10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Budapest

Gellért Hill is one of Budapest’s most prominent landmarks. This 235-metre-high hill, which rises from the riverbank of the Danube, offers those who climb it some of the most wonderful views of the Hungarian capital.

It’s beautiful at any time of day, but most breathtaking when the setting sun casts a warm glow over the buildings that form Budapest’s iconic skyline. Allow at least 20 minutes to make your way up from either Liberty Bridge or Elisabeth Bridge to one of Gellért Hill's many overlooks.

Budapest river cruises are among several tour options in the city, with boats traveling up and down the Danube every evening. Most operators have boats that are air-conditioned in summer and heated in winter, resulting in pleasurable sightseeing in any season.

Choose between cocktail cruises, jaunts with live folk music, and trips timed to coincide with sunset. Wine and craft beer tastings are arranged for selected departures. If you’re visiting Budapest in summer, you can enjoy a spectacular fireworks display from the water as part of the State Foundation Day of Hungary celebrations in August.

Mysterium Tours unlocks the dark world of vampires with an evening walking tour in the vicinity of Buda Castle. Beginning from the Zero Kilometer Stone, a guide will lead you around this historic hilltop district.

You’ll be transported to a time when Vlad the Impaler and Elizabeth Báthory terrorised residents between the 15th and 17th centuries. The lines blur between myth and reality as you learn about vampires, bloody battles, and legends associated with these notorious figures. English-speaking tours depart at 8.15 pm.

The Budapest Rooftop Movie theater is a seasonal movie theater that shows movies from the top of the Mammut shopping mall. Launched in 2013, this seasonal initiative returns each summer to provide avid movie fans with the chance to watch movies in a unique setting.

A program of cult and classic movies delights an audience of locals and visitors alike. You can purchase snacks and beverages at the bar. They even supply you with a blanket if you get chilly during the screening. Shows usually run between 8.30 pm and 9.15 pm, depending on sunset times.

The Hungarian State Opera House first opened its doors to an excited public in 1884. Built in neo-Renaissance style by Miklós Ybl, it is valued for its architecture as much as its status as a cultural venue. 

Visitors can engross themselves in world-class performances of Hungarian opera and ballet in Budapest in sumptuous surroundings. You can return during the day for a guided tour of this regal landmark. The Hungarian State Opera House is in central Budapest, within a 5-minute walk of notable attractions like St. Stephen's Basilica and the St. Teresa of Avila Parish Church.

360 Bar is a rooftop bar overlooking central Budapest. Located on the Pest side of the Danube, it’s an easy walk from the Hungarian Parliament Building. In summer, you can sip a cocktail in the fresh air while pointing out iconic landmarks such as the Chain Bridge and Fisherman’s Bastion.

In winter, igloo-style pods help keep the cold out but still allow you to enjoy the fabulous view. If you’re still peckish after dinner, 360 Bar serves decadent dishes like mac and cheese, burgers, salads and nachos. 

A38 is one of Budapest’s most unusual live music venues. This decommissioned ship from Ukraine is now permanently anchored on Petőfi Bridge, which crosses the Danube to the south of the city centre.

Music lovers will relish the opportunity to attend a concert in the hold, relax in the chillout space, or dance on deck. A38 acts as a cultural hub for the local community, hosting regular events. There’s also a bistro onboard for those feeling snacky during their visit. 

The Rudas Thermal Baths complex is just one of over 100 thermal baths scattered across Budapest. Opened in the 16th century when Budapest was under Ottoman rule, it features a hammam and a thermal spring. You can relax beneath the dome of its historic octagonal pool or bathe beneath the stars in the jaw-dropping indulgence of its rooftop hot tub. 

Night owls will often want to skip the fancier Gellért Baths or the Neo-Baroque Szechenyi complex to take advantage of the Rudas Thermal Baths' late-night weekend sessions. It has an additional late-night opening (10 pm to 3 am) on Fridays and Saturdays.

Csendes Létterem is one of the most famous ruin bars in Budapest. Ruin bars began to spring up just after the millennium in semi-derelict, abandoned buildings, breathing new life into neglected spaces. Today, they’re one of the top attractions in the Hungarian capital.

Szimpla Kert might be the city's first ruin bar, but Csendes Létterem is the one to choose if you’re keen on chilling out with like-minded locals. At first, its laidback vibe might seem at odds with the busy vintage decor, but you’ll soon find your groove further into the evening.

Instant-Fogas is an expansive party complex that offers a fun night out in Budapest. It was formed by the amalgamation of popular nightspots Fogasház and Instant. Now, it consists of 18 bars, 7 dancefloors, and 2 outdoor gardens, making it one of the largest ruin pubs in Europe.

Despite its size, the atmosphere is lively and, with a variety of music styles, you can dance the night away without getting bored. It’s free to enter, though charges are applied in some rooms whenever concerts take place at Instant-Fogas.