FIND super spas, a cracking castle and Kendall-Jenner-approved cocktails in the gorgeous Hungarian capital, says writer Margaret Hussey.
From thermal water to drinking unlimited beer, the city is perfect for a weekend getaway.
Soak in hops
Budapest is known as the City of Spas, thanks to its 123 natural hot springs and 50 thermal bathhouses.
The most famous, and busiest, is Széchenyi, where tickets cost from £32 (Szechenyibath.hu).
The Veli Bej baths date back to 1574, a remnant of the Ottoman Empire, with an octagonal thermal pool and several steam rooms.
A three-hour session costs £13.50 (Irgalmasrend.hu).
Or try the locals’ fave, Lukács Thermal Bath, which has two outdoor pools, thermal pools and a sauna.
Entry costs £16.60, but upgrade to its beer spa, £62, and you can even sink into thermal water with therapeutic hops, while drinking unlimited beer from the taps beside (Lukacsfurdo.hu).
Feast on Ischler
Step back in time at Bambi Cafe – opened in 1961, it still has red vinyl chairs and doily-like tablecloths from its Communist days.
Prices seem frozen too, with traditional Ischler cake of shortbread, jam and chocolate just £1.90, and a cappuccino £2.15 (Facebook.com/bambieszpresszo).
Find delicious sharing mezze, £13, at Türkiz (Turkizrestaurant.com), while in the Jewish quarter, a cocktail at Balagan is a must.
“Balagan” means chaos in Hebrew – this place is anything but – and the Runway Mango, mixed with Kendall Jenner’s tequila, £13, is like sipping an alcoholic Solero (Balagan.hu).
Spy crown jewels
The city’s Castle District is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Buda Castle grounds are free to explore.
For the best views, climb the turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion or the 172 steps of Maria Magdalena Tower, £4.10 (Budacastlebudapest.com).
Admire the country’s crown jewels and more than 100 stained-glass windows at the Hungarian Parliament Building, where 50-minute guided tours cost £34 (Parlament.hu).
Later, check out the work of Budapest-born Robert Capa at the Contemporary Photography Centre, with 130 iconic images, from the D-Day landings to portraits of Picasso and Ingrid Bergman. Entry costs £11.80 (Capacenter.hu).
Meanwhile, the garden of sculptures at Koller Gallery is an unexpected and crowd-free delight, and entry is free (Kollergaleria.hu).
Hit the market
Fall for handmade stationery at Bomo Art – pretty designs include old city maps, fruit and foliage (Bomoart.hu).
You’ll find jewellery and ceramics by Hungarian designers tucked away in a courtyard at Paloma Artspace (Palomaartspace.hu), where Coque’ette has the softest leather purses, from £23 (Cqbrand.hu).
Fény Utca market on Sunday mornings has it all, from knitted animals to Harlequin’s mouth-watering rose-pistachio chocolates – and owner Krisztina happily offers samples (Fenyutcaipiac.hu).
Kip in a mansion
Formerly a 19th-century mansion, the Kimpton Bem hotel has 127 boldly designed rooms inspired by Hungarian culture and folklore.
Expect Nespresso machines, power showers with Balmain toiletries and yoga mats.
Hit the cute spa complete with steam room, hot tub and sauna, then grab a stool to perch on at Bar Huso from 5-6pm for free fizz.
Feast on divine green-pea gnocchi, £15, at Agos restaurant, before heading up to Fennen Skybar for moreish Thirsty Madonnas – vodka, ginger and prosecco, £14 – as you watch the lights twinkle on the Danube.
Double rooms cost from £173 per night (Kimptonbembudapest.com).
FYI
The ballpoint pen was invented in Budapest by László Bíró – its first prototype launched in 1931.
UK flights to Budapest cost from £47 return.