Budapest city break holiday guide

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Photo: Now let's flyBudapest basilica

Learn a few words of Hungarian. It always attracts a smile
Staff in Budapest hotels and restaurants speak excellent English
The currency in Budapest is the Forint but prices are often given in Euros too
Budapest is generally safe but beware pick pockets and dodgy taxis
Calling for a taxi is cheaper than hailing one. Consider English-speaking City Taxi (061 211 1111)

Budapest basics

With a population of 1.7 million, Budapest is Hungary's capital city and its cultural centre. Buda, on the hilly west bank of the Danube, has the palaces and churches while the clubs, bars and nightlife are centred in Pest, on the flatter east bank.

Tourism has taken off since Hungary joined the EU in 2004. Low-cost airline flights have played a big role in bringing in the Budapest tourists and boosting its attraction as a popular city break destination.

The Kosovo crisis and Balkan conflicts saw tourist numbers drop, but recent years have seen a major revival of tourism fortunes with Budapest city break numbers now topping 2.5 million annually.

Magyar language
Please kérem
Thank you köszönöm
Yes igen
No nem
ö is pronounced 'er'

Hungarians speak a language like no other major European tongue - Finnish is said to have similar roots but there are no common words. The Magyar language is Central Asian in origin and it is very difficult to master but using a few words will be very well received locally.

Most staff in Budapest hotels and restaurants speak excellent English.

Budapest history

The Hungarians arrived in Budapest from Central Asia and the Volga region in the 890s. King Stephen I founded the State of Hungary from 1001.

In 1526, the Hungarians were defeated by the Ottoman Turks at Mohacs and the country remained under Turkish rule for 160 years until Budapest was liberated in 1686.

Hungary became part of the Habsburg Empire but in 1867 Budapest was elevated to joint capital with Vienna. The Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary was established and the spectacular Parliament building later built in Budapest.

Allied to Germany, defeat in World War I led to Hungary losing half its people and much of its territory in the Treaty of Trianon, much resented to this day. In the Second World war, most Jews in Budapest were deported and killed by the Nazis.

Budapest was later 'liberated' by the Soviet Red Army and Hungary became part of the Communist bloc where it remained until 1989 despite a popular uprising in 1956. There are many memorials around Budapest to those killed by the Communists that year.

In 2004, 15 years after the overthrow of Communism, Hungary joined the European Union but it is not part of the Euro zone.

Budapest districts

Budapest is divided into 23 Districts, which are identified using Roman numerals. Most visitors will be interested in Districts V, VI, VII and VIII in Pest and Buda I and II. The two middle figures in an address give the District. Utca means 'Street'; ter is a Square and hid means 'bridge'.

Budapest is a highly civilised city with relatively low levels of crime. Be careful about pickpockets, as in any major city, and negotiate fares in taxis before setting out, especially from the Airport.

Budapest banks

The Hungarian currency is the Forint (Ft). Prices are often also given in Euros. Budapest banks are open 8am - 4pm, Monday - Friday. You can use ATMs marked Bankomat for cash. Do not exchange money on the street even if offered what appear to be good rates. Post offices are marked Posta and are open 8am - 6pm.

Budapest telephones

To telephone within Budapest, dial the 7-digit number without the city prefix. To telephone abroad, dial 00 plus the country code (44 for UK) and then the number without the initial 0. When calling in In Budapest, dial 104 or 112. For the police, dial107 or 112. For International Information, dial 199.