I'm thinking of going over Easter. Anyone got anything good or bad to say about it?

Places to stay etc.? Dont really want youth hostels, might see how super short term flat renting is. Is it a bad idea to go over Easter?

went a few years back in Aug, lovely relaxed city. really old skool, lots of run down buildings etc, but i believe a lot more $$ is entering thus lots more renovations.

Hostels are fairly pricey so expect shot term lets to be more so - unless you stay a fair way out of the centre. I was there last summer - stayed at marco polo hostel which was crap - yellow submarine hostel is supposed to be decent.
plenty of campsites in centre as well. for the best steak ever (if you aint veggie) go to cafe intenzo/inferno and get the budapest style steak. if you are taking a bike, you can get to Estergom along the Danube in a day - i highly reccomend it - very nice place. If you have loads of time, I would suggest cycling to Budapest, it only takes a month.

I was speaking to a Spanish fella in Brixton Cycles the other day, he was riding a gorgeous lugged steel track frame that he picked up in Hungary... Hand made to fit him by some old guy and cost him pennies... Wish I'd asked him where now... :S

Spa!

Went last year for music related stuff. Can't recommend it highly enough. They're quite into their techno there, but there was enough stuff to see to last you more than a week. I'll dig out some names of bars (mostly south of the river), which were memorable. One was a giant sand castle. In a basement.

ps Spa!

when the weather warms up a bit there's some lovely temporary outdoor bars. getting around on bicycle is recommended. have a Time Out guide book if you want to whisper me your email

I went and it was sick, nice and old school, lots of tradition and some awesome architecture.

Highly reccomended if you want something that isn't the stock english holiday of beer, tits and football.

all i would say is that when i went i found it be less 'derelicte' than i was expecting, compared to cities i've been to in other former eastern blocs. it was one of the first countries to be released for soviet power and has done a good job in getting up to speed. it's one of the richer countries in eastern europe i believe. oh yeah, and it's great. you probably already know that it's really two cities, Buda and Pest. Buda is where it all happens and pest is older and smaller but perhaps prettier. The river separates them.*

we were molested by two lovely women when we got off the train until we agreed to stay at their apartment. it was mint, central and cheap. there was bar nearby that seemed pretty popular but called something daft like 'old mans bar' or something. if you are a fan of excruciatingly attractive barmaids, go there.

*don't hold me to any of this.

Apparently they have pretty awesome Critical Masses...I don't think it's every month, but the guy I stayed with
(from Warm Showers the tourers directory), had amazing footage of thousands of folks hoisting their bikes in the air. WS is great- meant we had a free place to crash and met a great local cyclist who showed us around on bike, knew the bike stores... I'm pretty sure he'd be up for recommending you some places at least, if you want his email, I'll check.

Definitely check out the flea market- there is an old guy who had some super nice old frames, and generally there are a couple other stands with interesting (and cheap) stuff.

Getting in and out of that city is hell- but if you can, the foothills to the north east, are amazing- and wine country... not a problem just camping out around there.

I've got a few relations over there and Hungarian blood running through my veins, but I've only been to Budapest once. It's a really beautiful city. Be sure to spend a lot of time down by the riverside. Don't expect to understand any Hungarian, it's bonkers!

Cheers for the tips... yeah any detail, names, places, bars whatever its all good.

I'm going with my g/f so i was thinking if we could short-rent a flat or something for max150£ a week or something it would be nice enough + we would save money cos we could cook in.

They have bike polo there i've heard ;)

can i come

Budapest would be sick with the missus, good work! Currently mine wants to go to the Lake District or Oktoberfest...