Cruising the River with MAHART 

If discovering the city from the river sounds like your kind of adventure, then Hungary’s largest passenger cruising company, MAHART Cruises has a lot in store for you. Whether you are interested in a daytime sightseeing tour in Budapest or a longer journey to nearby towns (such as Szentendre, Visegrád, or Esztergom), there are plenty of options to choose from. It is also possible to take a romantic evening cruise (dinner and wine included) showcasing the city in all its nighttime glory. The beautifully lit landmarks will take your breath away. 

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Wine Tasting at Rosalia 

Taking place at serene City Park close to some of Budapest’s most known sights (Heroes’ Square, for one), Rosalia Wine Picnic invites anyone looking for a laid-back, wine-filled experience. From 29 May to 1 June, the park transforms into a vibrant, lively festival location where the energy is bustling yet the ambiance remains relaxed. Throughout the event, numerous stalls will offer a wide selection of wines from all over the country. When it comes to the theme, rosé will steal the spotlight. Expect fun programs, delicious bites and lively entertainment. 

1146 Budapest, City Park | Website

Try Hake at Római Part 

Even though it is not a local fish, hake is quite popular among Hungarians during the summer. To try the best in the city, head to beautiful Római Part, a popular riverside beach in Northern Buda. You will find several spots to enjoy this flavourful meal, which is prepared in a simple way, grilled or fried to perfection, to highlight the freshness of the fish. Don’t expect restaurants, hake spots are rather casual and https://www.budapart.hu/enchill, maybe even a little retro, recalling the atmosphere of buffets. Party Sörkert is a customer favourite, it is worth a try. 

1031 Budapest, Római-part 38. | Facebook

Cycling at Kopaszi Dam 

Located in District XI, scenic Kopaszi Dam is a popular spot for outdoor activities if one desires to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The riverside area has well-maintained cycling paths, and the relatively flat terrain makes it accessible for cyclists of all levels. It is also a great spot for walking or having a picnic, all while enjoying nature. Even if you don’t have your own bicycle, there’s no need to worry – you can easily rent one, and nothing will stand in the way of exploring this peaceful area on two wheels. 

1117 Budapest, Kopaszi-gát | Website

Take the Children’s Railway to Normafa 

Many are pleasantly surprised to discover that, amidst the vibrant energy of Budapest, there are tranquil spots like Normafa that offer a serene escape. You will fall in love with Normafa thanks to its forests, fresh air, breath-taking views and calm atmosphere. Visit the park by taking the Children’s Railway, which earned its name due to being operated by youth railway workers. The charming ride is popular for its scenic route which takes passengers from Széchenyi Hill to Hűvösvölgy, through the beautiful Buda Hills.  

1121 Budapest, Hegyhát út 5. | Website

Chinatown Terrace – Night Market 

Budapest’s Chinese cultural enclave, Chinatown is a vibrant part of the capital city’s diversity. It is home to a number of Asian restaurants and stores, welcoming anyone curious about authentic culinary delights of distant lands. The popular Night Market is open until the end of August, from 5 PM to 11 PM, inviting visitors to enjoy flavourful specialties and fun programs that evoke the rich traditions and culture of Asia. Go see for yourself how the enriching Chinese influence transforms Kőbánya’s urban vibe, creating a friendly environment. 

1107 Budapest, Jegenye utca 30. | Facebook

Knowing that Chinese cuisine is characterized by a broad spectrum of tempting flavours, spicy, pungent, colourful and healthy dishes, Funzine’s enthusiastic gastro hussars were intrigued to explore the gastronomy of the distant country. To be part of a real Chinese experience, we had to leave the city centre and make our way to District X, Kőbánya, where Wan Hao’s 5-storey building is situated. Before it was turned into a restaurant, the one-time mill was abandoned for many years. Built in 1887, it gained trademark protection for its architectural design, meaning that there were many restrictions on how to carry out the renovation process. Fortunately, it was properly preserved by and got a new life from Wan Hao’s management, and now attracts members of the local Chinese community, Hungarians who admire Chinese culture, and tourists alike.

As we stepped into the building, the very first thing that occurred to us was the staff’s great attitude. We heard about the famous Chinese hospitality before, but experiencing the kindness and respect is another thing, and it totally blew us away. After the warm and friendly welcome, we were escorted to one of the private rooms with paintings and a huge, framed rice paper decoration, usually booked by groups celebrating a special event. We took a seat at a round, rotating table which is inevitable in traditional Chinese dining since it makes sharing dishes easier. The table soon became full of signature Asian meals, and we got ready to put our chopstick game to test (soup not included).

First, our gentle waitress brought us a jelly-textured hot scallop soup with egg, carrots and scallion, then three extremely delicious and particularly different cold appetizers were served. Rainbow salad, for instance, was as colourful as its name suggests, made of glass noodle, pork, tofu skin and veggies: bean sprout, cucumber, shredded carrots, and black fungus. We loved the distinct but nicely harmonizing flavours and even the dish’s hotness, but we highly recommend you to order a less hot version unless you can handle spicy food. A hellishly good bowl of peanuts – not skinned, because the skin contains protective nutrients – was next, marinated in Chinese black vinegar which gave them an exciting flavour. Ready for the warm starters, two types of dim sum dumplings (bao with wheat skin, filled with pulled pork and shrimp jiao stuffed with king prawn) were presented to us in bamboo steamer baskets. Both of them were phenomenal: mildly seasoned, juicy, full of flavour and very hard to resist eating all at once.

Up next, the diverse selection of main dishes managed to keep us occupied. My companion and I were taught how to roll a thin slice of Peking duck in a steamed crepe, with chopped cucumber, spring onions and bean sauce, which was really fun. The wok-grilled cabbage served in a sizzling pot was another favourite of ours. The steamed cabbage pieces and thin meat slices were both tasty thanks to a special sauce and a hint of chili adding a little heat and extra depth of flavour to the meal. Hint: if it tickles your tongue, ask for Wan Hao’s canned, sweet-like-honey herbal tea (with traditional Chinese medical herbs) to tame the flames inside your mouth.

The sweetest part of our restaurant test/culinary journey was the tasting of Wan Hao’s freshly baked egg tart aka Portuguese pastel de nata, a dessert similar to a little basket made of flaky pastry, filled with a light and sweet delicately sweet custard cream. It paired very well with the strictly sugarless, calming rose tea prepared with fresh goji berries, served in a fancy teapot as a way of concluding our visit. Getting a peek at Chinese culture and gastronomy made our day special, we wish we would have time to test the cool, uniquely designed karaoke rooms upstairs. All is not lost that is delayed!

1107 Budapest, Jegenye utca 30.
+36 30 912 6888

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Photos: Egy jó kép rólad