Budapest

Budapest was shaped by centuries of Turkish occupation followed by a grand Habsburg era, leaving both a deep-seated thermal bathing culture and ornate Belle Époque avenues along the Danube.

Today, many abandoned pre-war buildings, especially in the Jewish Quarter, have been brilliantly repurposed into 'ruin bars' that buzz with art and music until dawn, offering a vibrant contrast to the city's imperial past.

Fly into:

• Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport BUD

Budapest's metro, tram, and bus network is efficient and covers the city well; tickets are cheap and widely available. To Szentendre, take the HÉV commuter train from Batthyány tér for about 40 minutes.

Embrace the rhythm of the thermal baths: locals spend hours soaking, playing chess, and socialising, treating it as a communal living room. The grand coffee houses are for lingering, not just a quick espresso; enjoy the atmosphere with a pastry.

Best in Spring

Spring: mild days around 15-22C, with pleasant sunshine and occasional light showers, perfect for walking.

• swimsuit for thermal baths
• broken-in shoes for walking cobbled streets
• light layers for evening strolls
• a small day bag for city exploring