Few, if any, cities across Europe are more beautiful at night than Budapest. With some of the most spectacular displays of architecture, centuries-old “ruin pubs,” and stunning views of the city from the Danube, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Hungary’s capital when the sun goes down.
There are several travel hacks to know before visiting Budapest, one of which is that there are certain activities that are actually better to do at night than during the day (and vice versa).
Continue reading to learn about the best things to do in Budapest at night. Once you finish reading, you’ll be able to devise an even better itinerary for your trip.
1. Take a Danube River Sunset Cruise
Hands down, the best thing to do in Budapest at night is taking a sunset cruise on the Danube River. The Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle, and Fisherman’s Bastion in particular stand out even more when their lights are shining bright.
Many boat tour operators include perks that really enhance the experience. For example, we did a Budapest sunset cruise with unlimited prosecco.
A few tips for taking a boat ride on the Danube at night:
- Try to find a boat or ship with outdoor seating
- Get to your dock at least 15-20 minutes before the scheduled departure time, not only so you don’t miss your cruise, but so you get your seats of choice
- Check your operator’s reviews on sites like Viator and TripAdvisor before booking. Certain boats will be better experiences than others.
- Know your dock number and where to find your dock in advance.
There’s no need to book your tickets well in advance, so you can wait until your trip to see which night will have the most optimal weather. I would, however, suggest you book a day prior before the best options book up.
If you’ve got an open day on your itinerary and want to see more of Hungary, you can even boat all the way to the Danube Bend near the Slovakia border, one of the best day trips from Budapest.
2. Ride the Tram Line 2
Many, including National Geographic, consider Budapest’s Tram Line 2 to be one of the most scenic forms of public transportation in the world.
The trolley parallels the Danube on the Pest side of the river, offering riders sensational, up-close views of the Parliament, Budapest city center, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, and more. You can hop off and on at your liking as well. It’s a great thing to do if you’re visiting Budapest with kids, too!
Make sure to not only purchase your Budapest public transport tickets (you can do so at a ticket machine next to any one of the stops), but also to validate your ticket when you get on the tram by slotting it into the scanner. Failing to do so can lead to a fine.
You’ll see many riders on the No. 2 tram throughout the day in Budapest, but it’s calm in the morning and at night. Thankfully, the city knows that this is a popular Budapest activity, so there are plenty of trolleys running, limiting the congestion on each individual trolley.
3. Rent Scooters and Take a Late-Night Ride
One of my favorite things I did in Budapest at night was riding an electric scooter around the outer parts of Districts 6 and 7, where most of the city’s embassies and most extravagant residences are situated. These neighborhoods are significantly more residential and less touristy than inner District 7 (The Jewish Quarter), District 5, and District 1, meaning you’ll encounter very few people and cars on all of the beautiful side streets. Because of this, outer District 6 and 7 are two of the best places to stay in Budapest if you want to be near the action, but not right in it.
I suggest riding in the area between Varosliget Park and Terez Korut Boulevard on either side of the famous Andrassy Avenue. There are a variety of apps you can use to unlock scooters, such as Bird, TIER, and Lime. The whole area is extremely safe as well, which goes for most of Budapest.
4. Don’t Visit Szimpla Kert Unless You’re Fine With a Wait
Szimpla Kert is the most famous ruin pub in Budapest. If you don’t already know, ruin pubs are once-deteriorated buildings that have been transformed into quirky, eccentric pubs and clubs.
While Szimpla is most definitely worth the visit, it’s always packed at night. If you want to go for a chill drink or two just to take in the eccentric setting in a relaxed environment, I advise against going at night and going before dinner instead. In fact, this street is one of the few in Budapest that gets very crowded with partiers in the nighttime hours.
If you want to visit a less-crowded ruin pub at night, you can try Csendes, Doboz, Kobuci Kert (Garden Kobuci), or Nemdebar (in Buda). If you’re into dancing or clubbing, Instant-Fogas will scratch your itch.
5. Take a Stroll Along the River
The Danube is the 2nd-longest river in Europe, and there are few places along the river that provide greater access to its beauty than Budapest.
A good Danube night-walk is on the riverfront path from the Hungarian Parliament to the Chain Bridge. If you want more of a workout, you can walk to the next bridge in Pest (Erzsebet). Along your walk, you’ll pass the iconic Shoes on the Danube, a memorial to the fallen Jewish citizens from World War 2 who horrifyingly perished in the river.
Budapest is not only the best place to visit in Hungary, but one of the best in Europe because of activities like this. In a 30-minute walk, you can take in breathtaking views of architectural wonders, a natural wonder in the Danube, and see some of the most historic sites in this part of the continent.
6. Visit Rudas Baths
Not every bath in Budapest is open at night, but that’s not the case for Rudas Baths. This Turkish bathhouse perched right at the foot of Gellert Hill on the Danube is open until 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, meaning you can escape the crowds and go after dinner.
Rudas has a plethora of options. They have designated evenings throughout the week reserved for men-only, women-only, or bathing suit-required bathing. They also have an elevated bath with incredible views of Budapest at night. You can check out their opening hours for a more complete rundown of options.
Since Rudas Baths are so conveniently located in the city center, you can easily combine an evening here with other Budapest activities at night.
If you’re traveling with kids, keep in mind that the thermal baths in Budapest are generally not open for kids under the age of 14.
Related: Are Kids Allowed in Budapest Thermal Baths?
7. Take in the Sunset atop Gellert Hill
For panoramic views of Budapest, you can summit Gellert Hill in Buda. You can begin the trek at the intersection of Erzsebet Bridge and Dobrentei Ter, or just next to Gellert Bath next to the Liberty Bridge on Kelenhegyi Ut (Street). It’s less than a mile to the top and only takes 15 to 20 minutes.
The views from the Citadel at the top are stunning. If you do this hike at night, you’ll encounter far fewer people than during the day. I’ve walked up both during the day and night, and must say that the serenity that comes with overlooking this bustling metropolis in dark skies is impossible to beat.
8. See a Show at the Hungarian State Opera
Located along the famed Andrassy Avenue, the Hungarian State Opera was constructed in 1887 and to this day hosts evening shows that attract locals and visitors alike. It’s easy to get to on the M1 line from the city center, as it has its own designated stop along the metro (“Opera”).
From showcasing classics like Macbeth to traditional Hungarian dances and songs, there’s something for everyone at the opera. You can check out the upcoming slate of shows on their website here.
If you don’t have time for a show or you simply aren’t the theater type, it’s still well worth taking a tour. You can purchase tickets for a guided tour of the Hungarian State Opera here.
9. Have Dinner at a Michelin-Star Restaurant
While Budapest is great for budget travelers, there are also plenty of dining options for luxury travelers, too. There are numerous restaurants in Budapest to have earned a MICHELIN recognition over the years, and while these restaurants aren’t cheap, they’re far more affordable than the majority of MICHELIN restaurants in other central and western European cities.
One of the best restaurants in the city is SALT, known for its traditional Hungarian and Eastern European dishes. Located right in the inner city, it’s easy to get to and isn’t quite as crowded as a typical MICHELIN restaurant. You might even be able to get a table without a reservation like we did if you plan to eat a late dinner, but I’d recommend booking ahead of time.
Their cocktails are superb, but make sure to try their goulash, as it’s some of the best goulash you’ll find in Budapest. Goulash is a delicious, but filling appetizer, so make sure to go on an empty stomach!
In-Summary: Things to Do in Budapest at Night
Hopefully, this list of the best things to do in Budapest at night helps you complete your itinerary. Budapest is a buzzing city with a lot to do 365 days of the year, but the city’s grandeur is especially on display at night. The city is very safe at night and has such good public transportation, which goes a long way in making for a stress-free visit.
