post image
Comments 27

Fatima Castillo1mo ago

Fatima Castillo1mo ago

Great! I'll take your tips!!!

Great! I'll take your tips!!!

Reply

William Silva1mo ago

William Silva1mo ago

Very inspiring post! Really cool, I'm expat in South Africa, and here the life is a bit different to meet other people! =)

Very inspiring post! Really cool, I'm expat in South Africa, and here the life is a bit different to meet other people! =)

Reply

Fathi Hanini1mo ago

Fathi Hanini1mo ago

Lucky you to live such an experience, to know New people and a new culture . It's always exciting when we explore the world the good and bad are evrywhere, depends about the way we see the humanity but at the end a good meal and a nice bootle always ends up bringing us together in a good mood no matter what are we from ,or what we beleive in. just enjoying the moment .

Lucky you to live such an experience, to know New people and a new culture . It's always exciting when we explore the world the good and bad are evrywhere, depends about the way we see the humanity but at the end a good meal and a nice bootle always ends up bringing us together in a good mood no matter what are we from ,or what we beleive in. just enjoying the moment .

Reply

David Sackitey 1mo ago

David Sackitey 1mo ago

Sounds nice

Sounds nice

Reply

Elizabeth Araiza1mo ago

Elizabeth Araiza1mo ago

Me encantaría trabajar en Europa ☺️

Me encantaría trabajar en Europa ☺️

Reply

Sokratis Leivadas1mo ago

Sokratis Leivadas1mo ago

Increíble

Increíble

Reply

Ojok Jacob1mo ago

Ojok Jacob1mo ago

I love this style of work

I love this style of work

Reply

Gary Reuben1mo ago

Gary Reuben1mo ago

Sounds great !

Sounds great !

Reply

Hon Meng Chong1mo ago

Hon Meng Chong1mo ago

I love Budapest. Such a wonderful city!

I love Budapest. Such a wonderful city!

Reply

Simeon Aupokolo1mo ago

Simeon Aupokolo1mo ago

I can’t wait to visit

I can’t wait to visit

Reply

Fabio Muñoz 1mo ago

Fabio Muñoz 1mo ago

maravilloso

maravilloso

Reply

Pablo Fernando Rivera Roca1mo ago

Pablo Fernando Rivera Roca1mo ago

It’s a great experience to work abroad! My aim for the next few years is to move abroad, work and travel through the Europe.

It’s a great experience to work abroad! My aim for the next few years is to move abroad, work and travel through the Europe.

Reply

Maria Pnivchuk 1mo ago

Maria Pnivchuk 1mo ago

It’s a great experience to work abroad! My aim for the next few years is to move abroad, work and travel through the Europe.

It’s a great experience to work abroad! My aim for the next few years is to move abroad, work and travel through the Europe.

Reply

Swalehe Mohamed Mpepela Mpepela1mo ago

Swalehe Mohamed Mpepela Mpepela1mo ago

I like to relocate and work abroad. I have experience for many jobs. I shall be happy to work abroad for all the time, with confidence, faithful and talent

I like to relocate and work abroad. I have experience for many jobs. I shall be happy to work abroad for all the time, with confidence, faithful and talent

Reply

Looking for a job abroad?

Job offers of Sitel at Europe Language Jobs

English Sales Advisor for Software Company

Portugal, Porto

English Proficiency

Game Presenter Turkish (Relocation support)

Bulgaria, Sofia

English Intermediate

Turkish Mother tongue

Living The Expat Life: Make Friends in Budapest

October 31, 2024 min read

Living the expat life in Budapest can be an exciting thing, but there comes a time when every expat asks: How can I make friends in Budapest? 

When I first moved to Budapest to teach English, I was all on my own. But I was glad to find that there is a welcoming expat community! And four years later, I’ve found my place and am now happy to share my guide on how you can make friends in Budapest and find your own place as well!

If you’re a fan of bars and cocktail places, you’ll be happy to know that quite a few expat bars have popped up in Budapest over the years. I enjoy spending time at expat bars in Budapest because everyone there knows what it’s like to be new in town and in need of a friend.

Need some ideas on where to start? These are some of the top places to gather, enjoy a drink or two, and maybe even sing some karaoke! 

Try Hoff House, Davy Byrne’s, Down Under Bar, or Gaby’s!

Another good way to meet expats in Budapest? Join a group -- and no, I don’t only mean a Facebook group! Stay Sane Social Club, for instance, was founded at the beginning of the pandemic for people who...well...were going crazy from all of the isolation.

Less than a year later, it almost reached 2000 members! Now, you must be wondering, what are they all about? Well, they regularly host meetups, so you’re bound to expand your friend circle! 

A second option could be the International Meeting Point, which hosts midweek and weekend networking events in Budapest! 

Another place I found to be quite welcoming was one of the many open mics in the city. Go even once a week and you’ll start recognizing familiar faces very soon! If being up on stage and performing isn’t your thing, no worries--you can have a perfectly wonderful night listening to local talent and connecting with other live music lovers.

I know it can be a bit intimidating to show up alone in a room full of people, but trust me--everyone is in the same boat as you. Just wait and see who you’ll connect with!

When it comes to looking for events in Budapest, Ultimate Budapest has a “What’s On” section of curated weekly events. I’ve found interesting things there from classics like wine tastings and pub quizzes, to quirky events like a yoga rave or an Elvis Party.

You can also book events through their site and use the code “didi” for 5% off of anything! The website WeLoveBudapest is also a great resource for local businesses, news, and events!

Group Activities in Budapest

It may seem too good to be true, but you will find a group of friends in Budapest. Soon your only question will be where you can find the best group activities in Budapest!

(Use the promo code “didi” for 5% off of any of these activities!)

Activities

If you or your friends have a competitive streak, there are Budapest activities where you can get physical! You can channel your inner lumberjack at axe throwing (and then head upstairs to their craft beer bar) or practice your aim at gun shooting. If your group of friends feels the need for speed, you can try go-karting!

Food and Drink

If you’re anything like me, you’re a firm believer that food brings people together. There are plenty of Budapest restaurants to discover, but don’t sleep on Budapest’s drinks scene as well! Did you know that Hungary has 22 wine regions? A wine tasting is a way to travel around the country without leaving the cozy wine bar.

If you’d like to do some Budapest sightseeing while you drink, the Beer Bus will take you and your friends around town! Finally, a pálinka tasting is a classy way for you all to learn more about the iconic spirit of the new country you call home!

Crowd Favorites

Going to the Museum of Sweets and Selfies is like a sugar rush. Whether your friend group is old or new, you can run around whimsical exhibits and capture the perfect pictures! When you’re ready to make more memories, themed karaoke rooms give you all the privacy you need to be the stars of the show.

Feeling homesick is no fun (trust me, I know). But making friends as an expat in Budapest doesn’t have to be impossible. Hopefully, these tips can help you on your way to a new community abroad!

Follow Denae's adventures in Budapest on her website, Instagram, and Facebook!

Feeling inspired? Visit our blog for more career advice! How can you be sure the information we provide is top-notch? We are a group of professionals working with recruiters, career coaches, and HR specialists from all over the world! 

Trust our experience and let us help you find a new job in Europe!

About Lucyna Polok

Lucyna is a content creator specialising in the areas of career advice, expat life, and travel. As a 3-time expat and an avid traveller, she uses her own experience to share unique tips in Europe Language Jobs' articles. A writer by day and a reader by night, she lives and breathes written content.

Lucyna is a content creator specialising in the areas of career advice, expat life, and travel. As a 3-time expat and an avid traveller, she uses her own experience to share unique tips in Europe Language Jobs' articles. A writer by day and a reader by night, she lives and breathes written content.

Comments 27

Fatima Castillo1mo ago

Fatima Castillo1mo ago

Great! I'll take your tips!!!

Great! I'll take your tips!!!

Reply

William Silva1mo ago

William Silva1mo ago

Very inspiring post! Really cool, I'm expat in South Africa, and here the life is a bit different to meet other people! =)

Very inspiring post! Really cool, I'm expat in South Africa, and here the life is a bit different to meet other people! =)

Reply

Fathi Hanini1mo ago

Fathi Hanini1mo ago

Lucky you to live such an experience, to know New people and a new culture . It's always exciting when we explore the world the good and bad are evrywhere, depends about the way we see the humanity but at the end a good meal and a nice bootle always ends up bringing us together in a good mood no matter what are we from ,or what we beleive in. just enjoying the moment .

Lucky you to live such an experience, to know New people and a new culture . It's always exciting when we explore the world the good and bad are evrywhere, depends about the way we see the humanity but at the end a good meal and a nice bootle always ends up bringing us together in a good mood no matter what are we from ,or what we beleive in. just enjoying the moment .

Reply

David Sackitey 1mo ago

David Sackitey 1mo ago

Sounds nice

Sounds nice

Reply

Elizabeth Araiza1mo ago

Elizabeth Araiza1mo ago

Me encantaría trabajar en Europa ☺️

Me encantaría trabajar en Europa ☺️

Reply

Sokratis Leivadas1mo ago

Sokratis Leivadas1mo ago

Increíble

Increíble

Reply

Ojok Jacob1mo ago

Ojok Jacob1mo ago

I love this style of work

I love this style of work

Reply

Gary Reuben1mo ago

Gary Reuben1mo ago

Sounds great !

Sounds great !

Reply

Hon Meng Chong1mo ago

Hon Meng Chong1mo ago

I love Budapest. Such a wonderful city!

I love Budapest. Such a wonderful city!

Reply

Simeon Aupokolo1mo ago

Simeon Aupokolo1mo ago

I can’t wait to visit

I can’t wait to visit

Reply

Fabio Muñoz 1mo ago

Fabio Muñoz 1mo ago

maravilloso

maravilloso

Reply

Pablo Fernando Rivera Roca1mo ago

Pablo Fernando Rivera Roca1mo ago

It’s a great experience to work abroad! My aim for the next few years is to move abroad, work and travel through the Europe.

It’s a great experience to work abroad! My aim for the next few years is to move abroad, work and travel through the Europe.

Reply

Maria Pnivchuk 1mo ago

Maria Pnivchuk 1mo ago

It’s a great experience to work abroad! My aim for the next few years is to move abroad, work and travel through the Europe.

It’s a great experience to work abroad! My aim for the next few years is to move abroad, work and travel through the Europe.

Reply

Swalehe Mohamed Mpepela Mpepela1mo ago

Swalehe Mohamed Mpepela Mpepela1mo ago

I like to relocate and work abroad. I have experience for many jobs. I shall be happy to work abroad for all the time, with confidence, faithful and talent

I like to relocate and work abroad. I have experience for many jobs. I shall be happy to work abroad for all the time, with confidence, faithful and talent

Reply