Going ashore

Hilly old-town Buda provides splendid river views,a charming little baroque quarter,and the Hungarian National Gallery. More modern Pest has stunning,mostly 19th-century and art deco architecture that will crick your neck. Take in a concert or opera at the gorgeous red-velvet and gilt Hungarian State Opera House if you get the chance.

Don’t miss

Dohany Square for one of the world’s largest and most beautiful synagogues. Built in 1859,the Great Synagogue has a stunning rose window,organ and silverware. It houses the Hungarian Jewish Museum,documenting the long history of Jews in Hungary and the once-large surrounding Jewish district that thrived before World War II.

Get active

Pest is flat and great for cycling or jogging and Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube has leaf-shaded paths and a dedicated five-kilometre running track. You can use bikes from the public system’s 180 stations. You’re charged per minute with an extra fee for returning the bike to a different station,but the cost is low.

Retail therapy

You’ll find everything from fancy malls to traditional stores selling Hungarian foodstuffs or folk art. Good buys include arts and crafts,Herend porcelain and local foods such as salami,paprika and marzipan. Hungarian wines and spirits include palinka fruit brandy and Tokaji (Tokay) sweet wine. Budapest has lots of great markets,including Victorian-era Central Market with three floors of fresh produce,and suburban Ecseri Market flea market,one of Central Europe’s largest.

Further afield

Arty,cobblestoned Szentendre is 20 kilometres away and crammed with churches,little museums and artists’ workshops. Under an hour north-west,former Hungarian capital Esztergom is the seat of Catholicism in Hungary. The huge cathedral and its gold-laden treasury are impressive and the pleasant town has lovely views over the Danube. Lake Balaton,Central Europe’s largest lake and a popular holiday destination,combines lovely scenery with historic towns,castles and vineyards. It is however an almost two-hour drive,so prepare for a long day.