Things To Do
Sights to See
Sites that can't be missed for first time visitors: 1. Buda Castle 2. Parlament Building 3. Shoes on Danube Embarkment 4. Chain Bridge 5. Szechenyi Thermal Bath - Do this in the morning to avoid crowds. 6. Heroes Square 7. St Stephen's Basilica 8. Lehel Market / City Market 9. Vaci Street (Fashion Street) 10. Old Jewish District 11. If you have a day to chill take a bike ride to Szentendre (or train). It is about an hour bike ride from Budapest, it has a very chill cobble stone vibe, contemporary art and live music. 12. Day trip to Lake Balaton: "Hungarian seaside"
Restaurants
Restaurants to recommend in Budapest: Dinner: 1. Rosenstein (best Hungarian / Jewish food) Father and son cooking team. Featured in international magazines. 2. Pit Pit (Tapas bar) 3. Szegedi Halaszcsarda (Hungarian restaurant) Famous for their fish soup (Hungarian dish); it is on the water and has live music. 4. Dobrumba (Middle Eastern food) 5. Mazel Tov (Middle Eastern food) Live music, good ambiance, very touristy (might need to wait in line or try and reserve) 6. Trattoria Pomo D’oro (Best Italian in Budapest) Lunch: 1. I55 (American food) 2. Street Food - Langos, Gyro/Kebab 3. Zing Burger Brunch: 1. Franziska 2. A la Maison 3. A Table! (few different locations) 4. Stika Gastro Pub
Nightlife
Bars to visit: 1. Szimpla Kert (Most popular ruin pub) A ruin pub is a famous Hungarian style bar. It is an abandoned building converted into a bar with multiple rooms. Each room has a different vibe. 2. Fogashaz x Instant (ruin pub) 3. Gozsdu - Strip of bars in the city center. 4. Monkey Bistro (this is great to visit after the castle, it's very close by) 5. St. Andrea Wine & Skybar (rooftop bar) 6. Highnote Skybar (rooftop bar) 7. Leo Budapest (rooftop bar) 8. Bearstro 14 (brewery) Outdoor Bars by the river: 1. Kiosk 2. Pontoon Clubs: 1. Dojo (techno/house music) You must purchase a ticket for entry. If you buy a ticket for Dojo, you also have access to Otkert (a club in the same building). 2. Otkert / 5kert (Regular club music) You must purchase a ticket for entry. 3. Bob 4. Yellow 5. Arzenal (techno music) Massive old warehouse turned into multiple levels of techno music. 6. Budapest Park (festival space) Outdoor space that hosts events most weekends that are always packed.