24/01/2008 Casting off the legacy of the Cold War, Budapest is fast emerging as Central Europe's capital of cool. The hen and stag parties may have it in their sights but with this guide you'll discover a city more chic than chav. Words: Clark Turner
IT’S A FACT!
Flight time from London to Budapest is just 2 hours and 20 minutes.
It's not one city but two - Buda and Pest.
Hungarian wine is the best in the world, according to the locals.
The annual Sziget Festival is the biggest in Central Europe .
TONGUE-TIED?
I don't speak (much) Hungarian - Nem tudok (jol) Magyarul
A cold beer please - Egy hideg sört kérek
What are you doing tonight? - Mit csinál ma este ?
CHECK THIS OUT
Why visit one city when you can visit two? Welcome to Budapest - composed of the two cities Buda and Pest separated by the River Danube.
It's back to the old skool in Budapest. The city has played a key role in European history for a thousand years and there are no shortage of ruins and grand civic buildings such as the castle and picture postcard perfect parliament building to impress. One of best ways to check these out is by boat from the Danube (www.lengenda.hu). For just £14 the ride will give you an unrivalled view for your snaps as well as providing some history on the city - and a stop off at the city's playground St. Margaret Island.
Nazi invaders, Soviet invaders – Hungary’s had them all. Budapest has been through some tough times in the past. One of the most notorious addresses in the city (Andrassy 60) was first home to the Hungarian Nazis before the Soviet secret police took up residence. If you went in, one thing was for sure - you weren't coming out alive. The building is now the House of Terror museum telling how millions of Hungarians suffered and celebrating the 1956 Uprising. In the basement the torture cells and a gallows have been preserved. Nice. (www.terrorhaza.hu)
When the Soviet's moved out in 1989, Budapest decided it was time for a spring clean. All 40 Soviet statues that dominated  the city were removed and relocated. You can now find them at the Statue Park in all their Soviet Realist glory. A 30 minute taxi ride from the city centre will set you back around 20 Euros so it's best to catch the bus at a fraction of the price. (www.szoborpark.hu)
Despite the past it's a city at a crossroads and a new generation of young people are now behind one of the most exciting arts and music scenes in Europe. You'll find the main arts district at Millenaris Park, the site of an old electrical works that is now home to a gallery, theatre, concert hall and jazz bar. The city's answer to the Tate, the Ludwig Museum, is a tram ride from the city centre.
For a taste of fashionable retro Commie cool, Tisza Cipo (Karoly Korut, 1) has reworked the Soviet label into a line of savvy streetwear for a new generation. Prices aren't from the 1980s but style costs, baby.
All too much? Thankfully, coffee culture and cake is big in Budapest. Check out the world famous Gerbeaud Cafe on Vörösmarty Square to experience tasty coffee and even tastier cakes in grand surroundings.
SWEAT BOXES
One of the most exciting things about Budapest is the guerrilla outdoor bars that spring up in the summer. Courtyards and rooftops lay out tables and chairs - and hey presto you have a bar. One of the best is Corvinteto (Blaha Luzja 1-2) on the top of an old Commie department store. A store still remains but the rooftop bar is buzzing with spectacular views of the city skyline and the bonus ball is you get free bevs in the lift up to get you in the mood.
Being located in a flash new shopping centre might not be the most obvious place for the hottest club in Budapest - but what can you do? You’ll find Kameleon on the top floor of Mammut shopping centre.
Gayers will find fun and frolics at the appropriately named Action (Magyar 42) and Coxx (Dohany 38)
SPA ACTION
Forget the big bucks a day at a spa might cost you in Blighty. In Budapest, you can experience the real deal for a fraction of the cost. For around a tenner you can hop between glamorous art nouveau thermal pools at the Gellert Hotel pretending you've just stepped off the Orient Express. The swimming pool is overtaken by waves every hour for the best fun you can have without taking your swimwear off. Alternatively the Szechenyi Gyogyfurdo es Strandfuro is just as much fun and half the price in the city park.
IT’S A DATE
12-18 August. The Sziget Festival is Central Europe’s biggest musical festival of the year. Headliners have yet to be announced for 2008, but last year saw a line-up that included The Killers, Pink, The Chemical Brothers and Faithless. You get the picture.
26 August. Budapest’s answer to the Love Parade is the Budapest Parade. Half a million revellers and 50-plus sound systems take to the streets.
12-21 October. The city’s Autumn Festival celebrates the best in art, music, film and theatre.
GET AWAY AND STAY
Central Europe's biggest lowcost airline, Wizzair, flies direct from London Luton to Budapest on a daily basis. For more information and booking visit www.wizzair.com.
One of the most fashionable addresses in the city is at Csokonai 14. The four-star Atrium Hotel is a prime example of new Budapest. Located in the heart of the city centre, you're only a hop skip and jump from all the major sights and night haunts. For more information and bookings visit www.atriumhotelbudapest.com |
