Dancing in Budapest
We love dancing. And in Hungary, people really dance. You’ll find dance schools everywhere. There’s a slight focus on salsa and bachata, and pretty much everyone knows a bit of cha-cha-cha, but the more classic styles like waltz and tango are also practiced by Hungarians of all ages.
We were still looking for the perfect place to just dance freely, outside of classes. Back in Belgium, we used to go to practice evenings at the dance school, but here that only happens rarely (maybe twice a year).
Our new experience in Budapest completely exceeded my wildest expectations. The atmosphere, the view—just amazing. What makes it so special is how “normal” it feels, yet in such a beautiful location. Just 20–30 people showing up, drawn by the music, dancing together at any level. And this happens pretty much every Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 6 pm.
Everyone is welcome. Passersby casually put their bags aside and join in. Tourists stop to watch, take photos, or film—you do have to be okay with that! There’s a voluntary contribution for the organizer, who also teaches one dance to the group. If you want a drink, you just bring your own.
Hungarians really know how to turn simple things into a celebration.
The hardest part was actually finding out about this:
- In Hungary, everything is shared on Facebook. Looking for a website is usually not the way to go. After a while, Facebook figures out what you like and starts suggesting relevant events.
- In Hungary, everything is shared on Facebook. Looking for a website is usually not the way to go. After a while, Facebook figures out what you like and starts suggesting relevant events.

