Top 3 romantic things to do in Budapest

Any romantics out there who are looking for a great place to take their respective half should look no further than the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Unlike Prague, another recently popular central European capital, Budapest has managed to avoid the beer-heavy stag parties and, for the most part, remain a calm and relaxing place for a romantic break. There are a number of restaurants in which one can wine and dine a loved one, as well as beautiful and historical attractions for those photographic moments together. Here are just a few of the best things on offer.

1. Margaret Island

A 2km long luscious island on the river Danube, which separates the Buda and the Pest side of the city, Margaret Island is the best place to go for a stroll amongst the trees, a picnic on the lawns amongst the beautifully kept flowers and few quiet drinks at one of the cool bars. Named after Saint Margaret, who lived a life of solace on the island from the age of ten until her death in 1270, the island is a popular spot with tourists and with locals, the latter of which descend on the island after work for a jog through the trees.

The best (and most romantic) way to see the island is to hire one of the many pedal carriages available, which give you the freedom to explore without the strain. One of the best places for a drink or some food is the bar/restaurant Holdudvar, which is open all day and night and has excellent food and a great choice of cocktails.

2. Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Budapest is famous for its thermal baths. A soak in the warm, clean waters is one of the highlights for both tourists and Hungarians. The Szechenyi Baths are one of the oldest in the city and also one of the cleanest and most welcoming. It might seem confusing when you arrive, but all you need to know is to take your own towel, rent a locker to put your clothes in and then make sure you don’t lose your key!

There are three outdoor pools to choose from, depending on how warm you like you water. There is also a sauna and other physiotherapeutic facilities. The experience doesn’t stop at the bathing though, the actual building itself is worth going to just for the décor. Completed in 1913, it’s a marvelous example of neo-classical architecture.

4. Labyrinth of Buda Castle

It might not seem like the most romantic of places in the world, but don’t be scared of the wonderful and totally original Labyrinth of Buda Castle. Thanks to the thermal waters that flow under the city, miles of tunnels and caves have been carved from the rocks under the feet of the Hungarians and the Labyrinth has opened up some of these for the likes of you and I to wander around, if we aren’t scared of the dark. The tunnels boast a history that dates back some half a million years, and this is highlighted by some rather funny cave paintings on the walls as you walk around.

More recently, the tunnels were a hide-out during the Second World War but they now have a set of rather steep steps that lead dozens of tourists every day into the damp, wet and eerie labyrinth below. Hold hands as you slowly wander around the tunnels. Don’t stray too far from what little light sources there are and, if you’re lucky, you won’t think another visitor coming the other way is something from a horror film. There are some rather strange exhibits in some caves, which aren’t very historically accurate at all, but if you’re looking for something chilling and something to bring you closer together (literally on many occasions) then look no further than the labyrinth.

Photo of Budapest Thermal Baths by Phil McDonald

Topic:  Tips and Ideas | 1 Comment
Tags:  Budapest, romance

About the author

Phil is a freelance writer working on various writing and editing projects ranging from feature film scripts to travel writing. He enjoys writing from experience and sharing information on the many places he has visited over the years