Every Friday at the Buda Castle Synagogue (Budavári Zsinagóga), Rabbi Faith Asher leads his series The Map of the Soul—informal yet inspiring talks on the human spirit, tradition, and everyday wisdom. The synagogue welcomes participants in a quiet corner of the Castle District, just steps from the city’s most iconic sights, making it easy to pair the program with a late-afternoon stroll in Buda Castle (Budai Vár) or along the Danube. Venue: 1014 Budapest, 26 Mihály Táncsics Street (Táncsics Mihály utca 26). Dates: 2025.11.21; 2025.11.28; 2025.12.05; 2025.12.12. The organizers reserve the right to make changes.
Where faith meets the river
The area around the Buda Castle Synagogue is a postcard come to life: at the foot of Buda Castle, walking right along the Danube, the city feels both historic and vibrant. The Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) takes you over to Pest, into the business district and the whirl of cafés and wine bars, while Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) and the Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya)—both UNESCO World Heritage sites—preside over Castle Hill (Várhegy). Those arriving for the Friday evening teaching soon realize: time slows here, the stones remember, and the view opens even the most reserved soul.
Sleep in history, wake to a view
Comfort isn’t just for the soul—your body will feel it too. On the Buda side of the Danube, you can choose from several characterful places to stay, all just minutes on foot from the synagogue and the major sights.
– Buda Castle Hotel: in the Castle District, on a quiet side street yet close to everything. The UNESCO World Heritage setting (since 1987) tempts with culinary specialties and cultural programs.
– Budavár Guesthouse (Budavár Panzió): exclusive yet homelike relaxation at the foot of the Fisherman’s Bastion, steps from Matthias Church—right within the UNESCO site.
– Exe Carlton Budapest: friendly, peaceful lodging with the rhythm of downtown; a good choice for both leisure and business trips.
– Gold Hotel Budapest: great value for money, air conditioning, LCD TV, minibar, hair dryer, free Wi‑Fi—just what you need for a tight urban weekend.
– Hilton Budapest: next to the romantic Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, where modern spaces meet 13th‑century Dominican monastery elements. The historic Dominican Courtyard is a favorite for weddings, concerts, and receptions, and rooms offer stunning views of the Danube, the bridges, Margaret Island (Margitsziget), the Parliament, downtown Pest, and the Buda Hills.
– Hotel Castle Garden****: at the gate to the Buda Castle District, close to Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and Buda Castle (Budavári Palota); calm relaxation and active urban exploring go hand in hand.
– Hotel Charles: green surroundings, tasty food, and comfortable rooms—perfect if you want to recharge alongside sightseeing.
– Hotel Clark Budapest: a boutique hotel by the Chain Bridge on the Danube promenade, with views of the river, Buda Castle, and the city’s iconic landmarks.
For travelers who value practicality: several nearby properties offer around 30 tastefully furnished, air‑conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, hair dryers, free high‑speed Wi‑Fi, minibars, coffee and tea makers, TVs, and desks.
Eat like you mean it
After the Friday evening teaching, it’s dinner time. The Castle District and the Danube promenade are full of distinctive spots where old‑world Hungarian cuisine, fine dining, and international flavors create a well‑curated mix.
– 21 Hungarian Kitchen (21 A Magyar Vendéglő): their goal is to revive the classic “Sindbad‑era” gastronomic experience. Old‑world Hungarian cuisine in a 21st‑century way: original flavors preserved, dishes lighter than you might expect.
– Goosebumps specialty coffee & Zhao Zhou teas: raw, vegan, and gluten‑free cakes; cold‑pressed fruit and vegetable juices; ice cream—an ideal afternoon stop between strolls.
– Reimagined Hungarian classics within historic walls, paired with quality wines—where tradition and contemporary taste get along beautifully in the heart of the Buda Castle District.
– Angelika: more than a café. An international restaurant with a Hungarian touch, offering house‑made breakfasts, unique desserts, and specialty coffees. Seating for 350, with 200 on the Danube‑view terrace and 150 inside—comfortable even for larger groups.
– Elegant, historic setting with one of Budapest’s finest panoramas: generous portions, distinctive desserts, and matching drinks—no one leaves hungry.
– Golden Cask Restaurant (Arany Hordó Étterem): once home to the king’s cup‑bearer. The stone‑walled cellar tavern grew out of a branch of the Buda Labyrinth beneath the 500‑year‑old building; wine presentations, tastings, and candlelit dinners evoke the atmosphere of King Matthias’s court.
– Arany Kaviár (Arany Kaviár): a pillar of Hungarian fine dining for over twenty years. Tsarist splendor meets modern elegance; one Gault&Millau toque (since 2010) and recommended by the Michelin Guide since 2009.
– Arriba Taqueria: a Budapest Mexican chain with fresh, fast dishes and friendly, courteous service—because sometimes the soul needs a good burrito, too.
– Bem Quay art bistro bar (Bem rakparti art bistrobar): international cuisine and classic bistro & bar dishes with a wide selection—a natural choice for a riverside sunset.
– The first Belgian beer pub on Bem Quay: pub vibe, great beers, good food, and a panoramic terrace in summer—the Danube steals the show here, too.
Plan the perfect Friday
It’s worth building your day around the teaching: an afternoon walk in the Castle, views from the Fisherman’s Bastion, a quick coffee at a local specialty spot, then head to the synagogue on Mihály Táncsics Street. Later, have dinner at a nearby restaurant where Hungarian classics and international cuisine coexist peacefully. If you’re staying over, you’ll find plenty of options—from quiet side streets along the river to grand hotel panoramas. And if you want to dial it up a notch: the labyrinth beneath the Castle and the historic courtyards show a different face after dark.
The Friday series The Map of the Soul runs on multiple dates through the end of 2025. Check your calendar, plan your city adventure accordingly, and let the setting—and the teaching—do their work. The organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
