo utca, 4) serves international dishes.
Must drink – Most (17 Zichy Jeno utca) is one of Budapest’s hottest hangouts.
Shop til you drop – At Chee Chee Fashion (34 Zichy Jeno utca), seek out the fabulous Tipton Eyewear – glasses made from old 35mm film and records.
ANDRÁSSY ÚT
Budapest’s most elegant avenue is home to historic villas, embassies, cafés and expensive shops, such as D&G.
Sleep soundly – Boutique MaMaison Hotel Andrássy (111 Andrássy út, 0, mamaison.com, rooms from €76/HUF 20,500) has benefited from a recent makeover.
Culture vultures – The Opera House (22 Andrássy út) dominates the avenue, and is open for tours. Entertain the children at the Budapest Puppet Theatre (69 Andrássy út), or if you have a strong constitution, learn about the dark decades of communism at the House of Terror (60 Andrássy út).
Must eat – Baraka Restaurant & Lounge (111 Andrássy út, 5) serves fantastic, if pricey, fusion cuisine.
Must drink – Have pre- or post-opera drinks at Callas (20 Andrássy út) or enjoy the Hungarian coffee house experience at Lukács Cukrászda (70 Andrássy út).
VIZIVÁROS
Under the Buda Castle, the Viziváros is one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, filled with winding, cobbled streets.
Sleep soundly – Art’otel Budapest (16-19 Bem rakpart, 7, artotel.hu, rooms from €119/HUF 32,000) displays contemporary art and boasts rooms with views of the Danube.
Culture vultures – Várfok utca is scattered with small art galleries, such as OCTOGONart Gallery (7-9), Várfok Gallery (14) and XO Gallery (11).
Must eat – Visit Coyote Café and Deli (4 Markovits Iván utca, no phone) for snacks after exploring the Castle. The Dunaparti Matróz Kocsma (1 Halász utca, 7) serves specialities from countries bordering the Danube.
Must drink – The Oscar American Bar (14 Ostrom utca) serves cocktails, while Andante Borpatika (2 Bem rakpart) specialises in fine Hungarian wine.
Shop til you drop – Look for authentic folk crafts at MesterPorta (7 Corvin tér), while Herend Village Pottery (37 Bem rakpart) sells colourful majolica pottery.
FERENCVÁROS
Ráday utca is filled with bars, cafés, galleries, and shops. Further out, the new National Theatre and Palace of Arts are part of a plan to transform a former industrial area into a cultural centre.
Sleep soundly – The Ramada Budapest Hotel (30-34 Tompa utca, 0, ramadabudapest.com, rooms from €56/HUF 15,100) offers comfortable yet standardised rooms.
Culture vultures – The National Theatre (1 Bajor Gizi park) hosts several companies, including an hilarious English group. The Palace of Arts (1 Komor Marcell utca) holds the Ludwig Museum, National Dance Theatre and Concert Hall, or just relax in the thermal water at the Dandár bath house (5-7 Dandár utca).
Must eat – Costes Restaurant (4 Ráday utca, 6) is one of the city’s finest, most expensive eateries.
Must drink – Tour the Zwack Unicum Museum (26 Soroksári út) to understand why this bitter liquor is so important in Hungary, or grab a couch and a Dreher beer at Fecske Presszó (34 Ráday utca).
Shop til you drop – Buy Hungarian wine at Bortársaság (7 Ráday utca).
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Previous issues for Budapest
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| Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance. |
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