Welcome to Budapest’s enchanting Jewish Quarter, the absolute heart of the city! The place is a treasure trove of culture, cuisine, and nightlife waiting to be explored.
Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a night owl searching for the city’s best parties, the Jewish Quarter has something special in store for you.
So, join us on this exciting adventure through one of Budapest’s most fascinating and lively neighborhoods.
Let’s discover the hidden gems, indulge in the delicious food, and experience the pulsating energy of Budapest’s Jewish Quarter! Shall we?
History repeats itself in many parts of Europe. During the Second World War, Jews were forced to live in specific areas of the cities. The quarters designated to them, far from luxurious and lacking adequate infrastructure, ended up turning into decrepit ghettos. It was like this in Prague. It was like this in Krakow. It was like this in Budapest.
In the capital of Hungary, the houses where Jews were allowed to live were marked with a Star of David and were located in the quarters that extended around the main Synagogue. Tall houses and stone walls surrounded the region to prevent the residents from escaping but also to prevent people from trying to get in with forbidden items, such as food, medicines, weapons, and even information.
Just as in other cities, Jews were increasingly isolated from the outside world, turning the neighborhoods into veritable prisons. The supply of food and garbage collection were cut off. Dead bodies were left to rot in the streets.
It is estimated that more than 60,000 people lived there, in spaces that averaged 25 square meters. With so many people in such a small space and with precarious living conditions, epidemics of diseases, such as typhus, were not uncommon and contributed to the systematic degradation of the area and the mass extermination of the Jews.
The end of the war and the consequent opening of the neighborhood meant that non-Jews also started to inhabit the area, and the poor conditions of the buildings and streets made the rental prices there the lowest in the city, attracting less fortunate immigrants, prostitution, and crime.
For many years, the Jewish Quarter remained with a bad reputation: as dirty, ugly, and dangerous.
Today, the grim history of the Jewish Quarter of Budapest is part of the past. The neighborhood filled up with students and artists, which led to a renewal of the streets previously marked by abandonment and human misery.
The area is now brimming with bars, restaurants, art galleries, food trucks, and design shops, becoming the main center of the city’s nightlife and culture. The most famous and oldest is Szimpla (Kazinczy Street, 11).
Right next door is Karaván, a space that brings together food trucks with food from various parts of the world. On the same street, Kuplung is also a favorite among locals.
☀️ Join a Free Walking Tour around the Jewish Quarter, the best way to learn its History and curiosities from a local guide! Book it here!
It was in the early 2000s that the first ruin bars began to open there. In buildings falling apart, it’s almost hard to imagine that inside are the city’s coolest places.
The first of these bars, Szimpla Kert, opened its doors in 2004. It was born out of an experimental urge to repurpose an old, dilapidated building destined for demolition. Instead of refurbishing it to modern standards, the founders embraced its decayed state, creating a raw and inviting atmosphere. This contrast was not only unique but also became the defining characteristic of Ruin Bars.
Fast-forward to today, these kinds of bars are a trademark of Budapest’s bohemian life and can be found all over the city, but the largest concentration of them is still in the Jewish Quarter. There are more than 30 establishments scattered throughout the streets of the area.
☀️ The more, the merrier! Make friends and have tons of fun joining a Ruin Pub Walking Tour in Budapest! Click here to learn more!
With a capacity for 3,000 people, the Budapest Synagogue is the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world, second only to the one in New York. It was this Synagogue that marked the beginning of the Budapest Jewish ghetto during the occupation. Therefore, the Jewish Quarter is in the area that extends from Dohány Street.
To enter, you need to pay a ticket of 2,000 ft (about 6 euros. Students get a discount), which gives you access not only to the temple but also to a museum that tells the history of the Jewish people from the diaspora up to the 20th century in Europe.
Inside the Synagogue, there is also a memorial to the Jews who died in the Holocaust and a monument known as the Tree of Life, a metal sculpture representing a weeping willow, located in the backyard of the Synagogue.
The monument was made in memory of the 400,000 Hungarian Jews who died during the Second World War. On the leaves of the tree, it is possible to read the names of the people who helped save lives during that time.
It is not allowed to enter the Synagogue with exposed shoulders and legs. If you, like me, are visiting the city in the scorching summer, don’t worry.
At the entrance of the temple, your clothing will be checked, and they will provide paper towels for you to cover up if necessary. A souvenir shop at the entrance sells scarves for unprepared tourists, but you don’t need to buy them (especially since they are horrible).
Address: Dohány Street 2.
Hours:
☀️ Book your ticket in advance here and skip the line!
From the beauty of the Dohány Street Synagogue with its Moorish Revival style to the elegant Art Nouveau buildings, the Jewish Quarter is a patchwork of architectural styles, each reflecting different eras and influences.
Keep an eye out for the cute hidden courtyards, some of which are tucked away behind unassuming entrances. Some hide little coffee shops and bookstores offering vintage clothes, handmade jewelry, antique books, and local crafts.
These places are also the perfect spots to take a break and people-watch while sipping a cup of coffee.
Many of these cafes also serve as informal art spaces and cultural hubs, hosting small exhibitions and events.
The street art is another feature to point out. They often delve into history, identity, and community themes and intertwine elements of Jewish culture and Hungarian folklore, creating a dynamic and colorful street gallery.
Traditional dishes with a story to tell. What else could we want? The Jewish Quarter of Budapest offers a culinary journey into Jewish-Hungarian gastronomy.
And the stars here are the Fiodine, a Hungarian Jewish pastry layered with apple, walnut, and poppy seeds, and Cholent, a slow-cooked stew that’s a Sabbath staple.
The neighborhood is also the best place to party in Budapest. Here’s your guide to some of the most exciting places to go dancing in the Jewish Quarter:
This place is also a paradise for shoppers looking for unique, eclectic, and memorable items. Stores here range from vintage treasures to contemporary designer pieces.
The ‘Szputnyik Shop’ blends retro and contemporary fashion, offering vintage clothing and accessories with a story to tell.
On the other hand, places like ‘Mono Art & Design’ offer an eclectic mix of products from local designers, ranging from clothing and jewelry to art and home decor.
And don’t forget to take a look at the farmers and artisan markets, where you can find everything from organic produce to handmade crafts.
Tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the Quarter are charming second-hand bookshops. These cozy stores, like ‘Massolit Books & Café’, offer a wide range of used books, including some rare finds, perfect for book lovers looking to add to their collection.
You will also find trendy fashion boutiques offering contemporary fashion and accessories. These stores, often run by young Hungarian designers, are great spots to pick up stylish and modern apparel that reflects the latest trends in Budapest.
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