Guidebook for Budapest
Sightseeing
Enjoy a great cruise on the river Danube at Christmas. Budapest winter sights are even more beautiful during night boat tours. See available Budapest Christmas Boats or the Budapest Winter Cruise Calendar. Our festive tip: 4 Course A La Carte Cruise.
9 locals recommend
Budapest Danube Boat Tour
5 Károly krt.Enjoy a great cruise on the river Danube at Christmas. Budapest winter sights are even more beautiful during night boat tours. See available Budapest Christmas Boats or the Budapest Winter Cruise Calendar. Our festive tip: 4 Course A La Carte Cruise.
The looking tower and terrace of Budapest is known as the Fisherman’s Bastion: a perfect winter view of the city, one of the top attractions during your Christmas holiday in Hungary.
666 locals recommend
Fishermen's Bastion
Szentháromság térThe looking tower and terrace of Budapest is known as the Fisherman’s Bastion: a perfect winter view of the city, one of the top attractions during your Christmas holiday in Hungary.
Visit the Buda Castle for a crisp winter walk and beautiful views of the city. By buying a Budapest Card, you can get free entry to 7 museums, including 2 in the Buda Castle: the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Check out the special December Opening Hours of Buda Castle Budapest.
812 locals recommend
Buda Castle
2 Szent György térVisit the Buda Castle for a crisp winter walk and beautiful views of the city. By buying a Budapest Card, you can get free entry to 7 museums, including 2 in the Buda Castle: the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Check out the special December Opening Hours of Buda Castle Budapest.
A trail of iron footwear stands as a monument to the thousands executed along this riverbank during WWII.
Szalasi, whose ideology closely followed Hitler’s, immediately established the Arrow Cross Party - a fascist, anti-semitic organization that brutally and publicly terrorized the Jews in Budapest by beating and killing them. Nearly 80,000 Jews were expelled from Hungary in a death march to the Austrian border and approximately 20,000 Jews were brutally shot along the banks of the Danube River.
167 locals recommend
Shoes on the Danube Bank
Idősebb Antall József rakpartA trail of iron footwear stands as a monument to the thousands executed along this riverbank during WWII.
Szalasi, whose ideology closely followed Hitler’s, immediately established the Arrow Cross Party - a fascist, anti-semitic organization that brutally and publicly terrorized the Jews in Budapest by beating and killing them. Nearly 80,000 Jews were expelled from Hungary in a death march to the Austrian border and approximately 20,000 Jews were brutally shot along the banks of the Danube River.
This Hungarian castle was built out of cardboard and wood until it proved so popular that it got upgraded to stone.
Showcasing four distinct architectural styles, Vajdahunyad Castle is a thoroughly unique tribute to Hungary’s millennium-long architectural tradition.
444 locals recommend
Vajdahunyad Castle
Vajdahunyad sétányThis Hungarian castle was built out of cardboard and wood until it proved so popular that it got upgraded to stone.
Showcasing four distinct architectural styles, Vajdahunyad Castle is a thoroughly unique tribute to Hungary’s millennium-long architectural tradition.
Built in 1851 by the Hapsburgs as part of their strategy to take over Hungary and form the Austro-Hungarian empire, the Citadella remains a symbol of oppression as well as liberty.
733 locals recommend
Citadella Folklór Étterem
1 Citadella stny.Built in 1851 by the Hapsburgs as part of their strategy to take over Hungary and form the Austro-Hungarian empire, the Citadella remains a symbol of oppression as well as liberty.
Thanks to a tenuous familial connection, Budapest’s Falk Miksa Street is now home to a life-size bronze reproduction of Peter Falk as America’s favorite soft-spoken detective in the rumpled coat, Columbo.
Columbo Statue
Falk Miksa utcaThanks to a tenuous familial connection, Budapest’s Falk Miksa Street is now home to a life-size bronze reproduction of Peter Falk as America’s favorite soft-spoken detective in the rumpled coat, Columbo.
At the bottom of Castle Hill is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Hungary’s first permanent structure to cross the Danube River. It opened in 1849, and the solid span of wrought iron and stone connected Buda and Pest, the two sides of the capital city.
FUNICOLARE
At the bottom of Castle Hill is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Hungary’s first permanent structure to cross the Danube River. It opened in 1849, and the solid span of wrought iron and stone connected Buda and Pest, the two sides of the capital city.
On the Buda side of Budapest, tucked into the side Gellert Hill (named after a saint who was stuffed into a spiked barrel and rolled down the hill), is a small cave with a large cross above it. Supposedly once the home of a hermit monk, the cave is today run by the Pauline Monks.
57 locals recommend
Gellert Hill Cave
1 Szent Gellért rakpartOn the Buda side of Budapest, tucked into the side Gellert Hill (named after a saint who was stuffed into a spiked barrel and rolled down the hill), is a small cave with a large cross above it. Supposedly once the home of a hermit monk, the cave is today run by the Pauline Monks.
Hidden among the nearly six miles of natural caves and tunnels beneath Buda Castle Hill is the Hospital in the Rock Museum, which preserves the history and rooms of a secret underground hospital that was later turned into a nuclear fallout shelter.
90 locals recommend
Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum
4/c Lovas útHidden among the nearly six miles of natural caves and tunnels beneath Buda Castle Hill is the Hospital in the Rock Museum, which preserves the history and rooms of a secret underground hospital that was later turned into a nuclear fallout shelter.
Entertainment & Activities
Thermal bath is a bliss in winter time: visit Szechenyi Baths in Budapest to enjoy hot spring pools (2 open air thermal pools, 15 indoor pools), also open at Christmas. Add a massage (Aroma massage from €21, Couple’s massage deals available)
1248 locals recommend
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
9-11 Állatkerti krt.Thermal bath is a bliss in winter time: visit Szechenyi Baths in Budapest to enjoy hot spring pools (2 open air thermal pools, 15 indoor pools), also open at Christmas. Add a massage (Aroma massage from €21, Couple’s massage deals available)
Lukács Bath is one of the longest standing spas in Budapest. In the XII. century, the Knights of St. John used to care for the sick here; later, knights from Rhodes and Malta established a bath on the same grounds, which was transformed into a Turkish batch during the Ottoman occupation. After a full renovation, the modern Lukács opened its gates in 1884, but still preserves its century-old interior.
6 locals recommend
Szent Lukács Gyógyfürdő
Lukács Bath is one of the longest standing spas in Budapest. In the XII. century, the Knights of St. John used to care for the sick here; later, knights from Rhodes and Malta established a bath on the same grounds, which was transformed into a Turkish batch during the Ottoman occupation. After a full renovation, the modern Lukács opened its gates in 1884, but still preserves its century-old interior.
You can find Exit The Room in the basement of an old apartment building in Csengery utca, where you can try three different escape room games to see whether your team is clever enough to get out on time. Each group has 60 minutes to save themselves – and usually the world – from a zombie apocalypse, an atomic bomb or a mad scientist. Whichever room you decide to get locked up in, a great team-building experience is guaranteed. You’ll have to use a great dose of logic, communication and teamwork to solve the riddles and get out.
Exit The Room Budapest Szabadulószoba
76 Csengery u.You can find Exit The Room in the basement of an old apartment building in Csengery utca, where you can try three different escape room games to see whether your team is clever enough to get out on time. Each group has 60 minutes to save themselves – and usually the world – from a zombie apocalypse, an atomic bomb or a mad scientist. Whichever room you decide to get locked up in, a great team-building experience is guaranteed. You’ll have to use a great dose of logic, communication and teamwork to solve the riddles and get out.
NIGHTMARE IN BUDAPEST" IS AN INTERACTIVE HORROR THEATRE, OR RATHER A JOURNEY INTO THE REALM OF DARKNESS IN THE STYLE OF THE AMERICAN HAUNTED HOUSE AND MAGIC CASTLE RIDE.
OUR AIM IS TO CREATE A TERRIFYING, ADRENALINE-FUELLED, SPECTACULAR AND THRILLING RIDE, WHICH WILL LEAVE OUR BRAVE VISITORS, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 99, WITH A LASTING MEMORY.
Nightmare in Budapest
30 Rákóczi útNIGHTMARE IN BUDAPEST" IS AN INTERACTIVE HORROR THEATRE, OR RATHER A JOURNEY INTO THE REALM OF DARKNESS IN THE STYLE OF THE AMERICAN HAUNTED HOUSE AND MAGIC CASTLE RIDE.
OUR AIM IS TO CREATE A TERRIFYING, ADRENALINE-FUELLED, SPECTACULAR AND THRILLING RIDE, WHICH WILL LEAVE OUR BRAVE VISITORS, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 99, WITH A LASTING MEMORY.
Food Scene
o the joy of Buda residents, the Pata Negra Buda was opened in 2009. This authentic Spanish tapas bar in Frankel Leó Street is identical to its Pest-side twin in terms of selection and style. It serves more than 40 types of tapas, original Spanish serrano and Iberian ham, manchego, goat and sheep milk cheese, and a great variety of excellent wines and champagnes every day of the week.
17 locals recommend
Pata Negra Buda
55 Frankel Leó úto the joy of Buda residents, the Pata Negra Buda was opened in 2009. This authentic Spanish tapas bar in Frankel Leó Street is identical to its Pest-side twin in terms of selection and style. It serves more than 40 types of tapas, original Spanish serrano and Iberian ham, manchego, goat and sheep milk cheese, and a great variety of excellent wines and champagnes every day of the week.
This brand-new bakery, found on District XIII’s Pozsonyi Street, quickly became the favorite hangout of the neighborhood’s residents. Három Tarka Macska’s palatable pastries, such as baguettes, red wine-flavored snacks, cocoa rolls, and loaves of bread, are made by a French baker, and quickly sell out every day. However, we can always come early for a sandwich, or an egg-based meal for breakfast. Három Tarka Macska is definitely one of the best bakeries in town.
30 locals recommend
Három Tarka Macska
41 Pozsonyi útThis brand-new bakery, found on District XIII’s Pozsonyi Street, quickly became the favorite hangout of the neighborhood’s residents. Három Tarka Macska’s palatable pastries, such as baguettes, red wine-flavored snacks, cocoa rolls, and loaves of bread, are made by a French baker, and quickly sell out every day. However, we can always come early for a sandwich, or an egg-based meal for breakfast. Három Tarka Macska is definitely one of the best bakeries in town.
Frankel Delikát is a delicatessen with a soul at the Buda side of Margaret Bridge, near KicsiZsó. This is typically the kind of place where you can shop specialty cheese, the baked goods of The Mill, and cold cuts from Dunst and Rose – everything you might need for a next-level breakfast. They also have various mushroom products, pastas, and oils to serve as inspiration. The ground floor is occupied by shelves lined with products, while the gallery is suitable for sampling all the goods right there in the shop. They have a homely lunch menu and it comes as no surprise that the shop is very busy during lunchtime – and, possibly, the same goes for their thematic tasting evenings as well.
Frankel Delikát
10 Frankel Leó útFrankel Delikát is a delicatessen with a soul at the Buda side of Margaret Bridge, near KicsiZsó. This is typically the kind of place where you can shop specialty cheese, the baked goods of The Mill, and cold cuts from Dunst and Rose – everything you might need for a next-level breakfast. They also have various mushroom products, pastas, and oils to serve as inspiration. The ground floor is occupied by shelves lined with products, while the gallery is suitable for sampling all the goods right there in the shop. They have a homely lunch menu and it comes as no surprise that the shop is very busy during lunchtime – and, possibly, the same goes for their thematic tasting evenings as well.
The head confectioner of Dolcissima, Davide Deligio, moved to Hungary from Bari and has been creating sweet treats since 2015, much to the delight of the sweet-toothed residents of Buda. If you’re looking for authentic Italian sweets such as cannoli, tiramisu, cantuccini or zuppa inglese, pay a visit to his outlet on Frankel Leó út.
6 locals recommend
Dolcissima
21 Frankel Leó útThe head confectioner of Dolcissima, Davide Deligio, moved to Hungary from Bari and has been creating sweet treats since 2015, much to the delight of the sweet-toothed residents of Buda. If you’re looking for authentic Italian sweets such as cannoli, tiramisu, cantuccini or zuppa inglese, pay a visit to his outlet on Frankel Leó út.
Located at the foot of the Buda Castle, Édeni Vegán was the first vegetarian-vegan spot to open in Buda, a flag-bearer of health-conscious and animal-friendly gastronomy in 2006. They only use fresh ingredients from the finest sources and avoid adding colouring, preservatives or flavour enhancers, anything artificial whatsoever. They also cater to people with food allergies, offering gluten-free dishes.
17 locals recommend
Édeni Vegán
31 Iskola utcaLocated at the foot of the Buda Castle, Édeni Vegán was the first vegetarian-vegan spot to open in Buda, a flag-bearer of health-conscious and animal-friendly gastronomy in 2006. They only use fresh ingredients from the finest sources and avoid adding colouring, preservatives or flavour enhancers, anything artificial whatsoever. They also cater to people with food allergies, offering gluten-free dishes.
Named after its street address, Csalogány 26 is a tiny but quite famous restaurant in Buda, its acclaimed kitchen a marriage of traditional and fine dining. Despite being one of the best in town, this restaurant is far less pretentious than some of its Pest-side counterparts. It is elegant, yet modest with harmonious flavours and a rich wine selection, with examples from the best Hungarian wineries (Káli Kövek, Villa Tolnay). The constantly changing seasonal dishes are prepared with precision from quality ingredients.
43 locals recommend
Csalogány 26
26 Csalogány u.Named after its street address, Csalogány 26 is a tiny but quite famous restaurant in Buda, its acclaimed kitchen a marriage of traditional and fine dining. Despite being one of the best in town, this restaurant is far less pretentious than some of its Pest-side counterparts. It is elegant, yet modest with harmonious flavours and a rich wine selection, with examples from the best Hungarian wineries (Káli Kövek, Villa Tolnay). The constantly changing seasonal dishes are prepared with precision from quality ingredients.
Drinks & Nightlife
This Budapest bar allows drinkers to leave their mark on the walls, floor, and even ceiling.
Just across the lane from an otherwise posh shopping center is Hungary’s For Sale Pub, and while the space is not actually available for purchase, patrons can leave their personal advertisements anywhere they would like.
58 locals recommend
For Sale Pub
2 Vámház krt.This Budapest bar allows drinkers to leave their mark on the walls, floor, and even ceiling.
Just across the lane from an otherwise posh shopping center is Hungary’s For Sale Pub, and while the space is not actually available for purchase, patrons can leave their personal advertisements anywhere they would like.
Arts & Culture
A 19th century artistocrat's mansion, turned into a library, hidden in a modern library.
The incredible Szabo Ervin Library in Budapest is a hidden treasure, left out of guidebooks, tucked into a busy section of the city. But for those in the know, the Szabo Ervin Library is a stunning step back to a time when libraries were like mansions - perhaps that’s because it’s in one.
Szabó Ervin Könyvtár Budapest Uzsoki utca
57 Uzsoki u.A 19th century artistocrat's mansion, turned into a library, hidden in a modern library.
The incredible Szabo Ervin Library in Budapest is a hidden treasure, left out of guidebooks, tucked into a busy section of the city. But for those in the know, the Szabo Ervin Library is a stunning step back to a time when libraries were like mansions - perhaps that’s because it’s in one.