A Weekend in Budapest: Ruin Bars, Thermal Baths & Unexpected Hollywood Sightings
Spending a long weekend in Budapest feels like stepping into a rich tapestry of history, indulgence, and adventure. Between stunning architecture, ruin bars buzzing with energy, and the serendipitous discovery that John Cena was filming in town (yes, really), Budapest offered the perfect blend of culture and fun. If you’re planning a trip, here’s a detailed itinerary with insider tips, plus some stunning photo opportunities.
Friday: Arrival & First Impressions
Stepping off the plane, we made our way to our Airbnb, conveniently located in the heart of the city. Budapest’s transport system is seamless, and a simple bus got us to our door. With cobbled streets and grand architecture around every corner, we immediately felt the city’s charm.
Saturday: A Day of Exploration & Unexpected Detours
Brunch at Cirkusz
A perfect start to the day. Cirkusz is famous for its hearty breakfasts and great coffee. You can get anything from bagels and eggs to heuvos rancheros.
Crossing the Chain Bridge…or Not
Our plan to cross the Chain Bridge hit an unexpected roadblock—John Cena was filming his new movie, so the bridge was closed! Instead, we detoured across another route, enjoying the views of the Danube.
Buda Castle, The Palace & Houdini’s Secrets
Walking up to the castle, we took in the grandeur of Buda Palace before heading to the House of Houdini, a quirky, intimate museum dedicated to the legendary illusionist. You can walk up to the castle, or hunt for the escalator and elevator on the left hand side that will take you to the top and save your breath – literally.
Labirintus: The Underground Mystery
Deep beneath Buda Castle, we wandered the eerie, fog-filled tunnels of the Labirintus, a place once used as a medieval prison (where Vlad the Impaler was held!). Spooky yet fascinating, about £10pp but so worth it for the weird waxworks, history and darkness.
Fisherman’s Bastion & Matthias Church (From Afar)
We admired the fairytale-like Fisherman’s Bastion, though we skipped going inside Matthias Church because of the queues and costs. The panoramic views of the city were breathtaking enough!
Shoes on the Danube & Parliament (Book in Advance!)
A sobering yet beautiful memorial, the Shoes on the Danube pays tribute to Holocaust victims. A short walk away, the Hungarian Parliament stood in all its Gothic glory. Tours sell out fast, so book in advance, we didn’t book because the timings of the tours left didn’t work for us but even if you just go to look at the architecture it’s impressive!
Cocktails & Irish Pubs
We treated ourselves to fancy cocktails at Múzsa in the Four Seasons, which was our favourite drinks stop of the trip. We then switched gears slightly to pop into James Joyce Irish Pub, home to the best Guinness in Budapest and a good place to watch the football.
Botiq Bar & Dinner at Mainstream Kitchen
A stop at Botiq Bar for another round of cocktails before ending the night with delicious Hungarian cuisine at Mainstream Kitchen was exactly what we needed. A perfect evening and both we can highly recommend.
Sunday: Markets, Museums & Hidden Gems
Coffee Stop Budapest & A Flea Market Adventure
We grabbed bagels and coffee at Coffee Stop Budapest before heading to the Ecseri Flea Market via Bolt. A treasure trove for weird and wonderful things. But the flea market is not for the faint hearted; it’s full of objects from Hungary’s historical and dictatorial past.
Heroes’ Square & Vajdahunyad Castle
A quick visit to Heroes’ Square and a peek at the ice skating rink before heading to Vajdahunyad Castle, a fascinating mix of architectural styles built for the 1896 Millennial Exhibition. It was originally made out of canvas but the locals and tourists alike loved it so much that they made it out of brick after!
Flippermúzeum & Lunch at Kiosk
On our way to the Flippermúzeum, we stopped at Coffee13 for a caffeine boost, a cute coffeeshop in the middle of seemingly nowhere. The museum itself is a nostalgic paradise filled with vintage pinball machines. Lunch at Kiosk was a hidden gem—lime miso garlic bread, hearty Hungarian goulash, and crispy schnitzel. A perfect escape from the tourist crowds.
Cocktails & Ruin Bar Hopping
After a short break at the Airbnb, we kicked off the evening with cocktails at Csendes Letterem; a “ruin bar” by name, an old transylvanian restaurant re-purposed for a young, studenty and arty crowd. This was followed by dinner at Mazel Tov, a gorgeous ruin restaurant with a Mediterranean twist. Possibly my favourite restaurant in Europe! The night ended at Szimpla Kert, the most famous ruin bar, and a final drink at Hotsy Totsy.
Monday: Thermal Baths & Farewell Feasts
Szechenyi Thermal Baths
A trip to Budapest isn’t complete without the iconic Szechenyi Thermal Baths. Pro tip: Bring flip-flops and towels to avoid extra rental fees!
Retro Lángos & Basilica Views
For lunch, we indulged in fried dough heaven at Retro Lángos, then visited St. Stephen’s Basilica, home to Hungary’s most famous relic: the mummified hand of St. Stephen.
Final Night: Beerstro14, Hard Rock Cafe & Blue Fox
Our last dinner at Beerstro14 was all about craft beer and hearty Hungarian flavors, it was exceptional, service, food and drinks. We capped off the trip with cocktails at Hard Rock Cafe and the sleek Blue Fox at Kempinski.
A Tribute to the King of Pop
Before heading home for our final night before early flights, we made a quick stop at Budapest’s most random landmark—the Michael Jackson Memorial Tree, covered in fan messages.
Getting Around Budapest: A Breeze with BudapestGo
Navigating Budapest is effortless with the BudapestGo app, which provides easy access to metro, trams, and buses. Bolt is also widely available and budget-friendly. Walking remains the best way to soak in the city’s beauty.
Budapest is a city of contrasts—elegant yet gritty, historic yet modern, relaxed yet buzzing with energy. Whether you’re indulging in a Michelin-star meal or sipping cheap beer in a ruin bar, the city offers something unforgettable at every turn. If you’re visiting soon, bring your camera, an appetite, and a little flexibility—because you never know when Hollywood might block your path!
