New York Café

On a chilly February morning, stepping into the New York Café feels like walking into a golden world. Chandeliers, marble columns, velvet details, and live music create a cozy, elegant atmosphere perfect for a romantic breakfast or brunch. Sip a cappuccino, share freshly baked pastries, and soak in the city views through huge windows—an effortless way to turn an ordinary winter morning in Budapest into a memorable, love-filled moment.

1073 Budapest, Erzsébet körút 9-11. | Website

Light Art Museum

LAM’s new exhibition, More Than Human, dives into big future questions while giving you plenty of cool topics to talk about on a date. Wander through a 2,000+ square meter space where you can explore the hidden world of spider webs, get lost in an AI-generated projection of futuristic insect–plant hybrids, and admire the stunning structures created by cyanobacteria. Book online in advance and you can even score up to 20% off!

1054 Budapest, Hold utca 13. | Website

Valentine’s Day Cruise

Celebrate love on the Danube! Throughout Valentine’s Day weekend, Mahart’s evening sightseeing cruises set sail with a special romantic theme. The boat evokes the figure of Cupid, bringing the timeless story of love and the soul to life against Budapest’s breathtaking panorama. An intimate atmosphere, romantic décor, and a truly exclusive experience set the scene for the perfect Valentine’s date, anniversary, or unforgettable surprise.

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Lumina Park

Lumina Park, Budapest’s fabulous light exhibition welcomes visitors from dusk until 9 PM every day until March. The light park takes place on Margaret Island, across nearly 10 hectares of Palatinus Baths, and invites everyone who wishes to immerse themselves in the magic. The unique winter attraction features more than 150 light installations under the theme “Magic World.” During the walk, the heroes of our favorite cartoons come to life.

Budapest, Margitsziget, Soó Rezső sétány 1. | Website

Budapest Chairlift

Hungary’s first passenger transport ropeway has well deservedly become one of the most popular attractions of the capital city. The Chairlift has transported visitors to János-hegy, the highest peak in the city on a track length of 1,040 metres covering a 262 m difference in elevation, in about 12 minutes each way. The 2,600-metre-long cable has 102 hanging double-chairs. It is open every day until dusk.

1121 Budapest, Zugligeti út 97. | Website

Széchenyi Bath

Make Valentine’s Day weekend in Budapest unforgettable and surprise yourself and your partner with a dreamlike holiday at Széchenyi Baths! Choose from the exclusive Valentine’s Day packages, relax in the spa’s thermal water and take an aroma massage together. Try delicious Valentine’s-themed cocktails while you immerse yourself in the charm of the Dayspalm.

1146 Budapest, Állatkerti körút 9-11. | Website

Evening Fun:

Budapest’s Best Spots for Dinner and Live Music

Warm up your winter nights in Budapest with live music and delicious dining. These spots offer the perfect soundtrack to your dinner.

Funzine

Michael Bublé Concert

After 9 years, the four-time Grammy Award-winning Canadian singer Michael Bublé returns to Budapest. On 8 February the artist will wow the Hungarian audience at MVM Dome with a phenomenal show as part of his tour Higher which promotes his latest, 11th studio album of the same title. The record was released in early 2022, and as one can expect knowing the velvet-voiced singer, the tracks don’t lack the depth and emotion his previous songs had. Fans can expect soon-to-be chart toppers as well as timeless classics recreated with a Bublé-twist.

1098 Budapest, Üllői út 131.

Indoor Beer Festival

Hungary’s first ever winter beer festival opens its doors for the 7th time this year. From 24 to 25 February, ticket holders will be entitled to unlimited tasting of all beers available at the event. It means a wide assortment of beer (over 100 types) including IPA, STOUT and APA plus the finest artisan beer from Hungarian, Czech, German, English, and Belgian breweries. To everyone’s delight, historian Csaba Katona will share interesting beer culture facts, and visitors full of competitive spirit can try themselves at beer drinking competitions.

1052 Budapest, Apáczai Csere János u. 4.

Solus Amor by Recirquel

Founded by director and choreographer Bence Vági in 2012, Recirquel has become one of the world’s leading contemporary circus companies. It is no surprise they are mesmerizing to watch considering their style incorporates elements of circus, dance and theatre in a breath-taking way. On 15 February, Solus Amor’s (Love Alone) 10 performers are set to tell a special tale about faith and love at Müpa Budapest. The majority of the performance takes place in the air, defying the laws of physics. For ticket prices and more dates, visit Müpa’s website.

1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1.

Duna Corso Sightseeing Cruise

One can get the best views of beautiful Budapest on Duna Corso’s river cruises. Passengers will get a proper introduction to the capital city, not only because the most iconic landmarks are even more spectacular from River Danube, but also thanks to the audio guide available in 12 languages. The daytime sightseeing cruise (with a bar on board) starts its journey at Vigadó tér and heads to Margaret Island first. In case anyone would like to get off and discover the tranquil green area, they can do that and then later hop on the next coming ship.

1051 Budapest, Vigadó tér (Dock 6)

What belongs together will grow together

Instant and Fogas Ház. Two legendary ruin bars of the Budapest nightlife. Up until now, these two venues were the largest party complexes in the city, but the recent acquisition of the Nagymező utca host-building of Instant by a hotel chain put the owners in a tough spot. Months have gone by with everybody speculating on what’s gonna happen next with downtown Budapest’s favourite enchanted forest, and now we finally have the answer: the managements of the two institutions have decided to join forces and as a result, Central Europe’s biggest indoor club will open its many doors come 14 March! The completely refurbished party palace of Akácfa utca will welcome visitors all week long with another 1200 square meters added, a number of new music projects, and sub-venues covering every popular genre of music, ranging from techno and house to rock and r’n’b.

On Body and Soul

Director Ildikó Enyedi’s first feature film since her 1999 movie Simon the Magician, titled On Body and Soul, has won a sweeping victory at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival: besides being given the prize of the FIPRESCI jury, the Ecunemical Jury and the readers’ prize of Berliner Morgenpost, the unusual love story fetched the festival’s most prestigious prize as well, the Golden Bear. “What would happen if you met someone who dreamt the same as you or, to be more precise, had been meeting you in the same world every night for years? Would you be pleased? Or would you feel that you had been in some way robbed? And what if this specific individual didn’t exactly appeal to you? What if you actually hated that person?” Catch the movie at the cinema and all these questions will be answered!

Garage Gastronomy

Even though the streets of downtown Budapest are dotted with cool-looking street food venues virtually every step of the way, somehow the outlier parts of the city had missed out on the new-wave gastro revolution. But that’s finally about to change as plans have been drawn up for a huge culinary complex to be built in the Óbuda neighbourhood of Budapest, surrounded by the modern office buildings and the hundred years old towers of the former gasworks of Graphisoft Park. The street food plaza will operate under the name “Le Garage”, seating 525 people, and will include a delicatessen, cafés, a farmers market, and five foodtrucks! Opens in summer 2018.

And the award of FUNZINE goest to…

The Heineken Budapest Nightlife Awards, awarding the Hungarian capital’s best clubs, bars, pubs and festivals, was organized for the second time this year. More than 30 thousand votes had been cast for 150 nominees in 12 categories, signalling the importance of customer feedback for the industry figures. The ceremony was held on 2 February at downtown’s Akvárium Klub, which took home the first prize last year in the best concert venue category. This year, FUNZINE sponsored the best Budapest festival category, in which Sziget Fesztivál came out on top. Divino was named the best winebar of the city, Neked Csak Dezső the best craft beer pub, Budapest Park the best open-air venue, Raktár Bár the best bar, and Pont the best small club. For the complete list of winners, check out bpna.hu!

On Top of the City: Elizabeth Lookout

The historic tower situated on top of János-hegy can be a perfect scenery for a fairy-tale-like ceremony. Enjoy the marvellous view that can be a beautiful setting to your wedding pictures, too.  Say your marriage vows in front of the picturesque panorama as the city lies at your feet.

A Peaceful Getaway: Citadella

If you would like to stay close to the city, but get away from the sometimes stressful buzzing of the capital, the peaceful setting of Gellért Hill can provide a magical scenery to your wedding vows. As the fortress bears historical significance, the much loved sight can add a truly unique atmosphere to the big event.

On the Waves of Love: Balaton

The so called “Hungarian Riviera” awaits you with its gently sparkling water-plane and a panorama that won’t quit! Either you chose the northern or eastern part to host your wedding reception, the surroundings will surely impress all your guests. It’s worth doing some research on the vineyards located in Badacsony as you may find the perfect spot nested in the greenbelts of the picturesque region.

Under the Stars: Zselic

If you are planning to throw your wedding in an open-air venue, the resorts located is a part of the Transdanubian Hills located in the southern part of the country. The special thing about it – apart from its scenic landscape – that makes a home for one of the world’s International Dark Sky Park showcasing an exceptional nocturnal environment. That starry night sky is peerless!

Luxurious Union: Vajdahunyad Castle

Have you always dreamt of being a princess locked in a tower, waiting for your Prince Charming to come and rescue you? Well, you can find the perfect mise-en-scène for that, located right in the heart of Budapest! Vajdahunyad Castle awaits you in the City Park, offering all that you need for a movie like ceremony and the spectacular atmosphere will surely be reflected in your wedding photos as well!

The Founder

The latest movie from the director of Saving Mr. Banks, The Founder features the true story of how Ray Kroc, a struggling salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential, manoeuvring himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.

Director: John Lee Hancock, Starring: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch

Rings

Julia becomes worried about her boyfriend, Holt, when he explores the dark urban legend of a mysterious videotape said to kill the watcher seven days after viewing. She sacrifices herself to save her boyfriend and in doing so makes a horrifying discovery: there is a “movie within the movie” that no one has ever seen before.

Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez, Starring: Johnny Galecki, Alex Roe, Laura Wiggins

T2 Trainspotting

First there was an opportunity……then there was a betrayal. Twenty years have gone by. Much has changed but just as much remains the same. Mark Renton returns to the only place he can ever call home. They are waiting for him: Spud, Sick Boy, and Begbie. Other old friends are waiting too: sorrow, loss, joy, vengeance, hatred, friendship, love, longing, fear, regret, diamorphine, self-destruction and mortal danger, they are all lined up to welcome him, ready to join the dance.

Director: Danny Boyle, Starring: Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller

9 February

Fifty Shades Darker

Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the handsome, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with the Seattle Independent Publishing House; but the desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sexual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

Director: James Foley, Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Kim Basinger

16 February

A Cure for Wellness

An ambitious young executive is sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from an idyllic but mysterious “wellness center” at a remote location in the Swiss Alps. He soon suspects that the spa’s miraculous treatments are not what they seem. When he begins to unravel its terrifying secrets, his sanity is tested, as he finds himself diagnosed with the same curious illness that keeps all the guests here longing for the cure.

Director: Gore Verbinski, Starring: Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs, Mia Goth

A Monster Calls

The monster does not come walking often. This time it comes to Connor, and it asks for the one thing Connor cannot bring himself to do. Tell the truth. This is a very touching story about a boy who feels very damaged, guilty and mostly angry. He struggles at school with bullies, and pity looks from everyone, and at home with his mother’s sickness. Will Connor overcome his problems? Will everything be okay? Will Connor be able to speak the truth?

Director: J.A. Bayona, Starring: Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones

Paterson

Paterson is a bus driver in the city of Paterson, New Jersey – they share the name. Every day, Paterson adheres to a simple routine: he drives his daily route, he writes poetry into a notebook; he stops in a bar and drinks exactly one beer; he goes home to his wife, Laura. By contrast, Laura’s world is ever changing. New dreams come to her almost daily. The film quietly observes the triumphs and defeats of daily life, along with the poetry evident in its smallest details.

Director: Jim Jarmusch, Starring: Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani, Rizwan Manji

23 February

John Wick: Chapter 2

Legendary hitman John Wick is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome, where he squares off against some of the world’s deadliest killers.

Director: Chad Stahelski, Starring: Keanu Reeves, Ruby Rose, Ian McShane