Discover Hidden Gems in Budapest

Budapest brims with surprises waiting to be explored. As a dynamic and diverse capital steeped in history, with an exciting culinary landscape and a flourishing cultural scene, the city encourages visitors to venture off the beaten track. Delve into the vibrant, community-inspired street art found in the Jewish Quarter. Ride on continental Europe’s oldest subway line. Hunt for the finest Hungarian wines at The Great Market Hall. Whichever route you take, adventure awaits. Keep reading to uncover the best of Budapest’s hidden treasures.

Savor the Delights of The Great Market Hall

To indulge in Hungary’s culinary delights, make sure to visit The Great Market Hall, Budapest’s most cherished market featuring a vast selection of fresh cheeses, meats, produce, and other gourmet treats. With over 100,000 square feet and hundreds of stalls, having a strategy for navigating the space is beneficial. The ground floor focuses on fresh ingredients (be sure to try the honey and paprika, Hungary’s beloved spice), while the upper level showcases souvenirs, artisanal crafts, and food stalls where you can taste popular Hungarian dishes like goulash, stuffed cabbage, and hortobágyi palacsinta (a savory pancake filled with meat). Don’t forget to check out the basement, home to exquisite bottles of Hungarian wine.

Travel Back to the Belle Époque Era

Located in what used to be Budapest’s first modern department store, the Párisi Udvar building reflects the sophistication and opulence of the city’s social scene during the early 20th century. This beautifully restored landmark is an architectural wonder, adorned with stained-glass windows created by renowned Hungarian artist Miksa Róth and thousands of Zsolnay tiles from the famous factory in Pécs. Stroll through the Parisian Court, embellished with intricate cast-iron and sculpted wooden details, and enjoy a glass of champagne beneath the building’s iconic crystal dome.

Experience a historic thermal bath

For those seeking to immerse themselves in Budapest’s thermal bath tradition without the hustle and bustle, Veli Bej is a hidden gem among the city’s smaller spas. Don’t be misled by its compact size—Veli Bej is rich in offerings. Constructed during the Ottoman period, it has recently undergone extensive renovations to upgrade its treatment facilities. Along with the beautifully restored dome bath complex dating back to the 16th century, featuring a spacious octagonal hot-water thermal pool, the spa includes four smaller pools at varying temperatures, two steam rooms with massage showers, a Jacuzzi, a swimming pool, a Kneipp walk pool, and both Finnish and infrared saunas.

Explore street art in the Jewish Quarter

Budapest’s street art culture is thriving like never before, particularly in the Jewish Quarter, where buildings damaged during WWII and abandoned for years are now adorned with vibrant murals. The city has enlisted both local and international artists to transform these structures with modern artistry, while various collectives host annual art festivals. Enjoy a self-guided exploration of the area, taking in iconic spots like Dan Ferrer’s Alice, which symbolizes the potential of youth and nods to Alice in Wonderland, as well as the urban art collective Neopaint’s homage to the Hungarian creator of the Rubik’s Cube.

Travel on continental Europe’s oldest metro line

Venture beneath the city and hop on Budapest’s Metro line M1, the oldest subway in continental Europe and the first electrified underground rail system in the world. Since its inauguration in 1896, the iconic yellow trains have traversed many of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Andrássy Avenue, running from downtown Vörösmarty Square to just beyond City Park, playing an essential role in the city’s rich history and contemporary life.

To delve deeper into the history of the M1, famously referred to as the “Millennium Underground” for its significance in the 1896 celebrations commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of Hungary’s conquest of the area, make sure to visit the Millennium Underground Museum. This fascinating museum showcases original carriages, models, charts, and maps that narrate the rich story of the metro system.