Having arrived in Budapest, it is first of all not so easy to orientate oneself. Because all the names of the streets are only indicated in Hungarian, and sometimes it is necessary to check two or three times how the street that you want to reach is called. But that is pretty much the only difficulty you will come across with.

- how to get around

The public transport is quite fast and easy to use. There are three underground lines, with which you can reach the main destinations, and they drive from six o’clock on in the morning until one at night. If it doesn’t work out with the underground, then you have also trams and busses. There are special bus lines which drive the hole night. And if you are completely lost, you can still take a taxi. There are a lot and they are not too expensive.

So there is no problem to enjoy Budapest’s nightlife. There should be something for every taste. Nice Bars to relax, loud clubs with every music style and big and little concerts too.

The best way to find the right place for one’s taste, is probably to ask Hungarian people, they will know where to go. Usually people are very friendly. Mostly they speak a little bit German or English, but there are a lot who don’t speak any foreign language.

- sights

In culture there is a lot to see. Budapest has a lot of ancient buildings, which are very exciting. And a lot of history to discover, the museum “House of Terror”, is about Hungary in the second World War, and it is very good done. Then it is very interesting to have a look at the expositions of paintings and sculptures. There are not a lot of popular artists to see, just because they didn’t get the chance to show their artworks to the world, due to communism that reigned until a decade ago. But there are a lot of artists, and a lot of impressions to get.

Their standard of living is quite low, people were expecting a lot of improvements in being integrated in the EU. But it was a disappointment for a lot of people, goods have become more expensive, and life has not changed. They can’t afford much luxury, everybody still lives more or less at the same standard. And only a minority has enough money to live without any financial worries.

By Tom Gaubig, EURplace26 Participant

- about the city

Budapest has always stood out as something different, which makes it a great place to visit and a wonderful place to live, but it’s hard to put your finger on what it is that makes it so distinct.

Budapest has always stood out as something different, which makes it a great place to visit and a wonderful place to live, but it’s hard to put your finger on what it is that makes it so distinct. Compared to its neighbours, Hungary is a small country, only about 93,000 sq. Km in area (about the size of Indiana in the US), and it’s surrounded in more ways than one. It’s completely landlocked, having lost the coastal parts of its territory in the aftermath of the fist World War, still a prickly point with the older generation. In addition, the Hungarian language is totally unlike any nearby country, which has perhaps contributed to the independent nature of the people. They are rather passionate and strong-willed and can even seem a little pushy, but on the plus side, they are famous for their hospitable nature, and will bend over backwards to make you feel welcome. “Come on, my friend, You can’t say you’ve experienced Hungary until you’ve tasted this…” (and this, and that etc)

- hospitality point

Perhaps no other capital has played such a dominant role in the life of a nation as Budapest. Every fifth Hungarian person lives in the capital. The city itself is large and diverse. It is divided by the Danube river into two rather distinct halves: hilly, rather exclusive Buda on the West side and the flat expanse of Pest on the East, which includes the Business districts and houses the majority of the city’s 2-million population.

Because of the size of the city, it’s advisable to take advantage of the public transport system to get around, as it is efficient and cheap.

One thing you simply must try here is a thermal/Turkish bath in Budapest. A capital city featuring the highest number of medical thermal springs in the world, Budapest was granted the title of "Spa City". There is probably no other capital city on the globe with swimming pools and bathing halls dating back to the Turkish occupation and still in use today. These are also sights in themselves, with richly coloured frescoes and Art Nouveau forms to be spotted as you enjoy the waters. Budapest has Turkish (hotter, steamier) and also Thermal (cooler, more curative) Baths and if you are luck, you may be able to see one of the renowned but rare pool parties (drinkier, more groovy) in the summer.

- events

This is a vibrant city. Budapest is unequivocally the centre of cultural life in Hungary. Every year the tourist season kicks off with the Budapest Spring Festival and ends with the Autumn Festival with a host of different cultural events in between. The most famous festival is the Pepsi Island International Music Festival (Student Island/Pepsi Sziget/Diák Sziget). This popular and well-organised gathering takes over a large island in the Danube, (though still inside the city) for the first week of August, every year. The island is full of life 24-hours-a-day, featuring Hungarian and international bands: both big names and small. Recent bands to grace the stage have included: Chumbawumba, Shaggy, Iggy Pop, Faithless, The Klezmetics, Anima Sound System, Yonderboy, Suzanne Vega and Morcheeba. There is a busy community at the festival, including market stalls, food stalls, bars, plus all the weird and wonderful attractions you might expect at one of Europe's largest Music festivals. You can rough it in the tent village or stay in an inexpensive hostel on the mainland, and visit the island when you wish.

Traditional Hungarian cooking is another great thing to try. It’s great - lots of hearty, farmhouse-style fare. It is quite heavy food, sometimes spicy, but invariably meat-based. Dishes here are based on pork, chicken, goose, beef, fish and sometimes lamb and game. You will mostly find potatoes, onions and other root vegetables and of course, peppers and Paprika. Vegetarians are a rare breed in Hungary, but if you are one, rest assured that you will always be able to find some small token offering on most restaurant menus – even if you may be regarded as a little peculiar and be prepared to explain to the waiter why you don’t eat meat even though it’s so good here.

- sights

One of the great pleasures of the city is just wandering about and soaking up the atmosphere. All the tourists head for the popular pedestrianised Váci street – but so the vendors, hawkers and thieves. Alternative choice spots for a pleasant stroll include the Danube embankment on the Buda side for great views of the Parliament, and Citadella hill, if you are feeling sporty. Budapest's finest green spot is Margaret Island (Margitsziget) located in the middle of the river Danube between Margaret Bridge and Árpád Bridge. The park is beautiful and very varied: century-old chestnut avenues, English, Japanese and French gardens alternate with ruins of a nunnery, an old water tower and a wide range of sports facilities. The island has the largest open-air swimming complex in Budapest. Wherever you go, don’t forget to check out the city’s architecture; it bears so many different influences, that the overall effect is quite eclectic – baroque edifices next to gothic gargoyles and mosaic-tiled rooftops. Like all lively capitals today, vandals and pollution and poor upkeep may affect the buildings at ground level, but keep you’re your head up and it’s Soviet frescoes and greek statues all the way!

If you are more adventurous and go on your own, you can create your own and see much more. Enjoy your stay and travel around Hungary!

By Kata Fazekas, EURplace26 Participant