Buda Beyond the Crowds - Your Kimpton BEM Budapest Escape

Buda Beyond the Crowds - Your Kimpton BEM Budapest Escape

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• Kimpton BEM Budapest, a perfect base on the Buda side, to escape the crowds
• Steps from tram line 19, the most scenic line in Europe
• Situated in a local neighbourhood, ideal for experiencing Budapest beyond the tourist spots
• Surrounded by historical landmarks and cultural highlights, all within easy reach

As spring approaches, Budapest enters one of its most appealing seasons for travel, and Kimpton BEM Budapest is situated in a perfect, lesser-known location. Situated on the Buda side, moments from the Danube promenade, the hotel provides an alternative to the higher-traffic districts of Pest; particularly valuable as visitor numbers begin to rise. It is ideal for travellers seeking cultural access and central connectivity, without being surrounded by crowds. 

While Pest is known for its nightlife, iconic boulevards, and constant energy, Buda offers something increasingly rare in one of Europe’s most popular capitals - space to breathe. With its historic architecture, green spaces, and quieter pace, the Buda side has long been favoured by locals and in-the-know visitors. Kimpton BEM Budapest is ideally positioned at the heart of it all, with the legendary, retro cafe, Bambi, next door, which feels like a step back in time. Its interiors seem untouched since the 1960s, offering travellers a real glimpse into the best of Budapest.  

Why The Buda Side? 

From morning walks along the Danube to evenings spent in quieter wine bars tucked into side streets, the Kimpton BEM Budapest’s location encourages a slower pace, one that mirrors exactly how locals enjoy their city. This becomes even more valuable during the busier months, when crowds on the Pest side increase and popular sites draw long queues. Staying in Buda offers an immediate sense of escape: fewer tour groups, quieter streets, and most importantly - access to an abundance of local shops, cafes, artwork and the iconic Buda Castle. 

Steps from the Danube, Surrounded by Culture and Local Charm

Kimpton BEM Budapest sits just a 2-minute walk away from the Danube promenade, one of the most scenic stretches of the city. Here, guests can stroll along the riverbanks with uninterrupted views of Budapest’s skyline, especially beautiful in the early morning or golden evening light. The hotel is also well connected via public transport, with Tram Line 19, one of Budapest’s most iconic routes along the Danube. 

The hotel’s Buda-side location also offers immediate access to Budapest’s thriving cultural scene. With museums and historic sites nearby, it’s a perfect location to explore the city’s artistic soul without needing to navigate the busiest tourist streets. Buda Castle is just a 30-minute walk away, while Fisherman’s Bastion can be reached in only 22 minutes, placing two of the city’s most iconic sights within walking distance. 

A Neighbourhood Shaped By Community

Instead of souvenir shops and crowded restaurants, travellers will find quiet bakeries and independent design boutiques that rarely feature on typical itineraries, such as Hadik Shop, where travellers can purchase Herend Porcelan, Hungary’s finest porcelain maker since 1826, and it's only a 10-minute walk from the Buda Castle. 

The Buda side also offers an excellent dining scene, from IDA Bistro, a modern Hungarian restaurant, to FELIX Kitchen & Bar, an ideal choice for those seeking fine dining. Travellers can also walk to one of the oldest thermal baths in Budapest, Irgalmasok Veli Bej Bath, located only 15 minutes away from the hotel. 

Whether attending a classical concert or exploring contemporary exhibitions, Kimpton BEM Budapest allows guests to experience the city with ease while preserving a sense of calm and privacy. 

Ends

Editors notes

Rates at Kimpton BEM Budapest start from € 200 per night. The rate is based on double occupancy. For more information, visit https://kimptonbembudapest.com/ 

About Kimpton BEM Budapest

The opening of Kimpton BEM Budapest in September 2024 marked Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ first boutique luxury hotel in Hungary and their first property in Eastern Europe. Set within a restored 19th-century mansion on the Buda side of the Danube, the 127-room property – including 8 suites – has been designed by Dutch visionary Marcel Wanders (one of just ten fortunate hotels he’s designed in the last two decades of his career, with Kimpton BEM Budapest being his final project). The hotel’s interiors draw inspiration from Hungarian folklore and yet are contemporary in design, with features ranging from upside-down egg-shaped reception desks to a glass atrium showcasing a golden stag.

 Kimpton BEM Budapest offers views across the river to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and places guests within easy reach of the UNESCO-listed Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Budapest’s famed bathing culture. Three inventive dining concepts form part of the experience, underpinned by a strong sustainability ethos that incorporates energy-efficient systems, waste reduction measures, and a commitment to local sourcing. Their restaurant AGOS has been awarded two Toques by Gault&Millau, and is amongst the Top 35 Restaurants in Hungary. Wellness is also central to the hotel, with a tranquil spa and treatments influenced by the city’s thermal history and heritage.

As part of IHG’s Low Carbon Pioneer program, Kimpton BEM Budapest leads the way in sustainable hospitality with energy-efficient systems, eco-certified suppliers, and a deep commitment to local sourcing and environmental responsibility. They have also been awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2025 and have been chosen as Tripadvisor’s number one Luxury Hotel in Hungary.

The Kimpton group has around 79 hotels currently open globally. With two hotels opening in 2025, Kimpton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with 471 rooms, and Kimpton Sicily, Italy, which is opening late 2025.

With more exciting new openings happening in 2026:

• Kimpton Era Midtown New York, USA – 529 rooms
• Kimpton Bali Ubud, Indonesia – 101 rooms
• Kimpton Dubai, UAE – 280 rooms
• Kimpton Quinta da Marinha Cascais, Portugal

Press kit available to download here.

@kimptonbembudapest | @agos.restaurant | @barhuso | @fennen.skybar 

UK Press Enquiries:

Charlotte Williams, Elinor Fresson, and Magda Maslanka at Lemongrass Travel PR

E: KimptonBEMBudapest@lemongrassmarketing.com

T: +44 (0)1865 237 990