Welcome to the indoor activities of Budapest!
Here is a top 5 guide to staying indoors and having a great time whilst there.
These activities are perfect for when you are feeling adventurous but the weather just isn’t on your side.
No. 1 – Szimpla Ruin Bar
“What is a ruin bar?” I hear you ask.
Ruin Bars are what they say on the tin- bars that have been built within the ruins of abandoned buildings in district VII of Budapest. They aren’t just your typical bar that you would find at at home.
Budapest is buzzing with ruin bars and they are well worth the visit.
Our local (and favourite) Ruin Bar had to be Szimpla. Upon entering it was a feast for the eyes, ears, nose, and any other sense you had yet to discover.
From the outside you could be fooled into believing that you are about to walk into a steampunk underground rave.
An exciting line up of activities, performance, and other goings on can be found on the website or on the program guide.
Whilst we were there, this gem of a building played host to life drawing classes, open mic fun, Kraft beer, cocktails, foozball, art showings, and so much more.
Travel Tips: Go at night for the full effect, and poke your head in during the day for a brighter perspective. The food is a little pricier but it’s also super yummy.
Entry is free of charge and you can expect a quick frisk search if you are coming in later in the evening.
Szimpla Kert website: https://szimpla.hu
No. 2 – Dohány Street Synagogue
The largest synagogue in Budapest is easy to miss nestled in amongst rows of buildings upon buildings on Dohány Street.
The outside is beautifully designed, and the inside is a treat that is well worth the admission fee.
Upstairs you will find a quaint museum where you will learn all about Jewish culture and the history of Jews in Hungary. Downstairs you can admire the many memorials and learn about the tragic past of the Synagogue by way of countless memorials and photographs.
Travel Tip: Men will be asked to cover their heads with a card kippah given out at the entrance, or (if you have one) you may wear your own hat.
No. 3 – House of Terrors
This museum offers an interactive and fully immersive education through activities, slow moving lifts (you will understand once you’ve been there), and excellently themed decor.
Whilst inside you will learn about the fascist and communist regimes in 20th century Hungary like never before.
Once you have paid admission and left your bag with the free cloakroom you will be directed to the top floor before working your way down until you are in the basement of the museum.
Travel Tips: On a budget? Rather than pay for an audio guide, read the sheets of paper situated on the walls of each room and read about everything for yourself. Hungry? A small cafe is located inside the entrance.
House of Terror website – http://www.terrorhaza.hu/hu
No. 4 – Matthias Church
If you think this church is grand from the outside then just wait until you get inside.
Located within the centre of Buda Castle this one is pretty impossible to miss. The funky colours of the external roof tiles are just the tip of the design-berg as you are greeted with a splash of colours within the church walls.
Head upstairs for information on the late Queen Elisabeth and information about how the church was built and its history.
Travel Tip: The church is made child friendly by its array of interactive touch screen games in the upstairs rooms.
Matthias church website: https://www.matyas-templom.hu
No. 5 – The Labyrinth
This underrated attraction is enough to make a grown man fearful of the dark. When we had purchased our tickets the woman on the front desk told us the following…
1. Don’t panic if you get lost because we can see you on the cameras
2. You will have no phone signals don’t worry.
True enough, but when you can’t tell your left from your right because it’s so dark; knowing that someone is probably laughing at you in a cctv room offers little comfort.
Why not pay an educational visit to these dark tunnels whilst up at Buda Castle to spice things up a bit. Yes there will be moments of “are we going to be stuck here forever” but if you follow the arrows instead of winging it you will be just fine.
Travel Tip: Your phone torch won’t work in the tunnels that are full of smoke! The light bounces right back at you.
Labyrinth website: http://labirintus.eu
Not our cup of tea… But it might be yours.
Thermal Baths
During our stay in Budapest the question of whether or not to enjoy the thermal baths cake up a lot. Ultimately we decided it just wasn’t something we wanted to do. If it is your kind of thing then Király and Rudy and Gellert Thermal Baths came highly recommended by numerous people.
Opera House
Feeling fancy? If you are then head for the Hungarian State Opera for a tour. Admiring the outside was enough for us, but you may want to witness its grandeur from within.
Hungarian State Opera website: https://www.opera.hu/programme
Whatever you end up doing you will have a wonderful time in Budapest I’m sure of it.
TravelJems 