Parliament buildings from Castle Hill © Paul Micallef

Why? To experience a holiday in Budapest is to revel in one of the world's most beautiful cities, which not only offers breathtaking classical architecture but also stunning vistas across the wide, romantic Danube River. Another reason to travel to Budapest is for the city's renowned operatic and music events and to relax and rejuvenate in its famed spa baths.
When? Summer (between April and September) is undoubtedly the best time for a Budapest holiday, when long days are generally sunny and warm, albeit with a little uncomfortable humidity. Snow is common in winter. Most choose their time to travel to Budapest to coincide with one of the major events, like the Sziget rock festival or Formula 1 Grand Prix in August, or the Summer Classical Music Festival.
Who for? Budapest is a city for all to enjoy. A holiday in Budapest can be a romantic get-away for two, a memorable experience for music or opera fundis, fun for families, fascinating for sight-seers, or a rocking time for festivalgoers.
More Info: To find out all you need to know to spend a holiday in Budapest take a look at our Budapest travel guide, which features comprehensive, up-to-date information on all that is to be seen and experienced in the city. The Budapest travel guide also contains 'Basics' like currency information, entry requirements and how to get around the city.

Overview

Budapest, known as the 'Queen of the Danube', is a magnificent city exuding a cultural sophistication that entices and enchants. Gracing both sides of the legendary river with grand historic buildings, regal bridges and graceful tree-lined boulevards, it is the city's elegant beauty and romantic atmosphere that has given Budapest Parisian status among the Eastern European countries.

Budapest offers the visitor the familiarity of European culture with a distinct Hungarian flavour. It is evident in the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings, sidewalk cafes and Magyar cuisine; classical concerts and Hungarian folk music; the cobbled streets of medieval neighbourhoods and shady parks, and everywhere the sounds of an unfamiliar language. Highlights for visitors include a river cruise on the Danube and a thermal bath in one of the Turkish-era bathhouses.

Budapest was originally two cities built on either side of the Danube, namely Buda and Pest. The two districts are still distinct in their contrasting makeup, with the older and more charming Buda comprising atmospheric cobbled streets, little picturesque coloured houses and a medieval, neo-Classical mixture of architecture set among the gentle hills of the west bank. It is famous for its historic Castle Hill featuring the Royal Palace, museums and galleries, St Matthias Church and the ramparts of Fisherman's Bastion.

Pest lies on a flat plain and is the commercial core of the city. It bustles with fashionable shopping areas and has characteristically wide, leafy boulevards. Andrássy Boulevard is the Champs-Elysées of Budapest, lined with a typical mosaic of architectural styles and buildings with the enormous Heroes' Square at the end.

A history of numerous wars and invasions, with repeated destruction and rebuilding, has created the Budapest of today, with an amalgamation of styles, created over time during periods of loving restoration by a proud and resilient nation of people; a city of charm and character, both European and singularly Hungarian.