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If you’re looking for a city that blends grandeur with grit, elegance with edge, Budapest might just be the one. It’s a place where thermal baths steam beside ruin bars, and centuries of history sit shoulder to shoulder with vibrant street art and late-night cafés. It’s romantic, reflective, and surprisingly affordable — ideal for a long weekend that offers both depth and delight.
Just like my hometown of Manchester, Budapest has layers. It’s a city that’s been shaped by revolutions, and resilience — and you can feel that in its architecture, its food, and its rhythm. It’s perfect if:
- You love walking and discovering hidden corners
- You want a mix of culture, relaxation, and nightlife
- You’re curious about Central European history and identity
- You enjoy excellent restaurants and coffee shops (who doesn’t?)
Whether you’re travelling solo, with a partner, or on a reflective break, Budapest offers space to explore, and space to breathe. Let’s dive in.
Things to do in Budapest
Spend a morning in the castle district
Most visitors stay on the Pest side of Budapest, as we did, where the streets are lively, the cafés plentiful, and the architecture grand. But for a quieter, more historic start to the day, we crossed the river to Buda, home to the city’s Castle District and sweeping views over the Danube.
We walked across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, and took the funicular up to the castle. It’s a short ride — yes, technically only 45 seconds — but don’t let the people at the bottom talk you into skipping it and buying a bus ticket. It’s charming, historic, and part of the experience.
At the top, the atmosphere shifts: cobbled streets, pastel buildings, and a sense of calm that contrasts beautifully with Pest’s buzz. It’s a lovely place to wander, with plenty of spots to pause and take in the view.
While you’re up in the Castle District, don’t miss Fisherman’s Bastion — a fairytale-like terrace with panoramic views over the Danube and Parliament building. It’s one of Budapest’s most photographed spots, and for good reason.
We also bought a combined ticket that included entry to the Maria Magdolna Tower — a lesser-known gem that not many visitors seemed to explore. The climb is steep (lots of steps!), but the views from the top are absolutely worth it. It felt peaceful, almost secret, and gave us a whole new perspective on the city.
Visit the Central Market Hall
Mid-morning, we made our way to Central Market Hall — one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks and a feast for the senses. Housed in a grand 19th-century building with a striking steel frame and colourful Zsolnay tiles, it’s as much an architectural experience as a culinary one. Opened in 1897, the market was part of a city-wide push to modernise food distribution, and it still buzzes with that same energy today.
Inside, there are hundreds of stalls — selling everything from fresh produce and meats to spices, souvenirs, and street food. We bought paprika (of course) and some local honey, both beautifully packaged and perfect for bringing a taste of Hungary home. It’s easy to spend an hour or two here, browsing, tasting, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Upstairs, you’ll find a bustling food court serving classic Hungarian dishes — everything from goulash and lángos to stuffed cabbage and sausages. We chose a sausage dish, which came piled high with potatoes and pickles. It was huge — definitely a sharing portion — and we were glad we’d split it.
In fact, it was so substantial that I managed to break two wooden forks trying to tackle the pickle. A strange but amusing moment!
Yes, it’s busy and undeniably touristy, but the market is a quintessential Budapest experience. The clatter of trays, the smell of paprika and grilled meats, the mix of locals and visitors — it all adds to the atmosphere. If you’re looking for a hearty, authentic lunch in a lively setting, this is a great place to start.
House of Terror Museum
This is one I missed — and I won’t make that mistake again. While I was off having a massage, Mr Travel Psychologist visited the House of Terror and came back quiet, thoughtful, and deeply moved. I hadn’t realised it was a history museum — one that documents the brutal treatment of ordinary people under Hungary’s fascist and communist regimes. It’s housed in the former headquarters of the secret police, and the exhibits are powerful, unsettling, and important.
If you’re planning a visit, prepare yourself: it’s difficult to see and hear. But it’s also a vital part of understanding Budapest’s layered history and the resilience of its people. I’ll definitely be going next time.
Visit the Ruin Bars
In the early evening, we explored one of Budapest’s most unique and evocative experiences — the ruin bars. These bars began as grassroots efforts to reclaim derelict buildings in the city’s Jewish Quarter, transforming abandoned courtyards and crumbling interiors into creative, communal spaces. Locals hung fairy lights, salvaged furniture, and bits of art — anything to make the spaces usable, welcoming, alive.
There’s something deeply psychological about it. Hungary’s history is marked by hardship and oppression, and these bars feel like a reclamation. As a clinical psychologist, I couldn’t help but see the parallel: transformation doesn’t happen all at once. It’s slow, layered, often improvised. Just like healing, these spaces evolved bit by bit, until they became something beautiful.
Now, they’re vibrant and popular — places to gather, drink, and marvel at how life can return to forgotten corners. Whether you stop by Szimpla Kert or wander into one of the smaller, lesser-known spots, it’s an experience that stays with you.
Visit a Spa
It’s a quintessential experience to visit a spa in Budapest. For us Mandala Spa was the perfect choice. I’d picked it based on a personal recommendation from a friend, and it turned out to be exactly what we needed. Many of the reviews for Budapest’s historic thermal baths mention that they can be crowded and not always the cleanest, so we opted for something more peaceful and restorative.
We booked this VIP spa package, which included 4 hours in the spa, robes, towels and a glass of sparkling wine. The spa itself is calm and intimate, with warm pools, saunas, and soft lighting that invites you to truly relax. It felt like a gentle reset — a quiet moment to absorb the day and recharge.
Liz & Chain Rooftop Bar
If you fancy some glamorous drinks and great views visit Liz and Chain, a rooftop bar overlooking the Danube. Yes it’s a little bit pricey, but it’s a great place to have a quiet drink and watch day turn into night with one of the best views in the city. It’s a little extra to book a table with the best views but totally worth it in my opinion.
Cafés and Restaurants
Coffee Culture in Pest
One of the most unexpected joys of Budapest was its coffee scene — especially in Pest. I hadn’t planned for it to be a highlight, but it quickly became one. The cafés here are thoughtful, creative, and quietly cool — the kind of places where you can linger with a book, journal between museum visits, or just pause and breathe.
My favourites:
- Corto — Just a few steps from the apartment I stayed in (more on that later), this tiny café became my morning ritual. The espresso was excellent, and the butter croissants were some of the best I’ve had outside France — flaky, golden, and just the right amount of indulgent.
- Café Muse — Perfect for brunch, especially if you love a space that feels both elegant and relaxed. The building itself is stunning — high ceilings, soft light, and a quiet charm that invites you to stay longer than you meant to.
- Kaffa Opera — A cosy spot near the opera house, where I had the biggest slice of banana loaf I’ve ever seen. It was rich, comforting, and exactly what I needed after a long walk. Great coffee, too — and ideal for people-watching.
Restaurants
Sophie Restaurant
This place was a stylish, welcoming spot close to our accommodation. For starter, we shared a goat’s cheese salad, which is always a winner. For main, I had the lasagne, which was rich and comforting without being heavy, and the live piano music added a lovely touch of elegance to the evening.
It’s a popular place, and for good reason — so we’d recommend booking ahead, especially if you’re visiting over the weekend. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, with just the right balance of sophistication and ease.
Retek Bisztro
To end our trip on a high note, we booked dinner at Retek Bisztro — a Hungarian restaurant with a modern twist, just a short walk from where we were staying. The interior strikes a perfect balance: cosy and intimate, yet refined enough to feel like a special occasion. The service was impeccable. Once again, the gentle notes of a live piano player added a touch of magic to the evening. It’s something I totally miss now that we’re home!
The restaurant offer a set menu that’s ideal for sampling traditional Hungarian dishes. I had beef goulash to start, which was lovely although the spicy paprika is served separately to allow you to add what’s right for you. For me, it needed a big dollop to really taste the flavour and then it blew me away.
For main, I had chicken paprikash, and finished with Somlói sponge cake — a rich, layered dessert. We had this meal on our final night in Budapest and it felt like a fitting end to our trip.
Where to stay in Budapest
We stayed at Opera Residence, and while the accommodation itself is fairly basic, the location was absolutely fantastic. Just steps from the Hungarian State Opera House, it put us right in the heart of Pest — surrounded by excellent coffee shops, restaurants, and easy access to public transport.
It was the kind of place that made everything feel walkable. We could pop out for breakfast at Corto, stroll to ruin bars, and be back in minutes. For the price we paid, it was totally worth it — a simple, comfortable base in one of Budapest’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
When is the best time to visit Budapest?
The best times to visit Budapest are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October), when the weather is mild and the crowds are thinner. We visited in late September, and although the weather was a little drizzly at times, on the whole it was pleasant for exploring. It also wasn’t too busy at all. Even in the busiest parts of the castle district, the crowds felt very manageable.
How long do I need in Budapest?
Three nights felt like a minimum and even then, I left wanting more. We had just enough time to explore, wander through ruin bars, climb towers, and linger in cafés… but there’s so much depth to Budapest that anything less might feel a bit short-changed.
If you’re someone who likes to travel slowly — to reflect, journal, and absorb rather than rush — I’d recommend at least 3–4 nights. It gives you space to explore both Buda and Pest, take in the history, and still have time for a massage or a long brunch without feeling like you’re missing out.
Last but not least..
If you’re feeling hedonistic… Budapest has just the thing: kürtőskalács, or chimney cake. Warm, golden, and dusted in cinnamon sugar, it’s the kind of sweet treat that feels both indulgent and nostalgic. Best eaten fresh from a street stall, ideally while strolling along the Danube or recovering from a thermal bath. Go on — you deserve it.
If you want a sense of accomplishment… Climb the steps of Maria Magdolna Tower. It’s all that remains of a medieval church destroyed in World War II — and today, it offers one of the most striking views over Buda. The climb is steep, but the reward is worth it: panoramic cityscapes, a quiet moment of reflection, and the satisfying ache of having earned your perspective.
Reasons to be optimistic… Budapest has known hardship — from fascist and communist regimes to brutal repression and economic stagnation. But walking through the city today, you feel something else: momentum. The ruin bars are one example — spaces once abandoned, now reclaimed with colour, music, and life. But it goes deeper. Since the 1990s, Budapest has transformed into a vibrant cultural and economic hub, attracting artists, entrepreneurs, and thinkers from across Europe.
There’s a quiet pride here, in the architecture that’s been restored, the cafés that hum with conversation, and the museums that tell difficult truths. It’s a city that doesn’t forget, but also doesn’t stand still. And that, to me, is deeply hopeful.
