Here’s our Budapest Anti-Tourist Guide to make sure you take the best of it while feeling like a local
Budapest is an amazing city with something for everyone. It’s located right in the middle of Hungary, so it’s easy to get to. One of the most beautiful capitals in Europe, but often overlooked, Budapest is ready to show you around and make you fall in love with Hungary. It’s a place with a rich history, full of significant events that have shaped the country we know today.Now, let’s dive into our Budapest Anti-Tourist Guide. Get ready to be wowed by this beautiful city!
How many days should I save to visit Budapest?
This is always a tricky question. As in most places in Europe, you could spend a lot of days discovering the city. Same here in Budapest. You could spend a lot of time after you’ve seen the main tourist attractions. If you just want to see all the tourist attractions, you’d probably have enough for two days in Hungary’s capital. But if you want to discover a bit more, you probably need around four days to visit Budapest!
What are the main highlights of Budapest?
1. Budapest’s Nightlife
a) RnB, Pop, House
Peaches and Cream Club
This club is one of the most famous in the country. Its location in the center of Budapest makes it easy for everyone to get to, no matter where they’re staying. It’s known for its RnB parties with an amazing atmosphere, vibes, and a variety of colors. It also has a lot of extras to make your experience optimal. If you’re a party animal or just like to go out occasionally, this is the club to visit in Budapest!
Ötkert
Ötkert is also known as the “coolest urban club in Budapest” and is one of the city’s most popular dance clubs. They invite cool DJs every night, from local up-and-comers to international DJ celebrities. The most unique thing about this club is that they have three dance floors, each with a different genre of music every night to satisfy all their guests. So, you can be sure that there will be something for your liking during your stay in Budapest and your visit to Ötkert!
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Morrison’s 2
Morrison’s 2 is a well-known name in Budapest, and even on the international scene. It’s the biggest nightclub in the city, with a lot to offer. Besides the nightclub, there’s a regular bar where you can enjoy sports broadcasts, billiards, foosball, beer pong, and more. The nightclub itself has seven different dance floors, each playing a different music genre every night. And let’s not forget the huge garden area — a great spot to unwind!
b) Techno
Akvárium Klub
This club is one of the best and most well-known spots for techno fans in Budapest.Located in the heart of the city, in Deak Square, you’ll find Akvárium Klub. It’s not just a nightclub, but also a bistro restaurant with an elegant design and professional architectural solutions.The Klub features a variety of DJs from Budapest and some international names. It’s the perfect spot for some techno vibes in Hungary’s capital.
Toldi Klub
Toldi Klub is a unique spot in Budapest. During the day, it’s a pub with a cinema, but once the movies end, it turns into a club for electronic and live music. They handpick their DJs and other musicians, choosing ones who play futuristic music that fits their techno-themed club. It’s a popular spot among techno fans.
c) Live Music in Budapest
Liszt Academy
This concert hall is one of the main music highlights in Budapest. It’s been around for over 140 years. The Grand Hall is especially spectacular with its unparalleled acoustics, making it a legendary concert venue. It’s a must-see if you’re into live music. You might be lucky enough to catch one of the concerts performed in the concert hall.
Szimpla Kert
Szimpla Kert is one of the oldest ruin bars in Budapest. The place has a great old-time vibe. The interior makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. There’s even an old Trabant car in the interior. The building itself is spectacular, with all the cool things they use for the interior. Besides the cool interior, you can also enjoy some food while listening to live music.
2. Where to eat in Budapest
When you visit a new country or city, it’s always fun to try the local food. Budapest has a lot of cool food spots to discover. If you’re looking for some authentic traditional Hungarian food, you should definitely try Retró Lángos. They serve the well-known fried dough with sour cream and cheese on top. It looks a bit like a pizza, and you can also put a lot of toppings on it, just as you like. If you’re into Harry Potter and cheese, you’ve got to check out The Magic, a Harry Potter–themed restaurant with cool cocktails that use smoke and other elements from the movies. You can get burgers, pasta, and sweet desserts in a Harry Potter–themed setting. Hungary is also known for its chimney cakes, and Gelateria Pichler is a great spot for them. They’re made fresh, and you can choose between the basic ones with pudding or ones with different toppings and fillings.
3. What to see in Budapest
Children’s Railway
The Children’s Railway in Budapest is one of the most unique attractions in the city. It’s a pretty standard train station, with locomotives and ticket offices, but it’s run by children, which is pretty unusual. It’s a lot of fun to visit with family and friends. There’s also a museum that tells the story of the gauge railway.
Shoes on the Danube Bank
The Danube is the river that runs through Budapest. It’s a gorgeous place to walk at night and during the day. On the east riverbank, you’ll see a bunch of metal shoes on the ground. They’re a memorial for the Jews who were killed by the fascist Hungarian militia during World War II. This is an important part of Budapest’s history, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Beer Spa
Most people use their vacation to relax and unwind compared to their daily lives back home. Hungary is known for having some of the cheapest beers, with beer often being cheaper than water. What better way to relax than a spa? Well, imagine combining the two! At the Beer Spa, you can. It’s located in the renowned Széchenyi Thermal Baths. And the experience is good for your health, too!
4. Alternative places in Budapest
Margit-Sziget is an island in the middle of the Danube in central Budapest. The 2.5-kilometer-long island is mostly a park, but it also has some historical sights and buildings. For the last couple of years, it has also become partly a recreational area where people gather to enjoy the weather and have a good time. It’s the perfect place for a chill time during your visit to Budapest! If you’re a foodie, you’ve absolutely got to check out Karavan Budapest. This street food market is like heaven on earth for anyone who loves food. You can find everything from authentic Hungarian dishes like goulash to the typical burgers. And after you’re done, you can chill with one of the best views of the city from Gellért-Hegy, a “mountain” in Budapest with an incredible view of the city. This spot is great for unwinding, especially at night or during sunset.
5. Where to stay?
Our friends at the Maverick Athenaeum have the most beautiful location in the city. They host lots of fun events and their team is the greatest ever.
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