Affordable European city where you can soak in historic spas and have £1.50 pints by the river

Wales Online

07-05-2025

Affordable European city where you can soak in historic spas and have £1.50 pints by the river
Hungary's affordable capital, Budapest, has historic spas, river cruises and cheap pints and you can fly there direct from Bristol Airport
The buzzing European city straddles both history and modernity, with its roots extending deep into early European civilisation.
(Image: Portia Jones )
Looking for a wallet-friendly city break in Europe? Hungary's affordable art nouveau capital, Budapest, has one of the best nightlife scenes in Europe and incredible thermal spas to soak in. The buzzing city straddles both history and modernity, with its roots extending deep into early European civilisation.
Originally two separate cities, Buda and Pest, they were unified in 1873 to form Budapest, a vibrant and culturally rich metropolis on the Danube River's banks. The 1,770-mile-long River Danube divides the city into Buda, with rolling hills, a historic castle, and Pest, the flat, more urban side. It also serves as the city's lifeblood, fostering trade and communication for centuries.
From Ottoman occupation and Habsburg rule to a modern EU city, beautiful Budapest has evolved over the centuries. Today, it's a flourishing tourist hotspot with thermal spas, Baroque-style castles, ruin bars, and restaurants.
Here's how to enjoy an affordable weekend break in Budapest.
Soak in Thermal baths
No trip to Budapest is complete without a visit to one of its famous thermal baths
(Image: Portia Jones )
No trip to Budapest is complete without a visit to one of its famous thermal baths to unwind in warming waters. After a long night of partying, the distinctive, yellow coloured Széchenyi Baths provide the perfect way to unwind and soak away the hangover blues.
It's one of the largest bath complexes in Europe with an array of indoor baths, thermal pools and wellness services including saunas, aquafitness, aerobics, a gym, and spa treatments in a beautiful neo-Baroque setting.
While the wellness offerings are impressive, the picturesque outdoor pools at Széchenyi are perhaps its most iconic feature.
Even in the depths of winter, locals and tourists can relax in the warm waters of the main pool, which hovers around a comfortable 27-38°C.
It's an unforgettable sight, steam rising from the surface as bathers enjoy the warmth, surrounded by the historic grandeur of the baths' grand architecture.
The baths are surprisingly affordable too, with tickets starting from just £22, a proper bargain for a steamy spa day.
Feast on street food at Római Part
The beach life is just a bike ride away from the centre of Budapest at Római Part
(Image: Portia Jones )
Looking for a low-cost activity? The beach life is just a bike ride away from the centre of Budapest at Római Part, a 10km-long riverside escape right on the Danube.
Boating, beer, and burgers await you at this mellow river beach retreat, with bohemian bars, live music venues, and tasty street food offerings.
Order fried fish or hot and crispy Lángos, settle into pastel deckchairs and watch the canoeists glide by; there's no hastiness here.
You can bike from the centre of the city to Római Part, following the Danube, or jump on the HÉV electric train from Batthyány tér to Rómaifürdő.
This service also allows a limited number of bikes aboard if you want to bring your bike to the beach. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
Enjoy a Night river cruise
Budapest is at its most beautiful at night
(Image: Portia Jones )
Budapest is at its most beautiful at night. Take a night river cruise along the Danube to see the city's grand buildings bathed in light.
These cruises offer a unique perspective of Budapest's illuminated landmarks, including the Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and the Chain Bridge.
Some cruises even include dinner and live music, providing a memorable way to experience the Hungarian capital.
Prices start from around £8 for a basic river cruise, rising to over £200 for VIP cruises.
Visit Budapest's famous Ruin Bars
(Image: Portia Jones )
One of the most innovative outcomes of its transformation is the city's famous ruin bars. Located primarily in the historic Jewish Quarter, these bars are set in once-abandoned buildings and courtyards.
They offer an eclectic and vibrant atmosphere, where you can sip on a pint for less than £2 if you visit lesser-known haunts. (The more popular ones will generally be more expensive).
The ruin bar concept started by repurposing abandoned spaces into social hubs that combined art, culture, and nightlife elements.
These off-beat bars, which first appeared in the early 2000s, are housed in abandoned buildings and courtyards primarily located in Budapest's Jewish Quarter, in District VII.
This historic area, once the site of the Jewish ghetto during World War II, fell into disrepair in the decades following the war, leaving behind numerous crumbling structures that would later become the perfect setting for these unique nightlife establishments.
The concept of ruin bars began with Szimpla Kert
(Image: Portia Jones )
The concept of ruin bars began with Szimpla Kert, which opened its doors in 2002 in a dilapidated building in Kazinczy Street. Its success was immediate, as it blended its rundown aesthetic with mismatched furniture, quirky art installations, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Szimpla Kert quickly became a symbol of Budapest's ability to reinvent itself, and its success spurred the opening of more ruin bars across the Jewish Quarter. Characterised by its eclectic and curious décor, mismatched furniture, bathtub sofas, and graffiti-covered walls, these alternative bars created a laid-back, bohemian atmosphere infused with music.
Ruin bars aren't just places to drink cheap booze in off-beat settings; they are multifunctional spaces that host various cultural events, including live music, art exhibitions, film screenings, and even farmers' markets.
The ruin bar scene
(Image: Portia Jones )
Today, the ruin bar scene in Budapest is more vibrant than ever. On a typical weekend night, the streets between Dob and Dohány utca near Klauzál tér are thronged with locals and tourists, all eager to experience the unique charm of these popular and lively bars. Here are some of the best ruin bars in the city to discover.
Szimpla Kert: As the original ruin bar, Szimpla Kert remains one of the most popular spots in Budapest. It's not just a bar but a cultural hub hosting live music, film screenings, and a weekly farmers' market. The vast space has multiple rooms and a large courtyard with hanging disco balls, guitars and exposed wiring.
Instant-Fogas: This colossal party complex results from a merger between two former ruin bars, Instant and Fogas Ház. With its seven distinct rooms, each playing different genres of music, Instant-Fogas is a go-to spot for those looking to dance the night away.
Doboz: Located on Klauzál Street, Doboz is easily recognisable by the giant red King Kong statue that dominates its courtyard. This bar combines the classic ruin bar aesthetic with a modern twist, offering themed rooms and a variety of music styles.
Csendes: For a more relaxed experience, Csendes offers a unique take on the ruin bar concept. This venue doubles as a café during the day and a bar at night, with a décor that includes vintage toys, mannequins, and century-old chandeliers.
Élesztőház: Craft beer lovers will love Élesztőház, which has an impressive selection of Hungarian craft beers on tap. The bar's industrial-style décor and laid-back atmosphere make it a popular spot for locals and tourists looking for beers and beats.
Explore Fisherman's Bastion
Jaw-dropping Fisherman's Bastion screams 'fairytale vibes'
(Image: Portia Jones )
Jaw-dropping Fisherman's Bastion screams 'fairytale vibes' and is one of the best-known historical monuments in Budapest, located near the grand Buda Castle, in the Várkerület. Since 1987, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Várkerület District.
While it might seem like a very old building, the current structure was built between 1895 and 1902 in Neo-Romanesque style, on the base of a stretch of the Buda Castle walls, by architect Frigyes Schulek.
With a sweeping panorama of the city from the Buda side over the river Danube and its attractions in Budapest, including the Hungarian Parliament building, this is one of the most photogenic spots in all of Europe and is best visited in the early morning or late evening for epic sunset snaps.
Visiting the lower part of the complex is free of charge, but a small fee is required to ascend the top turrets and upper terraces, and it is absolutely worth the money.
Visit the most beautiful café in the world
Imagine a café where you come for the décor rather than the coffee.
(Image: Portia Jones )
Imagine a café where you come for the décor rather than the coffee. An establishment so grand that it attracts mobs of Instagram girlies, twirling and posing for likes.
This is the New York Café in Budapest, where the bold inscription outside reads "the most beautiful café in the world."
It's frankly hard to disagree; this opulent 125-year-old café attracts thousands of visitors and snap-happy TikTokkers who flock here to marvel at its lavish rococo décor of marble columns, spectacular frescoes, and crystal chandeliers.
If you don't mind splashing the cash, order their 24-carat gold cappuccino, served with Valrhona chocolate and raspberry cake, for a decadent start to the day.
On a budget? Nurse a coffee and enjoy the scenic surroundings for just a few quid.
Go on a Budabike tour
Bikers new to Budapest might benefit from an informative guided tour of the city
(Image: Portia Jones )
Bikers new to Budapest might benefit from an informative guided tour of the city with a local guide who can help cyclists navigate the winding bike paths that cut through the urban landscape and shabby chic grandeur.
Top-rated biking company Budabike offers specialist city bike tours, including highlights, night, and communist tours. These reasonably priced tours bring Budapest to life with personalised guiding and passionate insider knowledge.
Guides will also show you city highlights, off-beat curiosities, and explain the city's history with factoids. Did you know that Hungary invented the concept of escape rooms, or that the boozy, six-part wine Puskás spritzer cheekily commemorates Hungary's 6-3 football victory over England in 1953? Now you do!
Explore Margaret Island
Escape city life and cycle to verdant Margaret Island
(Image: Portia Jones )
Escape city life and cycle to verdant Margaret Island, a 2.5 km long recreational island in the middle of the Danube River.
Meander through flower-filled meadows, romantic ruins and peaceful promenades, keeping an eye out for the dancing Musical Fountain that locals love.
Rest at hipster haunt Steg Pub and feast on traditional Hungarian Lángos, a delectable deep-fried crispy dough flatbread loaded with sour cream, garlic butter and cheese.
Plan Your Visit to Budapest
You can fly direct from Bristol Airport
(Image: Portia Jones )
Getting There from Bristol
Flying to Budapest from Bristol is straightforward, with regular direct flights from Bristol Airport to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. The flight takes around 2.5 hours.
Once you arrive in Budapest, you can reach the city centre in around 35 minutes by taking the airport shuttle bus or a licensed taxi.
To compare airfares and book the best deals, check out Skyscanner and Google Flights.
Accommodation
Budapest offers a wide variety of places to stay, from historic hotels in grand Habsburg-era buildings to boutique stays in the Jewish Quarter and riverside apartments with views of the Danube. Use Booking.com to search and book accommodation within your budget range.
Staying in District V (Belváros), District VI (Terézváros), or District VII (Erzsébetváros) will put you close to many major sights, restaurants, and transport links.
Getting Around
Budapest has an extensive and affordable public transport system, including metro lines, trams, buses, and trolleybuses, all operated by BKK. You can buy tickets from vending machines, BKK ticket offices, or the BKK app. Daily, multi-day, and travel card options are available, and they offer unlimited rides within the city.
Tram 2 is especially scenic, running along the Danube past many of the city's most iconic landmarks.
Things to Know Before You Go
Currency: Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not the Euro. Many places accept card payments, but some smaller vendors and markets may prefer cash.
Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not the Euro. Many places accept card payments, but some smaller vendors and markets may prefer cash. Language: Hungarian is the official language, but English is commonly spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas.
Hungarian is the official language, but English is commonly spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. Thermal Baths: Bring swimwear to visit Budapest's famous thermal baths, such as Széchenyi or Gellért. A towel and flip-flops also come in handy.
Bring swimwear to visit Budapest's famous thermal baths, such as Széchenyi or Gellért. A towel and flip-flops also come in handy. Weather: Summers can be hot, while winters are cold and sometimes snowy – pack accordingly. Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing.
Summers can be hot, while winters are cold and sometimes snowy – pack accordingly. Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing. Tipping: A 10–15% tip is customary in restaurants and cafés if service isn't included.
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