Manafez Dubai | May 2016

Page 60

Tourism

Top things to do in Budapest

Hungarian capital has been ranked as most economical travel destination

A

new survey has identified the Hungarian capital Budapest as the world’s cheapest travel destination.

Travel website Hoppa.com examined the prices of costs most typical of tourists – such as a cup of coffee, dinner for two, a 3-kilometre taxi ride or a night in a hotel – in 46 countries with the aim of showing would-be travellers the best budget destinations. It revealed that, with regard to overall costs, Budapest is the cheapest destination, with an average daily budget in the Hungarian capital amounting to 40.34 British pounds. Here are the top things to do it Budapest Royal Palace and Castle District You can’t miss the World Heritagelisted Royal Palace and Castle Hill. The palace is one of the city skyline’s most distinct features, with its huge green dome towering over the city; this majestic building is home to the Hungarian National Gallery and theBudapest History Museum, and nearby landmarks include the Sándor Palace (the Magyar president›s residence) and the National Dance Theater. Spend a few hours exploring the Castle District: check out the view from the famous Fishermen’s 58 |Manafez Dubai | May 2016 |

Bastion, admire the tiled roof of the Matthias Church, perhaps try a delicious cake at the Ruszwurm café, or simply soak up the atmosphere while walking the cobbled streets. You can take a leisurely walk up to the Castle Hill plateau, but a popular alternative is the funicular that leaves from Clark Ádám Square at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge. Thermal bath Budapest’s abundant underground thermal waters mean that there are dozens of thermal baths dotted throughout the city. Surrounded by the stunning architecture of the Széchenyi Bath feels like swimming in a beautiful palace (although it can get very crowded with fellow visitors). The hot thermal waters allow the outdoor pools to remain open in the winter months – swimming outside amid falling snow is a surreal experience. The Gellért Bath has an old-world charm and is particularly popular with older people soaking their bones. The Király Bath dates back to the 1500s, during the time of Ottoman rule; here visitors can pamper their senses amid a relaxed atmosphere, while submerging

in a traditional Turkish bath. For something that›s less about relaxing and more about partying in your bathing suit, Széchenyi Bath is the location for frequent Saturdaynight pool parties. Walk in District V: St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Parliament House There is so much to see in District V – just around every corner there’s a beautiful building or a historic sight. The newly renovated Parliament House and the redeveloped Kossuth Square are near the Margaret Bridge end of the district on the banks of the Danube. There’s a 45-minute tour inside the Parliament that you can book in advance, although walking around the building itself is also something special. Closer to Deák Square lies St. Stephen’s Basilica – for a small fee, ascend to the balcony surrounding the Basilica›s dome to get some of the best views of the city. Other places to look out for in District V are Váci Utca (a


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.