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16 Secret Hidden Gems in Budapest – Off the Beaten Path

• October 7, 2023

If you want to get off the beaten path and find some hidden gems in Budapest, this article is for you. After spending almost a week in the Hungarian capital and having covered all of the main attractions, we searched for some of the more secret places in Budapest. In this article, I’ll be sharing what we discovered.  

Budapest is a diverse and beautiful city, bursting with life, culture, history, nightlife, and awe-inspiring architecture. 

Naturally, if it’s your first time in the city you’ll want to cover all the significant landmarks. Attractions such as the Fishermans Bastion, Hungarian Parliament Building, Thermal Baths and Ruin Bars are quintessential Budapest experiences. 

However, if you’re spending longer than a couple of days in the city, I suggest checking out some of Budapest’s hidden gems as well. You might not find them on your average Budapest travel guide or blog, but that’s what makes them so appealing. 

To help you plan your off the beaten track adventure, I’ve collated this list of the weirdest and most unusual things to do. Slot these into your  Budapest Itinerary  for a truly unique and authentic experience.

So let’s get to it; it’s time to break the silence on our favourite hidden gems in Budapest.

Disclosure:  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase a product through these links, we will earn a small commission  at no extra cost to you.  And we can continue bringing you free tips and advice. If you found the content helpful and are kind enough to use our affiliates –  you are awesome, and we thank you! 

16 Secret Hidden Gems in Budapest – Off the Beaten Path

From underground caving adventures and eerie gothic castles to meandering the cities alternative district, here are 16 quirky and unusual hidden gems in Budapest.

1. Alternative Budapest Tour

It makes sense to kick off the list with a mention of the best-selling  Alternative Budapest Walking tour .

This tour will take you off the beaten track on a 3-hour walking tour of the cities alternative neighbourhoods.

On this tour, you’ll see beyond the usual tourist spots and through the eyes of a local. Here’s what you can expect from the tour:

• Discover Budapest’s graffiti and street art scene and learn about the local artists
• Find hidden cafés, bars, galleries, design shops, studios, music venues and hangouts
• Learn about Budapest’s minority cultures such as LGBTQ+
• Visit Budapest’s infamous ruin bars
• Explore Budapest’s Jewish District
• Check out a local market

Save Money with a Budapest Card

Are you going to be visiting all of the cities top attractions and taking full advantage of the public transport network? If yes, you should consider purchasing a  Budapest Card in advance. The card allows you to ride public transport for free, access several museums for free, plus discounted entry at most other attractions.

2. Vajdahunyad Castle

Despite its prime position in City Park,  Vajdahunyad Castle   remains somewhat of a hidden gem in Budapest. This is surprising as it’s one of the most beautiful castles in Budapest.

Just like most of the architecture in Budapest, Vajdanhunyad Castle looks like a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Only, you can imagine this one belonging to the villain of the story.

The amalgamation of Gothic-Renaissance and Baroque architecture creates an almost eerie scene. Ironically, legend has it that the castle once imprisoned Count Dracula.

It is free to enter the grounds of Vajdahunyad Castle, so even if you do not wish to go inside, it is worth taking a romantic stroll through the courtyards.

Inside, there is a museum and other interesting artefacts, but in our opinion probably not worth the entrance fee.

Entrance Fee: Free to enter the grounds/HUF 1600 to go inside/ Allow: 1 hour

3. Explore Budapest’s Underground Caves

Interestingly, some of the best-hidden gems in Budapest are located underground. Budapest is the only European capital where there are natural caves in the heart of the city.

When you’re exploring the likes of Buda Castle, it’s hard to believe that over 170 caves are running beneath you.

There are various caving adventures you can have in the city. For example, The Labyrinth in Buda Castle  allows you to explore the caves where Vlad the Impaler, better known as “Count Dracula”, was held and tortured. It’s a spooky one and not so kid-friendly.

For those keen on an adrenaline-pumping adventure, there’s the  Palvolgyi Cave tour . This 1-hour long escapade leads you through the longest and most beautiful cave in the Buda Hills. Not for the inexperienced or the faint-hearted.

Or, if you’d prefer something a little more family-friendly, you can check out other caving tours such as  Szemlőhegyi Cave.

Tour Price: HUF 2200/Allow: 1-2 hours

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4. Hospital in the Rock

I’ll be honest; I only found out about this museum while researching for this blog. But it’s a pity, as it’s one of the few museums in Budapest that I think sounds interesting enough to pay the entrance fee.

Hospital in the Rock is another one of Budapest’s underground attractions, which was once a secret hospital and nuclear bunker.

The hospital, built in a 10km long natural cave system underneath the Buda Castle, opened in 1944. Its purpose was to protect injured soldiers and civilians during further b0mb att@acks on the city.

Today it’s the largest waxwork exhibition in Hungary where wax figures and authentic machinery depict the reality of those tumultuous times.

Entrance: 4000 HUF (Includes a guided tour)/Allow: 1 hour

5. Gyermekvasút (Children’s Railway)

Would you have ever imagined riding a train operated solely by children? No, me neither. That is until I discovered this quaint hidden gem in Budapest.

From the outside, the Gyermekvasút railway appears like any other railway line. However, the train that journeys through a quiet patch of Hungarian forest is run solely by children aged 10-14.

Don’t worry; this isn’t some kind of twisted child labour scheme. Instead, it’s a commemoration of a tradition that began in the 1940s.

At the time, it was an honourable position for young men and women and a way to learn important life skills and lessons.

The scheme continues to educate a number of local children to this day while attracting locals and tourists alike.

6. The Cheapest Danube River Cruise

Possibly the best way to view the sights of this magnificent city is on the water. With many significant landmarks set upon the banks of the Danube River, it’s the perfect way to take it all in without the pressure of crowds.

When it comes to choosing a river cruise, there is no shortage of options. Vendors swarm the banks of the Danube, waiting to sell you the ‘Best Danube River Cruise‘.

But be careful as many tours are overpriced. In our experience, it’s cheapest to book in advance and online .

The cheapest Danube river cruise, however, is the public transport boats. It will be a no-thrills experience, but the incredible views will ultimately be the same and it costs just a fraction of the price.

I know, you’re thanking me for this travel hack right now, and you’re welcome.

7. Zugliget Chairlift

Another interesting mode of transport in Budapest is the Zugliget chairlift. The chairlift transports passengers between Zugliget and the lookout tower on János Hill – the highest peak in the city.

The journey up takes around 15-mins each way and provides stunning panoramic views over the city. Undoubtedly one of the more exciting ways to navigate Budapest.

8. Gellert Hill Cave Church

As the name suggests, you’ll find this unusual cave church, tucked beneath Gellert Hill on the Buda side of the river.

Historically, the cave is said to of been the home of a hermit monk, who used the nearby thermal springs to heal people of their ailments. Nowadays it belongs to the Pauline Monks and is one of the more hidden places in Budapest.

Thanks to its unique setting inside a natural cave, the Church Cave is one-of-a-kind. The church has no grand decoration like other architecture in Budapest; however, its unique charm makes the structure well worth visiting.

For a 500 HUF (£1.20) donation, you can enter inside the church which includes an audio tour.

9. Szimpla Kert by Day

Szimpla Kert is Budapest’s most famous ruin bar by night and a cultural/artistic centre by day.

Famed for its wild party vibe and trippy decor, many visitors add the bar to their list of things to do at night. However, to truly appreciate the creativity and quirkiness of Szimpla Kert, you need to experience it during the day as well.

There is nothing not to love about this bar. From their eco-friendly initiatives, cheap drinks prices, and the whacky themed decor, walking around Szimpla Kert feels like getting lost in a twisted Wonderland.

In my opinion, you should stop by during the day to wander around and take some photos, then return in the evening for a boozy night out.

Alcohol in Budapest is relatively cheap if you stick to the local brands; however, it’s easy to get carried away. Before you know it you’re $50 and a shoe down with a nasty hangover to boot. 

10. Street Art Hunting

In deep contrast to the grand and elegant architecture found elsewhere in the city, alternative Budapest hides an edgier side. A side where street art, quirky food haunts, hipster stores, and a trendy nightlife scene prevail.

You’ll find this scene centred mainly around the Jewish District. A spot that holds a turbulent history, but has risen from the ashes as the trendiest and most cultural spot in all the city.  

Historically, this area was considered the ghetto of Budapest, and Jews were confined to living here during the N@zi occupation of Hungary.

The Jewish influence remains prominent to this day, with various synagogues, kosher restaurants, and memorials. However, the hidden gem amongst it all is street art.  

We felt like we were in an open-air gallery as we marvelled at the murals created by a mix of local and international artists. The subjects range from Hungarian history and local culture to various worldwide events and controversies.

You can follow this  map of Budapest street art  to find the best artwork in the city.

11. Langos at Retro Langos Bufe

Langos is a traditional Hungarian dish, consisting of round deep-fried dough, that resembles a pizza, but is thicker and heavier.

Traditionally, langos were brushed with garlic and sprinkled in salt, and it was job done; however, today’s evolving culinary scene sees them topped with all kinds of delicious ingredients.

The most popular duo is sour cream and cheese, which I can confirm is divine, but you can also choose from a variety of vegetables and meats.

While Langos is an iconic street food dish to Hungary, finding a good one in Budapest is harder than you might think.

To ensure you’re getting a Langos of the best quality, we insist you go to  Retró Lángos Büfé .   One of Budapest’s hidden culinary gems where you can guarantee your food will be hot, fresh, and delicious.  

12. Unusual Pubs & Bar

Unsurprisingly, some of the best secret places in Budapest are bars. With so many eccentric drinking holes around the city, what else do you expect?

Of course, Budapest’s ruin bars are famous for being a little off the wall; however, there are other quirky bars in the city worth checking out as well.

Offbeat bars in Budapest, include the  Blind Mice Exchange Pub . A multi-room establishment, where you buy your spirits according to the stock value on the television screen.

Another is  Red Ruin Bar  – A communist themed bar with a sense of humour about the political past. Check out this guide to  Budapest Nightlife  for more awesome nocturnal things to do in the city. 

13. Flipper Museum

If you find yourself rained off from sightseeing, this retro museum of pinball machines and arcade games is the ideal distraction.

As for the machines themselves, the diversity is enormous, spanning different eras and styles. Most of them are very well-maintained, and if you’re an old skool gamer, you’re sure to leave feeling nostalgic.

At 3000 HUF (£8) the entrance fee isn’t all that expensive, and it can be great fun for all the family. Once you’ve paid the entrance fee, gaming is free, and you can stay for as long as you want.

14. Shop at a Local Market

If you’re serious about getting off the beaten path in Budapest, a great place to start is to go where the locals go. On this occasion, I’m talking about the local markets.

(And when I say local, I don’t mean the Budapest Central Market, which by all means you should visit, but it’s as touristy as they come.)

No, I’m talking about the lesser-known markets, which are admittedly smaller but only by size. Most have a lot of character, and their unpopularity only adds to the charm.

Interestingly, they hold most of the local markets on a Sunday, which is ideal if you’re spending the weekend in Budapest. But not so much if you’re there in the week.

The first of the Sunday markets I recommend you visit is at Szimpla Kert. A local farmers market, whereby every seller is an authentic local producer, who only bring what they grow and make by hand.

Another is the Flower & Vegan Market at Anker’t – another of Budapest’s infamous ruin bars. And finally the Antique Flea Market at Klauzál Square is well worth a visit if you’re on the hunt for some rare gems.

15. Urban Exploring in Budapest

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When you think of Urban Exploring, Budapest is the last city that probably comes to mind. Or maybe you don’t even know what Urban Exploring is. In which case it’s basically exploring abandoned buildings or areas within a city.

This kind of off-beat exploring is especially popular in cities such as  London  and  Berlin ; however, we were pleasantly surprised to learn there are some cool adventures to be had in Budapest as well.

If urban exploring sounds like something that might be up your street, I recommend checking out this article relating to some  interesting abandoned buildings in Budapest . Including a former power station and an old bunker, secret Budapest doesn’t get better than this.

16. Karavan Street Food

Located in Budapest’s hip & happening party district, Karavan is an outdoor food court, that gives home to a variety of food trucks and international fayre.

Conveniently set next to Szimpla Kert, the cities most famous ruin bar, you can expect a variety of cuisines including Italian, Mexican, and Indian. Not to mention Las Vegan who cater solely to vegans.

Whether it’s a 3 am feed up after a heavy night of drinking, or a cheap and cheerful dinner one evening, you won’t be disappointed by the food on offer.

Save Time and Book a Tour

For a more local experience, we recommend checking out the guided tours on  Get Your Guide :

Unique Hotels in Budapest

Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of accommodation options in Budapest. You can click the button below to search for hundreds of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses in the area.

But while we are on the topic of secret spots in Budapest, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the more unique hotels in the city – the hotels that reflect the cities more alternative side.

If you’ve not booked your accommodation already, you’re definitely going to want to check these out.

$ T62 Hotel –  T62 Hotel. First on our list of cool and quirky places to stay in Budapest is T62 is a budget to mid-range hotel, with chic & stylish decor, including graffiti-style walls, with rooms that are simple yet modern. With a central location close to all the major attractions, an enjoyable stay is guaranteed.

$$ Bohem Art Hotel –  bohemian style hotel This is one of the trendiest spots in the city. Each room features the eclectic artwork of local Hungarian artists while combining all the modern features of a hip hotel. I even read that they serve wine with the American style breakfast buffet, so if that doesn’t persuade you, I don’t know what will.

$$$ Baltazár Budapest – You’ll find this hip boutique hotel on the Buda side of the river. It’s a small yet cosy hotel boasting only 11 bedrooms; however, this adds charm to its already edgy character. The hotel decor reflects Budapest’s artistic and bohemian side, with individually decorated rooms that range from urban modern to shabby chic.

$$$$ Aria Hotel Budapest – Aria Hotel Featuring a panoramic rooftop bar, luxurious rooms & suites, and 5* facilities, is the ideal place to treat yourself during your stay in Budapest. The design is chic and modern, mirroring the hipster vibe of the city. And guests can enjoy ample facilities such as a fully-equipped spa, swimming pool, and state of the art rooms.

Alternatively, you may look at staying nearby, in which case you can compare hotels in Budapest here . Or use the Map below to see all your options​:

Enjoy Secret Budapest!

Well, that concludes our list of non-touristy things to do in Budapest. We hope you enjoy exploring these weird and wonderful Budapest hidden gems.

If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us. We love hearing from you!

Stay Adventurous & Happy Travels.

Planning a trip around Budapest? Check out our Hungry series  for more travel tips and advice. 

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9 Responses

Great read, your blog didn’t mention any of the baths, are they worth a visit? I’m not crazy about water as I don’t swim. What are your thoughts?

We’re so glad you enjoyed the guide! We wrote another blog for Budapest including the more touristy highlights like the baths if you’d like to check that out. We did enjoy the baths especially because it’s such a huge part of the culture there. Wishing you a great time!

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We’re Charlotte & Natalie, a British lesbian couple with a passion for travel and adventure.

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13 of the best things to do in Budapest

By Sarah Rodrigues

2023 marked 150 years of unification of the cities of Buda and Pest, and despite Budapest ’s dark past (it still bears the traces of its former fascist and communist regimes), Hungary’s capital is vibrant, fascinating and endlessly beautiful. Although easily navigated on foot, it’s worth picking up a  Budapest Card , which gives you unlimited access to public transport and discounts to many attractions. It's undeniably become one of the best city breaks in Europe , so we thought it was about time we gathered up a definitive list of the best things to do in Budapest.

1. Wallow in the city’s thermal baths

Budapest features an unusual topography, blessing the city with mineral-rich thermal springs , many of which have been used to create more than a dozen bathing complexes scattered throughout the city. Idyllic at any time of year, there is something undeniably special about sitting outside, with the cold stinging your nose, as your body luxuriates in warm water. One of the oldest and most beautiful is the  Rudas Bath . Featuring ornate Ottoman Empire design flourishes, it has six thermal baths and a swimming pool, as well as a rooftop hot tub with views of the Danube. It’s also the only bath house in Budapest to have segregated male and female sessions available, where those who'd rather eschew swimwear. The biggest and most popular bathing complex is  Szechenyi,  which lies on the outer reaches of City Park, northeast of the city. Its Neo-Baroque architecture in primrose yellow is slightly scruffy around the edges, but all the more realistic for it – you genuinely get the sense that this is where the locals come, and the sight of clusters of older women soaking and gossiping can’t fail to make you smile. Szechenyi has 18 pools of varying temperatures, both indoor and outdoor, as well as saunas and spas. Some of Budapest’s baths (including Rudas and Szechenyi) are also open by night, making for a blissfully serene, romantic experience.

2. Explore the Castle District

Located high up on the Buda side of the city, the views over the river and surrounding architecture aren’t to be missed, so if you don’t object to a touch of the touristy, take the funicular up from the near the Chain Bridge – it’s been in operation since 1870 and allows you to soak up the views on the way.

It’s worth hiring a guide or joining a tour when you explore Budapest’s vast castle district because, as aesthetically fascinating as the complex is, these walls hold a wealth of insight that may go unnoticed without expert commentary. This area has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history, but the signs aren’t always immediately apparent – for instance, the lions guarding the entrance to the Lion’s Court have been crudely patched up. Other areas of the complex are currently being reconstructed, thanks to the  National Hauszmann Program,  which aims to return the castle district to its original form – a far cry from the plans of the Soviet era that considered knocking the whole complex down and building a blank, modernist structure for officials. A few minutes walk away is the gloriously Gothic Mathias Church, complete with a statue of Hungary’s first king, St Stephen, and the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion next door. Underground, a system of caves and tunnels can be visited on a  guided tour.

3. Enjoy the city’s musical offerings

Music is tightly woven into Budapest’s – indeed, Hungary’s – history. From 11th-century Gregorian chants to folk music and the enduring genius of Liszt and Kodály, this is a city that sings. Both the  Matthias Church  in the castle district and  St Stephen’s Basilica  on the Pest side of the Danube host recitals throughout the year, while Budapest Opera House, a gilded confection restored in the 1980s, is now open for tours and nights spent enveloped in soaring acoustics, luscious oak panelling and ornate frescoes. Over in the  City Park , the  House of Music  opened in 2022 and takes visitors on a musical journey through various forms of Hungarian music, classical composers and explains how the rise of television and technology has an impact on the music industry. Complete your musical journey with a drink at the  Hard Rock Hotel . Opened in 2021, it’s home to a stylishly curated array of rock memorabilia, including Prince’s purple (what else?) faux fur jacket, Madonna’s high school yearbook, Michael Jackson’s black fedora and Elton John’s bright yellow shoes. Stay at the hotel and live out your rockstar dreams with an in-room Fender guitar and amp.

4. Cross the Danube on the Chain Bridge

The glorious Danube (perhaps not as blue as Strauss would have had us think) is crossed by eight bridges in the Hungarian capital, but none so iconic as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Overseen by Scottish civil engineer Adam Clark, it was the first permanent bridge between the previously divided cities of Pest and Buda and has become a symbol of unification. Closed for an 18-month renovation period, the bridge has now been re-opened to pedestrians, taxis and cyclists. Stroll over its floodlit magnificence by night for the best atmosphere, and by day for the best views.

5. Walk the streets – and look up

Perhaps it sounds trite, advising visitors to a city to go for a ramble or take time while exploring, but in Budapest almost every edifice tells a story. Not only is the city an almost unfathomable mish-mash of architectural styles, ranging from Baroque and Neoclassical to Art Nouveau and Gothic, but the sheer range of modes offers insights into Budapest’s varied and complex past. In District VIII, walls are dimpled with bullet holes that, in a city where millions have been poured into restoration, is poignant: these structures wear their troubled past with a "lest we forget" defiance. Large holes can be linked to the Red Army siege of 1945, while smaller ones indicate activity during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, which lasted for just 12 days but had a lasting impact on Eastern Europe’s place in the Cold War. Elsewhere, stop to examine the ornate facades of Kodály körönd (pause by number 14, where  Miksa Róth’s  mosaics frame the windows) as well as the richly coloured tiles of Emil Vidor’s Honvéd utca 16, and the peacock-ish design of the  Löffler brothers ’ (who also designed the Orthodox Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter) at Síp utca 17.

6. Explore the Jewish Quarter

Perhaps this hipster area has become something of a victim of its own success. Ever since the rise of the Ruin Bars (drinking establishments set up in the dilapidated remains of the post-WWII Jewish Quarter – bohemian pioneer  Szimpla  led the way) in the early 2000s, the area has become a magnet for those looking for the good times that Budapest has to offer. The result? The area is now attracting developers and undergoing a process of gentrification, which may eventually lead to the demise of the decrepit spaces that made Ruin Bars so popular to begin with. By all means, get in while you still can, but this historical neighbourhood has far more to offer than places to wet your whistle. Indeed, a plaque outside Szimpla states simply, “People used to live here” – and it’s this, coupled with the knowledge of the atrocities of WWII, that imbues the Jewish Quarter with fascination, albeit an uncomfortable one. Explore the area’s street art: Neopaint’s The Seamstress, at Akácfa Street 41, is particularly noteworthy since it highlights one of the professions most popular with the Jewish population in the 19th century. Delve deeper to find the Chevra Shas-Lubavitch synagogue, folded into a secret courtyard, as well as a wealth of kosher restaurants. On the pavements in front of houses from which Jewish people were seized during the Holocaust, you will find golden cobblestones beneath your feet.

CNT Editors

CNT Editors , CN Traveller

7. Pay your respects at The Shoes on the Danube Promenade

Although only a 2km walk from the Jewish Quarter, this memorial’s heartbreakingly poignant beauty deserves its own entry. Between 1944 and 1945, Budapest was under the control of the Arrow Cross Party, a fascist group with Nazi sympathies that took thousands of Jews from their homes and executed them at the side of the Danube, so that their bodies would fall into its waters and be swept away. Most of the executions took place over the winter months, so the waters would have frozen anyone who might had a hope of survival. Since shoes were a valuable commodity which soldiers could sell for profit, the victims were ordered to remove their shoes before being shot. Film director erected this memorial Can Dogay on the river’s east bank in 2005. Featuring sixty pairs of cast-iron shoes – men’s, women’s and children’s, all painstakingly recreated to reflect the era in which the victims were massacred – the numbers of this tragic sculpture only represent a fraction of those who so brutally lost their lives.

8. Do leisure like a local

Located to the northeast of the city centre, Budapest’s City Park spans 300 acres. Yes, there are many attractions – museums, galleries,  a castle ,  a zoo,  the  Szechenyi  Baths and even a  faux hot air balloon  from which to take in the city’s views – but wander through this green space on a sunny day, and you’ll be tempted to make like a local and just laze about. When it’s warm, it’s full of people lying in the grass, reading, picnicking and dozing; in winter, you can ice skate on the lake. It is also where many of the city’s festivals are held. Time your visit for mid-October and you may happen upon the foodie Kürtőskalács Festival. Available widely throughout the city centre, the name of this classic Hungarian dessert translates to “chimney cake"’ – it is a hollow cylinder, traditionally cooked over a coal furnace to achieve a crisp exterior and fluffy inside, and then rolled in toppings such as cinnamon or vanilla.

9. Museum hop

With over sixty museums in the city, culture buffs are spoiled for choice in Budapest. Check out the  Hungarian National Gallery  in the castle district, which features works by Cézanne, Renoir, Pissarro and Hungary’s Csörgő. At times, it may be possible to ascend the building’s verdigris dome, which offers 360-degree views of the city.  The Museum of Fine Arts,  in Heroes Square near City Park, houses old Hungarian art and permanent exhibitions from Ancient Egypt and 19th-century Europe, including a vast collection of Spanish art. While here, pause to admire Heroes Square itself, where the seven tribes responsible for establishing the Principality of Hungary in 1896 are memorialised. At 60 Andrassy Avenue you’ll find the  House of Terror , which was once the headquarters of the secret police and opened as a museum in 2002 to educate about the atrocities of the fascist and communist regimes. Equally as harrowing is the  Holocaust Memorial Centre . Housed in a former synagogue in the IX District, this place doesn’t spare the visitor details of what occurred in the concentration camps. For something less emotionally taxing, head to the  House of Houdini  to celebrate the magic and mastery of the Hungarian-born escapologist, or try the quirky  Pinball Museum  for retro kicks on over 100 consoles – some of which date back to the 1800s.

10. Visit the Parliament Building

Impressive enough from the outside (be sure to view the complex from the Buda side of the city by night, when it dazzles like a precious bracelet and reflects in the water), the interior of the seat of the  Hungarian Parliament  can also be explored. Gon on a 45-minute tour to take in the gold-plated City Staircase XVII, deeply hued stained glass windows and detailed frescoes, as well as soaring granite columns, the former Chamber of Peers and The Dome Hall, where the Crown Guard of the Hungarian Armed Forces keep watch over the Hungarian Holy Crown and the Coronation Insignia 24 hours a day. Despite its rich history, the tour is not averse to some modern technology – at the end of your visit, you can screen-view snapshots of off-limits spaces and learn more about the building’s construction.

11. Wine and dine

Despite the wide range of cuisines on offer, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to feast on traditional Hungarian food during your visit: authentic beef goulash,  nokedli  (dumplings), vegetable stew and chicken paprikash can all be enjoyed at  Café Kör  or the cosy  Gettó Gulyás . Feeling fancy? The city is also home to no fewer than 28 Michelin-starred restaurants, twenty of which retained their stars from 2022.  Stand Restaurant  is a popular choice – so much so that you’ll need to book it weeks in advance. The Jewish Quarter is peppered with great places to eat, ranging from dive-bar burger joints to the impeccable  TATI , but a consistent favourite is  Mazel Tov  – a verdant, light-filled courtyard with a glass roof serving up irresistible Israeli-Mediterranean fusion dishes. For some true Belle Epoque Glamour head to the  New York Café , a gleaming confection embodying the tradition of the European coffee house housed within the Anantara Hotel.

12. Hop on the Number 2 Tram

Frequently regarded as one of Europe’s most scenic tram journeys, this dinky toy-town mode of transport, painted in a chirpy shade of yellow, takes in many of Budapest’s best sights. Setting off from Jaszari Mari Square, it follows the Danube on its Pest side, with views of Buda and its castle across the water, and the Hungarian Parliament Building and the Chain Bridge on the side of travel. Gellért Hill is an additional feature, with its vivid greenery standing out against the city’s graceful and varied architecture. The journey also takes in the Jewish Holocaust Memorial and the Shoes on the Danube. Ending at the National Theatre, the trip also allows you to admire some of Budapest’s other landmarks, such as the Elizabeth Bridge and Gresham Palace.

13. Visit an outdoor museum to Socialism

Many of the sculptures and statues of Socialist leaders – Lenin, Marx and others – were torn down and trashed when the regime collapsed.  Memento Park , located about an hour’s train journey southwest of Budapest’s centre, is home to around 40 Socialist plaques and figures, dating from 1945 to 1989. The sheer scale of these confirms the grandiose notions that accompanied the Socialist mindset. A highlight is Stalin’s bronze boots – all that remained of the dictator after a crowd of around 20,000 Hungarians toppled his effigy in Budapest’s City Park in 1956. Audacious as it may appear, this is not a place where socialism is idealised, but one where it is recognised as having shaped Budapest’s history. After making your way through the statues, head to the old barracks building where displays document the events of 1956 and film footage of secret agents gathering intelligence about ‘subversives’ can be viewed.

Blog > The complete guide to: Budapest travel

The complete guide to: Budapest travel

A trip to Hungary’s capital means being right on the Danube in one of Europe’s most charming cities. (Fun fact: The two sides of the city — Buda and Pest — were actually two separate cities until 1873.) Fantastic food and wine, eye-popping architecture, castles, museums, and a thriving café culture make Budapest an excellent place for a getaway, whether you’re heading there for a weekend getaway or a longer stay. When you decide to book your ticket, we’re here with everything you need to know once you arrive.

Getting to and from BUD

Once you arrive, there are a couple of ways to make your way into the city. Both terminals are accessible via public transport and buses run between Kőbánya-Kispest metro station and the airport. The bus to take is 200E and the ride takes about 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from transit company’s customer service kiosks inside both terminals, as well as from the post office located on the mezzanine level of terminal 2A, from newsagents (Relay store), from the driver, and from machines at the bus stop. It costs 350 HUF for a single ticket (or 450 if you buy direct from the driver).

Another option is to hop on a minibus. While much pricier than public transit, it’s a decent option if you’re saddled with lots of bags. Airport Minibus offers a shared ride anywhere in the city for a flat fee, and they have a booth inside each terminal on the arrivals level. A one-way trip to the city centre is 3,900 HUF per person and a return trip is 6,900 HUF.

Getting around Budapest

Getting around in Budapest is relatively simple thanks to a variety of public transit options. It’s also possible to get around on foot since most of the city centre and historic districts are suitable for walking.

If you’re going further or don’t feel like walking, Budapest has an extensive system of streetcars and trolley buses as well as an efficient subway system. Tickets are valid for the metro, buses, streetcars, and trolley buses with a single ticket costing HUF 350 (450 from the driver). A block of 10 tickets is 3,000 HUF, or if you’re only in town for a few days you might want to grab a Budapest Card . They can be purchased with a 24-hour (4,900 HUF), 48-hour (7,900 HUF) or 72-hour (9,900 HUF) validity, and all cards include unlimited travel on public transportation, free entry to several museums, two free walking tours, and various discounts at participating baths, museums, restaurants, and spas.

Things to do in Budapest

One of the first things you’re going to want to do in Budapest is make your way up to Castle Hill , since this is where you’ll find a large collection of the city’s significant museums and historic monuments, including the Budapest History Museum and the Presidential Palace. Castle Hill is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and the sprawling grounds are home to several festivals throughout the year, including the Festival of Crafts over three days in late August (days vary, but always including August 20), and the Budapest Wine festival, which happens every year in September.

You can’t come to Budapest without spending some time soaking in a thermal bath, of which there are many all around the city (which is why it’s known as the City of Spas). There over 100 hot springs in Budapest — making it possible for the variety of thermal baths on offer, of which 15 are public. The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe and well worth a visit for a day of soaking or, as the locals refer to it, “taking the waters.”

Since there is so much to see in Budapest, why not take in the views from above with a visit to the Fisherman’s Bastion? Bring your camera — this is an epic spot for capturing panoramic views of the city. The lookout towers (of which there are seven) make for prime lookout points.

Foodie travellers or just anyone wanting to grab a snack among locals should head straight for Central Market Hall, the largest indoor market in Budapest. There are three floors featuring everything from produce, meats and cheeses, to local handicrafts, spices, and wine.

Bored with regular bars and pubs? In Budapest you can knock back a few in what’s known as a ruin bar. These unique watering holes are housed in abandoned buildings (from stores to factories) left unused after World War II. These are usually pretty hidden, as in, if you are just walking down the street you might easily miss one. But when you do find one, be prepared to be surprised. Each ruin bar is different and what you’ll see is a maze of rooms, all eclectically decorated and likely, resembling no bar you’ve ever drank at. The oldest ruin bar in Budapest is Szimpla Kert and definitely the one you need to see.

It’s also worth your travel time to see the Great Synagogue , the largest synagogue in Europe and the second-largest synagogue in the world (the largest Jewish house of worship is in New York City). This is also where you’ll find the Hungarian Jewish Museum & Archives and the sobering Holocaust Tree of Life Memorial.

Budapest Day Tours

Looking for more things to do? Urban Adventures offers day tours in Budapest and beyond, all led by local experts that will give you a taste for local life:

Buda Castle Explorer Hit the historical side of Budapest during this walking tour on the Castle Hill. Peek into the city’s oldest confectionary shop, hear stories and tales of the area’s past, and enjoy a few surprises along the way!

Bites & Sights Budapest Food Tour Hungry for a slice of Hungary? Then join this Budapest tour to be led to award-winning chocolate, authentic kosher fare, vintage drinks, sweet-as strudel, and Instagram-worthy goulash.

Fine Wines & Ruin Bars Wine makes an excellent pairing for history, don’t you think? Discover Budapest old and new through its stylish wine bars, ruin bars, and underground hangouts. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s bar scene in the most eclectic part of Budapest, accompanied of course by the best Hungarian wines and local finger foods.

Made In Budapest Get off the beaten track and join us for a unique shopping tour of beautiful Budapest. We’ll help you discover quirky stores in hidden neighbourhoods and meet the artisans behind the products. If that weren’t enough, we’ll show you how easy it is to ride the tram and point out some of the city’s hidden gems as we traverse its streets. Shopping bags at the ready!

Best Beers of Budapest Sample some of Budapest’s best beer while discovering up-and-coming neighbourhoods and parts of the city that few tourists visit. Bond with other beer drinkers as you sip local brews in unique bars and breweries, sample local snacks, and see for yourself why Budapest is becoming such a great beer-drinking destination.

Private Budapest Cooking Class Visit a Budapest market that tourists don’t know about and discover the fresh, seasonal ingredients that excite locals! On this private tour, you’ll meet affable stallholders and try our favourite salamis and pickles before cooking an authentic lunch, with your local guide on hand and happy to spill the secrets to preparing the perfect Hungarian feast.

Budapest on the big screen

Get amped up for your trip to Budapest by watching a few movies shot in the city, including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy , Spy Game (where Budapest stands in for Berlin), and I Spy .

Budapest on record

Listen to some classic Hungarian bands that influenced musicians to follow. A few options worthy of your listening time include Omega (whose song Gyöngyhajú Lány was sampled by none other than Kanye West in his song New Slaves ), and Piramis — at one point one of Hungary’s most popular bands.

Budapest in books

Read up before and during your trip to Budapest by picking up (or downloading) a copy of  Budapest Noir: A Novel by Hungarian writer Vilmos Kondor, or  Culinaria Hungary by Aniko Gergely — great for anyone interested in learning more about Hungarian cooking.

Get in touch with us

Looking for more info before you go? Contact us at [email protected] . You can also follow us on Instagram for live updates straight from Budapest.

Fine Wines & Ruin Bars Get ready to discover the best wine venues and ruin bars in Budapest! We’re going to share our favourite city stories with you, paired alongside some of the best Hungarian wines. We’ll start our evening adventure in the main junction of the city and wander over to the Old Jewish ghetto to discover the coolest local hangouts by night.

RELATED POSTS

The Travel Blogger’s Guide to Budapest

By: Author Monica

Categories Hungary

I love using travel blogs to research destinations. Blogs have the personal opinion and authenticity most guidebooks are missing and it’s great finding a likeminded to make suggestions you know you’ll love.

I used loads of travel blogs when researching my trip to Budapest. I’ve collated some of the best travel blog posts about Budapest to bring you the ultimate travel blogger’s guide to Budapest!

If you’ve written a travel blog about Budapest, please feel free to add it to the comments below!

Here goes…

Things to do in Budapest

Elle put together this list of 10 of the best things to do in the city to help visitors to decide what they simply can’t miss off their Budapest itinerary. From relaxing in one of the city’s famous thermal baths to trying traditional goulash at Budapest’s Opera House, this top 10 guide to Budapest is great for first-time travellers to the city.

The Fisherman’s Bastion is one attraction that should be on every visitor’s itinerary for Budapest.  It’s a busy place so I thoroughly recommend visiting the bastion early in the morning. Here’s some of my tips for visiting the area, as well as some of the photos I captured in the early morning light.

If you think you’ve ticked off every attraction from your Budapest guide, think again! Adventurous Miriam has put together the ultimate list of Budapest sights and activities with this aptly titled article, ‘A really long list of things to do in Budapest’. You’ll find some great additional things to add to your Budapest itinerary in this list, such as visiting the city’s ruin bars.

Another fantastic guide to Budapest and its most popular attractions. In this article The Crazy Tourist gives a comprehensive insight into 25 of the best things to do in Budapest. Features on this in-depth Budapest itinerary include the majestic Parliament Building and a visit to Heroes’ Square, as well as 23 other fascinating sights and attractions.

Budapest is a great destination for a short city break across the weekend, something that Ewa discusses in depth in this great guide to Budapest and what to squeeze into a condensed visit. As well as some attractive photography, Ewa lists 25 of the tops things to do in Budapest – perfect for helping you form your must-see list.

Yaya and Lloyd from Hand Luggage Only share inspiration for the perfect weekend itinerary for Budapest. The article gives a great guide to some of the top attractions in the city and how best to incorporate them into your visit, from soaking in thermal baths to admiring striking Hungarian architecture.

If you’re the kind of traveller who gets inspired by stunning photography, look no further than this gorgeous selection of photos from Monica at Not A Nomad Blog. As well as sharing some wonderful snapshots from the city, Monica has also put together a handy guide to Budapest which includes all the ins and outs of visiting the city and appreciating its attractions.

Emily from The Cosy Traveller has put together a fantastic Budapest guide, listing all of the worthwhile sights and attractions to pop down on your Budapest itinerary. This great read will help any holidaymaker who is heading to Budapest and is need of some inspiration and information, listing 21 things you need to tick off during your visit.

Travel guides and itineraries

Katie from Real World Runaway has put together this fantastic guide to Budapest, dividing the article into an introduction, a list of things to do, advice on how to get around and some of the best places to stay in the city, from budget options to more luxurious choices. The top tips at the end are particularly helpful and ideal for helping you put together a Budapest itinerary.

Another in-depth and informative Budapest guide, this time from Dannielle at While I’m Young, she has put together a great three-day itinerary for Budapest, perfect for those heading to the city on a long weekend break. Offering some great tips on where to stay, how to get around and how best to divide up your three days, this is an ideal article for first-time visitors to the city.

Sabina from Girl vs Globe has put together this great guide to Budapest, detailing all the best things to do, the best places to eat and where to stay, as well as giving advice on getting to Budapest and where to go out in the evening. Her discussion on Budapest’s ruin pubs is particularly appealing – definitely one thing to stick on your itinerary for Budapest.

Another ideal three-day guide to Budapest, featuring lovely imagery as well as some very useful maps, this piece from Mehek at Maps and Magnets is easily digestible and very detailed. Picking out the best attractions to visit across your three days, as well as providing some greater insider tips on how to best appreciate them, this is a useful guide for any visitor to the city.

If you’re looking for a budget weekend trip in Europe, you’ll be pleased to know that Keri and Emma from Girls What Travel have written a piece with you just in mind. Detailing the cost of a trip to the Hungarian capital, this is a great guide to Budapest and how to get the most out of your money during a three-night stay in the city.

Stuart from The Urban Travel Blog has written another great Budapest guide, producing an ideal long weekend-centric piece that details everything from the must-see attractions and where to stay, to off-the-beaten track sights and a range of experiences and events. You’ll find your Budapest itinerary growing rapidly after reading this piece!

Visiting Budapest’s thermal baths

Budapest’s thermal baths are one of the city’s most famous attractions and something you have to get on your itinerary for Budapest. Adelina from Pack Me To did just that when she visited the city, and has since put together this informative guide to Budapest and its steaming saunas and pools, including a great section titled ‘9 Tips to Make Your Thermal Bath Visit Effortless’!

Abi from Inside The Travel Lab is another traveller who has taken the time to put together a guide to Budapest and its thermal baths. This account of an experience of the baths comes from winter and the Szechenyi Baths. Abi did brilliantly to capture the iconic photos of locals playing chess amid the rising steam – you better brush up on your chess skills before your visit!

If you’re visiting Budapest for the first time and you’re a little nervous or unsure of the ins and outs of visiting one of the city’s thermal baths, look no further than this first timer’s guide to a Budapest spa visit from Girls What Travel. Soaking in a thermal bath will undoubtedly be on your Budapest itinerary, and this great guide from the girls will make your visit a breeze.

Travel journals from Budapest

A wonderful account of Teri, from The Lover Drawer, and her time in Budapest, this travel journey from the city doubles up as a personal insight into Teri’s experiences and a useful guide to Budapest and the best things to do in the city. You’ll also enjoy some lovely photography throughout the article, making a visit to the city even more tempting.

Milly from Mini Adventures has written this detailed account of her experience of the city of Budapest, which includes a great part about her visit to the Fisherman’s Bastion. The photos she has captured from her trip are gorgeous.

Visiting the city as part of a six-day adventure around Hungary, Kiara from Gallop Around The Globe has shared some great photos, as well as plenty of useful information, from her experience of Budapest. From places to stay in the city to the best ruin pub in which to sip some Hungarian beer, Kiara’s piece forms a great guide to Budapest and some of the top things to see and do.

Eating and drinking in Budapest

There are many fantastic drinking and dining scenes located across the city, and Frank & Lissette from The Travels of BBQ Boy & Spanky have produced this great piece focusing on one of them. Delivering a great guide to Budapest and its famous ruin bars, this piece showcases some of the best of these bars to be found in the Jewish Quarter. Make sure you get Szimpla Kert on your Budapest itinerary!

A food tour is a great way of gaining an insight into the dining culture of a new destination, something Ali from Travel Made Simple knows all too well. On her visit to Budapest, she embarked on a food tour of the city and has shared her experience in this great review. From bakery treats to tasty meats, Ali’s piece doubles as a useful guide to Budapest and its food scene.

Catherine from Lux Life had already written a great Budapest food guide (listed below), but her experience at one particular café led her to give it its very own write-up. New York Café is one fine establishment to get on your Budapest itinerary, arguably the most beautiful coffee house in the world and an amazing experience as Catherine explains.

From a single café to an entire city’s food scene, Catherine’s experience of Budapest and its wining and dining offerings has been written up in this detailed and diverse guide to Budapest and its food and drink. From delicious seafood to ruin pub drinks, you’ll find some gems on here to help you form your perfect itinerary for Budapest.

Another great Budapest guide from Keri and Emma at Ladies What Travel, in this article they have put together an intriguing review of Herend Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons Gresham Palace. Adding a dose of luxury to your Budapest itinerary, and if the photos are anything to go by, a huge amount of indulgence, this review will have you both drooling and planning your visit to the Four Seasons!

This Budapest guide from Amy at The Wayfarer’s Book is all about one thing, dangerously delicious food! If you’re the kind who will put together a Budapest itinerary solely for food experiences, Amy’s article will be right down your street. From the best cakes in Europe to speciality donuts, this is an article perfect for exercising your gluttony!

Arguably the best and certainly the most famous ruin bar of this vibrant city, Szimpla Kert has to be on your Budapest itinerary if you’re looking for a quirky nightlife option. Fortunately, Elaine and Dave, from The Whole World Is A Playground, have produced this in-depth review of their experience of the bar, sharing some great information and tips, including a guide to the various rooms that comprise this ruin bar.

Emma, the London Kiwi, has produced this top restaurant guide to Budapest, sharing a selection of her favourite places to eat in the Hungarian capital. Splitting the article into useful headers that include ‘breakfast’, ‘ice cream’ and ‘drinks’, you’ll find this post extremely convenient for putting together your wining and dining itinerary for Budapest.

Cristina from Chasing Travel is another travel expert who has collated her culinary experiences of Budapest into an in-depth and useful guide. As she says, ‘when you’re hungry in Hungary, it’s not such a bad place to be’. This philosophy is seemingly reinforced by her great guide to Budapest and its must-try foods, from Pörkölt stew to paprika chicken, Cristina makes some delicious suggestions throughout her piece.

Unusual things to do in Budapest

Showcasing the quirky, artistic and unusual characteristics and attractions in Budapest and its Jewish Quarter, this is the perfect Budapest guide for those looking to step away from the typical tourist trail in the city. Tommo and Megsy from Food Fun Travel have highlighted the colour and quirk of the city’s ruin bars, the striking quality of the Jewish Quarter’s street art scene and the general alternative opportunities to be found across Budapest.

Adding some memorable and unique attractions to your Budapest itinerary, Yasmine from Peeking Duck has put together a great guide to Budapest and some of its more unusual sights. From a donut library and colourful street art to vintage shopping and artisan dining, you’ll discover some great variety in this intriguing post.

Day trips from Budapest

Gemma and Craig from Two Scots Abroad show that there is plenty of scope for experiences outside of the city during a trip to Budapest. If you’re the sort of explorer who would love to add a daytrip outside of the city to your Budapest itinerary, perhaps a cave bath or a wine experience will tick your boxes? Check out this great guide to attractions beyond Budapest for some inspiration.

Where to stay in Budapest

It was all about splendour and the spa during our stay at the beautiful Corinthia Hotel in Budapest. I loved the grandeur of this gorgeous hotel but is it really worth it? The spa was lovely but the rooms weren’t great for a 5* hotel.

When it comes to choosing somewhere to stay during your trip to the city, there are a great range of Airbnb options to consider, and Emily from The Cosy Traveller has highlighted nine of the most stylish to consider for your Budapest itinerary. From swanky converted lofts to designer apartments that wouldn’t look out of place on MTV Cribs, this is a great mini guide to Budapest and its fantastic choice of Airbnb treasures.

For another unforgettable five-star experience in the city, Catherine from Lux Life has written this fantastic review of her stay at Le Meridien, with its breathtaking view across St Stephen’s Basilica. If you want your Budapest itinerary to be one of luxury and glamour, you’ll struggle to find a more rewarding stay than that showcased by Catherine in this in-depth piece.

In this article, Emma reviews her time spent at Hotel Moments, a stunning hotel that would be the perfect place to stay for an art lover. This detailed review reveals all of the ins and outs of a stay at this wonderful hotel – the giant breakfast sounds particularly appealing! The location of Hotel Moments is also a plus, as Emma reveals, with only short walks leading you to the Opera House and Szimpla Kurt – two attractions you need to stick on your Budapest itinerary.

Need more reasons to visit Budapest?

If you’re looking for some extra inspiration that will see you booking your trip to the city, The Travelettes’ guide to Budapest and all of its most appealing characteristics is sure to get you setting the dates for your city break here. Offering 10 reasons to fall in the love with Budapest, from affordability to the range of vintage stores, this post will give you all the motivation you need to get booking.

Laura and Tanbay, from Travelling Weasels, continue the theme of inspiration and enthusiasm, sharing their 10 reasons that you must visit Budapest. Doubling up as a useful guide to Budapest – the local lingo video is pretty useful and hilarious! – the Travelling Weasels’ reasons for hitting the city will be more than enough to get you dreaming of a Hungarian adventure in the future.

And finally, from The Travel Hack, we share some of the most photogenic angles from one of Europe’s most attractive cities. From the core sights and historical corners, to the steaming baths and the pretty churches. You’ll want to get most if not all of these features crammed onto your Budapest itinerary, and hopefully you can capture some stunning photography of your own during your visit to the Hungarian capital.

Like this post? Follow along!

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Rohan Gillett

Saturday 26th of September 2020

Budapest looks like the place to go! I've always wanted to go to Eastern Europe and while I haven't made it yet, it's not forgotten. It looks like an incredible city, so beautiful. The perfect place to go with a camera!

Monday 25th of May 2020

I visited Hungary and Budapest last summer and I loved. Only thing I didn't like was weather. Of 1st day it was rainy and on the second day 38 Celsius. Still I always recommend Budapest to people looking to travel. Also their food is very delicious! Thanks for sharing! Love the pics!

Adam Lukaszewicz

Friday 22nd of February 2019

We love Budapest! We have a couple of guides that we'd love to add to your collection here! https://www.gettingstamped.com/things-to-do-in-budapest/ https://www.gettingstamped.com/3-days-in-budapest-itinerary/

Weekend Break Ideas: 52 Weekend Breaks from the UK - The Travel Hack

Saturday 4th of August 2018

[…] Read more: The Travel Blogger’s Guide to Budapest […]

Wednesday 6th of June 2018

A few weeks ago my friend Alex and I were in Budapest and made a short movie about the city and it´s people (with interviews). The city is really amazing and the video editing is so great, which makes me want to go back again :) https://youtu.be/KgXC5bOrAac

TheTravelHack

Monday 11th of June 2018

Great video Jens, thanks for sharing!

Urban Wanders

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The Most Instagrammable Places in Budapest

Coined as one of the most Instagrammable cities in Europe, Budapest is a photographer’s dream. This photography guide to the most Instagrammable places in Budapest will have you falling in love with this romantic city, the second you step foot in it. Picture, fairytale-like castles, impressive parks and jaw-dropping panoramic views adorning the city. For the complete travel guide and list of the best things to do in Budapest check out my travel guide here . Without any further delay, lets get into the most Instagrammable places in Budapest!

Table of Contents

• 1 Fisherman’s Bastion
• 2 Matthias Church
• 3 Buda Castle
• 4 Budapest Parliament from across the Danube River
• 5 Budapest Parliament from the Pest Side
• 6 St. Stephen’s Basilica
• 7 Heroes’ Square
• 8 Vajdahunyad Castle
• 9 Széchenyi Baths
• 10 Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library
• 11 Budapest University Library
• 12 New York Café
• 13 Szimpla Kert
• 14 Little Princess Statue
• 15 Gellert Hill
• 16.0.1 A Complete Travel Guide to Budapest, Hungary 
• 16.0.2 7 Cafes You Must Visit in Budapest
• 16.0.3 Bratislava Travel Guide: Top Things to do in Bratislava
• 16.0.4 Pin for later!

Fisherman’s Bastion

Starting off our list of the most Instagrammable places in Budapest is Fisherman’s Bastion and for good reason. This almost 200-year-old monument is the capital’s pride and joy. Located in the Buda Castle in the first district of Budapest, the Fisherman’s Bastion consists of 7 towers overlooking the Danube River and the Pest side of Budapest. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Budapest, which is why coming here early is key. In fact, for those impressive solo photos without tourists in the background come during the sunrise hours before it even opens – you’ll thank me later! From October 16 th  to March 15 th , Fisherman’s Bastion is free to enter while a small fee is imposed on tourists to enter the upper towers during the peak season.

Matthias Church

Just in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion you’ll find Matthias Church a Gothic style church that will surely impress. Take a few shots in front of its grand entrance or step back to the Fisherman’s Bastion to take a full-length shot. Either way, Matthias Church is a majestic church that is worth taking a photo of.

Buda Castle

Continuing along the Buda side of Budapest on our best photo spots in Budapest is the Buda Castle. Taken right out of an epic historical movie, the Buda Castle seems to go on forever with its astonishing architecture, impressive towers and elegant gardens. Take a stroll down the Buda side to reach the castle to find your perfect Instagram shot. Explore every side of the Buda Castle, for a variety of angles and photos to step up your Instagram feed.

Budapest Parliament from across the Danube River

Speaking of impressive buildings of Budapest, the country’s Parliament does not disappoint. Taking a photo of the Budapest Parliament from the Buda side is one of the best Instagram spots in the city. This majestic building stands tall at 96 meters high, just as high as St. Stephen’s Basilica. Take a shot right down the middle of this Gothic-style Parliament to emphasize its perfect symmetry. I highly recommend taking photos here at nighttime to take full advantage of the lit Parliament.

Budapest Parliament from the Pest Side

Because one picture of the Parliament is not nearly enough, another top Instagram spot in Budapest is at on the grounds of the Budapest Parliament. Enjoy walking around this majestic building for various perspectives and shots because unfortunately  photos are prohibited inside the building.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

Continuing the list of the most Instagrammable spots in Budapest is none other than the distinguished St. Stephen’s Basilica located in the city center of the Pest side. The interior of this Roman Catholic basilica is just as impressive as the exterior. Start off by taking a photo of St. Stephen’s Basilica from Zrinyi Street for an impressive shot between the concrete buildings before making your way into the Basilica. Take a few shots of the interior area then head up to the lookout point on the roof for some breathtaking panoramic photos.

Heroes’ Square

Heroes’ Square, one of the biggest squares in Budapest, is a perfect photo spot to spice up your Instagram feed. It’s iconic statue complex of the Seven chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders are like no other. Take a few shots here before making your way into City Park for a nice stroll.

Vajdahunyad Castle

A list of the most Instagrammable places in Budapest wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the hidden castle within City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle. Originally built to celebrate the 1,000 years of freedom since the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin in 895, the Vajdahunyad Castle is now one of the most striking buildings in the city. The distinctly different architectural styles including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque all harmoniously blend together. Take out your camera, as this is a photo spot in Budapest you won’t want to miss!

Széchenyi Baths

A trip to Budapest wouldn’t be complete without a dip in the Széchenyi Baths, which happens to be another great photo opportunity. The best time of the day for pictures at the thermal baths are either very early in the morning before the crowds start rolling in or late at night right before closing time for a starry sky backdrop.

Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library

This next Instagram spot in Budapest is for all those book lovers out there. Indeed, the once palace now turned public library – the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library – is a book worm’s heaven! The library’s main branch is housed in the overly lavish, 19 th century neo-baroque Wenckheim Palace. You’ll need to buy a day pass to enter the Library (1000 HUF (3€/$3.3) but it will be worth every penny. Take your Instagram feed to the next level with some neo-baroque Palace vibes from this lavish library!

Budapest University Library

While we’re on the topic of impressive libraries, the Budapest University Library is a must as well! Not only is it worth taking a photograph of but also it is worth visiting just to appreciate its grand beauty.

New York Café

New York Café is definitely one of the most Instagrammable Places in Budapest due to its classy and elegant interior. The lines are usually almost always long so whether you want to pop in for a quick photograph or would like to sit down for coffee, it’s best to come here early or book a table in advance. For more on New York Cafe check out this blog post on 7 cafes that you must visit in Budapest .

Szimpla Kert

This eccentric, around the clock pub is like entering into Alice and Wonderland. Every corner of this idiosyncratic and eccentric bar seems out of place yet at the same time fits perfectly well with the whole philosophy of Szimpla Kert. Ideally you should swing by during the day where you can order a cup of coffee and take photos without anyone in your photos or come during the early night before it gets too crowded to capture the true atmosphere of Szimpla Kert.

Little Princess Statue

Scatter around the city are endearing little statues, however the Little Princess Statue sitting along the railings of the Danube promenade will definitely steal your hearts. The artist was inspired by his daughter who would often wear a princess costume and a crown made out of newspaper. A quick stop along the Danube River for a shot of the Little Princess with the Buda Castle in the background is worth your while.

Gellert Hill

Last but certainly not least on our most Instagrammable Places in Budapest is Gellert Hill. The skyline of Budapest from the top of Gellert Hill will without a doubt enhance your Instagram game. Take jaw-dropping shots of the city – both the Buda side and the Pest side for a complete picture of the country’s capital. The best time of day to take pictures from Gellert Hill is during twilight hours where the city’s lights start turning on creating a magical scenery.

Related Posts:

A complete travel guide to budapest, hungary , 7 cafes you must visit in budapest, bratislava travel guide: top things to do in bratislava, pin for later.

You’ll Also Love

This is very inspiring plus helpful for every instagrammer, thank you!

Thank you so much! 🙂

Beautiful pictures! I miss Europe so much!

Thank you so much! You have to visit again! 🙂

These photos are stunning!! I’ve always wanted to visit Budapest and this only makes me want to go even more. Gellert Hill looks like something out of a fairytale!

The whole city is straight out of a fairytale! You definitely have to visit Budapest once you get the chance! 🙂

Isn’t Budapest the best? Your photos are just gorgeous! 😍

Aw thank you so much! It’s hard to take a bad picture in Budapest!

Okay these are all so gorgeous! Budapest is so high on my bucket list and I really hope to travel there next time I’m in Europe. I’ll definitely save this post for whenever I get the chance to go 😁 love your photos!

Happy you enjoyed this photo guide to Budapest! 🙂

Oh gosh Matthias Church has got to be my favorite! What a lovely guide, makes me want to go to Budapest right away.

I completely agree! There are so many things to see in Budapest!

I visited Budapest a long time ago, you make me want to go again! Thank you for the tips!

It’s such a beautiful city, I don’t blame you! 🙂

I need to go back to Budapest! It’s such a photogenic city! I’ll definitely use your guide for photo inspo when I go.

It truly is! So glad you enjoyed my photo guide to Budapest! 🙂

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Budapest Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Budapest ? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

• Capital and highest populated city of Hungary ( 1.76 million  residents).
• It’s pronounced “ Buddha-PESHT “!
• Consists of two parts ( Buda and Pest ), united into one city in 1873.
• One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with many UNESCO heritage sites.
• Famous for its spas , the city has largest thermal water system in the world.
• Nicknames: City of Spas, The Pearl of the Danube, Paris of the East

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Currency:  Forint  (HUF) and Euro (EUR).
• Spoken languages:   primarily Hungarian  (English spoken by many foreigners).
• Best time to visit: from  March  to October  (mild, continental climate).
• Arriving via airport: for the cheapest option, take the 100E bus (supplementary 900 HUF fee). For 6 Euros, you can also grab a shuttle bus (they leave when full – more information here ).
• Taxis from the airport: go to the official Főtaxi booth , with prices from 14 to 24 EUR, depending on the end destination within the city).

WHERE TO STAY

• Best hostel for solo travelers in Budapest: Maverick City Lodge . Clean rooms/beds, friendly staff, and modern facilities. Just a few mins walk from the train and metro stations. City tours organized for residents. Book ahead to reserve your spot!
• Accommodation in the city center ( District V ) is the most expensive, especially as you get closer to the Danube. For best value, try to find something close to (but not in) the center – Districts VI , VII or VIII .
• Many visitors prefer to stay on the Buda side, as it has better air quality (closer to hills and forests).

GETTING AROUND

• The public transport in Budapest is operated by BKV and there are plenty of options: buses, trolleybuses, trams, subway and trains.
• Tickets must be bought prior to boarding, except at night above ground. The tickets are available at stands, some shops, vending machines and subway stations. A single ticket, known as jegy , costs 350 HUF (450 HUF if purchased directly from the driver). It is valid on all public transport vehicles for one uninterrupted trip.
• The Budapest Card is not worth it! You get access to a few second-rate museums and free entrance to Lukács Baths (better alternative exist).
• Instead, opt for the Budapest-travelcard (the 24-hour and 72-hour are the popular ones). More information here . This is by far the most economical way to get around for visitors!
• All taxis in Budapest must have the word Taxi on them and a yellow registration plate, as well as the company name. Most of them have a basic fee, per km charge and a waiting fee. It is a customary to leave a 10% tip for the taxi driver.
• All EU/EEA senior citizens (age 65+) can use Hungarian public transport for free .

BUDAPEST NIGHTLIFE

• Drinking age is  18 , no official last call (some clubs are open at night).
• Start your night out at one of the cafes on  Linzt Ferenc Square .
• Most clubs and bars are located on the left bank of the river, between the Terez krt. Street, the Rakoczi ut. Street, Karoly krt. Street and the Bajksy-Zsilinszky ut. Street.
• Hip/local scene: visit  3rd , 5th and 7th districts.
• Casual nightlife recommendations: DOBLO Wine Bar and Shop, Olimpia Borozó ($ – wine bar), Élesztő ($$ – gastropub), Csendes Létterem ($$), Nappali Kávéház ($$)
• Looking for the authentic Budapest pub experience? Szimpla Kert and Potkulcs Pub are your best bets.
• For dancing , your best bets are the Instant-Fogas Complex (7-level club), AETHER Club, Arzenál, Heaven Club, Ötkert Club, and Akvárium Klub.
• Live music: Dürer Kert, A38 Hajó (a barge converted into a music venue), and Barba Negra Track.

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

• The Parliament Building , a stunning neo-gothic building overlooking the Danube. Entry is only allowed via a guided tour (free for EU residents, 3,500 HUF for non-residents). Buy tickets in advance as they sell out early. It’s also worth it to come back and check out the area at night – marvel at the view of the Parliament, mirrored in the water.
• Heroes Square . Consisting of the Millennium Monument, this is an often overlooked part of the city.
• Another UNESCO site in Budapest is the Buda Castle District , with some of the oldest and most romantic monuments in Hungary. The Castle, a royal residence of European rank, is one of the most visited landmarks in the country. Located within the Buda Castle District, the Royal Palace  features interesting museums and galleries. There is also  labyrinth  located under the Castle.
• The Danube is an attraction in of itself. One of the most well-known sights of Budapest, the river runs through three other capital cities.

INTERESTING WALKS

• Take a long walk up the Gellert hill until you   reach the Citadel, where you will be treated to a spectacular panoramic view of the city.
• Stroll along the Duna korzó riverside embankment on the Pest side.
• Wander through the Jewish district and visit the largest synagogue in Europe (the second largest in the world).

LOCAL WISDOM

• With so much to see and explore, some of the most interesting and unique areas do not get nearly enough attention from visitors. One example is Obuda , the oldest part of Budapest.
• Try one of the city’s many  baths and thermal springs . Great places to start: Gellért Thermal Bath and Széchenyi Thermal Bath.
• Tips are usually left on the table. If possible, add a 10% tip at restaurants, cafes, taxis, etc.
• Traditional Hungarian dishes to try before you leave (links to what they look like): Hortobágy crêpes ,  hurka-kolbász (sausage), goulash , langos , and Somló trifle for dessert!
• Chill out for a bite and drink at the Massolit Budapest Books and Café .
• Great Budapest restaurants that locals love: Borkonyha ($$$), Stand25 Bisztró ($$$), Petrus Restaurant ($$$), KönyvBár ($$), Kao Niaw Ping Kai ($$ – Thai), Budapest, Gyros Kerkyra Görög Ételbár ($$), Bors GasztroBár.
• Where to find  good cheap eats : food is generally more affordable in Budapest than in other European cities. For budget eating, check out the  Raday utca district .
• Dangerous areas :  Easter and Western railway stations, where pickpocketing could be an issue. Also, avoid Districts 8 and 9  at night, as well as the unlit areas along the river banks.

Recommended trip duration:  2-3 days

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Budapest travel guide

Helping you enjoy your visit, with a Budapest travel guide designed by locals. Sightseeing, transportation, food, drinks, nightlife, events, shopping, emergency… Best Budapest tourist information with everything you need in one place.

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• Z The most comprehensive Budapest travel guide
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A Message about budapest

“ If you are into architecture porn, Budapest is for you. One incredible building after another. Block after block of what is simply an incredible mix of styles, the imaginations of the creators gone wild during the city’s years of empire. It is really something to see. And I felt like a total rube arriving so late. What took m e so long!? “

Anthony Bourdain

Essential Budapest Travel Guide

Whether you are looking for the best Budapest restaurants, Budapest nightlife hotspots or Budapest public transport info, check out our comprehensive travel guide, with all the information you need in one place.

Must-see sights

There are many amazing things to see in Budapest, but there are some parts of the city you have to check out.

Money exchange

Check out the best tips for money exchange in Budapest: Do you need much cash, where to get it, what to avoid, etc.

Getting around

Budapest public transport is great, it’s easy to get anywhere, even at night.  But, Budapest is really a walkable city.

Free guided tours

What to see in Budapest? Let our free walking tours (tip-based) show you. Our guides are the best in the city!

Budapest museums offer a variety of experiences for every taste and interest: from Roman times to today’s urban culture.

Thermal baths

Budapest thermal baths are one of the main attractions in the city. Find out why Budapest is called “The City of Spas”.

Hungarian food is famous for a reason. What is a traditional food in Budapest you have to try? Check out our guide!

The main Hungarian drinks are Unicum, palinka, and wine. Recently, like everywhere else, craft beer is gaining momentum.

Restaurants

It’s not just Hungarian restaurants in Budapest. Here you can find delicacies from every corner of the world!

Where to party hard in Budapest? Where are the best clubs in Budapest? We got you covered!

Rooftop bars

Great views, cool crowd, nice atmosphere, perfect vibe: Budapest rooftop bars must be checked out!

From smooth jazz to electronic or rock: there are many venues to catch some live music in Budapest.

Szimpla Kert is the best ruin bar in Budapest. But, there are many others in this special category Budapest is known for.

Cocktail bars

There are several fantastic cocktail bars in Budapest where you can enjoy delicious drinks prepared by skilled mixologists.

If you’re a wine connoisseur or just a casual fan, you’ll find a variety of wine bars in Budapest to suit your taste.

Sports bars

Sports, in general, are very popular in Hungary, so there are many very good sports bars in Budapest.

River cruise

Budapest is known as the “Pearl of the Danube” and cruising along the river allows you to take in stunning sights.

Budapest street art is an integral part of the city’s rich history and culture, adorning walls, facades, and even entire neighborhoods.

Coffee shops

From specialty brews in cozy little cafes, to stunning grand coffee houses, Budapest coffee shops  have it all.

Classical music

There are some amazing venues for classical concerts in Budapest. The quality of the perfomancies is outstanding.

Flea markets

Budapest flea markets are full of hidden treasures, be it Habsburg riches or communist oddities. Enjoy the hunt!

Movie theaters

Movie theaters in Budapest will show the latest blockbusters, some of them in English, with Hungarian subtitles.

Car rentals

Budapest car rentals offer quality vehicls at affordable prices. There are many types of cars to choose from.

Budapest gyms offer modern equipment and amenities you would expect from world-class training facilities.

Shopping in Budapest is not always cheap, but Budapest shops can compete with any European city.

Budapest for kids? There are plenty of cool places where young ones can have a lot of fun, parents too.

Is Budapest safe? Yes, but use common sense like everywhere else. Check out the list of emergency numbers in Hungary.

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Why budapest, stunning architecture, rich history, delicious food, amazing nightlife.

We are here to help. It is as simple as that. Budapest is a fantastic city and all who visit should have a great time. There is a lot of information out there about the city. Many people offer advice, telling you what to do and what not to do. But very often those people just visited Budapest a few times (or even once). Information gets outdated, or stories are made up because somebody heard something somewhere. Official sites are very informative but too formal and stale.

We are different, locals who have been living here for decades and know all ins and outs of the city, understand what visitors are looking for: accurate, updated information, authenticity, and stuff you can’t find in a guidebook. So we created this Budapest travel guide, with the best Budapest tourist information!

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Budapest Essentials: A Cocktail of Experiences

Our resident hedonist Ben Rhodes reports back from the Budapest Essentials festival, a city-wide fiesta… that mercifully doesn’t involve tents, mosquitoes or wellies.

If you have already travelled to the Hungarian capital, you will likely agree with my fellow Urban Travel Blogger Stuart Wadsworth that “ Budapest is a city which demands your attention “, thanks to its delicious mix of old world elegance and rough-edged contemporary culture. Combine these year-round staple attractions with a heavy dose of eclectic DJs and bands, and shake vigorously with deals at the best pubs, cafés and restaurants in town, and you’ll be close to imagining the cocktail of experiences that make up the Budapest Essentials festival.

Budapest Essentials is an epic four day fiesta that takes place across the city (mainly on the “Pest” rather than “Buda” side of the river) in early June each year. You buy a wristband that gives you access to gigs, day tours, entry to the famous baths, and discounts at local bars and restaurants. Unlike many city festivals there is no ring-fenced areas where events are held, rather it happens throughout the city itself, encouraging you to take advantage of the vast array of day and night-time activities at your own pace. One local bar manager taking part in the event described the festival as “co-opetition”; cooperation and competition by small Budapest businesses that allows them to be greater than the sum of their parts for one weekend: for the benefit of themselves, the city and the festival goers.

Below are some of the personal highlights I experienced during the Essentials festival 2014, many of which in fact are on offer any time of the year. (For even more info, the festival’s official website has a mega montage video of what went down in twenty fourteen, and is of course also the best place to check out what will be happening in 2015 and subsequent years).

Exploring the City

An ever-increasing phenomenon in Budapest is worn-out architectural gems being reclaimed by the youthful city population, rather than being left to rot away unloved. The most obvious example is the trend for ruin pubs, which has been going on for well over a decade now, but there are also even more creative uses. For example Paloma has transformed the courtyard and first floor of Wagner house into a centre of contemporary arts and craft, where you can buy everything from handmade leather belts to vintage wedding planning or pop-art cushions, and was one of my favourite spots for a leisurely browse.

A more run-down, anarchic, creative commune centre is Muszi – you will have to find the decrepit door on Blaha Lujza, and make your way upstairs to the rag-doll combination of café, theatre, fusbol and even barbers! Budapest has also pioneered a new trend for “Escape Games” with the city’s ramshackle buildings an ideal location for spending the most thrilling hour of your life (full article coming soon on Urban Travel Blog… subscribe if you don’t want to miss it !).

Gastronomic Gratification

I found that the Jewish Quarter’s ramshackle streets, brimming with cafes and restaurants, was a great place to start a culinary expedition. Macesz Huszar offers a trip back in time to a 1950s Jewish grandma’s front room, serving up a plethora of traditional bean and stew dishes (although I’m not sure grandma would have served the gherkin and eggs pictured below in such a phallic manner!).

The Hungarian wines on offer at Innio are well worth trying, where the tasting menu expertly matches local Rieslings, Chardonnays and Sauternes with the savoury dishes. If you are down near the Danube try Kiosk for modern European food served in a vast bare-bricked warehouse with seating overlooking the river, or munch on some world-renowned gateaux at Gerbeaud patisserie .

Budapest is renowned for its ruin “garden” pubs (kerts), many of which have entertained more than one Urban Travel Blogger in the past. Since the editor penned this feature article on the ruin bars there have been a couple of developments to the scene. Just opened in 2014 is Farm, where the owner Jack has created a more refined, less “ruined”, kert that operates a sustainable ethos – all of the tasty tapas are sourced from local, organic ingredients and there is even a farmers’ market in the courtyard on Sunday mornings. The kerts have also branched out from being just pubs to nightclubs too, with Otkert pumping out crowdpleasers in its courtyard until the wee hours. Szimpla, the original and largest ruin pubs, is still a must-see for pub aficionados, as it has not lost any of its decrepit nook-and-cranny charm, even if it has now been discovered by stag parties as well as locals.

Music & Nightlife

Budapest Essentials really comes to life at night, with a smorgasbord of gigs and DJ sets dotted around the city. You are given a map as well as the website to help you plan your nights and squeeze in as much as possible. Below is a selection from UTB’s Saturday night, and it’s also worth checking out our post on the Top Five Rooftop Bars in Budapest (coming soon!).

Our Saturday evening started in the outdoor ampthitheatre at Aquarium nightclub , where our vivacious guide Dora tipped us off about a secret gig by the teenage troubadour George Ezra. Gorgeous George is most famous for his number 1 hit “Budapest” which he performed to a rapturous reception to his adoring fans, many of whom had joined him on an epic bus tour from the UK to Budapest (a city he admitted he had not been to despite the name of his chart topping song!). Not quite Frank Sinatra performing New York New York in Times Square, but a special moment all the same.

After George’s gentle crooning it was time to head somewhere a bit more upbeat, so we hopped onto the tram to the imposing Grand Central Market Hall . By day it is the largest indoor market in Budapest, but this night was transformed into the stage of an earth-shaking dubstep DJ set from the Gorillaz. Some canny market stalls were still open, selling over-sized vegetables as makeshift glo-sticks to the pumped up crowd.

Having moshed until our bones could take no more we met our guides at Hello Baby , where the club has a great outdoor yard that transforms into a latin-infused dancefloor after a few rounds of Hungary’s palinka (fruit brandy). And finally back to Aquarium, where the night was rounded off by a pumping set by 2ManyDJ’s. By this time there was only myself and a 50-year-old German doctor in philosophy left standing from our party, proof that age is no barrier to letting your hair down (even if you are both more follically challenged than your younger days…)

The next morning reminded me that being young isn’t all in the mind, as the body has to deal with the consequences of a youthful spirit. Fortunately two things brought me back to life: firstly the incomparable buffet breakfast served at the Nemzeti Hotel ; and secondly the life-giving waters of Szechenyi Baths, which easily warrant the 10/10 rating awarded in our special feature on Budapest’s most famous baths .

All-in-all, if you are looking to discover one of the most dynamic cities in the world, combined with the excitement of a festival, minus the camping, then put Budapest Essentials in your diary for 2015.

Urban Travel Blog’s trip was kindly organised by the Hungarian Tourist Board in partnership with Budapest Underguide .

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Current version updated on October 23rd, 2015

First published on August 27th, 2014

Posted in Experience , Festivals , Nightlife with destination tags Budapest , Hungary

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How to get around Budapest – A guide to public transport

One of the many great things about Budapest is the city’s excellent and affordable transport network. There are buses, trams, trolleybuses, suburban trains, boats and even a cogwheel railway. Tickets are available via the English-friendly app BudapestGO, although there's still the paper variety, too, and machines for purchasing and punching can be confusing at first. Don’t worry! With this guide, you should be zipping around confidently in no time.

Info & apps

The easiest way to buy tickets and access up-to-date timetables is via the BudapestGO app , available for Android and iOS . Budapest transport company BKK has offices at  key stations such as Deák Ferenc tér ,   Déli pályaudvar and  Keleti pályaudvar . They also sell tickets and distribute paper maps . Maps   Timetables   BKK website   BKK app for Androids   BKK app for Apple

Budapest Airport to city centre

The  100E bus  is the best service from the airport to town by public transport. Taking 45 minutes, it calls at  Kálvin tér ,  Astoria  and  Deák Ferenc tér , all within a short walk of each other in the city centre. As you exit Arrivals, you see the  bus stop  and  English-friendly ticket machine  past the taxi kiosk. Tickets cost  1,500 forints  – look out for the  plane logo  on the screen. Machines accept  credit cards  and  Hungarian forints  (change given),  drivers  take cash only. The 100E  runs every ten minutes  – the first sets off from town at  3.30am  and the last service pulls out of the airport at  1.30am . 

Alongside, the  200E bus  sets off for south Pest, calling at many stops en route. The terminus 25 minutes away is the  last station  on blue metro M3,  K őb ánya-Kispest , but as the line is being renovated,  replacement buses  serve the rest of the journey into town.  Standard BKK tickets  (HUF 350,  see below ) are valid on this route, but you’ll need to use another for your  onward journey .  There are Customer Service Points  at  Terminals 2A  (daily 8am-10pm) and 2B  (daily 9am-9pm), with English-speaking staff.  For details of other ways to get from Budapest Airport to town, see  here  

Buying tickets

Tickets and passes can be purchased with the BudapestGO app ( see above Info & apps ). Alternatively, you can use the English-friendly   machines at  metro stations , tram and bus stops. The BudapestGO app has a map with their locations .  Newsstands also sell tickets. Machines take  cards and Hungarian forints in cash, but only bills of 5,000 and below.  BKK offices (look out for the purple signage) operate within main stations such as Deák Ferenc tér ,   Déli pályaudvar  and  Keleti pályaudvar .   Assistants can provide information and maps as well as tickets – a machine by the door dispenses numbers to find your place in the queue. You can also  buy from the driver  on trams and buses, cash only,  450 forints  for a single ticket as opposed to the 350 forints if bought in advance. See below , Ticket types .

Ticket types

Single tickets A  single ticket  ( vonaljegy , HUF 350) is for any one-way, uninterrupted ride on any bus, tram, trolleybus or metro line from one end of the line to the other.  Transfers  are  permitted between metro lines but not between types of transport . There are no returns available. If you're changing types of transport, there are transfer and time-based tickets available, see below . More information   Any ticket purchased directly from the driver costs 450 forints. More information  

Ten trips There’s a discount if you buy  ten tickets  at a time,  tíz darabos gy űtőjegy . This little booklet costs  3,000 forints , so a  500-forint saving  than if you buy ten individually, and are issued as single tickets. This allows you the  freedom to use  as you wish. More information   However, if you plan on using the public transport  frequently over a certain period of time , you may consider a  longer-term pass  ( see below , Time-based tickets & passes ). 

Transfer tickets At 530 forints, these tickets allow you a single journey with one transfer , say between bus and metro, or different bus lines. More information   Short-section tickets (3 stops or fewer) Valid on the metro network for three stops , for 30 minutes after validation. Transfers are allowed, but only between metro lines , and only for three stops . These cost 300 forints . More information   Boat tickets Main city boat lines D2, D11 and D12 are currently suspended, with only the D14 running between Csepel and Molnár islands . However, those with a monthly pass or longer may use the Circle Line run by the Mahart boat company for free between Tuesdays and Fridays. A  day ticket otherwise costs 1,500 forints. BKK passholders must register at the Mahart ticket office before boarding, and pay at weekends like everyone else. The Circle Line sets off every day except Monday from Pier 5 at downtown Vigadó tér ,   five times a day at two-hour intervals from noon. It calls at  Margaret Island and Batthyány tér , taking one hour 15 minutes to complete the journey from and to Vigadó tér.

Validating tickets

Paper tickets must be validated before boarding the metro . Tickets for buses and trams are validated after you board – buses require you to enter via the front door and show your pass to the driver or validate your ticket in the machine next to him. Failure to validate your ticket can result in a fine when inspectors come round, 8,000 forints if paid on the spot, 16,000 forints if paid within 30 days .  How to validate The metro and modern vehicles are equipped with orange machines – insert your ticket into the slot in the middle. You will hear it whirr as it stamps your ticket . Should a machine fail to work, find another one – there will be a row at the top of metro escalators and along each vehicle. Paper tickets will have a silver strip at one end, and a grid with numbers at the other end. Validate the end with the grid. While it seems excessive, some ticket checkers will fine you for validating the wrong end .

Older vehicles contain red punchers . Insert the grid end of the ticket, with the grid facing you , into the slot, and pull the black lever towards you. You should hear it manually punching the ticket. Again, if it doesn’t work, there will be other punchers further along the carriage.  Tickets for boat and heritage services are not validated by stamping or punching, they will be validated by the crew . Similarly the 1,500-forint ticket for airport bus 100E  ( see above , Budapest Airport to city centre ) is usually torn off by the driver or his assistant by the stop on the pavement.  See this video for validating tickets:  

Once validated, tickets must be used within 80 minutes of stamping or 120 minutes for night services . Transfers can only be made between metro lines only. Journeys involving transfers between metro , bus  and tram must have a separate, validated ticket, or consider a transfer ticket , as listed above .

Time-based tickets & passes

Recently introduced time-based tickets for 30 minutes  (HUF 530) and 90 minutes (HUF 750) allow unlimited use of the metro, buses, suburban trains (HÉV) etc, within the city limits . As long as you start the final section of your journey within the time limit , your ticket will still be valid . 24- and 72-hour travel passes Valid for 24 hours (1,650 HUF) and 72 hours (4,150 HUF) after purchase, these allow unlimited trips within the city limits. No validation is required before travel.  5/30 travel pass A 5/30 travel pass (4,550 HUF) contains five tickets, each valid for 24 hours. A calendar and time option is printed on the tickets, and users must mark on the day and time they intend to begin their 24 hours of validity . This must be used within 30 days of the first use. 

Seven-day travel pass Valid from midnight on the indicated starting day until 2am on the seventh day thereafter.  Unlimited trips  are permitted within the city limits. A  valid photo ID  must accompany the travel card if challenged. The  seven-day pass  costs 4,950 forints.  Longer travel passes   A valid photo ID must also accompany  travel cards  for  15 days  (HUF 6,300), and passes for a  month  (HUF 9,500), a  quarter  (HUF 28,500) or a  year  (HUF 217,960). Note that  lost passes  are not refundable. Most Hungarians put their pass in the back of their mobile cover .  Discounts   Discounted tickets  are available for  students  (HUF 3,450/month) but ONLY for those holding an EU university student card. Quarterly and semester passes are also available.  Senior discounts  are available for those holding a  valid pensioner ID , 3,330 forints/month.

Budapest Card

The  Budapest Card  is a great way to discover the city, as along with transport access, it grants free admission to  many Budapest attractions  and  other discounts  along the way.  Prices  start from €29/24hrs, then €43/48hrs, and so on. Buy your  Budapest Card   here .

Beyond the city limits

Some buses and all HÉV suburban trains venture beyond the city limits , and travelling to and from them requires additional tickets . These can also be purchased at machines and BKK offices . Supplements are charged from 10km beyond town , then in 5km increment s . See a price list here . Tourist-friendly Szentendre , the most popular option, requires a 310-forint levy, for example. Other destinations include Gödöllő with its grand palace and gardens, and pretty Ráckeve .

Wheelchair accessibility

Wheelchair access is available on many transport lines, including:  Buses Over 90% of buses in Budapest have low-floor capabilities .  Trolleybuses Low-floor trolleybuses operate on every line , though not on every service . Check the timetable for details. 

Metro Metro 1  is currently not accessible.  Metro 2  has barrier-free access at the  Örs vezér tere ,  Pillangó utca  and  Puskás Ferenc Stadion  stations. At Örs Vezér tere, the platform design supports  barrier-free boarding  and  disembarking . Lifts are available at the other two stations.  Metro 3  is currently under  long-term renovation . The  newest stations  on the northern section of the line, between  Göncz Árpád Városközpont  and  Újpest-központ . Other stations should follow suit as they are unveiled. Metro 4  is accessible by lifts in all stations.  More information , including details of  parallel routes  by bus or tram should step-free access by metro not by available.

Travelling with your bicycle

Bicycles can be transported on several tram and bus lines , one trolleybus route and all HÉV suburban railway lines but you will have to buy and validate an extra single ticket . All details are given here .

Travelling with your dog

Dogs can ride for the price of an extra ticket but they cannot take up a seat , and must be carried on the metro escalators . Those being carried as hand luggage in a closed container do not require an extra ticket. Guide dogs are also exempt. Dogs must be on a leash and wear a muzzle . More information

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InstaCities Budapest — A city guide built with the urban traveller in mind

The InstaCities Budapest guide contains 80 beautifully designed cards, highlighting the places to stay, eat, drink and explore in this vibrant city. It’s up-to-date and all destinations are tried and tested 👍

Hi, I'm Béla Molnar aka Mr Globetrotter. Mr Globetrotter as the name suggests is always on the road and always on the lookout to find the hottest spots around the world. I love sharing information and generally love looking after people.

I don’t know about you but I’ve always found traditional city guides a little…underwhelming.

They’re often outdated and always cumbersome to carry. And they tend to point you in the direction of tourist traps, rather than authentic city experiences.

City guide apps solve some of these problems – but create others. Whenever I’ve used them they drain my smartphone battery and use up all my data.

So I got to thinking.

Maybe there was another way – a better way – to guide people to the best a city has to offer.

A way to combine the beautiful aesthetic of a perfectly curated Instagram feed, with the insider tips of a travel connoisseur (who’d eaten, drunk and explored the length and breadth of a particular metropolis).

And that’s how the InstaCities concept came to be.

Of course, Budapest was always going to be the InstaCities destination I chose to release first.

I was born and raised in Hungary, only leaving as a young adult to explore a world beyond the Communist confines of Eastern Europe.

Hungary and Budapest are places I know inside out.

They’re also places I head back to regularly. So I can catch up on the latest movers, shakers and buzz makers in the city – and visit my mum.

Many of the places included in this edition of the InstaCities series are run by people I’ve grown up with or have followed throughout their careers.

They’re local Hungarians who have founded thriving, independent businesses and are helping to make Budapest one of the most exciting cities in the world.

So it made perfect sense to showcase these superstars and my beautiful hometown in the first InstaCities release.

Open up your pocket-size pack of cards and you’ll find:

🏨 Hotels 🍽 Restaurants 🍹 Bars ☕️ Coffee Shops 🍰🍦 Sweet Treats 👀 City Sights ℹ️ Essential Info 🗺️ A Fold Out Map

Why choose the InstaCities Budapest guide?

InstaCities Budapest is a new kind of travel guide.

It contains beautiful photography, up-to-the-minute recommendations and scannable QR codes for easy booking, all within a pocket-sized pack of cards.

It also offers a host of great benefits for the 21st century urban traveller:

• It’s up-to-date • All destinations are tried and tested • There are no backhanders. And no sponsored posts. • Travellers get to support indie businesses • It’s chock-a-block with curated recommendations

👉 Order today at www.mrglobetrotter.co.uk/products/instacities-budapest-edition

Hi Bela, thanks for sharing your project here with the Travel Massive community!

The cards look great, and I'm imagining you could slide a couple of "must sees" in your wallet before you headed out to explore for the day. Is there an "app only" version if someone wants to go digital only? I think the format would work quite well on a phone, swiping through each card with some simple UX.

Thank you for featuring it 🙏🏻 I'm glad you like it. The USP of the series is that we can keep it up to date. It is digitally printed when someone orders, so there is no preprinted stock. If any information changes, the next order already reflects the new information. So it's never out of date. 🤩 Yes, the digital version is something I've been thinking about, and currently, I'm producing a mobile app called "Essential Iceland". Once I release that, (in 3-4 weeks' time) I'll revisit the Instacities digital option.

I just read the reply about having this as an app. I was also thinking it would be easier and also keeping things up to date. But it sounds like the cards will be updated if there are changes. Well Done

Contributors

InstaCities Budapest

A city guide built with the urban traveller in mind

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At a Time of Transition, Budapest Is as Vital and Elegant as Ever

By Lina Mounzer

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

I fell in love with Budapest on my first evening there. It was late August 2011, and I was starting a three-month literary residency with the József Attila Kör association. As I traveled in a taxi toward Veres Pálné Street, the light fell in a rich afternoon dazzle, and the trees bowed over the grand boulevards under the emerald weight of their foliage. Cyclists whizzed along paths, and people crammed onto bright yellow trams. Aside from the incongruous graffiti, the setting resembled a 19th-century period film.

Mod interiors at Ibolya Espresso bar

Szimpla Kert, which kickstarted the “ruin bar” trend in the city’s Jewish quarter when it opened in 2002

That night, I wandered through cobbled streets where sidewalk cafés buzzed with conversation, crowds danced around street musicians, and couples sought privacy in the shadows beneath lush trees. A building pockmarked with holes from World War II mortar fire was a reminder of the miracle of this city—that so many of its old-world treasures remain intact. The Danube was astonishingly broad, the light-flecked hills of Buda towering on the other side, the blazing dome of Buda Castle perched at the very top. I flowed with the crowd across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, past its massive lion statues. Standing on the Buda side of the river, I took in the fantastical double view of the House of Parliament and its reflection. The building's neo-Gothic domes and spires were lit up against the indigo night, creating Impressionist dapples on the river. I hadn't expected the elegance and splendor of the grand Art Nouveau buildings, both imposing and delicate, casually arrayed along streets and boulevards in various states of decline, as if they weren't architectural marvels. I'm ashamed to say I'd imagined Budapest to be blockier, dulled by Soviet brutalist design. As someone born and raised in Beirut, I thought I was above making easy assumptions about a place. After all, my city, too, surprises visitors with its vibrancy.

The city rewarded me for my attentiveness: exquisitely carved moldings above entrances; wondrous courtyards hidden behind nondescript doors. The nightlife was raucous, with revelers dancing among the ruins of their painful past. The Seventh District, with its underground nightclubs and eclectic ruin bars that started cropping up about two decades ago in abandoned homes and dilapidated stores, was one of Europe's largest Jewish ghettos before the Holocaust. After that came the Soviet occupation, and though the Hungarians bravely resisted, the 1956 Hungarian Revolution was violently put down, and the country's outsize creative talents—from the writers László Krasznahorkai, Péter Nádas, and Magda Szabó to the filmmaker Béla Tarr—were exiled or labored discreetly through the era of Goulash Communism to compose masterworks of symbolism and metaphor.

Déryné Bistro, where breakfast is served on weekends until 4 p.m.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of Europe’s largest bath complexes

When I first arrived, every Hungarian I met assured me that all Hungarians were dour and unfriendly—usually as they were insisting on paying for a drink or patiently explaining the finer points of Hungarian grammar or history. New friends described the same kinds of upheavals I'd experienced in Beirut. In the years following the revolution, life was narrow and difficult but full of the communal closeness and the small joys of hard times. And then, in the early 1990s, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, there came a giddy sense of a wide-open future. Budapest was electric with life and tender with romance. But two decades later, the dream had soured, beset by economic uncertainty and fears of mass immigration. During my visit, I witnessed enormous demonstrations against the new Hungarian constitution put forth by the right-wing Fidesz party, which would subsequently allow Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to consolidate control of the state. After my own experience living through the Lebanese Civil War, I identified with the people's passion for the fight ahead.

Unforeseen events led to the writers association funding an extra month's stay for me. One night I biked to a poetry reading at a café in Buda. I didn't understand a word, but I loved the music of the language. I knew then that I would live here. That night I met the man who would become my partner. I ended up staying with him in Budapest for two years.

Nearly 12 years after that first trip, I returned one late September night. The trees were still full and green, but it was colder than I expected. On the drive into the city, neon signs flashed words in the night—words which, after a few seconds, I miraculously remembered and understood. Élelmiszer áruház: “supermarket.” Gyógyszertár: “pharmacy.” That beautiful language, with its lilting consonants and arpeggios of vowels. During the time I lived here, I got good enough to navigate the cafés and metros in halting Hungarian. In the decade since, I'd forgotten nearly everything.

The city’s tram system has been operating since 1866

The Duchess, a cocktail spot atop the Matild Palace hotel

On this visit I stayed at the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel. With its plushly refurbished interiors and magnificent five-story atrium, it's a far cry from the hostel where I first bunked. I'd passed by this iconic building, visible from the Buda hills, countless times. I'd once had afternoon tea in its famed New York Café, which first opened in 1894, falling under the spell of its dizzyingly intricate Belle Époque moldings and terrazzo columns, of the pastries arriving on elegant tiered trays. It transported me back to a time when Budapest was a dazzling hub for artists from all over Europe.

Built as headquarters of the New York Life Insurance Company, the building was damaged in the Second World War before being renovated during the Soviet era. In 2006 it was reimagined as a luxury hotel. In 2020, the Anantara brand acquired it and set about redecorating the rooms in rich brown hues with antique gold leaf accents, while preserving the original details—pink and jade green marble, gilded balustrades—so lovingly that the iPad-wielding guests appear almost anachronistic. Nowhere is this truer than in the Deep Water Breakfast Room. Once, the city's aristocrats dined here while the less wealthy writers and artists drank in the space above, occasionally sending poems and sketches fluttering down to compete for sponsorship from the wealthy patrons below.

I woke up to a chilly, sunny dawn and rented a bicycle. Flat Pest is a lazy cyclist's dream. While I coasted along the stately, tree-lined stretch of Andrássy Avenue toward Heroes' Square and City Park, it was easy to imagine Budapest's gentry during the Austro-Hungarian Empire riding along in carriages as they took in these same buildings. Even in hilly Buda, the paths have only the gentlest inclines, and there is a long, level stretch right along the Danube. If the weather had been nicer, I would have been tempted to ride all the way to the little village of Szentendre, 12 miles away, to try the catfish stew at one of the many little restaurants on the green riverbanks.

The Hungarian State Treasury, in a 1901 Art Nouveau building that once housed the Royal Postal Savings Bank

The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

Instead I returned the bike and wandered the streets, visiting my own personal landmarks: the café overlooking St. Stephen's Basilica, where I celebrated finding an apartment; the bench in Szabadság Square, near the absurd little statue of Ronald Reagan where I used to enjoy reading. I found I remembered the vivid neighborhoods, but I'd forgotten how they connected. Somehow, though, the city worked its old magic, and I found myself the Gerlóczy café—exactly where I wanted to be for lunch. I chose two Hungarian classics from the menu: goose liver as a starter and stuffed peppers as a main. To drink, I ordered a glass of beautifully balanced Hungarian Tokaj wine. The food was just as good as I remembered; hearty but light enough to not leave me groaning with exhaustion.

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Another day I biked down Andrássy, which was lined with equipment trucks and catering vans. A movie was shooting nearby. I wondered which stars were in town. When I lived on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street, I watched Bruce Willis repeatedly pass beneath my window one day. I crossed the Margaret Bridge and explored the lush, verdant paths of Margaret Island. After refueling at Déryné Bistro in Buda, I whizzed through Logodi Street in the Castle District, where stairs rose steeply from a secret, leaf-dappled path up to the centuries-old neighborhoods around the castle. Later the hotel arranged a tour led by the warm Imre Kopasz, a former schoolteacher who drove my group around the city's landmarks in his cherry-red convertible VW Samba van.

The city has changed while I was away, but less than I'd thought it might. Some places have been closed by the pandemic. Certain neighborhoods seem a little more derelict, while others have been gentrified. But Budapest feels as vital as ever, and, despite the best efforts of Hungary's prime minister, it has grown so much more diverse. Immigrants in countless new restaurants serve dishes I struggled to find a decade ago. For Asian street food, I used to take the tram to the big Chinese street market near the Józsefvárosi railway station, and when I was homesick there were only one or two Lebanese-Syrian restaurants to choose from. Now there are offerings from cuisines across the world. Budapest's essential cosmopolitan spirit—diverse and resilient, romantic and vibrant—stands in defiance to the narrow nationalism the Hungarian state has adopted. Irrepressible, the city I love has occupied the banks of the Danube for a thousand years. It is easy, in that timeless place, to imagine it standing for a thousand more.

Aria Hotel Budapest, near St. Stephen’s Basilica

Window-shopping along Falk Miksa Street’s antique row

Where to stay

After a costly two-year renovation, Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel 's ornate 1894 building has been reborn as Budapest's most opulent luxury hotel. Much of architect Alajos Hauszmann's original work remains intact, including the marble façade, the period flourishes, and, most important, the legendary New York Café—but the 185 guest rooms and suites have received a contemporary makeover, and there's now a world-class spa. 

Movie stars still stay at the classic Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest in the stunning Art Nouveau Gresham Palace overlooking the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. For all its oversized grandeur, it feels contemporary rather than fusty, with poppy art offsetting the stained glass domes and peacock feathers in spots like the Kollázs brasserie and bar, which has views across the river to Castle Hill. Locals celebrated the 2021 opening of the Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa , in a slightly unloved corner of Pest. It's a cool renovation of a striking concrete building that was once the largest telephone exchange in Central Europe. Architectural largesse meets crisp modernity in the minimal rooms, Zen-geometric spa, and the Oyster Bar, reached via a grand staircase. 

At the 40-room boutique Hotel Rum in the southern part of the downtown area, owned by a family of restaurateurs, the food is the calling card. The indoor-outdoor rooftop wine bar Solid spotlights locavorism and natural bottles, while chef Szilárd Tóth serves rarefied dishes at the ground floor restaurant SALT. The Aria Hotel Budapest occupies a terrific building, a restored 19th-century bank, with one of the city's great rooftops, in an unbeatable location a stone's throw from St. Stephen's Basilica. Its Café Liszt serves hearty, upscale twists on Hungarian classics. These selling points can help you overlook its slightly kitschy “music-inspired” decor, which includes a giant ribbon of piano keys threaded through the lobby. 

Szaletly, a lunch-and-dinner spot that riffs on Hungarian classics

The Sou Fujimoto–designed House of Hungarian Music cultural center, which opened last year in City Park

Where to eat

Owned by chefs Szabina Szulló and Tamás Széll, Stand25 is the slightly more casual Buda sister restaurant to the Michelin-starred Stand in Pest. The couple has been instrumental in changing perceptions around Hungarian staples with their smart updates of goulash soup and túrógombóc cottage cheese dumplings with sour cherry. Szaletly is a newer restaurant in a high-ceilinged space up near City Park (itself worth a visit for the Museum of Ethnography and the spaceship-like House of Hungarian Music, by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto). Like the decor, the food is modern-trad, with head chef Dániel Bernát turning out great dishes like a fisherman's soup with carp and “matchstick noodles.” 

Mazel Tov 's menu, with dishes like quinoa tabbouleh salad and crispy falafel pita sandwiches, is solid, but the space is the real standout: a cavernous but singularly elegant take on the popular Jewish-quarter ruin bars with green walls, double-height skylights, and semi-industrial decor. Upscale bistro Déryné Bistro is a short stroll from Buda Castle is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but those in the know come for the brunch—especially on Sundays when a DJ spins as diners put away eggs Benedict and truffle fries. deryne.com

Where to drink

Hungarian wine has been having a moment. Frenchman Jean-Julien Ricard opened one of Budapest's first natural wine bars, Marlou Wine Bar & Store , a few years ago in a handsome space behind the opera house. He showcases bottles from areas like the famed Tokaj region. Roof bars have become as popular as ruin bars, and few are better than the gem atop the Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest , housed in a Belle Époque classic steps from the river. Reached via the first elevator ever installed in Hungary, it offers panoramic views, bites by Wolfgang Puck, and an extensive list of cocktails. 

Zoltán Nagy, the co-owner of the dark, unassuming Boutiq'Bar, has been the driving force in Budapest's craft-cocktail scene. He likes to focus on Hungarian spirits, making drinks with pálinka fruit brandy or the herbal digestif Unicum. Of all the ruin bars that became famous for filling abandoned Jewish-quarter buildings with worn furniture and disco balls, the 2002 original Szimpla Kert is still the best. It's not just a cavernous bar and club—it's also a community center of sorts, with farmers' markets and flea markets. The owners haven't jacked up the prices, and it still retains its original spirit. 

This article appeared in the April 2023 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here .  

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The 7 Urban Legends of Budapest

Dispatches From Budapest 0 comments 5770

Introducing some of the most fascinating, and even slightly weird myths people of Budapest might talk to you about, given you supply them some drinks.

I n our Dispatches series , we established that Budapest is a pretty sweet city for whatever activities you would be up to. So this time I’m not going to advertise local businesses, especially as I should be swimming in their money by now, but I haven’t even received so much as a phone call.

Right now we’ll dabble in some pretty awesome or sometimes eyebrow raising stories that the people of the city enjoy talking about, even challenging each other on who can exeggarate more on them. I’m not going to discriminate, all the best stories will be featured here, regardless of their position on the bullshit-meter, and at the very end I’ll tell you if it was all made up, or actually true, or somewhere in between.

1 | Cinemas Ringing Bells To Sign The End Of A Film

Let’s start with something light. As most people know very well, the first half of the twentieth century wasn’t really the time of sexual freedom in Europe (with some exceptions), and Hungary was especially rigid in that sense: even holding hands was considered public sexuality. The only problem was that young people in their cores were pretty much the same back then as they are now, that is they were not always able to hold back their love for their significant others.

So what could they do if they had no bedroom of their own or if they just wanted to experience something ’different’? They went to certain movie theatres in downtown Budapest where they could enjoy being intimate with each other. Of course, most written proof claims that it was only about being in

If those seats could talk.

each other’s arms, perhaps followed by some kissing, but we all know too well that people are capable of going the distance. Anyway, the twist here was that the owners/guards here were really benevolent towards them. What they did was ring a bell a few minutes before the film would end and the lights would come back on so that the couples could let go of each other, keeping their dignity in front of their peers.

Verdict: True.

Two of them still exist, of course on different names, and no ringing.

2 | Old Ladies Looking for Young Lovers in Gerbeaud Café

I love this one, having heard of it since I was a child. So, we have this very fancy, very old and very expensive high-end café in the heart of the city, called Gerbeaud . You probably have heard of it if you read any of the mainstream travel guides to Budapest. This place is really a piece of history, having been here since the 19th century, and always being the place were the well-situated, upper-class citizens of the city congregated.

And a lot of them were single, elderly ladies who were rich in assets, but left behind in affection. Sow hat they were allegedly looking for in Gerbaud were young males willing to entertain them. In all senses of the word.

Still classy: Cafe Gerbaud | Photo: Gerbaud

Obviously you couldn’t just walk up to them offering your services since they were well-respected ladies of their social circles. Young fellas had to give a certain sign to let them know they’re interested. This could have been putting down the fork or the spoon upside-down, other people claim it was when you ordered mineral water with gas or the specialty of the house, Dobostorta , a famous Hungarian cake .

Just imagine the misunderstandings this could have caused. Legend has it that some of the ladies went to action right away since they were living very close. Aand if the young dud was doing well they were willing to pay good money for their efforts. I remember some of my classmates at school were always pondering whether they should just give it a go, luckily it never happened.

Verdict: Probably not true.

Well, nobody really knows. The waiters at the café will just give a polite smile and respond no further, which is suspicious. But nobody knows anyone who was involved with any of that so we’re clouded in mystery on that one.

3 | An African Family Shown Off In The Zoo

A former "main attraction" of the Budapest Zoo | Photo: Welovebudapest.com

The Budapest zoo is actually pretty famous. It was one of the very first to be opened in Europe in the late 19th century and had a lot of excotic stuff on display for the average citizen of the time. However, despite being a key part of the city, managemt was struggling financially towards the end of the century and had to find ways to re-energize the business. Eventually, they went the distance and imported a full family of indigenous people from Africa to show around as the main attraction.

It might sound somewhat off in 2016, but in the late 1890s most people in Hungary had never seen or heard about people with different skin tones from theirs. Be that as it may, the zoo went bankrupt for a few years before it was re-opened not long after in what still is its current set-up. With animals only, that is, as the family was let go. Their fate, however, remains uncertain.

I don’t have much else to say. A true story.

4 | Sculptor Of The Lions On Chainbridge Commits Suicide

On the Chainbridge, which in itself is an engineering marvel, you can see two sculptures of lions, protecting the bridge. They’re remarkable pieces of art and very unique as well. – Mainly because they don’t have a tongue.

It is not even something you would think of instantly, maybe not even notice (I surely haven’t), but we can understand the artist János Marschalkó’s (1818 – 1877) frustration when his butler pointed out this little mistake to him. Legend has it that he was so struck by agony that he actually killed himself, having his lions carry this heavy burden forever.

Tongue or no tongue, still glorious: Budapest's Chainbridge guarded by two lion statues on each end

Verdict: Not true.

He was extremely dissappointed of course, but he could live with it and kept working as a sculptor for a long time.

5 | Orgy In The Hotel Royal

This one is hilarous in a way. The date is 1963 and promiscuity is nowhere to be seen in socialist Hungary. If at all then only behind closed doors, and those involved were usually foreigners. Or just very rich. Anyhow, the absolute top of tourism, the place where most Western people went if they were in the city, was the Grand Hotel Royal . It was here where one day two employees decided to hold their wedding party, thinking it would be cool to have the rich guests involved.

All went well, but the morning after, it all took a turn for the worse. One girl found a number of weird rashes on her body. The local doctor hastily came and was shocked to see that this might be in fact smallpox. He ordered to shut the hotel down immediately with nobody being allowed to enter or to leave the. Quarantine was on for three weeks before they determined it wasn’t pox, but just some allergic reaction that went away eventually.

Boy, what went on during those three weeks. While people on the outside conspired anything they could think of (Western leaders or spies captured in there, for example), the book written by György Majtényi titled K-Vonal ( 2009 ; English title: K-Train: The Ruling Elite And Luxury During Socialism) suggests there was a massive, Project-X-like party going on. Since most of the 800 people trapped inside the hotel thought they contracted a deadly virus, György Majtényi clasims they partied like it was the end of everything and, stereotypically, that included orgies as well. This was apparently confirmed by one of the waiters who claimed a number of waitresses and maids gave birth to babies 9 months after the lock-down.

If those walls could talk...Maybe it's best if they don't | Photo: egykor.hu

Verdict: No idea.

It sounds much like made-up nonsense, and there’s no real proof apart from the waiter’s interview in K-Vonal. On the other hand nobody ever came out to deny the orgies, either. Just let it go.

6 | Mother of Budapest – Female Private Parts Depicted In Metro Underpass

Nothing to add here | Photo: welovebudapest.com

Something along those lines was the name of a weird sculpture that can actually be found at the underpass of the Kálvin Tér metro station. Just look at the picture. This is a bit of a twisted legend since there’s living proof that this ’creation’ is still there. But, the point of the story is that when it was done in 1983 the country still felt the winds of communism, and all works of art had to have been approved by a panel of socialist ministry workers who decided what can be actually displayed, and what works would disgrace the state.

Legend has it that this work actually slipped by this jury, and when word got around and into the Parliament, it whipped up a huge scandal. What did they do? They just simply denied that this piece was ever made afterall so the government dodged a bullet there. They didn’t let themselves be bothered by the fact that at that time the sculpture was already there, called „The Birth of The City” (Made by Gyula Illés).

This is just simply ludicrous and obviously not true. The sculptor didn’t even deny that it depicts anything else than the female genital and the government at that time already started to realize they will have a hard time upending artistic freedom in the 1980’s. Increased some minister’s blood-pressure? Maybe. But nobody had their liberty or life threatened.

7 | The Crossword Suicide – A Waiter Kills Himself, Leaving A Crossword Puzzle As A Deathnote

Let’s have some really dark story as the last one. We’re in 1926, in a popular café downtown. Onwe day and for unknown reasons, a waiter working at the café committed suicide, without leaving any suicide note. What he did leave, however, was a crypted crossword-puzzle.

Or it could have been just one he made, nobody really knows because it wasn’t ever solved. It remains a mystery what was hidden behind that eerie incident. And it will probably remain a mystery  forever as apparently the puzzle has been lost for a long time.

The café never was the same again | Photo: erzsebetvaros.hu

It was reported in the 4th of March, 1926 issue of the Est newspaper. The waiter was called Gyula Antal, who killed himself in the EMKE café where the crossword puzzle was also found – and never solved.

Read next:   The Local Music Scene Of Budapest

Related posts, the local music scene - dispatches from budapest, budapest street food, sziget festival budapest, leave a reply cancel reply.

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