Where to watch the Euros in Budapest

Akvárium Terasz

The ever-busy, most central spot in town, the Akvárium Terasz on Érzsébet tér is putting up a huge screen for the tournament. You can’t book a table, they’ll be taken on a first-come-first served basis. It might be quieter and convenient for an afternoon fixture involving Finland but expect mayhem whenever Hungary play. District V. Érzsébet tér 12. More details here.

Angelika-terasz

Beneath St Anne’s Church in full view of the Danube and Parliament beyond, the terrace at Angelika was first transformed for the Champions League final a couple of weeks ago – now it’s geared up the Euros. Book a table (info@angelikacafe.hu) for the bigger matches, when there’ll be a special menu, too. District I. Batthyány tér 7. More details here.

Arena Garden

A relatively new venue a few minutes from the Puskás Aréna itself, the Arena Garden usually stages concerts, but is now turning over its alfresco space to sport. There won’t only be Hungary’s games screened on a gigantic, 30-square-metre screen, but all of them – plus every other sporting event this summer. And... you can watch the action from a 300-seat grandstand. District VIII. Kerepesi út 9. More details here.

Barba Negra

Popular Buda rock venue Barba Negra is not only screening Hungary’s but all matches before live shows at its outdoor concert space. There’ll be a special drinks promotions each time, making it doubly worthwhile heading down this way. District XI. Neumann János utca 2. More details here.

Belvárosi Foci Mozi

There is no football jamboree without a giant screen and beer cabins on Szabadság tér so that supporters can safely cheer on their favourite team to victory on this grassy urban space. For some time now, this has been the fan gathering for many – and now it’s time for the Euros! District V. Szabadság tér. More details here.

Bikás park

In this Újbuda park near the metro station of the same name, a giant screen will be installed on top of a small hill, ideal for match-watching. Here, too, all the matches will be on view, but the time between them won't go to waste. There will be concerts, children’s events and you can take part in a five-a-side games. In addition to local favourites, Czech beer and food will be waiting for supporters at the Bikás Domb Meccsnéző Bázis. District XI. Bikás Domb. More details here.

Bókay-kert

Way down in south Pest, the Bókay Garden is home to an adventure park, pool, lido, skatepark and sports courts. This year for the Euros, the Gól Terasz will be set up every day from 2pm for all games. For bigger matches, experts and former players will discuss events and offer tips during the breaks and between matches. There will also be a mini-Teqball tournament and other sports activities. District XVIII. Szélmalom utca 33. More details here.

Budapest Park

The huge outdoor events venue in south Pest, where a permanent summer festival takes place most years, is not only suitable for watching concerts but football as well. Here, the screen will only be up for Hungary’s matches, on 15, 19 and 23 June – but there are plenty of other options around the city. District IX. Soroksári út 60. More details here.

EB Garden

EB is the Hungarian acronym for the Euros, and this particular garden is up in Újpest, on a large, prominent square near Újpest-központ metro station. Although details are currently scant on its Facebook page, but you can expect a giant screen and fiery atmosphere for Hungary’s games in this hotbed of local football. District IV. Szent István tér 13-14. More details to follow here.

First Taproom Terasz

The terrace at the FIRST Craft Beer Brewery and Taproom will be screening Hungary’s games (15, 19 and 23 June) live. The number of seats on the shaded, airy terrace is quite limited, so for an evening of ’Ria, Ria, Hungária!’ and artisanal beer, reserve at taproom@firstcraftbeer.com or through the venue’s Facebook page. Everyone can also bet on the final result – get it right, and there’s a free pint after the match. District IV. Váci út 83. More details here.

Kobuci Kert

One of everyone’s favourite outdoor concert venues is the Kobuci Garden on the main square in Óbuda, where you will be able to watch matches in addition to enjoying musical events. Being screened will be Hungary’s games in the group stages (15, 19 and 23 June), as well as the two semi-finals and the final in July. If your team wins, you can break out some moves on the dance floor. District III. Fő tér 1. More details here.

Madhouse terasz

The Mad Scientist crew are adding a big screen to their downtown terrace this year, quality, locally brewed craft beers and bar food available not two minutes from central Deák tér. It’s not only suds – they’ve got gin nights running all week (12-19 June) and all kinds of surprises. Look out for our special video feature on this Budapest success story in the coming days! District VI. Anker köz 1-3. More details here.

Miamor Rómaim

Római part, the bucolic stretch of riverfront up in Óbuda lined with outdoor bars, restaurants and rowing clubs, is a great choice in summer anyway. With the Euros upon us, the Miamor Rómaim not only offers a large garden, Danube views, a beach volleyball court (which can double up for beach football), but, of course, a big screen, due to broadcast all games. District III. Római part 47. More details here.

Párisi Udvar

To see the group stage of the tournament in storied luxury, the second floor of the five-star Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, an architectural wonder, is being transformed into a somewhat refined fan zone. A day ticket (37,900 HUF) provides two people with a platter of mini-burgers, BBQ ribs, marinated tenderloin and other delights, standard Hungarian beer, a bottle of Hungarian champagne and soft drinks, plus all kinds of snacks during each match. The premium package (60,900 HUF) involves Szent András craft beer and a bottle of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée instead of the standard varieties. Tickets are valid 2.30pm-11pm. District V. Petőfi Sándor utca 2-4. More details here.

Várkert Bazár

A new football-watching site, this, in the elegant surroundings of renovated Habsburg-era finery overlooking the Danube. Within the Várkert Bazár complex right below Buda Castle, two locations will screen games, the Öntőház Courtyard and the outdoor Szárazárok Stage. Sports personalities will be making appearances and cult films will be shown in Hungarian. District I. Ybl Miklós tér 2-6. More details here.

Városligeti jégpálya

Organised by the Puskás Aréna, Rádió 1 and national daily Nemzeti Sport, this is the official fan zone for the tournament, set up around the ice rink site on the Heroes’ Square side of City Park. From here, it’s a ten- to 15-minute walk to the stadium along Dózsa György út. For opening night, Friday, 11 June, a DJ starts spinning from 6.30pm and special guest star Roland Juhász, Hungary’s heroic centre-back at Euro 2016, will be making a personal appearance. Otherwise, there’s Teqball, mini-football and e-sports. Matches will be shown on a screen 12 metres high and six metres wide. Fans can also win 35,000-forints’ worth of food and drink in the raffle and even match tickets for games in Budapest. Admission is free but BY IMMUNITY CERTIFICATE ONLY. Temperatures will also be checked at the gate. District XIV. Olof Palme sétány 5. More details here.

Westend Tetőkert

Always a favourite for big tournaments, the roof terrace of the Westend mall alongside Nyugati station will be turned into a huge match-watching space for the entire month. One novelty this year is the recently installed outdoor gym, if anyone is that way inclined. District VI. Váci út 1-3. More details here.

Zsiráf

You can also watch all the matches at this popular outdoor site alongside Nyugati station, where a 21-square-metre screen, the size of a small flat, will be set up. This is a long-established, tried-and-trusted option for many – plus if Hungary get any kind of result, you’re right by the Nagykörút where everyone will be going doobatlally amid the honking cars and immobile trams. District VI. Teréz körút 53. More details here.