12 Things to do in Budapest that are NOT Ruin Bars

Budapest is undeniably a huge party city. With ruin bars, spa parties, and hostels with names like the Retox Party Hostel, it can be easy to think that the only thing to do in Budapest is getting terribly wasted. But there’s actually dozens of things to do in Budapest that are not ruin bars.

Budapest is a city of a thousand diversions. My Budapest ‘to-do’ list covered two pages in my notebook, and I accomplished maybe a fourth of them. From noshing down on delicious food to relaxing at the thermal baths to stalking out old Soviet memorials, you will never be bored in Budapest. Here are just a few things to do in Budapest that are not ruin bars.

Scout out the street art. Budapest has a vibrant street art scene, especially on the Pest side. The city actually commissioned several of the firewall murals, so wandering around you’ll be able to spot all sorts of gems. My favorite was the Space Invader that was actually fitted inside a cobblestone.

Eat cake at a cukrászda. I’ve already waxed poetic on Budapest’s amazing food scene, but if there’s one confection I would recommend over the others it is cake. Budapest has a proud history of cukrászdas, or cake shops. Stopping for an afternoon coffee and slice of cake is as much about the atmosphere of the cukrászdas as it is about the cake itself (though it’s delicious). Like the coffee shops of Vienna, the cukrászdas of Budapest should not be missed.

Party at a hip hop jazz jam on the Danube. Hands down one of my favorite things in Budapest was Random Trip. Throw a DJ, drummer, a sprinkling of other musicians, and hip hop singers all up on the stage, and groove along to whatever jam they come up with. Oh, and did I mention the venue is a boat?

Sample Budapest’s craft beer scene. If palinka isn’t for you, then Budapest has some craft beer venues you can check out. At Jónás Craft Beer House you can enjoy a brew while taking in the sunset on the Danube. It’s housed in Bálna, a hip shopping and dining venue that warrants a wander around.

Hit up Budapest’s tourist sights. I’m all for going off the beaten path, but Budapest’s main tourist attractions shouldn’t be overlooked. Especially when they include the mummified hand of Saint Stephen. Fisherman’s Bastion has an amazing panorama of the city, and Castle Hill is very picturesque.

Pick up snacks at the Central Market. I love markets, and Budapest’s Central Market is housed in a gorgeous neogothic steel and glass building. The second floor is crammed with souvenirs, or you can just grab some food stuffs on the first floor so you can…

Picnic on a bridge. While the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the most famous of the bridges in Budapest, it’s the Liberty Bridge that draws the locals. It’s common to see friends hanging out on the bridge, perched on the green supports while drinking or taking selfies, especially during Budapest’s golden sunsets.

Sneak into courtyards. I regret not slipping down more passageways in Budapest. I finagled my way into one courtyard to see an old remnant of the Jewish quarter’s original wall. The building was dilapidated, a poignant reminder that Budapest’s ruin bars have an ambiguous history. Andrássy Avenue may be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s down alleyways and in courtyards that people actual live.

Relax at the Budapest thermal baths. Relaxing under the shadow of the iconic yellow walls of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, I feel like my travel life had just leveled up. The baths are an experience to be had in Budapest, for sure, and there are enough options to fit every need and budget. And while many people might not think about visiting Eastern Europe in winter, slipping into the steaming thermal baths when it’s chilly outside makes Budapest a great winter-time destination.

Visit a museum. Even if you’re not a museum nerd, Budapest has a museum for your niche. The National Gallery does an excellent job detailing Hungarian art movements (and it’s not overwhelmingly large). And if you’re into something a little more interactive, check out the Flipper Muzeum, an interactive pinball exhibit. (Yes, why isn’t that at the top of all the itineraries??)

Delve into Budapest’s Soviet Past. While much of the Soviet past of Central and Eastern Europe is disappearing, it’s not totally gone. To learn more about Budapest’s Soviet past, you can take a tour or you can grab a bus to Memento Park. Memento Park is an open-air storage unit for unwanted Soviet statues. While I find Soviet monuments impressive in a rather unremarkable way, I did enjoy the film made with original spy-training footage.

Chill out in the park. This is one of those awesome things to do in Budapest that I wouldn’t have known about without friends giving me the insider scoop. Get the local experience by heading over to Margaret Island, a giant park that gets a lot of local love as the weather gets warmer. It’s a great place to picnic, stretch your legs in the shade of the trees, or can even rent a golf cart.

Party at a ruin bar. Ok, I know this list is about things to do in Budapest that are not ruin bars, but it is one of the quintessential Budapest experiences. If you want more of a party, DJ dance party, head to Hello Baby (complete with lasers and a dance floor that fills the entire inner courtyard). If you’re more into the bar scene than the dance scene, I’d recommend Szimpla, the oldest of the ruin bars (also a cool place for a chill lemonade during the day) or Ankert. If you want a mix of different dance floors and chill bar areas, I suggest Instant, where you can wander through an entire house of different themed rooms.

After a week in Budapest, I was more entranced than I when I had arrived. I have no doubt I’ll return again soon. After all, I still have 3/4 of my list to get through… And it’s still growing…

What are your favorite things to do in Budapest? Leave me some suggestions for next time I’m there!