Budapest

Sightseeing

Buda Castle: the castle district is a quaint part of town on the Buda side, feels like you’re in a fairytale village, has the best views of the city

Fisherman’s Bastion: where to go in the castle district to take a nice picture and see the best view

Matthias Church: next to the Buda Castle is a Late-Gothic Roman Catholic Church

Saint Stephen’s Basilica: a beautiful church in the heart of Pest, St. Stephen’s hand that was chopped off remains inside (weird), the view at the top is also amazing

Margaret Island: cute little island on the Danube in the middle of town, few cars can go on it, fun for a run or to relax, it’s kinda like their central park

Andrassy ùt: Budapest’s “Rodeo Drive”

Hungarian Parliament Building: huge gothic building in the middle of town where Parliament still practices, maybe worth getting a tour of the inside but only if you have time, you must see it from the outside though it is massive and beautiful

Shoes on the Danube River: next to Parliament right on the Danube is a small memorial to honor the Jews who were killed in Budapest during WWII

 Great Market Hall: only go for like 30 minutes, an old train station that has been turned into a huge market, you probably won’t buy anything but you have a look, there are paprika stands everywhere

 House of Terror: museum containing exhibits relating to the communist regimes in Hungary, in the basement are gas chambers, sounds scary and it kind of is but it is super interesting and well curated and definitely worth going to, they will give you really long articles upon entering each room – don’t read all of them or you will never leave

 Széchenyi Thermal Baths: you’ve probably seen them on Instagram, the most famous but also dirtiest thermal baths in Budapest, pretty and fun but a better thermal bath to go to would be Rudas Bath, still definitely worth seeing though if you’re near City Park

Budapest Synagogue: the largest in Europe/second largest in the world! super pretty, definitely go

Vaci ùt: Budapest’s shopping street, it’s crowded and bleh but you’ll probably find yourself walking around there at some point

Restaurants (Pest)

Tom George: yummy Italian restaurant near St. Stephens Basilica, the fish is so good

Kispiac: tiny gem and one of my favorite places, slightly Hungarian but not over the top, they make the best rotisserie chicken/duck, order it with a side of pickles and a side salad with extra tomatoes and a bottle of wine duh

Liberté: the closest you’ll get to basic girl food, super cute café near Parliament, I love it there and it’s definitely worth going to, better for lunch

Gerbeaud: the best tea and pastry shop, legendary and delicious

Café Kör: the only traditional Hungarian restaurant I’d actually recommend, high quality local food and a go-to for Hungarian businessman lunches

Borkonyha: unreal Michelin star restaurant, if you’re adventurous get the 5 course tasting menu with the wine pairing, call in advance

Trattoria Pomo d’Oro: yummy Italian restaurant

Kolasz: restaurant in the Four Seasons, they have really good food and cocktails, the Four Seasons is worth seeing because its so beautiful inside

Spìler: on Kiraly ùt which is a fun, lively, walking street where people go to get drunk/go out, American food but cool atmosphere

Mazel Tov: go there to eat before going out, there are so many bars around the restaurant, it’s super pretty and really good food

Gelarto Rosa: BEST GELATO!!!

(There are a lot of good restaurants around St. Stephens Basilica, if you’re ever looking for food go around there)

Restaurants (Buda)

Émile: the cutest little restaurant/house with a beautiful courtyard and pretty god food (kind of fancy), if you’re on the Buda side maybe it’s worth going to but its prettier than it is tasty

Baltazar: if you’re in the castle district and you’re hungry go to baltazar, it’s a small boutique hotel with a little restaurant

Going out

Going out in Budapest is so much fun. Walk around Kiraly street and the Jewish quarter – that’s where most of the fun bars are. There are a million “ruin bars” to check out but you must go to Szimpla Kert. You can pregame there and go to a club after or just stay for hours. You don’t have to dress up at all just make sure you BRING CASH because a lot of places don’t take credit cards. This city is weird! Just go explore and I promise you’ll find something crazy going on.

Szimpla Kert: tourist trap but you MUST go, Budapest’s most famous ruin pub, not going to tell you too much about it because you have to see it for yourself, I’ve once sat in the car in the back for four hours talking to some random/weird ass couple who came to Budapest to get their teeth fixed because it’s much cheaper there, you never know who you’re going to meet so say hi to people!!

360 Bar: pretty rooftop bar, go at sunset for a drink

Instant: go if you’re really drunk and looking to fuck around, there are a million different rooms playing different music and you never know where you’re going to end up

Otkert: where my 16-year-old sister likes to party but she and her friends claim it’s the best club in Budapest, go if you want a more traditional club atmosphere, it’s actually pretty fun

Aria: hotel rooftop with pretty views right next to St. Stephen’s Basilica

Tutu: I’ve never been. It’s a gay club but my sister and her friends say it’s the most fun place to go. 

DiVino: nice wine bars around the city, they’re fun to go to if you want to talk and drink wine

Brody House: the Soho House of Budapest, you have to be a member but if you say you’re visiting and want to check it out they will probably let you in for a drink, it has great vibes and the drinks are interesting