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Holidays to Budapest, Hungary
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Budapest City Breaks
Like Prague, Budapest was under communist rule until the early 1990s, but unlike Prague, it was always fairly accessible to visitors from the West. Its atmosphere is now a unique mix of ancient and modern, and for city breaks, Budapest is a popular up-and-coming destination.
The various short breaks available, whether over a weekend, or mid-week, are becoming more and more in demand. In the last decade, cheap airline tickets have made eastern European cities very accessible, and a Budapest city break is now an inexpensive option for a short holiday away. A cheap flight from London to Budapest can cost as little as £120 return per adult ticket. Budapest hotels are plentiful and bookings are available to suit the tightest budget. But if you book in advance and get a really cheap flight, Budapest also offers luxury accommodation at reasonable rates to turn your trip into something truly special.
Budapest Hotels
Five star hotels in Budapest, such as the Corinthia Grand Hotel, offer wonderfully elegant double rooms, with breakfast, at very reasonable prices if booked a month in advance. With cheap tickets and forward planning, your Budapest city break doesn’t have to break the bank!
Cheap City Breaks to Budapest
Tourist Attractions in Budapest
While on your Budapest holiday, take the time to explore some of the famous landmarks and attractions, including the imposing river Danube that runs through the centre of the city. Chain Bridge, the Piarista Church, and Heroes Square, with its massive statues, are not to be missed.
One of the great advantages of city breaks is that they provide an opportunity to both relax and learn about the city and its culture. Like most European cities, central Budapest is best explored on foot but there is also a very efficient metro system if you get tired.
Food in Budapest
The food in Budapest is a lovely surprise. The roots of Hungarian cuisine are similar to those of French haute cuisine, but today’s Hungarian chefs mix in influences from traditional peasant dishes and Asian cooking.
As well as the famous goulash, you can’t leave Budapest without sampling the chicken paprika, trout with almond, grilled goose liver and home-made pörkölt (traditional Hungarian stew). But leave room for desert! These are really unusual, including the gesztenyepüré (mashed cooked chestnuts with whipped cream) and túrós csusza (pasta with curd and sour cream).
Budapest holidays are also not complete without a visit to a traditional coffee-house. These elegant meeting places were a mainstay of Hungarian society in the period between the world wars. Many have been neglected since, but are now undergoing renovation and restoration. A few have reopened in the last five years and are a great way to experience the grand atmosphere of times past.
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