Courtyards and Passageways in Budapest

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!

Table of Contents

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:

Paris Courtyard – the beauty of Budapest downtown

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:

Ruin bars in Budapest