Berlin or Budapest for mid December?
 

I just had some friends call for an opinion of going to Berlin or Budapest for mid December using their airline miles. I have only been to Berlin so thought that I would ask the Fodors gang for an opinion.They are going for about 5/6 days around the 12th of December and want to go to either city for sightseeing,dining,and history. They are in their 20's and have traveled a bit. Any thoughts?

I've been to both and like both but IMO Berlin would be the place to recommend since I think there is much more to see and do in and around Berlin vs. Budapest.

Now, if they want "old world" traditional as the dominant theme then Budapest might make more sense.

Berlin is strong on the buildings of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and has the baroque palace of Potsdam. Budapest is better for baroque, with some good nineteenth century. Neither city can show much gothic. Berlin museums and monuments often reflect the Nazi period and the Cold War, but Budapest the Hapsburg empire of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Both cities offer a great range of restaurants, but you had best go to pubs or taverns if you want the national dishes, and to my taste Hungarian meals, often with paprika, are better than German. Beer and wine are good in both cities, but beer is better in Berlin and wine in Budapest. Costs for meals and accommodation are a little lower in Budapest than in Berlin. In mid December classical music is good in concert halls and churches in both cities: it is cheaper in Budapest.

Both cities are busy in mid December and they should book a hotel or hotel now. There is a good annotated list in Your Pocket Budapest. In Berlin I liked the Hotel Crystal, on Kantstrasse, near Savignyplatz S-Bahn stop, but I am out of date, and you might find something as good and more central, near Friedrichrichstrasse and north of Unter den Linden.

Ben Haines, London
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TTT

Thanks for the replies Ben and Dukey! I will pass on your information ASAP. She mentioned today that they would have a better chance on getting to Budapest so will see-any less expensive hotels or restaurants that anyone wants to pass on? Thanks!

I suspect that Berlin has more indoor activities available, i.e. museums and concert venues. That might be a factor in mid-December.

Would there be enough to do in Budapest for 5 days(even with bad weather)?

We liked the location of this B&B. The owners speak fluent English and were very helpful in recommending restaurants.

http://www.bellevuebudapest.com/inde...az=1&aaz=0