anyone been to Budapest?

[Bronte]

Off to Budapest at half-term with partner and dd ,8 and nearly 3. Have read all the travel tips but anyone got any personal recommendations?

Went there in Nov about 5 years ago. Best bits were St Margaret's Island (in middle of Danube - beautiful in mid-autumn) and Statue Park - a huge park full of all the ex-commenunist statues. it's magnificent but a bit out of town.

The swimming pools and thermal spa at Hotel Gellert are beautiful. You could get a day pass quite cheaply. Can't remember about children being welcome though.

Otherwise, I agree, St Margaret's is very beautiful. We hired a bike pedalo thingy.

Avoid the indoor market (near Vatsi Utza?) if your family's squeamish. The way they keep the carp fish for sale is a bit horrid. Mine would probably love it.

Thanks for your suggestions. Any good eateries you remember?

Cafe Gerbeaud. Coffee and Cake place, which is very ritzy (and quite touristy).

McDonalds at Nyugati train station, which was a very pleasant surprise, if the local cuisine gets a bit overwhelming.

I was there a many years ago, so couldn't really say where we ate for "the experience". I just remember lots of meat, offal and quite spicy. I would go with whatever the travel guides recommend, as eateries you just wander into can be very disappointing.

Ruszwurm Cafe in Buda. Lots of other cafes listed here. Also make sure of a walk around the central market in Pest - amazing displays of paprika (and vast quantities of pork and other meats).

Budababe lives there.
Bet she has some good tips.

I loved the Children's Railway as a child - but check the trains run this late in the year.