Being the largest and one of the cheapest cities in Europe, Budapest is one of the best cities in the world to explore. With a vast array of bridges to cross, an underground rail network and bright yellow trams running regularly throughout the city; Budapest is an interconnected haven for travellers. Walking across any bridge of an evening paints a romantic scene and allows you to view Hungary in all of its glory.
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The tram takes you to many sites including the Romantic ‘Margaret Island’, located in the middle of the Danube River and is one of the highlights of the city. The Island makes a great day out for families, couples, the elderly… anyone! Having 238 acres of the island to explore, there is plenty to do. Attractions range from a small zoo and ruined castles to a hidden away water park and blooming Japanese gardens.
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For cheap and easy travel, you can buy a 24hr, 48hr or 72hr ‘Budapest Card’ which provides you with unlimited travel on any form of transport for the duration of your stay! The 72hr card costs approximately £28, so it is a real bargain! You order them online and request the cards to be delivered to your hotel/apartment free of charge, or you can collect them from a kiosk in central Budapest.
www.budapestcard.org
The card will also provide you with free entry to numerous museums as well as discounts on days out, including 20% off at the Szechenyi Spa which is located in the vast ‘City Park’.
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A visit to a spa in Budapest is a must do! Being a landlocked country, the city gets very humid over the summer months so a trip to the spa is very refreshing, relaxing and romantic. But if you do not want to visit a spa during your stay, there are plenty of amazing historical buildings for you to visit, including the magnificent Hungarian Parliament buildings which you can book to go inside for approximately £5 per person. But if you do not wish to pay to go inside, the outside of the buildings are extravagant in themselves.
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Food and drink within the city is relatively cheap and you can drink the water from the taps here! So if you do not want to spend money on water, you can refill your bottles free of charge from water taps dotted around the city. Also, for those shopaholics out there, do not worry. The high street offers a wide range of branded stores, as does the West End shopping centre for all of your clothing and accessory needs.
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However, if you do want to experience some of the local culture I would recommend a trip to the Central Market Hall which is full of fresh produce and local culture.
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All of Budapest’s attractions are easy to get to via the underground train system, as well as via bus routes and tram lines, all made even easier by the Budapest Travel Card which you simply show the drivers beforehand. It is impossible for me to explain to you how amazing Budapest is to explore, you will see magnificent buildings everywhere you look, you will experience local culture on every corner, you will walk across multiple bridges without getting bored of the views and most importantly you can do it on a tight budget and with your loved ones. There is something here for everyone. So go and explore. You know you want to!