For an unbeatable spa break with an injection of culture, look no further than Budapest. Your wallet will be pleasantly surprised to find that Budapest is one of the cheapest European capital cities. For the best vantage point, take a cruise along the Danube cruise and better yet, combine it with a wine tasting to sample Hungary’s King of Wines, the Tokaji Aszú. Make room in your Budapest itinerary for the best afternoon tea that you will ever experience (and we accept that this is a bold claim), the Herand Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace should not be missed.
Travel
A taxi to/from Budapest airport to city centre takes around 35 minutes but is very reasonable – £25-30 (Summer 2023)
Accommodation
There is an excellent selection of apartments to choose from in Budapest and plenty have views of the River Danube.
For larger groups, our current favourite is this modern Art Nouveau penthouse, which is over two floors with an impressive outdoor space.
If you prefer to stay in hotels, the Palazzo Zichy is well placed in the Palace District and regularly receives excellent reviews.
LŐRINC PAP TÉR 2 Budapest 1088 Hungary
Breakfast is included and early check-in and late check-out can usually be accommodated.
Sample Budapest Itinerary
Friday – Tours of the City
11:30 Brunch at Cirkusz
Dob utca 25, Budapest 1074 Hungary
14:00 Hop-on-hop-off tour bus
Join at Stop 4 of Red Route (Synagogue) and leave at Stop 2 (Chain Bridge)
16:o0 Herand Afternoon Tea
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, Széchenyi István tér 5-6., Budapest 1051
18:30 Wine Tasting Cruise
Meeting point – in front of the Gróf Széchenyi Ship
21:30 Supper at Magyar QTR
1056 Budapest Belgrád Rakpart 17
Saturday – Museums & Opera
09:00 Shopping at Central Market Hall (Food Market & Souvenirs)
1117 Budapest, Kőrösy József u. 7-9
11:00 House of Terror Museum
1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 60
14:00 Lunch at the New York Café
1073 Budapest Elisabeth krt. 9-11
16:30 Hungarian State Opera House Visit with Mini Concert
1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 22
20:30 Dinner & Drinks at Borsso Bistro
1053 Budapest, Királyi Pál utca 14
Sunday – St Stephen’s & Szechenyi Baths
08:30 Mass at St. Stephen’s Basilica
Szent Istvan ter 14, Budapest 1051 (Hop-on-hop-off tour bus from Zsinagóga / Synagogue (Stop 4) to Heroes’ Square (Stop 9))
12:00 Sunday Brunch at Gundel’s
1146 Budapest, Gundel Károly út 4
14:30 Szechenyi Baths plus optional massage
1146 Budapest, Állatkerti körút 9-11 (Hop-on-hop-off tour bus from Heroes’ Square (Stop 9) to Zsinagóga / Synagogue (Stop 4))
20:00 Supper at Hoppá! Bistro
1051 Budapest, Október 6. utca 15
22:00 Drinks at Doblo Wine Bar
Dob utca 20., Budapest 1072 Hungary