Every Friday evening and Saturday morning, Rabbi Slomó Köves leads “The Weekly Portion Through the Lens of Jewish Philosophy” at the Óbuda Synagogue, inviting regulars and newcomers alike to dive into Torah study and big ideas. The series runs on December 12 and 13, 2025, in Budapest, with the historic Óbuda community opening its doors at Lajos utca 163 for a twice-weekly rhythm of text, reflection, and conversation. The organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so it’s worth checking in before you head out. For more details and contact info, see the official listing.
The setting is as much a character as the teaching itself: a neighborhood synagogue with deep local roots, where Shabbat begins with communal learning on Friday night and continues into Saturday morning. Expect a blend of traditional sources and contemporary questions, unpacked with philosophical clarity, practical relevance, and space for discussion.
Dates and venue
Friday, December 12, 2025 — Budapest
Saturday, December 13, 2025 — Budapest
Location: Óbuda Synagogue (Óbudai Zsinagóga), 1036 Budapest, Lajos utca 163
Where to stay nearby
Planning to make a weekend of it? The neighborhood around Óbuda and the Római-part riverfront caters to every kind of traveler. You’ll find a friendly, 20-room, family-run guesthouse right by two of Budapest’s best public baths, the Csillaghegy Bath and Swimming Pool (Csillaghegyi strandfürdő) and the Római Lido (Római Élményfürdő). Rooms are air-conditioned standard doubles with shower bathrooms, ideal for solo travelers, couples, and families.
There’s also a cozy hotel in a leafy suburban district just north of central Budapest, offering comfortable twin rooms and two apartments. Expect private bathrooms with showers or bathtubs, satellite TV, and mini-fridges.
If you want the river breeze, head to the Római-part for venues set in a gorgeous waterfront environment. Some places can host large outdoor events and offer full professional support with execution if needed, plus the Civil Torna Club operates on-site. Another guesthouse in the same leisure district sits about 3.1 miles from Flórián Square and 5 miles from the city center, with double rooms featuring showers, sinks, restrooms, and air conditioning. Guests get internet, in-house phone lines, cable TV, a drink bar, garden access, nearby tennis options, beaches, shopping centers, and the Római-part’s relaxed nightlife.
For something different, consider an outdoor school setting near a 1,624-foot hilltop, nestled among old oaks and black pines. The wooded glades surrounding the camp create a special forest microclimate with fresh air even in summer. If the weather turns, the school provides shelter and space for activities.
Hungary’s only boat-shaped hotel, the Holiday Beach Budapest Wellness Hotel with Sauna Park, sits right on the Danube in a green zone. It offers great pools and free Wi‑Fi, and public transport makes it easy to reach the city center. The nearest bus stop is just a 3-minute walk.
You can also book a Scandinavian-style pension 20 minutes from downtown and 10 minutes from Szentendre, the charming Danube-side art town. Expect rooms with bathrooms, telephones, and color TVs, plus a drink bar, enclosed parking, and an interior garden. It’s easily reachable by car, bus, or HÉV suburban rail.
Budget travelers can look to Külker Hostel, a two-story, 26-room spot in Buda’s green belt, with free parking out front. Hikers might prefer a tourist house along the National Blue Trail (Országos Kéktúra), offering 50 beds across 14 rooms, from doubles to 6- and 8-bed options, with a large communal space and a fully equipped kitchen.
The Márton Áron College and Special College network supports Hungarian students from beyond the country’s borders, strengthening ties to the motherland. With campuses in Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, and Pécs, it offers dorm placements, talent development, and specialized training for those studying in Hungary.
Where to eat and unwind
From breakfast to dinner, local eateries focus on fresh, healthy, natural ingredients. In Óbuda, 39-esek Étterme Flórián Udvar adds a new location to a self-service network—good for a quick bite near the hub.
Down by the river, Hely Étterem at the Római-part pairs modern kitchen techniques with international and Hungarian flavors. Think fresh creations, exciting drinks, live music, a sweeping Danube panorama, and a vast garden in soothing, leafy surroundings. Save room for desserts made with high-quality ingredients.
Prefer a relaxed neighborhood vibe? A cheerful spot off the Római-part seats 56 inside and adds a 30-seat terrace in summer, designed to make every generation feel at home. If you’re in the mood for comfort food, swing by Bécsiszelet Étterem on Dereglye utca for a giant Wiener schnitzel that spills over the plate—veal, as it should be.
Craving Mediterranean? You’ll find handmade pizza (no machines), plenty of fresh pasta, a broad grill selection, and house desserts made from original Italian ingredients and recipes.
If a full spread sounds better, try a place offering buffets for lunch and dinner, plus an à la carte menu and space for family or corporate functions. Weeknights don’t always allow time for a three-course meal at home; surprise the family with a buffet that covers everything: appetizers, soups, mains, and must-have sweets.
For an upscale twist, the Apicius restaurant at The Aquincum Hotel Budapest reimagines traditional Hungarian dishes and pairs them with standout wines from emblematic regions. And in the heart of Óbuda, inside the monumental former Goldberger textile factory, Cut & Barrel Bistro (Cut & Barrel Bisztro) brings a fresh face to Buda dining. The menu blends Basque and Latin American influences into contact-cuisine plates made with seasonal ingredients and high-end techniques. They see food and meals as a community-building force—and the space’s industrial-chic architecture makes it a destination in itself.
Before you go: organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
