Peterjon Cresswell

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. 

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

Whether you’re after classic Hungarian grub or something more out there, you’ll find what you’re craving in Budapest. It might be known for its ruin bars, thermal spas and fabulous architecture, but the food scene here is second to none – and it’s only getting better.  New to our list is Tati, a new-ish farm to table restaurant that got appeared on the Michelin guide in its second year running, as well as a brand-new review for our reigning number one, the Michelin-starred Borkonyha. From classic gulyás (beef stew) to chicken paprikás (and plenty more), here are the best restaurants in Budapest right now.   RECOMMENDED:🏰 The best things to do in Budapest🍻 The best bars in Budapest🏛️ The best museums in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🍽️ …and we’re opening a Time Out Market 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. 

Budapest is a buzzing, lively, 24-hour city, and if you’re planning a trip, your to-do list might start with gliding along the Danube, laying into a bowl of hearty goulash and taking in the views with a panoramic cocktail.  This city is steeped in history, blessed with spa waters and embellished with grandiose façades from the Habsburg days, just waiting to be explored. And while it’s not as cheap as it used to be, you can still cram a hell of a lot in on a budget. From attractions to nightlife, Our local writer Peterjon Cresswell has scoured the city to bring you this list of the best things to do in Budapest.  RECOMMENDED:📍 How to do a weekend in Budapest🍲 The best restaurants in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🏨 The best hotels in Budapest🍽️ …and we’re opening a Time Out Market 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. 

Whether you’re here to party or not, some of Budapest’s most notorious nightlife spots are an absolute must. Much of the city’s nightlife is found in the Jewish Quarter, but its infamous ruin bars are found on Kazinczy utca, Akácfa utca and Klauzál utca.  But there’s plenty more low-key spots too – you just need to know where to look. Our local writer takes us across the nightlife square of Madách tér and over the river to the terrace cafés of Bartók Béla út. All the way from Pest to Buda. We’ve got once-in-a-lifetime tourist hotspots alongside the places only locals know. Here is your guide to the best nightlife in Budapest. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Budapest🏛️ The best spas and baths in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🍻 The best bars 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.

Forget ‘saving money’ in 2024. You know what your New Year’s resolution should be? Get out more. Do more stuff. See more of the world. Life is short, after all – and 2024 promises a tonne of unmissable festivals, art, food and music. There are openings and re-openings. Brand-new train routes criss-crossing countries and continents. Whacky places to party. And even if the cossie livs does have you tightening the purse strings, there are plenty of free and affordable events on this list, too.  So get your booking fingers at the ready: your 2024 bucket list awaits. This is our definitive guide to the coolest new things to do in the world next year. See you out there!  RECOMMENDED:😎 The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🌃 The best European city breaks for 2024🖼️ The world’s best museums and galleries

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 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. 

  What are the Lukács Baths? Used as a spa since the Crusades, the Lukács puts the accent on health and healing rather than aquatic fun. This is not to say you can’t relax, in its main outdoor pool, two lane pools, sauna complex and rooftop sunbathing terrace, but the plaques on display testify to guests’ gratitude for its curative benefits. Are they worth visiting? Most certainly, particularly if you’re on a tighter budget, and you’d like to take advantage of even cheaper admission offered after 5pm. Tickets, accessibility and booking Admission is £10 during the week, £11 at weekends, reduced to £7/£9.50 after 5pm. Note that on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and in the height of summer, opening hours extend to 8pm. Online purchasing automatically automatic locker or cabin usage. While the spa accommodates patients from the adjoining medical facility, it is not particularly wheelchair-friendly. Where’s good to eat near the Lukács? Open until early evening, Arancini Benedetti alongside specialises in the namesake Sicilian rice balls. Further down, beside the Buda foot of Margaret Bridge, the Híd Bisztró does a fine job with international classics, served on a pretty terrace that fills in summer.

This Friday, November 22, the fifth annual Interface Video Art Festival will open at Zagreb’s Atelier Žitnjak, running until December 7. In between, Art-kino Croatia in Rijeka will be co-hosting the event from December 4. All then comes together in Zagreb on December 8 with a round-up of selected clips at Dokukino KIC. Showcasing some 30 works by renowned exponents of video art from 20 countries, screenings will be free to watch, either in situ or online. The programme begins at the Atelijer Žitnjak (Žitnjak 53) with Vladislav Knežević presenting a number of his creations, followed by the group video project Topography of the Possible, featuring input from 30 domestic video artists. Pieces by the acclaimed Ivan Ramljak then screen in Rijeka in early December. The best films will then be chosen by a three-person jury, including last year’s winner, Sri Lankan artist Rajee Samarasinghe. Interface Video Art Festival, Zagreb & Rijeka, Nov 22-Dec 8.

Running until December 5, a new exhibition has just opened at the Red History Museum in the Gruž area of Dubrovnik. Titled Critical Tourism, the show brings together several renowned Croatian artists to explore the problem of unplanned tourism, and reflect on its social and aesthetic connotations. Organisers and contributors hope that their work might also shed light on the situation in similar tourist hotspots around the world. Currently Dubrovnik is grappling with the problem of overtourism in its historic Old Town, and attempting to attract visitors to easily accessible districts such as Gruž, where the acclaimed Red History Museum draws more than 20,000 people a year. While this temporary exhibition is a collaboration with the local Grey Zone Association and the Flora Gallery, the museum’s regular focus is on daily life in former Yugoslavia, using authentic exhibits in a themed and imaginative way to provide an entertaining, informative and immersive experience. Critical Tourism, Red History Museum, ulica Svetog Križa 3, 20000 Dubrovnik. Open Mon-Sat 11am-5pm. Admission €9/under-10s free.

The world’s most prestigious industry publication, the UK’s Decanter, included 16 award-winning Istrian brands among the 1,000 global varieties showcased at the inaugural Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London’s Landmark Hotel this weekend. The world’s most acclaimed producers featured at the all-day grand tasting, with masterclasses given by the biggest names in the business. Istrian wines were also promoted thanks to a collaboration between the Istria Tourist Board and the Vinistra Association which oversees wine in the region. According to Vinistra president, Luka Rossi: “For over 30 years, we have been promoting our indigenous grape varieties, so in London, our spotlight was on Malvazija istarska, Teran and Muškat momjanski, and their unique styles. The participation of Vinistra continues our thriving collaboration with Decanter, with whom we organised the Decanter 2024 Winners’ Showcase in Croatia for the first time this June”. Istrian wines also strongly feature at Decanter’s annual awards, Motovun’s Benvenuti brothers recently picking up three of Croatia’s 16-strong gold-medal haul.

A total of 360 Croatian wines have just received gold, silver and bronze medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London, the largest and most influential ceremony of its kind in the industry. The overall number of Croatian medal winners exceeded last year’s by 44. All told, labels from Croatia took 16 golds, three going to the Benvenuti brothers from Motovun. Kutjevac winery Galić was the second most successful, with gold medals for Ego Tribidrag and Sauvignon Blanc. Winemaker Kutjevo also won two golds, for its Graševina and Graševina ice vintage. A record 18,250 wines from 57 countries were registered for the 20th running of the Decanter Awards.

Situated on Istria’s east coast, the pretty town of Lovran is staging a spectacular light show this Saturday, November 16. Custom-created audio-visual effects and animations projected around the Old Town will bring to life Lovran’s medieval squares and historic façades. For the fifth edition of this popular annual event, in a collaboration between the Lovran Municipality, Tourist Board and the Academy of Applied Arts at the University of Rijeka, a team of artists and specialists has been working with a particular type of laser projector to provide a fully immersive experience. Svjetlarna Lovran 2024 starts at 7pm and will unfold at three main locations: Trg Sveti Juraj, the Laurus Gallery and, ideal for younger viewers, the Park of Croatian Veterans. Special guests will be the Visualia Group from Pula, the artists behind the pioneering festival of the same name in Pula. For more details, see the Facebook page for the event.

Istrian hotel group Valamar has just presented its €139 million project to create a five-star tourist resort in Poreč, where the company is based. Due to open before the season starts in 2026, the Pical resort north of town will be the largest single investment of its kind to be initiated in Croatia. While the complex, comprising more than 500 accommodation units, eight restaurants, ten bars and an expansive spa centre, is aimed at attracting holidaying visitors, Valamar CEO Željko Kukurin was quick to point out the benefits for local residents. The general public will be able to take advantage of the walking trails, cycle paths, beach, pools and other sports facilities. A conference centre will be the largest in the region, and should encourage year-round activity here on Istria’s west coast.

Specialist underwater researcher Mariusz Milka has found a human bone by an ancient shipwreck off the island of Vis, a rare artefact that could be thousands of years old. Part of the team behind research team Seamagination, and previously interviewed by Time Out Croatia, Milka has spent the last five years based on Vis. Before Croatia’s tourism boom, Vis was off-limits to visitors and has no industry, so the waters around it are clear. Previously known as Issa, it was once occupied by Ancient Greeks and Romans, making it a happy hunting ground for those in search of rare finds. One dive site is around an ancient shipwreck by the islet of Krava. While this spot has long been popular, the activity of red mullet fish, leaving a hole around hard surfaces when looking for food, led Milka to his most recent find of a human bone. By chance, his underwater photographer on this dive was Filip Mikołajczak, a doctor and orthopaedic specialist, who identified it as being a human radius bone, part of the forearm. Milka’s colleague, underwater archaeologist Tea Katunarić based at the University of Split, is currently conducting the research into its origins. For Milka’s other ancient discoveries around Vis, see here.

Tickets have just gone on sale for Hideout 2025, five days and nights of top-quality beats taking place from June 22-26 across five stages at Zrće Beach on Pag island. 2025 marks the 15th edition of Hideout, Croatia’s five-day electro bash, next year to be given a fresh new look while staying true to the festival's contemporary but accessible feel. Cutting-edge production and a famously energetic crowd are a given. Names confirmed span genres from house and garage, to techno and drum & bass, as new stars, pioneering legends and global favourites all line up. Hannah Laing, Interplanetary Criminal and Girls Don't Sync feature on a roster 50-strong so far – watch this space for further announcements! Hideout 2025, tickets on sale here.

After 30 months of renovation, the pretty lake surrounding historic Trakošćan Castle near Varaždin has just reopened to the public. A major attraction drawing some 40,000 visitors a year to this former seat of the Drašković dynasty, Trakošćan was initially built in the 13th century but then overhauled in the mid-1800s with an artificial lake added, set in beautiful grounds. To carry out the most recent work, the lake was completely drained, the heavy rains this September helping fill it back up again. Those visiting these next coming weeks will not only be treated to a picture-postcard setting in autumn colours but also the collection of weaponry, art and antique furniture kept within the castle. Trakošćan Castle, Trakošćan 4, 42250 Lepoglava. Open (until Mar 31) daily 9am-4pm; Apr 1-Oct 31 daily 10am-6pm. Admission Park free. Castle €7, under-18s €4.

The elegant Habsburg resort of Opatija is staging a three-day celebration of the world’s favourite guilty pleasure this weekend. Croatia’s capital of confectionery, famed for its desserts and gooey cakes, is hosting the Chocolate Festival from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10.   As well as the Chocolate Magic event at the Gervais Centre near the Adriatic seafront, where experts will be giving presentations and artists will be designing sculptures crafted from the sweet substance, cafés and restaurants across town will be adding chocolate to seasonal recipes and dishes. Chocolate will be factored into massage treatments in Opatija’s renowned spa hotels. A live music programme will also feature over the festival, the biggest event of its kind in Croatia. For more information in English, see here.

After record advance sales, the biopic of the Croatian basketball legend Dražen Petrović has filled cinemas nationwide since its release on October 31. Due to be shown across former Yugoslavia, in Sarajevo, Ljubljana and Belgrade, in the coming weeks, the Croatian, Slovenian and Serbian co-production Dražen portrays the NBA star whose life was cut short by a car crash at the age of 28. A three-time Olympic medallist, initially with Yugoslavia and then Croatia, Petrović was one of the first European players to make his mark in the NBA. He remains Croatia’s biggest sporting legend, his statue gracing the spot where he starred for Cibona in Zagreb, his grave a place of pilgrimage in the national cemetery of Mirogoj. Danilo Šerbedžija’s biopic follows the player’s journey from his conventional childhood in Šibenik to stardom in New Jersey.

At a special ceremony at the Grand Hall in Krk town, Krk island has been awarded Zero Waste certification in recognition of its achievements in sustainable waste management. Thanks to the efforts of seven communities in particular – Krk, Baška, Dobrinj, Malinska-Dubašnica, Omišalj, Punat and Vrbnik – Krk has become the first island in Croatia, and only the second worldwide, to be granted this status, presented by Zero Waste Europe as part of its Mission Zero Academy. With its sorting facility, composting plant and seven recycling centres, Krk first earned its accreditation in 2021 thanks to a collaboration between its local waste management company Ponikve and the nationwide organisation Zelena Akcija/Zero Waste Croatia. While there is always room for progress in the future, Krk has gained this accolade despite the significant challenges posed by the pressures of summer tourism, as Croatia bounces back from the pandemic to welcome record visitor numbers.