Best of Gay Budapest

Our Local Expert Says:

Among the hottest discos in the city, a mixed crowd fills the labyrinth-like structure and parties hard until dawn. If you’re serious about dancing, head here.

Description:

This cellar bar and disco situated on the riverbank naturally does not offer a view. There are however, a few tables available outside when the weather permits. The exterior of the building is marked out with a capital 'C' on the wall; watch out for the steep steps. Try to get there before midnight in order to catch the drag shows. Capella attracts both gay and straight folks who come to get down on the rather small and sweaty dance floor. The music is mainly house, with a funky edge.

Description:

The first president of the Academy of Music was none other than Ferenc Liszt himself. As well as being a place of study, it is also a performance venue. The Grand Hall (noted for its excellent acoustics) has a capacity of 1200 while the chamber hall seats around 400. The building itself is a masterpiece of art nouveau architecture (completed in 1907), but most of it's design marvels are on the inside - buy a ticket to a performance so you can sit back and enjoy both the music and the architecture.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fast wireless internet, popular with lesbians. Great pasta dishes. Smoky.

Description:

When a beloved restaurant moves from one location to another, but along the way changes from a funky, zany, but comfortable interior to one of a more traditional style, you have to wonder if the romance is over. Well, for this restaurant, it did not happen; the loyal diners followed, accepted the new do, and got over it, because the food is as good as ever. With tables and booths, no longer sofas and overstuffed chairs, the mellow mood is still created by the soothing vocals with a cabaret feel serenading in the background, the monthly changing artwork on the walls, and the dependably excellent service. We return for the chicken breaded in hazelnuts with the almond potato balls and wine steamed pears. Sometimes we are seduced by the rosé duck breast with mashed potatoes and cinnamon plum ragout. Besides the menu offerings, there are weekly specials on a blackboard. Outside seating is available in good weather, but inside you will be treated to free unlimited Wi-Fi, for the price of a coffee. No one will rush you out; this is a place to call home away from home.

Our Local Expert Says:

Classy, upscale café with great food and outstanding Dutch apple pie a stone’s throw from Vaci utca. Gay friendly.

Description:

Tap Amstel beer and crisp Dutch lunches are this café's varied selling points. Meeting up with pals over beer is literally a fizzy idea!

Description:

Several restaurants are located on boats docked on the Pest bank of the Danube, but Columbus was one of the first and is still one of the most interesting. If you can get a table on the deck, you will be able to enjoy one of the best views in town; the magnificent panorama of Castle Hill, the Liberation Monument and the bridges spanning the river. Try to get a seat facing the river rather than the touristy promenade. Inside, the theme is nautical, with lots of wood and brass fittings giving the impression of dining on a boat, even if this one never moves. The place is often packed. The smoked knuckle of pork is only for those with giant appetites. The chilli is hot and the giant burger is good value. You could also have five chicken wings covered in a fiery sauce and the fresh Greek salad is tasty and filling, especially when accompanied by a basket of bread which is useful to soak up the olive oil.

Description:

The Opera House is a visual delight at Andrássy út 22 with its Neo-renaissance architecture mixed with elements of Baroque. The architect, Miklós Ybl also designed the original Parliament building along with the St. Stephen's Basilica. It was Emperor Franz Joseph who funded and opened the Opera House in 1884.

Adorning the first level are statues of the Greek muses of the arts. There you may also recognize statues of Franz Liszt and Ferenc Erkel, the "Father of Hungarian Opera". Treat your senses by stepping into the lobby to see the fabulous frescoes. Though the interior is not so huge, only seating 1,261, the acoustics are considered the third best in the world. You may recognize the Opera House from the movie Munich. A Hollywood transformation turned the Opera House and all of the surrounding blocks into a Parisian venue for filming.

Our Local Expert Says:

The largest and most beautiful bath house of the city - no visit to Budapest is complete without a visit to Széchényi!

Description:

Though not the oldest thermal bath in the city, it is definitely the most beautiful! The pale yellow Neo Classicist building of the Széchényi Thermal Bath houses the largest spa of the city and of central Europe, though this will not be apparent from its exterior.

Once inside, an endless number of pools seem to unfold in a palace-like interior. Indoor and outdoor pools are filled with thermal water of varying temperatures and mineral content, all fed by two of the 123 thermal springs under Budapest. A swimming pool for those after some exercise, a wave pool for the kids, saunas and steam rooms plus a massage salon and a physiotherapy department can all be found in the complex.

Széchényi awaits guests with long opening hours between 6 am and 10 pm, so whether it'd be after a long day of sightseeing or a long night out, this is the place to relax!

Our Local Expert Says:

Worth visiting on Thursday evening, when this museum features extended hours, live jazz, and unique English language tours. An enormous building modeled upon an actual Greek temple, it boasts one of the finest collections of Egyptian art in existence.

Description:

Directly to the left of Heroes Square is the Fine Arts Museum (Szépművészeti Múzeum), completed in 1906. It is an eclectic-neoclassical style adorned with three Greek temples connected by colonnades between; each representative of different muses of culture and relaxation. The Fine Arts Museum contains international art; it has the largest Spanish collection outside of Spain. In addition, there are over 3,000 paintings, 10,000 drawings, and 100,000 prints within the 8 different collections.

Our Local Expert Says:

Popular amongst tourists and locals alike, providing a central get-away from the claustrophobic inner city on hot and sunny day!

Description:

The Palatinus Strandfürdő is a large outdoor swimming complex with several thermal pools on the centrally located leafy green Margaret Island. Being mainly an outdoor facility, it is only open in the summer, when it is one of the most popular attractions of Budapest, providing a central get-away from the claustrophobic inner city on hot and sunny day! On cooler days the thermal plunge pools are perfect for a long soak.

Before being converted into a swimming complex in the early 20th century, it used to be a natural beach along the banks of the River Danube. Its 11 pools spread across a 750 km2 park with water slides, a wave pool, an adventure pool, a children's pool, and several spa pools fed by thermal springs found under the Island, as well as a football field, volleyball court and a children's playground. Needless to say snack bars are dotted about for a complete beach experience.

Description:

This may not be the biggest in the world (its dome is 75ft) but it is still an excellent place to visit. There are often evening laser shows to rock or classical music, featuring music by bands such as Pink Floyd or the classical Carmina Burana, as well as Beatles nights and tributes to other bands.