If you're planning a romantic night out, or a day, actually, Budapest has you covered with endless options. Explore some of the best date spots, from escape rooms – perfect for testing your teamwork – and puppy yoga to sharing delicious bites and wandering through a botanical garden.
1. Perfect your teamwork at one of Neverland's escape rooms
Escape rooms are a Hungarian speciality, and Neverland offers some of the best ones. Imagine being locked into a room with the most different themes, where you only have 60 minutes to crack puzzles and break free. Your mission could be anything from finding the recipe for a dangerous magic potion, escaping from a mental asylum, or hunting down a healing crystal in Aztec catacombs. Whichever you pick, you'll need to work closely together to succeed – a great way to put your teamwork to the test. But take it easy and don't forget to have fun.
Details here.
2. Explore the Hungarian National Museum
If you're in the mood for an artsy date, the Hungarian National Museum makes for a great spot. Start with a relaxed picnic in its charming garden before exploring the museum's majestic building. It's not only a feast for the eye but also home to a rich collection of archaeological, historical and ethnic treasures from the Carpathian Basin. What's more, a brand-new temporary exhibition opens on October 18th – and it will all be about jewellery. You'll get to admire dazzling pieces from the past 40,000 years, complete with their fascinating background stories. And hey, not to be too cheesy, but it might just be the perfect moment to pop out an engagement ring. (x)
Details here.
3. Eat tapas
Eating out is always a good idea. But for a touch of romance, choose a cosy, dimly-lit tapas bar and turn it into a 'two hearts, one plate' experience. Sharing a variety of delicious dishes in an intimate setting creates the perfect atmosphere for a date night, and Budapest boasts some truly amazing restaurants to do just that. For 'speakeasy meets izakaya' vibes, book a table at Yuru, for authentic Spanish treats, head to UnoMas. If you're craving Taiwanese small plates, 101Bistro is the spot, and for Middle-Eastern flavours, Dobrumba is a must!
4. Roll the ball at an indoor minigolf course
If you're after a fun-filled challenge, to Indoor MiniGolf Budapest it is! Conveniently located in downtown Budapest, this 2-hour experience promises a friendly competition. Once you grab your golf club, you'll enter a UV-lit wonderland spanning 1,000 m², and featuring 18 courses in 3 themed rooms – Galaxy, Horror, and Magic Forest. Your task is simple: get your ball in the hole in as few tries as possible. You'll have a notepad to keep track of your swings and crown the winner at the end. But hey, it's really about the game. Plus, you can enjoy a drink and some nachos along the way.
Dates here.
5. Dangle your feet above the Buda Hills
Autumn calls for a hike, and lucky for you, you don't have to venture far to find one in Budapest. The ever-changing forest, colourful, crunchy leaves, and breathtaking panorama are good enough reasons to set off. But if you'd elevate your close-to-nature experience, hop on the Zugliget Chairlift! This unusual vehicle takes you and your plus-one from Zugliget to János Hill – with the Elizabeth Lookout Tower just a 5-minute walk away from the top –, and the ride is nothing short of spectacular. Soak in the views, hold hands, and thank us later.
Details here.
6. Stroll through the ELTE Botanical Gardens
Tucked away in a lesser-known part of Budapest, and dating back to the 1700s, the ELTE Botanical Gardens is a true hidden gem. Home to over 250 species, it's the perfect spot for a romantic, leisurely walk. Meander among water lilies, palm trees, bamboo, and orchids, and you'll quickly see why it's such a special escape. Plus, starting on October 18th, a captivating light exhibition will illuminate the garden, inviting you into a magical world inspired by Smurf Village.
Details here.
7. Get your poker face on at the Board Game Café
Channel your inner child and dive into some serious fun! Budapest's first board game café awaits with more than 1,300 games, with plenty of English editions to choose from. Test your skills with 7 Wonders Duel, Age of Thieves, Anachrony, Bag of Chips, BANG!, Cards Against Humanity (how romantic!), Codenames, Exploding Kittens, Jumanji, and many more (check out the full list here). Grab a drink, order a panini, and get your game on! The entry fee is HUF 1,250 per person for 3 hours after 5 pm and on weekends, and HUF 950 per person for 3 hours on weekdays between 3 - 4:30 pm.
Book a table here.
8. Do yoga surrounded by puppies
Can you picture a better place than a room teeming with the cutest little puppies? As a bonus, you can do yoga surrounded by them, or at least attempt to. But let us warn you: instead of focusing on sun salutations, you'll likely end up laughing, admiring, petting the pups, and playing with them. It's an uplifting experience we can vouch for; after trying the class ourselves, we left in absolute awe and with our hearts full. Rest assured, no harm comes to the puppies. They are all rescued, vaccinated, and well cared for, not to mention that you can also adopt them. How is that for a date?
Details here. Check the schedule here.
9. Surprise your partner with breathtaking views
Impressing your loved one with stunning views might seem cliché, but it works. So if you're looking to do just that in Budapest, here are the best spots. Catch the sunrise at the top of Gellért Hill, and for a less touristy corner, head to the Philosophers' Garden. For city views, ascend to the tower of St Stephen's Basilica or sip a cocktail at the High Note Skybar just around the corner. You can also take the lift up to Budapest's highest building, the MOL Campus' SkyDeck, and even stay for dinner at its VIRTU Restaurant. For a rooftop experience at the Buda Castle, walk up to the top of the Hilton Hotel and enjoy a drink at the White Raven Skybar.
10. Relax in a rooftop jacuzzi at the Rudas Baths
For the ultimate date night destination, look no further than the Rudas Baths – specifically, the jacuzzi on its sky terrace. As you sit in the comforting hot water, you can not unwind while soaking in even more Insta-perfect views. If you'd go extra, you can also book the sky terrace just for the two of you for a private bathing experience. On Fridays and Saturdays, the extended opening hours allow for a night bathing, adding a magical touch to your evening. Treat yourselves to a couple's massage, detox in a sauna, swim, or combine the spa experience with a visit to its Turkish Bath section (check opening hours here).
Details here.
(Cover photo: László Mudra – We Love Budapest)
