Indoor and outdoor venues, a nice café, a spa or a climbing gym where you’re guaranteed to have a memorable experience.

In autumn, the Buda side has a special atmosphere, with the sun shining through the falling leaves and the parks change their colours from green to yellow, brown and red. During this time, whether you’re sitting in a park or on the terrace of a café, the city is beautiful. Walking through the castle or along the quayside with the Danube in the background, I often feel like a tourist myself, fascinated by our built and natural heritage and the places that I have a personal experience of each.

A foreigner friend of mine – who recently chose Budapest as his temporary headquarters – asked me which places I would recommend him where he can take his girlfriend, what places to choose for a date. So here’s a list of 10 exciting things to do on at least 10 dates on the Buda side.

A romantic walk in the Várkert Bazár

Várkert Bazár is always beautiful: the panoramic view of the Danube is always there, and the park is a delight to look at in summer with its colourful roses and in autumn with its leaves turning red and yellow. There are few more romantic settings, so it’s no wonder that couples were sitting on almost every bench when I was there. Designed by Miklós Ybl for Queen Elisabeth, every detail of the complex radiates beauty. No wonder Sisi loved it.

Hot tea at sunset in the Karakas Pasa Tower

From the Várkert Bazár, a leisurely stroll takes us inside the castle, where there’s also an unmissable spot for a date. One of the newest attractions of the Palace Quarter is the Karakas Pasa Tower, where you can chat and have coffee in the indoor café in an intimate atmosphere. If the weather is nice, you can choose the terrace or the Turkish garden at the back, at the northern end of the Csikós-udvar. There are five-coloured rose bushes, fig trees, wild grapes, dwarf oregonas and quince trees, and sitting in front of the Moorish-style fountain makes you feel like you’re in Turkey.

Libegő on the Normafa

Going for a ride on the Libegő is always romantic, but especially so in autumn. For over 50 years, the Zugligeti Libegő has been one of the most popular date spots, so we recommend you to try it at least once. The whole ride takes just 15 minutes, with a spectacular panorama all the way, and at the end of the ride you can get off at János-hegy and continue your date with a nice walk.

Art movies in the Taban Cinema

The Tabán is a legendary place, as it was the first cinema in Buda. Its advantage over the big cinemas is that films are shown in smaller rooms for a smaller audience. So the atmosphere is much more intimate. It happened that I’ve sat alone in the room watching a French film. Whether you choose to go to the cinema on a weekday evening or on a weekend, there’s a huge chance to watch a movie you’ll always remember.

Photo: Facebook – Tabán Artmozi

Hot chocolate at the Galffis

In Buda, at Batthyány Square, you can drink one of the best coffees – and guaranteed the best hot chocolate – in town. Galffis is decorated like a tropical rainforest in South America, and the coffee here is simply heavenly. It’s no wonder, with the special coffee beans, cocoa beans, tea beans and chocolates from exotic worlds, you can’t make a mistake. Everything is close to nature and calm here. The perfect place for a first date!

Hungarian dinner at the Polo Pub

You can never go wrong with Polo Pub when it comes to dating. Here, guests are welcomed like family, even if they’re booking a table for the first time. The kindness instantly melts your heart and the food is so delicious that it’s easy to become a regular at this Buda restaurant, which, as its name suggests, offers an amazing selection of beers alongside its home-style Hungarian dishes. And as an extra: you can always find the Guinness on tap in here!

Bathing in Lukács

There are few more relaxing experiences than thermal baths, where you can unwind body and soul at the same time. Lukács is a winner choice in all seasons. It’s one of the best value for money spas in Budapest, and there are no crowds, so it’s always a good option for dating. In autumn it’s still nice to sit outside in the pool, watch the leaves fall and have a good chat. And when the weather turns colder, you can immerse yourself in the world of indoor pools and saunas, or even combine the experience with a refreshing massage.

A romantic walk around the Gül Baba Türbéje

This place has been a magnet for couples since its renovation. On the north you can see the hills around the river in clear weather, further down the Margaret Island’s water tower, and the Parliament seems to be within arm’s reach. A top choice for a first date!

Climbing at Mammut

Extreme sports lovers will also find the perfect date in Buda: rock climbing! At Mammut, Gravity Boulder is waiting for those who want to explore the world of rock climbing and bouldering. This can later become a shared hobby, bringing couples even closer together.

Photo: Facebook – Gravity Boulder

Chilling in the Széllkapu Park

With its 355 trees, a cherry tree grotto and spectacular design features, the park also has its own fish pond just steps away from Mammut, making it a great pre- or post-party activity for a lunch or a shopping trip. It’s particularly atmospheric in the evening, when the solar panels are showing a rainbow of colours. And the bakery at the entrance serves some of the best Nordic-style breads and sandwiches in the area, making the park a great choice for brunch in all seasons, but especially during this time of the year.