Budapest – Hungary

Home of the Ruined Pubs, Thermal Baths and Goulash

A Budapest View
Budapest
Budapest, home of the paprika
The Budapest Thermal Baths
A Ruin Bar in Budapest
Market in Budapest
Nightlife in Budapest
Budapest Map
Budapest-map

What you will love

city_trip_icon_typology City trip
nightlife_icon_typology Nightlife
greathistory_icon_typology Great history
arts_culture_icon_typology Arts & Culture
nature_icon_typology Nature
romantic_gateaway_icon_typology Romantic getaway
shopping_icon_typology Shopping

Budapest, the Pearl of the Danube

Budapest captivates visitors with its striking blend of history, architecture and vibrant culture. Nestling along the Danube, it offers historic thermal baths, medieval castles and a vibrant nightlife.
Read more
Budapest, the jewel on the banks of the Danube, has a captivating history dating back to the merger of three separate cities in the 19th century. Buda, Pest and Óbuda merged to form Hungary's dynamic capital. Budapest's history is etched in its cobbled streets and imposing buildings, including the majestic Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle, testimony to its turbulent past, marked by centuries of conquest and diverse artistic influences.
Budapest's historic panorama stretches across emblematic bridges such as the Chain Bridge, linking the two banks of the Danube and offering breathtaking views of the city. Thermal baths, such as the Gellért and Széchenyi baths, are a reminder of the Ottoman influence in Hungarian culture. They are also a wonderful place to unwind.
At sunset, Budapest transforms into a nightlife paradise. It attracts young people with its ruined bars (romkocsma) with their vintage decor and unique atmosphere, and its lively nightclubs. The Jewish quarters and the banks of the Danube light up, creating an electric atmosphere. The city's nightlife, renowned as one of the most vibrant in Europe, offers an unforgettable experience and contributes to the vibrant energy that makes Budapest a must-see destination for urban adventurers.

Day 1 - Buda, the historic centre

Start in Buda, where the Magyars rebuilt their capital after the Mongol invasions in the 13th century. Climb to the top of the castle hill. If you’re feeling brave, take the stairs up to the charming Vizivaros district. From the top, there is a superb panoramic view of the town from the Fishermen’s Bastion. Opposite the bastion, Matthias Church (13th century) has been the setting for the coronation of several Hungarian sovereigns. This is a charming neighbourhood.

As for museums, don’t miss the Hungarian National Gallery, where you can admire the realist school around Mihaly Munkacsy and Art Nouveau. If history is more your thing, the History Museum will tell you all about the city’s tumultuous history. 

Then it’s back to the Danube via the Chain Bridge. You can make a diversion to the citadel, topped by the Statue of Liberty of Budapest, which commemorates the liberation of the city by the Red Army.

Why not finish off with a visit to one of the baths: Gellért (Art Nouveau style) and Rudas (with its Ottoman dome) or Kiraly and Lukacs, popular with the locals. 

tobias-reich-z84mu-Y9gjo-unsplash
Day 2 - Pest, from the Danube to the City Park (Varosliget)

We start in the Belvardos district, with its historic Parliament. Book in advance to visit it. Next, stroll towards St Stephen’s Basilica, and don’t miss the Ethnographic Museum, the Old Stock Exchange and the National Bank, with their grandiose architecture. 

 

In the afternoon, head for the Terezvaros district. It is known as the “Paris of the East”, with Andrassy Utca Avenue, its Hungarian Champs Elysées. Stop off in front of the opera house and No. 39, the Alexandra bookshop, now a charming café. There are several museums in the area: the Frantz-Liszt Museum, the Museum of Photography, the Robert Capa Museum and the Museum of Terror during the Nazi occupation. Varosliget, the City Wood, stretches along the end of the avenue. Don’t miss the Széchenyi baths. 

gabriel-miklos-u_-2AH9fZ0Q-unsplash
Day 3 - Pest, south side, and the ruin pubs

The Jewish quarter of Erzsébetvaros is well worth discovering in daylight, even if it is a great place for partying. Visit the Great Synagogue (19th c.), Byzantine-inspired but eclectic. In the courtyard, “The Weeping Willow”, a sculpture by Imre Varga, is dedicated to the 600,000 Hungarian Jews who fell victim to Nazism. Then move on to the charming Karolyi Kert tér square, arguably the most intimate square in the city. In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Decorative Arts or the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art. If you’re more of a nature walker, the Kerepesi cemetery is very bucolic. 

 

In the evening, head back to the Jewish quarter and its Goszdu-Udvar passageway, packed with bars and restaurants. We continue to the Ruin Pubs, alternative bars with a vintage atmosphere set up in disused buildings. Let the party begin!

viola-kovacs-pPFQlYG603I-unsplash

Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant capital, boasts eclectic architecture, leafy parks, a lively nightlife and a rich history.

Rijeka, Croatia
Rijeka, a picturesque Croatian port on the Adriatic, combines maritime history, vibrant culture, lively festivals and an enchanting coastal atmosphere.

Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, the magical city of the Czech Republic, charms with its medieval architecture, rich history, iconic bridges and artistic culture.

Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart, a dynamic German city, is home to the automotive industry, lush green parks, renowned museums and a vibrant cultural scene.

Zürich, Switzerland
A city where the lake gives the impression of nature everywhere, and where the gastronomy and museums will never disappoint.

Best seasons to visit

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Worst season

Best season

123

hot natural thermal springs

1896

Date of Europe's first railway, in Budapest

Europe’s most underrated big city, Budapest can be as challenging as it is enchanting.

Rick Steves

How to get there

106

Cities connected
by night trains

14

Night train lines
serving Budapest

Nightgoes
Follow us

Newsletter

Request access to the Bêta version​

Add your email in the field below to join Nightgoes waiting listand get access to the platform.

Do you already have an account ? Sign-in