Best Local Spots to Relax in Budapest

After settling in, finding an excellent place to work, and meeting some new and exciting people, you wouldn’t be the first one to feel exhausted. Part of our daily self-care is to have a place to relax, either alone or with a close friend. And Budapest offers plenty of places to go and do precisely that. So below are some of the best places to relax in Budapest.

Grund is a unique place in Budapest. During the day, it is a beautiful family-friendly bar with delicious meals and drinks and a vast playground area. The prices are reasonable, and their kitchen is well-liked by most who visit. But come 18:00, the bar opens up its happy hour, serving most cocktails at half price if purchased in bulk of two. And after 20:00, a DJ turns the whole bar into a party. Many ex-pats and students enjoy their free time here, so there’s always someone to meet and dance with. Explore this restaurant/bar with three outside areas ad a mulberry tree growing in the middle of it.

Situated North of the centre of Budapest, in the middle of the Danube, is a small tree-covered island with heaps of fun and relaxation opportunities. You can walk around in the pleasant shade, visit the Art Nouveau water tower with a beautiful view of the island, or visit the Japanese garden. But there’s more. There’s also the ruins of an old Franciscan monastery and a Dominican convent to see, and when the sun gets too much, you can go cool down in the Palatinus Strand baths. And once the sun sets, you can dance the night away at the Zippp open-air beach club (closed from Sunday to Tuesday). There’s just so much packed into this tiny island that you owe it to yourself to enjoy it to the fullest.

This park is far more than just a few trees and some nice pathways, which is pleasant. It is home to beautiful sights like the Vajdahunyad Castle and fun activities like the Zoo (one on each side of the park). The castle hosts many agricultural exhibits and has the Tower of Apostles with a gorgeous view. The Holnemvolt Park also has a historic merry-go-round, a cave train, a magic castle, and a jungle train. The park is also home to the Grand Circus, the only circus in Central Europe open year-round and does not change its location. There are also restaurants, bistros, and cafés, but you’ll find out for yourself soon enough. With all these beautiful things to do, why would you stay away?

Római Part is a waterfront of the river Danube lined with delicious fresh fish and fast foods, and tasty beer. It is the ideal place for meeting your friends for a chill evening by the water with some drinks and pleasant conversation. During the day, though, this place is also very popular with cyclists, rowers, and dog-walkers, all of whom enjoy the area's fresh air and pleasant nature. Római part has a lot to offer, and it should undoubtedly be on your list of places to relax in Budapest.

Out of all the places on this list, the Philosopher’s Garden is undoubtedly the most serene. There are three statues of Buddha, Gandhi, and Jesus Christ, symbolising a meeting place where they can contemplate another’s ideas, and the park reflects this sentiment perfectly. It’s very calm and pleasant, making it perfect for a small reading break or a quiet sit-down with a friend and a bottle of wine.