11 Romantic Things to Do in Budapest

parliament building in budapest hungary
by Krisztina H // 0 Comments

If you’re thinking about a getaway with your significant other, look no further than Budapest, Hungary. This city is extremely unique and filled with tons of culture and kind people waiting to welcome you. Plus, there are many romantic things to do in Budapest!

Love is alive in Budapest, and whether you’re the type of person who would rather have cultural experiences or delicious meals, there is something for you here. If you’re spending a weekend in Budapest or staying longer, be sure to do some of the fun activities on this list!

Below, find the best things to do in Budapest for couples.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Please see disclosure for more information.

buda castle by the danube river in budapest
Buda Castle is one of the iconic views of Budapest

Romantic Things to do in Budapest

Whether you are celebrating your anniversary or just getting away for a weekend, you and your significant other will love these romantic things to do in Budapest.

Pro tip: be sure to bring your camera because there are tons of amazing photography spots in Budapest that you won’t want to miss out on!

#1 Grab breakfast at New York Café

view of the inside of the New York Cafe in Budapest, perfect for a romantic breakfast
What a glamourous spot for breakfast in Budapest!

First on the list is one of the best breakfast places in Budapest: New York Café. This is consistently top-rated by both locals and tourists, and the inside looks just like the interior of the Palace of Versailles in France!

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There’s no better way to start a day with your special someone in Budapest than by grabbing a delicious breakfast meal here. Try to get here as early as possible, because it’s known for having a long wait as more people start to visit for the scrumptious food. If you want to make sure you will get a table, make a reservation in advance!

Be prepared that the prices are rather on the expensive side, especially compared to the average prices in Budapest. However, if you want to treat yourself and your significant other on a special occasion, there is no better place to do it than in New York Cafe!

#2 Watch the sunrise at Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman Bastion, one of the most romantic spots in Budapest in Budapest
It’s easy to see why this fairytale-like location is popular with tourists.

One of the most romantic places in Budapest is Fisherman’s Bastion, which just so happens to be a great place to watch the sunrise. It’s a huge fortress and is one of the most well-known monuments in the whole city, right near Buda Castle. Since it’s popular among tourists, you must get there early if you want to enjoy it without the crowds.

What makes the Fisherman’s Bastion so iconic and special is that it’s nestled slightly above the city of Budapest and offers panoramic views that are unparalleled. Similar to New York Café, make sure to get here early enough to not only get a spot but also to actually catch the sunrise!

#3 Cruise on the Danube River

If you’re looking for one of the most scenic romantic experiences in Budapest, then go on a Danube River Cruise. You’ll be able to dine in luxury and get some of the best views in the city, all from a boat!

There are tons of cruise options out there, so it can be hard to decide which one is worth it. The most popular cruise is this 1-hour sightseeing cruise hosted by Portum Lines Cruising, which includes cocktails. If you’d rather go on a evening boat ride with some food, then this dinner cruise might be better for you!

#4 Walk along the Danube River

In addition to cruising the Danube River, you could also go on a romantic stroll along it during any time of day. Yes, that means that it’s just as beautiful in the morning as it is at night when the whole city is lit up!

The Danube River is one of the longest rivers in Europe and runs right through Budapest. There are some walking trails along the river’s side, making it one of the most charming places in Budapest. If you want to avoid the crowds, try to go sometime in the morning hours.

#5 Relax at the thermal baths

Szechenyi baths, a romantic spot for couples in Budapest
A relaxing soak at the Szechenyi Thermal Baths is a lovely way to spend time as a couple.

While you may think that the thermal baths in Hungary are overrated tourist attractions, they’re not! Swimming and relaxing in them are some of the best things for couples to do in Budapest.

The most famous thermal baths are the Széchenyi Baths, but you could also head to the Rudas Baths or the Gellért Baths. Spend an hour or two floating around with your loved one. This is a great time to relax and rejuvenate before continuing to explore the rest of the city!

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#6 Have a picnic at Margaret Island

fountain on margaret island in Budapest hungary
Margaret Island is Budapest’s green oasis.

There are tons of gardens in the Budapest, so why not have a romantic picnic in one of them! The best place is on Margaret Island, located right in the Danube River with Buda and Pest on either side.  Visiting the island is free, but some attractions do charge admission.

Grab yourself some street food or a charcuterie board from a local grocery store and make your way to the island for a relaxing lunch with your significant other. Travel can sometimes be challenging, and stopping to smell the roses while having a picnic is a great way to unwind.

What makes Margaret Island so unique is that it’s quite tranquil despite being in the middle of the city. There are tons of walking paths, spots to sit down and relax, and even a zoo and fountain on the island.

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Budapest in the summer, you might even come across some pop-up restaurants or live music and entertainment.

#7 Stroll around the Christmas markets in winter

christmas market in Budapest
During the holiday season, you can’t miss the Christmas markets in Budapest.

Europe is well-known for its festive Christmas markets, and Budapest is no exception! The best Christmas markets in Budapest are more memorable when explored with a significant other or loved one.

One thing to remember is that Budapest’s Christmas markets are usually held from late November until the New Year. So, you’ll only be able to experience them if you’re lucky enough to be visiting during this time of the year.

At the Christmas markets, be sure to try traditional Hungarian treats, like chimney cakes, strudels or a flódni. This is a great time to grab a memorable souvenir, too, like a Christmas ornament or piece of beautiful jewelry!

#8 Have a traditional romantic Hungarian dinner

Easily, one of the top romantic things to do in Budapest is to enjoy a traditional Hungarian dinner. While there are tons of restaurants to choose from, one of the best is Mátyás Pince, a restaurant with fantastic food and live Hungarian music, that is a bit pricier.

The restaurant is a bit of a hidden gem in the city, so it won’t be as challenging to get a seat here as it may be at other more popular restaurants. Still, to be safe, plan on calling ahead of time and reserving a table, so you don’t have to risk showing up only to be disappointed.

If you do choose to eat here, be sure to try some of the traditional Hungarian dishes. This restaurant serves up authentic food since it first opened about fifty years ago.

#9 Renting a boat in summer or ice-skating in winter on the City Park Boating Lake

Visiting the City Park Boating Lake is one of the fun romantic things to do in Budapest. It’s a small lake near Heroes Square and City Park that gets converted into the largest ice skating rink in Europe every winter! This is definitely the perfect way to get into the holiday charm.

In the summer, there’s no better activity than to rent a boat with your significant other and explore the lake a bit. Just make sure the weather is in your favor. You don’t want to get stuck on the lake in the middle of a rainstorm!

#10 See the sunset from the Citadel

view from the citadel in budapest
The Citadel is one of the best sunset spots in Budapest.

Last but not least on this list of best things to do in Budapest for couples is the perfect spot to see the sunset. While you may have started the day seeing the sunrise at Fisherman’s Bastion, there’s no better way to end it than at the Citadel.

Similar to Fisherman’s Bastion, the Citadel is located slightly higher than the rest of the city, so you’re able to get some incredible panoramic views of Budapest. Grab yourself a snack, cozy up with your significant other, and prepare yourself for one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see!

#11 Do a Couples Photo Shoot

Budapest makes the perfect background for couples in love.  You want to have nice photos of you together, but that is easier said than done.

You can only take so many selfies and it’s hard to find a random stranger that can take a good quality photo.  That’s where a photo shoot with Flytographer comes in handy.  You get a skilled photographer that knows the city.  They also offer special proposal packages.

 If it’s your first time using Flytographer, you can get $25 if you use the code TTTPHOTO.  Get more details here.

view of budapest
Budapest is the perfect place for a romantic escape.

Romantic Trip to Budapest

As you can see, Budapest is truly romantic, with fun places to explore in every corner. No matter where you look, there is another adventure just waiting to happen with your significant other!

What makes Budapest a great destination for couples compared to others is that it’s beautiful no matter the time of year. In the winter, you can explore Christmas markets and go ice skating on the largest rink on the continent, while in the summer, you can go on picnics and even rent your own boat!

Have you done any of these romantic things to do in Budapest? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

-Kriszti

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Expert Tips For Romance in Budapest

  • Start your day early! The earlier you start your day, the more activities you can do in a day.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes! Budapest is a historic city, so it can be hard to walk around in your favorite pair of heels.
  • While you could stay in a luxurious hotel, be sure to scour for a romantic vacation rental so that you can have even more space.
  • For the more popular places, like New York Café, arrive as early as possible to avoid crowds or make a reservation in advance.
  • Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the crowds that summer months might bring.

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Last Updated on January 12, 2023

About the Author

Kriszti is a Budapest based travel blogger with a never ending wanderlust who is passionate about content creation, travel photography and discovering new destinations, one place at a time. Her goal is to help her readers turn their travel dreams into reality by sharing her practical travel tips and detailed travel guides on her blog, She Wanders Abroad. You can follow her adventures in real time on Instagram here.

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