The Pearl of the Danube shines brighter than ever
Just two hours from most European cities, Budapest straddles the Danube with its rich culture, glorious architecture and world-class gastronomy. And significant investment means its event offer just gets better
Known as the Pearl of the Danube, Hungary’s beautiful capital sits at the heart of Europe and is easily accessible by air and rail. Once there, it is a very walkable city.
With more than 20,000 hotel rooms, a variety of new properties have opened recently including the stylish 151-room W Budapest set in a UNESCO heritage site on the Danube. Another is the 136-room five-star Hard Rock Hotel Budapest that offers an impressive rooftop event space. The luxurious St Regis in Klotild Palace is expected to open in 2025.
Large events are well catered for at the state-of-the-art HUNGEXPO – Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center, which completed a huge expansion and development project in 2021. It now offers a plenary space for 2,000 and can accommodate events for up to 15,000.
Exciting cultural attractions
Thanks to large investment in recent refurbishments and renovation, Budapest offers many exceptional new venues and experiences. Here are a few:
Hungarian State Opera:
Following an extensive five-year refurbishment, the historic Opera House reopened in 2022. This neo-Renaissance palace is a must visit whether you take in an evening opera or just tour this magnificent building. Eiffel Art Studios is one of the biggest cultural development projects of the decade in the city and is the Hungarian State Opera’s new art complex and rehearsal centre.
The Buda Castle Palace District: St Stephen’s Hall, one of the most important sites in the turn-of-the-century Palace of Buda Castle, is once again open to visitors. Experts and artists have worked painstakingly for years to recreate every single detail of this beautiful space.
The Castle Garden Bazaar is one of the city’s most famous attractions. Its historic walls, views of the Danube and green oasis in the heart of the city make it very popular for events. New are the Buda Castle Walks, guided tours to discover the 800 years of history of Buda Castle.
Liget Budapest Project: the largest cultural urban development programme on the continent, the Liget Budapest Project will redevelop Budapest’s 100-hectare, 200-year-old Városliget city park. Home to museums, exhibition spaces, a zoo, bathing complex, ice rink and a circus among others, it includes the reconstruction of the 120-year-old Museum of Fine Arts, and new buildings such as the House of Music Hungary, designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, and the new National Gallery, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect company SAANA.
Networking and nightlife
Budapest offers a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene from live music, jazz clubs and skybars to District VII, the Jewish Quarter, popular for its bars, pubs and clubs. Boat parties on the Danube allow guests to enjoy music, drinks and food while taking in the stunning views of Budapest's illuminated landmarks.
The country’s gastronomy is also attracting increasing international attention with increasing numbers of Michelin starred and recommended restaurants.
About BUD CB
The Budapest Convention Bureau can assist with all your event queries for the city, the scenic Balaton region and Hungary’s major cities.
Committed to promoting sustainability, it can assist with improving the environmental and social impact of your event.
Meet the team here
Margaret Bridge
Margaret Bridge
Upcoming events
Join us this autumn at international exhibitions:
- October 17-19: IMEX America, Las Vegas 🇺🇸
- November 28-30: IBTM Events Barcelona 🇪🇸
- December 4-7: ILTM Cannes 🇫🇷
For further information on Budapest:
For further information on the Budapest Convention Bureau:
For further information from Visit Hungary
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