Contents Introduction XXIII How to use this book XXIV Background & practical info Contexts 1 History 2, Politics 9, Economy 13, People 17, Cultural etiquette 19, Giving something back 21, Business 22, Religion 24, Culture 24, Holidays, festivals & events 28, Geography 31, Climate 32 Planning 33 The city: a practical overview 33, When to visit 34, Tour operators (worldwide) 35, Red tape 40, Hungarian embassies abroad 41, Getting there & away 41, Health 48, Safety 51, What to take 56, Money 58 Practicalities 59 Banks 59, Exchanging currency 59, Credit cards 60, Media 61, Communications 62, Embassies (local) 66, Tourist information 67, Local tours 67, Local travel agents 74, Discount card 74, Food 75, Drink 79, Coffee & cake 82, Museums & galleries 85, Public toilets 86 Local Transport 87 Public transport 87, Other transport 91 Accommodation, leisure & entertainment Accommodation 95 Hotels, pensions & hostels 95, $$$$$+ 97, $$$$$ 100, $$$$ 102, $$$ 109, $$-$ 114 Private apartments 116, Private rooms 118, Camping 118 Bars & Nightclubs 121 Bars & pubs 121, Nightclubs 131, Gay Budapest 135 Entertainment 137 Ticket offices 137, Theatre 139, Music 141, Dance 146, Other 148, Cinema 148, Casinos 149 Shopping 151 Antiques, art, furniture & jewellery 152, Folk-art centres 156, Food & drink 157, Markets 158, Newspapers, books & maps 162, Porcelain, pottery & glass 163, Shopping centres/malls 164, Miscellaneous 165 XX Baths & Sport 167 Baths 167, Sport 174 Exploring the city Castle Hill 181 Getting up there 182, The castle complex 183, The old town 186, Major sights 196, Museums & galleries 200, Restaurants 204, Cafes 206 Gellert Hill, the Taban & surrounds 207 Gellert Hill 207, the Taban 210, The surrounds 211, Museums & more 212, Restaurants & cafes 214 The Vizivaros, Szell Kalman ter & close by 215 The Vizivaros 215, Szell Kalman ter 219, Museums & more 220, Restaurants & cafes 221 Obuda, Aquincum & the Romai-part 223 Museums & more 226, Restaurants & cafes 228 The Buda Hills & Beyond 231 The rail trail 233, Normafa Lejto & Janos hegy 234, Other hill walks 234, Caves 236, Other sites of natural interest 238, Museums & more 241, Restaurants & cafes 244 The Downtown 247 Belvaros 247, Lipotvaros & beyond 254, Major sights 257, Museums & more 260, Restaurants 261, Cafes 268, Coffee bars 270 Terezvaros 271 Along Andrassy ut 271, Museums & more 274, Restaurants & cafes 277 Heroes' Square, City Park & the Sports District 281 Museums & more 284, Restaurants & cafes 288 Erzsebetvaros 291 A walk along Dob utca 292, Museums & more 294, Restaurants & cafes 296 Jozsefvaros, Ferencvaros & beyond 299 Museums & more 301, Restaurants & cafes 306 The Islands 307 Margaret Island 307, Shipyard (or Obuda) Island 309 Beyond the City 311 Outside Budapest 311, The Danube Bend 312, Lake Balaton 314 XXI Phrases & further info Language 315 Pronunciation 315, Words & phrases 316 Further Information 321 Books 321, Guidebooks & maps 322, Websites 323 Index 324 XXII
