STYLISH CITY: BUDAPEST

16 October 2018

A trip to Budapest will bless your camera roll with opulent architecture and lavish interiors – but don’t be scared off by the grandeur. With notoriously cheap pints and a new wave of innovative, affordable food venues, Budapest is the place to hit for cut-price indulgence in an upmarket setting. Here's what to wear, where to stay and what to do when in the Pearl of the Danube.

A half-zip sweatshirt, plaid shirt, mid-wash blue jeans, The North Face backpack, shades and chunky trainers available at ASOS | ASOS Style Feed

Picture: ASOS

Wear this

What to wear for a day hitting up Budapest's cobblestoned streets? It's all about layers. Steel yourself against the October chill with a traditional checked shirt layered over a thick half-zip grey sweatshirt. Accessorise with a cord cap in a similarly autumnal hue and a punchy yellow rucksack from The North Face to brighten things up. On your bottom half, opt for a pair of classic, straight-leg jeans and comfy chunky-soled creps – ideal for long days sightseeing and long nights sampling the local brews.

A shot of a synagogue in the Jewish Quarter in Budapest | ASOS Style Feed

Picture: Rex

Stay here

An apartment in the bohemian Jewish Quarter will put you in the heart of the Hungarian capital's 'party district' as well as walking distance from the boutiques, galleries and bars of Király Street – a cultural hub in the day and a top raving spot at night. Just off of Király is Gozsdu Udvar: a buzzing courtyard passageway crammed with cosy bars, pubs and eateries that are popular with the locals. If brunch is your thing, head to hip Stika where the eggs Benedict and 'Budapest visitors' breakfast' (ft. two poached eggs, three sausages and bacon) are served all day. The speciality coffees (and massive mimosas) will perk you up before an afternoon of sightseeing.

A shot of the funicular in Budapest | ASOS Style Feed

Picture: Rex

Visit this

When it comes to catching the tourist must-sees, many are found on the riverside. Cross over to the Buda bank to take a look at the Parliament Building from afar or take the funicular up to the Royal Palace. On this side of the river, you’ll also find Rudas Turkish Baths, the oldest in the city. It boasts a (heated!) rooftop pool with Instagram-ready views. So, if you're looking to decompress, head to Rudas as it's open until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.

You can’t visit Budapest without spending a night crawling the infamous ruin bars – unique, bohemian drinking spots located in formerly abandoned buildings. Kick off your evening with some traditional Jewish cuisine in Mazel Tov before sinking a few more pints in Anker't or Instant. Finish up in Szimpla Kert, the original ruin bar, a labyrinthine venue with eclectic decor and various indoor and outdoor rooms.