Budapest for The Thrill Seekers: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

Take the steep path up from the Gellért bridge at golden hour, then run the ridge to the Liberty Statue; the view over six bridges is the reward.

A courtyard of food trucks in the old Jewish quarter: a smoky burger, chimney cake or langoş, eaten standing up with a local craft beer.

The original ruin bar, a maze of junk and bathtub furniture over several courtyards; a beer and a walk through every room takes an hour.

The 5.3 km rubberised track around the island, almost empty at this hour apart from a few locals; the bridge views come free.

A guided crawl through labyrinthine limestone passages under the Buda hills, with ladders and tight squeezes; wear old clothes, as the cave is damp and muddy.

The tallest point in the city, a neo-Romanesque tower with a 360-degree view; walk up from Zugliget on the forest path, about an hour.

Goulash served in a bread bowl or a bubbling pot and a plate of paprikás dumplings; hearty recovery food in a few minutes, with no booking.

Arrive when the doors open and share the outdoor pools with chess-playing regulars; the steam off the 38 degree water is best in cold air.

Sunday lunch at the café-square favourite: duck, goulash or a schnitzel, quick service and a menu that suits hungry people.

Giant bronze Lenins and Marxes from the communist era, relocated to an open field on the edge of the city; take the 150 bus from Kelenföld.

Run the Neo-Renaissance staircases up to the Royal Palace terraces while the city is quiet, then drop back down the cobbled lane to the river.

A recovery coffee and a cream slice in a cramped Biedermeier shop that has been selling pastries to hungry climbers since 1827.

Buy a langoş on the upper floor and eat it under the iron roof; the stalls below sell paprika, salami and pickles for the flight home.