Jennifer Walker

The thing about Budapest is there’s just so much going on. You can certainly squeeze most of its brilliant attractions into one weekend, but that’s if you plan accordingly: and keep to a tight schedule. That might mean you don’t have enough time to see every single museum in the city. But make sure you see at least a few - they’re just about as weird, wacky and wonderful as you’d expect; you’ll find a Pinball Museum and even a Zwack museum, dedicated solely to the Hungarian liquor, alongside Budapest’s most well-known national offerings. Whatever you’re into, there’s a museum for you. Here are the must-visits.  RECOMMENDED:🏰 The best things to do in Budapest🍻 The best bars in Budapest🍴 The best restaurants in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🏨 The best hotels in Budapest Jennifer Walker is a writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Museums and galleries are not the only game in town – there are spa baths, hilltop castles and a great big wheel slap in the city centre. It’s only when visitors come to my adopted home of the last 35 years that I pay proper attention to its attractions. Much like Londoners not bothering with the British Museum, Budapest residents on the Danube-hugging No.2 tram barely give the stunning Parliament building a second glance and practically ignore Buda Castle’s UNESCO-protected cityscape. But the city I fell for never fails to deliver. I may not wander into the National Gallery every week but I’m glad it’s there, waiting for whenever visitors give me the excuse to recapture that thrill of discovery – and, naturally, party like it’s 1989. Recommended: 📍 The best things to do in Budapest😋 The best restaurants in Budapest🍻 The best ruin bars in Budapest🏡 The best Airbnbs in Budapest🛏 The best hotels in Budapest Words by Peterjon Cresswell, original photos by Szabó Gábor, both based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Budapest’s nightlife scene is no secret – in fact we’d hazard a guess that partying is probably pretty high on your itinerary list. But before you get stuck into the clubs and the sparties (Budapest’s best spas turned into raucous nights out), you’re going to need one thing: a pre-drink.  And where pre-drinking is concerned, you’re spoilt for choice in Budapest. On our list of the best bars in the city, we’ve got everything from rooftop bars with 360 views to craft beer joints (and of course, a legendary ruin bar in there for good measure). Whatever your night ends up looking like, here are the best bars in Budapest.  RECOMMENDED:🚋 The ultimate weekend itinerary in Budapest🏛️ The best spas and baths in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🏨 The best hotels in Budapest Jennifer Walker is a writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

From its continentally-renowned clubbing scene and captivatingly quirky ruin bars to its dazzling selection of museums and, of course, its magnificent bathhouses, Budapest is a city packed with stuff to see and do – at all times of day and night. But no matter how hard you hit the Hungarian capital, one thing’s for sure: you’re going to need a good night’s sleep. Fittingly, Budapest has plenty of hotel options that offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful hostel or a lavish five-star spa resort, the city is full of top-notch accom. Budapest will no doubt keep you up all day and night, but here’s how to make sure you don’t burn out – these are the city’s top 10 hotels. Updated August 2024: We've recently added two newcomers to this list just to spice it up. And trust us, they don't disappoint. While they both offer riverfront views, one, the Aurea Ana Palace, is a historic building offering elegant rooms, while the other, the InterContinental Budapest, features a spa and a ballroom.  Read more to discover:🏡 the best Airbnbs in Budapest📍the things to do in Budapest This guide was written by Budapest-based writer Jennifer Walker. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. T

You’ll likely be banging on about your trip to Budapest for months (or years) to come, so hey, you may as well get a little something to remember it by. Luckily for you, when it comes to shopping, Budapest pretty much has it all.  We’re talking about everything from classic souvenirs to jewellery, but with room for quirky trinkets too; on our list you’ll find cafés in bookshops, farmers markets in ruin bars and shops full of ceramic caricatures. Wherever you like to splash your cash, here are the best shops in Budapest.  RECOMMENDED:🚋 How to spend the perfect weekend in Budapest🏛️ The best spas and baths in Budapest🥨 The best restaurants in Budapest🏰 The best things to do in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest Jennifer Walker is a Hungarian writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Nueva normalidad. Probablemente hayas escuchado mucho esa frase durante los últimos 18 meses. Cuando la pandemia golpeó el año pasado, la humanidad entró en una nueva era. Y la vida cotidiana de los habitantes de la ciudad, tan acostumbrados al aspecto social de la vida urbana, cambió con ella. Pero ahora, muchos de nosotros hemos logrado deshacernos de esos grilletes. Las restricciones fronterizas se están aflojando. Se reabren bares, restaurantes e incluso clubes. Y mientras la pandemia aún continúa, todos estamos tratando de llegar tentativamente a algo que se asemeja a una mejor normalidad. Entonces, ¿qué es eso exactamente? Para averiguarlo, debes mirar lo que sucede a tu alrededor, en la calle, en el parque, en tu patio trasero. A lo largo de 2020 y 2021, nuestras ciudades han prosperado. Contra todo pronóstico, las comunidades se unieron, pasaron el rato, hicieron cosas. Mostraron la misma energía, resistencia e ingenio de base que les permitió surgir en primer lugar. Ellos sobrevivieron. Y ahora llegamos a nuestra clasificación anual de los vecindarios más geniales del mundo. Este año, no pudimos evitar cambiar nuestras prioridades. Comida, bebida, vida nocturna, cultura: importante. Espíritu de comunidad, resiliencia, sostenibilidad; igual de importante, especialmente si vamos a salir de esta pandemia con cosas de las que podemos estar orgullosos y contarle al resto del mundo. Al igual que lo hemos hecho durante los últimos tres años, llevamos los resultados de nue

Budapest is a compact city that’s relatively easy to get around. Most public transport links run from 4.30am to 11.30am, but with a complex night bus system, plus the 24-hour tram 6 on the Grand Boulevard, you should have no problem getting home at any hour. The city’s transport network is managed by the BKK (Budapesti Közlekedési Közpönt). You can either buy a single ticket for 350 HUF (no transfers, unless you are on the metro) or a 24-hour (1650 HUF), 72-hour (4150 HUF), weekly (4950 HUF) or monthly (9500 HUF) pass. If you have a single ticket, make sure to validate it at one of the machines on the tram or bus, or at the entrance to the metro. Both tickets and passes are available from the purple machines on platforms in metro stations, or at dedicated kiosks in larger transport hubs. Budapest’s public transport system runs on a ‘trust’ system, so there usually aren’t ticket checks when you get on, but occasionally an inspector who checks at random. If you don’t have a pass or valid ticket, fines are harsh, and no matter how many excellent sights and attractions you tick off, that interaction could basically ruin your holiday. Our essential tip? Download the BKK app on your phone for live timetables, so you’ll know exactly when (and where) the next tram, bus or metro will arrive. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Budapest

What is it? A poignant museum commemorating the victims of the fascist and communist regimes, open since 2002. The museum is housed at Number 60 Andrássy Avenue, which has lived many lives; notably when it was used to inspire fear as the headquarters of the secret police.  Is it worth visiting? The museum spans four floors and contains a curious collection that blends installations with interactive screens that allow you to listen to first-hand accounts from survivors. The exhibition on the second floor takes you on an immersive, chronological journey from the Nazi era through communist rule. The most fascinating part of this museum is the basement, where the fascist Arrow Cross Party once interned political prisoners, but all of it is pretty fascinating.  Plus, it’s almost impossible to miss. Look up as you stroll down Andrássy Avenue and you’re immediately struck by its metallic panels with the word ‘terror’ cut out in huge letters. On ground level, meanwhile, portrait photographs in frames stare back at passersby from the drab stone walls.  Is the House of Terror free? Sadly not, apart from on the first Sunday of every month, if you’re a citizen of the EEA (European Economic Area). Book a standard ticket or a guided tour to really get stuck into the history.  This review was fact-checked and updated in 2024.  📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Budapest

What is it? Not only a brilliant, 150-year-old zoo for kids and adults, but a seriously nice botanical garden too, set on the fringes of City Park.  Is it worth visiting? Its striking art nouveau entrance with elephants flanking the gate and polar bears climbing over the arch is a visit-worthy attraction in itself. Once you’re inside, get ready to immerse yourself in a wonderland that’s home to 500 animal and 4,000 plant species. But the real highlight – both inside and out – is the beautiful, temple-like elephant house. How long will I spend there? You could spend a good two or three hours exploring enclosures like the 19th-century greenhouses designed by Gustave Eiffel, currently filled with tropical plants and birds, the butterfly house that flutters with a colourful cast of characters, or the ’Australia area’ where boinging wallabies cause havoc.   This review was fact-checked and updated in 2024.  📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Budapest

What is it and why is it famous? Crowning the city atop Castle Hill, Buda Castle is one of the city’s most recognisable monuments. It dominates the cityscape with its neoclassical Habsburg-era grandeur and reconstructed copper-green dome (the original was damaged during the Second World War). After being razed and rebuilt over the centuries, you can see history written in Buda Castle’s walls and rooms with traces of its Renaissance, Ottoman, Habsburg and Communist past. Is it worth going inside? It’s worth setting aside a few hours to really soak up the vibes at the castle, both in and out. Even just for the views alone – fittingly for such a grandiose landmark, the castle terrace boasts sweeping views over the Chain Bridge, Hungarian Parliament and the rooftops of Pest.  Is it free to visit? It’s completely free to walk the grounds and soak up the views. The complex is split up into a handful of excellent museums, which both have an entry fee; the Hungarian National Gallery occupies the main wings facing the river and displays an extensive collection of Hungarian art from Medieval triptychs to avant-garde 20th-century works. The southern wing is home to the Budapest History Museum which charts the city’s tempestuous past from prehistory to communism, while the western wing encloses the National Széchényi Library. Time Out Tip Have a look at Buda Castle’s festival schedule before you go – throughout summer, you’ll find everything from a Wine Festival to a Sausage Festival her

The second-largest synagogue in the world, the Nagy Zsinagóga on Dohány Street is easily one of Budapest’s most spectacular sites. Blending cathedral-esque proportions with neo-orientalist features, the 1,200-square-metre hall is a kaleidoscope of coral reds and gold leaf split into sections with 1,472 seats for women in the galleries and 1,497 for men downstairs. The large rose window with the Star of David motif is the interior’s centrepiece, while outside a mass grave commemorates the 2,000 Jews killed here during the Holocaust. Next to it, the smaller, simpler Winter Temple looms in grey, and behind it you’ll find the Raoul Wallenberg Park with its metal Memorial Tree bearing the name or number of a Holocaust victim on each leaf. You can only visit the synagogue on a guided tour, and it’s closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

Set in the southern part of the city, in a formerly industrial area just next to the Millennium Cultural Quarter, Budapest Park is one of the capital’s most happening open-air venues. Take the tram 2 to the end of the line in the southern direction, and you’ll find it just across the road. The venue stretches out over 11,000 square metres and can hold up to 10,000, with headliners a mix of big-name Hungarian and international artists. Get there before the show, and you may have time to check out a seasonal exhibition or play. If you want to avoid the crowds (and have plenty of cash to spare), you can book the raised Sky Box which fits up to 30. It has AC, a bathroom, comfy couches, and even comes with its own bar.

Just off the Grand Boulevard in the Újlipót neighbourhood, Budapest Jazz Club brings the best in local and international jazz to the Hungarian capital. You enter this converted cinema space through a cosy bar and bistro area with art deco accents and a warm red hue (plus a very decent menu). Inside, the auditorium draws big jazz, blues and world music names, with gigs from Tuesday to Sunday covering everything from bossa nova to big band. Come on Wednesdays, Fridays or Saturdays after the main event for free jam sessions featuring up-and-coming musicians from around Budapest.

Keleti Train Station is one of Budapest’s busiest transport hubs, offering regular connections to destinations in Austria, Serbia, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The grand 1890s building is flooded with light thanks to the enormous arched window at the entrance. Though a little run-down in places, the station boasts an exquisite old-world restaurant with corinthian columns, chandeliers and marble tables, plus a main hall lined with refined embellishments. It may not be a conventional tourist attraction, but next time you’re passing through, do take the time to admire this most magnificent of layovers.