Peterjon Cresswell

Budapest in 2025: There’s loads happening in Budapest right now, terraces, pools and live venues all a-buzz – not to mention the upcoming opening of Time Out Market Budapest, which is pretty huge. Check out the concert and party schedules at the Dürer Kert, A38 Boat and Akvárium Klub, as well as the city’s upcoming Beer Festival and Wine Festival.  Get ready to glide along the Danube, lay into a bowl of hearty goulash and take in some serious views from rooftop bars, chairlifts and great heights – Budapest awaits. This city is steeped in history, blessed with spa waters and embellished with grandiose façades from the Habsburg days, with plenty of new openings to get stuck into too. From attractions to nightlife, here’s our local’s guide to the city.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to what to do in Budapest Is Budapest expensive? In a word, no. Budapest is no longer a cheap date but the weak local forint means your meal or night out is still affordable. Yes, that soak in the Széchenyi costs more than €30, but a tram ride is just over €1, a cinema ticket barely €5 and a beer €3 – if reclaiming the deposit on your glass. It might not be one of Europe’s cheapest city breaks, but it’s definitely good for a budget trip.  How to have the perfect day in Budapest The perfect day in Budapest always begins with coffee, ideally with an extravagant cake at the ornate Művész near the Opera. From here, you can stroll, cycle or take Continental Europe’s oldest metro along elegant boulevard A

Visit Budapest’s Christmas Markets and you can try traditional Hungarian chimney cake and mulled wine, skate amid festive lights and experience a spectacular 3D light show displayed across St Stephen’s Basilica! Festive fairs also set up in nearby Városháza park, under the Big Wheel on Erzsébet tér and in Buda Castle. When do Budapest Christmas Markets start? Christmas comes early to Budapest. The main market on Vörösmarty tér is unveiled in mid-November, when the stalls and skating rink also open by the Basilica, and a giant Christmas tree lights up on Deák Ferenc utca. Advent in Buda Castle begins at the end of November, while the festive illuminations twinkle from early December in Gozsdu Udvar and by Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park. 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to what to do 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. 

What’s the deal with Újbuda? A phalanx of terrace cafés, galleries and restaurants attract a savvy Hungarian clientele over the river from Pest to Újbuda. Once considered the domain of elderly Magyar ladies and their poodles, this elegant district has seen a change in demographic in recent years. Named after Hungary’s most famous composer, tree-lined avenue Bartók Béla út is its main artery, behind the Gellért Hotel now closed for renovation. A statue of 20th-century writer Géza Gárdonyi stands outside the literary café that both typified this stately neighbourhood when active in the pre-war era, and pioneered its revival after reopening in 2010: Hadik. Adjoining it, the Szatyor (‘Bag’) has an arty, ruin-bar feel typical of early 21st-century Budapest, but its name derives from a quote from 1930s Hadik regular, writer Frigyes Karinthy, originator of the concept of six degrees of separation. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the 50 coolest neighbourhoods in the world If you only do one thing... The Godot Gallery showcases some of Budapest's most challenging contemporary artists, most notably the ever-provocative Dr Máriás, whose work often forms part of festivals here, including the Art Expo series running in October 2025. Go off the beaten track Surrounded by plentiful greenery, two terrace restaurants, a concert stage, small pier, tennis club, outdoor gym, children’s playground and a jogging course, Feneketlen-tó (the ‘bottomless lake’) provides ample scope for recreation alongside

You’ve done the classics: the capital cities, the TikTok viral spots, the cities with their own Netflix show. And don’t get us wrong, we love the classics for a reason. But there’s a downside to these big, bustling, bucket-list-worthy travel destinations. If you’ve ever queued an hour for a pastry, spent your day’s budget on a coffee or had to book a museum three months in advance, you’ll know it as well as us: it’s the crowds.  And following years of anti-tourism measures, Airbnb restrictions and demonstrations in response to overtourism, there’s never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked. This is our ultimate guide to Europe’s best hidden spots, from culture-packed city breaks to under-the-radar national parks. If you’re travelling on a budget, searching for quiet or just desperate to try somewhere new, these are the most underrated places to visit in Europe right now, according to Time Out experts.  Europe’s most underrated destinations at a glance ⛱️ Best for a beach holiday: Terracina, Italy 📸 Best weekend city break: Gothenburg, Sweden 💸 Best budget-friendly: Plovdiv, Bulgaria ❄️ Best winter escape: Machynlleth, Wales 🥾 Best outdoorsy adventure: Gerês, Portugal This guide was written by a number of Time Out contributors and experts. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editoria

One of the many significant changes to happen in Budapest over the decades I've lived here has been the rise of Airbnb accommodation. For the perfect city break that delivers on food, culture and nightlife, you can easily find affordable lodgings a short walk or tram hop away. And that includes its famed ruin bars and magnificent bath spas, too! What is the best area to stay in Budapest? For partying, book a place in the Jewish Quarter (District VII, so addresses with postcodes starting with 107) and you're a stagger away from your last port of call – and close to options for breakfast. You're also near the Time Out Market Budapest, which holds true for the funky Palace Quarter in District VIII, postcode 108x. The most central location is District V, with a 105x postcode, while leafier Buda (Districts I, II and XII) offers a quieter stay. Airbnb has locations across the city. So whatever you’re looking for, experience the best of Buda (and Pest) with one of these apartments. Updated September 2025: We’ve got two hot new properties on the roster, including a rooftop apartment and forest cabin. You’re welcome.  RECOMMENDED:The best things to do in BudapestThe best hotels in Budapest The best attractions in Budapest Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more informa

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

A magyar konyha – akárcsak a francia – több évszázados, paraszti gyökerű hagyományra épül; mai, nemzetközileg ismert arculata a 19. században kristályosodott ki, majd a 2000-es évek elején új lendületet kapott. Alapját a jó minőségű húsok, a friss zöldségek-gyümölcsök és a tejtermékek adják; jellegzetes az étkezési zsír (ma gyakrabban olaj), a vöröshagyma és a fűszerpaprika együttese. Az ország belső területein a frissvízi hal (pl. ponty, harcsa, süllő) is meghatározó alapanyag. A klasszikus ételek közé tartozik a paprikás csirke (csirkepaprikás), amelyet rendszerint tejföllel készítenek vagy azzal tálalnak – ahogy a töltött káposztánál is gyakori a tejföl. Természetesen ide sorolható a gulyásleves és a csípősebb változatban is ismert halászlé. Hol lehet jó gulyást enni Budapesten? A gulyás – pontosabban gulyásleves – kétségkívül a legismertebb magyar étel, amelyet itthon és külföldön egyaránt a magyar konyhával azonosítanak. Ez a paprikával ízesített, marhahús- és burgonyakockákkal főzött, sűrű leves hagyományosan bográcsban készül, és gyakran így is tálalják. Sok helyen külön erősebb paprikakrémet vagy szárított erőspaprikát kínálnak mellé, amit ízlés szerint lehet hozzáadni. A legjobb gulyás titka a lassú főzés: eredetileg a pásztorok (gulyások) készítették nyílt tűzön, üstben, így vált a magyar ételkultúra egyik alapkövévé. Bár Budapesten rengeteg étterem kínál gulyást, a minőség nagyon változó – sok hely inkább a turisták kedvéért tartja az étlapon. Az igazán ízes, hag

Hungary’s glorious capital (in my opinion, the most beautiful in Europe) isn’t just a perfect destination for history-lovers; it’s also a culinary powerhouse. Budapest is brimming with Michelin stars, featuring a restaurant of top quality almost everywhere you turn. And now, it’s about to get even more delicious, with the opening of the Time Out Market Budapest in the beautiful Corvin Palace.  Let us take you on a tour of Budapest’s spas, galleries and ornate concert halls, pairing each one with a gastronomic experience to remember. Find out more about the newly opened Time Out Market, where you can try the best of the city under one roof.

Budapest is the ideal city getaway for the perfect weekend, with enough attractions befitting a major European metropolis but with a transport network allowing you to cross town in 15 minutes, half an hour maximum. Here, we pick out the best things to see and do over the two days to ensure a memorable compact stay.Find out more about the newly opened Time Out Market, where you can try the best of the city under one roof.

Wherever you stay in Budapest, you’ll be near a decent bar, relaxing spa and recommendable restaurant. That said, some may prefer the residential quiet of Buda to the urban buzz of Pest, each side linked by metro, trams and buses, not to mention cycle lanes. Use the BudapestGO app to buy tickets and plan journeys. Districts are referred to by a Roman numeral, some also by their historic connection to a Habsburg royal – for example, District VIII is Józsefváros, ‘Joseph Town’. District numbers are also the middle two digits within each Budapest postcode – book a hotel in 1071 and you're in the grittier end of District VII, reserve a room in 1065 and you're near the sights in District VI, and so on. RECOMMENDED📍 A weekend in Budapest: the ultimate itinerary🏰 The best things to do in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🍽️ The best restaurants in Budapest Words by Peterjon Cresswell, original photos by Gábor Szabó, both 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. 

The thing about Budapest is there’s just so much going on. You can certainly squeeze most of its brilliant attractions into one weekend, but that’s if you plan accordingly and keep to a tight schedule. That might mean you don’t have enough time to see every single museum in the city. But make sure you see at least a few - they’re just about as weird, wacky and wonderful as you’d expect; you’ll find a Pinball Museum and even a Zwack museum, dedicated solely to the Hungarian liqueur, alongside Budapest’s most well-known national offerings. Whatever you’re into, there’s a museum for you. Here are the must-visits.  RECOMMENDED:🏰 The best things to do in Budapest🍻 The best bars in Budapest🍴 The best restaurants in Budapest🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Budapest🏨 The best hotels in Budapest Jennifer Walker 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. 

Budapest has always been up for a party: it’s one reason why so many visit. The hub of the city’s nightlife centres on the Jewish Quarter, most notably its ruin bars around Kazinczy utca, Akácfa utca and Klauzál utca. But there’s more to a night out in Budapest – you just need to know where to look. The best places to go out in Budapest Budapest is best seen from its rooftop bars, where inventive cocktails and panoramic views await, all year round. For a more local feel, head to Madách tér, the square between tourist-swamped Gozsdu udvar and focal Deák Ferenc tér, where lively bars run late. The city also makes best use of its setting on the Danube, ideal for floating party boats such as the A38 and summer-only Pontoon. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to bars and nightlife in Budapest 🏨 Ready to book? Here are Budapest’s best hotels and best Airbnbs, selected by our editors Words by Peterjon Cresswell, original photos by Gábor Szabó, both 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.

For once in his charmed life, acclaimed New York hotelier Henry Kallan wasn’t happy. Having turned select businesses in the Big Apple into success stories, and found a downtown property in his beloved Budapest, he had sent away one Italian architect after another. No concept worked. Then in walked relatively untried designer Zoltán Varró, Hungarian and balls-out imaginative. The moment changed both mens’ lives and created the Aria Hotel. Kallan’s impressive portfolio now included one of the most unique hotels in Europe, while awards the Aria garnered led Varró to commissions from Colombia to Lake Como. The idea that he slid across the desk in New York remains in place a decade later, a giant piano keyboard spanning the floor, supporting a shiny grand for the hotel pianist to accompany afternoon coffee. Music not only themes this hotel and its 49 rooms, it imbues every corner – the Aria even employs a full-time music director, partly tasked with building relationships with star performers and key institutions.  As for guests, they can be accommodated in the opera, jazz, classical or contemporary wing, most rooms with a balcony overlooking the internal Music Garden Courtyard. Some opera-themed suites have terraces – you can even customise your own lay-out.  All visitors, residents or otherwise, may relax in the Harmony Spa, with its expert treatments and sought-after Éminence Organic Skin Care creams, and can sink a sunset cocktail in the rooftop Sky Note bar at eye level with

For sheer class, nothing tops the Gresham. Upon arrival, any visitor, perhaps here for inventive cocktails at Múzsa or a romantic meal at the KOLLÁZS Brasserie, will be marvelling at the mosaic tiling and peacock motifs surrounding Budapest’s most impressive hotel lobby. Those lucky enough to stay here – and that often includes Hollywood A-listers and those working on yet another film production in town – will soon appreciate the level of care and detail that has gone into this hotel conversion of what was, a century or more ago, an insurance office surrounded by classy apartments. Books have been written detailing the colourful and notorious past of this former cabaret and den of spies – suffice to say, its transformation by Canada’s Four Seasons group in the early 2000s not only thrust this landmark into the 21st century, it painstakingly honoured its Art Nouveau heritage, tiny tile by tiny tile. For location, as those staying in a river-view room or suite will testify, the Gresham also wins out. Other luxury lodgings line Pest’s picturesque embankment – none sit right over the Chain Bridge, lit up after dark like a countess’ necklace. As this is Budapest, the Gresham has a spa and infinity pool, too, tucked in under the roof, available treatments (Hungarian moor mud therapy, anyone?) a notch above. Most of all, the Gresham focuses on the bespoke, not only in terms of wine tastings but unique Budapest experiences. Chess with a world-renowned grandmaster? No problem. Speedbo

The sad passing of architect József Finta in 2024 allowed many in Budapest to reflect upon the groundbreaking buildings he designed. The Kempinski is one of them, its gracefully sweeping curves a striking feature as you nod to the liveried flunky upon arrival and head for the open-plan reception area. Opened way back in 1992, the Kempinski still feels contemporary, partly because of the regularly changing original art on display – part of the hotel’s own collection – and partly because there’s always a cosmopolitan buzz about the place. The dining and drinking destinations under this same roof also lend a downtown vibe. Bobby De Niro flew in to open the Budapest branch of his Nobu chain, set alongside ÉS Bisztró, its seasonal delights and steakhouse dishes also served on the terrace overlooking the pedestrianised bustle of Fashion Street. Across the huge, airy lobby area, creative cocktails and DJ tunes are mixed every night in Blue Fox The Bar. Kempinski The Spa also attracts regular non-residents with its plentiful treatments, large pool and membership deals, hotel guests arriving in their fluffy dressing gowns, returning to their tastefully furnished guestrooms to flop on the huge bed. In place a whole decade before most of its five-star competitors nearby, the Kempinski has not only cornered the local market to attract sports stars and famous performers, it works hard to keep this repeat custom, as a flick through the Visitors’ Book will attest. It’s a level of service th

What’s the vibe?  For a restaurant in Budapest’s business quarter that has held on to its Michelin star since 2014, ‘Wine Kitchen’ is pleasingly informal, its pavement terrace a relaxing option of a warm summer’s eve. What are the prices like? Even given the high quality and presentation, you can enjoy an excellent three-course meal for under €70, with all wines from the expertly curated selection available by the glass. What should I order?  The menu might be concise but you can always rely on local favourites like mangalica, a local variety of pork, and durbincs, a Danubian fish known in English as Balon’s ruffe. Let your waiter guide you on wine pairings – it’s called ‘Wine Kitchen’ for a reason – particularly where the choice Hungarian cheese are concerned, a popular bookend to any visit.  What’s worth visiting nearby?  If you’re here during the week, when Borkonyha operates evening-only, your options are limited to a pre-dinner visit to St Stephen’s Basilica round the corner or a late drink at Akvárium also nearby, a bar, live venue and party spot.  On Saturdays, you might want to take a stroll along the Danube waterfront before or after your meal. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Budapest

What’s the vibe?  ’Tradition, innovation, family’ runs the motto on the restaurant website, but family comes first at Tibor Rosenstein’s unassuming yet excellent Jewish-Hungarian eatery. Tibor’s son Robi shoulders a lot of the responsibility these days, along with his wife, pastry expert Timi.  What are the prices like? If you’re looking for a classic Budapest dining experience on a budget, then the daily offer here (€12-€15) is a steal – remember you’re dining where Helen Mirren and De Niro have done before you. À la carte, game, fish and poultry dishes are similarly priced, though you’ll pay a little extra for lamb. What should I order?  As those silly geese advise in The Aristocats, think goose. The dish of the day on Saturdays but also available à la carte through the week, Rosenstein’s signature goose leg comes with braised cabbage and prunes, served with a sampling of cholent bean stew. What’s worth visiting nearby?  Rosenstein is tucked down a featureless sidestreet – further evidence of its enduring attraction, nobody finds this place by chance. Alongside is Keleti station, a stately steam palace from the Habsburg era, while also close by, Hungary’s great statesmen and artists repose at Kerepesi cemetery, Budapest’s own Père-Lachaise.  📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Budapest

What’s the vibe?  Essência is, essentially, a love story, between Portuguese chef Tiago Sabarigo, who worked at Michelin-starred Costes Downtown in Budapest, and Éva Jenei, whose CV includes top luxury hotels around the world. The food (and the vibe) reflect their roots and their relationship. What are the prices like? If you’re here for dinner, Essência isn’t cheap as the kitchen operates according to a five- or seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings, meaning you’re looking at around €140 a head. Pop in at lunchtime, however, and you can select from a short selection of starters at around €20 and mains at around €30.  What should I order?  Octopus is a regular starter at lunchtimes, well cared for in Tiago’s capable hands, but for classic Hungarian, go for the duck liver. Serious carnivores should go for the aged beef rib-eye as a main. The evening tasting menus change daily but cod and lamb ensopado are firm favourites. What’s worth visiting nearby?  You’re in Budapest’s gastro and business hub, meaning you’re close to St Stephen’s Basilica as well as the Danube riverfront. For a nightcap or pre-dinner apéritif, on the parallel street of Hercegprimás utca, the Aria Hotel is topped by the panoramic rooftop High Note Skybar. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Budapest

What is it? Imagine a nightclub and live venue on Trafalgar Square, and that’s Budapest’s Akvárium Klub. This was once the concourse of the city’s main bus station and mooted as the site of the new National Theatre. Now it’s a split-terrace alfresco bar open from mid-afternoon, and a multi-space party place and concert hall, ideal for top Hungarian bands and reasonably big foreign ones. Is it worth visiting? If you want to it central, Akvárium is ideal. Even if the act that night might not be to your liking, you can always hang around outside, where a water feature provides the perfect backdrop for Insta shots. What are the prices like? Admission varies entirely according to the act – for a Paul van Dyk appearance in May 2024, advance admission was £22, free for the mobility-impaired, while the charge that April for a little-known Hungarian band in the 300-capacity hall was just over £4 in advance, £6.50 on the door. Where’s good to eat nearby?  There’s a kitchen here for bar food but you’re right in town – the urban eateries by the Basilica, such as Bestia, are just around the corner. 📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Budapest

What is it? If you’re going to have a rooftop bar, you may as well site it atop an architectural masterpiece on the city’s main avenue. The 360 Bar occupies the panoramic terrace of a fin-de-siècle department store, with its own separate street-level entrance done out equally stylishly. Thanks to a clutch of private igloos, it goes year-round for cocktails, wines and a full menu –though the view is what beckons people here. Is it worth visiting? Whatever the weather, you’ll have a memorable time at 360. If it’s winter, the two of you can cuddle up – though you’ll be sharing your igloo with other couples unless you pay for privacy. What are prices like? Book a table through the website at £11 per person, which is offset against the food and drinks you consume. It’s not particularly wheelchair-friendly. Where’s good to eat nearby?  There’s a full kitchen here but tables in the igloos are on the small size. SZÉK next door is excellent, serving Transylvanian specialities. 📍 Discover more of the best rooftop bars in Budapest

What is it? Long established as the city’s hottest spot for dancing on deck, live bands down below and dining in between, the A38 sits in a converted Ukrainian cargo ship, ideal for a sundowner while admiring the skyline of Budapest. A key showcase for all major Hungarian bands and DJs.  Is it worth it?  If you’re here for the weekend, it’s a must, and far less tacky or clichéd than some (ahem) of the city’s ruin bars. What are the prices like? Admission prices vary according to the act programmed for that day but this shouldn’t be much more than £5-£7 – and shouldn’t sell out. Tickets are available through the website or, slightly pricier, on the night. It’s not particularly wheelchair accessible.  Can I eat there?  The A38 has its own bistro, open from 10am weekdays, 4pm Saturdays and closed on Sundays. The fixed menu ranges from venison ragout soup to New York steak, with plenty of vegetarian options. The weekday lunchtime specials at £7 for three courses are a steal. Alternative options can be found at the next bridge, around Gellért tér. 🪩 The best nightlife spots in Budapest📍 The best things to do in Budapest

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?  

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. 📍 Discover the best things to do in Budapest🍺 Discover the best ruin bars in Budapest

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.  🍺 Discover the best ruin bars in Budapest

Spas are a huge part of Budapest’s cultural fabric – and the Gellért, a legendary art nouveau spa richly decorated with Zsolnay tiling, is one of the most iconic venues in the city. However, as of today (October 1), you won’t be able to visit the Gellért until 2028, as the century-old spa – first opened in 1918 – is closing for three years of renovation. Reconstruction work will now run alongside the overhaul of the equally venerable hotel of the same name, which has been closed since November 2021. In a city known for its spas, the Gellért is arguably the most significant, usually attracting some 1,500-1,800 visitors a day. The last major renovation took place in the early 1980s, and the state of the equipment, changing rooms and service areas has deteriorated significantly. Thermal water, steam and chemical cleaning have put a lot of strain on the infrastructure, necessitating the current undertaking. Photograph: Shutterstock Budapest Thermal Baths and Spas (BGYH) has been preparing for the project for years, aiming to overcome the Gellért’s mechanical, technological and structural problems, restore its iconic spaces and elevate the guest experience to a new level. The primary consideration in the project is the preservation of the historical heritage: the restoration of the art nouveau interiors, tiling and aesthetic appearance. In addition, sustainability and energy-efficient solutions will be introduced, by modernising the use of thermal water and heating. According t

It’s official: Time Out Market Budapest has finally opened its doors!  What is it? Only the best culinary and cultural experiences in Budapest, all under one roof, right in the city centre. Time Out Market has already made its mark on New York, Montreal, Cape Town and, of course, Lisbon. Now it’s the turn of Hungary’s sparkling capital – now home to the very first Time Out Market in Central Europe. The market will opened on Saturday September 20, on the first floor of the historic Corvin Palace. Read more: From legendary department store to wild nightclub: the incredible history of Corvin Palace The huge hall houses 11 kitchens, three bars and five event venues, and can accommodate around 540 visitors. Iconic Budapest chefs and emerging talents will appear at the market; you can read up on the full restaurant line-up in our guide. Best of all – whether it’s premium street food or fine dining-inspired dishes – food here promises to be pretty affordable, too.  Where is Time Out Market Budapest and how do I get there? The legendary Corvin Palace building can be found at Blaha Lujza tér 1, reachable by red metro M2 or the 4/6 tram. From there, you’ll be whisked up the escalators straight into the heart of the action. What are the opening hours? Time Out Market Budapest will be welcoming visitors every day from 11.30am to 11.30pm. Kitchens stay open until 10pm, after which the bars keep the vibe going strong until close. Corvin Palace The online booking system is already operati

Amikor 2025. szeptember 20-án megnyitja kapuit a Time Out Market Budapest, újabb réteggel gazdagítja majd annak a legendás épületnek a történetét, amelynek otthont ad: a Corvin Palace-nak. A forgalmas Blaha Lujza tér sarkán, Budapest egyik legfontosabb közlekedési csomópontjában álló Corvin Palace 99 éve számos átalakuláson ment keresztül. Az elegáns áruházat a hamburgi vállalkozó, Max Emden nyitotta meg 1926-ban, több mint egy évtizedes előkészület után. Az építkezéshez el kellett bontani az Apolló mozit, amelyet arrébb költöztettek a Nagykörúton, a Royal Hotel (a mai Corinthia) épületébe. Az eredeti áruház A Corvin Palace Reiss Zoltán építész legjelentősebb alkotása, aki másutt a sűrűn lakott pesti városrész bérházait tervezte. Az épület neoklasszicista stílusban készült, díszeit a neves szobrászok, Pongrácz Szigfrid és Beck Ö. Fülöp készítették, akiknek munkái 1908-tól a korszakalkotó Nyugat folyóiratban is szerepeltek. 1926 karácsonyán, közvetlenül az épület mellett, a Nagykörút és a Rákóczi út sarkán helyezték üzembe Magyarország első közlekedési lámpáját, amelyet eleinte egy rendőr irányított kötelek segítségével. A „villanyrendőr” kifejezést a mai napig használjuk a lámpás kereszteződésekre. Fotó: Flanek-Falvay-Kováts / Fortepan Az áruház belül maga volt a modernitás. A díszes homlokzat mögött négy szintnyi üzlet és szolgáltatás várta a vásárlókat, akik ezrével érkeztek az ország minden pontjáról – a Keleti és a Nyugati pályaudvar ugyanúgy könnyen megközelíthető volt

When Time Out Budapest Market opens on September 20, it will be adding another layer of history to the storied landmark it will grace, the Corvin Palace. Anchoring a corner of prominent square Blaha Lujza tér at one of Budapest’s main crossing points, the Corvin Palace has seen many changes in its 99 years. Opened as an elegant department store by Hamburg entrepreneur Max Emden in 1926, this retail mecca was over a decade in the making, having taken over the Apollo cinema, which was moved further along the Nagykörút to the Royal Hotel (today’s Corinthia). Here’s a deep dive into the building’s history, from a modern department store through to ruin bar and its rebirth as an entertainment space after multiple wars. The original store The most notable creation of architect Zoltán Reiss, otherwise responsible for apartment blocks elsewhere around this heavily populated area of Pest, the Corvin Palace was neo-classical in style, decorated in statues by eminent sculptors Szigfrid Pongrácz and Ö Fülöp Beck, whose work had been featured in the early issues of seminal Hungarian cultural journal Nyugat from 1908 onwards. That Christmas of 1926, on the adjacent corner of the Nagykörút and Rákóczi út, Hungary’s first traffic light blinked into operation, initially operated by a police officer who could control the signals by a series of ropes. The Hungarian term villanyrendőr, ‘electric police’, is still used today for traffic lights. Photo: Flanek-Falvay-Kováts / Fortepan Inside, t

It’s official! Hungary’s new culinary and cultural hub, Time Out Market Budapest, will open on September 20. The doors of the renovated Corvin Palace on Blaha Lujza tér swing open at 11.30am, and visitors will be welcomed every day until 11.30pm. Time Out Markets bring the best of the city together under one roof: a curated mix of the best chefs and restaurateurs, drinks and cultural experiences. Time Out Market Budapest will be the first to open in Central & Eastern Europe and will feature 11 culinary concepts from both award-winning and rising talents, three bars, five event spaces and some 540 seats. Offering a variety of cuisines and flavours, it will be a celebration of local talent – a new destination where guests will get a real taste of the city and beyond – while coming together with family and friends, enjoying local and global delights at communal tables, surrounded by top chefs in action. We’ve already revealed the first eight restaurants – read about those here and here – and now the final four names to complete the curated line-up have just been revealed. M’EAT by Jenő Rácz  The new antipasti and grill concept by Michelin-star chef Jenő Rácz will bring a decidedly Mediterranean atmosphere to the Corvin Palace. M’EAT is all about light, social dining: premium Hungarian hams, salamis and cheeses, freshly sliced in front of you; or homemade pâté or foie gras with brioche, best enjoyed over relaxed conversation. Photograph: Time Out Market Budapest LIRA by Essênci

Scheduled to open this autumn, Time Out Market Budapest will bring together the best chefs and restaurants from all over Hungary’s capital and beyond, all under one roof.   Eleven award-winning and emerging local restaurateurs will be offering the crème de la crème of the city’s food scene, and we recently announced the first four.  Anyukám Mondta is bringing traditional Italian flavours and family recipes, Pingrumba a taste of the East and 101 Bistro modern Taiwanese cuisine, while Szaletly will be serving the finest examples from the contemporary Hungarian kitchen. Now, a further four restaurants have officially joined the roster – here’s what they’re bringing to the table.  CANTEEN Kicking things off is István Pesti, who earned two Michelin stars with his restaurant in Tata. Now, he has created a new concept exclusively for Time Out Market Budapest and rather than fine dining, traditional Hungarian flavours will be coming to Budapest in the shape of CANTEEN, whose menu includes lip-smacking dishes like goulash soup, Viennese veal schnitzel and chicken paprikash, all topped off with a classic, hearty apple pie.  Photograph: CANTEEN Casa Christa Also among the new names is Casa Christa, a restaurant showcasing the Balaton region, whose every plate evokes the atmosphere of Hungary’s bucolic lake getaway: sun-baked slopes, wine cellars and seasonal produce freshly sourced from local markets. For Hungarians, this is where to head for a hit of holiday nostalgia.  Photograph:

Italian family recipes, Oriental adventures, Taiwanese street food and reimagined Hungarian classics – the first four restaurants at the hotly anticipated Time Out Market Budapest have been revealed. One of the world’s most exciting gastro-cultural concepts, Time Out Market is being unveiled in Budapest on the first floor of the iconic Corvin Department Store on Blaha Lujza tér. This 2,500-square-metre space will house 11 restaurants, three bars and five event venues accommodating a total of 540 visitors – and that’s just the beginning. The market's goal is nothing less than to bring the city's most exciting culinary and cultural players under one roof – and now we can finally introduce the first four restaurants confirmed for the opening. Anyukám Mondta Anyukám Mondta, from the little town of Encs, has been a key player in Hungarian gastronomy for the past 30 years, and now for the first time it will find a permanent home in Budapest. The Italian dishes of the Dudás brothers, Szabolcs and Szilárd – such as the Margherita DOP pizza or the Parma ham and burrata focaccia – combine a special family history and high-quality ingredients. Photograph: Anyukám Mondta / Time Out Market Budapest Pingrumba For those who prefer the punchy flavours of India and the Middle East, Pingrumba should prove a particular favourite. Its inspired cuisine, with echoes from Cairo to Calcutta, showcases freshly grilled dishes, bold pairings and exciting spices. Photograph: Pingrumba / Time Out Mar

Running until the grand finale on Tuesday, March 4, this year’s Dubrovnik Carnival brings masked fun and traditional delights to the city’s streets, squares, clubs and restaurants. Jugglers and majorettes star on Sunday, March 2, starting from outside the Gradska Kavana at 10am and followed by a procession from Onofrio’s Fountain at 2.30pm. This finishes with a family-friendly party at Lazareti from 3pm. The main children’s parade is down the main street of Stradun the next day, Monday, March 3, from 10am. For grown-ups, the weekend kicks off when singer Maja Bajamić performs at a masked party at Dubrovnik’s main nightspot, the Culture Club Revelin, on Friday, February 28. Doors open at 10.30pm  – find tickets and more details here. Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL For four nights from Saturday March 1, many restaurants in town will be offering the twin traditional dishes of šporki makaruli and krafeni. You can find these carnival favourites of pasta with a meaty sauce, and sweet doughnuts, for €10-€15 and €2-€3 at dining destinations such as Orsan and Konoba Belvedere. To discover more about the history of carnival, every day from 9am-10pm, the Rector’s Palace will be showing a display of masks and costumes, perhaps providing inspiration for the traditional climax to festivities on Tuesday, March 4, the Ultimi od Karnevala. From 5pm, jugglers will be returning to the Gradska Kavana, where the Veljun Ball takes place from 8pm accompanied by the  Taliri band. See here for the full sched

Another 30 or more acts have been confirmed to appear at the second edition of the Terminal V Croatia festival this July. After its successful launch in 2024, Scotland’s Terminal V Festival returns to The Garden Resort in Tisno for five days from July 17-21. As revealed in our exclusive interview with the founders of the original Edinburgh festival, Terminal V has grown from in-the-know get-togethers to major events attracting 40,000 people and top-name DJs. Now, joining artists such as 999999999, Ben Sims and Ellen Allien, more than 30 new names have been confirmed for the techno-centric event in an idyllic Adriatic location. These include Club Madhouse label head AK Sports, another Rinse FM mainstay, Dortmund DJ/producer Bae Blade, Berlin-based tooly techno exponent Future 666 and late ’90s’ inspired Überkikz. A very special headliner is also to be announced on March 4. Franko Kelam/Terminal V Facilitated by cutting-edge light and sound, four stages await these specially chosen acts: Barbarella’s, regularly voted as one of the best in the world by DJ Mag, the more secluded Olive Grove, the epic Main Stage and the superb Beach Stage, each with their own unique atmosphere. Alongside, there will be dancing on the beach and under the stars with daily boat parties and late-night afterparties running until sunrise. Throw in an array of daytime adrenaline-pumping water sports, and Terminal V is an essential addition to Croatia’s impressive summer festival agenda. Terminal V Croa

As recently reported, popular Edinburgh-based techno festival Terminal V will be taking over the idyllic Garden Resort in Tisno this July. Winners of Best British Festival award for 2023 by DJ Mag, Terminal V has grown from in-the-know get-togethers to major events attracting 40,000 people and top-name DJs. Over five days from July 18-22, the likes of Klangkuenstler from Bavaria, London’s Charlie Sparks and Dundee’s acclaimed Hannah Laing will be bringing their A game across four stages.  On the eve of their regular event in Scotland, and as they prepare their debut foray into Europe, Terminal V founders, Derek Martin and Simon McGrath, talk to Time Out Croatia about their journey so far – and why Tisno is the perfect location: Time Out Croatia: How did Terminal V Festival come about and how has it evolved since? Terminal V: With both of us being independent promoters in Scotland for many years with numerous club brands, in 2014 we came together to work on new projects with the aim of launching a new Scottish festival. In 2017, this materialised with our first ever Terminal V Festival. Year 1 was tough, with only 2,000 odd people attending, but this grew year on year as a one-day festival, right up until the pandemic. Post-pandemic, we upped the festival to two days, attracted 20,000 people each day, and now a festival based in Edinburgh brings crowds from all over the UK, Europe and further afield. The finer details have grown tenfold, in terms of line-up curation and size

Major international coach company FlixBus has introduced a promising initiative for Zagreb bus station, the Socialist-era terminus that serves Croatia’s capital. Working in co-operation with Croatia Bus, the German transport giant has opened an airport-style passenger lounge, done out in its signature colours of lime green, where travellers can relax in comfort, charge their mobile phones and scan the information screens for details of arrivals and departures. The bright facility contrasts with its two-floor surroundings of unremitting grey, brutalist architecture and functionalist features. “It is important that this space is located right in Zagreb bus station,” says Ante Grbeša, director of FlixBus for the Central and South-Eastern European region. “From a transportation perspective, it is a unique concept, and we believe that we will encourage others to improve their services and offer passengers something more.” Launched in Bavaria in 2013, FlixBus now operates more than 80% of the German market, moving into the CEE region, North America and Turkey in recent years by buying up companies such as Eurolines and Greyhound.

In the wake of new and revived links between Dalmatia and Sarajevo, and from Pula into the Istrian hinterland, further investment in Croatia’s long-neglected rail infrastructure has just been announced. Co-financed by EU funds, backing to the tune of €620 million has been earmarked to modernise and establish the route between Dugo Selo outside Zagreb and Novska, near the border with Republika Srpska. The line will run for 83km and bring a swathe of communities of Zagreb County and Sisak-Moslavina, including Ivanić -Grad, Popovača and Kutina, within easier reach of the capital. It stretches a third of the way to Belgrade, in tandem with the overall aim to create fast international rail corridors across Europe. Croatian railways has put construction of the project out for tender, with bids to be submitted by April 8, and an expected five-year deadline for completion.