Amazing things to do to enjoy Budapest at night

If you're going on holiday to the Hungarian capital and it's late at night, it is not a good time to go to bed, even if you stay in one of the most comfortable hotels in Budapest. On the contrary, it is when you should be most awake since Budapest at night is a charming place where adventure awaits you in different corners. 

An adventure that, no matter what, is much more exciting and memorable than the one you could enjoy during the day, as everything is transformed, acquiring new air and shades that can easily surprise you. 

After all, it is no coincidence that the citizens of Budapest love to enjoy their city at night. As a tourist, you can blend with the night society and live on first-hand the enchanting experience this city has to offer you. 

Of course, first it is necessary to be informed about which places to visit and what can be done in each. Therefore, we will focus on telling you everything you need to know about it.

Panoramic views from the Gellért hill

For many people, the world is a more beautiful place under the moonlight. If you are one of those people, then you cannot miss the opportunity to contemplate the magical panoramic views that only the Gellért hill has to offer you. 

This place allows you to enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire city, including some of the most emblematic places like the Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, and even the Danube River. 

The best part is that the fun does not end here, as this hill also houses an impressive 19th-century citadel and various historical monuments of interest. 

You have different transport options to get to the top of the hill at night. The typical and most common option is to climb walking through its steep path. 

St. Stephen's Basilica

The St. Stephen's Basilica is another of the city's great tourist emblems that acquire new vibrations under the cloak of the night. Just like the Gellért hill, it is a perfect place to enjoy unique views. 

The best place to do it is from any of its towers, which are 96 meters high. It is worth noting that you will not have to climb many stairs to get to the top unless you want to, since the basilica has an elevator.

On the other hand, you should know that by paying for the ticket you can also visit the treasury, so you should not limit yourself to the views from the heights. We are talking about the largest church in all of Budapest, which is not a little thing to say, considering that this is a city full of history.

Inside it is guarded the incorrupt right hand of King St. Stephen the first, a relic that you will be delighted to know. Also, good night photos in the huge neoclassical portico at the entrance or next to the two bell towers will come quite well for your souvenir album.

It is worth noting that the whole interior of the basilica is filled with works of art, statues, paintings, and mosaics of distinguished Hungarian artists. Even the place offers excellent acoustics for enjoying organ concerts.

What to do in Budapest at night with your partner? Romantic Cruises offering Dinner by the Danube

The night is also associated with romance, so the night romantic activities in the company of your soul mate, in case your beloved one accompanies you, could not be missed in this collection of incredible activities. 

Therefore, it must be said that there is nothing more romantic to do in Budapest than having dinner under the unique atmosphere that only a Danube cruise can offer you. Cruises that offer this service have an à la carte dinner or a buffet, with panoramic views of the city lit up at night and live music.

As for the duration of these night cruises offering dinner, this is usually between 1.5 and 3 hours. In addition, for those who do not like live music, there are also options with gourmet food and folk shows. 

On the other hand, the cruise also takes you through several of Budapest's emblematic places that reach their best views during the night, such as Gellért Hill, the Budapest Parliament, the Chain Bridge and Buda Castle. 

Therefore, if you are excited about joining your partner to a romantic night dinner surrounded by the Danube River and wonderful views, you can book your cruise at the ticket booths on the bridges or, for greater convenience, via the Internet.

Visit the Jewish Quarter

If you want to experience the excitement of the night entertainment in Budapest, the best place to go is the Jewish Quarter, also called District VII. In this area, you will find the best nightlife establishments in the city. 

Every night, its bars, restaurants, and clubs open their doors and acquire emotional vibrations that you will not get anywhere else in the city (especially during the weekend). It is therefore right here that you will be able to understand why citizens value the nightlife that Budapest has to offer so much, something that you should experience for yourself because words are not enough to describe it. 

Some of the areas where you should head inside the Jewish Quarter when you're wondering what to do in Budapest include: 

● Instant-Fogas: This is a whole party complex that has 7 clubs in one place. I mean, a real labyrinth of parties. Its appearance in ruins, since it was built in an abandoned building, combined with the garden and the terrace it has, gives it a surreal touch that makes the atmosphere more unique. In addition, it is suitable for all tastes, as there is a great variety in the offer of dance tracks and music styles. 

● Doboz: Another prominent nightclub in the Jewish Quarter. It is perfect if you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, with a little live music and a good drink. 

● Hotsy Totsy: The best option in case you are interested in trying exotic cocktails in Budapest, as it has the best catalog of drinks from all over the Jewish Quarter. 

Now, not everything in the Jewish Quarter must be party and unrest. It turns out it is also a good place to take a walk. A walking tour allows you to get a deep insight into its culture and history, which is pleasant due to its unique architecture and marked Jewish heritage.

Visit the ruin bars and clubs in Budapest at night

Although the Jewish Quarter is home to most of Budapest’s nightlife, the truth is that it’s not the only place where you can find a good place to dance and have a drink from all over the place. Therefore, it is necessary to dedicate a special place to talk about all the nightclubs and bars in ruins that you should visit, both those within the Jewish Quarter and those outside it, located in the East.

A38

With club A38 it is necessary to leave behind the Jewish Quarter and move to the sea, literally. This club and restaurant is located on a fixed boat on the banks of the Danube River. Clearly, the experience it offers is extremely original. 

In it, you can enjoy varied musical styles like pop or techno, so you can spend hours and hours dancing. Moreover, being located on a boat, a certain pleasant and welcoming atmosphere always surrounds you.

Szimpla Kert

What makes the Szimpla Kert special is that it manages to position itself as a trending place among the ruin bars of the city, to the point that many consider it a genuine cultural phenomenon. Their decoration probably doesn’t look like anything you’ve seen before, with different courtyards and spaces interconnected with each other.

Mazel Tov

A bar located very close to the Club Instant. It is famous for its delicious taco dishes. It also has a relaxed and original atmosphere accompanied by live music.

Safety and transport tips to safely enjoy Budapest's nightlife

At this time, with all that have been said about what to do in Budapest at night, no one can doubt that this is a city quite full of life every night and that there are many places you can visit under the moonlight to live experiences that contrast with daytime visits. 

However, no matter how exciting the idea of improvising on a night tour is, it should not be forgotten that the night can also bring with it certain risks, so you need to apply some extra precautions compared to the day. In this way, you can minimize the risks of inconvenience. 

Safety tips 

By applying the following measures in your exploration of Budapest, you can preserve your safety and that of your companions: 

● Avoid lonely, dark, or gloomy streets.

● Do not bring unnecessary valuables to your night tour and always keep an eye on your belongings. 

● Limit yourself to using only recognised transport services and official taxis.

Recommendations for transportation 

For night exploration to be easy, you will also need to have the support of a good transportation service. It should be noted that public transport varies slightly in comparison to how it works during the day, so some clarification is needed. 

● Metro: You can use the metro until 23:00 on business days and until midnight on weekends. 

● Night buses (BKK éjszakai): These are a type of special buses that only run during the night. They have an extensive network, making them a practical way to move at night. 

● Taxis: The most reliable option to move during the night and at any time. Just make sure you only use authorized and trusted services for your safety. Alternatively, it is a good idea to use some apps like Uber or Bolt. 

● Walk in groups: Walking is still a night option, but it is not recommended to do it alone during the night, but in large groups, especially if you are in a tourist area.

In summary, now you know all the amazing things you can do in Budapest at night. Get excited to organize your next holiday in the Hungarian capital and venture to know everything the night wonders of this city have to offer you and your friends, family, or partner. We are sure you will love the experience and you might even discover that everything can be more exciting than during the day.

Author: Emese Napsugár Warga

Guest Relations Agent at NH Collection Budapest City Center

My name is Emese Napsugár Warga and I started working as a Guest Relations Agent in July of 2023 at NH Collection Budapest City Center. I am originally from the countryside but I fell in love with our beautiful capital that I call home now. My favourite part of my job that I am able to recommend experiences and local spots to our guest by sharing my personal experiences about Budapest. Watching foreign people fall in love with our city and sharing about the wonderful things that they experience while staying with us truly makes my job special. I always felt that surprising people is a great thing to do so organizing birthday, anniversary or honeymoon requests warms my heart every time.