1/14
Having a coffee at Mikszáth Kálmán Square
Transformed from being a notorious neighborhood to becoming a vibrantly up-and-coming hub of culture, Budapest’s District VIII is now one of locals’ most beloved gathering grounds for its colorful mix of bars, galleries, and eateries. Found near Semmelweis University and a few blocks away from the Hungarian National Museum, Mikszáth Kálmán Square and its neighborhood is bustling with life all year round, featuring such beloved locales as the artsy Lumen Café, Vostro with its inviting interior, or the unpretentious Zappa; during warmer months this is one of the city’s best spots for terrace dining and drinking.
2/14
Getting peace of mind at the Garden of Philosophy
Those who want to skip the city’s highly traversed parklands can instead embark on a mild upward hike on the side of to take a soothing break at the Philosophers' Garden, a panoramic spot that Budapest’s residents oftentimes visit to unwind. However, this is also a cherished oasis for relaxing activities during spring and summer, when sports aficionados head up there to practice yoga or tai chi. At the park, we are encircled by serene sculptures – including figures of Jesus Christ, Buddha, and Mahatma Gandhi – that bring many of the world’s great thinkers together, thus this fresh-air facility provides us with extra inspiration while we enjoy the scenic views over Budapest's cityscape.
3/14
Sipping drinks at unpretentious ruin pubs and open-air locales
While Budapest earned global fame with its dilapidated edifices that are transformed into surreal watering holes, the Magyars oftentimes skip the more overhyped (or overpriced) hangouts and instead head to some of the city’s more ordinary bars to enjoy glassfuls of refreshing drinks or sample pints of local artisanal beer. Some of the more cherished hotspots include the laid-back on Kazinczy Street, the countryside-style Margitutcakilenc in District II, or the summertime hotspot in , along with plenty of tucked all over town.
4/14
Discovering local designer boutiques
Budapest boasts several established and up-and-coming fashion designers, who dream up unique styles for urban dwellers and create chic pieces that are merchandised at Magyar retail outlets, and many of these clothing havens serve as ultimate shopping destinations for trendy Hungarians. Eva’s Room (Budapest 1054, Aulich street 8, 2nd floor, door 2, bell 38), is a homey hangout popular with locals for its coherent clothing line and attractive accessories, but Hungarians also like browsing collections at Lucky Shepherd (Budapest 1027, Fő Street 63-65), where Magyar-made garments are sold alongside lovely leather bags and accessories.
5/14
Having breakfast at the city’s hidden morning eateries
Budapest’s burgeoning breakfast scene inspires a growing number of Hungarians to take their time over the mouthwatering morning boosters served at the city’s specialized eateries, and while several restaurants offer various breakfast feasts at major touristic hotspots, those who opt for lesser-known hangouts will experience the real deal in terms of local hospitality. Many of these eateries are run by young urban professionals who left their 9-to-5 jobs to instead offer an edible experience for people in the city. Here are some tastefully tempting offers: the spinach omelet at , the Croque Mademoiselle at , the bundás bagel at , or the poached egg at .
6/14
Traversing Budapest’s rubberized running tracks
Several long-established running tracks have been renovated in recent years, while new ones are being installed citywide, and many of those who want to stay fit in Hungary’s capital traverse one of Budapest’s soft-surface jogging paths that are easy on the joints. Encircling , a rubberized running facility provides panoramic views for sports aficionados, and this centrally located oasis is considered one of Budapest’s most popular places for jogging; on the Buda side, we can exercise amid more laid-back scenes at , while those who are looking for a hardcore calf-strengthening workout can jog up to the parkland, where a top-quality rubberized track stretches from Jánoshegyi Road all the way up to the .
7/14
Hiking in the Buda Hills
Those who would like to get away from the bustling urban lifestyle for awhile don’t need to go too far out of town to find pristine spots for hiking. The sylvan hills of Buda provide plenty of opportunities for leisurely day trips with well-established hiking trails crisscrossing amid undulating settings. The National Blue Trail that crosses the entire country has a section that runs in the Buda Hills along the periphery of Districts II and III. This part of the Blue Trail is not too challenging, so it can be easily conquered by first-time hikers.
Kick off your hike at the in Hűvösvölgy (get there by tram 61 from Széll Kálmán Square) and follow the blue trail markers heading up to Hármashatár Hill and Virágos-nyereg, ending your tour at the Rozália Brickyard; from there bus 218 takes exhausted hikers back to Óbuda’s Szentlélek Square, where the HÉV train goes back downtown.
8/14
Going to art-house cinemas
Many movie fans in Budapest prefer visiting specialized art-house cinemas instead of grand multiplex movie halls, and Hungary’s capital has several local film theaters that screen a wide range of motion pictures, from the freshest blockbusters to art movies to evergreen classics. Lovingly preserved since the 1890s, is one of the city’s most fascinating film palaces, which also serves as a stylish location for many major Hungarian film festivals. Not far away, the – constructed in 1926 with oversized marble columns and gilded decorations – is the place for watching fresh films as well as black-and-white classics. Those who would like to let loose after the movies can do all of the above at , complete with a club popular among locals. Best of all, these specialized movie theaters regularly screen English language movies with Hungarian subtitles.
9/14
Having picnic parties in the city’s parklands
When the first rays of spring sunshine start warming the city, locals organize impromptu picnics across Budapest’s prominent parklands. After filling a basket with homemade sandwiches and refreshing lemonades or a bottle of wine, people make their way to the city’s nature retreats to lay their blankets on the grass and enjoy sedate moments away from the urban buzz. Budapest has several parklands suitable for alfresco lounging, including the tree-shaded , right behind , and the expansive at the Buda side of Rákóczi Bridge.
10/14
Creating guerrilla public-art projects
Even though guerilla public-art projects are spread across multiple metropolises worldwide, many of these intriguing initiatives pop up in Hungary’s capital, where communities of creative minds inspire urban dwellers to come up with artful actions and to bring a personal touch into city life. As a colorful example of such a community-decorating assignment, several of the city’s trees were covered in knitted patterns in recent years to enhance urban settings with unique designs, while just recently, artsy Magyar blogger Marina Bellai embarked on a city trip a few days before Valentine’s Day to , sweetly surprising all fortunate finders with lovely messages.
11/14
Sunbathing at monumental Budapest sights
During springtime and the mild summer months, locals conquer many of the city’s attractions that are suitable for bathing in sunshine, like the wide staircase that leads up to the entrance of the , which is a popular place for students in Budapest who enjoy retreating to this monumental landmark to study after class, or just to unwind amid sun-splashed scenes. Traversing the , we often spot couples sharing a bottle of wine while relaxing at the riverbank, and the panoramic parkland in Vigadó Square entices passersby for spontaneous tanning.
12/14
Attending free concerts at various downtown festivals
Almost every week there’s a festival (or two) happening in Hungary’s capital, and whether it’s a gluttonous gathering, a cultural extravaganza, or a fascinating seasonal fair, several stage shows entertain visitors with high-sounding music performed by prominent and up-and-coming bands. The Downtown Festival – happening at varied locations in Budapest’s District V – is a multiple-day extravaganza during the early summer months that presents free concerts of various genres, while the fascinating Budapest Spring Fair and the Christmas Market at are often complete with musical stage performances. These festivals are also good platforms for learning about Magyar bands, as most of the entertaining ensembles at these events come from Hungary.
13/14
Getting around the city on bicycles
An ever-increasing number of bikers are on Budapest’s roads in recent years – we see urban bikers navigating Pest’s major thoroughfares and pushing uphill along the roads of Buda, using rolling sensations of various types, from sturdy mountain bikes to refurbished vintage city cycles to old-school one-gear camping bikes. While Budapest’s roads have a lot to develop to provide proper conditions for the burgeoning biking communities, there are already several events organized citywide to promote this fresh lifestyle, including I bike Budapest, a mass cycling event that takes place every spring in Hungary’s capital to inspire the city to close major roads to cars and instead accommodate thousands of bikers.
14/14
Admiring contemporary art at the Ludwig Museum
Considered as one of Budapest’s major contemporary-exhibition sites, the features frequently changing temporary displays of modern-day artists from Hungary and around the world throughout the year. From progressive paintings by local visionaries to surreal displays by international household-name artists, the museum thrills visitors with several exciting showcases, while the adjacent cultural center offers diverse stage performances with lots of English-friendly extravaganzas.
