Budapest and Eger will host the thirteenth Life Under Ottoman Rule conference this November, reviving a beloved tradition with a historical twist. After last year’s focus on post-occupation Hungarian–Turkish relations, the 2025 edition rewinds deep into the past, all the way to the first Ottoman–Hungarian war in 1366. The goal: to unpack the roots of Ottoman expansion and its long shadow over Central Europe, while keeping the doors wide open to the public—provided you register in time.
Heads-up for planners: one of the listings currently has no verified date on the portal. The information published there may be out of date. For fresh details or to activate contact information on the page, reach out via email. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs—so keep an eye out for updates and check back around late September or early October for registration specifics.
Two Cities, One Theme
The conference spans two historic settings from November 7–9, 2025: Budapest’s Buda Castle District and the baroque city of Eger. Both cities carry deep layers of Ottoman-era memory, from sieges to cultural entanglements. This thirteenth installment leans into prelude rather than aftermath, asking how the 14th-century clash set the stage for a turbulent era. It combines academic depth with popular storytelling, making it ideal for scholars, students, and curious visitors alike. Admission is public, but pre-registration is required—queries open in late September and early October.
Budapest: Castle Views and World Heritage
In Budapest, the action centers on the UNESCO-listed Buda Castle Quarter, where venues sit steps from icons like the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. The Palace E Building at Szent György Square 2 anchors the program—right in the historic core overlooking the Danube. The area pairs grand views with easy access: the Chain Bridge links you to Pest’s business district, buzzing shopping streets, cafés, and wine bars.
If you’re staying over, the Buda side gives you plenty of options. A four-star boutique hotel on the riverbank offers panoramic rooms and an easy 10-minute stroll to the Castle, Matthias Church, and the Bastion—tourist favorites and UNESCO darlings. The Buda Castle Hotel sits on a quieter side street within the Castle District, balancing calm with immediate proximity to the big sights and a wealth of food, culture, and curiosities. Budavár Panzió puts you right at the foot of the Fisherman’s Bastion within the UNESCO zone—central yet secluded.
Prefer classic comfort with a modern sheen? Exe Carlton Budapest provides a friendly base for leisure and business travelers in the city’s heart. If value is the priority, the Gold Hotel Budapest packs air conditioning, an LCD TV, minibar, hair dryer, and free Wi‑Fi into homey, elegant rooms without blowing your budget.
For a statement stay, Hilton Budapest fuses contemporary interiors with the remains of a 13th-century Dominican cloister. Its Dominican Courtyard (Dominikánus Udvar) hosts outdoor concerts, receptions, and weddings, while rooms look out over the Danube, arched bridges, Margaret Island, Parliament, Pest’s showpiece façades, and the Buda Hills. Hotel Castle Garden sits by a gate to the Castle District—perfect for walking to Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Royal Palace. If greenery, hearty food, and comfy rooms sound better than marble and chandeliers, Hotel Charles is your pick. Or go boutique at Hotel Clark Budapest by the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, where rooms frame the river and castle with unapologetic drama.
Eat Like You Mean It
The Castle District doubles as a dining map. 21 A Magyar Vendéglő reimagines a long-lost, Szindbád-tinged culinary romance: peacetime Hungarian cuisine, 21st-century execution, all the flavor without the heaviness. Goosebumps pours specialty coffee alongside Zhao Zhou teas, raw, vegan, and gluten-free cakes, cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices, and ice cream.
Craving a modern spin on the classics? One spot serves reimagined Hungarian dishes with quality wines under historic walls in the District’s heart—come hungry. Angelika is more than a café: an international restaurant where house-made desserts and signature coffees steal the headlines. The homely breakfasts help too. Capacity matters if you’re meeting friends: the venue seats 350 people, including 200 on a Danube-facing terrace and 150 inside.
The Arany Hordó Restaurant (Arany Hordó Étterem) once housed the king’s chief cupbearer in the Castle District. Beneath the 500-year-old building runs the Buda Labyrinth—one of its branches now forms a candlelit cellar wine bar perfect for tastings and dinners that transport you to King Matthias’s court. Looking to indulge? Arany Kaviár has spent over two decades at the top tier of Hungarian fine dining, blending imperial Russian pomp with modern elegance. It’s held a Gault Millau chef’s hat since 2010 and has been recommended by the Michelin Guide since 2009. For a different mood, Arriba Taqueria brings fast, fresh Mexican fare from American–Hungarian founders who insist on friendly service in a family-style setting.
Down by Bem Embankment (Bem rakpart), an art bistro bar mixes international plates with bistro-and-bar favorites, while Budapest’s first Belgian beer bar pairs pub comfort with excellent food, great beers, and a panoramic summer terrace. Whether you’re swapping notes from a panel discussion or just chasing a sunset over the river, you won’t go hungry—or thirsty.
Before You Go
A final reminder: check the conference dates and program before booking anything. One listing currently lacks a confirmed time on the portal, so parts of the information may be outdated. For the latest updates and to activate or update contact details on the event page, send an email. The organizers reserve the right to change both dates and programming. Mark your calendar for late September or early October to secure your registration, and prepare for three days of deep dives into the long prelude to the Ottoman conquest—told where the history happened.
