If you are looking to get off the beaten path in Budapest, you have come to the right place. After spending almost a week in the Hungarian capital and having covered all of the main attractions, we went in search of some of Budapest’s hidden gems. In this article, we share what we discovered and our top 14 unusual things to do in Budapest.
Budapest is a diverse and beautiful city, bursting with life, culture, history, nightlife, and awe-inspiring architecture. Naturally, if it’s your first time in the city you’ll want to cover all the major landmarks. Attractions such as the Fishermans Bastion, Hungarian Parliament Building, Thermal Baths and Ruin Bars are quintessential Budapest experiences. However, if you’re spending longer than a couple of days in the city, I suggest checking out some of Budapest’s hidden gems as well.
As it turns out, there are many quirky and unusual things to do in Budapest. You might not find them on your average Budapest travel guide or blog, but that’s what makes them so appealing. Getting off the beaten path in any touristy destination allows you to see the city through the eyes of a local. We had a wonderful time exploring an alternative side to Budapest. And to help you plan your own offbeat adventures, we’ve collated this list of the most weird and wonderful things to do in the city.
So let’s get to it, it’s time to break the silence on our favourite hidden gems in Budapest.
Unique Hotels in Alternative Budapest
Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of accommodation options in Budapest. You can click the link below to search for hundreds of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses in the area. But while we are on the topic of unusual things to do in Budapest, I thought it would be nice to share some of the more unique hotels in Budapest – the hotels that reflect the cities alternative side.
From their controversial media law to their discriminatory anti-gay constitution and crippling national debt, Hungary is often in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. As a lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans tourist you may have doubts about visiting a country where it’s perfectly legal to discriminate against a person based purely on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
However, as a gay man who lived in gay Budapest for just over a year with my partner, I experienced less homophobia than in more ‘accepting’ countries such as my native Scotland.
I’ll be honest, if you plan your holidays based purely on whether or not your chosen destination has a good gay scene, you might as well just give Budapest a miss. However, if you love beautiful architecture, history, culture and are a glutton for good food then I strongly recommend you give Budapest a try.
Cradled by the undulating curves of the Danube, the Hungarian capital has changed beyond recognition over the past decade. The city carries a heavy history of occupations, sieges, conflicts, revolutions and uprisings. But today it’s one of the most desirable European destinations for young people studying, working and holidaying. Here’s our guide to 48 hours in gay Budapest.
When you’re in town for a few days, there’s really no time to waste in getting to know the city. Companies like Underguide offer a variety of tours that can act as crash courses on various different aspects of the city’s history and culture. They tailor-make tours to fit all different tastes and interests, on themes like communism, art nouveau, Jewish culture and cakes.
My lovely tour guide Orsi versed me in Budapest’s complex history and its visible relics around the city. For example, the first bridge over the Danube built in 1849, named after István Széchenyi [above]; the 96m tall Basilica [below] built in 1905, where St Stephen’s mummified hand lies.