off the beaten track

It’s the first thing you look for at a destination if you are a coffee lover. No need to panic, we got you. Here are the best coffee bars in Budapest.

New York Cafe

Coming in at number one is without question the famous New York Café. We were lucky enough to have breakfast here, during our stay at the Anantara New York Palace Hotel. Besides the incredible architecture, this café has a long history and actually serves very good coffee.

Espresso Embassy

Come here for a takeaway or stay in while you’re there because their coffee is just as good as their pastries. At this coffee bar in Budapest, they use difficult and next-level coffee-making methods such as the AeroPress, V60, and Chemex.

My Little Melbourne Coffee Bar

It’s been around since 2012 and still attracts a trendy crowd that knows how to drink their coffee.

Simple Cafe

Pretty coffee served in tall glasses. Although this wouldn’t be our first pick necessarily, it’s favorite by locals and was mentioned to me more than twice.

Six Letter Coffee, Constitution street

This coffee bar has worldwide locations and has opened their first coffee bar in Budapest back in 2019. They made it through the pandemic, and serve delicious high quality coffee. They serve light roasted, 100% arabica coffee. This classification belongs to those coffees which gets the biggest international coffee association.

Central Café

Like the New York Café, this place has old features, like the bar.

Arioso Café

Garden

Trendy and located in the Jewish district. They also serve pastries and lunch.

Orient Coffee

You have a choice between the dark or blond roast, and the dark definitely kicked in, so make a wise choice. Unfortunately, the coffee is served in small glasses, which was the only downside. They have a few tables outside, great for people watching as it’s located on a main road.

Art

Scroll down for the best coffee bars in the world!

X Wander-Lust

Formerly known as The Student Hotel, the Social Hub may have changed its name but it has stayed the fun and inspiring place to come together. Time for a little re-introduction! We’ll tell you all about this awesome place and why it’s much more than a hotel.

From the Student Hotel to The Social Hub

It all started in the Netherlands back in 2012 when Scottish entrepreneur Charlie Macgregor had the idea to find well-designed co-living and co-working spaces for students. Now, with 6 countries, 15 cities, and more than 15.000 rooms, the Social Hub is a place where students, travelers, mobile professionals, creative nomads, and enterprising minds can connect. What makes it different than other hotels, is that you can also book extended stays for more than 14 days. This makes it perfect for students or digital nomads. Enjoy discounts, perks, and extras if you go for longer stays.

The Social Hub Barcelona

Located in the Poblenou district, this is probably one of the best Social Hub locations in Europe in our opinion. From movie screenings in the lobby to unforgettable nights in the Playroom with your own private bar. This hotel in Barcelona guarantees a fun time for everyone in the community. Imagine working here for a while, enjoying good food and meet like-minded commuters.

Get Social in Madrid

Another wonderful location we want to point out is The Social Hub in Madrid. This Spanish city needs no introduction, but what makes this location special is that this one has a lot going on under one roof. From parties on the rooftop to events in the co-working space, the community organizes weekly get-togethers for you to join. Located in the heart of the city, in front of Palacio Real and around the corner from Plaza de España and Gran Vía.

Long live France in Toulouse

This hotel in Toulouse is perfect for students or people that want to experience a boutique hotel feeling. From student dorms, extended stay rooms with a workcafé, gym, terraces, bars, solariums, and a rooftop pool. Additionally, with the best panoramic views in the city – all under one roof. Facing the Place de l’Europe and the Jardins Compans Caffarelli Park, it’s centrally located in the university and business district. This signature community-focused concept, is the first of its kind in the city of Toulouse.

The Social Hub
Website / Instagram

It’s that time of the year again, Festival Season! Some oldies have returned, some have gone and there are plenty of new ones to check out! We’ve included festivals around the world that are worth mentioning this year. Here are the World’s Best Music Festivals 2023!

DGTL Festival Amsterdam

When? Easter Weekend 7/8/9 April
Where? Amsterdam NSDM Wharf
DGTL Festival is one of the first festivals of the season, and if we can, we go. Why? Because this is more than just about music. DGTL has recently won the “Outstanding Award” at the Greener Festival Awards and a “Green Operations Award” at the European Festival Awards. DGTL is now officially one of the most sustainable festivals in the world. But let’s talk about music. DGTL creates a line-up with big techno names, but also highlights the underground scene, often DJ’s that make it big the following year.

Awakenings Spring Festival

When? 13/14 May
Where? Spaarnwoude
This electronic music festival was founded many years ago and has fans from all over the world. Expect the best names in the Techno, minimal and deephouse gather each year to make this festival a huge succes. Stages are huge and the sound is spot on. This year they host a Spring festival, as well as a summer festival (different location). A must visit if you love Techno music! www.awakeningsfestival.nl

Come on dude

When? 27nd of May
Where? Gardens of West, Amsterdam
This festival is one of Elke’s favorites. It’s small, intimate festival and welcomes a crowd from 24 years old and over, only. By doing so, the festival has a wonderful family feel to it, with no (too) drunken teenagers running around. This year, the line-up includes EINMUSIk, Extrawelt, Miss Melera, Dominic Eulberg and more. www.kommschonalter.de

Bottlerock Festival

When? 26/27/28 May
Where? Napa Valley, USA
Wine and music is a great combination and that must have been the exact thoughts of the organisers of Bottlerock Festival. Napa Valley is a beautiful wine region but next to wine there will be food, silent disco, spa time and even art. Headliners are Imagine Dragons, One Republic and Sylvan Esso, to name just a few. The festival is almost sold out, but maybe it’s something to add into your diary for next year? www.bottlerocknapavalley.com

Bottlerock

We are FSTVL, UK

When? 25/26/27 May
Where? Upminster Greater London
It’s a huge festival with a lot of big names is dance and techno music. With 6 stages, this is one of the biggest festivals in London. Expect 50.000 people in London’s best festival. Tickets are about £60 and almost sold out so if you’re heading over to London you might as well check this festival out. www.wearefstvl.com

We Love Green 2023, France

When? 2/3/4 June
Where? Paris, France
This festival focuses on sustainability and uses solar power to generate energy. With We Love Green can show you that sustainable festivals will be something of the future and that it can be done. It will celebrate it’s 8th year and headliners include Erykah Badu, Laurent Garnier, Future and many more. www.welovegreen.fr

Meadows in the Mountains, Bulgaria

When? 1/2/3/4/5 June
Where? In the mountains of Bulgaria
If you want something different and special you should check this festival out. Right near the Greek border, this is a festival hidden away in the mountains where you will see day turn into night and the morning fog fall over the trees. A truly encompassing and unique music and arts festival that brings to life the possibility of real adventure embraced by guaranteed sun and friendly faces.

Photo by @aronkleinphotography

Secret Solstice

When? TBC
Where? Reykjavik, Iceland
Are you ready to dance in the light? This festival takes place on the longest day of the year where it’s just dark for about 3 hours. Secret Solstice is for festival goers with a passion for the natural beauty of the great outdoors. Each year the festival welcomes an eclectic lineup to the naturally breathtaking country for main stage sets, glacier raves, lava tunnel shindigs, midnight sun boat parties and secret lagoon blowouts. Enjoy this surreal phenomenon and feel at-one with nature during the festival which showcases the international artist alongside the best homegrown talent. www.secretsolstice.is

Neversea Festival

When? 6/7/8/9 of July
Where? Constanta, Romania
After the success of the first edition in 2017, NEVERS will be back for their second edition in 2018. It’s the biggest beach festival in Romania and will take place in Constanţa. Dance, HipHop and Electronical music will have the center stage. www.neversea.com

Neversea Festival

Firefly Music Festival

When? June 2023
Where? The Woodlands, Dover, USA
It seems like all the artists that are looking for a comeback, are performing here. Post Malone, Travis Scott, DJ Snake, Panic at the disco are all on stage at Firefly Music Festival normally in June. It’s in the woods, so this gives the festival a cool vibe and we wish we could be there as the festival celebrates it’s seven year anniversary. They will host another one in 2024 after a year break.

EXIT Festival

When? 6/7/8/9  July
Where? Novi Sad, Serbia
EXIT Festival has been around for a while but they managed to win the European Festival Award for “Best Major Festival”. In total, you can enjoy 20 different stages that vary in music styles.

Dancing at EXIT

Sea You Festival, Germany

When? 14/15/16 July
Where? Freiburg, Germany
Just around the corner of the black forest, lays a lake where summer will be celebrated to the max. It’s an intimate festival with 2 stages but the biggest names in dance/techno music. It’s about 6-7 hours drive from The Netherlands so a nice roadtrip that’s well worth it. You can also wakeboard if you’re up for it and cool down in the big lake.

Source: Sea You Festival

sound festival

When? 15/16/17 July
Where? Barcelona, Spain
We’re not going this year but elke went twice before. A M A Z I N G! Buy a ticket and experience the real Sonar but also check out all the parties around the beach and clubs. What we love: The free beach parties, the tapas and the good vibes!

Wildeburg Festival

When? 7/8/9 July
Where? Kraggeburg, Netherlands
This festival is getting more popular every year. With so many commercial and massive festivals, Wildeburg is something refreshing. It’s going to be the 5th edition with 150 acts that haven’t been announced yet. Although the weekend tickets have been sold out, last minute Sunday tickets will be made available so keep an eye on their website and social media!

Wildeburg

Lowlands Festival 2023

When? 18/19/20 August
Where? Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands
Set in a remote location in The Netherlands just over an hours drive from Amsterdam, Lowlands allows attendees to disconnect from the real world in a township with thousands of inhabitants that arises in the middle of the country for three days in August. Lowlands is a festival for everybody that loves music. It doesn’t matter what festival you’re into, because you can find it all. HipHop, Techno, Rock, Jazz, Pop and Indy. There are about twelve stages (going by the names of Alpha, Bravo, Heineken, Lima, Juliet, X-Ray, Echo). Offering a unique selection of film, stand-up comedy, visual arts, literature, and street theatre. lowlands.nl

LolaPallooza Berlin

When? 8/9 September
Where? Berlin, Germany
This intimate festival is striking down in Berlin for the 4rd time and with succes! Names like Kings of Leon, Swedish House Mafia and 21 Pilots will be on stage. Book yourself a comfy hotel in Berlin and explore the city! www.lollapaloozade.com

OASIS Festival

When? 27/28/29 October
Where? Marrakech, Morocco
Just imagine a place where you can see lush gardens, vibrant colours, palmtrees, sand and swimming pools all into one place. Sounds like an Oasis maybe? Oasis festival takes place in the luxurious Fellah Hotel in Marrakech and attracts an international crowd. There will be multiple music stages, daily yoga and reflexology, delicious street food and pop-up restaurants, a champagne bar, craft cocktails, henna, hookah and its very own secret souk. Sounds good?

Oasis Festival

Into The Woods

Love,

Wander-Lust