Budapest

Most first-time visitors are surprised to find that Budapest is actually two cites: colorful Buda and hard-working Pest. They are separated by the blue-green waters of the Danube River, which flows placidly past. The monumental architecture and lovely natural setting make this one of Europe’s most eye-catching capitals.

The city is full of United Nations World Heritage Sites, including Buda’s Castle Hill, the embankments of the Danube River, and Andrássy Avenue. Also worth a visit are the palatial Hungarian Parliament Building and the impressive Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe. It is home to a small Jewish population, as many were killed during World War II.

This "Paris of the East" has long been known as a gay center of Eastern Europe, but things have really taken off since reintegration with the West. There is no single gay neighborhood, but most gay-popular bars and clubs can be found in Pest in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th districts, many within walking distance of one another. Defining lines aren't drawn as sharply here as in the West - except at men's saunas or cruise bars - and people mix more. With a little discretion you can look for friendly and meaningful eye-contact most anywhere. Budapest Pride is gay Hungary’s largest annual event. Although attacked by anti-gay protesters in the past, it continues to draw a few thousand people each June.

 

Getting here

Budapest International Airport  is 15 miles southeast of central Budapest. You can get downtown via bus, shuttle bus, or taxi, but perhaps the best way is the speedy train connection from Ferihegy terminal 1 to Nyugati Railway Station with a hundred or more departures each day. See Mav-Start for online details. There are also high-speed trains arriving daily at Budapest from most major European cities.

 

Getting around

Although the city is relatively spread out, the system of buses, trams, subways, and light-rail trains gets you around quickly. See BKV-ZAT for service maps and schedules. One ticket is good for any of their modes of transportation. Tickets are available at most stations, and must be validated before you board by using one of the punch machines. Just watch the locals, or ask how. Taxis often overcharge tourists, so it’s best to have your hotel call a reputable company rather than hailing one on the street.

 

Currency and Money

The local currency is the Hungarian forint. The country is hoping to eventually adopt the euro, and many businesses catering to tourists already accept them. Contact your local bank with travel plans before leaving home to avoid charge problems, and ask if they have partner banks to save on ATM withdrawal fees.

Cruising

The Turkish thermal baths are one of the highlights of a visit to Budapest. Not gay establishments per se, these have been places for men to meet and relax together since the Ottoman era, long before "gay" was a concept, and they still are. The amount of cruising varies widely, so it’s best to ask a local for the latest scoop on the most active. Check out Squirt.org for more.

 

Media

Company is the monthly gay publication, in Hungarian, with some English-language website pages for international visitors.

Budapest Gayguide has gay accommodations, plus listings for bars, saunas, and saunas. The Budapest Bears website has listings of social events for local and international gay bears and friends.

 

Accomodations

Lodging choices range from among the most opulent hotels in Europe, to simple and inexpensive backpacker hostels, with everything in-between. These include some that cater to gay men exclusively. See our map & listings/lodgings tab for these.

GayStay/Budapest offers five apartments at four Budapest locations. The helpful staff will gladly take the time to answer guests' questions about Budapest and gay life around the city. They also do guided tours such as: "Grand Budapest Sightseeing" and "Gay Bars and Clubs."

 

Going out

Action Bar (Magyar utca 42), basement bar, popular dark room, video lounge, rent boys, live weekend sex shows, nightly strippers.

Adonis Club (Baross utca 30), face-control dance club, go-go boys, midnight drag shows, dress-to-impress.

Alterego Club (Dessewffy utca 33), popular basement dance club, mostly younger mix, gay men and women, lounge, 3 bars, stage shows, retro sing-alongs and drag diva nights,

Alterego Cafe (Erzsébet tér 1), pre-dance club drinks and chill-out space by eponymous nightclub.

Amstel River Café (Párizsi utca 6), Dutch cafe/bar, mixed crowd, good food at good prices, pation seatings.

Café & (Dessewffy utca 30), mixed, gay-friendly cafe/patisserie, fresh bread, croissants, pastries, all-day breakfast; gayest evenings and weekends.

Café Capella (Belgrád rakpart 23), gay/straight mixed dance club, stippers, drag shows, gayest on Wednesdays.

Café Eklektika (Nagymezo utca 30), lesbian owned/operated cafe/bar, international and Hungarian food, late Sat/Sun breakfast noon-6pm, live music, internet, summer terrace.

Club Underground (Dohany utca 22-24), new location in 2011, small gay weekend disco, women/men mix, karaoke.

CoXx Club (Dohány utca 38), basement, men-only bar, cruise area/dark room, jail, sling, sex shop, porn videos; special naked, military, suckers and gang-bang nights.

Funny Carrot (Belvaros Szep utca 1), community locals' bar, affable bar staff, rent boys sometimes.

Habrolo Bisztro (Belvaros Szep utca 1), small, cozy neighborhood gay pub, easy-to-meet people-friendly vibe, English-speaking owner.

Mystery Bar (Nagysándor József utca 3), aka Cafe M, small friendly cocktail bar, specialty drinks, karaoke, free internet/WiFi for customers.

Why Not Cafe & Bar (Belgrád rakpart 3-4), former Mylord, mixed daytime coffee shop/cafe with terrace tables near the Danube, evenings before or after dinner drinks.

See our map & listings/clubs or restaurants/cafes tabs for locations and website links to the above.

 

Saunas & pools

Gellért Bath (Kelenhegyi út 4-6), grand 1918 art nouveau general-public thermal bath and swimming pool, massage, cruisey outdoor areas.

Király Bath (Fô utca 82-84), dates to 15th century Arslan Pasha period, general-public hot mineral water bath and sauna. As of May 2011 no more men-only days, now mixed-gender only, so the cruisy vibe is gone.

Magnum Sauna & Gym (Csepreghy utca 2), biggest, most popular gay sauna, age and types mix, steam/dry, cabins, dark rooms, glory holes, video lounge, gym, bar, snacks; naked and other theme parties, Saturday shows and all-night hours.

Sauna 69 (Angyal utca 2), gay men's sauna, Finnish, infrared, steam, Jacuzzi, cabins, gloryholes, video lounge, darkroom, massage services, full bar, free internet and Wi-Fi.

See our map & listings/saunas tab for locations and gay website links. For other general-public baths and swimming pools, see website Spas Budapest. Csillaghegyi (Pusztakúti út 3), an outdoor heated pool, open year-round, with nudist area up the hill, popular with gay men, is among their 15 listings.