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Peterjon Cresswell

Peterjon Cresswell

Editor, Time Out Crotia

Salvaged from the wreckage of a provincial past by punk rock and Total Football, Mönchengladbach-born Peterjon Cresswell has always looked to Europe for work and inspiration. Mainly covering sport and travel in Hungary, Croatia and Poland, he has also created Time Out Guides to Baku, Brussels and Paris. He has talked football face-to-face with Ferenc Puskás at Budapest’s historic Hotel Béke and interviewed Eric Cantona by a pile of sand in Dubai. Football, travel and strange backstories dovetail in Libero (liberoguide.com), his first digital project, the result of far too much research into the subject.

Articles (44)

The 25 best things to do in Budapest

The 25 best things to do in Budapest

Budapest is a buzzing, lively, 24-hour city, and if you’re planning a trip, there are some things that absolutely must be on your radar, like sailing the Danube, eating your bodyweight in lángos and goulash, and taking in the views with a panoramic cocktail. This city is steeped in history, blessed with spa waters and embellished with grandiose façades from the Habsburg days, just waiting to be explored. And while it’s not as cheap as it used to be, you can still cram a hell of a lot in on a budget. Our local writer Peterjon Cresswell has scoured the city to bring you this list of the best things to do in Budapest.  RECOMMENDED:📍 How to do a weekend in Budapest🪩 The best nightlife spots in Budapest🏛️ The best spas and baths in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🏨 The best hotels in Budapest This guide was written by Peterjon Cresswell, a writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

The 13 best attractions in Budapest

The 13 best attractions in Budapest

Budapest is a darling of a city, one of the most picturesque capitals in Europe and objectively one of its best nights out. Tourists, travellers, nomads and explorers alike have been wandering the streets of Buda and Pest for centuries, looking for excitement and experience in equal measure. The Hungarian capital doesn’t let the side down, and those serene thermal baths and spas are always on hand to provide a little rejuvenation.The best attractions in Budapest are the greatest hits of sorts, showcasing the capital’s fascinating history, architectural majesty and fiery creative side. Looking for your Budapest bucket list? Look no further. Recommended: 📍 The best things to do in Budapest😋 The best restaurants in Budapest🍻 The best ruin bars in Budapest🏡 The best Airbnbs in Budapest🛏 The best hotels in Budapest This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

The 9 best places to visit in Montenegro

The 9 best places to visit in Montenegro

Dramatic best describes Montenegro. Its monastery-dotted hinterland, lofty and forbidding, a kind of Balkan Bhutan overseen by the remote royal capital of Cetinje, Montenegro, suddenly gives way to the Adriatic. Set against craggy cliffs and shaped by Venetian marble, destinations such as Budva and Kotor attract holidaymakers perhaps jaded by pricier neighbour Croatia. Although, no resort could be more exclusive than Swiss-owned Sveti Stefan. Exploring beyond the beach umbrellas rewards the intrepid with serene lakes, rare wildlife and hiking trails traversed mainly by mules until relatively recently. Roads and rail tracks somehow follow these challenging contours – Montenegro is no easy ride, but memorable might just be as fitting a description as dramatic. RECOMMENDED:🇦🇱 The best places to visit in Albania🏖️ The best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks🧳 The best city breaks in Europe for 2024 Peterjon Cresswell is the editor at Time Out Croatia. Additional reporting and editing by John Bills, who has travelled extensively around the Balkans. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

The 11 best restaurants in Budapest right now

The 11 best restaurants in Budapest right now

Budapest has made a name for itself as the home of ruin bars (derelict buildings made into poppin’ clubs), thermal spas and baths, admirable architecture and seriously affordable attractions. But whatever you’re in the Hungarian capital for, don’t sleep on its many and varied offerings for absolutely exquisite cuisine. Of course, there’s a load of great Hungarian food on offer, from classic gulyás (beef stew) to chicken paprikás with nokedli or rice. Then there’s the lángos, deep fried bread covered with sour cream and cheese, best enjoyed late at night after one too many drinks. And we've just added a new wine bar, Felix, with a banging menu to match. Ready to eat? Us too. Here’s the best restaurants in Budapest right now.  RECOMMENDED:🏰 The best things to do in Budapest🍻 The best bars in Budapest🏛️ The best museums in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest Peterjon Cresswell is a writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

The 24 best things to do in the world in 2024

The 24 best things to do in the world in 2024

Forget ‘saving money’ in 2024. You know what your New Year’s resolution should be? Get out more. Do more stuff. See more of the world. Life is short, after all – and 2024 promises a tonne of unmissable festivals, art, food and music. There are openings and re-openings. Brand-new train routes criss-crossing countries and continents. Whacky places to party. And even if the cossie livs does have you tightening the purse strings, there are plenty of free and affordable events on this list, too.  So get your booking fingers at the ready: your 2024 bucket list awaits. This is our definitive guide to the coolest new things to do in the world next year. See you out there!  RECOMMENDED:😎 The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🌃 The best European city breaks for 2024🖼️ The world’s best museums and galleries

The 9 best ruin bars in Budapest right now

The 9 best ruin bars in Budapest right now

Like escape rooms, ruin bars are a successful Budapest invention. So successful, in fact, that weekend nights see the streets completely mobbed in the party zone between Dob and Dohány utca near Klauzál tér. Ruin bar mugs are even sold in souvenir shops. The concept was originally a simple one. District VII, the Jewish Quarter, was dotted with neglected courtyards, surrounded by empty flats. Enterprising locals decked out the spaces with fairy lights and mismatching, skip-found furniture, chucked in a few incongruous artefacts, limbless mannequins, abandoned cars from the Socialist era, put up a bar counter and – ta-da! – the ruin bar was invented. Add some light projections, maybe a bare firewall for films, and a DJ booth, keep opening hours dauntingly extensive, and there you have it: the ruin bar as we know it today. Here are our picks of the best.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Budapest🪩 The best Budapest nightlife spots🛏 The best hotels in Budapest🍴 The best restaurants in Budapest This article was updated by Peterjon Cresswell, a writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

The 10 best spas and baths in Budapest

The 10 best spas and baths in Budapest

Budapest is Europe’s spa capital. Historic, ornate, and sights in themselves, their heritage dating back to Ottoman or Habsburg times, spas here are for a whole day’s relaxation and even for night-time fun, given the late Saturday sessions at the Rudas and pool parties at the Széchenyi.  No visit to Budapest is complete without one to the spa. Most are around £25/€30, but budget-friendly options include Lukács and Veli Bej. Bring a towel, your swimming costume (this isn’t Germany – Hungarians don’t do naked saunas), flip-flops, a dressing gown in winter, and a bank card to buy drinks and snacks inside. Here are the best spas in Budapest.   RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Budapest😋 The best restaurants in Budapest🍻 The best ruin bars in Budapest🏡 The best Airbnbs in Budapest This guide was updated by Peterjon Cresswell, a writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

The 14 very best Budapest nightlife spots

The 14 very best Budapest nightlife spots

Whether you're here to party or not, some of Budapest's most notorious nightlife spots are an absolute must. Much of the city's nightlife is found in the Jewish Quarter, but its infamous ruin bars are found on Kazinczy utca, Akácfa utca and Klauzál utca.  But there's plenty more low-key spots too – you just need to know where to look. Our local writer takes us through nightlife street Madách tér and over the river to the terrace cafés of Bartók Béla út. All the way from Buda to Pest. We’ve got once-in-a-lifetime tourist hotspots alongside the places only locals know. Here is your guide to the best nightlife in Budapest. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Budapest🏛️ The best spas and baths in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🍻 The best bars in Budapest This article was recently updated by Peterjon Cresswell, a writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

A weekend in Budapest: The ultimate itinerary

A weekend in Budapest: The ultimate itinerary

A classic city-break destination that gives a flavour of the east while awash with contemporary hotels and restaurants, Budapest can be as affordable or as lavish as you like. As photogenic as when it was fashioned in the gilded late 1800s, Budapest has long provided the perfect backdrop for flings, proposals, honeymoons and more. Those oh-so romantic interludes can be interspersed with a whole load of stuff: gallery visits, panoramic walks and boat tours, to name a few. Many, however, come to party, as the nightlife scene is as good as the day after, where you can treat your hangover to a soak in the spa or breakfast in an ornate coffeehouse. Long-term resident Peterjon Cresswell takes you on a whirlwind weekend around Budapest. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Budapest🏛️ The best spas and baths in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🍻 The best bars in Budapest Peterjon Cresswell is a writer based in Budapest. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

12 of the best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks for 2023

12 of the best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks for 2023

Does anything conjure up an image of beach bliss quite like the Med? Surrounded by 22 countries and bordered by three continents, the Mediterranean Sea boasts miles and miles of coastline – not to mention hundreds of islands. And while there are certain seaside spots where you’ll need to fight for space on the sand (we’re looking at you, Barceloneta), there are plenty of other secluded stretches of coastline across the Med. Our selection of alternative beach spots, chosen by Mediterranean-based travel writers, takes you beyond Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. From wild, flamingo-frequented beaches in Spain to a culture-packed port city in France, this is where to find the Mediterranean’s best alternative (and affordable) beach breaks. There’s plenty of room to lay out your towel here. Grace Beard is Time Out’s deputy travel editor, based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:🗺 Europe’s most underrated destinations🌆 The best European city breaks🚫 The travel destinations that want tourists to stay away

Let 3 let rip in Liverpool

Let 3 let rip in Liverpool

Controversial Croatian band Let 3 gave a typically dramatic performance to present their number, Mama ŠČ!, at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. The event carried the motto United by Music and was held in support of Ukraine. The Let 3 tune is seen as a subliminal mocking of the leaders behind the current conflict. As we recently reported, a Croatian couple had travelled all the way from their home in Vir to see the band’s big night.In the most-watched Eurovision in history, Let 3 went home empty-handed. Swedish singer Loreen became the first woman to win the contest twice.

Les 14 destinacions més infravalorades d'Europa

Les 14 destinacions més infravalorades d'Europa

No cal dir que Europa està plena de llocs increïbles. Però molts d'aquests llocs són també bastant obvis. Venècia, Amsterdam, la costa Amalfitana... sí, són impressionants. Però el problema és que tothom vol anar-hi, i moltes de les capitals del continent, hubs culturals i paisatges bonics estan plens de turistes i amb preus desorbitats. Algunes d'aquestes destinacions fins i tot han començat a dir que volen que els turistes no hi vagin. Però per cada lloc que està atapeït de visitants, n'hi ha d'altres que passen injustament desapercebuts: llocs on pots passar-te hores sense veure un altre turista, o almenys alternatius a les tradicionals destinacions de vacances. De manera que això és el que suggerim: aquest estiu, eviteu trencar-vos el coll intentant veure la Mona Lisa. Estalvieu-vos les cues del Vaticà i viatgeu a algunes de les destinacions menys conegudes del continent. Des dels Balcans fins als països bàltics, des de l'Atlàntic Nord fins a la costa Adriàtica, hem reunit escriptors de viatges i experts locals per tal de descobrir les ciutats infravalorades d'Europa, les illes, regions, platges, pobles, llacs i tot el que hi ha al mig.  NO T'HO PERDIS: Les 10 millors destinacions per viatjar el 2023

Listings and reviews (7)

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds

What is Madame Tussauds? The world’s 24th, and arguably most elegant, Madame Tussauds waxworks museum, which occupies the 200-year-old Palazzo Dorottya in the heart of Budapest. Using the Hungarian capital as its main theme, this English-friendly attraction takes visitors on an immersive journey, with movie stars and famous figures from Hungarian history.  Is it worth it? If you’re a fan of all things interactive and immersive, you’ll love it. Without leaving this spot by the Danube, you can zoom around town on the back of Tom Cruise’s motorbike, accompany Habsburg Empress Elisabeth in her carriage or schmooze with Brad Pitt at a wrap party at the Gellért Baths. Hungarophiles will enjoy the life-like representations of pre-war torch singer Katalin Karády and football star Ferenc Puskás, both showcased in suitable settings. How much are tickets and how long will I spend there? Tickets start at £33 for off peak times, and from £37 for peak times. But you’ll spend about two hours going through the experience, so you get your money’s worth. We recommend booking in advance, as tickets are cheaper and you don’t risk getting turned away if it’s full.  Where should I eat near Madame Tussauds?  

Szimpla Kert

Szimpla Kert

What is Szimpla Kert? Originally an outdoor cinema whose films were projected onto the back wall of this sprawling complex of courtyard and former flats on the first floor, Szimpla Kert evolved into an alternative bar and DJ club, dotted with curious artefacts. On Sundays, it stages a produce market, with live music. Is it worth visiting? Too successful for its own good, Szimpla Kert now mainly appeals to foreign partygoers, drawn by the allure of Budapest’s most famous ruin bar. You can still have a great time, but you’ll be rubbing shoulders with weekend drinkers from Gillingham and paying high prices in Budapest terms. What should I order? When in Rome… given the craze for craft beer in the Hungarian capital, it wasn’t long before someone had the bright idea to brand a beer after it. Featuring the Statue of Lady Liberty on the label, Budapest Lager is light and refreshing, easily sipped as you party. As it’s priced the same here as the cheapest mainstream domestic brand, it should be a straightforward bar call – and easier to pronounce, too. What’s worth going to nearby? The Szimpla Kert lies at the edge of the nightlife zone, surrounded by milling night owls and expectant taxi drivers. If the crowds get too much and hunger strikes, you can stroll a few metres along Kazinczy utca to Karaván, an open courtyard offering all kinds of street food, with its own party atmosphere. Still hungry? Check out the best restaurants in Budapest. 

Instant-Fogas

Instant-Fogas

What is Instant-Fogas? Instant was a prime party space on Nagymező utca in Budapest’s theatreland, before it was forced to move to make way for today’s Hard Rock Hotel. Cutting their losses, the owners decided to combine with a failing ruin bar, Fogas, which occupied a former denture repair workshop deep in District VII, distinguished by the sign of false teeth above the door. The result is Instant-Fogas, a multi-level nightlife complex, also comprising the spaces Unterwelt, Liebling, Robot and Frame for music ranging from dubstep to metal. Is it worth visiting? Yes, especially if there’s a group of you, there’s more than enough spaces to explore before you reconvene at some point in the night on the dancefloor of your choice. What should I order? To save you keep running up to the bar, it may be an idea to order as Hungarians do, especially in summer. Spritzer (fröccs) is a white wine and soda mix, not as heavy as beer. Drinks are served with two modest deposits on top, one for the reusable glass, the other for a token, both of which you have refunded when you leave. What’s worth going to nearby? For a light but top-quality fill-up before you go into party mode, Mazel Tov next door is Budapest’s prime spot for eastern Mediterranean cuisine, served amid bare-brick surroundings redolent of a ruin bar.  Still hungry? Check out the best restaurants in Budapest. 

Csendes

Csendes

What is Csendes? Csendes Létterem, to give this former literary café its official name, is done out with all the ruin-bar accoutrements of mismatching furniture and random décor. Offering decent wine and cocktails, it’s very much a sit-down experience rather than a wild party place, but puts on occasional acoustic nights and is particular about the music it plays. Is it worth visiting? Very much so. Original and inventive, Csendes provides a flavour of authentic Budapest within a minute of the Astoria Hotel and two of the National Museum. And it does so without making you feel that you’re a forint flytrap, ready to be shaken down for your last penny. What should I order? Csendes stocks the kinds of sought-after spirits that collect dust in other ruin bars, where speed and quantity are paramount. Here, you can order a Malfy blood orange fizz, a mix of Italian gin, artisanal cordial (referred to in Hungarian as szörp or ‘syrup’) and soda for little more than a pint of Czech beer, and let the night take its course. What’s worth going to nearby? Csendes has a partner outlet a few doors down, Csendes Társ (‘Companion’), essentially a wine bar with quality snacks, which puts out tables by the entrance to the pretty urban park of Károlyi kert just opposite. The gardens were landscaped by the noble Károlyi family in the 1700s and today contain a children’s playground, well-tended flowerbeds and sundry statuary. Still hungry? Check out the best restaurants in Budapest. 

Gellért Thermal Bath

Gellért Thermal Bath

  What are the Gellért Baths? Unveiled, like the adjoining hotel, just after World War I, the Gellért echoes Budapest’s Silver Age of the 1920s when its summer-only wave pool also opened. Interior tiling and decorative features remain faithful to this heritage, while men’s and women’s pools are still separate. Are they worth visiting? Another Budapest must-see, the Gellért is certainly worth visiting but much smaller than the equally grandiose Széchenyi, which would probably get the nod if you’re just going to enjoy one spa while you’re in town. Tickets, accessibility and booking Admission is £27 with a cabin to change in, £25 for just a locker, with no discounts for children. Online purchases are available. Visitors with limited mobility have access to the indoor thermal pools and saunas, but not the outside area. Where’s good to eat near the Gellért? While the hotel and its café are being rebuilt, you can easily find plenty of dining and drinking options nearby. Overlooking the adjoining main square and transport hub, the Palack borbár serves sought-after Hungarian wines and superior snacks while the Szeged Vendéglő opposite is an age-old traditional Hungarian restaurant known for its fish soups, goose liver and pancakes. Still hungry? Check out more of the best restaurants in Budapest. 

Széchenyi Baths

Széchenyi Baths

What are the Széchenyi Baths? Named after Hungary’s revered statesman of the mid-1800s, the Széchenyi echoes the Golden Age of Budapest with its grandiose façades and classical columns. Here you can bathe and swim in three large outdoor pools before ducking inside to sweat and soak in the sauna complex. Are they worth visiting? This is the classic Budapest experience, although it’s one you’ll mainly be sharing with fellow foreigners. If you’re only visiting the city once, set aside half a day to wallow in grandeur. Tickets, accessibility and booking Admission is pricey, £25 at weekends and over the Christmas holidays, £21 the rest of the week, with no discounts for children. So-called fast track online tickets, if 15 percent pricier, allow you to beat the long queues at the ticket office. The spa is not wheelchair-friendly. Where’s good to eat near the Széchenyi? While there’s a terrace eatery (card payment only) overlooking the lane pool, if you’re after something more than standard fried meat with fat chips, the superior Robinson is lapped by the lake you’ll have to walk round to access the restaurant from the spa.  Check out more things to do in Budapest. 

Lukács Baths

Lukács Baths

  What are the Lukács Baths? Used as a spa since the Crusades, the Lukács puts the accent on health and healing rather than aquatic fun. This is not to say you can’t relax, in its main outdoor pool, two lane pools, sauna complex and rooftop sunbathing terrace, but the plaques on display testify to guests’ gratitude for its curative benefits. Are they worth visiting? Most certainly, particularly if you’re on a tighter budget, and you’d like to take advantage of even cheaper admission offered after 5pm. Tickets, accessibility and booking Admission is £10 during the week, £11 at weekends, reduced to £7/£9.50 after 5pm. Note that on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and in the height of summer, opening hours extend to 8pm. Online purchasing automatically automatic locker or cabin usage. While the spa accommodates patients from the adjoining medical facility, it is not particularly wheelchair-friendly. Where’s good to eat near the Lukács? Open until early evening, Arancini Benedetti alongside specialises in the namesake Sicilian rice balls. Further down, beside the Buda foot of Margaret Bridge, the Híd Bisztró does a fine job with international classics, served on a pretty terrace that fills in summer.