Budapest - 99 Things You Need to See, Do and Experience: Discover the Secrets, Learn the Tales

By Julia Horvath

Discover Budapest from its most authentic side!

Unlike regular travel-guide authors, we’re locals and lovers of Budapest. We want to show YOU Budapest just like we show it to our best friends. Our city is our passion and so is our guidebook. It’s a genuine project of our hearts and so much more than just a quick “overview” of the Hungarian capital.

We’ve seen the changes Budapest has undergone from the front row. We’ve seen the tourist waves getting bigger and bigger with each year, “hotspots” rise and fall, the mindset of the locals changing and Budapest constantly opening up, becoming this booming, vibrant and colourful city it is today. Today, Budapest is often mischaracterized as a mere party city with only cheap booze. Most visitors never make it past that image because they get caught up in the tourist bubble and miss out on so many more things the city has to offer.

Here we share all of our knowledge about what Budapest truly has to offer – it’s most authentic spots and experiences. This guidebook will help you peel back the multiple layers of Budapest.

It’s written for conscious travellers and explorers. For those who are looking for more than just a glimpse at the main tourist attractions.

For those who want to not only see, but also feel the city and experience how it lives, plays, works, eats, drinks and functions.

It features countless little gems for you to discover while strolling the city streets – be it a hidden courtyard, a secret bar, a colourful garden, an offbeat flea market, or a stunning piece of street art.

We’ve also included day trips and walking routes for perfect days full of new discoveries and created a directory and a map for those moments in which you just need quick info. Unlike usual tourist guides, this book will encourage you to experience Budapest as if you’d lived here for years.

It's a declaration of unconditional love for a city that is constantly evolving, has a thousand faces and never fails to delight and entertain.

WHAT’S IN THIS BUDAPEST-GUIDEBOOK?

Throughout its 99 chapters, this book will reveal more than 200 places, sights and activities in Budapest to you that will each teach you something new about the city or simply entertain.

Scenic Walking Routes – Near and far from the city centre

Numerous Secret Cafés, Bars, Restaurants and (Ruin-) Pubs for your day- and nightlife – as no day is complete without good food and drinks!

Historically Relevant Places – Discover Budapest’s Ottoman, Jewish, Monarchal or Communist past

The most Beautiful Streets, Squares, Parks and Areas – Since it’s often the best ones that get overlooked

Unique Panoramas – See the city from a different viewpoint!

Hidden Neighbourhoods – Ever heard of Budapest’s “Forbidden City”?

Day Trips – within the borders of Budapest

Stunning Pieces of Architecture – As there is so much more of them than the Parliament and the Buda Castle

Secret Inner Courtyards – See the life behind the facades of the city

Little Shops and Flea Markets – Get hold of affordable designer stuff, old books, vintage clothes and more!

Scenic Public Transportation Rides – Metros, tramways and even a boat!

Plenty of Ideas for Rainy and Cold Days – As there are no “bad days” in Budapest!

And so much more!

Additionally, we have included a directory and an online map in order to help you find what you need rig

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catch Budapest
• Release date: May 4, 2019

Book preview

Copyright

Introduction

Budapest. Its name evokes a majestic castle over the hill, a giant Parliament and the wide Danube river, but also cheap alcohol, heavy food and partying among ruins until the sun comes up. And while all of this is true, Budapest is so much more than the obvious. It’s a dynamic city in a constant state of flux that invites you to peel back its multiple layers and to never stop exploring. You can literally spend years in Budapest and still discover something new all day, every day. This is the city we call home and although we spent half of our lives moving and traveling, Budapest lured us back every single time.

Throughout the 99 chapters of this book, we want to invite you on a journey through the streets of this city full of contradictions. We want to show you the majestic, but also the crumbling; the nostalgic but also the hypermodern. We want you to see more than gaudy downtown and all those flawless bars, cafés and restaurants. We want you to peek behind the facades and doorways, to leave your comfort zone and to walk with your eyes wide open for the little things. Since keep in mind that it’s often the story behind that makes a seemingly ordinary place so special.

Discover secret inner courtyards and the most beautiful buildings off the beaten tourist trails. Visit those little cafés, bars, shops and markets that refused to give in to the expectations of the masses.

Embark on a time travel through the many eras of Budapest’s history: See the most romantic Ottoman remains, the proud traces of the Monarchy but also the ever-present legacy of roughly 50 communist years. Hop on unique and scenic means of transportation and view the city from different angles. Or take a little downtime and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the many secluded parks and the Buda Hills.

Budapest’s distinctiveness shows on every corner once you leave your doorstep. Don’t be afraid to give into it and let this gorgeous capital capture you - with all of its beauty, edginess, rough sides, flaws and virtues.

How to use this book

This book tells the story of Budapest and its people through 99 chapters and more than 200 places we’ve handpicked for you to discover.

The places are ordered alphabetically, but we’ve also included a Directory and created a comprehensive Google map for you.

The Directory is divided into 27 categories ranging from unique date ideas to things to do on rainy days. It’s a more structured look on the city that’s there to help you decide quickly where to go based on your current situation.

The Google map shows you every single place we’re mentioning in the book and is sorted by chapters. A few chapters received a separate map due to their nature (e.g. walking routes & tram lines). You’ll see that indicated in those chapters together with a link to the separate map.

Access the full Budapest map here.

So how you really use this book is entirely up to you, your mood and your preferences.

You can…

Read and discover everything from the beginning to the end;

Skim it and randomly pick those places that appeal to you most;

Open the Directory and pick places according to your situation, mood or even the weather;

Open the Google map and see what’s close (or really far away!) from you.

So whether you know or don’t know exactly what you need and want, this book is designed to inspire and help you according to your current preferences.

1. A38

All Aboard!

Perfect for: listening to great concerts, having an awesome night out, partying on a ship, seeing the best bar in the world (according to Lonely Planet in 2011)

Why you need to see it: Because it does not happen every day that you can listen to great bands in the stowage of a repurposed ship on the Danube.

Artemovszk 38 was the original name of this former Ukrainian stone-carrier that Budapestians today fondly refer to as a hajó (the ship). We’re not sure whether it’s really the best club in the whole entire world, as Lonely Planet said in 2011, but it’s definitely the most iconic concert venue in Budapest. Since where else do you have the chance to listen to the greatest bands in the former stowage of a ship right on the Danube?! There’s something  happening on A38 almost every night. Whether it’s an international or a Hungarian band, rock, electronic, jazz or alternative, or just a cool Balkan party - the ship is always shaking until late. So if you have no idea about what to do tonight but are up for a floating stage, this is definitely your best bet. The stage and the hall are big but small enough to feel the artists. Beats every stadium. All of this comes with the panorama-bonus: From the deck, you’ll have a spectacular view over the city lights.

A real big bonus that A38 offers additionally is its weekly contemporary jazz-series called Random Trip. It takes place every Tuesday at 8 PM with a steady crew that is sometimes topped with additional guest performers. It has lots of improvisational elements and is a great weekday night-event. Good vibes and music guaranteed!

Address: Petőfi híd, Budai hídfő (Petőfi Bridge, Buda Bridgehead), Google map

2. Ági’s Fruits and Veggies

Fresh Goods for the Neighborhood!

Perfect for: shopping, finding fruits and veggies you haven’t ever heard of before, soaking up the unique flair of Újlipótváros (district XIII), preparing a green picnic

Why you need to see it: Because it’s an outstanding homely little oasis among all the fruit- & veggie stands of the city. A real neighborhood-gem.

The one thing to keep in mind about Budapest’s "Újlipótváros" (district XIII) is that it’s defined by its friendliness, strong community and its little neighborhood shops, hangouts and cafés. Ági is a flagship example of that and an absolute favorite of the area. This little orange-colored shop is the go-to place for fresh fruits and veggies. Àgi has it all. Shiny-happy apples, full-bodied melons, all kinds of vegetables in every color of the rainbow and lots of specialties. Come here for huge avocados, borecole, lemongrass, ginger, cilantro and a lot of stuff you haven’t even heard of but need to try immediately. While random little veggie-stands are scattered all across Budapest, this one is somehow special. It’s special in freshness, friendliness and variety. It’s literally packed with goods from floor to ceiling. You’ll spot its orange facade and the fruit crates outside from afar and will feel an instant urge to dive straight in. You’ll want to taste everything straight away. It’s a place with a soul, right in the middle of one of Budapest’s friendliest districts. Perfect to combine with a walk or a picnic in nearby Szent István Park.

Address: Tátra u. 18, 1136, Google map

3. Hungarian Art Nouveau

Upper-Class Eye-Candies from the Turn of the Century

Perfect for: architecture-lovers, photographing

Why you need to see them: Because these are simply the most beautiful buildings in whole entire Budapest.

You don’t have to be a die-hard fan of architecture (or an architect) to fall in love with the Art Nouveau building style. Bright colors, little ornaments, lots of decorative elements and a general splendor with attention to the tiniest details are what characterize this building style meant for the rich and famous of the turn of the century. Art Nouveau (and the related Secessionist) buildings are what experts call total works of art: Each one of them is a real Gesamtkunstwerk, where beauty is meant to be at literally every corner. Buildings where everything comes together in harmony to give you an eye-candy you won’t ever forget: the inside, the outside, the furniture and even the surroundings. And although some of these elements definitely have changed throughout the decades the buildings themselves are still staggering pieces of art and architecture that deserve every single gaze and silent wow.

The best and easiest way to dive deep into Hungarian Art Nouveau is to visit the Bedő House. Today it’s a museum and a café dedicated entirely to the Hungarian Art Nouveau movement. Emil Vidor the architect was a real master of upper-class apartment buildings of the time. He was also a big fan of Belgian Victor Horta - that’s why the building has strong influences of Belgian and French architecture. Still, the facade prides itself with marvelous ceramics straight from Zsolnay’s factory - something inherently characteristic for Hungarian Art Nouveau. Go inside and see a beautiful café with pictures from the turn of the century and a Tiffany lamp hanging straight from the ceiling. Have a coffee and enjoy the atmosphere of the blooming time of the early 1900s!

If you have more time you should definitely pay the museum inside a visit as well which is a highly interesting display of art nouveau furniture, decoration and even journals spanning over three floors. You’ll even find a few issues of Nyugat (among others) a highly formative literary journal of the time.

Address: Honvéd utca 3, 1054, Google map

The best things about the Bedő House are its distinctiveness, its downtown location and its accessibility - you can enter and soak up everything there is to see about the building inside and out. If you don’t mind shorter and longer rides out of the center and relying on the kindness of strangers to let you into the (often residential) buildings there is a whole bunch of gorgeous Art Nouveau houses waiting for you in Budapest to explore. Mostly even just looking at the facades is worth the trip:

The Building of the Museum of Applied Arts - This beautiful palace with its iconic green and yellow domes and roofs is a true work of splendour when it comes to the Hungarian Secession movement. It was planned by Ödön Lechner who is probably the most iconic and well-known architect when it comes to Art Nouveau buildings in Budapest.

Note that the museum is currently closed for renovation so you’ll have to content yourself with marveling at it from the outside.

Address: Üllői út 33-37, 1091, Google map

The Hungarian State Treasury - A work of art by Ödön Lechner again, this time with a fabulous combo of flower motifs, majolica and golden beehives. The latter two represent the act of collecting and putting honey (i.e. money) aside.

Address: Hold utca 4, 1054, Google map

The Török Bank House - a jaw-dropping building right in the city center that often goes unnoticed. You’ll have to look up to see the best of this beauty and its terrific mosaics. This house was the dream of banker Török who had very special ideas about how his building should look. His top priority was to draw attention - a mission successfully accomplished in 1906 by architects Henrik Böhm and Ármin Hegedűs.

Address: Szervita tér, 1052, Google map

The Szenes-House - One of the most impressive  inner courtyards of the city for sure. Lots of (wrought-iron) butterflies, orange, pink and tiny details to discover. It’s a residential building planned by István Nagy and was strongly influenced by the building housing the Hungarian State Treasury.

Address: Thököly út 46, 1146, Google map

Kelenhegyi Street 12-14 - A beautiful sky-blue facade you’ll easily notice from afar. The architect Gyula Kosztolányi-Kann is mostly known as a painter and this is his only real big architectural project. With a bit of expertise, you’ll easily notice the influence of Ödön Lechner.

Address: Kelenhegyi út 12-14, 1118, Google map

The Building of the Geological Institute - Another masterpiece of Ödön Lechner. Hungarian Secession in the form of a blue and white castle with endless bucolic details, ornaments and little sculptures. Deep blue ceramics, Zsolnay’s colorful tiles and three men on the highest tower carrying the world on their shoulders are just some of the notable details of this artwork of a building.

Address: Stefánia út 14, 1143, Google map

4. Auróra

Where Ideas Gain Momentum

Perfect for: a great night out, discussing big ideas, letting loose, partying to electronic music, seeing small live bands

Why you need to see it: Because it’s among the greatest creative spaces in Budapest full of workshops, live music and parties.

Auróra is nothing for the masses. Dare to move into this forgotten part of district VIII and experience the induction of (social & political) change first hand. A civil hub, a community space, the place where ideas build momentum. The place to be for societally active individuals. But also a place to let loose. To party hard, to listen to unique DJs and indie bands you’ve never heard of before in the basement of this old building. To drink beers and smoke way too many cigarettes in the green garden. To be far away from the overground. To submerge and dive deep. To make friends. To get lost in its many little rooms scattered across four floors. To hide away or to find yourself. Whatever you come for, Auróra will surprise you. It’s one of the most interesting places of Budapest’s bohemians. Discussions, workshops and readings during the day, an outdoor garden and party basement at night - you will find all of it here.

Address: Auróra utca 11, 1084, Google map

5. Bakancsos Street Flea Market

Budapest, where are You?

Perfect for: getting hold of stuff, thrifting your way through Budapest’s most peculiar flea market

Why you need to do it: Because it’s Budapest’s most peculiar flea market and there’s literally nothing you won’t find here if only you look properly.

This flea-market is nothing for the