Downtown Budapest is full courtyards, these hidden miracles, and while some are closed for visitors, others are not only accessible, but also act as passageways or quiet oases where we can relax a bit just steps away from the bustling city.
Let’s uncover the most interesting ones!
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Gozsdu Courtyard
Entrances: 13 Király street – 16 Dob street – 12 Holló street
Gozsdu Courtyard is a building complex of seven buildings and their courtyards in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest. It’s buildings were all part of the Jewish Ghetto. The passageway itself was opened in 1902.
Today it is one of the best known center of Budapest nightlife with restaurants, bars and pubs and on the weekends there is a flea market, too.
Gozsdu Courtyard Facebook page
Paris Courtyard
Entrances: 10-11 Ferenciek Square – 2 Petőfi Sándor street
Brudern House is an eclectic building that was built in 1912 and has just been renovated.
It has Arabic, Moorish and Gothic elements and decorations.
It had a passageway on its ground floor, called Paris Courtyard. There used to be elegant shops here.
Today Brudern House is a 110-room luxury hotel, part of the Hyatt chain, unfortunately it is not as easily accessible as it used to be. I highly encourage you to walk in and look around. There are no shops inside today, but the hotel’s reception and a drink bar.
For more information, check out my post about Paris Courtyard:
Unger Courtyard
Entrances: 7 Múzeum körút – 8 Magyar street
Unger-house, just a few minutes away from the National Museum and Astoria, was built in romantic style in 1852 and it also resembles Saracen and classic Bezantian buildings.
We also know this place as Book Courtyard (or Könyvudvar in Hungarian) as it is home to an eclectic bookstore.
Unfortunately the courtyard has seen better days, it really could be utilized much better, but it’s charm is undeniable.
5 Múzeum körút
Entrance: 5 Múzeum körút
Fekete, a trendy little café is hiding in this courtyard. When the weather permits, they put their tables outside, making the courtyard a small oasis just a couple of footsteps away from the busy boulevard.
Röser Courtyard
Entrances: 22 Károly körút – 19. Semmelweis street
One of the building’s entrances opens at the bustling Károly boulevard, while the other at a calm and narrow Semmelweis street.
It was built in 1884 in Venice renaissance style.
Today this small enclosure is a trendy spot as you’ll find Szimply café, a tiny designer brunch place here, that is very popular among young tourists.
Rododendron Design Shop is also in this courtyard, if you are interested in modern Hungarian design make sure to check it out.
Paloma Courtyard
Entrance: 14-16 Kossuth Lajos street
Paloma courtyard is home to several Hungarian designers. Here, you have the chance to meet the designers in person, chat with them, watch them during crafting their goods. There is always a huge selection of clothes, jewelry, bags and shoes to choose from.
Even if you don’t want to purchase anything, peek inside this courtyard. It’s huge, winged staircase and arches are beautiful and they also make the courtyard very photogenic.
Courtyard between Károly boulevard and Dohány street
Entrances: 3 Károly körút – Dohány street (right opposite the Synagogue)
It is a residential building with a nice and interesting interior. It worth checking out when you are in the area.
Karaván
Entrance: 18. Kazinczy street
Karaván is located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, in Kazinczy street. It is right next to the most famous ruin bar of Budapest, Szimpla Kert.
Karaván is home to several food trucks offering a huge selection of street food.
+1: Ruin bars
Ruin bars are located in abandoned residential buildings across (mostly) Jewish Quarter. In warmer months they also serve as outdoor spaces in their courtyards. For more info about them, check out my post:
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