Budapest’s most seductive element is water. It springs from underground wells, filling Ottoman, baroque and art-nouveau pools.

Budapest may be the capital of landlocked Hungary, but it’s far from dry. In fact, Budapest’s most seductive element is water. It springs from underground wells, filling Ottoman, baroque and art-nouveau pools. It flows through the city in the broad and meandering Danube River, dividing Buda and Pest in yin-yang fashion. It even provides welcome relief after a bowl of hot paprika-spiced goulash. With the Buda Hills to the west and the start of the Great Plain to the east, Budapest is the most beautiful city in central Europe.

Few visitors can resist the Budapest baths, but the city’s allure goes beyond its spa status. As a large urban centre, Budapest manages to strike a nice balance between nature and development. Hills, islands and parks coexist with Budapest hotels, theatres, cafés, monuments and other buildings in an eclectic array of architectural styles.

Stroll along the Duna korzó, the riverside embankment on the Pest side, or across any of the Danube bridges past young couples embracing passionately. It’s then that you’ll feel the romance that, despite all attempts from both within and without to destroy it, has never died.

When to travel to Budapest

Budapest has a relatively mild climate. Nevertheless, summer temperatures often exceed 29°C, and swelteringly hot, humid days are typical in July and August. January and February are the coldest months when it can be very damp and chilly. Spring is usually mild and, especially in May, wet. Autumn is quite pleasant, with mild, cooler weather through October.