Need to know

The cityscape of Budapest is defined by the architectural style of the historicism era. All styles of storied European art history are represented on the façades of the capital’s buildings. The most beautiful example is Parliament, built in neo-Gothic style and capped with a Renaissance dome.

On the hill opposite Parliament is Buda Castle, which was seriously damaged during the Siege of Budapest in World War II. The Palace acquired its current form in the 1960s. The Citadella sits on top of neighbouring Gellért Hill, the famous Statue of Lady Liberty standing before it.

At the foot of Gellért Hill are two venerable thermal baths. The Rudas Baths dates back to Turkish times, while the Gellért Baths, built behind the Gellért Hotel, is one of the most spectacular examples of Hungarian art nouveau.

In addition to the numerous museums and cultural sites, plenty of entertainment options await. A well-known concert venue is the A38 Boat stationed at the foot of Petőfi Bridge in Buda, while in the party district, the famed Szimpla Kert is one of the most popular attractions.

The capital is graced with plenty of cafés and restaurants. The best-known Hungarian dishes are goulash soup made from beef, stew with dumplings, cottage cheese strudel and fried dough topped with garlic. Hungary has a long tradition of cooking with pork: sausages, bacon and salami can be enjoyed with a wide selection of pickles.

Hungarian wines, traditional Hungarian lagers and many domestic craft beers are available in pubs and bistros.

The official language is Hungarian. English and German are also commonly used in tourist areas and services.

Hungary is in the Central European Time (CET / CEST) zone.

The warmest months are July and August, while the coldest months are December and January. The average temperature in September is between 13-17°C.

The official currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Card payments are widely accepted.