Budapest

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Thinking of a 3 day short break in February for a birthday treat. Has anyone been? Is there enough to see? Any recommendations/must sees?

Budapest is one of my favourite European cities. There are a lot of impressive buildings (parliament building, basilica etc) and bridges, a walk up the hill gives amazing views, the hot spas are relaxing, the Jewish Quarter full of history and ruin bar nightlife, street food etc.
Would recommend a walking tour to get your bearings, then you can decide what you want to see in more detail.
It's a city I recommend to people all the time.

February is a very pretty time to go. We had a sprinkling of snow but bright sun. Wrap up warmly and prepare to buy hot drinks in lovely cafes.

I could have written Mylittlepony374s post, word for word.

Loved it although I can't comment on Feb since i was there at the end of Jun/beg Jul when it was boiling!

We went 5yrs ago in December and it was awesome.

We got the hop on hop off bus so we could get round the city and get off to see things we were interested in. We also did a boat tour we booked with Viator where we drank beer going past all the sights.

My personal highlight was the Marzipan Museum for sheer randomness!

Ooooh I've just booked for us to go at Easter for four days. Watching with great interest!

Yes! Echoing PPs, fabulous, vibrant city with loads to see and do and plenty of good, cheap food and drink.

Best city break ever . Clean , safe , beautiful u must go see both sides of the river and do a spa x

I went in February a few years ago and it was beautiful, lots to do as previous posters have said - and sitting in the hot thermal baths when the weather is so cold is amazing!

Absolutely loved it! It's been my favourite city to visit. The food is amazing and the history is great. I learned a lot. There are some fascinating and pretty harrowing museums.
We stayed at an air b&b on the Buda side, over looking the river, which is quieter than the Pest side.
Make sure you spend an afternoon being pampered in the spas.
We just used public transport which was really easy, one journey is the same price so you don't need to worry about pronouncing places to drivers.

It's a beautiful city.
Lots to do and see.
Enjoy

Thanks everyone for your insights.

Had a fabulous break in Budapest. Hilton was a good location by Fish Bastion.
So much to see and do. We bought the 48 hour bus pass and hopped on and off merrily along with a boat trip. It was good value.
We did the thermal baths. Anywhere but Szecheni you’ll need swimming hats and Speedo’s for the men. The other baths are more Interesting in a clinical and giggling sort of way.
The Jewish quarter was poignant. We had a fabulous guide in central synagogue who extended the visit and took us on a more extensive impromptu tour of the passages used by Jews to reach the synagogue on the Sabbath. Until we visited the synagogue we were ignorant of the Jewish massacre but knew it must have happened. Overall the city keeps it well hidden. All the more reason to go from the synagogue to the riverside shoes. Such sadness. We found a Jewish festival Andy were welcomed as guests. Brilliant evening.
The parliament was beautiful and interesting too.

Fantastic city with loads to do. Can recommend the M-Square Hotel, just been refurbished and a central location. Does a great buffet breakfast and has free hot drinks and pastries 24 hours a day.

Great city, fabulous buildings, lots to see, the cafe stalls above the food market are great for a cheap lunch. Don't be tempted to cheat on the transport, it's dirt cheap anyway and they do spot checks with undercover guards and instant fines (saw it happen, pleased we had tickets) try the hot spring pools at the Gelert and the most decadent swimming pool you will ever see. The zoo has a very relaxed attitude to health and safety and very exotic buildings. There is a park outside the city where they have relocated loads of old communist statues, interesting! You will find loads to do for three days.

Ooh it’s wonderful .
Please find time to go to The New York Cafe for hot chocolate and cake .www.newyorkcafe.hu/new-york-cafe.html#
The most beautiful cafe in the world !
The riverside shoes near parliament are heartbreaking , the garlic soup in town was astonishing and the river boat absolutely freezing ! Lots of cafes had warm blankets to sit in the winter sunshine the boat didn’t !

Loved it, especially the Szecheni (sp?) baths. And the food, especially the women's restaurant near the zoo.