Hungary

Cost of living

What a month costs

Budapest is one of the cheaper EU capitals. Central rents have climbed but still undercut Vienna or Prague, and dining out stays affordable.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Budapest

1. Hungarian Parliament BuildingThe neo-Gothic riverfront landmark, best seen lit up from the Buda side at night.
2. Buda CastleHilltop palace complex with museums and sweeping views over the Danube and Pest.
3. Fisherman's BastionWhimsical white turrets in the Castle District framing postcard panoramas of Parliament.
4. Szechenyi Chain BridgeThe stately 19th-century suspension bridge that first linked Buda and Pest.
5. Szechenyi Thermal BathGrand yellow bathhouse in City Park with steaming outdoor pools and chess players.
6. St Stephen's BasilicaThe city's largest church, with a dome you can climb for 360-degree views.
7. Gellert Hill and the CitadellaA green climb topped by the Liberty Statue and the widest city views around.
8. Heroes' SquareMonumental colonnade honouring Hungary's founding chieftains at the head of Andrassy Avenue.
9. Great Market HallCavernous 1897 hall stacked with paprika, salami and langos on the upper floor.
10. Dohany Street SynagogueEurope's largest synagogue, with a moving Holocaust memorial garden behind it.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. Lake BalatonCentral Europe's largest lake, ringed by wine villages and summer resorts about two hours southwest.
2. SzentendreArtsy cobbled riverside town just north of the city, easy on the suburban HEV train.
3. EgerBaroque town famous for Bull's Blood wine, a hilltop castle and its own thermal baths.
4. Danube BendVisegrad castle and the vast basilica at Esztergom where the river swings sharply south.
5. ViennaAustria's capital sits under two and a half hours away by direct train, an easy day out.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. New York CafeAn over-the-top gilded palace often called the most beautiful cafe in the world.
2. Cafe GerbeaudHistoric patisserie on Vorosmarty Square, serving cakes since 1858.
3. Central CafeLiterary coffee house open since 1887, all dark wood and marble.
4. Ruszwurm CukraszdaTiny confectionery from 1827 tucked into the Castle District.
5. Espresso EmbassyBright modern roaster near Bajcsy for proper specialty coffee.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. GundelGrand historic dining room beside City Park, a byword for old-school Hungarian fine cuisine.
2. MenzaRetro-styled bistro on Liszt Ferenc Square serving updated Hungarian classics.
3. CostesThe city's Michelin pioneer, polished tasting menus in the ninth district.
4. Borkonyha WinekitchenMichelin-starred and wine-led, with a long list of Hungarian bottles.
5. RosensteinWarm family-run spot known for Hungarian-Jewish home cooking near Keleti station.
6. Bock BisztroBustling bistro from a celebrated winemaker, heavy on grilled meats and mangalica pork.
7. Nancsi NeniHearty countryside Hungarian cooking in the leafy Buda hills, a local institution.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. Cirkusz CafeBuzzy all-day brunch spot on Dob utca in the old Jewish quarter.
2. Gerloczy KavehazOld-world Parisian-style cafe doing a proper sit-down breakfast off Karolyi Garden.
3. FruccolaFresh juices, granola and light morning plates across several central branches.
4. Callas CafeGrand cafe breakfast in an art nouveau room right beside the Opera House.
5. Vintage GardenFlower-filled courtyard cafe popular for weekend brunch and pancakes.