Week of Senses – Budapest: Taste, Hear, See and Live the city

From 16 to 22 February, Week of Senses – Budapest invites you on a unique journey where programmes inspired by the five senses help you step away from everyday routines, spark fresh inspiration and leave you truly refreshed. Throughout the themed week, distinctive experiences, art-and-gastronomy events, exclusive wellness moments and engaging cultural performances encourage you to slow down and recharge.

From 17 to 22 February, Time Machine Budapest joins Week of Senses – Budapest with a special immersive programme. This historical adventure offers a true sensory journey through time, where a sound- and visually driven exhibition brings Budapest’s past vividly to life through personal stories. After the guided visit, you may write down your own reflections and place them in a shared time capsule, symbolically connecting past, present and future. The experience concludes with a tasting of retro pastries, allowing nostalgic flavours to transport you to another era.

Within the historic walls of Széchenyi Thermal Bath, a range of sauna programmes helps you escape the monotony of everyday life. In the Phoenix Sauna, from 16 to 20 February, special sauna rituals take place three times daily, led by skilled sauna masters. Essential oils, music and expressive towel techniques intensify the heat experience, offering deep relaxation and renewal for both body and mind.

On 20 February, unwind in the magnificent setting of Párisi Udvar. The stunning surroundings alone evoke a sense of calm, further enhanced by Adrienne Feller’s rose-oil back, neck and shoulder massage, designed to promote deep relaxation and a slower pace. Arrive with your partner for a couples’ massage, then round off the experience with an elegant afternoon tea beneath the crystal dome, where refined drinks and delicate treats await.

Beauty and health consciousness come together at LipBar by Toman studio. Professional colorists help you create a personalized lipstick that suits you, and during Week of Senses – Budapest, mini Face Yoga courses are available daily from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Under the guidance of an expert instructor, you can learn the basic techniques that will help you maintain the freshness and elasticity of your face.

A special fusion of gastronomy and architecture awaits through the collaboration of Gundel and Liget. From 17 to 20 February at Gundel Restaurant, sample iconic Hungarian dishes from goulash soup to Somló sponge cake, followed by a guided walk exploring the remarkable House of Music Hungary and its inspiring cultural world.

On 19 February, gastronomy meets contemporary art at the Art&Sip event at Time Out Market Budapest. Works by the Apollo Gallery’s current exhibiting artist will be showcased in The Vault, adding a visual dimension to the dining experience. For this special evening, Spirit Bar presents a limited-edition cocktail inspired by the artist’s style, available exclusively on the night.

Between 16 and 22 February, Time Out Market also celebrates Chinese New Year with themed dishes that combine distinctive festive flavours and culinary traditions.

On 22 February, Al Habtoor Palace hosts a celebratory brunch from 12:30 to 15:00. Alongside beloved classics, Middle Eastern flavours feature on the menu, while the iconic creations of Art of Cakes by master pastry chef István Mázás remain a highlight of the afternoon. Live music sets an elegant tone, making the occasion even more memorable.

At Klebelsberg Castle on 17 February, pianist Gábor Eckhardt presents a music history talk with projections and live musical illustrations, transporting audiences to New York and offering a glimpse behind the scenes of the world’s most renowned opera houses and philharmonic orchestras. On 20 February, Piano Friday at the castle’s Zsolnay Café recreates the charm of historic coffee houses with popular classics and film music, accompanied by champagne, wine, cocktails or tea.

During Week of Senses – Budapest, Müpa presents a rich and varied programme. On 16 February, Emir Kusturica’s film Life Is a Miracle will be screened — a humorous yet moving story set during the Yugoslav wars, accompanied by a distinctive musical atmosphere. On 18 February, the Szeged Contemporary Ballet presents Amadeus, offering insight into the brilliant and complex life of Mozart. From 18 to 20 February, a major series celebrates the 100th birthday of György Kurtág, featuring a film screening, panel discussion, concerts and the premiere of his new opera, highlighting the legacy of this legendary composer.

The week also features a special jazz evening at Müpa: on 21 February, the Kossuth and Liszt Prize-winning clarinettist and saxophonist Mihály Borbély takes the stage. On the evening of 22 February, a festive gala of Hungarian folk and world music offers diverse concerts, album launches and traditional Moldavian and Gyimes dance house performances.

At the cultural space of Mabelle Café, contemporary visual art takes centre stage. On 18 February, the exhibition The Woman Unveiled opens, featuring works by Kinga-Noémi Ács and Liz Miller Kovacs. The exhibition explores ecological and social patterns linked to female roles, cultural expectations and environmental processes.

The House of Music Hungary invites visitors to a breathtaking audiovisual dome experience. From 17 to 22 February (except Thursday), Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon comes to life in a newly remastered spatial-sound version, enhanced by futuristic and classic visuals to create a unique 360-degree musical journey. On 20 February, Argentine bandoneon player and composer Fabrizio Colombo returns with his eight-member ensemble and album Siempre París, evoking the spirit of tango between Paris and Buenos Aires, accompanied by the voice of Sandra Rumolino.

From 16 to 22 February, discover Budapest from a different perspective on a scenic river cruise. During the nearly one-hour journey, the city’s iconic landmarks unfold before you as you glide along the Danube. Whether by day or by night, the experience promises lasting memories. A welcome drink and bilingual Hungarian-English audio guide complete the journey.