| 1. About Budapest |
| 2. Weather |
| 3. Flights |
| 4. Accomodation |
| 5. Places of interest |
| 6. Shopping |
| 7. Useful information |
1. About Budapest
Perhaps no other capital has played such a dominant role in the life of a nation as Budapest. About 2 million people or every fifth Hungarian lives in the capital. It is, from head to toe, a European city. Besides the citizens of many nations, more and more foreigners choose to make Budapest their home. During its long history it was destroyed innumerable times, and its citizens exterminated; yet it has always risen again, evolving and becoming ever bigger and more colourful.
The Danube, Europe's highway, determines the life of Budapest dividing it into two and yet connecting both sides of the city's unfurling districts. The Buda hills and the soft inclines of Óbuda on the left bank and the Pest plain on the right bank diversify the city. The islands embraced by the Danube - of which the centrally situated Margaret Island, which contains perhaps the most beautiful park of the city, further enrich this picture.
Not only the Danube, but also the hot springs that spout forth from under the city have had a significant role in the area's development. Though the region has been inhabited ever since the Stone Age, by the Celts coming and settling here the from west, but also by the Avar tribes arriving here from the east, the first city with a significant number of citizens was founded by the bath loving Romans. In the area of today's Óbuda, Aquincum was the capital of their occupied territory of East Pannonia. The Turks who occupied this territory for 150 years constructed numerous baths in the city. A few among them even today await bath lovers.
Budapest was created by the unification the three cities of Buda, Óbuda and Pest in the year 1873.
The royal castle and the castle district define the view of Buda. Most of the residential quarter was built in the 20th century. Buda has played an essential role in the life of the Hungarians since the Hungarian settlement in the 9th century.
The view of Pest on the left bank is dominated by the dynamic economic and social marks of the development of large middle class housing units throughout the 19th century. Despite the wide radial and ring roads of systematic town planning and development, Pest, deals with the traffic demands of the recent threefold population boom only with difficulty.
The unification of the three independent cities was only made possible by building the bridges across the Danube. Before the completion of the chain bridge in the year 1849 only ferryboats and a temporary wooden bridge connected the two banks. At the end of World War 2 every one of the bridges was destroyed. Today seven bridges secure the connection between the two halves of the city. Three of them, Freedom Bridge, Margaret Bridge and Chain bridge, can still be admired in their original beauty.
Even today the building of the city, the redevelopment of the ruined and neglected edifices continues. The economic boom in the years after the recent political changes has given these labors a powerful boost. Our capital - growing into a true "world city" - renews and transforms itself from day to day, greeting those arriving with ever more to see. The past and the present live together in this exciting, bustling city; a mood equally amazing to visitors and those who live here.
2. Weather
Climate and weather in Budapest Hungary has a temperate continental climate. There are substantial differences among the average temperatures of the four seasons. Usually January is the coldest, while the hottest months are July and August in Hungary.
Budapest has a transitional climate that is influenced by the weather of the Transdanubian region (mild and rainy) and the weather of the Great Plain (variable).
The daily temperature fluctuation is quite high. The annual average mean temperature is 9.7 °C in the whole of the country and 11.2°C in Budapest. The mean temperature in the hottest month, July, is 20.0 °C, in the coldest month, January, 2.1 °C. On a hot summer day temperatures may reach 33- 38°C, while in cold winters temperature may drop to -25.0 °C.
Spring starts in early April in Budapest and is accompanied by lots of showers. The summers are dry and warm. Autumns are cool, foggy and rainy. Winters are relatively short, moderately cold and usually dry, but sometimes brilliant sunny. The little snow the city gets usually disappears after a few days.
The yearly rainfall is about 617 mm that consist of two stronger (early summer and autumn) and two dryer periods (middle of winter and early autumn).
Sunny hours/year in Budapest : 1853 hours.
The wind blows usually from Northwest direction during the whole year, but often there are windless days. This causes the heavy fogs in wintertime. The annual average wind speed is 2.4 m/sec.
To find details about the actual daily Budapest weather in English language, please click on the picture:
3. Flights
| The following airlines fly to Budapest: | For budget flights check: | ||
 Malev Hungarian Airlines (from London, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle) |
 British Airways (from London Heathrow and Gatwick) |
 Easyjet (from London Luton and Gatwick) |
 Wizz Air (from London Luton) |
Should you experience any difficulty with booking your flight, please do not hesitate to contact us, we are happy to assist you.
4. Accomodation
By following these links, you can find hotel rooms for every budget:
www.budapesthotelreservation.hu
www.budapesthotels.com
Our favourites:
 NH Budapest, 13th district |
 Adina Apart Hotel, 13th district |
 K+K Hotel Opera, 6th district |
If you would like to get a feel of the city, try private apartments! www.budapestlets.com
5. Places of interest
Email us for your free copy of Budapest City Guide including all the information a visitor needs to explore our bustling capital!
Liberty Statue and the Citadella
The statue standing on the top of Gellért Hill is a significant feature of the cityscape. The female figure was created in 1947 as the central figure of a Liberation Monument. The soldier figures around her were removed over time, and thus it became the symbol of liberty.
Dominating the cityscape of Budapest from almost every angle, the statue including its pedestal stands 40 metres tall. The artwork of Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl, the bronze female figure is holding high a palm branch; the spirit of liberty is 14 metres tall.
The present composition of the monument took shape during the modifications after the political transition of Hungary in 1989 and only the side figures remain in their original positions. A new inscription gives a new meaning to the statue composition: "To the memory of all of those who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, and success of Hungary."
The Austo-Hungarian Emperor and Hungarian King, Franz Joseph, had the stronghold “Citadella” built in 1851 following the suppression of the 1848-49 War of Independence to keep the rebellious city under the control of his cannons. Today the complex is a tourist destination.
Address: Gellert Hill
The Buda Castle and Matthias Church
Part of the World Heritage Site, the Castle, and within it the Royal Palace, stand to the west of the Danube on a hill of marl. A labyrinth lies inside the hill, while centuries of architectural and cultural heritage are visible at ground level.
"Europe has three jewelled cities: Venice on the waters, Florence on the plains, and Buda on the hill" - so claimed medieval travellers. Today, the view of both banks of the Danube and the Castle District of Buda form a World Heritage Site.
The Matthias Church is a Roman Catholic church consecrated to Our Lady (Nagyboldogasszony) is popularly known as Matthias Church; it was used for coronation ceremonies and royal weddings. Originally built in Gothic style, it was reconstructed several times - the neo-Gothic form we see today was created at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries.
The construction of the Church of Our Lady began in early Gothic style at the time of King Bela IV (1255-1269). The north tower dates from that time. The south gate, known as Mary's Gate, was built by King Lajos the Great in the 15th century; it is here that visitors today enter the church. The church was further enlarged by King Zsigmond and later by King Matthias, who held both his weddings here. The 60 metre-high south tower was built under King Matthias; completed in 1470, it bears the King's raven coat of arms and it is from this period that the popular name of Matthias Church originates.
Address: District I, Buda side of Danube Bank
Fishermen’s Bastion
The new Fishermen's Bastion was erected between 1895 and 1902 on the foundations of 18th century castle-walls to replace an old stronghold. The neo-Gothic construction dominates the Budapest skyline.
The new Fishermen's Bastion, designed by Frigyes Schulek, never served any defensive purposes.
Schulek emphasised the hefty tower that juts out towards the Danube, and raised new towers on the northern and southern bastion sections. Between them he created a large row of ornamental stairways which today bears his name; the main stair is laid with marble. The craftsmanship of the column heads, harmonising with the water-spouts and face-work, succeed in creating homogenous and engaging images from close quarters and at a distance.
Address: District I, Buda Castle
Parliament
The Eclectic Parliament building, stretching along the Danube Bank, was designed by Imre Steindl. Not only is it an impressive site, so are the dimensions. It is a truly awe-inspiring sight: 268 metres in length and 118 metres wide.
It encloses over 17,000 square metres; its corridors embrace ten inner courtyards. The best of the 19th-century Hungarian applied and fine artists worked on the iron-filigree on its wrought iron gates, on the chandeliers, on the frescoes decorating the facade and the halls, on the statues, and the golden ornamentation.
Building began in 1885, and although in 1896 the parliament session commemorating the Millennium (the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian Settlement) was held here, the work was only completed in 1904.
The Hungarian Holy Crown and the coronation jewels are exhibited in the Dome Hall. The building is home to the public Parliamentary Library (Orszaggyulesi Konyvtar). There are guided tours to parts of the complex.
Address: District V, Kossuth Lajos ter 1-3.
Heroes’ Square
The square is a spectacular architectural unit. Its determinant object is the historicist, romantic Millennium Monument (Millenniumi emlekmu) which was erected on the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian settlement.
On the elongated axis of Andrassy Avenue (Andrassy ut) which meets Gyorgy Dozsa Street, there stands the marble column of the Millennium Monument which signposts the square from afar.
Heroes' Square is bordered by the City Park (Városliget) and is framed by two imposing buildings. Looking from Gyorgy Dozsa Street, the Museum of Fine Arts (Szepmuveszeti Muzeum), the final example of Hungarian eclectic architecture, is on the left, and, opposite, is the Hall of Arts (Mucsarnok), a neo-renaissance palace.
The determinant element of the square is the Millennium Monument, which consists of the afore-mentioned marble pillar around which there are the Seven Chiefs of the Hungarian Settlement, and then the crescent-shaped colonnade with its sculptures of kings, governors, state men and other suzerains.
The square was completed in 1929 when the memorial stone of the unknown soldier, Memorial of the Heroes of the Nation, was placed in the symbolic centre, thus the name Heroes' Square.
Address: District XIV, between Gyorgy Dozsa Street and Varosliget
Dohany utca Synagogue, Budapest
Europe's largest synagogue was built in Romantic style between 1854 and 1859 based on designs by Ludwig Forster, also incorporating work by Frigyes Feszl. The 3-part interior seats over 3,000 people.
The typical Romantic style is mixed with Byzantine-Moorish elements, lending a peculiarly Eastern look to this monumental, double-domed building which is decorated with brightly coloured ceramic tiles. The Dohany street synagogue is considered an architectural pioneer in several respects: the distinctive Eastern character, the use of bare bricks of various colour, and the cast-iron structures inside.
The Ark is a richly decorated, elaborate construction crowned by a finely constructed dome, which creates a feeling of monumentality with its proportions and its size relative to the total inner area of the synagogue. Feszl (the architect of the Vigado) designed the Ark as well as the furnishings of the sanctuary, the two enormous 12-branch candelabra, and all the interior paintwork.
During World War II the synagogue marked the boundary of the Budapest ghetto. This is also commemorated by the Holocaust Memorial (Zsido Martirok emlekmuve), a sculpture by Imre Varga. The National Jewish Museum (Zsido Muzeum) is located right next to the synagogue.
Guided tours are also available in Hebrew.
Address: District VII, Dohany u. 2.
Email us for your free copy of Budapest City Guide including all the information a visitor needs to explore our bustling capital!
6. Shopping
Westend Shopping Centre
VI. Vaci ut 1-3, Situated close to the city's Western railway station (Nyugati pu.) the WestEnd City Center is Central Europe's largest (and arguably most impressive) shopping mall. Developed by Canada's TrizecHahn corporation, the award winning architecture is both futuristic and imposing, with a wonderfully angular facade that's straight out of Logan's Run.
With over 400 shops, there were legitimate worries over the effect that the Center's opening will have upon small businesses in the district. That said, the WestEnd City Center aptly demonstrates the pace and grand scale of new developments in the city. Incorporating the Hilton WestEnd Hotel and a pleasant roof garden, it's certainly a near perfect model for similar large-scale developments in the future. Budapest is thinking big. And let's face it, none come bigger (or better) than the WestEnd Center.
Mammut I-II
II. Nagyajtai ut, 4/a Szena ter, Opened in August 1998, Buda's Mammut is arguably the most successful (yet) of the capital's malls. Located near the busy transport hub of Moszkva tér, Mammut's glowing dome acts as a homing beacon to the many shoppers who arrive by metro. Although big name fashion and sport shops predominate, a good range of smaller outlets means that even the most discerning shoppers won't leave disappointed. A decent choice of cafés and restaurants on the upper floors (the swankiest of which is the café Miro MkII) also come in handy for taking a well earned rest. For technology junkies, the basement Saturn electrical store is one of the best in Budapest.
Skala Metro
Nyugati ter 1-2, 2nd Floor, Opening hours to follow before the changes of 1989, which saw democracy sweep through Eastern-Europe, Skála stores were considered (under the old system) to be the pinnacle of the fine shopping in Hungary. However, an antiquated payment system (which invariably meant queuing twice), surly staff and poor quality goods meant that it was anything but.
Having gone through lean times since then, Skála has re-invented itself of late, with this flagship store opposite Nyugati station being a thoroughly pleasant place in which to browse for bargains. And bargains there are aplenty, thanks to Skála having to compete with the nearby West End Center.
So, despite the store seemingly being on the expensive side, it's well-worth taking a closer look before heading off around the corner.
Lehel ter Market
VI. Lehel ter, Open: Mon-Sat 6am-2pm, A traditional, more laid back market selling mainly meat and fresh produce. Conveniently located close to the city centre.
Vaci utca
V. Vaci utca, Vaci Street is the pulsating, busy centre of Pest. This is The City where banks and expensive shops stand next to one another, squeezed into the narrow plots. There are few particularly old buildings, but there are many worthy of attention.
Useful information
For tourist info, places of interest, events, festivals, concerts, exhibitions and to find out what is on in Budapest please check:
http://budapest.gotohungary.co.uk/
In Hungary taxis charge less if you call one instead of catching one on the street.
For a 6x6 taxi call: 00-36-12-666-666 or 00-36-14-666-666
If you call from a Hungarian phone: 06-12-666-666 or 06-14-666-666.