There are so many things to do in Budapest, a city famous for its nightlife and clubs. It is a cross-over between the established ways of the west, and the exotic chaotic style of the east of europe. Famous for music and opera, and some wines, at the same time, it's all here.

1. The boating lake at Hösök Tere ('Heroes Square') becomes an ice rink in winter.

2. The nature reserve at Budakészi offers wild boar to see (and eat), plus various other native creatures.

3+4. The Zoo near Hösök Tere, monkeys, penguins, snakes and spiders. The Circus is next door.

5. Behind Hösök Tere is Város Líget (the City Park). This offers plenty of space for ball games and sunbathing, and also a fairground including a rollercoaster, water ride etc.

6. Hösök tere itself. On one side is an art gallery which often has good exhibitions (see link under 'Useful Links'), and on the other side is a modern art gallery...

7. The János Hegy chair lift makes a good day out on a sunny day. Get lunch and a beer at the top.

8. The other side of Város Líget from Hösök Tere, you find the Railway Museum.

9. Szechenyi thermal baths in Város Líget. The most popular baths among the locals. You can bob around in various indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and steam yourself, and have a massage. You can even swim. And do it all with swimwear. Take the metro straight there to 'Szechenyi Fürdő'.

10. The Children's Railway. fantastic for kids, and pretty good for the rest of us. The mini railway is run by school kids who have done well at something or other. Only the train drivers are grown ups. You're left wondering why the kids aren't running the proper trains too.

11. The Opera House - see the link for tickets under 'Useful Links'. An opportunity to give culture a chance for surprisingly low prices.

12. One and a half hours by boat to Szentendre. The link in 'Useful Services' is for the public bus-boat, used by the locals. Cheap and easy. You can take the suburgan 'HÉV' train back, to save time if you like.

13. The New York Cafe is wonderful, close to Blaha Luiza Tér (go by metro). Once frequented by writers, then shelled by the Russians and neglected by the Hungarians, now renovated beautifully by the Italians.

14. The Parliament, designed by the same bloke as the one in London. You can go inside on tours and it is worth it. They have the Hungarian crown on display in there.

15. The 'Terror Haza', depicting the terror of the Arrow Cross (the Hungarian nazis) and then of the Communists. This was the HQ of Hungary's 'KGB', and you can see the interrogation cells in the basement. Welcome to 1984.