Things to do in Budapest

Budapest is two cities joined by the Danube: hilly Buda with its castle and Fishermen's Bastion, and flat, busy Pest with the neo-Gothic Parliament, the café-lined boulevards and the old Jewish Quarter. Seen from the river at night, with the bridges lit, it is one of Europe's great city views.

The city sits on dozens of hot springs, and bathing is part of everyday life, from the yellow palace of Széchenyi to Ottoman-era domed baths. Add the Great Synagogue, ruin bars and hearty Hungarian cooking and it's easy to fill several days.