BUDAPEST GUIDE

Budapest Card

Discover Budapest and save money with this touris card which offers you more than a hundred services:

• unlimited travel on public transport
• free or reduced-price admission to 60 museums and sights
• sightseeing tour for half price
• reduced price tickets for cultural and folklore programmes
• discount in shops, restaurants and thermal baths
• special discounts on car rental, sports facilities

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Thermal Baths

Gellért Bath XI. Kelenhegyi út 2-4. Tel: 466-6166
The best-known, and most upscale, baths in Budapest (attached to the Hotel Gellért), built in 1918. The Gellért includes thermal baths and a main pool. The Art-Nouveau main hall is topped by a vaulted glass roof; the gallery surrounding the pool is supported by elegant Roman-style columns. Here a certain grandeur attaches even to the act of dogpaddling. Non-swimmers can pay 500 Ft to look around the beautiful mosaic-studded entrance hall and peep into the pool.
Open: Mon-Fri: 06:00 ? 19:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 - 17:00
Admission: 2700 HUF. The amount of money you get back if leaving within 2 hours: 900 HUF, within 3 hours: 500 HUF, within 4 hours: 200 HUF. For stays longer than 4 hours there is no money returned.

Széchenyi Bath XIV. Állatkerti krt. 11. Tel: 363-3210
The Széchenyi (1913) is a vast complex of outdoor and indoor pools - one of Europe's largest spa baths. It's a virtual microcosm of the Central European experience: first there's the Byzantine admission-fee structure, then the 'automatic' entry gate with a bored assistant standing beside it. But don't despair! Once inside, you're in the middle of la dolce vita, Budapest-style. Float around and you'll see young and old sweethearts nuzzling, and potbellied guys playing chess. Women and men are not segregated here. Bring your bathing suit and a towel.
Open: Mon-Fri: 06:00 ? 19:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 - 17:00
Admission: 1700 Ft, after 15:00 1300 Ft. The amount of money you get back if leaving within 2 hours: 800 HUF, within 3 hours: 500 HUF, within 4 hours: 200 HUF. For stays longer than 4 hours there is no money returned.

Király Bath II. Fő u. 84 Tel:202-3688
The Turkish pasha of Buda began building the Király Baths in 1565 just inside what was then the Castle gates. He wanted to make sure that, in the event of a siege of Buda, the Turks could still bathe. The Király remains one of the most striking and atmospheric of the baths; beneath its cupola lie several small pools.
Open: Women Mon, Wed, Fri 07:00 - 18:00. Men Tue, Thu, Sat 09:00 - 20:00.
Admission: 1000 Ft.
We issue entry tickets until one hour before closure. You have to leave pool-areas until 15 minutes before closure. Bathing time: weekdays 1,5 hours, weekends 1 hour.

Rudas Bath I. Döbrentei tér 9. Tel: 356-1322
These Turkish baths date back to at least the late 16th century. The octagon-shaped central bath is surrounded by smaller baths maintained at various temperatures. The water is promoted as 'mildly radioactive' (natural radioactivity, not the Chernobyl kind). While the thermal baths are men only, the main pool also accepts those of the female persuasion. Rudas is located next to the Buda bridgehead of Elisabeth Bridge.
Open: Thermal bath: Mon-Fri: 06:00 - 20:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 ? 13:00, Swimming pool: Mon-Fri: 06:00 ? 18:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 ? 13:00
Admission: thermal bath 1000Ft, swimming pool 800 Ft.
We issue entry tickets until one hour before closure. You have to leave pool-areas until 15 minutes before closure. Bathing time: weekdays 1,5 hours, weekends 1 hour.

Lukacs Bath II. Frankel Leó u. 25-29 Tel: 326 16 95
The Lukács is favored by old folks who come here to treat their rheumatism and other complaints. Those whose ailments were eased donated those 'plaques of gratitude' that cover one wall. Although part of the complex is outside, the view is rather narrow and claustrophobic. The current bath complex opened in 1984 but actually dates back a few hundred years. There's also a swimming pool.
Open: Mon-Fri: 06:00 ? 19:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 - 17:00
The bath department is open for ladies on Mon, Wed, Fri, while for gentleman on Tue, Thur, Sat.
Admission: 1200 HUF. The amount of money you get back if leaving within 2 hours: 400 HUF, within 3 hours: 200 HUF, within 4 hours: 100 HUF. For stays longer than 4 hours there is no money returned.

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Sights

Citadella
When it went up in 1854, the Citadella was the most despised structure in the city. The Austrians built this fortress on Gellért Hill to keep Budapest under their thumb and prevent a repeat of the 1848 Revolution. When the imperial army withdrew from the fortress, the Hungarians made symbolic breaks in the walls to show that the building was no longer a threat. Rising above the Citadella is the 14m-tall Liberation Monument. The inscription, which once paid tribute to the Soviet Red Army, has been historically sanitised for your protection: it now honours those who laid down their lives for 'Hungary's prosperity' [?]. Admission: 300 Ft.

Hero's Square (Hősök tere)
Choreographed Communist demonstrations on Heroes' Square once projected the power of the working class. Today, choreographed skateboard demonstrations display the agility of the local skate rats. The Millennial Monument here was erected to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarians' settlement of the Carpathian Basin. Atop the 36m-tall column stands the Archangel Gabriel, who supposedly appeared to King St. Stephen in a dream and offered him the crown of Hungary. (Dreams do come true...) The seven chieftains at the foot of the column represent the seven Magyar tribes that settled in Hungary in the ninth century. The Hungarian War Memorial stands in front of the monument - not a tomb, although it's shaped like one.

Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház) VI. Andrássy út 22
Tel: (+36-1) 331 25 50
Completed in 1884, the neo-Renaissance opera is impressive enough on the outside. But its interior is the part that's breathtaking - gilt and marble, with lavish and intricate frescos. The auditorium was designed by eminent architect Miklós Ybl and decorated by some of the most distinguished painters of the age. If you're coming to see the building, and not an opera, take the tour: head for the right-hand entrance near the buxom sphinx. If you'd like to see an opera, check our Entertainment section for the schedule. Daily tours in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian or Hungarian (Dutch, Serbian or Croatian available upon request) at 15:00 and 16:00.

Parliament (Országház) V. Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3 Tel: (+36-1) 441 40 00
In 1902, after a mere 17 years of construction, Hungary presented itself with what was then the largest parliament building in the world. An architectural echo of the Houses of Parliament of London, this neo-Gothic edifice expressed the country's robust self-confidence at the beginning of the 20th century. Since WWII, when Hungary's House of Lords was abolished, members of Parliament have convened only in the southern wing of the building. During the communist era, they convened hardly at all - only eight days a year, in fact, to rubber-stamp the laws drawn up by the Party. Parliament is fronted by several monuments to the nation's lost struggles: the wars for independence in 1703, 1848 and again in 1956. The cars in front of parliament mark the lost struggle for parking space in Budapest. Parliament also contains the crown jewels of Hungary - the Holy Crown and the Coronation Insignia, which were worn by Hungarian kings since the Middle Ages. At the end of WWII, these regalia were spirited out of the country and ended up in the United States, not to be returned until 1978. For the guided tours show up a few minutes early at Gate X, just right of the main stairs. The parliament building is chained off here, but a guard or tour guide should let you in to buy a ticket. Tickets are not sold in advance, and no tours are given when ceremonial events or sessions of parliament are taking place.

Royal Palace (Budavári Palota)
Here, in the mid-13th century, a palace was built for the kings of Hungary. It was reconstructed in glorious Renaissance style by King Matthias. But during the Turkish occupation, the building was neglected, and during the siege of 1686 it was completely destroyed. The Habsburg monarchs rebuilt the Royal Palace on this site but never occupied it for long, preferring to remain in Vienna. Between the two world wars the regent, Admiral Horthy, resided in the Palace. It was destroyed in the siege of Budapest and remained in ruins for decades. Today there are no royal residences left to visit: instead, the palace is home to several state museums and the National Library.

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Historic Churches

Cave Church (Sziklakápolna) XI. Szt. Gellért rkp. 1 Tel: (+36-1) 385 15 29 Open: 09:00-20:00
The Cave Church of Gellért Hill was founded in 1924 following a pilgrimage of Pauline monks to Lourdes. The chapel was consecrated on Whit Sunday 1926, and Pauline monks performed their duties here for 17 years. At midnight on Easter Monday 1951, the Hungarian secret police (IVH) broke into the chapel, arresting the entire order. The superior Ferenc Vezér was condemned to death, the others condemned to five to 10-year prison sentences, and the chapel blocked up with a 2.25m-thick concrete wall. It was not until August 27, 1989, that the chapel was reopened, although the demolition of the concrete wall was not finished until 1992. The revived Pauline Order now counts some 10 friars. Services 11:00, 16:30, 20:00. Sun 08:30, 11:00, 17:00, 20:00 (in Hungarian). Tourist visits not allowed during services.

Innercity Parish Church (Belvárosi Főplébániatemplom) V. Március 15. tér 2
Tel: (+36-1) 318 31 08 Open: 08:00-19:00
You'd never guess by looking at this church that it`s the oldest building in Pest. The original 12th century Roman-style church was largely destroyed in the Tartar invasion; its 14th century Gothic replacement was seized by the Turks and converted into a mosque. After WWII the church was again threatened, this time by Hungarian authorities: it was slated for destruction to facilitate the reconstruction of Elisabeth Bridge. Fortunately, in the end the bridge was re-routed around the church - just barely. Services 12:00, 17:30, Sun 08:30, 10:00 (in Latin), 12:00, 18:00.

Lutheran Church (Deák téri Evangélikus Templom) V. Deák tér 5.
When it was built in 1809, this neo-Classical building initially served as a warehouse for military uniforms. Two years later, it was converted into a church. At that time - believe it or not - this site was on the outskirts of town. Although most of the interior is unadorned in keeping with Protestant tradition, the altar is backed by an impressive replica of Raphael's Transfiguration. An imposing double-decker gallery rounds out the rear of the church.The church can be seen during services, or as part of a visit to the next-door National Lutheran Museum, V. Deák tér 4, tel. 317 41 73. Open 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. Admission: 300 Ft.

Matthias Church (Mátyás templom) I. Szentháromság tér 2 Tel: (+36-1) 355 56 57 Open: 09.00-17:00 except: Saturday: 09:00-13:00 Sunday: 13:00-17:00
The 13th century Matthias Church was renamed for the king who rebuilt it in 1470. It has witnessed significant events, including the marriage of King Matthias and the crownings of Franz Josef I and Charles IV. King Béla III and his wife are buried in the Holy Trinity Chapel here. The Turks whitewashed the Christian frescoes on the church's walls and turned the building into a mosque. The church was severely damaged when the Turks were driven out in 1686. It was again ravaged in WWII and not fully restored until 1968. The church's distinctive Gothic tower soars 80m high. Between the church and Fishermen's Bastion stands a statue of St. Stephen, founder of the Hungarian state. Admission: 300 Ft.

Roman Catholic Parish Church (Plébániatemplom) Templomdomb (Church Hill) Tel: 06-26 312 545 (parish offices)
After admiring the panorama from Church Hill, take a look inside this church, Szentendre's oldest. It was built in the 13th century; the current Baroque structure dates back to the 18th century. The old iron stake jutting out above and left of the entrance is actually part of a medieval sundial. Inside is displayed an 18th century banner of Catholic Dalmatians.

St. Stephen's Basilica (Bazilika) V. Szt. István tér Tel: (+36-1) 317 28 59 Open: 09:00-19:00
This church, the city's largest, was built on the site of the unholy 'Prank Theatre,' an animal-cruelty extravaganza in which bears, wolves and hyenas tore each other to shreds while bloodthirsty crowds egged them on. Construction of the Basilica began in 1851 but was not completed until 1905, because the dome caved in. If you're reading this inside the church and are now casting a wary eye upward, concentrate instead on the fact that the dome is exactly as tall as that of Parliament - 96m. The church contains the mummified right hand of King St. Stephen, founder of the Hungarian state. To see this relic, head to the chapel to the left of the main altar. Drop 100 Ft in the slot, and the glass case lights up to reveal this celebrated extremity in all its gnarled brown glory. The price is the same whether you've come to venerate a holy relic or merely to indulge your morbid curiosity. To get to the viewing platform above the cupola, take the elevator up, then scale 146 more steps - great views of Budapest.

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Parks and hills

City Park
The largest green belt expanse ont he Pest side, a favoured place for family outings, weekend entertainment and those looking for the tranquillity of nature. After draining and planting trees across this marshy area (centuries early a royal hunting domain), an English-style park was established here in the 19th century. Towards the end of the century magnificent buildings and monuments (Museum of Fine Arts, Palace of Arts, Millenium memorial, Vajdahunyad Castle) were erected for celebrations marking the thousandth anniversary of the Magyar Conquest. City Park offers entertainment of all kinds and for all generations: Funfair, Zool, Grand Circus, museums, spa bath, boating lake and skating rink.

Margaret Island
The historical monuments on this slender island running between Árpád Bridge and Margaret Budge date back to the 11th century. The capital?s most beauriful park is on the island, and visitors strolling around come acroos a variety of interesting structures (the UNESCO-protected Water Tower, musical wll, Open-air Stage, Church of St. Michael) and ruins several centuries old (nunnery where Margaret, daughter of King Béla IV lived, and the remains of two churches belonging to religious orders). And there is still more: swimming pools, two hotels and a variety of restaurants and buffets.

Tabán
The hilly area between Gellért Hill and Castle Hill is steeped in history. Today its extensive park and a few old buildings bear witness to the life this one-time centre enjoyed. Celts and Romans settled here, and its thermal sprins propted the Turks to establish baths here (the Rudas and Rác thermal baths of today). From the 17th century Serb, Greek and Roma refugees lived in its small streets. The arcaded terraces of Castle Garden (Várkert) standing at the foot of Tabán and looking out onto the Danube was designed by Miklós Ybl, foremost Hungarian architect of the 19th century. Today open-air festivals and concerts are regularly staged in Tabán.

Gellért Hill
A popular excursion destination for Budapesters and toursits due to its attractive park and superb panoramas from the viewing terraces. The sights ont he hill recall individual periods in history: the statue of Bishop St. Gellért that of pagan times, the Citadel that of Habsburg oppression after the 1848-49 War of Independence, and the Liberty Monument towering over the city the period after the Second World Var. The Cave Church (south side of the hill) opened in 1926 and built ont he Lourdes pattern was reopened in 1989.

Buda Hill
A mecca for nature lovers and excursionists, the Buda Hills (400-500 m) lie to the northwest of the city centre and offervisitors excellent air and endless forests with well marked tourist trails. In addition to walking and cycling, the most popular means of getting around for tourists include the cogwhell railway (from Szilágyi Erzsébet Avenue to Széchenyi Hill), the narrowgauge railway which is operated by children (from Széchenyi Hill via János Hill to Hűvösvölgy), and the chair-lift running up and down János Hill, which when the weather is fine offers a breathtaking panorama of the city.

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Jewish Budapest

The Great Synagogue is the gateway to what was once a sizable Jewish quarter in the heart of Budapest, in District VII. In the early part of the century, roughly half of this area's residents were Jewish. During the German occupation in 1944, part of this district - the area between Dohiny utca, Király utca and Erzsébet körút - was walled off and turned into a ghetto, where about 70,000 were confined under brutal conditions. This ghetto was the only one in Europe to be spared total liquidation - in this instance the arrival of the Red Army really did mean a liberation.You might notice that the synagogue at C-3, Rumbach Sebestyén u. 11-13, bears the same striped orange-and-yellow motif as the Great Synagogue. In fact, it was not so much a relative as a rival: the Rumbach Sebestyén utca synagogue was built in 1872 for those who were too traditional to attend the Great Synagogue. The Rumbach Sebestyén utca synagogue has been closed since 1944; what it will be used for in the future is unclear. Its owner, the Hungarian state, hopes to find a suitable buyer. One previous suggestion was to turn the building into a theatre. The Jewish community had hoped, with state funding, to open a Holocaust museum here, but the state has instead designated a synagogue on Páva utca (in far-away District IX) for that purpose. Another synagogue, this one Orthodox, stands at C/D-3, VII. Kazinczy utca 29-31. It was built in 1913. Enter at VII. Dob u. 35 and you`ll find an old huppah (wedding canopy).

Great Synagogue VII. Dohány u. 2
Completed in 1859, this synagogue is the second largest in the world (the largest being in New York). The onion domes are strikingly Oriental-Byzantine, as is the facade: the patterns in the brickwork were inspired by ancient ruins in the Middle East. But for all its exoticism, the design also expresses 19th century Hungarian Jews' aspirations toward assimilation. The twin towers, for instance, evoke church steeples, and the organ inside the synagogue is a clear cosncession to Christian tradition (one that provoked spirited opposition from Orthodox Jews). During WWII, the Germans turned the synagogue into a detention camp. Some of the 3,000 Jews who did not survive the privations of the ghetto are buried in the adjoining courtyard. One ticket entitles you to see the synagogue and the adjacent Jewish Museum (see below), which has the same hours. For more information, contact the Jewish Information Center at VII. Síp u. 12, tel. 342 13 35/343 04 20.
Open: 10:00-17:00, Fri: 10:00-14:00, Sat: Closed, Sun: 10:00-14:00

Jewish Museum VII. Dohány u. 2, Tel: 342-8949
The museum displays items from the 18th and 19th centuries, from both Hungary and abroad, grouped according to the holiday or occasion on which they were used. In 1993 almost the entire collection was stolen (it was later recovered in Romania). One of the most notable items is a Chevra book from Nagykanizsa, dating back to 1792. At the end of the exhibition, in a room draped in black, photos and clippings document the insanity of the Holocaust in Hungary. The site of the museum was the birthplace of Theodor Herzl (1860-1904), father of Zionism. Admission: 600 Ft (synagogue and museum).
Open: 10:00-17:00, Fri: 10:00-14:00, Sat: Closed, Sun: 10:00-14:00

Small Synagogue I. Táncsics Mihály u. 26 Tel: 225-7815
Buda's small synagogue was built in 1364, some 80 years prior to the erection of the Jewish community's main temple of worship. Closed by the authorities in 1686, it served as a private apartment until 1964-65, when the street was renovated and 14th century inscriptions of the Star of David were uncovered beneath the plaster. The synagogue is a small museum today; its exhibits include medieval Jewish tombstones.
Open: 10:00-18:00, Mon: Closed

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Shopping

Shopping Centres

Duna Plaza XIII. Váci út 178. Tel: 465-1666
Mall with multiplex cinema, bowling, Greek taverna, fast food.
Open: 10:00-32:00, Sat: 10:00-30:00, Sun: 10:00-16:00

Europark XIX. Üllői út 201. Tel: 347-1607
Mall with no entertainment, for serious shoppers.
Open: 09:00-20:00, Sun: 09:00-18:00

Mamut II. Széna tér, Tel: 345-8020
Open: 10:00-21:00, Sun: 10:00-18:00

Pólus Centre XV. Szentmihályi út 131. Tel: 415-2114
Fast-food restaurants, small ice-skating rink, huge Tesco. A special bus (same stop as Bus #7) leaves from Keleti Train Station to Pólus Centre roughly every half-hour.
Open: 10:00-20:00

Westend City Center VI. Váci út 1-3. (next to Nyugati Train Station) Tel: 238-7777
This mall is Budapest's biggest (boasting nearly 400 shops) and most centrally located.
Open: 07:00-24:00, Sat-Sun: 10:00-18:00

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Markets

Great Market Hall IX. Fővám tér
Situated on the Pest side of the Szabadság Bridge, is a remarkable building which should not be missed. Planned by Gustav Eiffel (yes... the man who built the tower of the same name ? and the Nyugati Train Station), huge arched windows cast light in an occasionally angelic fashion across the many meat and vegetable stalls which line it?s spacious aisles. This is camera happy tourist heaven. There is also a very useful grocer in the basement selling every non-Hungarian ingredient under the sun. Following its complete restoration in 1994 it has become one of the most popular and visited shopping sites among tourist circles.
Open: 06:00-18:00, Mon: 06:00-17:00, Sat: 06:00-14:00, Sun: Closed

Ecseri Market - flea market XIX. Nagykőrösi út 156 Tel:280-8001
Located in a vast lot in an industrial area. Mostly antiques, furniture and clothing. The best selection is supposedly on Saturdays. Take Bus N°54 from Boráros tér to the Fiume utca stop, then cross the pedestrian overpass.
Open:08:00-16:00, except: Sat: 06:00-15:00, Sun: 08:00-13:00

Petőfi Csarnok Bolhapiac - flea market XIV. Zichy M. út 14 (Citypark) Tel:363-3730
This outdoors flea market is one vast Magyar garage sale. Pirated CDs, old books and records, badges, coins and stamps. A fun place for souvenir hunting, or just looking through some of the collected consumer detritus of the past 20 years.
Open Sat, Sun 07:00 - 15:00.

The Chinese Market VIII. Kőbányai út
Whether you want to experience East Asia meets Eastern Europe or you just want to buy an astonishingly cheap pair of socks, the Chinese market is worth a visit. Consisting of three to four narrow 600m-long aisles, this market is literally packed with just about every item of clothing and household appliance you could imagine, though the range is surprisingly limited. The quality of some produce is worthy of the 'Made in China' label and haggling is a must. 10 minutes from Blaha Lujza tér on tram N°28.
Open every day: 09:00-16:00

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Ticket offices

Filharmónia Jegypénztár VII. Madách u. 3 Tel: 321-4199
Open: 10:00-17:30, Sat-Sun: Closed

Inter Ticket VIII. Szentkirályi u. 8. Tel:266-0000 / 266-7676

Központi Jegyiroda VI. Andrássy út 15 Tel: 267-1267
Open: 10:00-18:00, Sat-Sun: Closed

Music Mix V. Ferenciek tere 10 (IBUSZ) Tel: 317-7736 Fax: 338-2237
Open: 09:00-17:00, Sat-Sun: Closed

Publika VII. Károly krt. 9 Tel: 322-2010 Fax: 322-9269
Open: 10:00-18:00, Sat: 10:00-13:00 Sun: Closed

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Cultural Centres

Aurstrian Cultural Institute VI. Benczúr u. 16. Tel: 351-1770
Open: 09:00-16:00. Library open: Mon 10:00-12:00, Wed 08:30-10:30, Fri 12:00-15:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

British Council VI. Benczúr u. 26. Tel: 478-4779
Open: 09:00-17:00. Library open: 11:00-19:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

French Institute I. Fő u. 17. Tel: 489-4200
Open: 08:00-21:00, Sat 08:30-13:30. Closed Sun. Library open: 13:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-13:00. Closed Sun, Mon.

Goethe Institute VI. Andrássy út 24. Tel: 374-4070
Library open: Tue, Fri 11:00-17:00, Wed, Thur 14:00-19:00. Closed Sat, Sun, Mon. Gallery open 12:00-19:00, Sat 12:00-16:00. Closed Sun, Mon.

Italian Cultural Institute VIII. Bródy Sándor u. 8. Tel: 483-2040
Library open: 10:00-13:00, 16:00-18:00, Closed Sat, Sun.

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English Videos

English Videos VI. Zichy Jenő u. 44. Tel: 302-0291
The deposit is 2000 Ft. Video rental 600 Ft/day.
Open 10:00-22:00

Videomania VI. Andrássy út 33. Tel: 269-6812
For English-language videos, membership can be had by bringing a deposti of 2000 Ft and a passport or ID. You might be asked to show your residence permit. Video rental 750 Ft.

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Internet Cafes & Service providers

Ami V. Váci u. 40 Tel: 267-1644
Fifty terminals in an office-like atmosphere. Charge: 200 Ft for 15 mins, 400 Ft for 30 mins, 550 Ft for 45 mins and 700 Ft/hour. Scanning and colour priinting available. Lounge with drinks upstairs.
Open 09:00-02:00

Budapest Net V. Kecskeméti u. 5. Tel: 328-0292
Surf on 30 terminals. Charge: 700 Ft/hour, 1200 Ft for two hours and 1500 Ft for three hours. Coffee vendign machine available.
Open 10:00-22:00

Chaos Gallery & Internet Café VII. Dohány u. 38. Tel: 344-4884
Charge: 600 Ft/ hour
Open 12:00-20:00

Libri Könyvpalota VII. Rákóczi út 12. Tel: 267-4844
Eight terminals ont he first floor. Charge: 250 Ft / 30 mins, 400 Ft / hour. Sign up approx three days in advance. No use of personal floppy disks, but blank flopppies can be purchased here. Scanning, printing, coffee and drinks available.
Open 10:00-18:30, Sat 10:00-15:00. Closed Sun.

Yellow Zebra Internet Café V. Sütő u. 2. Tel: 266-8777
Five terminals, charges 600 Ft / hour, provides free coffee, tea and filtered water to surfers, and onlike the others they?ll burn your digital pictures onto a CD.
Open 09:00-20:00

Vista Internet Café VI. Paulay Ede u. 7. Tel: 429-9950
Seven terminals. Light refreshments are also available from the coffee house.
Open 09:00-18:30, Sat 09:00-14:30. Closed Sun.

Astorianet Internet Café V. Szép u. 2. Tel: 483-1828
A brand new internet place in the heart of downtown, a few steps from Váci street. Friendly English-speaking service. Great prices. Scanning, printing, faxing available.
Open 10:00-24:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-24:00

Internet service providers

Axelero Tel: 1234 info@axelero.hu

GTS Datanet XIII. Váci út 37/a Tel: 452-4444 info@datanet.hu, www.datanet.hu
Open 08:30-17:30. Closed Sat, Sun.

Inter.net XIII. Váci út 37 Tel: 465-7800 ugyfelszolgalat@hu.inter.net. , www.hu.inter.net.
Open 09:30-17:30. Closed Sat, Sun.

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Going out- Bars

Janis' Pub V. Királyi Pál u. 8 Tel: 266-2619
Would Janis Joplin be caught dead here? We'll never know, but a crowd old enough to remember when Bobby McGee sang the blues gathers in this beautiful old wooden drinking emporium. Guinness, Kilkenny, Budweiser, Radeberger and Gösser on tap. Live music Mon, Tue, Wed.
Open: 16:00-02:00, Fri: 16:00-03:00, Sat: 16:00-03:00, Sun: 18:00-24:00

Picasso Point VI. Hajós u. 31 Tel: 312-1727
Five minutes from the opera house, by day, Picasso Point operates as a café-restaurant offering Budapest?s equivalent to a pub lunch, while in the evening it develops into a lively down-to-earth bar. Below the earth, however, things become significantly more exciting when the music in the cellar nightclub begins to pound.
Open: 11:00-24:00, Thur: 11:00-02:00, Fri: 11:00-04:00, Sat: 16:00-04:00, Sun: 16:00-24:00

Rio and Zöld Pardon XI. Buda side of Petőfi Bridge
If you fancy an outdoor dance and a beer (in a plastic cup), in the words of James Brown, 'Take it to the bridge!' and jump aboard tram N°4/6 to the Buda side of Petőfi Bridge. On either side of the road you?ll find around a thousand happy-go-lucky 20-somethings thrusting about in a field. Rio is fractionally less debauched than Zöld Pardon!
Open: 09:00-06:00

Szóda VII Wesselényi utca 18 Tel: 06 70-389 6463 / 06 70-389 6462
An immediate hit following its opening in May, the success of Szóda (or Soda) is down to its slick presentation. Like the bar?s customers, Szóda is cool. The large windows are emblazoned with its space-age logo and lined with (you got it!) empty soda bottles. Inside, the walls are topped with action shots from Japanese Manga cartoons and the furniture is a mix of 1970s armchairs and coffee tables. The popular drink is beer, despite the fact that a glass of soda is free. There?s a kitchen serving breakfast and hot and cold snacks too.
Open: 08:00-05:00

Irish

Becketts V. Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 72 Tel: 311-1033 / 311-1035
It seems everyone from touring social rugby sides to pinstripe-suit-wearing yuppies converges at this genuinely Irish, informal HQ for Budapest's expatriate scene. There's a lot of space to fill in Becketts, but they certainly manage Thursdays to Saturdays. The best pub grub in the city, no contest, as well as charming Hungarian waiting staff with Irish accents - and an always reliable pull of Guinness: all conspire to make Becketts our favourite Irish pub in Budapest. (1200 - 2200 Ft)
Open: 12:00-01:00, Fri: 12:00-02:00, Sat: 12:00-02:00

Irish Cat Pub V. Múzeum krt. 41 Tel: 266-4085
If you're tired of sitting outside in the heat and you?re looking for somewhere to cool off, this air-conditioned cellar bar opposite the National Museum is just the place. Chill out with a pint of Guinness in one of the brick/wood cubby-holes, tuck in to a pub lunch, or pull up a stool at the whiskey bar and choose from a wide selection of Irish and Scottish whiskeys. There is also live music on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Open: 11:00-02:00, Fri: 11:00-04:00, Sat: 11:00-04:00, Sun: 17.00-02:00

American

Henry J. Bean's V. Szent István krt. 13. Tel: 302-3112
There's hardly a bit of wall here that's not covered with some form of Americana. It's not an original theme, but Henry does it better than most. You can order burgers and BBQ from the adjoining Chicago Rib Shack.
Open: 12:00-24:00, Thur: 12:00-01:00, Fri: 12:00-01:00, Sat: 12:00-01:00, Sun: 12:00-22:00

Rolling Rock Café XI. Bartók Béla út 76 Tel: 385-3348
A typical example of successful US marketing: Rolling Rock is an extra-pale American brew. The menu boasts steaks, Tex-Mex pub grub and four pages dedicated to merchandising. The chairs and table match the colour of the beer bottle: light green. Live concerts every night on the stage under the big screen. Funky, blues music nightly.
Open: 11:00-24:00

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Music Clubs

Club Seven VII. Akácfa u. 7 Tel: 478 90 30
A classy, supper-club atmosphere pervades in this sprawling, partly underground café, bar and music club. From the street it looks like a small café, and its frontage is just that. In true speakeasy style, dip down the stairs and pull back the curtains to reveal a long room with rows of tables, and a stage for sophisticated, mellow jazz acts and a medium-sized dance floor. There's also a separate cocktail bar area with drinks mostly around the 1000 Ft mark. The downside? The ubiquitous, surly bouncers and the occasional, out-of-place naff theme night (such as when the also-ubiquitous Chippendales show up). Admission free for women, 2,000 Ft for men.
Open: 10:00-05:00

Cotton Club VI. Jókai utca 26. Tel: 354-0886
Imagine you're a 1920s gangster (or his moll) and take a trip down to the Cotton Club. With a cigar in one hand and a brandy in the other, sit back and relax in a dimly lit lounge with comfortable dark wood furnishings and watch mildly entertaining performances of American heyday classics given by the small company of dancers and a seductive blonde singer. Though the name suggests otherwise, the focus of the live entertainment is definitely not the music, so don?t expect to hear Budapest?s answer to Duke Ellington, but it?s enjoyable nonetheless.
Open: 12:00-01:00

Fat Mo's V. Nyáry Pál u. 11 Tel: 267-3199
Fat Mo's is almost always, always busy. The place was presumably meant to resemble a speakeasy. What you've got here is basically one very long bar, with B & W prints from the good ol' days of prohibition, bootleg moonshine, Al Capone and the St. Valentine's Day massacre (what is it with this town's nightlife and American gangsters?). The crowds that fill the dance floor and prop up the bar are otherwise pre-occupied. Fat Mo's also operates as a daytime lunch joint, serving hearty fare for the hungry hitman (sorry, hitperson).
Open: 12:00-02:00, Wed: 12:00-03:00, Thur: 12:00-04:00, Fri: 12:00-04:00, Sat: 18:00-04:00, Sun: 18:00-02:00

Old Man's Music Pub VII. Akácfa u. 13 Tel: 322-7645
Let's get this straight. We're big fans of the happy hours, smiling bar staff and enthusiastic crowds that gather at the legendary Old Man's Music Pub. We're also rather keen on breathing. Some nights this likeably ramshackle underground bar and dance hall is just too packed, and must surely be a fire hazard. We're talking more than a disco inferno here. And that's it, our one gripe about one of the most fun Budapest nightspots. Live music 21:00 - 23:00.
Open: 15:00-04:00, Fri: 15:00-04:30, Sat: 15:00-04:30

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Disco

Bahnhof VI. Váci út 1 (behind Nyugati Train Station) Tel: 302-4751
All aboard the night train to proletarian meat-market Budapest nightlife - not that there`s anything wrong with that! Two rooms to shake your booty, one playing it safe with mainstream dance, the other crossing tentatively over to more committed house sounds. In case anyone notices, the theme décor, that of couchettes and train station memorabilia, has been fairly well executed. Cheap enough beers - around the 200 - 300 Ft mark - and friendly service behind the bar, even if the bouncers are a little gruff.
Open: 21:00-04:00, Mon-Wed and Sun: Closed

E-Klub X. Népligeti út 2 (next to Planetirium) Tel: 263-1614
If you're looking for that big, slightly impersonal international disco, head here. Split into four areas, with a second dance floor featuring 1980s retro. A people watcher's paradise - social and sexual politics are easily perceived (gay/lesbian patches of turf; areas where unattended women dolefully stand; champagne-swilling mafiosa manhandling trophy girlfriends). E-Klub is both amusing and dehumanizing. We didn't stay long. Admision: Fri 500 Ft for women, 700 Ft for men; Sat 600 Ft for women, 800 Ft for men.

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