Timeline
15:09
Grab a drink at Marxim Pub & Pizzeria. The post-communist interior is atmospheric, and it is usually packed with local youths. Order a pizza like 'Usonka' or 'Lenin's favourite' to go or sit in. Note that on weekdays it closes at 01:00, so you have plenty of time.
15:39
Church of Saint Mary Magdalene
Walk to the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. This 13th-century Franciscan church has a heavy history, surviving the Turkish era only to be demolished by communist 'restoration' in the 1950s. The ruins stand as a stark reminder. Check the site before you go as it closes at sunset, so you will have just enough time to see it before the light fades.
16:19
Head to the Zero Kilometre Stone. This 3 m high limestone sculpture marks the reference point for all road distances in Hungary. Stand by it as the sun sets toward the WSW. The golden light from 15:29 will have just passed, leaving you with the deep colors of twilight.
16:39
End the evening at Vagon Restaurant. Located in a standalone railway wagon, this traditional restaurant serves local cuisine. It is open until 23:00, giving you a comfortable window to settle in after the chill of the evening sets in.
Local tip
The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene closes at sunset. Plan your visit so you arrive before 16:19 to ensure you can see the ruins before they lock the gates.
Check before you go
- Church of Saint Mary Magdalene: 10:00–sunset (closes at 16:19 on 15 Jan).
- Marxim Pub & Pizzeria: Mo-Th 12:00-01:00.
- Vagon Restaurant: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00.
Worth knowing
- Marxim Pub & Pizzeria is open at 15:09 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Budapest (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).