Tag Archives: Budapest

Things to do in Budapest

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Before visiting I knew little of Budapest’s twin city appeal. Dramatically divided by the Danube, Hungary’s beautiful capital offers a wealth of exciting sights and activities for visitors. Linked by the epic chain bridge Buda and Pest are very different areas to explore. Buda is a historic hub characterised by its amazing hills, and here you will find the most important tourist attractions. The retro Furnicular carts transport you up the hill to the Castle District where you can see the Royal Palace, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion. Pest is the younger and trendier side of the city where people go to work, shop and play. This area is action packed with creative opportunities and has much more of a buzz about it. We spent most of our time here eating, drinking, shopping and marvelling at the impressive buildings surrounding us. I would urge any Budapest guest to visit both sides of the city to experience a true flavour of the Hungarian way of life.
To Do
– Szechenyi Baths: thermal baths are a unique aspect of Budapest and this venue is one of the most renowned. In the open air this picturesque pool soothes guests all year round. It is the largest of its kind in Europe and feels quite extraordinary to be in such a hot pool of blue water outside, especially when it is snowing around you!
– Gellert Baths: The Gellert Baths are a traditional Hungarian Bath complex locted in the Gellert Hotel in Buda, along the Danube. It is open to the public, but hotel guests enjoy free admission. These baths are stunning and will leave you feeling refreshed and cleansed.
– Boat trip Danube: Even on a gloomy winters day The Legende one hour Boat Trip was worth doing. Offering an unrivalled view of the city on both sides, you will understand the history and culture of Budapest and see all the great architecture. Book here.
– Climb up to the top of the St Stephen’s Basilica (known as Budapest Cathedral), the largest Church in the city. We visited at sunset to see the whole city illuminated and glowing.
To See
– Museum of Fine Arts: This huge regal building is hard to miss. We saw a lovely Cezanne exhibition when we visited in January… and it is always worth going along to see the permanent collection of Spanish masters and Venetian paintings.
– House of Terror Museum: Sadly this much talked about museum was closed for refurbishment when I was in Budapest but I’ve heard the exhibition on the Holocaust is memorably affecting and a must see.
– Opera: Enjoy a performance at the world famous Budapest State Opera House… though be warned you are unlikely to understand a word, Hungarian subtitles are not easy to translate.
To Eat
– Ringcafe Burgers: Located on the main Andrassy Street Ringcafe is known to have the best burgers in town. The owner was recently in London sussing out the best on offer, returning to Budapest with a load of fresh new ideas. The menu has an extensive list of burger varieties, and they are delicious, with soft juicy meat and brilliant accompaniments.
– Gundel: Famous for its fine brunches, this restaurant presents Hungarian food with a French twist. The Gundel pancakes are particularly popular amongst diners!
– Onyx: This opulent fine restaurant is one of two Michelin starred establishments in Hungary. Chef Szabina Szullo artfully reinterprets Hungarian classics with precision and care. The food and wine are exquisite.
– New York Cafe: Located in the Boscolo Hotel, this cafe has always been a favourite for locals and tourists in Budapest. The rich history and beautiful interior is more of a reason to visit than the food.
To Sleep
– Boscolo: This epic hotel is indulgent and impressive both inside and out. The baroque rooms and suites are luxurious and the hotel also offers wonderful spa and fitness facilities.
– Four Seasons: A deluxe five star palace, the Gresham Four Seasons is fit for a king/queen. Architecturally amazing and immaculately designed, the Danube facing suites are arguably the most desirable rooms in the city.
With fantastic food, sights and culture, I find it bizarre that Budapest is not a more popular destination for European weekends away. If you are looking for a cheap and memorable trip abroad, book flights to Hungary immediately.
Many thanks to the Budapest Tourist Board for all their help with this trip. More information here.

Boscolo Hotel, Budapest

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Bold and beautiful are the two words that come to mind when I think back to my stay at Budapest’s Boscolo Hotel. This epic establishment stands tall in the centre of the Hungarian capital, moments away from all the main attractions and sites. The building glows majestically, a historic palace of luxury and indulgence.

Any visitor will first be struck by Boscolo’s grand exterior, but inside the grandeur continues with impressive marble and bronze decor. There is a vintage elegance about the hotel which embodies the soul and prestige of Budapest. Known particularly for the amazing New York Cafe, once called the ‘most wonderful café in the world’, it is a work of art now restored to its former glory. The building originally belonged to the wealthy New York Life Insurance Company. Back then the downstairs cafe was a popular hangout for Budapest’s literati and young starlets; playwrights and actors enjoyed using the space as a work and play cafe, even threatening to throw away the keys so the place would always remain open. We ate breakfast in the cafe and I cannot deny its allure, it is a stunning hall and a real asset to the hotel.

We were situated on the fourth floor in a spectacular junior suite. With enough room and facilities to provide every comfort, we were tempted not to leave the room all weekend. The sub-zero temperatures outside feel like a distant memory when you step back inside this palace. Our room, better described as an apartment, was decorated in muted beiges and creams, a relaxed but luxurious environment. The materials were all soft and indulgent, big proper curtains draping the windows and a plush sofa against one wall. There was plenty of space for hanging gowns and shirts in the cupboards and a professional desk available for those needing it. I was delighted to spot the Nespresso machine which I used frequently, and room service efficiently zoomed upstairs with hot frothy milk for my morning cappuccino. Thanks to the huge heavy curtains and super soft bed, it was easy to get a good night’s kip, not so easy however to get up.

The bathroom was an exquisite parlour of prettiness. I spent a great deal of time soaking in the jacuzzi sized bath, preening in the expansive mirrors and refreshing in the giant power shower. My only slight quibble: the towels weren’t very soft, and after such an enjoyable soak, a soft robe to wrap myself in would have been ideal. Toiletries at Boscolo come from the fashionable Etro brand, cute little bottles of every possible soap and scrub, and I was particularly grateful for the relaxing bath salts included in the range.

We couldn’t have dreamed of a more marvellous place to stay, the Boscolo offers the very best accommodation in Budapest, practically perfect in every way.

More information and book here.

 http://budapest.boscolohotels.com/?cf

www.autographhotels.com

Gresham Four Seasons Restaurant, Budapest

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Every building in Budapest seems to have a rich and interesting history; visually the Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel is perhaps one of the most spectacular, with views of the Danube and Chain Bridge. Built in 1906 for Gresham Life Insurance Company, this Art Nouveau edifice has now been transformed into a magnificent, luxurious place to stay.

The Four Seasons Restaurant, The Gresham, has a very good reputation as a stand alone destination as well as a bonus for staying guests. When we visited on a Saturday lunchtime, the place was perfectly organised and smart but silent… and for a long time we appeared to be the only guests for lunch that day.

Our waiter was lovely and very friendly despite the slight language barrier. We were treated to two glasses of Champagne while we perused the carte. Split into various sections, the menu offers some continental choices, traditional Hungarian dishes and an Italian list (the Head Chef is from Italy). We chose a selection, to start Pumpkin soup with homemade raviolini stuffed with cremona mustard and mascarpone cheese and the Proscuitto with fresh tomato bruschetta. For mains: Risotto with crumbly Luganica sausage and the Gresham Burger.

The food was brought to us very promptly, beautifully presented and smelling good. Though the Gresham use top quality ingredients, the food they offer is relaxed and casual, so if you are after ultra-smart fine dining, best to look elsewhere. The pumpkin soup was the star of the meal, thick and flavoursome, it was the perfect winter warmer, filling but healthy. The additional raviolini suited the dish well, and oozed luxurious creamy mascarpone through the soup, it was utterly delicious. The Proscuitto came in a giant portion, too much we thought for a starter, more of a sharing board for a group. I found the meat slightly tough but the cute mini bruschettas were very tasty.

The burgers had been recommended so I felt I had to opt for that, and although it was a nice assortment of flavours with melted cheddar, sauteed onions and mushrooms, the meat was not quite juicy enough for me, even cooked to ‘medium’. The Risotto was a simple dish with small sausage pieces and a creamy parmesan sauce. We were disappointed to find it a bit bland, extra seasoning was needed and the risotto rice was a little too al dente for my preference.

We declined desserts (temptingly on display in the fridges) but did accept a speciality Hungarian dessert cocktail to share… a creamy alcoholic drink which mimics a popular traditional sweet. The Gresham Bar is renowned for its contemporary and quirky cocktails and I was impressed with the variety on offer.

The Gresham Palace is a beautiful building worth visiting even if you can only stay for a quick drink; with incredible surroundings, immaculate service and a lovely vibe, it is indulgent and relaxing.

More information here.

http://www.fourseasons.com/budapest/