This is Our Budapest gay travel guide. We will cover the city’s major attractions, best accommodations, bars, gay events, and more.
Additionally, we will cover the city’s main sights, tips on getting to the town, recommended gay hotels, saunas, bars, etc. So, if you’d like to learn more, dig in our article.
Short introduction of the city
Hungary’s capital became one city in 1873, when Buda, on the western banks of the Danube, and Pest, on the east, merged to become the second largest city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Budapest’s vast parliament building, citadel, and castle are legendary. But the true Budapest reveals itself beyond these fabulous sights. Additionally, UNESCO considers the city to be “one of the world’s outstanding urban landscapes.” Its significant historical periods are clearly illustrated by remains dating back to Roman times.
Also, the brutality of the communist regime for 40 years and the preceding period of fascism have left their mark on the city. Still, a commitment here feels inevitable—an ability to carry on despite the most significant challenges. We are ready to share some of the must-see Budapest attractions you will see when you visit this wonderful city.
For information on Budapest, please read our Budapest guide or Lea’s gLea’sto Budapest.
Safety in Gay Budapest
Same-sex couples can form civil partnerships, but same-sex marriages are not legally recognized. Budapest is primarily tolerant and open. Recent Pride events have occurred without problems, but in the past, there have been counter-events that led to arguments and sometimes fights. Outside Budapest, showing affection in public might draw unwanted attention.
Budapest’s major attractions
Many of the iconic attractions of Budapest’s built heritage lie along the Banks of the Danube. The scenic views include the numerous bridges linking the two banks, including the renowned Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
Furthermore, the Buda Castle Quarter is named after the former royal palace on the southern tip of Castle Hill. The castle’s halls now house the National Széchényi Library, the National Gallery, and the Budapest History Museum.
At the center of the quarter, within the city walls, is the Church of the Assumption of Buda Castle. Still in use today, it has hosted three coronations and numerous royal weddings, including that of King Matthias I, who lends the church its unofficial name, Matthias Church.
Located next to the church, the neo-Romanesque Fisherman’s Bastion, named after the fishermen who lived below it, has a 140m-long façade and seven towers that provide panoramic views of the Danube, its banks, and beyond. On the Pest side of the riverbank, the striking Parliament building is a truly iconic symbol of Budapest. Each part of the building conveys essential political and historical messages.
The prominent cupola in the middle refers to the unity of the legislature. On either side of the dome, the lower and upper house chambers were built to precisely the same design, symbolically suggesting that the two houses had equal rights. In the end, it doesn’t matter if we write Budapest Gay Guide or just Budapest Travel Guide; everyone should see those attractions listed in the photos below.
Note: Check out our article about Budapest’s must-see monuments and attractions to learn more.
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Most popular guided tours in the city
Best time to visit Budapest
The best times to visit Budapest are from March to May and September through November. Tourists flood the city in summer despite being the hottest and wettest of the year. However, the climate is always relatively mild, with temperatures rarely exceeding bearable levels. These shoulder seasons are when the weather is idyllic, and the city isn’t overcrowded with tourists.
How to get to the city
The most common ways to get to Budapest are by plane, train, or road—either car or bus—although you can even take a boat from Vienna and Bratislava.
By plane
Various direct flights from Europe to Budapest airport are easily reached by plane. However, there aren’t many direct connections with Budapest from the U.S. or other parts of the world. Several indirect flights with stopovers exist in Frankfurt, London, Paris, Vienna, and Madrid. If you want a good flight, check out the best deals here.
Note: To find out more about getting to the city, please visit our Budapest travel guide.
Gay Scene
Hungary remains a conservative country, though several gay bars and gay-friendly restaurants in the capital are on the Pest side. The crowds tend to be a good mix of all ages and styles, and the places are very laid-back and welcoming. But what the city does best for its gay visitors than most other European cities are its saunas, which are vast and beautiful.
Gay bars and cafes
Habrolo Bisztro
This small bar is a favorite of gay locals, who come to relax over drinks, karaoke, drag queen acts, and other events.
Website: https://www.whynotcafe.hu/en/
Why not cafe
While serving light meals throughout the day, this gay-friendly café hosts karaoke nights, live music, and unique cocktails.
Website: https://www.whynotcafe.hu/en/
Gay-friendly restaurants
Ruben
Centrally located on a quiet street, this gay-friendly restaurant serves Hungarian specialties and international dishes, including homemade pasta and soups.
Website: www.rubenrestaurant.hu
Note: If you want to learn more about Budapest’s local cuisine, please check our article about its local food.
Gay clubs
Alterego
It is the best gay club for night partying. Namely, there are different parties on different nights at this club, from Diva Night to Retro parties. See the website for more information.
Website: http://www.alteregoclub.hu/
Garcons
Budapest’s most prominent gay dance party has taken place every month at different venues since 2012. It also attracts the city’s open-minded straight crowds.
Website: https://www.garconsbudapest.com/
Cruising baths
Coxx
It is Hungary’s largest men-only club, and this is a sizzling place with three bars, dark rooms, cabins, a prison, and a sling room.
Website: https://coxx.hu/hu/
Gay saunas
Traditional baths
Presumably, the gayest baths are 15th-century Király, with some open cruising. Rudas has a discreet gay vibe, but discretion is advised. Gellért remains popular but primarily caters to tourists.
Magnum sauna
The giant gay sauna attracts guys of all ages and is busy throughout the week. Furthermore, it offers massages by professional masseurs, a steam room, a maze, a jacuzzi, and a lounge.
Website: https://gaysaunabudapest.com/en
Szauna 69
If you’re looking for an exclusively gay sauna, choose this one that attracts young men. Services include a Finnish sauna, jacuzzi, sunbeds, massages, private rooms, and a café.
Website: https://gaysaunabudapest.hu/
Note: If you want to learn more about Budapest’s thermal baths, we recommend reading our related article.
Recommended gay hotels and rooms
There is plenty of gay and gay-friendly accommodation to find in the city. The most popular among these are Connection Guesthouse and Landchid 19 Design Hotel. Ultimately, we are giving you our recommended Budapest gay hotels and apartments.
We’ve partnered with misterb&b, a booking platform for LGBT+-friendly homestays. They have hosts in over 200 countries with 1 million listings. Home-sharing is a great way to explore the local gay scene with the help of a local. Mister B&B is our top choice for this.
Our Budapest gay travel guide – final thoughts
While Budapest may not be the European gay capital, it still has substantial gay life. And with all its attraction, you should put it on your bucket list.
So, if we missed something or you have any other suggestions, we should include them in our guide. Please let us know in the comments below.
Read also
References and sources:
Photo credits:
Featured photo: @Drazen_