OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in your favourite holiday hotspots.
This week we are focusing on Budapest, with the city set to host the F1 Grand Prix this weekend.
Hungary‘s vibrant capital straddles the Danube and packs a punch when it comes to value, culture and nightlife.
From thermal baths (leading to its nickname the City of Spas) to ruin bars, this city break has something for everyone – and often for less than you’d pay elsewhere in Europe, so here are our top tips.
MUST SEE / DO
Soak in the thermal waters at Szechenyi Baths, one of Europe’s largest spa complexes, with 18 pools.
Make sure to book in advance, and pick early morning or late evening slots for the quietest times.
The outdoor pools are heated year-round and the bright yellow neo-Baroque buildings make a perfect selfie spot.
HIDDEN GEM
Head to the lesser-known Kobanya underground cellar system – once a beer-brewing hub, now used for everything from mushroom-growing to film shoots.
Tours explore its eerie, kilometre-long tunnels beneath Budapest’s 10th district.
BEST VIEW
Catch the sunset from the top of the dome at St Stephen’s Basilica, below.
It’s 96 metres high and offers panoramic views across both Buda and Pest – a great place to spot Parliament and Castle Hill from above.
RATED RESTAURANT
For a taste of modern Hungarian cuisine with a Michelinstar twist, head to Stand.
Led by chef duo Szulló and Széll, this sleek yet unpretentious restaurant blends local ingredients with inventive techniques.
Expect elevated versions of traditional favourites such as goulash or cabbage rolls, served with exceptional Hungarian wines in a refined riverside setting.
BEST BAR
No trip is complete without a drink at Szimpla Kert – the original ruin bar that kickstarted a nightlife trend.
Expect mismatched furniture, quirky art installations and a vibe that’s hard to beat.
Beers, including local brew Dreher, are around five euros.
As the original and best-known of the city’s ruin bars – with crumbling plaster and graffiti-covered walls – it can get very busy at night.
Head there on a weekday afternoon for a less crowded experience.
HOTEL PICK
Try the Hotel Rum Budapest – a boutique stay, with cool interiors, great service and a rooftop bar that’s ideal for cocktails at sunset.
It’s central, affordable and perfect for a long weekend in the city.
Rooms from £90 a night. See hotelrumbudapest.com.
Three nights at Hotel Rum Budapest, including flights from Stansted on June 30, is from £189pp. See loveholidays.com.