1/8
Views from the city’s rooftop hangouts
Budapest is crowned by several panoramic rooftop hangouts that are perfect for lounging and sipping while enjoying far-reaching views over the surrounding cityscape, and after stopping in to any of them, it can easily become a personal fixation to try visiting all of them. The best-known lofty locales are 360 Bar on Andrássy Avenue, offering chilled beverages and a show kitchen, surrounded by all-encompassing scenery over most of downtown; at Gozsdu Sky Terrace we ascend directly above the city’s bustling nightlife zone to a place where drinks are served from behind an 11-meter-long bar; the huge playground for grown-ups atop Corvin Club is a frequent setting for theme parties and alfresco movie screenings; and at Aria Hotel’s upscale High Note SkyBar, guests can sip on colorful cocktail concoctions while enjoying prime vistas over the adjacent St. Stephen’s Basilica dome. However, beverages aren’t the only high-life attractions found on Budapest rooftops – anyone can climb up to Rudas Bath’s rooftop hot tub at any time of year for nice views over Pest’s skyline, or submerge in the picturesque outdoor swimming pool atop Continental Hotel during the summer months.
2/8
Taking retro rail rides
In Budapest, everyone can take timeless journeys aboard century-old railways that are still very much part of the city’s public-transportation system, causing passengers to eagerly anticipate their next ride to even the most everyday destinations. Available with ordinary tickets and passes, Continental Europe’s oldest metro line runs beneath Andrássy Avenue and stops by major city sights, including the Opera House, Heroes’ Square, and the Széchenyi Bath in City Park, while along its route the yellow-hued underground traverses stations adorned by elegant tile decorations. Those who want to ascend the Buda Castle from Clark Ádám Square can board the city’s historic funicular – the cableway trip to the royal grounds provides a breathtaking panorama over the Danube and the Chain Bridge. And to escape the hustle and bustle for a while and explore sylvan slices of the Buda Hills, hop on the Cogwheel Railway at Városmajor Park, using a regular public transport ticket or a pass.
3/8
Admiring Art Nouveau architecture
Those who set foot in Budapest just can’t get enough of the city’s architectural masterpieces adorned with decorative Art Nouveau elements, and this elaborate design is demonstrated at several edifices citywide. Those who step inside the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace find themselves amid palatial settings, featuring a soaring glass dome, elegant stained-glass windows, and stylish mosaic tiles. The internal spaces of the Museum of Applied Arts merge playful Hungarian folk-art motifs with Asian details, while the building’s roof is covered with Hungary’s renowned Zsolnay tiles to add to the magnificence of the monument. Anyone who wants to dive deep into Art Nouveau styles can submerge in the Gellért Bath’s spectacular splash zone, where sunlight infiltrates the colorful stained-glass windows to create sparkling reflections on the water’s surface and on the elegant statues that encompass the halls.
4/8
Dirt-cheap river cruises
Plying the Danube daily with several lines traveling from the city’s southern section toward the northern parts and back, Budapest’s very own public boat service provides zigzagging river rides, and a ticket to get on board costs just 750 forints, while on weekdays anyone holding a BKK public transport pass can use the service for free. This inexpensive daytime cruise makes Danube sightseeing available for those with a limited budget, providing the same panorama as we would enjoy from aboard a private boat. While passing under all of the city’s downtown bridges, during the trip the ferries push past major Budapest landmarks, including the Parliament, Gellért Hill, the Buda Castle, and the Várkert Bazaar. A journey from one terminus to the other lasts almost two hours when traveling upriver, and a complete downriver trip takes about 90 minutes... but when reaching one end of the line, it’s always tempting to get back on board for another journey.
5/8
Communist-era remnants
Today, several shops and service providers are specialized in preserving the legacies of Hungary’s Soviet era by offering vintage artifacts from decades past for devoted collectors or for anyone who wants to take a piece of the country’s Soviet-controlled times. Jam-packed stores hidden on downtown side streets and antique flea markets proffer retro knickknacks, like propaganda posters, star-shaped medals, or busts of communist leaders – Antik-Bazár on District VII’s Klauzál Street or the Ecseri Market in District XIX are treasured destinations for historic findings. For an educative walk, take a trip to Memento Park in Budapest’s District XXII, where an elaborate exhibition ground houses oversized sculptures of Red-star representatives – including Lenin, Marx, and Engels – and while strolling around, feel the surreally psychedelic vibe of the era’s “socialist realism” artworks that once towered above Budapest’s streets. To make the most out of time traveling here in Budapest, get to Memento Park by taking one of Eastern Bloc’s most iconic cars, provided by Rent a Trabant.
6/8
Drinking inexpensive potables
You don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket if you want to get intoxicated in Budapest, as alcoholic drinks served at downtown bars, restaurants, and ruin pubs are generally cheaper compared to other major cities in Europe and beyond. Needless to say, low-cost booze attracts a fair amount of pleasure-seeking travelers to the Magyar metropolis all year round, where besides international tipples, a vast assortment of moderately priced Hungarian wines, craft beers, and potent pálinka are offered. Guests can sample fine-quality libations at DiVino wine bar beginning at 700 forints a glass, while at the 5 cl bar on , a pálinka-tasting package is available from 950 forints. However, those looking for real-deal dirt-cheap drinks should visit one of Budapest’s many super-affordable – and even some new places are easier on the pocketbook than on the liver, like on Dob Street, where a half-liter beer on tap sets you back just 370 forints, and a glass of Hungarian wine can be yours for only 120 forints.
7/8
Diving into the wild nightlife
With the speedy expansion of ruin-pub culture, Budapest’s party scene earned global fame, and since then herds of revelers continually flock to the Hungarian capital to hop aboard the party train. Budapest’s District VII is one of the most prominent spots for buzzing nightlife, featuring vibrant areas including – a lane that is home to the iconic ruin pub, several underground watering holes, and some new-wave hangouts, while the mix of international eateries and fancy bars at nearby is a trendy gathering zone for locals and travelers alike. To discover more offbeat neighborhoods, push into the city’s emerging District VIII to discover the mix of colorful cafés and bars at Mikszáth Square, while nearby offers plenty of terrace bars situated side-by-side. Meanwhile, those who want to dance the night away can get into the whirlwind at club or Tütü, both near , .
