Words by Susan Gough Henly
9am
Start the day with a stroll along Andrassy Boulevard to admire the gilded Hungarian State Opera House and neo-Renaissance mansions, stopping for coffee and pastry at Café Párisi. Get a dose of reality at the House of Terror, which documents the 20th century fascist and communist regimes
11am
Soak in the indoor and outdoor pools of the grand Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the largest thermal baths in Europe.
1pm
Lunch at Városliget Café overlooking Városliget Lake. Feast on traditional Hungarian specialties, such as goulash or tányérhús
3pm
Take the historic cable car from Chain Bridge up Buda Hill to explore its medieval streets. See the Gothic Matthias Church and enjoy views of the Danube and Pest from the Fisherman’s Bastion
5pm
Set sail on a sunset Danube cruise to admire the castle and flamboyant Hungarian Parliament building. Pause at the Shoes on the Danube sculpture honouring the Jewish people killed by the fascist Arrow Cross during WWII
6pm
Dine to the backdrop of music from a gypsy band at the atmospheric Kárpátia Restaurant and Brasserie.
8pm
Indulge in a spot of culture and take in a performance at the majestic Opera House or Franz Liszt Academy of Music.
11pm
Time for a night cap. Start at the quirky Szimpla Kert and explore the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter.
