1/11
BKK Boat Service
How about sharing a voyage on the Danube River? With the ferryboat service of BKK (Budapest’s public-transport agency), you can have the Titanic experience of holding each other at the bow for only 750 forints each (or for free on weekdays, if you both have a valid public-transport pass). Feel cool Danube breezes and the gentle swaying of flowing currents while you and your partner admire the stunning sights of the city’s dual skylines – can you imagine a date amid more perfect settings? Neither can we. The BKK ferry isn’t just an enjoyable way of appreciating Budapest’s beauty – this is an ideal vehicle for deep talks with your chosen one, enhanced by the fact that you can bring your own food and (alcoholic) beverages aboard. For the city’s most complete low-budget “love boat” experience, begin your journey at one of the southernmost docks (like at the Palace of Arts or the A38 Ship) and ride upriver for 90 minutes to stroll along the romantic Római Part promenade.
2/11
Board games
Board games provide a great opportunity for groups of friends to get together (not to mention achieve world domination), but they can also be an economical activity for two people to become intimately acquainted through friendly competition – and since a game can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, it doesn’t matter how much time you have for the date. Our two suggestions are to join the board-game events of the Játszóház nights at Gólya (taking place every Wednesday from 6pm) and at MÜSZI, which takes place every Monday from 6pm. These events each feature more than 100 games, and if you don’t know the rules for any of them that’s okay, because the organizers are happy to help and get you started; entry to these events only costs 200 forints. However, if these days are not good for you and your sweetie, Board Game Café is a solid “plan B” – you have to pay an entrance fee of 500 forints, but after that guests can play dozens of games for as long as they want, and there is no requirement to order anything... although it would be a shame to miss out on the café’s homemade cakes.
3/11
Free exhibitions
Exhibitions, especially free ones, are always a great date idea for a number of reasons: first of all, they are free. Secondly, there is a very low chance that you’ll run out of topics to talk about while walking through them. Third, exhibition spaces are usually quiet, so you don’t need to raise your voice to be heard above the crowd – instead, a gallery visit gives you the opportunity to have an intimate chat and discuss deep thoughts, such as what art means to you. Luckily, there are plenty of venues that regularly host free exhibitions, such as Trafó Gallery, A38 Ship, Omnivore Gallery, the Mélycsarnok (at the Kunsthalle), the Erika Deák Gallery, and enough other viewing spaces so that this list could go on for a long time. For some current shows that are free to visit, check out our latest roundup of gallery exhibits:
4/11
Free film clubs
Ever since we saw the first American film in which the main character sits in the cinema with his date, and they start cuddling when things take a romantic turn, we know that asking our crush out to see a movie is never a bad idea – especially if you have time to exchange thoughts about what you’ve just seen after the credits roll. If we add the detail that entry is free for most Budapest-based film club screenings, well, you know what to do. Our suggestions are the events of Kinoflow and Kinoflow Underground, where there are cookies and quizzes when the screening is over, and the films are screened with original audio and Hungarian/English subtitles. Other options include the Estonian Institute’s screening series, focusing on the relationship between Arvo Pärt and cinema (next event: Michael Madsen’s Into Eternity: A Film for the Future, with original audio and Hungarian subtitles), for which you have to register by e-mail – or check out the forthcoming animation week at the French Institute and Tesla, where they’ll screen animation art, shorts films awarded at the Annecy International Festival, the latest productions of MOME students, and feature films for all kinds of audience for free, with original audio and English subtitles. Also, the collaborative film club of FKSE (abbreviation of Fellowship of Young Graphic Artists) and Prizma debuts in February to screen contemporary Eastern European films with original audio and Hungarian subtitles.
5/11
Free concerts
With a music scene as rich as Budapest’s, it shouldn’t be a surprise that free or dirt-cheap concerts take place around the city nearly every day. Where, you ask? Instant’s new acoustic concert series, InStart, is a good choice: not only does this give you a reason to explore one of Budapest’s most famous and enchanted ruin pubs, but you can shake your hips to the special performances of well-known Hungarian bands. Small clubs like Kuplung, Auróra, Dürer Kert, or Gozsdu Manó Club also host concerts by fresh-faced Hungarian bands for a few bucks or less, so that you can check out the hottest new Magyar musicians while busting moves. So, grab your partner and squeeze your way to the front of the stage together!
6/11
Hiking in the Buda Hills
It is always nice to escape the madding crowds of the capital, especially if you don’t want to get distracted from your partner. A good way to share some special moments of togetherness time is to go on a hike in the Buda Hills. Just think about it: shady walking paths, oak and pine forests, breathtaking panoramas, and fresh air – what could be more romantic than the beauty of nature? There are a number of hiking trails and destinations to choose from; our recommendations would be Gellért Hill (for the most easily accessible trails), János Hill (and the make-out session pinnacle of Elizabeth Lookout Tower), and of course, the forested expanses of Hármashatár Hill. Put on your nicest hiking boots, and remember Marvin Gaye’s hit: “ain’t no mountain high enough”!
7/11
Élesztőház
Make a difference together with Food Not Bombs Budapest, the local chapter of an international global movement to save food from ending up in the trash and share hot, free, vegan/vegetarian meals with those in need, while peacefully demonstrating against poverty, homelessness, and overproduction; with their actions they raise awareness of these negative aspects of the 21st-century socio-economic system. On Saturdays, the Food Not Bombs Budapest group goes to the Fehérvári Market Hall and the Great Market Hall in order to collect food that is still consumable but would otherwise go to waste. Then on Sundays, they cook all of the food they’ve managed to get in the kitchen of Élesztő, before going to serve hot meals to the homeless, usually consisting of multiple healthy courses. Anyone can join them, and during the teamwork, you and your date will not only get to know each other better, but also do something for a good cause. Making a world a better place through a shared activity? Sounds like the date of our dreams!
8/11
Sports activities
Most people don’t consider any kind of sports activity when it comes to dates, but think about it: a basketball match can be a very revealing way to learn about each others’ personality, not to mention that you can get physically close to each other without worrying about the contact creating an awkward situation. It’s also much easier to impress your partner with a well-performed slam dunk – so if you have a ball, check out our roundup of basketball courts around Budapest, and here are leads for a bunch of other outdoor sports to enjoy citywide. Also, for rather reasonable prices the two of you can also enjoy climbing, squash, tennis, and many other indoor sports – all good ways to fill your date with pumping adrenaline.
9/11
Fairs and markets
How to collect impulses without spending a penny? Go to a market or a fair. While making your way through them, we’re sure that you’ll exchange interesting stories, opinions, and impressions... and who knows, you might buy something together! To make the most of a home-cooked dinner date, you can first visit one of Budapest’s huge market halls together and buy all the necessary ingredients side-by-side. Also, there are plenty of intriguing design and antique fairs around Budapest, full of conversation-starting curios; here are ten essential ones that you should totally visit. Also, MÜSZI hosts a record fair on every second Saturday of every month – if your partner happens to be vinyl collector, be sure to take her/him there.
10/11
Free pub sports
If you and yours prefer pubs over sports and beer over water, don’t worry: pub sports like darts or billiards are also fun dirt-cheap date activities, and they usually last long enough to get to know your partner while getting a little tipsy together. On every Tuesday, Noiret Billiard & Darts Salon offers usage of their different fun-time facilities – including foosball, darts, and billiards tables – for free (it’s wise to book this in advance), while offering all kinds of alcoholic beverages for reasonable prices, providing a solid setting for a laid-back date. Meanwhile, Pest’s characteristic rockabilly headquarters of Amigo Bar offers billiards for free, with old-time rock ’n’ roll providing a timeless soundtrack to witty exchanges. For other inexpensive places to play pool, check out our roundup of Budapest billiards parlors.
11/11
Pesthajnal events
For those couples who can wake up early and want to kick-start the day in an energetic way, we recommend the diverse morning events hosted by Pesthajnal. These free or low-cost daybreak parties feature fun attractions like yoga sessions, healthy breakfasts, and live concerts – all unique activities that will surely create happy morning memories to share forever... and for those still looking for love in all the wrong places, these are fine events for meeting someone new outside of the bar scene. The next Pesthajnal party will be on February 24th from 6:30am to 9:30am at Frappáns Art Pub (1075 Budapest, Király u. 15); check out the Facebook page for frequently updated info.
