Budapest, Hungary’s historic art nouveau capital, has one of the best nightlife scenes in Europe. Its eclectic 'ruin bars' offer reasonably priced drinks and live music. The buzzing European 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 its rolling hills and 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 for centuries. Today, it's a flourishing tourist hotspot with thermal spas, Baroque-style castles, upscale hotels, and restaurants. 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, especially if you visit lesser-known spots. The birth of ruin bars 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 bu.