Named as one of the most idyllic cities to live, Budapest offers more than just a location for that unforgettable last night of freedom. With architecture to rival the likes of Rome and Paris and cultural hot-spots such as the Szechenyi Baths and the city park, it is easy to see why it is one of the top destinations for city breaks. Before you jet off to the Hungarian capital, get these best-kept secrets on your itinerary and experience the best of Budapest
For Sale Pub
A quirky favourite of travellers and locals alike, the For Sale Pub offers unique surroundings for their patrons. As the name suggests, customers can drink and place personal advertisements on the walls along with drawings, business cards and notes for others to read through and appreciate. But apart from leaving your mark in the pub, you will be able to appreciate the fine cuisine and famous Hungarian hospitality.
KonyV Bar and Restaurant
One for the literary buffs out there, this restaurant has a truly distinctive way on dining and a way to change up what it has to offer. Each week the restaurant selects a novel, a classic or something new, and bases their entire menu on it, including drinks and deserts. For example, the restaurant previously based their menu on The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. Dishes available were ‘royal pheasant broth’ and ‘rich and poor’ coffee chocolate cake. This truly ‘novel’ idea is something you have to experience first-hand.
Veli Bej
The ‘City of Baths’ are over-following with thermal pools including the popular Gellert spa, Szechenyi and Lukacs baths. But one that most don’t know about is off-the-beaten-track and you won’t find many tourists here. Veli Bej, unlike its counterparts, is a small, yet cosy baths which offer everything you would find at the better-known baths and more. Despite being from the 16th century, the baths are a local favourite and somewhere you should try if you want to avoid those annoying tourists.
Red Ruin
Unlike other Soviet Bloc countries, Budapest certainly has a good sense of humour when it comes to poking fun at its rocky communist past. Nestled within an ancient looking façade, Red Ruin bar embodies this humour – with murals of Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong on the wall, wearing birthday hats and having a super-fun “communist party.”
past, brave visitors can take part in a nuclear readiness test so see how you would fare when the bombs drop.
Michael Jackson Memorial Tree
The ultimate king of pop is, arguably, the biggest name in music history. Since his death in 2009, Hungarian fans have transformed a seemingly nondescript tree in the capitals to a shrine to the creator of the moon-walk. Draped in all kinds of MJ memorabilia the nonchalant tree is now a tourist attraction. But the real secret to the tree, and why it is included on the list, is if you are around on the King of Pop’s birthday then you will be treated to the annual flash-mob celebration to Jackson’s life.
Szimpla Kert Farmer’s Market
If you come to Budapest and you don’t visit Szimpla Kert ruin bar - you’re doing it wrong. This is a huge, well-known pub with quirky, mismatched furniture including sawn-off Trabant cars and even an open-air cinema. But, less well known, Szimpla Kert hosts a traditional farmers’ market every Sunday morning, with locally produced, healthy, farm-fresh and home-grown salami, homemade syrup, jams and other delicacies on offer for bargain prices. Perfect for them hangover snacks if you’ve been out the night before.
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