Look around Budapest and it won’t take long before you spot a tattoo parlour. As the popularity and social acceptability of tattoos have risen, it’s now a booming business. In fact, tattoo tourism has brought waves of new clients to Budapest, as the price for a good one here is often significantly lower than in other parts of Europe. With so many options to choose from, we checked out several studios in town to select the best six.

ArtCraft Tattoo

“A good tattoo is in balance with your body,” says Balázs, aka Baloo, owner of ArtCraft Tattoo. There are currently 11 artists working in the studio, offering a wide variety of style choices. As you enter the parlour, you'll quickly see examples of their works displayed on the Flash Wall, which clients can use as guiding inspiration, or even choose from outright if they don’t have a clear idea of what they’d like to begin with.

ArtCraft accommodates walk-in tattoos whenever possible, although making an appointment is always the surer bet. “If we’re busy we might have to ask someone to come back the next day, but we try to fit everyone in,” says Baloo.

One of the artists at ArtCraft, Greta Schuckert, has been with the shop since it opened, and was an illustrator and puppet-designer before that. “It’s the greatest canvas,” she says of the human body, “and I love how closely you work with people. It’s a great privilege”. Right now, she’s working on two Egyptian-themed designs, which she’ll post to the Flash Wall once complete. Her tattoos are done as dot work, which can be very time-consuming, but which she describes as “meditative”.

The most common theme requested by patrons, says Baloo, is 'time'. The birth date of a child, images of hourglasses and pocket-watches, and phrases such as 'Time Flies' are all popular. A special beauty lies in permanently recording the passing of time. ArtCraft can be contacted via Facebook, as well as on their website, which has an English translation.

ArtCraft Tattoo 

District IX. Erkel utca 16

Open: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm

Tyutyu

Located in the heart of the Jewish District, this parlour is cosy and friendly. Tyutyu first opened in 2011, originally located within the huge ruin pub complex of Instant, and was made famous by word-of-mouth recommendations over the years. István Alattyáni, alias Tyutyu, explains that foreigners would get their tattoos here, and then return to their home countries and create Facebook groups to upload photos of their new ink. “We have people coming from Iceland, saying, ‘We have a Facebook group, and your designs are the best!’” says Tyutyu. “So we became known for good quality and good prices.”

The team focuses on two types of customer demographics: Hungarians who book months in advance with certain artists, and walk-ins (mostly foreigners) who want a tattoo on the spot. “Usually the walk-ins want something to remember Budapest by,” says Tyutyu. “I never hear of people who come here and not like Budapest – so they want a souvenir!”

The studio has six artists, working in all types of styles, so customers have a wide variety they can choose from. “We do dot-work, line-work, minimalism, painting… and we charge the same price for foreigners and locals,” explains Tyutyu. “We have a really friendly staff and we focus on quality – and, as a result, we have foreigners who come back every year to get tattoos from us.”

Tyutyu 

District VII. Holló utca 3-9

Open: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm

Tattoo Face

Tattoo Face is located up in Óbuda, just a short walk from Roman remains and the Nagyszombat utca bus stop. A sign from the exterior says TATTOOS, with an arrow, making it easy to spot. The entrance itself is a little trickier, as the studio is located within a larger complex, which requires buzzing in. But once inside, owner Hami and her assistant-apprentice, Jeni, are quick to welcome you with a smile.

Hami is a veteran in the industry – “a legend!” says Jeni. She is especially known for her watercolour style, which is in popular demand. While she is describing it, a client arrives whose whole arm is covered in flowing, aquatic-themed watercolours, all done by Hami. They’ve been working on the sleeve together for a year. “Hami cares about every person who comes in,” says Jeni. “The studio is always full of laughter. Some customers stay for an hour afterwards, just talking to us!”

Being a smaller studio, it is necessary to book about two months in advance for a tattoo, and Hami works closely with each client on placement, design, colour and style to ensure everything is perfect. “She works like crazy!” says Jeni. “Six days a week, from morning until late evening. This is our second home, for real! But this is the way it is when you love what you do." Foreigners and locals alike make up Hami’s clientele, and anyone interested can reach out via Facebook or Instagram (@hamitattoo) to enquire about booking availability.

 
When asked why she chose to go into tattoo work, Hami replies simply, and with a smile: “Love. I do what I love. And that’s the best”.  

Tattoo Face

District III. Pacsirtamező utca 7

Open: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 10am-2pm

LocoMotive

At the moment, there are two LocoMotive locations around the corner from each other, but the second shop is relocating right next door to the first. LocoMotive was founded by Sándor Nyíri, whose picture-realistic tattoos bring out an audible 'Wow!' from anyone who looks up his Instagram page. Hip hop is playing in LocoMotive I as we enter, the interior covered in framed artworks. On one wall are examples from each artist. One of them, Ádám Szabó, has been tattooing at LocoMotive for over a decade. He gets most of his clients through Instagram, under the handle @adamszabo_lmt. He describes his style as old-school, neo-traditional. 

When we came in, he had just finished a tattoo design he'd begun that morning, and was prepping to ink. "You can do your art the way you want, as a tattoo artist," he says, "That's what I love about it. And the trust you build between you and the client."

Zsófia Balogh, the shop manager at LocoMotive II, is currently in training to become an artist. She specialises in dot work, and greets those who come in with a big smile and an offer of coffee or water. Here at LocoMotive, walk-ins are sometimes accepted, but generally the artists need two weeks or more to book in a customer. When a client comes in for a tattoo, the artist will spend the whole day on them, a sign of real dedication.

LocoMotive 

District IX. Mátyás utca 20

Open: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm

Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts is a charming studio in downtown Budapest. The interior is nicely furnished with watercolours and classic paintings on the walls – as well as a portrait of the Rock, which is sure to bring a smile to clients’ faces. The staff is all female, which makes the establishment unique, and each girl has her own style. Music plays gently in the background, and bowls of sweets and mints are on hand while you wait. Alexandra, one of the artists at the shop, goes by the moniker Maooart, and has been at Queen of Hearts for three years. She focuses on animal and nature designs, usually filling them with colour. She enjoys working here and says it’s “surreal” sometimes: “Someone I don’t know is living their life with my drawing on their skin!” Another artist, Barbi, has been with the shop for two years, and concentrates on minimalistic line-work. Often clients bring in family or pet portraits, which she also specialises in.

Walk-ins are available, although it is recommended to book at least a month in advance. The shop is open weekdays from 10am-4pm, but Barbi stresses that the artists are always able to accommodate a client’s schedule, even if that means working adjusted hours. Queen of Hearts has been operating in the city for five years now, and has rave reviews on Facebook.

Each artist has their own Instagram handle, and can be contacted via Instagram and Facebook, although email is preferred.

Queen of Hearts 

District V. Régi Posta utca 4

Open: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm

Rooklet INK

Located near the Great Market Hall, well-respected Rooklet INK is frequented by locals and foreigners alike. Tattooists rent space here, so there’s not a fixed line-up at any one time. Sometimes guest artists are invited for a week or so, as well. One of the star artists in the studio is Róbert Borbás, who tattooed Jason Momoa.

The interior has a distinctive feel to it – tidy and open, but eclectically decorated with skulls, plush armchairs and even stuffed animals. The orbital lighting features add a touch of steampunk.

The designs here range from rip-roaring monsters and beasts to true-to-life portraits and everything in between. The atmosphere is relaxed and professional, and guests joke that they’d like to bring in a blanket and spend the night with the crew. Out of a present 132 reviews on Facebook, Rooklet INK hits a perfect 5/5. Be sure to book a couple months in advance, as demand is high.

Rooklet INK 

District V. Váci utca 85 (fel 3/doorbell 4)

Open: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm