Budapest

Hungary

Things to do in Budapest:

View the Gallery Vajdahunyad Castle

Budapest Restaurants

Cheap (51)

Repeta Sarok

This place is popular with the locals, who come for the reasonably-priced lunch specials. Check out the stand-up comedy - in English - in the basement afterwards. read more
Affordable (50)

Kőleves

An authentic local restaurant off the tourist track. A relaxed atmosphere enhances the dishes, which are all made with seasonal produce. read more
Good quality (52)

Ros� Restaurant

You'll have to book ahead for a table here, but it's worth it. Whether you order duck breast or goulash soup, you won't be disappointed. Excellent service and a good wine list top everything off... read more

Budapest Nightlife

Chilled (50)

Caledonia

A taste of Scotland in downtown Budapest - drop in for a malt and, if you're hungry, stay for a plate of haggis. read more
Live Music (45)

Wine Bar

Live music is just one of the attractions of this fabulous establishment in the heart of the city. Enjoy an array of cheese and charcuterie accompanied by decent wine in a friendly atmosphere. read more
Clubbing (51)

Caf� de Paris

Open from 8am till 5am, come here for great jazz, sporting events on the TV, cocktails and a casino - they'll even cook you breakfast before you go home! read more

This Month in Budapest (March):

By Deborah Marshall

Shopping: Arzenal sells old swords, spears, bayonets, medals, caps and uniforms among other treasures from the past. Even if you don't buy anything (it might make getting through airport security tricky), it's a great collection to see (5 Budai Nagy Antal utca, XIII, tel: 01 329 2962).

Sightseeing: Get a year's worth of culture in just one outing to the Budapest Spring Festival, which takes place on 19 March-5 April. The packed line-up includes international artists and local talent, and covers everything from classical and folk music to dance, theatre and exhibitions (btf.hu).

Key areas: A stone's throw from the V�ci utca is the R�giposta utca, with its maze-like passages. Discover some unique shops, including one, selling pipes and beads, that's over 100 years old.

Day trips: Lillaf�red - about a two-hour drive from Budapest - has it all, including a romantic castle hotel where you can soak in the spa to your heart's content after a day spent hiking to the dramatic nearby waterfall. Round the day off with some wonderful fresh trout.

Budapest News & Gossip

International Circus Festival Budapest

21-25 JAN
BUDAPEST

Roll up, roll up, the International Circus Festival of Budapest is back in town for the eighth time. The festival is held in the Hungarian National Circus building, next to the city's zoo, and attracts some of the best performers in the world for a dazzling display of daring acrobatics. It's held just once every two years, in the city that launched one of Europe's first circuses (Hungary has since been known for producing top-class performers). See Professor Wacko on his comedy trampoline, Duo Ivanos juggling on a unicycle and Duo Vanegas as the "wheel of death". www.maciva.hu

Budapest Trivia

March: Budapest's own Alfred Hajos won two gold medals in the 1896 Olympic games in Athens and went on to be a famous footballer and sports journalist - before returning to his original profession, architecture. His most famous building is the Margaret Island Pool, home of the European Swimming Championships in 2006.
February: We have Ign�c Semmelweis, a Hungarian doctor, to thank for introducing hand washing in hospitals, thereby preventing all kinds of infections from spreading.
January: P�linka, the country's national drink, comes in many variations, using any fruit grown on Hungarian soil. Up to 17kg of fruits and berries are used in the distillation process and there are six different variations.