Things to Do at Night in Budapest
As a city with a population of nearly 1.8 million people (plus many more students), you can bet: there are a lot of things to do at night in Budapest!
I’ve loved every night I’ve spent in this stunning city, which gets even more beautiful after dark!
Let’s go over options for people looking for nightlife, seniors on riverboat tours, and everyone in between.
You can look through the table of contents below to see which categories might interest you most!
Night Tours in Budapest
Around the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, you’ll see groups of tours in many languages.
Several night tours are offered, including these two which get great reviews:
Take a Budapest Night Cruise
The Danube River is busy at all times of the day. At night, several companies offer cruises around sunset and later into the evening.
It’s a great way to see the beauty of Budapest at night, with its landmarks illuminated. Plus, it’s always nice to take a tour with a bar onboard!
➡️ Click to Book: Dinner Cruise
Open Air Dining at Night in Budapest
Budapest is a city full of open-air restaurants, which are great evening choices from spring through fall.
Walking around, you’ll find several on your own, but I’ll recommend a few here.
Most Bisztro
This is in the downtown area (on the Pest side of Budapest / east of the river). It’s open until midnight daily.
I’m not sure what building once stood here, but I love the blank space left behind and the way it’s currently being used. You’ll find a large patio for dining, illuminated by a soft glow of lights.
The staff is friendly, and the food is delicious. I’d recommend both the chicken tikka masala and the vegetarian version of it, made of garbanzo beans. Both are excellent, and they have a full bar, too.
I love that it’s casual and unpretentious. When the weather turns cold or rainy, they have an indoor dining area, too.
If you’re coming with a large group, they have long tables to accommodate. Just make a reservation online earlier in the day so they’re prepared.
Also, the crowd recommended their weekend brunch. Next time, I’ll make time to sample that, too.
Tereza
This Mexican food restaurant (actually serving cuisine from all of Central and South America) is another great option for dining at night in Budapest.
They bill themselves as a “Mexican urban garden in downtown Budapest.”
Tereza is open (usually) noon to midnight.
Karavan
A collection of street food vendors line a block near Budapest’s Ruin Bars.
2 More Options
I’ll also throw in: Felisa, which is known for its tapas, and La Fabbrica, an Italian restaurant. They don’t have the large open air dining spaces that make Tereza and Most special, but each has a lengthy outdoor patio for dining at night in Budapest.
Stroll the Bridges
In New York City, one of my favorite things to do is cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
For me, it was another great experience doing this in Budapest. There are several bridges to cross day or night in Budapest, but I’d say the prettiest is Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
On the east side of the bridge, you can walk along the Danube promenade for sweeping views of the city sites, lit up beautifully at night and reflecting in the water.
The Margit Bridge is downriver, and a bit longer to cross on foot. It offers equally spectacular views at night.
Self-Guided Walking Tour Loop
This is one of the first things I ever did at night in Budapest.
It’s basically a loop (or square) walking path that’ll take you along the Danube River promenade on both sides of the river, and deliver views of the most iconic landmarks in the city.
It’s almost exactly a three-mile walking tour.
Budapest Walking Tour Route
Depending on where your boat is docked or where your hotel is, you can start this route at the spot you’re closest to.
For us, staying on the Buda side of Budapest (west side of the river) we crossed the Széchenyi Chain Bridge heading east toward Pest (which some consider downtown Budapest).
- Cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge (0.3 mile to cross).
- Head north along the river promenade (1 mile).
- Pass in front of Parliament.
- Walk to Margit Bridge (again, 1 mile from the first bridge).
- Cross Margit Bridge (0.5 mile).
- Head south along the promenade.
- Stop at the Parliament Viewpoint.
- It’s 1.2 miles down the promenade to the starting point at the Chain Bridge.
Budapest Walking Tour Map
Live Music at Night in Budapest
I have to admit: I’m not an expert on music… but I did meet up with family in Budapest who are professionals!
So with that in mind, if you’re looking for live music in the evening, I’d check these venues:
A38 Ship
A38 is a converted Ukrainian stone-carrier ship docked on the Danube River which hosts live music acts in various genres (rock, jazz, etc). Click here for their events.
Budapest Jazz Club
The club has nightly live performances. Click here for a schedule.
Opus Jazz Club
Opus is inside the Budapest Music Center, which people love for the acoustics (and the food). Click here for their event schedule.
Buda Castle Tunnel Overlook
Also known as the Budai Castle Tunnel, it’s a connection between two of Budapest’s most iconic structures: Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge.
The tunnel was built in the 1850s by the same engineer who oversaw the construction of the Chain Bridge. It runs under Castle Hill, linking parts of the city and preventing the need to take winding routes over the top of the hill. The tunnel provided direct connection to developing parts of Buda.
From the streetside level, you get a look at the impressive stone facade. From above, the overlook provides great views of Budapest at night.
The tunnel, like many parts of Budapest, was severely damaged during World War II, particularly during the siege of Budapest in 1944-1945. The tunnel was restored after the war and remains a vital roadway in Budapest.
Best Photo Spot at Night in Budapest
Each night, you’ll see a crowd of tourists gather directly across from the parliament building. Across, as in across the Danube River, on the west bank. On Google Maps, it’s listed as the “Budapest Parliament Viewpoint.”
Streetlights provide a glow for the people in your photos, with the parliament building glowing and reflecting nicely in the river water.
The Parliament Building is bathed in a warm, golden light that highlights its neo-Gothic architecture. The glow enhances the intricate details of the building’s spires, arches, and domes, making it stand out dramatically against the night sky.
The lighting design is meticulously placed to emphasize the building’s grand symmetry and massive size. The contrast between the glowing Parliament and the darker surrounding cityscape makes it a focal point on the Pest side of the city.
Budapest’s Ruin Bars
Budapest is famous for its unique “ruin bars,” located in abandoned buildings or courtyards. Szimpla Kert is the most iconic, offering a quirky atmosphere with eclectic decor, live music, and a fun crowd. They’re in Budapest’s historic Jewish Quarter.
➡️ Click to Book: Ruin Bar Walking History Tour
The ruin bars have turned into trendy tourist draws, so it’s hard to imagine what they looked like 80 years ago, and some might find it a bit bothersome or disrespectful. Still, they’re very popular and the staff is welcoming and friendly.
The ruin bars usually don’t open until the evening, around 6:00pm. Some of them stay open until 4:00am or later!
Szimpla Kert
Szimpla Kert is the most famous ruin bar in Budapest. It’s unassuming from the outside, but a large, sprawling maze of rooms inside.
Walking into the main courtyard area, you’ll find disco balls and eclectic decor, along with graffiti on the worn away sone and concrete walls.
Further inside, I really like the wine bar, where prices (despite the trendy atmosphere) are only about $5 USD for a glass of white or red.
Stairs will lead you up through a labyrinth of rooms and bars and patios. Parts of Szimpla Kert are totally open-air, and you’ll find food inside, too.
More Ruin Bars in Budapest
A few others to check out in the same area of the city:
- Instant Fogas Complex
- Doboz
- Mazel Tov
- Ellato Kert
Relax Along the River Steps
On the east side of the Danube River, right below the parliament building, you’ll find a series of steps that go from the roadway down to the river’s edge.
They extend at least the length of a football field and are open to the public. You’ll see people relaxing or bringing a bottle of something to drink while watching the boats go by and enjoying the night in Budapest.
Thermal Baths at Night
Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, a few of which are open for bathing under the stafs.
They host “sparties” … as in “spa parties,” and turn into party venues with DJs, lights, and drinks.
Szechenyi Thermal Bath
One of the largest and most iconic baths in Europe, Szechenyi features both indoor and outdoor pools. Its outdoor pools are especially popular in winter, with bathers enjoying warm water while surrounded by cold air.
Rudas Baths
The Rudas Thermal Baths are one of the oldest baths in Budapest, which features a modern rooftop pool, too … perfect for nighttime views of the skyline.
Hike Up to the Citadel
For a quieter experience at night in Budapest, consider a walk up to the Citadella and Gellért Hill to take in the sites below.
You’ll get sweeping views of both sides: Buda and Pest, plus the Danube River (of course), and all of the landmarks lit after dark.
The Citadel is especially popular at sunset and later at night.
The Citadel was built by the Austrian Empire in the 1850s as a military fortress.
Several paths lead up Gellért Hill, ranging from more direct, steep routes to more gradual, scenic ones. Along the way, you’ll find shaded benches, small gardens, and scenic viewpoints where you can take a break and enjoy the views.
The walk takes 30-45 minutes depending on your pace.
Nighttime Drinks at Fisherman’s Bastion
For another stunning view, head to Fisherman’s Bastion at night. There’s a restaurant, called Halaszbastya, sitting within the iconic columns of the structure. The tables and chairs are right along the arches, giving you a unique view of Budapest at night.
Oddly, the restaurant seems to close early. The kitchen closes around 8, and the bar closes at 9:30. Still, it’s an excellent way to wind down your day in Budapest!
Wrap: The Best Things to Do at Night in Budapest
I’m sure there are many more things to do at night in Budapest, but this is the list that came to mind.
For me, personally, my favorites include getting a drink at one of the historic ruin bars and taking the three-mile loop across the two bridges and along the promenade.
Budapest is a uniquely stunning city during the daytime … and I think it comes alive even more as the buildings illuminate after dark!
