Budapest Weekend Guide
Welcome to Budapest, the charming and quirky capital of Hungary.
The main thing about Budapest, in my view, is that it’s an eclectic and buzzing town, home to a big international community, a fantastic modern art scene, great nightlife and fantastic food. Due to Budapest’s rich and complex history, the city, and its people, is a charming mix of “Europe meets Balkan” and was often called the “Paris of the East” - which I think to be kind of accurate.
Long story short, you are at a unique place with all of its quirks and wonders, enjoy your short trip and come back for more!
Getting around in Budapest
✈️ Ther’s no train service from Budapest Airport to the city. Take a taxi or the public transport bus 100E is a convenient journey to the city centre, you can pay by tapping your bank card (don’t get used to it, unfortunately this is the only line with contractless payment).
🚕 Uber, Bolt and taxis are available, all operate yellow taxi cabs, “non official” taxi services might be sketchy, but taxis are generally safe, however pricing might not be super transparent if you just get one off the street. Best to stick to apps.
🚃 Download Budapest Go app for public transport tickets and route plans, pretty accurate for timetables, but you can also rely on Google Maps and City Mapper.
🛥 During summer, the best way to see the city is from the river. There are plenty of touristy boat tours from Vigado Square, but locals prefer a loop on the public transport boat where you can bring your own drink.
🛴 You will find plenty of scooter and electric bike stations, Lime is bookable via the Uber app.
Budapest Walks
Budapest is great city for walking, and the best way to explore is just to get lost, eat and drink, enjoy yourself in this weird and wonderful city. The four essential walks for short visits are:
🎡Budapest Inner City Walk: Start at Vorosmarty ter, Vaci utca (main shopping street), Deak Ferenc Ter, Erzsebet Ter & ferris wheel, St Stephen Basilica, Chain Bridge (under construction) and walk to Vigadó on the riverside, Great Market Hall
🏛 Budapest Parliament & Riverside Walk: Start at Kossuth Ter for the Parliament building, Kossuth ter, Shoes on Danube Bank, Liberty Square
🏰 Buda Caste District Walk: Start at Bécsi Kapu, Dísz ter, St Mathias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, National Gallery in Castle, Várkert Bazár, take the funicular up or down or both.
🕍 Pest Jewish Quarter Walk: Start at Madach ter and get to Gozsdu udvar (for bars and pubs), Kiraly utca, Central Synagogue, Szimpla Kert & other ruin bars.
Great palces for great food
KIOSK Budapest has a fantastic terrace and spacious inside with great atmosphere day and night, good to try not-tourist version of Hungarian food.
Meshuga is one of my absolute favourite Tel-Aviv inspired restaurant in the heart of the Jewish Quarter with amazing atmosphere and some of the best Mediterranean food.
Mazel Tov is a ruin bar style restaurant and bar with good Jewish-Mediterranean food.
Dobrumba is a small sapce in the heart of the Jewish Distric with amazing Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food.
Vak Varjú is a locals’ favourite, not-touristy version of Hungarian classics: from snitzels and stews, to Hungarian desserts like “túrógombóc” a sweet cottage cheese dumpling in breadcrumbs.
Getto Gulyas serves family-style Hungarian classics, from stews and soups to desserts in the atmospheric Jewish district.
Babel Budapest is fancy Michelin star restaurant with a unique take on Hungarian classics, have a great plant based selection.
Stand25 Bistro serves great Hungarian classics in friendly atmosphere.
Stand is the sophisticated Michelin style Hungarian dining experience with great wines.
Déryné is one of my favourite places with lovely Hungarian and European meals, lovely staff - definitely try their bespoke Sauska wine made for the restaurant.
Czakó Kert has a great weekend market, and a nice dining offer form the menu of three restuarants, so you can pick from pizza, snitzel or bao.
Spago in the new Matild & Klotild Palaces is not very Budapest in terms of being part of the Wolgang Puck empire, but the food and service is fantastic.
Unique bars & cafés
Csendes Társ is my favourite wine bar and cafe by the gates of a small city park. Enjoy lovely organic wines or a perfect lemonade under the trees.
Gerlóczy is a boutique hotel with a very Parisian cafe, great for Austrian-style breakfast and quick coffee.
Szimpla Kert is the ultimate and og ruin bar, my favourite time to visit is on the weekends for their farmers’ market or summer cinema nights.
High Note SkyBar is a beauitful roof top bar on top of the hotel with amazing views of the Basilica.
360 bar is another great place to marvel at the view alongside Andrassy Avenue.
Hotel President is a hidden gem when it comes to rooftop bars, go up to bar through hotel and you will discover the amazing view of the art-deco roofing of the building next door.
Párisi Passage Café & Brasserie this cafe is a must see from the outside, but actually you can get better coffee and more friendly atmosphere elsewhere.
Central Cafe and Restaurant 1887 is one of the Budapest icons, a Parisian style cafe with rich history. You can stay for food but I think it’s a bit too pricey for what it is, so instead I’d head to Spago.
Shops & Gifts
Nanushka is actually a Hungarian label and they have a lovely store and coffee shop just off Vaci Street, a main shopping road.
Omorovicza is a well known beauty brand made with Hungarian ingredients, they have a great treatment centre and shop just on Andrassy Avenue.
Bortarsasag at multiple locations is a great speciality deli for Hungarian wines. You can go for classic Tokaji, the most famous wine export of Hungary, a super-sweet dessert wine, or a unique Kéknyelű, which is a volcanic white from the Balaton region. Generally Sauska reds are amazing - so up to you!
Rododendron Art & Design is a very cute shop for post cards, memorabilia and Hungarian design.
