Peterjon Cresswell

The national holiday of March 15, with all its free museum admissions and family-friendly events, always signals the start of spring in Budapest. Among the more unusual happenings this March, Planet Budapest carries the message of sustainability with immersive film spaces and interactive installations, while Comic Con brings everyone’s favourite fantasy characters to the Hungarian capital. Of the gigs, shows and films, Montréal post-rockers God Speed! You Black Emperor make a welcome return to the Dürer Kert, Swiss samplers The Young Gods play the A38 and the wonderful Bem cinema warms up for Oscar night.

Budapest is a city that’s packed with stuff to see and do – at all times of the day and night. Ruin bars, rooftop spots and late-night clubs mean you’re going to want to pack a lot in while you’re here, especially if your days will be filled with the city’s best things to do. To get a good night’s sleep, you’ll need a great hotel – and Budapest has them in spades. From budget hostels to lavish five-star spa resorts, here are our favourite hotels in Budapest right now.  What's the best area to stay in Budapest? The Jewish Quarter is crammed full of great bars and the fun goes on late into the night. For a more chilled-out stay (and proximity to the city’s main sights), try a hotel in the city centre. For panoramic views and romantic sojourns, head over to Buda. If these don’t float your boat, we’ve got plenty more recommendations for Budapest’s best areas in our neighbourhood guide.  📍 Discover our ultimate guide to hotels in Budapest Peterjon Cresswell 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. We may not have stayed at every hotel featured, but we use our local expertise to curate this list to the absolute best. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Cocktail drinking in Budapest involves many of the elements which make the Hungarian capital so special: panoramic views, historic buildings and high-quality hospitality. Most of all, it's just as fun as ruin bars, rooftop drinking or pub crawls – only a wee bit more expensive. Dress codes are reasonably liberal but you probably shouldn't breeze into a five-star hotel as if you were going to the Sziget Festival. English is spoken everywhere and most mixologists have worked in classy spots around the world, so can almost certainly fix whatever you’re after if it’s not on the drinks list. And don’t worry – all places these days have a decent selection of non-alcoholic mixes. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to bars and nightlife in Budapest Peterjon Cresswell 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.

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. You won’t have enough time to see every attraction in town. 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 museum dedicated to pinball, another to Zwack Unicum, Hungary's mysterious national drink. Whatever you’re into, there’ll be 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 Peterjon Cresswell 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. 

For the best part of 20 years, the world’s top DJs and hundreds of thousands of music lovers have beaten a path to this celebrated strip of the Adriatic coast, mainly to two sites: Tisno, as discovered and adapted by the pioneering Garden club/festival in Zadar; and Zrće, near Novalja on Pag island, where seminal Zagreb club Aquarius set up its summer satellite alongside other stages way back when. ➡️ READ MORE: The best music festivals to book in Europe These locations are then rented out to various ambitious promoters, many from the UK, including Edinburgh’s V Festival crew, now happily returning to Tisno for the third time of asking. More unusual locations include a former quarry used by the Ancient Romans outside Pula and the shores of a lake in Zagreb created for the World Student Games of 1987. Note that for many events, festival and day passes sell out fast, so you’ll have to investigate the resale market if you miss out – also advertised on festival websites. Peterjon Cresswell is a writer and editor at Time Out Budapest, and was until recently the editor of Time Out Croatia. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide may include affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

This list is from 2024. Our latest ranking for 2025 is live here. In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality. And that, in our eyes, is

With prominent District VI banning Airbnb accommodation – and other local councils considering similar action – hotel stays are a reliable option for visitors to Budapest. Fortunately, this sea change in the local hospitality industry has coincided with the opening of dozens of new venues, some boutique, many extremely affordable. And not just global chains, either – think independent, or integral to a locally run or smaller group. Our selection represents the best ones right now in the lower-budget category. Booked directly from the hotel’s own sites, out of high season, double rooms should cost around €65-80 per night. City tax of 4% per person may have to be paid upon arrival if not already included. Some rates include breakfast, even a heated pool in one instance. Nearly all have 24hr reception and luggage storage, making check-in and check-out an easier proposition than fiddling with capricious keylocks or absentee owners. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to hotels in Budapest Peterjon Cresswell 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. We may not have stayed at every hotel featured, but we use our local expertise to curate this list to the absolute best. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

A budapesti kávéházi kultúra az 1900-as évek fordulóján élte aranykorát, és ezt az időszakot mi sem idézi meg látványosabban, mint a város legendás kávéházai.  A Hadik, a New York Café vagy a Centrál nem csupán gasztronómiai célpontok voltak: valódi szellemi műhelyként működtek, ahol írók, költők, újságírók és művészek formálták a korszak gondolkodását. Pompájuk ma is él, csak éppen a XXI. századra hangolva. A magyar kávéházi kultúra egyszerre kreatív, karakteres és hamisítatlanul hazai, és persze a sütemények teszik igazán teljessé az élményt. Száz évet ugorva az időben az újhullámos kávézók már saját, sötét vagy világos pörkölésű specialty kávéikkal várják a kozmopolita közönséget. Itt már a laptopok is előkerülnek, a flat white mellé pedig gyakran valamilyen gluténmentes finomság, kovászos péksüti vagy vegán banánkenyér is jár. 🌶️ Hagyományos magyar ízek nyomában: a legjobb magyaros éttermek Budapesten 🥐 Hol bruncholj Budapesten? A legjobb reggelizőhelyek Budapesten 🍔 A smashtől a klasszikus duplán át a Tiktok-kedvencig: a legjobb burger nyomában Budapesten  Cs. Nagy Anikó és Peterjon Creswell írása – mindketten Budapesten élnek. A Time Out útikalauzait mindig helyiek írják, akik tényleg belülről ismerik a városukat.

In a city as beautiful as Budapest, if you’re not taking in those glorious views one way or another, you’re missing out. And we’re pleased to confirm that Budapest’s rooftop bars are actually great places to drink, up there with our favourite nightlife spots in the city.  This elite selection is regularly being added to – while the high-quality High Note SkyBar celebrated its tenth anniversary by opening a SKY Champagne Bar above the main one, LEO is a relatively recent arrival, topping the Hotel Clark overlooking Chain Bridge. And with a rooftop bar a major feature of a new Radisson Collection hotel opened by the Basilica in 2025, the roster will only grow and grow. For cracking cocktails and even better vistas, here are the absolute best rooftop bars in Budapest. 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to nightlife in Budapest 🏨 Ready to book? Here are Budapest’s best hotels and best Airbnbs, selected by our editors Peterjon Cresswell 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.

Budapestnek nem csak az éjszakai élete legendás, hanem reggelik frontján is hasonlóan erős. Amint lecsendesedik az éjszaka zaja, úgy kezdődik el a reggeli pezsgés: a belvárosban számos brunch hely kínálja a jobbnál jobb falatokat ilyenkor is, de ha messzebb vennéd az irányt, akkor sem fogsz csalódni. Újlipótvárosban ilyenkor indul csak be igazán az élet: hangulatos kávézók, reggelizők és pékségek sora vár – talán nem véletlenül választotta új otthona helyszínéül sem a Budáról költöző legendás Törökméz sem. Pedig Buda továbbra is igazán izgalmas, ha a nap első étkezéséről van szó: a SALT is itt nyitotta meg új pékségét a Hattyú utcában, de itt kezdte annak idején első egységével a Franziska is. A brunch pedig nem csupán reggeli: a belváros legjobb szállodái évek óta hétvégenként bőséges, családbarát svédasztallal várják nem csak a szállóvendégeiket – egy igazi klasszikus, ráérős hétvége indítójaként is kiváló program lehet. 🛍️ Minőségi vintage ruhák, retró kincsek és egyedi dizájnerdarabok: a legjobb vintage és second hand üzletek Budapesten 🌶️ Hagyományos magyar ízek nyomában: a legjobb magyaros éttermek Budapesten 🍝 Ahol mindig dolce vita vár: a legjobb olasz éttermek Budapesten Peterjon Creswell írása Cs. Nagy Anikó fordításában – mindketten Budapesten élnek. A Time Out útikalauzait mindig helyiek írják, akik tényleg belülről ismerik a városukat.

Within two hours of Budapest, usually less, you can see much of what Hungary has it offer, its spas, its hills and its historic towns. The region’s largest lake, Balaton, is also within easy reach, by train, bus or bicycle, while boats serve destinations on the Danube Bend. Which places are worth visiting near Budapest? Many go to pretty Szentendre for the day, an easy direct hop by HÉV suburban train on Budapest’s public-transport network. Another HÉV line runs to the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, set in gorgeous gardens even prettier in autumn. This is also the best time to visit the wine mecca of Eger, just under two hours by train. Tickets and schedules can be found through state-rail company MÁV, which also oversees buses. Mahart boats run year-round to Szentendre, summer-only to Visegrád. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Budapest😋 The best restaurants in Budapest🍻 The best Budapest nightlife spots🛏️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest Peterjon Cresswell is a writer from 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 Közép-Európa egyik legizgalmasabb városa – tökéletes választás egy hétvégi kiruccanásra vagy hosszabb pihenésre is. A főváros szállodái pedig többet kínálnak puszta alvóhelynél: elegáns éttermeket, panorámás rooftop bárokat, világszínvonalú spa-részlegeket és ikonikus gasztrohelyeket, amelyek önmagukban is megérnek egy látogatást. Összegyűjtöttük Budapest legjobb szállodáit 2026-ban egy praktikus útmutatóban, mindenkinek, aki a városba készül és a tökéletes helyen szeretne megszállni. A budapestieknek pedig remek inspiráció, ha egy spa-hétvégére, különleges vacsorára vagy panorámás koktélra vágynak anélkül, hogy elhagynák a várost. 🛍️ A legjobb vintage és second hand üzletek Budapesten 🪞 A legjobb bolhapiacok Budapesten   🎶 A legjobb ingyenes budapesti programok  Peterjon Creswell írása Cs. Nagy Anikó fordításában – mindketten Budapesten élnek. A Time Out útikalauzait mindig helyiek írják, akik tényleg belülről ismerik a városukat.

Thriving since its move across the river to a spot in south Buda near the Danube, Dürer Kert remains one of the top live venues in town, particularly for alternative sounds. While bands such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Stoned Jesus and Hellripper play the main hall inside in winter, summer allows DK to spread outdoors for alfresco shows and festivals. Cycle- and dog-friendly, Dürer Kert is also family-centric, with picnic blankets and table-tennis bars available for loan or rent at the bar.

The wonderful Bem (Margit körút 5, 1027 Budapest), an authentically retro institution revived as a repertory cinema that screens films in original language with subtitles – often but not always English/Hungarian. It also has a popular bar. In the run-up to the Oscars on March 15, Bem has scheduled either recent winners or those in line for an award this year. In the coming days, look out for Hamnet, Blue Moon, Bugonia and Marty Supreme, among others. And, if you haven’t seen it yet, three-time 2025 winner The Brutalist is well worth three-and-a-half hours of your time, from 8pm on March 8. Brady Corbet’s epic tale of how a Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor makes his painful way through a corrupt, post-war America while staying true to his vision.

Budapest's most revered venue for original-language screenings, Bem sits at the gateway to the newly hip Margit Quarter on the Buda side of Margaret Bridge, where it first opened as a picture house back in 1908. Revived by cinemaphile László Kantor in the early 2000s as a repertory cinema, it earned a new audience keen on watching Hungarian classics with English subtitles or Magyar-friendly foreign films, often Hollywood or cult favourites. Almost going under during the pandemic, the lovely old Bem was saved by its customers, who crowd-funded its continuation as the nearby Margaret Quarter burgeoned with cafés and galleries. A great place to watch a film but also grab a drink – the best cinema bar in Budapest spills out onto the pavement on summer evenings.

Hollywood superheroes and popular comic characters descend on Budapest for fans to meet, greet and present their autograph books to – it’s Comic Con 2026! Geeks, followers and aficionados can also come face-to-face with the creators behind the stories, take part in themed activities, watch the shows and scan the limited-edition merch. Dressing up isn’t obligatory but you might feel so out of place if you don't. Older visitors will be thrilled to meet legendary artist John McCrea, known for his work with Marvel and DC Comics. Hosted over two days, March 21-22, at the Budapest Congress Center.

Also known as Hajógyári-sziget ('Shipyard Island'), Óbuda Island has hosted the Sziget Festival every summer since the inaugural event in 1993, pandemic years excepted. Just north of the key recreation destination of Margaret Island, this rural getaway is the domain of joggers and dog walkers for 51 weeks of the year. The main access by K-Bridge, a former military crossing now the backdrop for thousands of photos of excited festivalgoers crossing over to the island (sziget) for one week of unbridled fun. The location is no coincidence – this was where the Communist authorities allowed open-air rock shows to be held in the 1980s, and the 'Goodbye Ivan' live-music event was co-staged in 1991 to celebrate the withdrawal of the last Soviet soldier from Hungary.

What are the Gellért Baths? Unveiled, like the adjoining hotel, just after World War I, the Gellért echoes Budapest’s Silver Age of the 1920s when its summer-only wave pool also opened. Interior tiling and decorative features hark back to this heritage, while men’s and women’s pools have long been separate. Are they worth visiting? Another Budapest must-see, the Gellért is certainly worth visiting but only after a complete €50 million renovation has been carried out, scheduled to finish in 2028. The works are running concurrently with an overhaul of the adjoining hotel.  What's another good spa near the Gellért? You're in luck! The closest spa to the Gellért is also one of Budapest's finest, and one that received its own makeover in 2015. A short walk along the Buda embankment towards Elizabeth Bridge, the Rudas features a panoramic jacuzzi that comes into its own when the spa welcomes bathers for night-time relaxation on Fridays and Saturdays. Where’s good to eat near the Gellért? While the spa and hotel are being rebuilt, you can still explore one of Budapest's most happening quarters along the tram-lined avenue of Bartók Béla út, where a string of trendy cafés and galleries have generated a real buzz around the Újbuda neighbourhood. 💧 Discover more thermal baths and spas in Budapest

For once in his charmed life, acclaimed New York hotelier Henry Kallan wasn’t happy. Having turned select businesses in the Big Apple into success stories, and found a downtown property in his beloved Budapest, he had sent away one Italian architect after another. No concept worked. Then in walked relatively untried designer Zoltán Varró, Hungarian and balls-out imaginative. The moment changed both mens’ lives and created the Aria Hotel. Kallan’s impressive portfolio now included one of the most unique hotels in Europe, while awards the Aria garnered led Varró to commissions from Colombia to Lake Como. The idea that he slid across the desk in New York remains in place a decade later, a giant piano keyboard spanning the floor, supporting a shiny grand for the hotel pianist to accompany afternoon coffee. Music not only themes this hotel and its 49 rooms, it imbues every corner – the Aria even employs a full-time music director, partly tasked with building relationships with star performers and key institutions.  As for guests, they can be accommodated in the opera, jazz, classical or contemporary wing, most rooms with a balcony overlooking the internal Music Garden Courtyard. Some opera-themed suites have terraces – you can even customise your own lay-out.  All visitors, residents or otherwise, may relax in the Harmony Spa, with its expert treatments and sought-after Éminence Organic Skin Care creams, and can sink a sunset cocktail in the rooftop Sky Note bar at eye level with

For sheer class, nothing tops the Gresham. Upon arrival, any visitor, perhaps here for inventive cocktails at Múzsa or a romantic meal at the KOLLÁZS Brasserie, will be marvelling at the mosaic tiling and peacock motifs surrounding Budapest’s most impressive hotel lobby. Those lucky enough to stay here – and that often includes Hollywood A-listers and those working on yet another film production in town – will soon appreciate the level of care and detail that has gone into this hotel conversion of what was, a century or more ago, an insurance office surrounded by classy apartments. Books have been written detailing the colourful and notorious past of this former cabaret and den of spies – suffice to say, its transformation by Canada’s Four Seasons group in the early 2000s not only thrust this landmark into the 21st century, it painstakingly honoured its Art Nouveau heritage, tiny tile by tiny tile. For location, as those staying in a river-view room or suite will testify, the Gresham also wins out. Other luxury lodgings line Pest’s picturesque embankment – none sit right over the Chain Bridge, lit up after dark like a countess’ necklace. As this is Budapest, the Gresham has a spa and infinity pool, too, tucked in under the roof, available treatments (Hungarian moor mud therapy, anyone?) a notch above. Most of all, the Gresham focuses on the bespoke, not only in terms of wine tastings but unique Budapest experiences. Chess with a world-renowned grandmaster? No problem. Speedbo

The sad passing of architect József Finta in 2024 allowed many in Budapest to reflect upon the groundbreaking buildings he designed. The Kempinski is one of them, its gracefully sweeping curves a striking feature as you nod to the liveried flunky upon arrival and head for the open-plan reception area. Opened way back in 1992, the Kempinski still feels contemporary, partly because of the regularly changing original art on display – part of the hotel’s own collection – and partly because there’s always a cosmopolitan buzz about the place. The dining and drinking destinations under this same roof also lend a downtown vibe. Bobby De Niro flew in to open the Budapest branch of his Nobu chain, set alongside ÉS Bisztró, its seasonal delights and steakhouse dishes also served on the terrace overlooking the pedestrianised bustle of Fashion Street. Across the huge, airy lobby area, creative cocktails and DJ tunes are mixed every night in Blue Fox The Bar. Kempinski The Spa also attracts regular non-residents with its plentiful treatments, large pool and membership deals, hotel guests arriving in their fluffy dressing gowns, returning to their tastefully furnished guestrooms to flop on the huge bed. In place a whole decade before most of its five-star competitors nearby, the Kempinski has not only cornered the local market to attract sports stars and famous performers, it works hard to keep this repeat custom, as a flick through the Visitors’ Book will attest. It’s a level of service th

What’s the vibe?  For a restaurant in Budapest’s business quarter that has held on to its Michelin star since 2014, ‘Wine Kitchen’ is pleasingly informal, its pavement terrace a relaxing option of a warm summer’s eve. What are the prices like? Even given the high quality and presentation, you can enjoy an excellent three-course meal for under €70, with all wines from the expertly curated selection available by the glass. What should I order?  The menu might be concise but you can always rely on local favourites like mangalica, a local variety of pork, and durbincs, a Danubian fish known in English as Balon’s ruffe. Let your waiter guide you on wine pairings – it’s called ‘Wine Kitchen’ for a reason – particularly where the choice Hungarian cheese are concerned, a popular bookend to any visit.  What’s worth visiting nearby?  If you’re here during the week, when Borkonyha operates evening-only, your options are limited to a pre-dinner visit to St Stephen’s Basilica round the corner or a late drink at Akvárium also nearby, a bar, live venue and party spot.  On Saturdays, you might want to take a stroll along the Danube waterfront before or after your meal. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Budapest

What’s the vibe?  ’Tradition, innovation, family’ runs the motto on the restaurant website, but family comes first at Tibor Rosenstein’s unassuming yet excellent Jewish-Hungarian eatery. Tibor’s son Robi shoulders a lot of the responsibility these days, along with his wife, pastry expert Timi.  What are the prices like? If you’re looking for a classic Budapest dining experience on a budget, then the daily offer here (€12-€15) is a steal – remember you’re dining where Helen Mirren and De Niro have done before you. À la carte, game, fish and poultry dishes are similarly priced, though you’ll pay a little extra for lamb. What should I order?  As those silly geese advise in The Aristocats, think goose. The dish of the day on Saturdays but also available à la carte through the week, Rosenstein’s signature goose leg comes with braised cabbage and prunes, served with a sampling of cholent bean stew. What’s worth visiting nearby?  Rosenstein is tucked down a featureless sidestreet – further evidence of its enduring attraction, nobody finds this place by chance. Alongside is Keleti station, a stately steam palace from the Habsburg era, while also close by, Hungary’s great statesmen and artists repose at Kerepesi cemetery, Budapest’s own Père-Lachaise.  📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Budapest

What’s the vibe?  Essência is, essentially, a love story, between Portuguese chef Tiago Sabarigo, who worked at Michelin-starred Costes Downtown in Budapest, and Éva Jenei, whose CV includes top luxury hotels around the world. The food (and the vibe) reflect their roots and their relationship. What are the prices like? If you’re here for dinner, Essência isn’t cheap as the kitchen operates according to a five- or seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings, meaning you’re looking at around €140 a head. Pop in at lunchtime, however, and you can select from a short selection of starters at around €20 and mains at around €30.  What should I order?  Octopus is a regular starter at lunchtimes, well cared for in Tiago’s capable hands, but for classic Hungarian, go for the duck liver. Serious carnivores should go for the aged beef rib-eye as a main. The evening tasting menus change daily but cod and lamb ensopado are firm favourites. What’s worth visiting nearby?  You’re in Budapest’s gastro and business hub, meaning you’re close to St Stephen’s Basilica as well as the Danube riverfront. For a nightcap or pre-dinner apéritif, on the parallel street of Hercegprimás utca, the Aria Hotel is topped by the panoramic rooftop High Note Skybar. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Budapest

Planning a trip to Budapest next year? You might want to add the Citadella to your to-do list. The monument, which towers above the city on Gellért Hill, is reopening next year after a huge renovation. It’s one of the city’s most enduring landmarks, standing as a symbol of freedom. The goal is to transform the former military structure into a brand new attraction that celebrates its history. RECOMMENDED: The best free things to do in Budapest right now One of its most exciting new features will be the pedestrian bridge built entirely of glass – something rarely found in Europe. A large-scale, walk-through exhibition named ‘The Bastion of Freedom’ will also be installed in the spacious rondella, where visitors can learn about Hungary’s fight for its liberty over the course of history. Fotó: Várkapitányság The inner courtyard will feature a water feature and an eternal flame, and the outside spaces will have twice as much green space as before. There’ll also be a new café and gift shop, alongside communal areas – the aim is to create a kind of urban oasis at the top of Gellért Hill. The panoramic city views here have long been a favourite spot for wedding photos. Fotó: Várkapitányság What is the Citadella? The Citadella was originally a fortress built by the Austrians in the wake of the Hungarian Uprising of 1848, but has since become a symbol of the nation’s many struggles for sovereignty over the centuries. It has been under Budapest’s control since 1899, except when it

Spas are a huge part of Budapest’s cultural fabric – and the Gellért, a legendary art nouveau spa richly decorated with Zsolnay tiling, is one of the most iconic venues in the city. However, as of today (October 1), you won’t be able to visit the Gellért until 2028, as the century-old spa – first opened in 1918 – is closing for three years of renovation. Reconstruction work will now run alongside the overhaul of the equally venerable hotel of the same name, which has been closed since November 2021. In a city known for its spas, the Gellért is arguably the most significant, usually attracting some 1,500-1,800 visitors a day. The last major renovation took place in the early 1980s, and the state of the equipment, changing rooms and service areas has deteriorated significantly. Thermal water, steam and chemical cleaning have put a lot of strain on the infrastructure, necessitating the current undertaking. Photograph: Shutterstock Budapest Thermal Baths and Spas (BGYH) has been preparing for the project for years, aiming to overcome the Gellért’s mechanical, technological and structural problems, restore its iconic spaces and elevate the guest experience to a new level. The primary consideration in the project is the preservation of the historical heritage: the restoration of the art nouveau interiors, tiling and aesthetic appearance. In addition, sustainability and energy-efficient solutions will be introduced, by modernising the use of thermal water and heating. According t

It’s official: Time Out Market Budapest has finally opened its doors!  What is it? Only the best culinary and cultural experiences in Budapest, all under one roof, right in the city centre. Time Out Market has already made its mark on New York, Montreal, Cape Town and, of course, Lisbon. Now it’s the turn of Hungary’s sparkling capital – now home to the very first Time Out Market in Central Europe. The market will opened on Saturday September 20, on the first floor of the historic Corvin Palace. Read more: From legendary department store to wild nightclub: the incredible history of Corvin Palace The huge hall houses 11 kitchens, three bars and five event venues, and can accommodate around 540 visitors. Iconic Budapest chefs and emerging talents will appear at the market; you can read up on the full restaurant line-up in our guide. Best of all – whether it’s premium street food or fine dining-inspired dishes – food here promises to be pretty affordable, too.  Where is Time Out Market Budapest and how do I get there? The legendary Corvin Palace building can be found at Blaha Lujza tér 1, reachable by red metro M2 or the 4/6 tram. From there, you’ll be whisked up the escalators straight into the heart of the action. What are the opening hours? Time Out Market Budapest will be welcoming visitors every day from 11.30am to 11.30pm. Kitchens stay open until 10pm, after which the bars keep the vibe going strong until close. Corvin Palace The online booking system is already operati

Amikor 2025. szeptember 20-án megnyitja kapuit a Time Out Market Budapest, újabb réteggel gazdagítja majd annak a legendás épületnek a történetét, amelynek otthont ad: a Corvin Palace-nak. A forgalmas Blaha Lujza tér sarkán, Budapest egyik legfontosabb közlekedési csomópontjában álló Corvin Palace 99 éve számos átalakuláson ment keresztül. Az elegáns áruházat a hamburgi vállalkozó, Max Emden nyitotta meg 1926-ban, több mint egy évtizedes előkészület után. Az építkezéshez el kellett bontani az Apolló mozit, amelyet arrébb költöztettek a Nagykörúton, a Royal Hotel (a mai Corinthia) épületébe. Az eredeti áruház A Corvin Palace Reiss Zoltán építész legjelentősebb alkotása, aki másutt a sűrűn lakott pesti városrész bérházait tervezte. Az épület neoklasszicista stílusban készült, díszeit a neves szobrászok, Pongrácz Szigfrid és Beck Ö. Fülöp készítették, akiknek munkái 1908-tól a korszakalkotó Nyugat folyóiratban is szerepeltek. 1926 karácsonyán, közvetlenül az épület mellett, a Nagykörút és a Rákóczi út sarkán helyezték üzembe Magyarország első közlekedési lámpáját, amelyet eleinte egy rendőr irányított kötelek segítségével. A „villanyrendőr” kifejezést a mai napig használjuk a lámpás kereszteződésekre. Fotó: Flanek-Falvay-Kováts / Fortepan Az áruház belül maga volt a modernitás. A díszes homlokzat mögött négy szintnyi üzlet és szolgáltatás várta a vásárlókat, akik ezrével érkeztek az ország minden pontjáról – a Keleti és a Nyugati pályaudvar ugyanúgy könnyen megközelíthető volt

When Time Out Budapest Market opens on September 20, it will be adding another layer of history to the storied landmark it will grace, the Corvin Palace. Anchoring a corner of prominent square Blaha Lujza tér at one of Budapest’s main crossing points, the Corvin Palace has seen many changes in its 99 years. Opened as an elegant department store by Hamburg entrepreneur Max Emden in 1926, this retail mecca was over a decade in the making, having taken over the Apollo cinema, which was moved further along the Nagykörút to the Royal Hotel (today’s Corinthia). Here’s a deep dive into the building’s history, from a modern department store through to ruin bar and its rebirth as an entertainment space after multiple wars. The original store The most notable creation of architect Zoltán Reiss, otherwise responsible for apartment blocks elsewhere around this heavily populated area of Pest, the Corvin Palace was neo-classical in style, decorated in statues by eminent sculptors Szigfrid Pongrácz and Ö Fülöp Beck, whose work had been featured in the early issues of seminal Hungarian cultural journal Nyugat from 1908 onwards. That Christmas of 1926, on the adjacent corner of the Nagykörút and Rákóczi út, Hungary’s first traffic light blinked into operation, initially operated by a police officer who could control the signals by a series of ropes. The Hungarian term villanyrendőr, ‘electric police’, is still used today for traffic lights. Photo: Flanek-Falvay-Kováts / Fortepan Inside, t

It’s official! Hungary’s new culinary and cultural hub, Time Out Market Budapest, will open on September 20. The doors of the renovated Corvin Palace on Blaha Lujza tér swing open at 11.30am, and visitors will be welcomed every day until 11.30pm. Time Out Markets bring the best of the city together under one roof: a curated mix of the best chefs and restaurateurs, drinks and cultural experiences. Time Out Market Budapest will be the first to open in Central & Eastern Europe and will feature 11 culinary concepts from both award-winning and rising talents, three bars, five event spaces and some 540 seats. Offering a variety of cuisines and flavours, it will be a celebration of local talent – a new destination where guests will get a real taste of the city and beyond – while coming together with family and friends, enjoying local and global delights at communal tables, surrounded by top chefs in action. We’ve already revealed the first eight restaurants – read about those here and here – and now the final four names to complete the curated line-up have just been revealed. M’EAT by Jenő Rácz  The new antipasti and grill concept by Michelin-star chef Jenő Rácz will bring a decidedly Mediterranean atmosphere to the Corvin Palace. M’EAT is all about light, social dining: premium Hungarian hams, salamis and cheeses, freshly sliced in front of you; or homemade pâté or foie gras with brioche, best enjoyed over relaxed conversation. Photograph: Time Out Market Budapest LIRA by Essênci

Scheduled to open this autumn, Time Out Market Budapest will bring together the best chefs and restaurants from all over Hungary’s capital and beyond, all under one roof.   Eleven award-winning and emerging local restaurateurs will be offering the crème de la crème of the city’s food scene, and we recently announced the first four.  Anyukám Mondta is bringing traditional Italian flavours and family recipes, Pingrumba a taste of the East and 101 Bistro modern Taiwanese cuisine, while Szaletly will be serving the finest examples from the contemporary Hungarian kitchen. Now, a further four restaurants have officially joined the roster – here’s what they’re bringing to the table.  CANTEEN Kicking things off is István Pesti, who earned two Michelin stars with his restaurant in Tata. Now, he has created a new concept exclusively for Time Out Market Budapest and rather than fine dining, traditional Hungarian flavours will be coming to Budapest in the shape of CANTEEN, whose menu includes lip-smacking dishes like goulash soup, Viennese veal schnitzel and chicken paprikash, all topped off with a classic, hearty apple pie.  Photograph: CANTEEN Casa Christa Also among the new names is Casa Christa, a restaurant showcasing the Balaton region, whose every plate evokes the atmosphere of Hungary’s bucolic lake getaway: sun-baked slopes, wine cellars and seasonal produce freshly sourced from local markets. For Hungarians, this is where to head for a hit of holiday nostalgia.  Photograph:

Italian family recipes, Oriental adventures, Taiwanese street food and reimagined Hungarian classics – the first four restaurants at the hotly anticipated Time Out Market Budapest have been revealed. One of the world’s most exciting gastro-cultural concepts, Time Out Market is being unveiled in Budapest on the first floor of the iconic Corvin Department Store on Blaha Lujza tér. This 2,500-square-metre space will house 11 restaurants, three bars and five event venues accommodating a total of 540 visitors – and that’s just the beginning. The market's goal is nothing less than to bring the city's most exciting culinary and cultural players under one roof – and now we can finally introduce the first four restaurants confirmed for the opening. Anyukám Mondta Anyukám Mondta, from the little town of Encs, has been a key player in Hungarian gastronomy for the past 30 years, and now for the first time it will find a permanent home in Budapest. The Italian dishes of the Dudás brothers, Szabolcs and Szilárd – such as the Margherita DOP pizza or the Parma ham and burrata focaccia – combine a special family history and high-quality ingredients. Photograph: Anyukám Mondta / Time Out Market Budapest Pingrumba For those who prefer the punchy flavours of India and the Middle East, Pingrumba should prove a particular favourite. Its inspired cuisine, with echoes from Cairo to Calcutta, showcases freshly grilled dishes, bold pairings and exciting spices. Photograph: Pingrumba / Time Out Mar

Running until the grand finale on Tuesday, March 4, this year’s Dubrovnik Carnival brings masked fun and traditional delights to the city’s streets, squares, clubs and restaurants. Jugglers and majorettes star on Sunday, March 2, starting from outside the Gradska Kavana at 10am and followed by a procession from Onofrio’s Fountain at 2.30pm. This finishes with a family-friendly party at Lazareti from 3pm. The main children’s parade is down the main street of Stradun the next day, Monday, March 3, from 10am. For grown-ups, the weekend kicks off when singer Maja Bajamić performs at a masked party at Dubrovnik’s main nightspot, the Culture Club Revelin, on Friday, February 28. Doors open at 10.30pm  – find tickets and more details here. Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL For four nights from Saturday March 1, many restaurants in town will be offering the twin traditional dishes of šporki makaruli and krafeni. You can find these carnival favourites of pasta with a meaty sauce, and sweet doughnuts, for €10-€15 and €2-€3 at dining destinations such as Orsan and Konoba Belvedere. To discover more about the history of carnival, every day from 9am-10pm, the Rector’s Palace will be showing a display of masks and costumes, perhaps providing inspiration for the traditional climax to festivities on Tuesday, March 4, the Ultimi od Karnevala. From 5pm, jugglers will be returning to the Gradska Kavana, where the Veljun Ball takes place from 8pm accompanied by the  Taliri band. See here for the full sched

Another 30 or more acts have been confirmed to appear at the second edition of the Terminal V Croatia festival this July. After its successful launch in 2024, Scotland’s Terminal V Festival returns to The Garden Resort in Tisno for five days from July 17-21. As revealed in our exclusive interview with the founders of the original Edinburgh festival, Terminal V has grown from in-the-know get-togethers to major events attracting 40,000 people and top-name DJs. Now, joining artists such as 999999999, Ben Sims and Ellen Allien, more than 30 new names have been confirmed for the techno-centric event in an idyllic Adriatic location. These include Club Madhouse label head AK Sports, another Rinse FM mainstay, Dortmund DJ/producer Bae Blade, Berlin-based tooly techno exponent Future 666 and late ’90s’ inspired Überkikz. A very special headliner is also to be announced on March 4. Franko Kelam/Terminal V Facilitated by cutting-edge light and sound, four stages await these specially chosen acts: Barbarella’s, regularly voted as one of the best in the world by DJ Mag, the more secluded Olive Grove, the epic Main Stage and the superb Beach Stage, each with their own unique atmosphere. Alongside, there will be dancing on the beach and under the stars with daily boat parties and late-night afterparties running until sunrise. Throw in an array of daytime adrenaline-pumping water sports, and Terminal V is an essential addition to Croatia’s impressive summer festival agenda. Terminal V Croa

As recently reported, popular Edinburgh-based techno festival Terminal V will be taking over the idyllic Garden Resort in Tisno this July. Winners of Best British Festival award for 2023 by DJ Mag, Terminal V has grown from in-the-know get-togethers to major events attracting 40,000 people and top-name DJs. Over five days from July 18-22, the likes of Klangkuenstler from Bavaria, London’s Charlie Sparks and Dundee’s acclaimed Hannah Laing will be bringing their A game across four stages.  On the eve of their regular event in Scotland, and as they prepare their debut foray into Europe, Terminal V founders, Derek Martin and Simon McGrath, talk to Time Out Croatia about their journey so far – and why Tisno is the perfect location: Time Out Croatia: How did Terminal V Festival come about and how has it evolved since? Terminal V: With both of us being independent promoters in Scotland for many years with numerous club brands, in 2014 we came together to work on new projects with the aim of launching a new Scottish festival. In 2017, this materialised with our first ever Terminal V Festival. Year 1 was tough, with only 2,000 odd people attending, but this grew year on year as a one-day festival, right up until the pandemic. Post-pandemic, we upped the festival to two days, attracted 20,000 people each day, and now a festival based in Edinburgh brings crowds from all over the UK, Europe and further afield. The finer details have grown tenfold, in terms of line-up curation and size

Major international coach company FlixBus has introduced a promising initiative for Zagreb bus station, the Socialist-era terminus that serves Croatia’s capital. Working in co-operation with Croatia Bus, the German transport giant has opened an airport-style passenger lounge, done out in its signature colours of lime green, where travellers can relax in comfort, charge their mobile phones and scan the information screens for details of arrivals and departures. The bright facility contrasts with its two-floor surroundings of unremitting grey, brutalist architecture and functionalist features. “It is important that this space is located right in Zagreb bus station,” says Ante Grbeša, director of FlixBus for the Central and South-Eastern European region. “From a transportation perspective, it is a unique concept, and we believe that we will encourage others to improve their services and offer passengers something more.” Launched in Bavaria in 2013, FlixBus now operates more than 80% of the German market, moving into the CEE region, North America and Turkey in recent years by buying up companies such as Eurolines and Greyhound.