On December 5, 2025, Rabbi Faith Asher brings his weekly Friday series, The Map of the Soul, to the Buda Castle Synagogue (Budavár Synagogue) in Budapest’s Castle District. The gathering takes place at 26 Mihály Táncsics Street (Táncsics Mihály utca), in the 1014 postal area. The talks are set to continue on December 12 and December 19, also in Budapest, opening the synagogue’s doors to locals and visitors looking for a reflective end to the week.
The regular Friday sessions offer a contemplative space built around spiritual mapping, community, and conversation. The atmosphere is warm, and the focus is personal growth anchored in tradition. There’s an emphasis on connection—between people, place, and practice—making the series a natural fit for the historic Buda Castle neighborhood.
Where to Stay Nearby
Budapest’s Castle District and the riverfront around the foot of Buda Castle are filled with hotel options, many within a short walk of the synagogue and the UNESCO-listed sights. A four-star boutique hotel by the Danube serves up panoramic rooms in the heart of the city. From here, it’s a 10-minute stroll to Buda Castle, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion—some of the city’s most photographed landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage highlights. The nearby Chain Bridge links straight to the Pest side’s business quarter, buzzing shopping streets, cafés, and wine bars.
Buda Castle Hotel sits on a quiet side street in the stunning Castle District on the Buda side of the Danube, close to top attractions yet tucked away for calm. Since 1987, the area has been on the World Heritage List, and it delivers a mix of history, culture, and cuisine that keeps visitors coming back. Expect cobblestones, baroque facades, and intimate courtyards that feel like time travel with good coffee.
Just steps from Fisherman’s Bastion and a few paces from Matthias Church, Budavár Panzió places guests squarely within the UNESCO-listed neighborhood. It offers an exclusive yet central stay for travelers who prefer a quieter base without sacrificing location. Waking up here means wandering to sunrise over the Bastion’s terraces before the crowds arrive.
In central Budapest, Exe Carlton Budapest provides a friendly, peaceful base for both leisure and business travelers. It’s a practical choice if you want easy access to both Buda’s hills and Pest’s grid of cafés, shops, and galleries, while keeping evenings restful.
If value is key, Gold Hotel Budapest lines up air-conditioned, elegantly simple rooms with LCD TV, minibar, hairdryer, and free Wi‑Fi. It’s a good fit for visitors who plan to spend their days out exploring and want a comfortable return each night without frills they won’t use.
For a splash of grandeur, Hilton Budapest neighbors Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, embedding modern comforts within the remains of a 13th-century Dominican cloister—an architectural crossover that’s become a signature of the property. The historic Dominican Courtyard hosts open-air events, concerts, receptions, and weddings, and the views stretch across the Danube to the bridges, Margaret Island, Parliament, the ornate skyline of Pest, and the Buda Hills.
Hotel Castle Garden**** stands right by the Castle District’s entrance, ideal if you’re planning to shuttle between the synagogue and the big-ticket sights—Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Buda Castle—without negotiating long rides. It’s a calm spot that balances downtime with quick access.
For travelers who prize greenery, hearty meals, and straightforward comfort, Hotel Charles offers an easygoing break. It’s a solid pick when you want zesty Hungarian dishes, a comfortable bed, and a base that lets you slip into both castle routes and riverside walks.
Hotel Clark Budapest puts you face-to-face with the Danube on the Buda side, at the foot of the iconic Széchenyi Chain Bridge. This boutique address serves up unmatched views of the river, Buda Castle, and the city’s greatest hits—a camera-ready balcony for sunrise and blue-hour photos alike.
If you’re after a smaller-scale stay, properties with around 30 tastefully furnished, air‑conditioned rooms offer private bathrooms, hairdryers, free high-speed Wi‑Fi, minibars, coffee and tea makers, TVs, writing desks, and other practical touches for both leisure and business visitors. The compact footprint keeps it intimate, while the amenities tick every essential box.
Where to Eat
For dining that reimagines tradition, 21 Hungarian Kitchen (21 A Magyar Vendéglő) set out to revive a long-missed, Sindbad-evoking culinary experience—old-school Hungarian flavors with a 21st-century touch. The kitchen preserves original taste profiles but lightens the classics, delivering plates that honor memory while nudging the palate forward. Expect goose liver with finesse, paprika with nuance, and comfort you won’t need a nap to recover from.
How to Plan Your Visit
Faith Asher’s The Map of the Soul series unfolds each Friday, with upcoming dates on December 12 and December 19 in Budapest. The Buda Castle Synagogue (Budavár Synagogue) at 26 Mihály Táncsics Street (Táncsics Mihály utca) sits within easy reach of the Castle District’s main sights, making it simple to combine a day of exploring with an evening of reflection. For specifics on timing, contact details, and refreshments, check with the synagogue directly ahead of your visit. The neighborhood rewards unhurried wandering—arrive early, take the scenic route, and end the week with a view over the Danube and a talk that follows you home.
