Peterjon Cresswell

People who don’t live in cities will tell you they’re busy, lonely and expensive places. But there’s a reason so many people choose to live in them: with world-class art and culture, unbeatable food and nightlife, buzzing neighbourhoods and a dizzying amount of stuff to do and see, there’s simply no better place to be.  Every year, we take the pulse of city living by quizzing thousands of locals across the planet about life in their hometowns. This year, more than 18,500 city-dwellers shared their insights on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. When urban living can sometimes feel isolating and costly, this year we wanted to get a sense of what, exactly, makes a city feel like home. Sure, the nightlife is great, but is the city safe and walkable? Is good quality food and art available at a reasonable price? Is it easy to make friends, find love, and access nature?  Livability was a key factor in our ranking this year. But a great city to live in is, naturally, a great city to visit. So, along with the thousands of responses from locals around the world, we asked Time Out’s global network of city experts to vote on the places they think are particularly exciting right now. After crunching all that data, here we are: Time Out’s definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025. Read on to see how your hometown fared… RECOMMENDED:🛍️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world right now🌎 The best things to do in the

We live and breathe city life at Time Out, so to us, there’s no better way to spend a precious long weekend than by cramming in as much food, nightlife and culture as possible in one of Europe’s many great metropolises. This vast, diverse continent is home to hundreds of cities that tick all the boxes of the perfect break. You have the classics: Rome, Amsterdam, Paris. And then you have the second cities, the obscure cultural capitals, and those surprising little places that make for the ideal affordable city break.  But with so many options, where should you head in 2025? Well, we’ve narrowed it down for you: in our list of Europe’s best city breaks, everywhere from Ireland to Italy is covered. Why leave it at one? Take advantage of Europe’s amazing new train services and cram in a couple. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The absolute best things to do in Europe🗺 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe🛤 The ultimate Europe Interrailing itinerary

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. 

Ya has visitado los clásicos: las capitales, los lugares virales de TikTok, las ciudades con su propio programa de Netflix… Y no nos malinterpretéis, nos encantan los clásicos, pero hay un inconveniente en estos destinos de viaje grandes, bulliciosos y dignos de una lista. Si alguna vez has guardado una hora de cola para una pastelería, te has gastado el presupuesto del día en un café o has reservado un museo con tres meses de antelación, lo sabrás tan bien como nosotros: son las aglomeraciones. Lo cierto es que los autóctonos tampoco están contentos. Este verano se han producido una serie de manifestaciones contra el turismo en los principales puntos de interés europeos, al llegar a un punto crítico después de años de masificación turística; Ámsterdam se ha puesto dura con los nuevos hoteles y Venecia está preparada para duplicar su tasa turística en el 2025 (como Barcelona, ​​que también podría hacerlo). De modo que nunca ha habido un mejor momento para pensar fuera de la caja a la hora de planificar los viajes, sobre todo cuando hay tantos sitios olvidados increíbles. Desde escapadas urbanas llenas de cultura hasta parques nacionales desconocidos, estos destinos tienen todo lo que deseáis para vuestras próximas vacaciones, con la ventaja adicional de que habrá mucha menos gente yendo a los mismos lugares. Si viajáis con un presupuesto limitado, buscáis tranquilidad o simplemente estáis desesperados por probar un lugar nuevo, estos son los lugares más infravalorados para vi

Ja has visitat els clàssics: les capitals, els llocs virals de TikTok, les ciutats amb el seu propi programa de Netflix… I no ens malinterpreteu, ens encanten els clàssics, però hi ha un inconvenient en aquestes destinacions de viatge grans, bullicioses i dignes d'una llista. Si alguna vegada has fet una hora de cua per a una pastisseria, t'has gastat el pressupost del dia en un cafè o has hagut de reservar un museu amb tres mesos d'antelació, ho sabràs tan bé com nosaltres: són les aglomeracions. El cas és que els autòctons tampoc estan contents. Aquest estiu s'han produït una sèrie de manifestacions contra el turisme als principals punts d'interès europeus, ja que es va arribar a un punt crític després d'anys de massificació turística; Amsterdam s'ha posat dura amb els nous hotels i Venècia està preparada per duplicar la seva taxa turística el 2025 (com Barcelona, que també podria fer-ho). De manera que mai hi ha hagut un millor moment per pensar fora de la capsa a l'hora de planificar els viatges, sobretot quan hi ha tants llocs oblidats increïbles. Des d'escapades urbanes plenes de cultura fins a parcs nacionals desconeguts, aquestes destinacions tenen tot el que desitgeu de les vostres pròximes vacances, amb l'avantatge addicional que hi haurà molta menys gent anant als mateixos llocs. Si viatgeu amb un pressupost limitat, busqueu tranquil·litat o simplement esteu desesperats per provar un lloc nou, aquests són els indrets més infravalorats per visitar a Europa en aquest

For those of us lucky enough to live in Budapest, having a spa on our doorstep is one of the major plus points of living in Hungary’s capital. Our favourite might depend on proximity – though the Rudas, the Lukács, the Veli Bej and the Gellért all line the Buda embankment, where the Ottomans established baths around thermal sources 450 years ago. We may be regulars at the palatial, Habsburg-era Széchenyi, allowing us to invest in a season ticket and so avoid the steep one-day price and the queue of tourists at the entrance. Packing our towels, flip-flops, dressing gown in winter and bank card for drinks and snacks inside, we copy the routine of locals who have been doing this for generations, opening and closing the sauna door quickly, and leaving loud conversation for the nearest bar afterwards. Be it your first or hundrendth time in Budapest, the spas are a must. Here are the best spas in Budapest.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Budapest😋 The best restaurants in Budapest🍻 The best ruin bars in Budapest🏡 The best Airbnbs in Budapest This guide was updated by Peterjon Cresswell, 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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Wherever you stay in Budapest, you’ll be near a decent bar, relaxing spa and recommendable restaurant. That said, some may prefer the residential quiet of Buda to the urban buzz of Pest, each side linked by metro, trams and buses, not to mention cycle lanes. Use the BudapestGO app to buy tickets and plan journeys. Districts are referred to by a Roman numeral, some also by their historic connection to a Habsburg royal – District VIII is Józsefváros, ‘Joseph Town’. RECOMMENDED📍 A weekend in Budapest: the ultimate itinerary🏰 The best things to do in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🍽️ The best restaurants 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. 

You’ve done the classics: the capital cities, the TikTok viral spots, the cities with their own Netflix show. And don’t get us wrong, we love the classics for a reason. But there’s a downside to these big, bustling, bucket-list-worthy travel destinations. If you’ve ever queued an hour for a pastry, spent your day’s budget on a coffee or had to book a museum three months in advance, you’ll know it as well as us: it’s the crowds. The thing is, locals aren’t happy about it either. This summer saw a series of anti-tourism demonstrations in European hotspots, as locals reached breaking point with years of overtourism; Amsterdam is cracking down on new hotels, Venice is set to double its tourist tax in 2025. So there’s never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked. And we’re not gatekeepers here at Time Out. From culture-packed city breaks to under-the-radar national parks, these destinations have got everything you want from your next holiday, with the added bonus of far fewer people jostling to see the same attractions. So if you’re travelling on a budget, searching for quiet or just desperate to try somewhere new, these are the most underrated places to visit in Europe right now, handpicked by Time Out's network of well-travelled writers. RECOMMENDED:🏰 The best city breaks in Europe📍 The most beautiful places in Europe⛷️ The best ski holidays in Europe🏘️ The coolest neighbourhoods

Budapest is one of our top spots for a city break in Europe right now, and we reckon it’s criminally underrated for a fabulous weekend that won’t break the bank. Budapest has got it all; galleries, views, nightlife and more, and all as photogenic as it was in the gilded late 1800s.  But some of Budapest’s best parts are hidden in corners, away from the tourist-filled spas and the buzzing bars. In fact, the best thing you can possibly do is hit up a local to craft your itinerary. So hey, we’ve done the hard work for you. From where to eat breakfast to the most scenic walks in the city, here’s our ultimate itinerary for an unforgettable weekend in Budapest.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Budapest🏛️ The best spas and baths 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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

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 what makes a neighbourhood truly cool. From formerly overlooked sub

Does anything conjure up an image of beach bliss quite like the Med? Surrounded by 22 countries and bordered by three continents, the Mediterranean Sea boasts miles and miles of coastline – not to mention hundreds of islands. And while there are certain seaside spots where you’ll need to fight for space on the sand (we’re looking at you, Barceloneta), there are plenty of other secluded stretches of coastline across the Med. Our selection of alternative beach spots, chosen by Mediterranean-based travel writers, takes you beyond Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. From wild, flamingo-frequented beaches in Spain to a culture-packed port city in France, this is where to find the Mediterranean’s best alternative (and affordable) beach breaks. There’s plenty of room to lay out your towel here. Grace Beard is Time Out’s deputy travel editor, based in London. 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 and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:🗺 Europe’s most underrated destinations🌆 The best European city breaks🚫 The travel destinations that want tourists to stay away

‘Overtourism’. It’s more than a buzzword – in the world’s most popular destinations, it’s a problem that affects almost every aspect of local life, from the environment to the cost of renting, transport and eating out. And when a place is overwhelmed by people, it’s not only locals’ quality of life that suffers; the quality of your holiday does, too.  But, with baby steps, it looks like things could be changing. Destinations like Italy and Japan are coming up with ways to redistribute tourism from densely crowded hotspots to lesser-visited regions. Among travellers, overtourism has given rise to the ‘destination dupes’ trend, where overrun holiday destinations are swapped out for less crowded, less expensive, but just-as-good alternatives.  On our newly updated list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations, you won’t find your Bangkoks or your Balis, your Amalfis or your Amsterdams. What you will find is a Yosemite dupe, Morocco’s overlooked neighbour, a place where penguins outnumber people, and plenty more travel inspo where that came from.Chosen by our network of expert editors and globetrotting travel writers, these overlooked spots offer great (or quiet) alternatives to the classics. And in many cases, they’re places that actually really want visitors. In other words, travelling to any of these 24 criminally overlooked destinations is a win-win situation. See you out there? RECOMMENDED: 🏰 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe🚞 12 ways to be a bett

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

What is it? Long established as the city’s hottest spot for dancing on deck, live bands down below and dining in between, the A38 sits in a converted Ukrainian cargo ship, ideal for a sundowner while admiring the skyline of Budapest. A key showcase for all major Hungarian bands and DJs.  Is it worth it?  If you’re here for the weekend, it’s a must, and far less tacky or clichéd than some (ahem) of the city’s ruin bars. What are the prices like? Admission prices vary according to the act programmed for that day but this shouldn’t be much more than £5-£7 – and shouldn’t sell out. Tickets are available through the website or, slightly pricier, on the night. It’s not particularly wheelchair accessible.  Can I eat there?  The A38 has its own bistro, open from 10am weekdays, 4pm Saturdays and closed on Sundays. The fixed menu ranges from venison ragout soup to New York steak, with plenty of vegetarian options. The weekday lunchtime specials at £7 for three courses are a steal. Alternative options can be found at the next bridge, around Gellért tér. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Budapest

What is it? Imagine a nightclub and live venue on Trafalgar Square, and that’s Budapest’s Akvárium Klub. This was once the concourse of the city’s main bus station and mooted as the site of the new National Theatre. Now it’s a split-terrace alfresco bar open from mid-afternoon, and a multi-space party place and concert hall, ideal for top Hungarian bands and reasonably big foreign ones. Is it worth visiting? If you want to it central, Akvárium is ideal. Even if the act that night might not be to your liking, you can always hang around outside, where a water feature provides the perfect backdrop for Insta shots. What are the prices like? Admission varies entirely according to the act – for a Paul van Dyk appearance in May 2024, advance admission was £22, free for the mobility-impaired, while the charge that April for a little-known Hungarian band in the 300-capacity hall was just over £4 in advance, £6.50 on the door. Where’s good to eat nearby?  There’s a kitchen here for bar food but you’re right in town – the urban eateries by the Basilica, such as Bestia, are just around the corner. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Budapest

What is it? If you’re going to have a rooftop bar, you may as well site it atop an architectural masterpiece on the city’s main avenue. The 360 Bar occupies the panoramic terrace of a fin-de-siècle department store, with its own separate street-level entrance done out equally stylishly. Thanks to a clutch of private igloos, it goes year-round for cocktails, wines and a full menu –though the view is what beckons people here. Is it worth visiting? Whatever the weather, you’ll have a memorable time at 360. If it’s winter, the two of you can cuddle up – though you’ll be sharing your igloo with other couples unless you pay for privacy. What are prices like? Book a table through the website at £11 per person, which is offset against the food and drinks you consume. It’s not particularly wheelchair-friendly. Where’s good to eat nearby?  There’s a full kitchen here but tables in the igloos are on the small size. SZÉK next door is excellent, serving Transylvanian specialities. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Budapest

What is Madame Tussauds? The world’s 24th, and arguably most elegant, Madame Tussauds waxworks museum, which occupies the 200-year-old Palazzo Dorottya in the heart of Budapest. Using the Hungarian capital as its main theme, this English-friendly attraction takes visitors on an immersive journey, with movie stars and famous figures from Hungarian history.  Is it worth it? If you’re a fan of all things interactive and immersive, you’ll love it. Without leaving this spot by the Danube, you can zoom around town on the back of Tom Cruise’s motorbike, accompany Habsburg Empress Elisabeth in her carriage or schmooze with Brad Pitt at a wrap party at the Gellért Baths. Hungarophiles will enjoy the life-like representations of pre-war torch singer Katalin Karády and football star Ferenc Puskás, both showcased in suitable settings. How much are tickets and how long will I spend there? Tickets start at £33 for off peak times, and from £37 for peak times. But you’ll spend about two hours going through the experience, so you get your money’s worth. We recommend booking in advance, as tickets are cheaper and you don’t risk getting turned away if it’s full.  Where should I eat near Madame Tussauds?  

What is Szimpla Kert? Originally an outdoor cinema whose films were projected onto the back wall of this sprawling complex of courtyard and former flats on the first floor, Szimpla Kert evolved into an alternative bar and DJ club, dotted with curious artefacts. On Sundays, it stages a produce market, with live music. Is it worth visiting? Too successful for its own good, Szimpla Kert now mainly appeals to foreign partygoers, drawn by the allure of Budapest’s most famous ruin bar. You can still have a great time, but you’ll be rubbing shoulders with weekend drinkers from Gillingham and paying high prices in Budapest terms. What should I order? When in Rome… given the craze for craft beer in the Hungarian capital, it wasn’t long before someone had the bright idea to brand a beer after it. Featuring the Statue of Lady Liberty on the label, Budapest Lager is light and refreshing, easily sipped as you party. As it’s priced the same here as the cheapest mainstream domestic brand, it should be a straightforward bar call – and easier to pronounce, too. What’s worth going to nearby? The Szimpla Kert lies at the edge of the nightlife zone, surrounded by milling night owls and expectant taxi drivers. If the crowds get too much and hunger strikes, you can stroll a few metres along Kazinczy utca to Karaván, an open courtyard offering all kinds of street food, with its own party atmosphere. Still hungry? Check out the best restaurants in Budapest. 

What is Instant-Fogas? Instant was a prime party space on Nagymező utca in Budapest’s theatreland, before it was forced to move to make way for today’s Hard Rock Hotel. Cutting their losses, the owners decided to combine with a failing ruin bar, Fogas, which occupied a former denture repair workshop deep in District VII, distinguished by the sign of false teeth above the door. The result is Instant-Fogas, a multi-level nightlife complex, also comprising the spaces Unterwelt, Liebling, Robot and Frame for music ranging from dubstep to metal. Is it worth visiting? Yes, especially if there’s a group of you, there’s more than enough spaces to explore before you reconvene at some point in the night on the dancefloor of your choice. What should I order? To save you keep running up to the bar, it may be an idea to order as Hungarians do, especially in summer. Spritzer (fröccs) is a white wine and soda mix, not as heavy as beer. Drinks are served with two modest deposits on top, one for the reusable glass, the other for a token, both of which you have refunded when you leave. What’s worth going to nearby? For a light but top-quality fill-up before you go into party mode, Mazel Tov next door is Budapest’s prime spot for eastern Mediterranean cuisine, served amid bare-brick surroundings redolent of a ruin bar.  Still hungry? Check out the best restaurants in Budapest. 

What is Csendes? Csendes Létterem, to give this former literary café its official name, is done out with all the ruin-bar accoutrements of mismatching furniture and random décor. Offering decent wine and cocktails, it’s very much a sit-down experience rather than a wild party place, but puts on occasional acoustic nights and is particular about the music it plays. Is it worth visiting? Very much so. Original and inventive, Csendes provides a flavour of authentic Budapest within a minute of the Astoria Hotel and two of the National Museum. And it does so without making you feel that you’re a forint flytrap, ready to be shaken down for your last penny. What should I order? Csendes stocks the kinds of sought-after spirits that collect dust in other ruin bars, where speed and quantity are paramount. Here, you can order a Malfy blood orange fizz, a mix of Italian gin, artisanal cordial (referred to in Hungarian as szörp or ‘syrup’) and soda for little more than a pint of Czech beer, and let the night take its course. What’s worth going to nearby? Csendes has a partner outlet a few doors down, Csendes Társ (‘Companion’), essentially a wine bar with quality snacks, which puts out tables by the entrance to the pretty urban park of Károlyi kert just opposite. The gardens were landscaped by the noble Károlyi family in the 1700s and today contain a children’s playground, well-tended flowerbeds and sundry statuary. Still hungry? Check out the best restaurants in Budapest. 

  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 remain faithful to this heritage, while men’s and women’s pools are still separate. Are they worth visiting? Another Budapest must-see, the Gellért is certainly worth visiting but much smaller than the equally grandiose Széchenyi, which would probably get the nod if you’re just going to enjoy one spa while you’re in town. Tickets, accessibility and booking Admission is £27 with a cabin to change in, £25 for just a locker, with no discounts for children. Online purchases are available. Visitors with limited mobility have access to the indoor thermal pools and saunas, but not the outside area. Where’s good to eat near the Gellért? While the hotel and its café are being rebuilt, you can easily find plenty of dining and drinking options nearby. Overlooking the adjoining main square and transport hub, the Palack borbár serves sought-after Hungarian wines and superior snacks while the Szeged Vendéglő opposite is an age-old traditional Hungarian restaurant known for its fish soups, goose liver and pancakes. Still hungry? Check out more of the best restaurants in Budapest. 

What are the Széchenyi Baths? Named after Hungary’s revered statesman of the mid-1800s, the Széchenyi echoes the Golden Age of Budapest with its grandiose façades and classical columns. Here you can bathe and swim in three large outdoor pools before ducking inside to sweat and soak in the sauna complex. Are they worth visiting? This is the classic Budapest experience, although it’s one you’ll mainly be sharing with fellow foreigners. If you’re only visiting the city once, set aside half a day to wallow in grandeur. Tickets, accessibility and booking Admission is pricey, £25 at weekends and over the Christmas holidays, £21 the rest of the week, with no discounts for children. So-called fast track online tickets, if 15 percent pricier, allow you to beat the long queues at the ticket office. The spa is not wheelchair-friendly. Where’s good to eat near the Széchenyi? While there’s a terrace eatery (card payment only) overlooking the lane pool, if you’re after something more than standard fried meat with fat chips, the superior Robinson is lapped by the lake you’ll have to walk round to access the restaurant from the spa.  Check out more things to do in Budapest. 

From today, Monday, January 20, a comprehensive renovation of the Zagreb funicular will see this popular attraction close to the public until March 2026. The revamp will focus on the upper and lower stations, the track and tunnel, new passenger cabins and improving accessibility for all. Connecting Zagreb’s Lower and Upper Towns for 134 years, the Stara dama (‘Old Lady’) is located close to the main square, a short walk along Ilica. It was last overhauled half a century ago, so with tourism booming in Croatia’s capital, another is long overdue.   During the 14-month renovation, you can avoid the steep if short climb by taking bus 105 from Britanski trg or the 150 from alongside the main square, Trg bana Josipa Jelačića. See the ZET website for details.

The Rijeka Carnival raises its flag today, Friday, January 17, to signal the start of seven weeks of revelry. Traditionally kicking off on the Feast Day of St Anthony, the largest Mardi Gras of its kind in the region then moves to nearby villages in the weeks to come. In communities around Rijeka, locals don wild costumes, weird masks and bells to scare off winter, later to join the main parade along the city’s main street, the Korzo. This year’s is expected to bring 100,000 to Rijeka and takes place on Sunday, March 2. Before then, there’s the Queen’s Pageant and the Handover of the Keys to the City on January 24, and the Children’s Carnival on February 15. For full details of this year’s events, see here.

Laid on by the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, a series of guided walks in English will be starting up on January 18 from the Pile Gate. Under the heading Saturday Winter Mornings, the tours each follow a certain theme. Couples visiting the Pearl of the Adriatic may wish to join the one dedicated to ancient love, for example. Each walk will also be bookended with a performance by folk troupe FA Linđo in front of St Blaise’s Church. Croatian-language guides then take over from 12.30pm. Tours and shows are completely free of charge but must be booked by 5pm the Friday before by emailing tic.pile@tzdubrovnik.hr or calling +385 20 312 011. For more details, including the theme of the upcoming walk, see the Dubrovnik Tourist Board’s Facebook page.

A major event in the European sporting calendar, the World Handball Championship starts today in Poreč, Istria. Taking place over nearly three weeks until February 2, the competition is being hosted in three cities around Croatia and two in Scandinavia. Fans from nearby Austria will be descending on Poreč, supporters from major handball nation Hungary will be nipping over the border to Varaždin, while Slovenians have an easy hop across to Zagreb to see their team in action at the Zagreb Arena, now facilitated by the re-introduction of the tram there. Croatia, too, play their group games in the capital, which also stages two quarter-finals and a semi. Handball is a fast-moving indoor sport involving two teams of seven and plenty of goals. Popular around Europe, it holds a world championship every two years, most recently won by Denmark. For details of matches, teams and venues, see here. You can buy tickets on the Croatian-only portal here.

In a round-up of top little-known holiday destinations around the Mediterranean by the UK’s Guardian newspaper, the Istrian retreat of Pomer near Medulin earned high praise for its relaxing natural surroundings, lack of crowds and panoramic sauna. Also selecting secluded spots in France, Italy and Spain, the recently published Blue sky thinking: six sun-drenched seaside getaways in southern Europe singled out Pomer Bay partly thanks to the high-spec Arena One 99 Glamping lodging there. Visitors seeking an active break can look forward to windsurfing lessons and free bike hire, although many will be equally drawn by the hot tubs and sauna with views of the surrounding pine forest. Pomer sits close to Pula, the nearest main airport, with its Roman landmarks and urban buzz.

This Friday, January 10, yet another bizarre niche museum opens in Zagreb – one dedicated to laughter. The city which gave the world the global phenomenon of the Museum of Broken Relationships and witnessed the arrival of the Museum of Hangovers now welcomes an even stranger visitor attraction. HaHaHouse is the brainchild of Andrea Golubić, who set up this unique feature in collaboration with local designers, architects and artists. According to Andrea: “HaHaHouse is my way of spreading joy and connecting through laughter. I’ve always had the desire for people around me to be happy, smiling and feeling good. This project was created from the heart, as a cure for the soul amid the greyness of today”. Quite how Andrea and her team have engineered such an amenity, slap in Zagreb’s city centre on Gajeva, isn’t quite clear, but there will almost certainly be plenty of visitors curious to find out. HaHaHouse, Gajeva 7/1. opens Friday, January 10, then daily 9am-9pm.

This July, the beautiful region of Gorski kotar will again host the popular outdoor Cinehill film festival – and the main location will now be lakeside Fužine. Originating in Motovun, Istria, this annual event moved to the forests of Gorski kotar two years ago. Several sites will now co-host Cinehill 2025, including Delnice, Lokve and Moravice, but the bulk of the 60-plus daily screenings between July 22 and 27 will take place alongside Lakes Bajer and Lepenica, within easy reach of Rijeka and the Kvarner coast. In this way, cinema lovers can combine a day at the beach or hiking in the wooded slopes of Gorski kotar with an evening’s film-watching. Along with a hundred or so titles, there will be lectures and workshops, with accommodation available at the festival campsite. See the festival website for more details.

Events and exhibitions across Croatia over the course of 2025 will mark the 1,100th anniversary of the crowning of King Tomislav. The coronation of the nation’s first monarch took place in 925, an event acknowledged in a letter signed by Pope John X. This effectively marked the beginning of Croatia as its own kingdom. In echoes of the events that took place in Croatia for the 1,000th anniversary in 1925, an exhibition later this autumn at Zagreb’s Klovićevi Dvori Gallery will showcase archive material related to nationhood over the course of a millennium and more. In Split and Zagreb, stage productions are being prepared at each city's National Theatre, as well as conferences and a scientific symposium.

We would like to wish all our readers, partners and sponsors a Happy New Year from the team at Time Out Croatia! Many thanks for all your support over the last 12 months and here’s to every success in 2025! Now in the Schengen and euro zones, Croatia enjoyed a record year for visitors in 2024, bouncing back from the effects of the pandemic lockdown to welcome more flights than ever into the major cities of Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and Pula. Looking forward to 2025, Sonus, Hideout, INmusic and Terminal V have all announced strong line-ups for their summer festivals. In film, Zagreb-born director, Nebojša Slijepčević can expect more awards and acclaim for his remarkable The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, as more movies continue to be shot at the stunning locations Croatia has to offer. Watch this space – and best wishes to all for 2025!

Postponed due to the tragedy at the Prečko Elementary School before Christmas, the free screening of a live performance of The Nutcracker ballet will now be shown outside the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb at 7.30pm on Friday, January 3. Performances of Tchaikovsky’s seasonal classic always sell out fast – for the current run of 19 shows, all online tickets were snapped up in two hours. To compensate, in the spirit of Christmas, the Croatian National Theatre and the Zagreb Tourist Board have collaborated to give disappointed families a special treat: a free showing of this year’s production, beamed out to spectators gathered in the open square outside the historic building. The performance features choreography by world-renowned Ukrainian ballet dancer and director Vladimir Malakhov, whose storied career has seen him work in top-level companies across the world, from New York City to Berlin, where he served as the artistic director of the Staatsballett for ten years. The show's running time is two hours. Where: Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, Trg Republike Hrvatske 15 When: Friday, January 3, 7.30pm Admission: FREE

Key towns in Istria will be celebrating the New Year keeping pets in mind, replacing loud fireworks with eco-friendly light installations. Every December 31, cats, dogs and other creatures have to cower from the din as explosions burst across the night sky. This year, revellers in Pula, Poreč, Rovinj, Novigrad and Labin can enjoy spectacular displays safe in the knowledge that the fun is not upsetting fellow four-legged guests and residents. Pula is laying on a day-long musical celebration, starting with a big band at the main market at 10am, moving onto family-friendly tunes at Portarata at 11am. The grown-ups can then enjoy a show by popular Croatian singer Petar Grašo from 11pm, the party in the Forum running until 4am. Concurrently, electronica DJs will be keeping the crowd dancing in the Citadel from 11pm. In Poreč, the place to be is the main square of Trg Slobode, where top stars Dalmatino and Istrian favourites Gustafi see in the New Year. Young partygoers get their chance to celebrate at noon. Live acts and DJs perform on central Trg Maršala Tita in Rovinj while Novigrad will bid farewell to 2024 as early as noon with food, wine music and dancing outside the main sports hall, celebrations running until 7pm.

To all our readers, partners and sponsors, in Croatia, the UK, US and around the world, Sretan Božić from all the team at Time Out Croatia! We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and thank you for all your support in 2024! It’s been an amazing year, with Croatia fully recovered from the effects of the pandemic restrictions and tourist numbers getting back to their 2019 best. Visitors have been flooding back to Croatia in droves to head to the country’s brilliant beaches, historic cities and many music festivals. Here’s to much, much more happening in 2025! Remember, Advent markets will be open around Croatia until early January, so you can still feel the Christmas spirit for a fair while to come. Happy Christmas and Sretan Božić one and all!