Budapest - Bucket List

Generally the best time to visit Budapest is between March and May and then again between September and November. This is because these are the shoulder seasons to the peak tourist times, the weather is still lovely and you get the added bonus that the city isn't overcrowded with tourists. However if (alike us) you are interested in visiting over the Christmas period to experience the Christmas markets, then the crowds are unavoidable.

There is a lot to do and see in Budapest so we would recommend a good pair of walking boots and to consider taking a bus tour to see some of the major sites. The key ones we have placed on a map for you to explore, along with good restaurants and nightlife to make your ideal itinerary (hopefully) easy to navigate.

The map can be found here - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1suY7ye--iC8yOYrbi6dJkU3nAySJ_eo7&usp=sharing

Top ten things to do!

Basilica of St Stephen

Budapest’s cathedral is the most sacred Catholic church in all of Hungary and contains the mummified right hand of the church’s patron, King St Stephen. It took over half a century to build and wasn't finished until 1905. Although dark and gloomy inside, the view from the dome is phenomenal.

Andrassy Avenue

Andrassy Avenue is an important shopping boulevard with historical architecture in the heart of Budapest. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site flanked with impressive 19th Century buildings. It is also Budapest's main traffic arteries, filled with boutiques, cafes and restaurants. A walk along the tree lined avenue will take a few hours at a leisurely pace.

Heroes Square

We recommend you pair Andrassy Avenue with Heroes Square, which sits right at one end of the Avenue in City Park. Heroes Square is th largest and most symbolic square in Budapest. Dominated by the Millenary Monument which is a 36M high pillar topped by a Golden Archangel Gabriel who is holding the Hungarian crown and cross. Designed in 1896 to mark the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar conquest of the Carpathian Basin.

Margaret Island

We have Hyde Park, NYC has Central Park, Paris has Jardin Du Luxembourg and Budapest has Margaret Island! Margaret Island is an island in the river Danube that runs through the city. It is the green oasis of Budapest boasting its very own Baths, Palatinus. Offering more then the standard thermal baths in Budapest Margarets also offers adventure pools, wave pools and water slides. Making it a popular family summer spot and all year round popular public park to spend an afternoon relaxing.

The Hungarian Parliament Building

As you continue your journey down the river Danube you will find one of the most noticeable buildings in Budapest the Hungarian Parliament Building. This building has stood through two

World Wars, a number of uprisings and revolutions, and a shifting urban landscape.

Shoes of Danube

Along the banks of the river after the Parliament building is a monument to Hungarian Jews shot and thrown into the Danube by members of the fascist Arrow Cross Party in 1944. Entitled Shoes on the Danube by sculptor Gyula Pauer and film director Can Togay, it’s a simple but poignant display of 60 pairs of old-style boots and shoes in cast iron, tossed higgledy-piggledy on the bank of the river. Well worth a visit on your journey.

Danube Promenade

Following on from the great Shoes of Danube monument you may just want to take a while to take in the breathtaking Danube Promenade. A beautiful esplanade in the bank of the Danube River in Budapest. The area is full of fascinating historic locations and landmarks, making it the perfect place to visit for those taking Budapest tours. Locals and those who visit Budapest like to spend time at the promenade to enjoy the fresh warm breeze, unique ambiance and sights of the river. The area includes several five star luxury hotels along with a host of cafes, casinos, bars, and even boat restaurants that sail the Danube.

Castle Hill

Castle Hill is a kilometre-long limestone plateau towering 170m above the Danube. It contains some of Budapest’s most important medieval monuments and museums and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Below it is a 28km-long network of caves formed by thermal springs. You can either climb up the many steps to reach the top or indeed jump aboard a funicular and be carried - either way the views are unmissable!

Gellart Hill - Gellarts Baths

On the same side as Castle Hill but further down the rive is Gellart Hill. Without a doubt the best panoramic views of Budapest are on offer at Gellart Hill, a dolomite rock rising 140M high above the Danube in Budapest. One of the top tourist attractions in Budapest and certainly not to be missed. Undoubtedly the most famous of Baths in Budapest is Gellert Spa Bath located at the foot of Gellart Hill. Although a very touristy spot, due to it being biggest natural spring water bath complex in Central Eastern Europe, with several pools, saunas, steam rooms, massage rooms, changing facilities

The Great Market

After working up an appetite at Gellart Hill why not cross back over the river and visit the Great Market Hall Budapest. The market hall is not only ‘Great’ in size, but is also great in other aspects. Venture to the third floor to experiace real hungarian home cooking and traditional snacks from streetfood style stalls. Or explore the other two floors where you will find fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fantastic salamis, pickles, fresh fish, Hungarian paprika, Tokaj wines, various souvenirs, bags, clothes and even pans and pots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyyJnd_bxaE

For a live map of the locations above please click below link, here you will be able to zoom in, and even use the google man to walk around the city!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1suY7ye--iC8yOYrbi6dJkU3nAySJ_eo7&usp=sharing

Nightlife in Budapest - Also on the map!

Quirky ruin bars are Budapest’s most famous nightlife phenomenon. With the majority being found in the entrepreneurial VII district (the cluster of black markers on the map) of Budapest. Locals have transformed old Soviet buildings into retro clubbing hot spots filled with communist-era paraphernalia, and in doing so put nightlife in Budapest well and truly on the must do map. With other good times to be had at the world-renowned Szechenyi Baths and along the vibrant, leafy Gozsdu Passage in the Jewish district, Budapest’s best nightlife spots are increasingly putting clubbing capitals Berlin and London to shame.

Szimpla Kert

The trend of revamping former factories and car parks into (almost) fully functioning watering holes, while allowing the character of the buildings to remain (by keeping the Communist-era junk and crumbling courtyards), started with Szimpla Kert back in 2002. When it moved to its current home in the Jewish quarter in 2004, it became the epicentre of Budapest’s nightlife scene – a title it still deservedly holds today. Despite the club having reached mega-famous status (you can now buy branded clothing inside), its weird and welcoming ethos remains the same. Come for the reputation, stay to have a drink in an open-top East German Trabant car or converted bathtub, listen to some seriously heavy electronic beats, or just soak up the surreal atmosphere.

Instant Club

Now in the same building as veteran club Fogas Ház, Instant is still the biggest ruin bar in Budapest, with two courtyards and eight bars, all of which stay open until 6am, seven nights a week. For a mesmerising, dreamlike experience combining live music in the early evening with raving later on, you should really head to Instant. If you’re not impressed by the sheer scale of the place, you’re sure to be enchanted by the

eclectic artwork and weird canopy of hanging sculptures.

Gozsdu Passage

Budapest’s party vortex is Gozsdu Passage, a tunnel of buzzing bars and restaurants draped in fairy lights, with open-air spaces that spill out into airy courtyards and gardens, right in the centre of the trendy 7th District. Start or end your night here. You’ll be spoilt for choice with karaoke and cocktails bars aplenty, touristy pubs and edgy cafes, and the area is a popular choice for both locals and visitors. There are a decent choice of places to eat, so make sure to rock up in the early evening and then while away the night. 

Mazel Tov is stylish, spacious – and already a staple of Budapest’s burgeoning nightlife scene. It’s a giant courtyard-cum-cultural space, lined with lush trees and plants, draped in twinkling lights and topped with a glass roof. Tucked away in the lively Jewish District (known as the 7th District), this cavernous space is Insta-friendly and most definitely worth the hype. As well as being a great place for evening drinks (the cocktail and pálinkabrandy list is impressive), Mazel Tov is also equal parts garden party and gastronomic destination. Head here for Mediterranean-Hungarian fusion plates and you won’t be disappointed (their shawarma sandwich is a winner). Booking – even on weekdays – is highly recommended.

360 Bar

Venturing out of the VII district one bar that makes all the "must do" lists is the 360 Bar. Offering 360-degree views over the capital,

if you want a taste of the high life, there’s no better spot for lip-smacking drinks with a breathtaking view guaranteed to distract you from your companions. If you fancy sunset drinks, be sure to reserve a table beforehand or check the Facebook page for the full programme of summer events, which include ‘Yoga Brunch’ and a series of day parties. 

Szechenyi Baths 

Venturing further out the Szechenyi Baths are so much more than a decadent location in which to slot in some sauna time – they’re also home to one of the city’s most raucous night-time events, the Sparty. Think a full-on rave in a thermal spa. And that means pumping house music, pricey cocktails and an anything-goes atmosphere.

List collated by Time Out - https://www.timeout.com/budapest/things-to-do/best-nightlife-in-budapest

Top Restaurants and Eateries

Most importantly best food choices and restaurants! Before going on holiday we always check out recommendations and have a list of the best places to eat for each occasion.

Ruswurm

For a Sweet Treat stop by Ruszwurm in the Castle district, a magical confectioner's from the past. This spectacular confectioner’s was founded by Ferenc Schwabl in 1827. The interior still includes the cherry wooden counter made by the master joiner Krautsieder, and the dialplate of the clock from the age of I. Ferenc. Stop here and try The Ruszurm Cake, this classical Hungarian pastry, simply called “creamy”, is a cooked egg cream with vanilla mixed with the egg white after cooking.

Gelarto Rosa

Or if visiting in the summer months a visit to Gelarto Rosa is a must do, handmade ice cream made on the premises each morning and each cone is hand shaped into a rose, this establishment is well known across Budapest. No scoops here and each flavour is naturally sourced using local ingredients.

Mazel Tov

Yes mentioned twice now in this post and well worth it, Mazel Tov is an open cultural space in the citys center. Comforting place focusing on gastronomy in the VII district, in the middle of the Jewish quarter. Urban recreational dog friendly garden laden with plants and trees, offering a casual atmosphere and great menu.

Divin Porchello

Divin Porcello is a Ham Bar in the heart of the city center. A place where Spanish tapas culture mixes with the loose sense of life of Italian aperitifs and Hungarian spicy flavors. You can gain an insight into the world of Italian pasta and the characteristic taste of Hungarian gastronomy in one place. Wondering what the difference is between Italian San Daniele, Spanish Pata Negra and Hungarian classic smoked mangalica?Would you like to taste Italian Salame Felino or Spanish Chorizo ​​next to the Hungarian paprika salami? In addition to all this, Hungarian,a wide range of Italian and Spanish wines, we recommend. Great casual dining spot for a lighter bite, but you certainly wont be walking away hungry!

Rosenstein

Rosenstien "the cost restaurant where the owner is the chef" is known for its real Hungarian home cooked food. A cosy restaurant started in 1996 and continue to be owner by the same family now with three generations behind the scenes. Best for trying local cuisine and experiencing real Hungarian gastronomy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLBSS3BqJws

Busulo Juhasz

Special occasion? Fancy dressing up and enjoying something a little more upper market with panoramic views? Then Busulo Juhasz is your place. With panoramic views this spot is perfect for a romantic dinner or celebratory lunch. Food is European/Hungarian but they really do have something for everyone on the menu, you are paying for the views up here as to be expected but the food doesn't disappoint either! Don't fancy the menu? Why not pop in for a drink and watch the sunset?

Dubarry

Dubarry is a wonderful restaurant located right on the river with amazing views. Enjoy the terrace open March - October to enjoy panorama views of the town, which you can never get bored with, but also get some of that special promenade atmosphere” in front of the Castle, near the Chain-bridge. The nostalgic old and the reformed new tastes of Hungarian cuisine combined with their own gastronomic family traditions that come from an experience of several generations already, determine the selection on the menu.

We hope that this has been helpful and inspiring for those wanting to travel to Budapest, it is certainly on our hit list and we are planning on doing a Christmas market. If you would like some help putting together your bespoke trip to Budapest, or just have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch!