Hungary
DESTINATION GUIDE
Budapest is a destination of two halves, literally – Buda to the west and Pest to the east, with the Danube River separating the two distinctly different sides of this beautiful city.
HIGHLIGHTS
As you gaze across the sparkling water of the majestic Danube, you can’t help but notice the equally majestic buildings high up on the Buda side of the river, dominating the landscape. The UNESCO world heritage site of Buda Castle is one of the most popular attractions in the city, and it’s not hard to see why.
Originally completed in 1265, most of the beautiful baroque palace occupying the large site was built in the 1700s. Escape the city heat by exploring the extensive labyrinthine cave system underneath the castle, then emerge above ground at one of the best vantage points of Budapest to take in the breathtaking views for those panoramic vista shots.
Within the castle district also lies the no less impressive Fisherman’s Bastion. This highly decorative building with its fairytale turrets was built in the late 18th century as a communal panoramic viewing terrace for the city folk below.
With its wide grand staircases, ornate balconies and intriguing glimpses across the river to Pest through the myriad of intricately carved stone archways, the Fisherman’s Bastion is free to visit. However, booking a combined walking tour of the area is advised in order to fully appreciate the majesty of the castle district.
After a day on your feet exploring the sights, why not soak those weary limbs in one of Budapest’s many natural thermal spas? People have been bathing in the mineral rich, healing waters of the city’s thermal springs (over 100 of them) for centuries, in both indoor and outdoor spas.
For a soothing indoor spa experience, try the Gellert Baths which are located underneath the iconic Gellert Hotel. With a series of beautifully blue-tiled pools of increasing temperatures, you can soak away the day and emerge refreshed for the evening ahead.
Or simply combine the two things by visiting Szechenyi Baths, the largest outdoor spa in Europe, for one of their ‘sparty’ nights where DJs spin dance tunes as mind blowing visuals dance on the steaming water while you relax and reap the medicinal properties of the springs.
At 2.5km long and 500m wide, Margaret Island is a small but perfectly formed respite from the noise and bustle of Budapest. Lying in the middle of the Danube between Margaret Bridge and Arpad Bridge, this largely car-free island is mostly covered with parkland but also houses a small zoo, formal Japanese Garden and large open air swimming pool - making it the perfect spot to relax when the heat of the city gets too much.
Budapest can be hot, hot, hot in July so what better way to cool down than with a boat trip on the Danube? As well as a cooling river breeze, you’ll get a different perspective of the beautiful and varied architecture of the city as you sail past the stunning 100-year-old Parliament building, and pass under the magnificent Chain Bridge.
With so much to see and do in Budapest and its proximity to the circuit, it’s easy to see why F1 fans flock to the Hungaroring for the Grand Prix. With almost guaranteed hot weather, stunning architecture, cool green spaces high above the city and a vibrant nightlife, Budapest has something for everyone to enjoy at the end of a day at the track, and indeed for an extended stay to make the most of this beautiful city.
Fun Fact
With a line that stretches 11km along the Buda hills to the highest point of Budapest, the Children’s Railway is one of the city’s most unique attractions due to the fact that apart from the role of train driver, every other task from selling tickets to managing the train’s handbrake is carried out by children aged 10-14 (with adult supervision of course). Built in 1948 during the Soviet era as a way of inspiring children to take up positions within the transport industry after finishing their education, the scenic railway was recognised in 2015 by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest children’s railway in the world.
WHAT TO EAT
There is one ingredient which undeniably characterises much of Hungarian cuisine – paprika. This brick-red hued spice is made by drying then grinding a special variety of red pepper (capsicum annuum) into a powder, which is then used in so many of Hungary’s traditional dishes.
The national dish, goulash, is a paprika-spiced stew of beef, onions and vegetables and gets its name from the Magyar Gulyas, the herdsmen who tended to the cattle on the Hungarian Great Plain. They would cook their goulash in a large cauldron over fire, accompanied by glasses of Bull’s Blood, Hungary’s most iconic red wine.
For a tasty, sweet treat on the go while taking in the spectacular architectural sights of the city, follow your nose to one of the many street vendors with invariably long queues, selling the rather dramatic looking specialty chimney cake.
This traditional Hungarian street snack is a yeasted sweet baked dough, given its distinctive chimney shape by wrapping it around a cylindrical spit before rolling the dough in sugar, chopped nuts and sometimes spices. It's baked over charcoal resulting in a crispy exterior and pillowy-soft inside, and best eaten fresh while still warm to fully appreciate the delicious contrasts that make this humble cake so moreish.
