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Budapest City Breaks

A city which has beguiled visitors from many other countries – and so been captured and ceded many times – Budapest has nonetheless prospered. Initially two separate cities – Buda and Pest – sat on either side of the river Danube, the two were united in 1872, and have since grown into one of the most inspiring and beautiful capital cities in the world.

Many of its buildings have survived for several centuries giving the city a well-worn ambience. These include the citadel, standing proudly on Gellert Hill, the remains of the old city walls, the enormous basilica of St Stephen – whose viewing platform affords panoramic views across the city – and the palatial Parliament building on which you can still see clearly that no expense was spared with its lavish gold trimmings.

The city's two elements straddle either side of the River Danube and are linked by the landmark Chain Bridge - and getting around on a Budapest break is easy and cheap with tourist tickets offering travel on buses, trams and metro at heavily discounted prices.

Food and drink, too, are very reasonably priced making Budapest an ideal destination for a packed city break on a budget. The market hall is especially recommended where you can sit perched outside stalls selling langos (deep-fried pizza-type bread) available with a variety of delicious toppings, and enjoy a real, authentic Hungarian treat.

Flights to Ferihegy airport, the closest to Budapest, are operated frequently from most UK airports, so you're sure to find convenient departures from your nearest one. Search our selection of ideas for Budapest city breaks and be sure to book your required dates as soon as you can to be sure of availability.

Read more about things to do in Budapest in our blog.

Booking Ahead - Budapest City Breaks 2020

If you’re looking to save money, then why not book ahead? Great holiday deals and packages are now available for Budapest city breaks in 2020.

Booking ahead for your 2020 city breaks to Budapest has many advantages - especially for families who are looking to save money. Parents can book holidays in advance, so they can reserve the time off forthcoming school half term and summer holidays.

Book cheap city breaks to Budapest for next year and save money now.

Key facts

Budapest - Holiday Destination Information

Key Information: City breaks in Budapest offer a huge variety of activities and attractions for both kids and adults. Budapest is one of the best cities to visit in Europe as it is known for its world-class restaurants, magnificent museums, spectacular galleries and historical attractions. This is the ideal family holiday destination.

Ideal Time to Go: Budapest’s climate is relatively mild which means you can find relaxing holidays all year round. The best time to visit Budapest is between March and May. These months are just outside of the high season which means you can expect cheaper hotel rates, less tourists and moderately warm weather. If you’re looking to bask in the sun, then you should book a city break to Budapest between July and August. Although these are the high seasons, you can expect consistently warm weather throughout.

Weather: The climate in Budapest is considered to be a humid continental climate - with cool summers and mild winters, you can find relatively warm weather whenever you decide to visit Budapest. The hottest months are July and August with average temperatures rising to 21°C, whereas the coldest months are December to February with average temperatures dropping to -1°C.

Flight Time: Direct flights to Budapest from the UK can take around 2.5 hours, whereas connecting flights may take longer.

Time Difference: Budapest is 1 hour ahead of the UK time.

Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)

Fun Fact: Budapest is highly regarded for hosting cultural events such as the Sziget Festival or Budapest Spring Festival. These musical and cultural events are hosted annually and attract artists from all over the world.

Top Tip: If you need a form of transport to get around, you may want to consider taxis. Taxis are the easiest and quickest way to get to your destination. However, you should avoid unmarked cars which only have a taxi sign on top. You can also use the public transport if you are looking for a cheaper alternative.

How to Get There

Direct flights to Budapest are available all year round from airports across the UK. You can also find connecting flights to Budapest across the UK. As Budapest is part of Europe, you can easily find cheap flights at any time of the year.

Things to do

Places to Visit on your Budapest City Break

Budapest is split into two parts, the Buda district and the Pest district. These districts offer so much variety in activities and entertainment. Here are a few of our recommended places to visit during your city break in Budapest:

Buda Castle – the Buda Castle is a historical castle and palace which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can enjoy a guided tour of the Buda Castle and find all sorts of magnificent Hungarian art collections.
St. Stephen’s Basilica – St. Stephen’s Basilica is the third largest grand church in Hungary. The Basilica offers a great range of fantastic attractions such as the sacred treasure of St. Stephen, the energetic musical concerts and the great views of Budapest from the Cupola. This location offers everything a holiday maker could want from a holiday in Budapest.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath – take a break and relax in one of the most popular thermal baths in Budapest. This natural hot spring is over 100 years old and is also one of the biggest natural hot springs in Europe. Along with the relaxing hot springs, there are also indoor geothermal pools where you can get massages or even bask in the saunas.