Gay Guide • BUDAPEST | What to See, Where to Sleep, Best Gay Bars and Restaurants | LGBT Guide
- World Mappers
- Mar 26
- 7 min read
GAY BUDAPEST
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in BUDAPEST?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
LGBT BUDAPEST
Budapest has an active LGBT+ community, despite the challenges posed by the conservative Hungarian government. The city hosts the Budapest Pride , the country’s largest LGBT+ event, which was born in 1997. There are inclusive bars and clubs, such as Why Not Café and AlterEgo Club. However, the government’s restrictive laws and anti-LGBT+ rhetoric make life difficult for many queer people. Despite this, activists and local organizations continue to fight for rights.
WHAT TO SEE in BUDAPEST?
10 THINGS TO SEE in BUDAPEST
Parliament of Budapest
One of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Hungarian Parliament is a neo-Gothic masterpiece on the banks of the Danube. Built between 1885 and 1904, it houses the Holy Crown of Hungary. At night, its illumination makes it even more spectacular, reflecting magically on the river’s waters.
Fisherman’s Bastion
Located in the Buda district, this beautiful neo-Romanesque viewpoint offers breathtaking views of Budapest. Built between 1895 and 1902, it has seven turrets that symbolize the seven Magyar tribes. Its terraces and arches make it the perfect place for unforgettable photos and to admire the Danube and the Parliament.
Buda Castle
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Buda Castle is a majestic fortress overlooking the city. Built in the 13th century and rebuilt several times, it now houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. The Buda funicular offers a fascinating experience to reach the top of the hill.
Church of San Matthias
The Saint Matthias Church, located in the heart of Buda Castle, is one of the most fascinating symbols of Budapest. With its striking neo-Gothic architecture and roof decorated with colorful majolica, this historic church has hosted royal coronations and weddings. The richly frescoed interior and the suggestive atmosphere make it an unmissable stop.
Széchenyi Baths & Gellért Baths
The largest thermal baths in Europe, the Széchenyi Baths, are a real institution in Budapest. Built in 1913 in neo-Baroque style, they offer indoor and outdoor pools with thermal water. Perfect in any season, especially in winter when you can swim in the hot steam while the air is cold. Not far from there, the Gellért Baths, with their Art Nouveau architecture, offer an equally unique experience, with beautiful mosaics and thermal pools within a luxurious and charming environment.
Chain Bridge
One of the most beautiful and historic bridges in Budapest, connecting Buda and Pest since 1849. It was the first permanent bridge over the city and a symbol of the unification of Hungary. At night, illuminated, it creates a romantic atmosphere on the Danube. During the Second World War it was destroyed and then faithfully rebuilt.
Grand Central Market
The Nagycsarnok, opened in 1897, is the largest covered market in Budapest. Here you can find typical Hungarian products such as paprika, salami and local wines. The architecture is impressive, with its iron structure and roof decorated with Zsolnay tiles. It is the ideal place for an authentic gastronomic experience.
St Stephen's Basilica
Budapest's largest church, dedicated to St Stephen, the first king of Hungary. Built between 1851 and 1905, it has an imposing 96-metre high dome. Inside is the mummified hand of St Stephen, a holy relic. Climbing to the terrace, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the city.
Heroes' Square, Millennium Monument & Vajdahunyad Castle
Heroes' Square, one of Budapest's most impressive squares, celebrates the millennium of Hungary's founding with the Millennium Monument, consisting of statues of the heads of the seven Hungarian tribes. Nearby, Vajdahunyad Castle, a fascinating building in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, dominates the surrounding park.
Jewish Quarter & Great Synagogue of Budapest
Budapest's Jewish Quarter is a place rich in history and culture, characterised by lively streets, trendy clubs and significant monuments. At its heart is the majestic Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe, with breathtaking architecture and a poignant memorial. A symbol of resilience and tradition that tells the story of the Jewish community's past and present.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Budapest (Buda Area: Castle, Fisherman's Bastion) - Google Maps
Day 2 - Budapest (Pest Area: Parliament) - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
5 BEST EXCURSIONS from BUDAPEST
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Esztergom, Visegrád & Szentendre ("Golden Triangle" of the Danube) Lago Balaton ("Hungarian Sea")
Gödöllő (Sissi's Castle)
Puszta Ungherese & Hortobágy
Bratislava
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in BUDAPEST?
10 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in BUDAPEST
WHERE TO EAT in BUDAPEST?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in BUDAPEST Quality / Price
€€€€ - Caviar & Bull Budapest
€€€ - Sir Lancelot Lovagi Etterem (Medieval Restaurant)
€€€ - St. Andrea Restaurant
€€ - Mazel Tov
€€ - Hungarikum Bisztró
GAY NIGHTLIFE in BUDAPEST
BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in BUDAPEST
CoXx Men's Bar (Gay Bar)
ALTEREGO (Gay Club)
Habroló Café & Bar (Gay Bar)
Freedom Club (Gay Club)
Polygon the Club (Gay Club)
Magnum Sauna (Gay Sauna)
TRAVEL TIPS about BUDAPEST by World Mappers
Don't miss the New York Cafè: one of the most beautiful and historic cafés in the world. Located in a neo-Baroque building, it is famous for its opulent décor, with gilded decorations, frescoed ceilings and glittering chandeliers. Opened in 1894, it has been a meeting point for writers and intellectuals. The elegant atmosphere makes it ideal for an unforgettable experience.
Taste the typical Kürtőskalács in Budapest, one of Hungary's most iconic and beloved desserts. This cylinder of sweet pastry, baked on a rotating skewer and covered with caramelised sugar, has a crispy crust and a soft heart. Popular variations include walnuts, cinnamon and chocolate. Perfect to enjoy while strolling through the city streets, it is an authentic and irresistible culinary experience.
Drop by the Sir Lancelot restaurant in Budapest, a medieval-themed venue that transports you to the heart of a knightly banquet. With long wooden tables, gleaming armour and live performances by jesters and swordsmen, it offers a unique atmosphere. The menu abounds with sumptuous dishes served on large trays, perfect for sharing. A timeless gastronomic experience, ideal for those looking for fun and robust flavours.
Visit the historical pastry shop Budavár Ruszwurm Cukrászda: it is one of the oldest in Budapest, founded in 1827. Located near the Fishermen's Bastion, it is famous for its traditional Hungarian pastries, such as dobos torte and krémes. The cosy ambience and historical atmosphere make this pastry shop a must for anyone looking for an authentic Hungarian gastronomic experience.
Ruin Bars are among the most unique and fun places to visit in Budapest. These unique venues were created as alternative spaces inside abandoned buildings, which the municipality rented out cheaply to young entrepreneurs. Their décor is an eclectic mix of recycled materials, from old bathtubs to vintage TV sets, creating an original and vibrant atmosphere. Today they have lost some of their low-cost soul, but remain colourful and alternative, even if not always cheap. Among the most famous are the legendary Szimpla Kert, the lively Instant Fogas and the famous Púder Bárszínház. An unmissable experience in the Hungarian capital!
Walk around the city but watch out for Mihály Kolodko's mini-statues! They are small bronze sculptures scattered throughout the city, often hidden and full of meaning. The Ukrainian artist creates them with a mix of irony and history, turning them into a kind of ‘urban treasure hunt’.
Some of the most famous:
Kermit la Rana – On the waterfront near Parliament.
Attila József seduto su un binario - Inspired by his poetry.
Il piccolo tank sovietico - A tiny tank with a bent barrel, a symbol of the 1956 Hungarian revolution.
Lisa Simpson - Hidden on a bench near St. Stephen's Basilica, depicting Joan of Arc.
Mekk Elek, il capraio maldestro - Hungarian cartoon character.
A green oasis in the heart of the city, Margaret Island is perfect for a relaxing break. At 2.5 km long, it is home to gardens, a musical fountain, a small zoo and thermal pools. Car-free and easily accessible, it is ideal for walking, jogging or picnicking outdoors, especially on fine spring days.
Don't miss Shoes on the Danube Bank, a moving memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, located along the Danube near the Parliament. It depicts the shoes of Hungarian Jews killed by the Nazis in 1944-45, forced to take them off before being shot in the river. A simple but powerful installation that invites reflection on the tragedy of war.
INSTAGRAMMABLE BUDAPEST
Instagrammable Places to See in Budapest
Don’t miss the best instagrammable places in Budapest, here are our favorites:
"SECRET BUDAPEST"
Unusual and Particular Places to See in Budapest
Outside the classic places to visit of the city, there is a "Secret Budapest" that has simply bewitched us. Here are the 3 Things and Places to See in Secret Budapest (and Surroundings):
Statue of the Prince of Buda and the Princess of Pest - a romantic sculpture located near the Margaret Bridge. It symbolises the union of Buda and Pest, once separate cities, now a single capital. It depicts two lovers looking at each other from afar, representing the historical bond between the two banks of the Danube.
The Policeman - is a bronze statue located near St Stephen's Basilica in Budapest. It depicts a good-natured-looking policeman with a big belly, inspired by Hungarian officers in the early 20th century. Touching his belly is considered a good luck gesture! This ritual has become a tradition among tourists, who believe it brings good luck. The statue's belly has become shiny due to the continuous touching of visitors' hands. A further curiosity is that the statue also symbolises protection and prosperity!
Vajdahunyad Castle - is a fairy-tale castle located in Budapest's City Park. Built in 1896 for the Millennium Expo, it combines several architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Inspired by the Hunedoara Castle in Romania, it now houses the Hungarian Agricultural Museum. Surrounded by a picturesque lake, in winter it becomes a skating rink. The romantic atmosphere and scenic towers make it perfect for fairytale photos.
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