The area of District VII, also called Elisabethtown (Erzsébetváros) is an exciting mixture of historic buildings and hipster bars, amalgamating memories of the past with the latest trends in the heart of Budapest. Especially, it is one of the most up-and-running areas in Budapest for purchasing or renting a flat.
The area itself is quite small, running along part of Wesselényi street up from Astoria, to Blaha Lujza metro station, Dob street, and bordered by the Grand Boulevard.
This district is extremely popular with students and expats from all over the world, district VII is a thriving, electrifying neighborhood of Budapest, commonly referred to as “the party district”.
With some of the most famous ruin bars (known locally as “kerts”) which are dilapidated buildings (often old apartment blocks) that were hanging on by a thread, before some really stylish threads were added… and now they re-opened as bars. Ultimately, they’re just cool places to eat, drink, relax, dance, or do whatever you please. There are also many other types of contemporary art exhibitions and leisure hangout venues.
Besides the mixture of old classical buildings and newly, trendy luxury homes, variety shops and local designer shops, the area is extremely well served by public transportation, with easy access to tram, metro and buses (made even easier to reach due to the neighborhood’s limited size).
The Dohany Synagogue
District VII in Budapest was in the past the Jewish neighborhood of Pest. Today, it is still considered as the center of Jewish life in the city.
Finished in 1859, this religious center of Judaism is the biggest synagogue in Europe and the second biggest one in the World.
Its beauty is astonishing and , though it was seriously damaged during World War II, it was renovated thanks to donations and funding from the government, that led to one of the most beautiful buildings in downtown Budapest, which became part of the World Heritage by UNESCO.
Szimpla Kert
Whenever we talk about the concept of ruin bars, we have to adress the epitome of all them, Szimpla.
With it’s ziggzaggy interieurs offers not only a great possibility to chill out, but a real visual adventure for the visitor: in the rooms of the former apartment building, you can see a lovely mixture of vintage furniture, old telephones and even a Trabant car.
With a wide offer of drinks you can enjoy the ambience full of open-minded international and local people or enjoy one of the many concerts celebrated various days a week.
Besides being a party zone, Szimpla hosts many kinds of events such as Sunday Market.
Gozsdu Court
The building, getting it’s name from the series of inner courtyards opening into each other, was built in the beginning of the 20th century. Today it was totally renewed to be transformed in one of the main centers of Budapest vibrant lifestyle.
The courtyards were filled with a vivid commercial activity, and the place is part of, now full of restaurants, bars, karaokes (if you dare), pubs, art galleries, and many other exciting establishments, becoming one of the main centers of entertainment in downtown Budapest.
Wheter if you are looking to take a beer calmly or you are looking for some fine dining dinner places. you shouldn’t miss it!
New York Café
This is an amazing restaurant and café with stunning décor, Venezian chandeliers, crimson puffy chairs and giant mirrors, lending to an aristocratic atmosphere. The building itself stands imposingly on the Nagykörút (one of the main arteries of the city) and has a great history.
At the beginning of the 19th century, this café was the brain and heart of Hungarian literature for having hosted all the great writers and poets of the time. Rumor has it that at the opening evening one of the patrons threw the keys into the Danube, compelling the café to stay open day and night.
Nowadays, is considered THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAFÉ IN THE WORLD! And trust us, the award is well-deserved. It is really worthy to come and take a coffee or one of their very famous New York Breakfast, while enjoying the decoration with classical music in the background.
