Contents 5 Handy information 5 City transport 11 Museums, Churches 14 14 Cultural Avenue 22 Sights, Sightseeing 26 11 Antiques road show 36 42 26 Music, Theatres, Events 38 Beyond Budapest 40 Medicinal baths, Caves 42 40 Leisure 44 Shopping 47 38 Restaurants, Entertainment 49 44 Maps 6, 24–25, 51, 55 Legend « Tram ó Opening hours 6, 24–25, 51, 55 « Suburban railway % Admission ç Bus é Budapest Card è Castle bus accepted 49 ë Publisher: Tourism Office of Budapest Trolleybus A1 Map coordinate the official tourism marketing organization of Budapest Publication manager: László Paszternák 1 Metro 1 1 Site of museum © All rights reserved G Edited by Turizmus Kft. · Editor: Brigitta Vajk · Design: András Nász 2 Metro 2 on map 3 Metro 3 G1 Site of bath, Translation: CHFI Bt. Cover: Future Card Stúdió · Maps: TOPOGRÁF Photos: Tourist Office of Budapest photo archives ≥ Phone number cave on map The publisher does not accept responsibility for damages arising from any changes in information contained in this publication. ¥ Fax [1] Photo Publication closed: November 2005 Printing: PAUKER Printing House Co. www.budapestinfo.hu 3 Dear Readers I would like to welcome you to Budapest, a city which not only greets its guests with a rich history and unique cultural heritage, but also where we, the residents, can witness day by day its resurgence. That tourism is one of the most important economic branches of Budapest is evident in the rise in the number of tourists visiting the capital, and the growth of the quantity and quality of tourism services. Year on year several new hotels spring up in Budapest, numerous old buildings are reconstructed, and new cultural and tourism establishments are born. The capital is made all the more attractive for being renowned as the location of one of the most beautiful World Heritage sites, and only Budapest can say of itself that it has Europe’s largest Parliament, largest functioning synagogue and the continent’s first underground railway. The visitor will find side by side the remains of fortresses and buildings from Roman times, still operating Turkish baths, Gothic and Baroque buildings, and the incredibly rich Art Nouveau architectural heritage. Not only is Budapest worthy holder of the title “Queen of the Danube”, but in fact there is not one other capital city in the world with close on 100 thermal springs and 12 medicinal baths within its boundaries, where 19 million gallons of thermal water rise to the surface each day. Despite the spectacular development, Budapest has preserved its old charm and magic. It is a city where the pleasing harmony of different architectural styles and superb structures, the cafés, baths, the gastronomy and culture, combined with legendary hospitality blend into an unforgettable experience for visitors. Besides popular programmes and festivals staged each year the capital’s tourism selection is further enriched by new, high standard events each season. Tourists can stroll down the “Pest Broadway”, now taking on a new lease of life, and enjoy a programme in one of the atmospheric, unique repositories of music calling to all ages, since there is a choice ranging from live music in the pubs to the repertoires of the Opera House and the recently rebuilt, magnificent Operetta Theatre. So I warmly commend this publication to you, and trust you will find yourself using it frequently. After careful preparation we compiled it with great pleasure in the hope that it will allow you to discover what is best in Budapest. László Fekete Director BTH Budapesti Turisztikai Szolgáltató Kht. (Tourism Office of Budapest) BTH Budapesti Turisztikai Szolgáltató Kht. (Tourism Office of Budapest) µ H–1364 Budapest Pf. 215 • ≥ (+36-1)266-0479 • ¥ (+36-1)266-7477 • E-mail: [email protected] www.budapestinfo.hu 4 www.budapestinfo.hu HANDYinformation Turista információ • Tourist information INFORMATION OFFICES Tourinform Main office – Police-info office 1052 Budapest, Sütô utca 2 (at Deák tér) ≥ (+36-1)438-8080 [email protected] ó 8 am–8 pm Liszt Ferenc tér 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 11 ≥ (+36-1)322-4098, ¥ (+36-1)342-9390 [email protected] ó 15 June–31 Oct. 9 am–7 pm; 1 Nov.–14 June Mon–Fri: 10 am–6 pm, Sat: 10 am–4 pm, Sun: closed Western Railway Station (Nyugati Pályaudvar) 1062 Budapest, Teréz körút 55 ≥ (+36-1)302-8580, ¥ (+36-1)473-1436 [email protected] ó 1 May–31 Oct. 9 am–7 pm; 1 Nov.–30 Apr. Mon–Fri: 9 am–6 pm, Nonstop information: Sat–Sun: 10 am–3 pm Tourinform call centre (24 hours): Buda Castle (+36-1)438-8080 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér ≥ (+36-1) 488-0475, ¥ (+36-1)488-0474 Tourinform hotline (24 hours): [email protected] (+36-30)30-30-600 from abroad, ó 1 May–31 Oct. 9 am–8 pm; 1 Nov.–30 Apr. Mon–Fri: 10 am–7 pm, (06-80)630-800 from Hungary Sat–Sun: 10 am–4 pm Internet: www.hungarytourism.hu Ferihegy – terminal 1 ¥ 1185 Budapest, Ferihegyi Repülôtér 1 terminál ≥ (+36-1)438-8080 (+36-1)488-8661 ferihegy/[email protected] E-mail: [email protected] ó 8 am–11 pm Ferihegy – terminal 2A 1185 Budapest, Ferihegyi Repülôtér 2A terminál, arrivals ≥ (+36-1)438-8080 ferihegy/[email protected] ó 8 am–11 pm Ferihegy – terminal 2B 1185 Budapest, Ferihegyi Repülôtér 2B terminál, arrivals ≥ (+36-1)438-8080 ferihegy/[email protected] ó 8 am–11 pm PASSPORT, VISA Entry with personal ID card Citizens of the following countries may enter the territory of Hungary with a personal identification card for a stay of maximum 90 days, provided the purpose of their visit is not to take up work or to conduct business-related activities: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland. Entry with passport, but no visa required Citizens of European countries (with the exception of Albania, Russia, Serbia-Montenegro, Turkey and the Ukraine) do not require a visa to enter Hungary. Citizens of the following countries outside Europe similarly do not require a visa: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Salvador, Singapore, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela. For detailed information in English please go to www.mfa.gov.hu www.budapestinfo.hu 5 HUNGARY’S FOREIGN REPRESENTATIONS BUDAPEST BASICS Great Britain 2 Fitzwilliam Place, Climate Hungarian National Dublin 2 Temperate zone, continental Tourist Office ≥ (353 1)6612-885 climate, four seasons. 46 Eaton Place ¥ (353 1)6612-889 Hottest months: July, August London SW1X 8AL E-mail: [email protected] (temperatures can reach 28–35°C) ≥ (44-20)7823-1032 (general www.visithungary.ie Coldest months: December, public) January (temperatures can fall as ≥ (44-20)7823-1459 USA low as –15°C) (profession) Hungarian National Budapest has a relatively high number of hours of sunshine per ¥ (44-20)7823-1459 Tourist Office annum. It exceeds 8 hours per day E-mail: [email protected] 150 East 58th Street, between April and September. www.gotohungary.co.uk 33rd floor, New York, N.Y. 10155-3398 Time zone Ireland ≥ (1-212)355-0240 Budapest is on Central European Hungarian National ¥ (1-212)207-4103 time (CET). Tourist Office E-mail: [email protected] GMT +1 hour Hungarian Embassy, www.gotohungary.com Summer time (March to the Low-cost airlines BUDAPEST IN EUROPE flying to Budapest (as at November 2005) 6 www.budapestinfo.hu middle of October): GMT +2 Budapest facts and figures Buda: comprising one-third hours Area: of the area of the city on the 525 square kilometres (in a north- hilly, right bank of the Danube Holidays south direction approx. 25 km, Pest: comprising two-thirds of Non-working days: national holi- east-west approx. 29 km) the area of the city on the flat, days (15 March, 20 August, 23 Oc- Population: left bank of the Danube tober) and 1 May (May Day) plus 1 815 000 Islands (from north to south): Christian holidays: 1 January, All Population density: Óbuda Island, Margaret Island, Saint’s Day (1 November), Easter 3456 persons/square kilometre Csepel Island Mon., Whit Mon., Christmas and Administrative structure: Bridges: nine bridges, of which Boxing Day (25–26 December). 23 districts two are rail bridges ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST By air and departure terminal for foreign The Airport minibus service is airlines popular and relatively cheap: for Airport information: Central number: (+36-1)296-9696 Flight information: (+36-1)296-7000 Luggage search service: Eastern Railway Station (Keleti • Ferihegy 1: (+36-1)296-5965, pályaudvar) VIII., Baross tér, (+36-1)296-5966 ≥ (+36-1)413-4610 • Ferihegy 2A: (+36-1)296-8108, Western Railway Station (Nyugati (+36-1)296-7217 pályaudvar) VI., Nyugati tér, • Ferihegy 2B: (+36-1)295-3480, ≥ (+36-1)349-8503 (+36-1)296-7948 Telephone reservations for MALÉV flights: (+36-1)296-5959 Airport minibus service: (+36-1)296-8555 By train HUF 2300 it will drop passengers Budapest has direct rail links to anywhere within the city limits. A 25 capitals. There are more than return ticket (HUF 3900) is valid Southern Railway Station (Déli for six months. pályaudvar) I., Krisztina körút Ferihegy 1 – terminal for low cost 37/A, ≥ (+36-1)375-6593 airlines 50 international connections each day. Trains depart every three Ferihegy 2A – terminal for all hours between Budapest–Vienna, Information on international rail MALÉV Hungarian Airlines flights with a travel time of less than links: (+36-1)461-5500, Ferihegy 2B – arrival two and a half hours.