Hungary - Budapest City Guide

52 Pages·2005·4.877 MB·English

Budapest Guide – angol 12/9/04 10:16 Page 1
Budapest Guide – angol 12/9/04 10:16 Page 2
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Contents
5
Handy Information 5
City transport 11
Museums, Churches 14 14
Cultural Avenue 22
Sights, Sightseeing 26 11
Antiques road show 34 40 26
Music, Theatres, Events 36
Beyond Budapest 38
Medicinal baths, Caves 40 38
Leisure 42
Shopping 46
36
Restaurants, Entertainment 48
42
Maps 6, 24–25
Legend
«Tram A1Map coordinate 48 6, 24–25,
(cid:2)
«Suburban railway 1 Site of museum
çBus on map
èCastle bus (cid:2)1 Site of bath,
ëTrolleybus cave on map
1Metro 1
[1] Photo
Publisher: Tourism Office of Budapest
2Metro 2 the official tourism marketing organization of Budapest
Publication manager: László Paszternák
3Metro 3 The following are selected (c) All rights reserved
photos submitted to the Edited by Turizmus Kft. · Editor: Brigitta Vajk · Design: András Nász
≥Phone number Budapest Panorama
photo competition:
¥Fax
(1) p.19, P. Tkalcec; (2) Translation: CHFI Bt.
óOpening hours p. 20, (7) p. 31, U. Ishay; Cover: Future Card Stúdió · Maps: TOPOGRÁF
Photos: Laya Gelencsér, József Hajdú,
%Admission (3) p. 26, R. Vasilev; (4), Hungarian National Tourist Office and Turizmus Kft.
(5) p. 26, J. Bunston; (6) The publisher does not accept responsibility for damages arising from any
éBudapest Card p. 26, D. Saunders; (8) p. changes in information contained in this publication.
Publication closed: November 2004
accepted 33, J. Müller.
Printing: Szikra Printing House Co.
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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 dozen 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)
µH–1364 Budapest Pf. 215 • ≥([phone] • ¥([phone] • E-mail: [email protected]
www.budapestinfo.hu
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HANDY information
Turista információ • Tourist information
INFORMATION OFFICES
Tourinform Main office– Police-info Office
V., Deák tér/Sütô utca 2 (H3) ≥(36-1)438-8080 ó8 am–8 pm
Buda Castle
H–1016 Budapest, Szentháromság tér
≥([phone], ¥([phone]
Excursions, sightseeing, World Heritage views, maps, guide services,
general information, car rentals
ó15 June–15 Sept 9 am–8 pm, 16 Sept–14 June 10 am–7 pm,
1 Nov–31 March Mon–Fri: 10 am–7 pm, Sat–Sun: 10 am–4 pm
Western (Nyugati) Railway Station
≥/¥([phone]
Left wing of the main station • Accommodation, maps, general information Nonstop information:
ó15 June–15 Sept 9 am–7 pm, 16 Sept–14 June Mon–Fri: 9 am–6 pm,
Tourinform call centre (24 hours):
Sat–Sun: 9 am–3 pm
([phone]
Budaörs Tourinform hotline (24 hours):
H–2040 Budaörs – AGIP Complex – South ≥/¥([phone] ([phone] from abroad,
Accommodation, maps, general information
(06-80)630-800 from Hungary
ó15 June–15 Sept Mon–Fri: 9 am–7 pm, Sat–Sun: 9 am–6 pm,
Internet: www.hungarytourism.hu
16 Sept–14 June Mon–Fri: 9 am–5 pm, Sat: 9 am–3 pm, Sun: closed
¥([phone]
Liszt Ferenc tér E-mail: [email protected]
≥([phone], ¥([phone]
H–1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 11
Accommodation, sightseeing, excursions, special programmes, guide
services, maps, general information, car rentals, World Heritage views,
newspapers, tickets for cultural and sports events, souvenirs.
ó15 June–15 Sept Mon–Fri: 9 am–7 pm, Sat–Sun: 9 am–6 pm,
16 Sept–14 June Mon–Fri: 10 am–6 pm, Sat: 10 am–4 pm, Sun: closed
Budapest, Ferihegy – terminal 2A, 2B
≥([phone], ¥([phone] ó8 am–11 pm
PASSPORT, VISA
Entry with a 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, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland.
Entry with passport but no visa
Citizens of European countries (with the exception of Albania, Russia, Serbia-Montenegro, Turkey and the
Ukraine) do not require a visa to travel to Hungary. Citizens of the following countries outside Europe
similarly do not require a visa: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, Malaysia,
Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela.
For more detailed information please check the following site: www.kum.hu
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HUNGARY’S FOREIGN REPRESENTATIONS BUDAPEST BASICS
Great Britain 2 Fitzwilliam Place, Climate
Hungarian National Dublin 2 Temperate zone, continental
Tourist Office ≥(353 1)6612-879 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)7823-1055 USA low as –15°C)
(profession) Hungarian National Budapest has a relatively high
¥(44-20)7235-9840 Tourist Office number of hours of sunshine per
E-mail: 150 East 58th Street, annum. It exceeds 8 hours per day
[email protected] 33rd floor, between April and September.
www.hungarywelcomesbritain.com New York, N.Y. 10155-3398
≥(1-212)355-0240 Time zone
Ireland ¥(1-212)207-4103 Budapest is on Central European
Hungarian National E-mail: time (CET).
Tourist Office [email protected] GMT +1 hour
Hungarian Embassy, www.gotohungary.com Summer time (March to the
BUDAPEST IN EUROPE
Low-cost airlines
flying to Budapest (as
at November 2004)
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Budapest Guide – angol 12/9/04 10:17 Page 7
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 Luggage search service: pályaudvar) VIII., Baross tér,
The Airport minibus service is • Ferihegy 2A: ([phone], ≥([phone]
popular and relatively cheap: for ([phone] Western Railway Station (Nyugati
• Ferihegy 2B: ([phone],
([phone]
Telephone reservations for
MALÉV flights: ([phone]
E Airport minibus service:
([phone]
By train
Budapest has direct rail links to
25 capitals. There are more than
50 international connections each pályaudvar) VI., Nyugati tér,
≥([phone]
Southern Railway Station (Déli
HUF 2100 it will drop passengers
anywhere within the city limits. A
return ticket (HUF 3600) is valid
for six months.
day. Trains depart every three
hours between Budapest–Vienna, pályaudvar) I., Krisztina krt. 37/A,
with a travel time of less than ≥([phone]
two and a half hours. INTERCITY Information on international rail
links running between the capital links:([phone],
and the major towns around www.elvira.hu
Hungary are extremely popular All rail stations can be accessed
and comfortable. by the metro (‘Keleti pu.’, ‘Déli
Ferihegy 1 – Undergoing pu.’ stops on Metro line 2,
renovation, opening: Summer By rail ‘Nyugati pu.’ stop on Metro line
2005 There are three major international 3), but MÁV Hungarian Railways
Ferihegy 2A – terminal for all railway stations in Budapest: also operates a Railbus –
MALÉV Hungarian Airlines flights Eastern Railway Station (Keleti information: ([phone].
Ferihegy 2B – arrival and departure
terminal for foreign airlines, By coach
terminal for budget airlines Domestic coach services arrive at
Airport information: and depart from Népliget
Central number: ≥([phone], Stadionok
([phone] ≥([phone], Árpád
Flight information: Bridge ≥([phone] and
([phone] Etele Square in Buda
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The Hungarian Highway Code in a safe area; drivers may not
(KRESZ) is based on the Vienna consume any alcohol before
and Geneva Convention, and as driving, and drunk drivers can be
such traffic signs and road fined upwards of HUF 30,000
markings are similar to those (USD 130); the speed limit in
found in other European built-up areas is 50 kph, outside
countries. However, it is built-up areas 90 kph, on main
important to highlight a few key roads 110 kph and on motorways
traffic regulations that tourists 130 kph; use of the horn in
visiting Hungary must observe at towns is only permitted in
all times: use of seatbelts in the moments of danger (despite
≥([phone]. The front and rear seats is which, unfortunately, Hungarian
international coach station is at compulsory; only mobile phones drivers frequently use their horns
Népliget. fitted with loudspeaker and without proper reason).
Volánbusz Rt. has scheduled microphone may be used in cars, Hungarian Automobile Club
passenger coach services to and and it is recommended that (Magyar Autóklub) 24 hour
from the following countries: drivers making or receiving a call helpline: ([phone]
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech pull over to the side of the road Roadside breakdown service: 188
Republic, Denmark, France,
Germany, Great Britain, Greece,
Holland, Italy, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, CURRENCY Forint (Ft or HUF)
Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, Coins 100 50 20 10 5 2 1
Yugoslavia.
Information on domestic and
international routes:
([phone]
By boat
Banknotes: 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10 000 20 000
Exchanging money
Exchanging money is only
permitted in licensed,
designated places. Do not
take the risk of changing
money on the street. You
are likely to find yourself
Hydrofoils run scheduled services with counterfeit money,
from Vienna and Bratislava to the besides which such
heart of Budapest between April transactions are illegal.
and October. The Hungarian National
There are three large Bank gives official daily
international quays on the foreign exchange and
Danube between Széchenyi currency rates on 23
Chain Bridge and Liberty currencies. Most banks
(Szabadság) Bridge. have 24-hour banknote
Information on Mahart Passnave exchange ATMs. Besides
sailings: ([phone] this there are many credit
card and cash card ATMs in
By passenger car operation day and night.
Of the four motorways and four Banks and travel agencies
highways in Hungary, seven can set (and modify) their
depart from Budapest (motorway own exchange rates, taking the bank of issue’s rate as the basis. Any
No. 8 is the exception). bureau de change has to have the current exchange rates clearly
Drivers are obliged to purchase a displayed. Please keep your exchange receipt in a safe place until
motorway sticker for the you depart the country. Broadly speaking, the best exchange rates
motorways M1, M3, M5 and M7 are to be found close to the rail stations and in the city centre (Petôfi
(obtainable at border crossing Sándor Street). Banks generally give a middle rate, and the airport
points and major petrol stations). and hotel exchange rates are not so competitive.
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GENERAL INFORMATION INTERNET
≥ Telephone Accommodation Internet cafés are highly
Hungary code: 36, The capital has every category of fashionable in Budapest. The
Budapest: 1, accommodation from luxury following list details just some of
dialling code for hotel to paying guest rooms. the most popular locations
inland calls: 06. Free copies of Accommodation in offering Internet access:
Budapest Budapest can be picked up from
telephone information offices and hotel AMI
numbers are 7 digits, countryside receptions in town. V., Váci utca 40
numbers (including the trunk Other useful information on ≥267-1644
code) 8 digits. accommodation can be found on ó9 am–2 am
If you wish to phone abroad from the homepage of the Tourism
Hungary, first dial 00, wait for the Office of Budapest: CEU NetPont
tone, and then dial the country www.budapestinfo.hu, and in V., Október 6. utca 14
code, town code and continue information offices (for addresses ≥328-3506
with the telephone number. and telephone numbers see page 5). óMon–Fri: 8 am–11pm,
Public phones operate with 20, Sat–Sun: 9 am–11 pm
50 and 100 forint coins and Postal services
telephone cards. The latter can Internet Café
be purchased in tobacconists, V., Kecskeméti utca 5
post offices, petrol stations and ≥328-0292
newsagents. It is cheaper to ó10 am–10 pm
phone at the weekend, on public
holidays and in the evening. Internet Studio
Mobile telephone numbers are VI.,Dessewffy utca 45
9-digit, after dialling 06; ≥20/481-8688
depending on the telephone ó10 am–1 am
company, the first two numbers
are 20, 30 or 70. Matáv Belváros
V., Petôfi Sándor utca 17–19
Credit cards ≥485-6612
The most commonly used credit óMon–Fri: 9 am–8 pm, Sat: 10
cards – AMEX, Diners Club, am–3 pm
Cirrus, EnRoute, Euro/Mastercard,
JCB, VISA – can be used to obtain Netcorner Business Center
cash from ATMs in banks and on VII., Rákóczi út 58
the streets as well as to pay bills ≥413-1538
in hotels, restaurants and shops.
Emblems on the door of the Westel-Enternet
establishment detail which credit Post offices are generally open V., Váci utca 1
cards are accepted. from 8 am–6 pm Mon–Fri, 8 ≥238-7570
am–noon on Sat. There are two ó10 am–9 pm
post offices close to the rail
stations in Pest with longer Business centres in the major
opening hours: VI., Teréz körút hotels also offer Internet access
51. (open: Mon–Sat: 7 am–9 pm, facilities.
Sun: 8 am–8 pm), VIII., Baross tér
11/C (open: Mon–Sat: 7 am–9
pm).
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Postal money services: credit
Ambulance: 104
cards (VISA, VISA Electron,
Police: 107
EuroCard/Mastercard, Maestro)
can be used to make cash Fire service: 105
withdrawals at all post offices in Universal enquiries: 197
the capital. Post offices also Inland enquiries: 198
exchange Eurocheques, American International enquiries: 199
Express traveller’s cheques and Auto club help number: 188
postal orders. Speaking clock: 180
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Electricity from 7 am–6 pm, Office hours: generally
Hungary’s electricity network clothes shops between from 8 am–4 pm Mon. to Fri.
operates at 230 Volts. Plugs are 10 am–6 pm Mon. to Sat. Post offices: Mon–Fri: 8 am–6 pm,
the regulation continental type. Most shopping centres are also Sat: 8 am–1 pm (for details, see
open on Sun. Postal services section)
General opening times Tesco is open 24 hours a day, Banks: Mon–Thur: 8 am–3 pm,
Shops: food shops are open seven days a week. Fri: 8 am–1 pm
STAYING STREET-WISE
Security in Budapest Health matters, medical assistance
The general public security situation in the capital can Non-stop medical assistance:
be said to be good on an international average, and Falck SOS Hungary ≥200-0100
still it is better if tourists are prepared for certain
situations so that they do not end up feeling cheated. Non-stop dental service:
In general the tourist’s wallet is in greatest SOS Dental Service ≥267-9602
danger, and so it is advisable when using public
transport, at shopping centres, markets or any other Pharmacies in the capital are well stocked, and
busy area where people are jostling around to pay pharmacists may be able to suggest a medication
extra attention to wallets, purses and bags. for certain complaints.
Taxis are best pre-booked by phone; they are A notice on the door of pharmacies indicates the
cheaper and there is no chance that you will pick up address of the closest 24-hour pharmacy.
the one or two ‘private taxis’ who charge
outrageous fares. (For phone numbers of reputable Pharmacies operating around the clock:
companies, see the Taxi section p. 11.) Teréz Patika:
Always ask for a menu showing all the prices VI., Teréz körút 41, ≥311-4439,
before choosing which restaurant to eat at. This way Déli Gyógyszertár:
you can rule out any unpleasantness caused by XII., Alkotás utca 1/B, ≥355-4691
overcharging.
Never get mixed up in changing money or
gambling on the street. Carry documents, money
and credit cards in a closed, inner pocket, and don’t
carry a lot of cash around town. Never leave
valuables in your car.
Lost your passport?
You should report the loss of your passport to the
following authority:
Budapest and Pest County Directorate of the
Office for Immigration and Citizenship
Address: H–1117 Budapest, Budafoki út 60
≥ 463-9165, 463-9181
Open: 24 hours
If your passport is stolen, you must report the loss
to the local district police headquarters.
Emergency services: ≥107 or 112.
Tourinform telephone enquiries – Tourist Police:
438-8080
Left luggage
In Budapest left luggage counters and coin-
operated lockers are to be found at the rail
stations. There are two non-stop left luggage
counters at both the Eastern (Keleti) and the
Southern (Déli) Railway Stations, while the Western
(Nyugati) Railway Station has a left luggage
counter open from 5 am-midnight, and lockers
available 24 hours a day.
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