The political and cultural hub of Hungary, picturesque Budapest straddles the Danube River and possesses a hypnotising mix of historical sights, cultural attractions, and pulsing nightlife. Budapest was formerly two cities, Buda and Pest, and each maintains a distinct character to this day. The buzz of the city reverberates loudest in Pest, where you will find most of Budapest's best restaurants, events, and signature "ruin pubs" in addition to sights like the Basilica of St. Stephen, Central Market Hall, Parliament, and the opulent Széchenyi Spa Baths. Directly across the river, hilly, wooded Buda begins with Castle Hill - a treasure trove of medieval history and breath-taking views over the city - before giving way to more sedate, residential streets.
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is located 16 km southeast of the city centre. It is connected to the city via train, public bus, miniBud shuttle, and taxi.
Stately Keleti railway station is located in the heart of the city and can be reached by Metro, tram, trolleybus, and bus. The station is Budapest’s main international train terminal, boasting connections to destinations in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Serbia, and Croatia.
Budapest is usually very hot in July, with highs of 28°C and an average temperature of 22°C. The climate tends to be rainy, with an average 35% chance of rain each day.