things to visit in budapest hungary

Budapest   Travel Guide

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19 Best Things To Do in Budapest

Updated May. 8, 2023

The thermal baths are king here, but there are plenty of other ways to kill a day. World-class museums, island parks, shopping and cafes are available in spades. Foot it around Castle Hill for a taste of medieval Budapest or spend an afternoon

• All Things To Do

Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya) Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya) free

Located in the historic district of  Castle Hill , Fisherman's Bastion is a neo-Gothic terrace that looks like a structure taken straight out of a fairy tale. Designed and built in 1905 by Frigyes Schulek – the same architect who built the adjacent Matthias Church – Fisherman's Bastion is named after the medieval guild of fishermen who protected Budapest from invasion.

Visitors say Fisherman's Bastion's gleaming white structure provides panoramic views of the city: From here, you can snap some breathtaking pictures of the Danube River , Margaret Island and Pest. Also save time for exploring the sight's seven ornate turrets, which symbolize the tents of the seven Magyar leaders who settled the Carpathian Basin, ultimately leading to the existence of modern-day Hungary. 

Danube River Danube River free

Dividing the city's Buda and Pest sides is the impressive Danube River. Flowing roughly 1,770 miles from west Germany through Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and, of course, Hungary, before meeting the Black Sea in southern Ukraine, this sprawling river is the second longest in Europe. Along its Budapest shores, travelers will find iconic sights like the Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle .

Recent visitors highly recommend checking out the Danube River on foot or by boat. If you decide to go for a stroll, consider doing so at the Danube Promenade, which offers picturesque views and the must-see Shoes on the Danube Bank Holocaust memorial, according to past travelers. Many also suggest signing up for an evening sightseeing cruise through local operators like Legenda Sightseeing Boats and Portum Lines .

Castle Hill (Várhegy) Castle Hill (Várhegy) free

Located on the west side of the Danube River , Castle Hill is a must-see district for any Budapest visitor. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, the area's iconic Buda Castle was constructed in the 13th century. Walk the cobblestone streets, take in the medieval atmosphere and dive deep into Budapest's history.

From the castle to  Matthias Church  to the underground Castle Labyrinth to  Fisherman's Bastion , you'll find there's almost no end to what you can learn about Budapest's past. The lack of vehicle traffic also lends an old-world charm to the area. Plus, travelers say you'll discover sweeping city panoramas from multiple locales in the neighborhood.

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Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) free

It's hard to miss the nearly 1,250-foot-long Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Originally built in the 1800s by English engineer William Tierney Clark, this stunning suspension bridge was mostly destroyed during World War II. Though it was badly damaged, it still features its original pillars and stone lions that flank its entrances. Since being reconstructed in the late 1940s, visitors have flocked here to walk, bike and drive across it.

Travelers rave about this impressive bridge, saying it's a superb subject for photos. For the best views, visitors suggest arriving at night when lights illuminate the bridge and surrounding attractions. Sights you can see from the Széchenyi Chain Bridge include Buda Castle and the Hungarian Parliament .

Heroes' Square (Hosök tere) Heroes' Square (Hosök tere) free

Heroes' Square is one of Budapest's grandest landmarks. In fact, it's the largest public square in the city. Swing by this area to take a picture of the Millenary Monument, which was erected in 1896 to celebrate Hungary's 1000th anniversary.

The square and the monument are dedicated to those who lost their lives while fighting for the country's independence. At the base of the famous column (topped with the Archangel Gabriel) are statues representing seven Magyar chieftains – considered to be the founders of the Hungarian nation. Behind the column are matching colonnades with 14 statues of royalty and other important figures in Hungarian history.

Hungarian Parliament (Országház) Hungarian Parliament (Országház)

Completed in 1902, the Hungarian Parliament is one of Budapest's most famous landmarks. The Hungarian National Assembly still meets here, but visitors come mainly to take in the building's architecture (primarily Gothic Revival-style) and beautiful statues and paintings. According to many, there is no structure in Hungary that serves as a better symbol of the country's independence and commitment to democracy. 

Travelers and locals alike say this structure is a must-see for any visitor's first trip to Budapest. It not only features incredible architectural details but also stunning Danube River views and significant artifacts, such as Hungary's crown jewels. If you're interested in touring the inside, visitors suggest booking well in advance since tours – which are the only way to gain interior access – fill up fast. Photography is permitted during a tour; however, taking pictures inside the Dome Hall (where the crown jewels are located) is not allowed.

St. Stephen's Basilica (Svent István Bazilika) St. Stephen's Basilica (Svent István Bazilika) free

One of downtown Budapest's most popular sights is St. Stephen's Basilica. Featuring two clock towers and an impressive cupola, this historical church, which was dedicated to Stephen I (Hungary's founder and first king) upon completion in 1905, took more than 50 years to build. Visitors flock here to catch a glimpse of its main attraction – the Holy Right. This mummified, jewel-adorned right hand of the property's namesake rests inside an ornate golden reliquary in the church's Holy Right chapel.

Past travelers praised St. Stephen's Basilica's stunning architecture and interior, as well as the breathtaking city views from the cupola's balcony. Visitors can explore the church on their own, but for more insight about its history, reviewers recommend paying for the guided tour, which includes looks at the Holy Right chapel, the on-site treasury and the cupola.

Buda Castle (Budai vár) Buda Castle (Budai vár) free

As its name implies, Castle Hill 's main attraction is its medieval castle. Built in the 14th century to accommodate various kings, the structure now features Baroque and neo-Baroque details added during various restorations. It's also home to the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the National Széchényi Library.

Like Gellért Hill and the  Széchenyi Chain Bridge , Buda Castle boasts picturesque city panoramas, according to past visitors. However, previous travelers had mixed feelings about using the Buda Castle Funicular. Some enjoyed riding it to the top, while others bemoaned its pricey fees and suggested walking. If you are not keen on walking but want to avoid paying 1,200 forints (about $5) for a one-way fare or 1,800 forints ($7) for a round-trip ticket, consider using the No. 16 bus. Each ticket costs 350 forints (roughly $1.50) when purchased in advance; to get a ticket on board, expect to pay 450 forints (less than $2). For Budapest Card holders, rides on public transportation are covered.

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Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) free

The neo-Gothic Matthias Church in  Castle Hill  has been around for centuries and, in many ways, its history corresponds to that of Budapest itself. Built in the 13th century, Matthias was the city's first parish church. However, it was transformed into a mosque during the 1541 Ottoman occupation and remained an Islamic place of worship until the Turkish expulsion nearly 150 years later. Today, tourists come to admire its imposing architecture, take in its historical symbolism and spend some time studying its impressive artwork.

Recent visitors said the church's architecture is striking and the informational place cards throughout the property give you a sense of its expansive history. Don't forget to check out the Ecclesiastical Art Collection, also housed inside. You can see the medieval crypt where 10th-century King Béla III and his wife Agnes are buried, as well replicas of royal jewels and other religious artifacts. And if you enjoy organs, the church's (with 7,771 pipes and 18 bells) is regularly the star of on-site concerts and shows.

Dohány Street Synagogue (Dohány utcai Zsinagóga) Dohány Street Synagogue (Dohány utcai Zsinagóga) free

Also referred to as the Great Synagogue, this place of worship is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second-largest in the world (only Temple Emanu-El in  New York City  is slightly bigger). Opened in 1859, this building features Romantic and Moorish Revival-style architecture and can accommodate up to 3,000 people.

Travelers suggest you visit for the atmosphere and to learn of the synagogue's historical significance  –  particularly its connection to the Holocaust.  In 1939, the synagogue was bombed by a Hungarian pro-Nazi party, and between 1944 and 1945, Dohány Street itself constituted the border of Budapest's Jewish ghetto. Visit the adjacent Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives to learn about the history of Hungarian Judaism and to pay your respects at the Garden of Memory in its courtyard.

Museum of Fine Arts (Szépmuvészeti Múzeum) Museum of Fine Arts (Szépmuvészeti Múzeum)

Located in City Park by Sz é chenyi Baths and the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden, the Museum of Fine Arts showcases Hungarian art dating back to the Middle Ages, plus Egyptian antiquities and 13th- to 19th-century European paintings. Exhibitions feature medals, prints, drawings, wooden sculptures, altarpieces and modern art – all of which contributed to Hungarian history and art development.

Previous museumgoers heap praise on the Museum of Fine Arts, adding that the renovation it underwent until October 2018 is beautiful. Some past visitors specifically raved about the informative displays, noting that they're so well-done that you don't need an audio guide.

Thermal Baths Thermal Baths

A soak in a thermal bath is a quintessential Budapest experience. (It hasn't cultivated a reputation as the "City of Spas" for nothing.) These baths, or fürdok in Hungarian, are heated by natural thermal springs and usually include on-site massage services, as well as steam rooms.

With more than 100 thermal springs, the various baths around the city cater to different tastes – from relaxation to cures for illness – and some transform into pulsating dance clubs at night, so if you're bathing with your family, you might want to do so during the daylight hours.

Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy) Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy) free

Across the Danube River from the Inner City lies Gellért Hill. Measuring 771 feet high, this neighborhood is best known for its 19th-century citadel, but the area is also home to an arboretum, a church built into a cave and various statues, such as the Liberty Statue (a traveler favorite) and one of the region's namesake, Saint Gerard. Legend has it that the Italian monk was pushed off of the hill to his death in the 1000s.

On a sunny day, visitors say Gellért Hill offers jaw-dropping views of the river and downtown Budapest. Travelers also praise the neighborhood's statues but recommend learning more about their histories before arriving to supplement your visit. What's more, some caution that the walk up the hill is exhausting, but limited parking is available by the citadel for a fee. You can also take the No. 27 bus most of the way up to the Búsuló Juhász stop.

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Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház) Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház)

Central Pest's Hungarian State Opera House has been an institution in Budapest since its opening in 1884. Featuring a neo-Renaissance style, the opera house holds more than 1,200 seats and has a reputation for its exceptional acoustics. But the building's main draw is its opulent architecture –  inside and out.  Marble columns, gilded vaulted ceilings, an enormous bronze chandelier, and murals and frescoes depicting Greek mythological scenes provide a romantic setting.

According to recent visitors, the opera house's exterior justifies a stop, even if you don't head inside for a guided tour. If you do decide to take a tour, keep in mind that the building is currently undergoing renovations. Some past travelers bemoaned not being able to see the auditorium during their visits. 

House of Terror Museum (Terror Háza Múzeum) House of Terror Museum (Terror Háza Múzeum)

Located in the Terézváros neighborhood in Pest's District VI, the House of Terror Museum is a jarring but important museum that documents the dictatorial oppression Hungary faced during its fascist and Stalinist regimes. Once the headquarters of the State Protection Authority (similar to the Soviet Union's KGB), the building was where brutal interrogations and the torturing of countless political activists and dissidents took place throughout the 20th century. Tour the chillingly realistic prison cell replicas in the basement, and brace yourself for the powerful and moving exhibit on Hungary's post-World War II years leading up to the 1953 uprising against its Soviet-controlled government.

Recent visitors said this museum's exhibits are thought-provoking and informative. However, a few lamented the no photography policy inside. Another drawback: the Hungarian-only displays. To understand the material presented in each exhibit, you'll need to ask for handouts with English translations or pay an extra 1,500 forints (roughly $6) for an English audio guide. You can also reserve a guided tour with an English-speaking guide at least 10 days in advance for 8,000 forints (about $31).

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13 of the best things to do in Budapest

Nov 15, 2023 • 7 min read

Experience Budapest with our guide to the best things to do © Balazs Kofarago / Getty Images

There are many fantastic experiences to be had in Budapest . From soaking in muscle-melting waters at centuries-old thermal baths , to romantic meeting points above the city and traveling back in time at a 19th-century coffeehouse, this guide to things to do in Hungary ’s vibrant capital will keep you busy.

Here are some of Budapest's best activities.

1. Visit Budapest's neo-Gothic Parliament building

Budapest’s neo-Gothic Parliament building dominates the curve of the Danube and is a true postcard superstar. It houses the Holy Crown (used to crown the country’s monarchs since the 12th century), as well as other royal jewels.

Not too far from Parliament, you’ll find one of the city’s most moving memorials – the Shoes on the Danube . The poignant monument honors the victims of the Holocaust who were marched to the riverbank on a dark winter’s day and ordered to remove their shoes before being shot and falling into the fast-flowing river beneath. 

Planning tip: English-language guided tours of Parliament are available, but it’s best to book ahead.

2. Soak at one of the city's incredible thermal spas

Budapest sits on a patchwork of thermal springs – mineral-rich water spouts from the ground – hence the abundance of thermal spas, many dating back to Turkish times. These waters are said to be capable of curing just about anything, and soaking in a thermal pool is a top Budapest experience. 

The world-famous Széchenyi Baths is the biggest spa complex in Europe, and while the location could certainly be described as a tourist trap, its majestic architectural elements and outdoor pools still make it an unmissable place to visit. Other spas dotted throughout Budapest also have special amenities, such as the rooftop hot tub at Rudas Baths .

Planning tip:  Gellért Baths , with its stained-glass windows and colorful porcelain tiles, is a wonderful place to go if you want more peaceful plunging. 

3. Explore the Castle District

The Buda side's rolling hills are crowned by the former Royal Palace , one of the city’s most emblematic buildings. Razed and rebuilt several times through the ages, today it houses the Hungarian Natural Gallery and major temporary exhibitions. 

Other iconic landmarks include  Fishermen’s Bastion , with its unparalleled panorama of Pest's skyline over the Danube. The Gothic Matthias Church is just steps away on twisting cobble-stoned streets. 

For coffee and cake , be sure to stop by Ruszwurm , the longest-running confectionery in Hungary. The Hospital in the Rock Museum , packed with wax figures and original medical equipment, was once a functioning hospital beneath the Royal Palace. The vintage funicular – one of the oldest funicular railways in the world – whisks you up to the palace in minutes. Alternatively, hop on bus 16, which has many stops throughout the city, or just hike up (it’s not as far as it seems, we promise).

4. Take a ride through downtown on Tram 2

Frequently cited as one of the most panoramic tram journeys in the world, Tram 2 travels all along the Danube shore between the Margaret Bridge (Jászai Mari tér) and south Pest. It chugs alongside everything you need to see downtown, all for the price of a regular public transport ticket. 

Planning tip:  A boat trip serves as a lovely alternative to the tram. If you don’t want to spend money on a sightseeing cruise, you can use the public boats with a regular transport ticket. 

5. See the religious relics of the Basilica

The ornate St Stephen’s Basilica is the city’s biggest church, found steps away from Deák Square. Inside, the basilica hides the country’s most revered (and eerie) religious relic – the embalmed right hand of St Stephen, the founding king of Hungary. Climb the 193 steps (or take the lift) to the basilica’s dome for some of the best views of Budapest. 

6. Stroll along Andrássy Avenue and in City Park 

Full of fancy shops, cafes and gorgeous buildings, tree-lined Andrássy Avenue is Budapest’s version of the Champs-Élysées. It begins behind the basilica and stretches all the way to Heroes’ Square , one of the city’s most famous monuments. Along the way, you’ll see the Hungarian State Opera and the harrowing House of Terror Museum , the former headquarters of the secret police, where victims of cruel regimes were once tortured. 

Where the avenue ends, City Park begins. The Pest side's biggest park is home to a rowboat-filled lake, which is an ice rink in winter, fairy-tale Vajdahunyad Castle and Széchenyi Baths.

Planning tip: Should you find the walk too long, the Millennium Underground, the oldest metro in continental Europe, runs the whole length of Andrássy.

7. Have a coffee at a historical coffeehouse

Budapest’s coffee-drinking culture dates back centuries, and its classic coffeehouses are a sight to behold. Many were cradles of culture and haunts for Hungary’s literary greats. The most prominent is New York Café , once chosen as the most beautiful coffeehouse in the world, where gilded and marble surfaces, crimson colors, crystals, frescoes, chandeliers and often live Hungarian music bring back that fin-de-siècle finesse. Gerbeaud Café , Hadik or Centrál are equally great choices for a trip back in time. 

8. See the city from a viewpoint or rooftop bar

With the curving Danube, beautiful bridges and stunning landmarks, Budapest is especially beautiful – and photogenic – from up above. If you fancy a bit of a walk, climb up to the Citadella and Budapest’s Statue of Liberty on Gellért Hill for a rewarding view. If you’d rather sit back with a drink and enjoy a front-row seat to all of Budapest, try any of the city’s many rooftop bars . 

Planning tip:  Several areas of the Citadella are under renovation and may be closed to visitors.

9. Spend a day on Margaret Island

Margaret Island is Budapest’s biggest green oasis – accessible by foot from the middle of yellow Margaret Bridge. The whole island is a huge park, home to the ruin of a medieval church, a lovely Japanese garden, century-old towering trees and endless picnics.

Planning tip: Head for the centerpiece of the island – a large fountain that lights up and “dances” to music every hour from spring to winter. The 9pm show is enhanced with a multimedia screening that displays images of Hungary’s greats projected onto a water curtain.

10. See the distinctive architecture of the Great Synagogue

The largest Jewish place of worship outside New York City, the Moorish-style Great Synagogue is one of Budapest’s most eye-catching buildings. Built in 1859, the distinctive structure, with its crenelated red-and-yellow glazed-brick facade and two enormous towers, stands next to the Hungarian Jewish Museum. In the courtyard is the poignant Holocaust Tree of Life Memorial , designed by sculptor Imre Varga.

11. Experience the best nightlife at ruin pubs and garden clubs

Budapest's nightlife is world famous, and a visit during the long, hot summer is not complete without an evening in one of the city's many so-called kertek , literally "gardens," but in Budapest, any outdoor spot that has been converted into an entertainment zone. These often rough-and-ready venues, including courtyards, rooftops and romkocsmák (ruin pubs) that rise phoenix-like from abandoned buildings, can change from year to year and are seasonal, but some of the more successful ones, like Szimpla Kert , are now permanent and open year-round.

12. Explore history in Memento Park

Containing statues and other memorials from the communist past,  Memento Park can only be described as a cemetery of socialist mistakes, or a well-manicured trash heap of history. In southern Buda, it’s home to about four dozen statues, busts and plaques of Lenin, Marx and home-grown henchmen like Béla Kun. Ogle the socialist-realist works and try to imagine that some were still being erected in the late 1980s and remained in their original locations until the early 1990s.

13. Ride the rails in the Buda Hills

They may be short on sights – though Béla Bartók’s house , where he spent his final year in Hungary, is open to visitors here – but the Buda Hills  are a very welcome respite from the hot, dusty city in the warmer months. Perhaps the hills' biggest draw is the unusual transportation: a narrow-gauge cog railway dating from the late 19th century will get you up into the hills, a train run by children takes you across them, and a chairlift will glide you back down to terra firma.

This article was first published Feb 26, 2020 and updated Nov 15, 2023.

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Home » Travel Guides » Hungary » 25 Best Things To Do In Budapest (Hungary)

25 Best Things To Do In Budapest (Hungary)

Hungary’s capital city Budapest is actually made up of 3 unified cities, with Buda and Óbuda on the west bank of the Danube and Pest on the east bank. Much of the city has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and many visitors consider the city to be amongst the most beautiful cities in Europe.

The city successfully mixes its fascinating history with a brilliant, laid-back contemporary artistic style. There are a wide range of different things for visitors to see and do, from museums to thermal spas, so everyone should be able to find something that tickles their fancy.

Lets explore the best things to do in Budapest :

1. Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament Building, which was designed and built in the Gothic Revival style, is one of the largest buildings in Hungary, and is home to hundreds of parliamentary offices. Although the impressive building looks fantastic from every angle, to see the whole building in its full glory, it is worth viewing it from the other side of the Danube.

Tours of certain areas of the building are available daily, and run in different languages. You will need identification to get in, and your bag may be searched on entry. There is a top selling guided tour which you can book here .

2. Gellért Baths

One of the grandest spas in the city is the Gellert Bath and Spa centre, which includes an open-air pool (which turns into a wave pool), an effervescent swimming pool, a Finnish sauna, and a range of other saunas and plunge pools.

Massages and other spa treatments are also available at an extra fee. The complex was originally built between 1912 and 1918 in an Art Nouveau style, but it sustained serious damage during World War II. The whole spa was extensively renovated in 2008 to bring the baths back to their former glory. The baths are open all week for mixed bathing.

3. Heroes’ Square

Heroes’ Square (Hosök tere), which marks the end of Andrássy Avenue is home to an iconic monument which features depictions of the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars, who are believed to have led the Hungarian people from central Asia to the Carpathian basin.

Atop the central pillar is the Archangel Gabriel, who is holding the Hungarian crown. At either side of the central column are two matching colonnades, which depict a variety of other historical Hungarian figures. The impressive buildings at either side of the square are art galleries. Take care when crossing to the statue, because traffic around the monument can be erratic.

A great way to explore the city: Budapest Segway Tour

4. Margaret Island

Margaret Island is a 2.5km long island which sits in the middle of the Danube, which is covered in parkland and recreational facilities.

There are a number of companies which rent pedal carts, golf carts, and other self-powered vehicles, so that you can explore the island properly.

A rubber-coated 5.5 km running track encircles the island, and is a popular jogging spot for runners who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of the most famous features of the island is the “music fountain”, from which water regularly “dances” in time to classical music.

Other notable features on the island include medieval ruins and small aviary which primarily caters for injured water birds and wildfowl.

5. Danube Promenade

This stretch of the Danube walkway goes from the Elizabeth Bridge to the Chain Bridge, and is perfect for those who want a short, but interesting walk. Promenading along the Danube is a great way to see many of the most famous sights in the capital.

Looking over towards to Buda side of the river, you will see the Buda Castle, the Liberty Statue on Gellert Hill and the Fisherman’s Bastion. On the Promenade side of the river you can enjoy restaurants, cafes, Szechenyi Istvan Square and a range of different sculptures, including the Little Princess.

The Danube is also perfect for a river cruise, there’s a fun dinner cruise and folk show (with gypsy music) which you can book here .

6. House of Terror

The House of Terror holds exhibitions about the successive Fascist and Communist regimes which ruled Hungary during the 20th Century. The building itself was the former headquarters of the Fascist Arrow Cross party, and the building was subsequently used as a prison and torture venue by the State Security services of Hungary.

There is the opportunity to tour some of the prison area in the basement. The exhibition includes information about both regimes, as well as testimonials from some of the victims. As well as exhibitions about the fascist and communist “security services”, the building often houses other temporary exhibitions.

7. St. Stephen’s Basilica

This basilica is one of the most important religious buildings in Hungary, and visitors to the reliquary can see the (reported) right hand of Stephen, first King of Hungary. As this is a holy site, visitors who plan on entering the church are asked to keep their knees and shoulders covered.

Those with a head for heights can travel up to the base of the dome and look out over the city. On a clear day, this is a great vantage point from which to survey Budapest from the air. Classical music concerts and organ concerts regularly take place inside the Basilica, and sometime spill out into the square outside. Fun fact: You can book an Organ Concert in the Basilica right here .

8. Hungarian State Opera House

This Neo-Renaissance building was first opened in 1884, following a commission from Emperor Franz Joseph. Outside of the building, you can see statues to Ferenc Erkel (composer of the Hungarian National Anthem) and Ferenc Liszt (Hungarian composer).

The 1200 seat auditorium is considered to be one of the best in the world for operatic performances, and it is well worth it to buy a ticket to a show.

Ticket prices start from as low as 500ft. If you cannot find time to see a show, guided tours of the Opera House are available during the day, although these usually need to be booked in advance.

9. Fisherman’s Bastion

Although the Fisherman’s Bastion looks like a medieval monument, it was actually built in the early 20th century in a neo-Gothic style, specifically to act as a panoramic viewing platform across the Danube, Margaret Island and Pest.

It is named after the Guild of Fishermen, which was responsible for defending that stretch of the city walls during the Middle Ages.

The seven towers of the Bastion represent the seven Magyar tribes that helped to settle the Magyar people in the Carpathian Basin. Come at sunset to see a particularly beautiful view of the city.

10. Invisible Exhibition

The Invisible Exhibition aims to give visitors the chance to experience what life is like for people who are completely blind. A registered blind guide will take you on a tour through various different artificially created environments (garden, supermarket, bar etc) which are in completely dark rooms.

On arrival, you will be asked to turn off any potential light sources, such as mobile phones or digital watches, so that there will no light at all in the rooms. After the exhibition, you can enjoy dinner in the dark, served by blind waiters, who will help you to find your way around your dinner plate.

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11. Faust Wine Cellars

This historic wine cellar, which is located underneath the Buda Castle is the perfect place to sample wines from some of the 22 Hungarian wine regions. You will also have the opportunity to sample traditional Hungarian fruit palinka. A sommelier will give you tasting notes during your visit, so that you can get the most out of each wine that you try.

There are a range of different tasting programmes available, depending on how much time you have and how much you want to spend. Due to the size of the cellars, you are advised to book ahead.

12. Memento Park

This wonderful sculpture park is now home to some of the many Communist monuments and statues which dotted the city during the Communist Era.

These statues were either removed by the government as part of the decommunization process, or they were forcibly removed by the Hungarian people in protest at the previous regime.

When the park was opened in 1993, it became a place to display some of these monuments and showcase an important part of the city’s history.

A small museum on site also includes temporary exhibitions about life under the communist regime, including information about the Hungarian Secret Police.

13. Dohány Street Synagogue

This synagogue is currently one of the largest in the world outside of Israel, despite the fact that Hungary’s Jewish population was significantly depleted during World War II.

The interior and the garden were restored in the 1990’s, with much of the funding coming from the Hungarian Jewish diaspora population worldwide.

In the garden you can see a weeping willow memorial, whose metal leaves bear the names of some of those killed during the war.

There is also a memorial to Swedish diplomat Roual Wallenberg, who helped to save hundreds of Hungarian Jews from concentration camps and ghettos.

14. Ecseri Flea Market

This fantastic flea market on the outskirts of the city is a great place to find a bargain. It is possible to pick up a variety of different treasures from here, although you may have to search through stalls full of things that you consider to be trash in order to find them.

Even if you are not planning on buying anything, it is still possible to wander for hours amid the stalls, dreaming about the past owners of all of this bric-a-brac. Stalls sell everything from retro clothing, through to memorabilia from the Communist era.

Haggling is recommended, although you should expect to pay a bit more if you are not a local.

15. Ruin Pubs

Budapest is famous for its “ruin pubs”, in which shabby-chic is the order of the day. The best ruin pubs are set up in sprawling, deserted buildings, which have been filled with comfortable, but slightly worn out furniture.

Each pub has its own unique style, so you will often find visitors referring to their favourite pub as “the one with the…”. Popular ruin pubs include Instant (“the one with the crazy animal pictures”), Fogas Ház (“the one with the teeth), Kuplung (“the one with the whale”) and Szimpla Kert.

16. Central Market Hall

The Great Market Hall in central Budapest is Budapest’s most famous marketplace.

Whilst many locals still use the market hall as a place to buy their groceries, the market is incredibly popular with the tourists too.

Locally grown fruits and veg, and locally sourced meats are found on the lower floors, and souvenirs including lace, chess sets and leather goods are available in the upper floors.

As well as individual ingredients, it is possible to pick up homemade local delicacies like goulash and langos from the food stall upstairs.

17. Buda Castle Hill Funicular

This funicular, which first opened in 1870, is the second oldest funicular of its kind in the world. A system of weights and counterweights is used to help to raise the carriages up and down the hill. The funicular is the fastest way to get to the top of Castle Hill, and is exceedingly popular because of its panoramic views out across the Danube. (You can also get there with this Segway tour )

The speed of ascent was actually slowed down as of 1988, to give passengers more time to enjoy their ride. The track is open daily until 10pm, so it is also a great way to enjoy views of Pest at night.

18. The Buda Hills

The Buda Hills are one of the greenest areas of the city, and are very popular with Budapest citizens who want to take a little time away from city life.

There are various hiking trails to follow and mountain bike paths as well, which range from easy to medium level of difficulty.

For those who want to explore the hills in a more leisurely fashion, visit the Children’s Railway, which is entirely staffed by children aged 10-14 (with the exception of some adult staff who are responsible for safety).

There are plenty of picnic spots dotted around so that you can enjoy a lovely packed lunch.

19. Andrássy Avenue

This wonderful boulevard takes visitors from Erzsébet Square in central Pest, out to the City Park. Due to its interesting cultural heritage, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002.

Taking a walk down Andrássy is a great way to see a number of Budapest’s different architectural styles, including the Hungarian National Opera House, neo-renaissance townhouses and mansions, and a number of different national embassies.

If you do not fancy promenading down the boulevard, the metro line which runs underneath the Avenue is the third oldest underground railway in the world.

20. Liberty Statue

The Liberty Statue on Gellert Hill is one of the few prominent Communist statues which remained in situ after the transition to democracy, in part because of its iconic location overlooking the city.

The statue was first erected in 1947 to commemorate the Soviet troops who lost their lives liberating the country, however the engraving was later changed so that it commemorated “all who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, and prosperity of Hungary”.

The panoramic views from underneath the statue are unparalleled, and help to make the walk to the top of the hill well worth it.

21. Citadella

The Citadel, which sits atop Gellert Hill, was constructed by the Hapsburgs following the failed Hungarian War of Independence.

It was thought that its prime strategic position would make it easy to control both Buda and Pest, should any future uprisings occur.

Troops were stationed at the Citadel until 1897. Soviet forces once again used the fortress to control the city during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, and tanks which were situated there fired down on the city.

The Citadel now houses a restaurant, a hotel and a museum.

22. Széchenyi Thermal Baths

The Széchenyi Baths complex is the largest “medicinal” bath centre in Europe. The waters are rich in sulphates, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and fluoride, which are believed to help patients with degenerative joint illnesses and other medical issues.

For those who just want to enjoy the relaxing powers of the thermal pools, there are a variety of different thermal pools on site, as well as saunas and steam rooms.

Massages and beauty treatments are also available at an additional fee.

The two outdoor pools are fantastic places to visit on a cold, dark night, as the steam rising from the hot water makes the whole place seem wonderfully mysterious.

23. City Park

The City Park is a wonderful leisure facility for the citizens of Budapest, and includes sports facilities, swimming baths, and a boating lake.

During the winter months, the boating lake is transformed into one of Europe’s largest ice rinks.

The park is also home to the Budapest Municipal Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Budapest Circus and the Vajdahunyad Castle (housing the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture).

Just outside of the park you can find the Time Wheel, which is one of the largest sand timers in the world.

In this sand timer, all of the grains of glass take 1 year to fall from the top section to the bottom, and the timer is rotated every New Year.

24. Hungarian National Museum

The Hungarian National Museum is home to thousands of exhibits detailing the history, art, religion and archaeology of the country, including exhibitions from areas which are now considered to be outside of Hungary’s borders.

The spectacular Neoclassical museum building itself is worth looking at, even if you do not plan on touring the inside.

The peaceful gardens outside of the museum are considered to be a popular meeting spot, and are particularly popular during the summer months.

25. Aquincum Museum and Ruin Garden

This is a great chance to explore some of Hungary’s ancient history. Aquincum was a Roman city which stood where Budapest stands today, and served as an important military base in the ancient Roman Empire.

It is possible to walk around some of the ruins, including those of an ancient gladiatorial amphitheatre, and other structures, such as the city bathhouse.

In the museum itself, you can view various Roman relics, and a working replica of famous water organ which was discovered in the area in 1931.

Want to know what to do in Budapest with the little ones? Check out this post by trip101: Things to do in Budapest with kids

25 Best Things To Do In Budapest (Hungary):

• Parliament Building
• Gellért Baths
• Heroes’ Square
• Margaret Island
• Danube Promenade
• House of Terror
• St. Stephen’s Basilica
• Hungarian State Opera House
• Fisherman’s Bastion
• Invisible Exhibition
• Faust Wine Cellars
• Memento Park
• Dohány Street Synagogue
• Ecseri Flea Market
• Central Market Hall
• Buda Castle Hill Funicular
• The Buda Hills
• Andrássy Avenue
• Liberty Statue
• Széchenyi Thermal Baths
• Hungarian National Museum
• Aquincum Museum and Ruin Garden

55 Things To Do In Budapest

Discover the top attractions in Hungary's capital city.

• Offbeat Budapest

The sites below will provide a snapshot of Budapest's past and present.

#1 - Roam the streets of the Castle Hill ( location ): Rising majestically from the Danube's bank, Budapest's Castle Hill contains the medieval Old Town as well as the Buda Castle, the Matthias Church, and the Fisherman's Bastion. This is also your chance to take panoramic photos of the Pest side stretched out across the river. Head to Ruszwurm pastry shop if it's time to break for hot chocolate and custard cake (krémes). This step-by-step guide could help you navigate.

#2 - Go to the Museum of Fine Arts ( Szépművészeti ): The Museum of Fine Arts often turns out to be the greatest surprise for visitors to Budapest. The giant building flanking Heroes' Square holds a world-class collection of old masters paintings. Think Lucas Cranach the Elder, Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Giorgione, Correggio, Titian, Bronzino, Tintoretto, El Greco, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya, and many others.

How did all this come together in our neck of the woods? Most paintings had belonged to the Esterházy family, one of the wealthiest in Austria-Hungary, before the financially strapped Prince Miklós Esterházy sold them to the state in 1871 ( here , my favorites). Excellent temporary shows, too.

#3 - Visit the Hungarian Parliament & Liberty Square ( location ): Built during Budapest’s golden era when the city was a capital of Austria-Hungary , this monumental Gothic Revival building dominates its Danube bank. The 45-minute guided tour is just the right amount of time to appreciate the lavish interior without getting tired and lost in one of its 691 rooms. After the tour, you could pay respect to the Budapest victims of the Holocaust at the poignant Shoes Memorial steps away on the riverbank. Nearby Liberty Square is also worth a glimpse for its gorgeous buildings and strange amalgam of statues.

#4 - Stroll down Andrássy Avenue ( location ): Named after Gyula Andrássy, the seminal foreign minister of Austria-Hungary of whom Queen Sisi was very fond, this 2.3 km (1.4 mile) grand boulevard connects the city center with Heroes' Square and the City Park. Starting in downtown, you'll pass fancy retail stores, then end up among handsome villas, many of them embassies now, taking in the heart of the city along the way, including the impressive Opera House. As you saunter along, peep into the side streets too, all of them the result of the great 19th-century buildup of Budapest.

#5 - Go to a thermal bath: Budapest's bathing culture harks back to the Romans, who first enjoyed soaking in the mineral-rich hot water here. Today, you can visit medieval hammams built during Budapest's occupation by Ottoman Turkey or ornate baths dating back to Austria-Hungary. My thermal bath guide could help you choose one that suits you best.

#6 - Visit the National Museum ( location ): Founded in 1802, the country’s oldest and most famous museum contains a spectacular collection. The ground floor sheds light on the people and the cultures that inhabited the Carpathian Basin – Celtic, Roman, German, Hun, Avar, Slavic, Hungarian, and many others. The upper floor, across 20 halls, traces the history of Hungary from its tribal beginnings through the Habsburg period to the 1989 fall of Communism.

Even if you don't feel like spending a whole day here, the astonishingly rich collection – with short and informative wall texts – is worth at least a glimpse (child-friendly, too). A special exhibition on the ground floor displays the Seuso Treasure, fourteen silver vessels from the late-Roman era that were unearthed in Hungary. Afterward, you could wind down with an Esterházy cake at Geraldine pastry shop in the museum-garden.

#7 - Go to the National Gallery ( location ): Located inside the Buda Castle, the National Gallery contains paintings and sculptures by Hungary's leading artists. I'd draw your attention to the 15th-century Gothic triptychs; the Neoclassical sculptures of István Ferenczy known as the "Hungarian Canova;" the paintings of Gyula Benczúr made in the Hans Makart mould; Károly Ferenczy's post-impressionism; the works by Nyolcak, the art group inspired by Fauvism and Expressionism; the nervous, uneasy joy on Vilmos Aba-Novák's canvases; the haunting sculptures of Tibor Vilt. And so much more!

#8 - Take in the bird’s-eye view of Budapest from the St. Stephen’s Basilica ( location ): Named after Hungary's first king, the canonized Stephen, Budapest's biggest church is one of the great examples of Renaissance Revival architecture in 19th-century Europe. Sculptures of Hungary's saints decorate the central plan of the inside – Stephen, Emeric, Gerard, Ladislaus, Elizabeth, and Margaret – and there's a wonderful painting by Gyula Benczúr showing the moment when Stephen offers the Holy Crown of Hungary to the Virgin. Via elevator or stairs, you can visit the dome, with completely open vistas of Budapest. There's a small admission fee to both the church and the dome.

#9 - Go to a smaller museum: There are many smaller, thematic museums in Budapest, for example the recently opened permanent exhibition on Robert Capa , the famous war photographer. Or an architecture show inside a stunning modernist house, the Walter Rózsi-villa , or the one about Zwack Unicum , the iconic herbal liqueur, which, yes, does include a taste. Is it stamps that get you going? No problem .

#10 - Wander through the City Park ( location ): With the completion of several striking museum buildings, Budapest's City Park has reinvented itself in recent years. Take in the eye-catching architecture of the Museum of Ethnography, the House of Music, the Millennium háza, the Vajdahunyad Castle, and the Széchenyi Baths as you roam the park. For those with children: the country's top playground is also here. You could walk to the City Park from downtown via Andrássy Avenue and return with the museum-worthy M1 Millennium Underground (see below).

#11 - Go to the House of Music ( location ): Budapest's newest museum explores the development of music from its tribal beginnings to the present day. The high-tech exhibition halls provide many samples and take visitors to detours about Hungary's great composers, such as Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók, and Zoltán Kodály. The museum, with an excellent concert calendar , is located inside an astonishing building designed by the Japanese starchitect, Sou Fujimoto.

#12 - Take a ride on Europe's oldest subway line ( location ): Budapest's M1 line was completed just in time for the opening of the Hungarian Millennial Exhibition in 1896, an event similar to a World's Fair. The adorably undersized cars, at least by today's standards, connect the city center with the City Park and Heroes's Square (locals refer to it as the "kisföldalatti," meaning small underground). The stations are located conveniently close to the ground level and the train runs below Andrássy Avenue, so you can hop on for a few stops for the experience (tickets are sold at the machines). Just be sure to watch your head.

#13 - Take a river cruise on the Danube ( location ): It's one of the best ways to appreciate Budapest's beauty to the fullest. As part of a cruise ride, which takes about an hour, the Chain Bridge, the Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament building, and Margaret Island all appear within arm's reach. There are many cruise operators to choose from; my experience is that Legenda offers a comfortable journey (and audio guides in 30 languages).

#14 - Go to a classical music or jazz concert: Every year, many tourists head to Budapest specifically for its rich classical music scene, which is far from stuffy or old-fashioned. You could start by perusing the calendars of the Liszt Academy and Müpa Budapest . Iván Fischer's Budapest Festival Orchestra is another option. The Budapest Music Center hosts excellent jazz concert almost every evening. If experimental contemporary art is what you're after, head to Trafó .

#15 - Climb up to the Liberty Statue ( location ): Budapest is one of the few capitals in the world with a panoramic hiking trail right within its city center! The reward of the twenty-minute cardio exercise that's required to mount the dramatically soaring Gellért Hill is the sweeping 360-degree views. Up top, the Liberty Statue was erected in 1947 to honor the Soviet troops that liberated Budapest from the Nazis. The torso beside it is what remained of the fortress from which Habsburg troops monitored their perennially recalcitrant Hungarian subjects after the Revolution of 1848-1849. For the best experience, take the quieter path setting off opposite the Gellért Baths. (I know people who bring along a chilled bottle of Tokaj for the hike and I don't blame them.)

#16 - Learn about the Communist-era at the House of Terror ( location ): Hungary is still suffering the legacy of the four-decades-long Communist regime that reigned until 1989. This museum, inside the building that once headquartered the Communist secret police, is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring Hungary’s past and understanding its present.

#17 - Stay in a panoramic one-bedroom apartment in the heart of Budapest

Consider staying at this cozy one-bedroom during your Budapest trip. The fifth-floor apartment is located in the heart of town, just steps from the lively Jewish Quarter. The balcony overlooks the Dohány Street Synagogue as seen above. I only accept advertisements from tried-and-tested sources and this Airbnb rental is one of them.

#18 - Walk the “synagogue triangle” in the old Jewish Quarter ( location ) : Before Hungary’s alliance with Nazi Germany and participation in the Holocaust, the country was home to a thriving community of almost one million Jewish people. In Budapest, where nearly a quarter of the population was Jewish, Jews had been central to the development of the economy, the arts, and many academic fields. Inside the city's old Jewish Quarter , you can visit three dazzling synagogues near one another – Dohány, Rumbach, Kazinczy – including Europe’s biggest in Dohány Street.

#19 - Pay Tribute to Budapest's Holocaust Memorials ( location ): As mentioned above, Jewish people contributed immensely to Budapest transforming into a successful metropolis by 1900. Unlike in Vienna, antisemitism was rooted out by Hungary's political leadership until WWI. Not so in the period that followed: with active support from locals, nearly all Jewish people from the Hungarian countryside were deported to and killed in Auschwitz in 1944. Budapest fared better, but members of the Arrow Cross movement murdered thousands. Here , the main memorials.

#20 - Explore the Great Market Hall ( location ): Opened in 1897, this enormous brick-and-steel indoor market is usually teeming with tourists, but plenty of locals, too, come here for fresh fruits, vegetables, and paprika-laced sausages . Upstairs, amid vendors of knick-knacks and tchotchkes, you'll find food stalls that serve lángos, a popular flatbread topped with sour cream and cheese.

#21 - Eat your way through the city with the Foodapest card: I've logged some essential foods and drinks that Budapest locals rely on to get through their days. Note: this isn’t a list of strictly traditional Hungarian fare; rather, it’s an honest cross-section of what many Budapest residents actually eat and drink. You could read this brief explainer to each of the featured items, or simply print the card and go at it.

#22 - Go to a pastry shop: Budapest has enjoyed a vibrant pastry culture since the days of Austria-Hungary. After all, who doesn't like to socialize over a luscious Dobos or Esterházy torte and hot chocolate? Many pastry shops ( cukrászda ) scatter across the city. Before a visit, you could familiarize yourself with the most popular cakes in Hungary.

#23 - Try Hungarian wine: Unlike beer, wine has been essential all throughout Hungary's history, with Tokaj being the most renowned wine region. Native grapes include furmint and hárslevelű (white) and kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch), which you can try at most Budapest restaurants and wine bars . If you're new to Hungarian wines, you could read my introduction .

#24 - Go shopping: Budapest's shopping options span antiques, contemporary designer clothing, high-end porcelain, vinyl records, handmade shoes, craft chocolate, Tokaj wines, and many more. See if the city's top retail stores offer something of interest to you.

#25 - Take in the city's architecture: Budapest offers plenty of eye candy for architecture fans. The consistent Revival style from the turn of the 20th century still dominates the cityscape, but also interesting are the Neoclassical residential houses from the early 19th century (mainly along Nádor utca) and the buildings of Ödön Lechner , who pioneered Hungary's distinct style of Art Nouveau. Here , my 100 favorite buildings in Budapest. (You could also find out what caught the eye of a Pritzker juror during a recent visit to Budapest.)

#26 - Use MOL Bubi, Budapest’s city bike system: With densely built streets and a flat surface, the Pest side lends itself to be discovered on two wheels. Bubi ( App Store ; Google Play ) provides an excellent coverage of all downtown neighborhoods, featuring more than 1,800 bikes and 200 docking stations. You can pedal away at wallet-friendly rates – a 30-minute ride amounts to the Hungarian forint equivalent of €3. Just keep your wits about you and be respectful of others sharing the road. ( More tips about getting around Budapest.)

#27 - Take the Children's Railway and the Libegő chairlift ( location ): Since 1948, Budapest has had an official rail line operated by children with adult supervision. The small train lumbers through beautiful nature with panoramic vistas over Budapest. You could get off at Jánoshegy and take the Libegő chairlift down from the hillside, also with striking views. The Children's Railway departs from Hűvösvölgy, reachable in half an hour from the city center by public transport. Naturally, both of these activities are ideal for families with small children.

#28 - Amble through Várkert Bazár ( location ): These polished pavilions lie between the Castle Hill and the Danube's bank. In the past, the area was home to everything from retail stores to artists' studios and open-air concerts; today, you're here for the panoramic views, the expansive lawn, the restful cafes, and the temporary exhibitions both inside (YBL6 Művészeti Tér) and out. There's direct access to the Royal Castle, so you can combine this with #1 above.

#29 - Discover the Palace Quarter ( location ): Budapest's Palace Quarter , the inner part of District 8, was once the most desirable and the playground of the Hungarian aristocracy. Residential palazzos of families such as the Festetics, the Esterházy, and the Károlyi cradle the giant Neoclassical building of the National Museum (1837-1847) and its sculpture-filled, pristine garden.

Communism’s gray pallor is still notable, but the area is springing back to life thanks to hip cafes ( Lumen ), student bars ( Fecske ), craft beer bars ( Mixát ), smashed-burger joints ( Smashy ), pastry shops ( Geraldine , in the museum garden), and second-hand clothing stores ( Typo Showroom ).

#30 - Grab a drink at a ruin bar ( location ): Budapest’s ruin bars appeared in the early 2000s when a few creatively minded locals opened unpretentious drinking joints inside the neglected buildings of the old Jewish Quarter that barely escaped the bulldozers. Cheap drinks and a hodgepodge of flea-market furniture became their defining features. Although Szimpla Kert , the city’s first ruin bar, has become a major tourist attraction, it has retained some of its native spirit and is worth a visit.

#31 - Travel back in time at a coffeehouse: Similar to Vienna , Budapest enjoyed a thriving coffeehouse culture in the late 19th century. The city's fast-growing population, especially artists and journalists, spent endless hours working and socializing under the sky-high ceilings. Though popular tourist attractions today, the few coffeehouses that remain offer a journey back in time in addition to coffee and cakes.

#32 - Experience the contemporary side of Budapest: Sure, you don't need to come all the way to Budapest to try specialty coffee , craft beers , or bespoke cocktails , but if you're already here, you could see how the local artisanal scene stacks up against those in other cities you've visited. Budapest's specialty coffee culture and new-wave pizza shops are especially vibrant.

#33 - Visit Újlipótváros, a lively residential area set along the Danube ( location ): With a unique architecture and well-heeled residents, Újlipótváros is a little city within the city that flies under the radar of most tourists. Specialty cafés, bookstores, art galleries, and impressive modernist buildings from the 1930s and 1940s line Pozsonyi út, the artery of the neighborhood.

#34 - Visit the Lehel Market ( location ): Inside a quirky postmodern building lies one of Budapest's busiest markets. You'll find here everything from Hungarian cold cuts to fresh and pickled vegetables and homemade jams. Also low-priced drinking joints where you can accompany local regulars for a beer and a shot of Unicum, the local herbal liqueur. Compared with the Great Market Hall, Lehel draws fewer tourists. For the best experience, go on a Saturday morning and combine it with a visit to Újlipótváros (see above).

#35 - Discover the Bartók Béla Boulevard ( location ): In general, the Pest side is where most of the action is, but Bartók Béla Boulevard in Buda is a revitalized area teeming with cafés, bars, and art galleries. Local residents are an eclectic mix: fashionable Millennials, engineering students from the nearby university, and old-timers. A dip at Gellért Baths followed by delicious morning pastries at Pékműhely , coffee at Kelet , paintings at Godot, and drinks at Borpatika would be my kind of day.

#36 - Go to an art gallery: After more than four decades of Communist-era censorship , Budapest's art world is slowly coming back to life. At the city's leading contemporary art galleries you can sample anything from early modernism to 1960s conceptual art to works of the younger generations. Most artworks command high prices but the shows are free and open to the public.

#37 - Explore the Fiumei Road Cemetery ( location ): This vast 56 hectare (140 acre) park near the city center hides a beautiful garden cemetery. Stroll through the limestone mausoleums and impressively designed tombstones while getting to know Hungary’s prominent statesmen (Lajos Kossuth, Lajos Batthyány, Ferenc Deák), artists (Mihály Munkácsy, Ödön Lechner, Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka) and others, for example the Gerbeaud family behind famous downtown pastry shop . Also here: heroes from the Communist period.

In the back but accessed from outside is the Salgótarjáni Street Jewish Cemetery, with the funerary monuments of the Jewish upper class, including such well-known industrialist families as the Weiss von Csepel, the Hatvany-Deutsch, and the Buday-Goldberger.

#38 - Visit Budapest's antique row ( location ): Named after the journalist who tutored Queen Sisi in Hungarian language, downtown’s Falk Miksa Street is known for two things. One, it’s lined with grand apartment buildings from the Austro-Hungarian period, many with elaborate entrance portals and vestibules. Two, it’s also lined with antique stores, more than 30 in total. Most are relatively upscale establishments, selling paintings, silver and porcelain dishware, and furniture, but those in search of tchotchkes and knick-knacks can also satiate themselves. Closed on Sunday!

#39 - Walk or bike around Margaret Island ( location ): This car-free, leafy island perched in the middle of the Danube River is a true paradise – no wonder the Habsburg family kept it close to its chest before finally selling it to the city in 1908. Bike around the island's manicured lawns; observe the remains of the medieval monastery where lived Saint Margaret (1242-1270), daughter of King Béla IV; see how many busts of Hungary's greats you can recognize along the Artists' Promenade; or join packs of locals on the running track ringing the island.

#40 - Eat in Budapest's Chinatown ( location ): With more than 30,000 people, Budapest's Chinese community is the biggest in Central Europe. This means that excellent Chinese food abounds, be it Sichuan fare, seafood, noodle soups, or Chinese hotpot. Examples include the affordable Hehe and the more upscale Spicy Fish . Every evening from May to August, there's an outdoor food market. Budapest's Chinatown (Monori Center) is located a bit outside the city center, reachable in twenty minutes by public transport.

#41 - Go to a Michelin-starred restaurant: While a Michelin meal always runs the risk of being a bit over-the-top, Budapest's Michelin-starred restaurants could be worth a visit: most of them showcase a unique blend of traditional Hungarian fare through the lens of contemporary fine dining trends. Excellent local wines to pair.

#42 - Visit the Inner City Parish Church ( location ): Even if you aren’t religious, I recommend you visit this wonderful Budapest church, a true palimpsest of history with Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Ottoman, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, Revival-style, and modern elements. There’s nothing like it in Budapest. The church’s continued existence is a small miracle – given its close proximity to Elisabeth Bridge and the car-forward urban planning of the 20th century, the idea of razing or moving it periodically resurfaced.

#43 - Walk across the Chain Bridge ( location ): The first permanent connection between Pest and Buda, the Chain Bridge dates back to the first half of the 19th century when the ancient world inspired architecture, hence those stone pillars resembling a Roman triumphal arch. During the 1945 siege of Budapest, both the advancing Soviet and the retreating German armies tried to blow up the bridge (the Germans succeeded in this). Recently car-free and bicycle-friendly – and no longer with a toll, as was the case until 1918 – there's never been a better time to walk across the Chain Bridge!

#44 - Check out the award-winning M4 subway stations: A crisscross system of exposed concrete beams, playful lighting solutions, and customized designs lend a distinctly 21st century feel to the platforms of Budapest's recently completed M4 subway line. The Fővám Square and Szent Gellért Square stations won the prestigious Architizer A+ Award in 2014.

#45 - Visit the Budapest Zoo ( location ): Not far from Budapest's city center lies one of the oldest zoos in Europe, dating back to 1866. With elaborate Art Nouveau buildings housing the animals, a visit doubles as a tour of architecture. Although open year-round, some of the animals might be hibernating in the winter months away from the public eye. Economically, the thermal water of the neighboring Széchenyi baths provides much of the zoo's heating.

#46 - Visit a local supermarket: A good way to gauge the "true" side of a city? Visit a grocery store! It's there that you'll glimpse a broad cross-section of Hungarian people and what they like to – and can afford to – eat and drink.

#47 - Climb up to the scenic tomb of Gül Baba ( location ): Gül Baba, "father of the roses," was a muslim monk who died in 1541, when Ottoman Turkey occupied Buda-Pest. His impressive octagonal tomb (türbe) hides on a peaceful hillside right near the city center with sweeping views. For the best experience, climb up on Mecset utca through the rose garden, and leave the area on the other side down the winding Gül Baba utca.

#48 - Go to a concert on the A38 ship docked in the Danube ( location ): The ship was a Ukrainian stone carrier lumbering on the Danube before it was converted into the city's go-to concert venue, hosting well-known international and local bands almost every night of the week.

#49 - Prepare for your Budapest trip with my interviews: Find out how others view Budapest – whether it's an art historian from Columbia University; a local star professor ; a New York Times journalist ; an expert of Austria-Hungary; or a culinary ethnographer specializing in Hungarian food. Here , the full list of people.

#50 - Take a day trip to Szentendre ( location ): Szentendre is a small, picturesque town about 45-minutes from Budapest by public transport and best known for its Mediterranean atmosphere, history of Serbian residents, and vibrant museum scene. It can make for a relaxing, culture-filled day trip. My Szentendre guide could help you get around.

#51 - Take a day trip to Esztergom ( location ): From Budapest’s Nyugati Train Station it takes exactly one hour to reach Esztergom, a Danubian city by the Slovakian border known for its enormous Basilica and as the seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary. Given this clerical patronage, Esztergom’s architecture and culture are far more impressive than for cities of comparable size (a chapel commissioned by Archbishop Tamás Bakócz counts among the great works of the European Renaissance). In recent years, several new cafes, restaurants, and hotels opened, making Esztergom an attractive day-trip destination.

#52 - Take a weekend trip to Pécs ( location ): The city of Marcel Breuer , of excellent museums, of rich Roman and Ottoman remains, Pécs is the most cultural city in Hungary beside Budapest, reachable within two hours by car. It's also a dynamic university town with a growing restaurant landscape. Here , find out how to spend an event-packed weekend in Pécs.

#53 - Take a weekend trip to Lake Balaton ( location ): During the warmer months, locals like to wind down by Balaton, Central Europe's biggest lake located in Western Hungary. There are countless villages and vacation resorts to visit; my favorite is Keszthely, historically the cultural capital of Balaton. Although less fashionable and a bit farther than some other parts, the rich legacy of the Festetics family makes Keszthely a worthy weekend destination. My guide could help you discover it.

#54 - Take a weekend trip to the Tokaj wine region ( location ): "The wine of kings, the king of wines," said famously Louis XIV of France, referring to Tokaj, the world's oldest designated wine region, located two-and-a-half hours from Budapest by car. If you're into wines and curious about a beautiful and culturally layered (and rather poor) part of the Hungarian countryside, you should consider a Tokaj trip. My guide could get you started, and I also have recommendations for wineries , hotels , restaurants , and non-wine-related activities .

#55 - Prep for your Vienna trip:  The twin capitals of Austria-Hungary, Vienna and Budapest, still share many similarities when it comes to food, architecture, and culture (notable differences also exist, starting with language). If your next destination is Vienna, where I live part-time, you could try exploring the city using my recommendations .

My content is free and independent. I rely in large part on readers to support my work. I'm grateful if you consider making a one-time payment ( PayPal , Venmo ).

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The 13 best attractions in Budapest

From gorgeous architecture to lesser-known curiosities and quirky museums, these are the finest sights in the Hungarian capital

Budapest is a darling of a city, one of the most picturesque capitals in Europe and objectively one of its best nights out . Tourists, travellers, nomads and explorers alike have been wandering the streets of Buda and Pest for centuries, looking for excitement and experience in equal measure. The Hungarian capital doesn’t let the side down, and those serene thermal baths and spas are always on hand to provide a little rejuvenation. The best attractions in Budapest are the greatest hits of sorts, showcasing the capital’s fascinating history, architectural majesty and fiery creative side. Looking for your Budapest bucket list? Look no further.

Recommended:   📍 The best things to do in Budapest 😋 The best restaurants in Budapest 🍻 The best ruin bars in Budapest 🏡 The best  Airbnbs in Budapest 🛏 The best  hotels in Budapest

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Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best Budapest attractions

1.  buda castle.

Crowning the capital atop Castle Hill, Buda Castle presents an architectural melting pot, with Renaissance ruins around the foundations, a grand Habsburg-era neoclassical façade, and a stark communist-style interior. The palace is divided into three museums: The Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the National Széchényi Library. You could easily spend the whole day just mooching around these three. But make sure to bring a camera – the views over the river and cobbled courtyards are quite something.

2.  Széchenyi Baths

Take a plunge in Budapest’s most famous thermal bath. The Széchenyi Baths are a visual feast with their canary-hued colonnades and steaming outdoor thermal pools. Make sure you go inside to explore the vast interior clad with ceramics, marble and mosaics. Budapest is known as the ‘City of Spas’ for its 120 geothermal springs – so don’t miss out.

3.  Madame Tussauds

The world’s 24th, and arguably most elegant, Madame Tussauds waxworks museum occupies the 200-year-old Palazzo Dorottya in the heart of Budapest. Using the Hungarian capital as its main theme, this English-friendly attraction takes visitors on an interactive and immersive journey, accompanied by movie stars and famous figures from Hungarian history. Without leaving this spot by the Danube, you can zoom around town on the back of Tom Cruise’s motorbike, accompany Habsburg Empress Elisabeth in her carriage or schmooze with Brad Pitt at a wrap party at the Gellért Baths. Hungarophiles will enjoy the life-like representations of pre-war torch singer Katalin Karády and football star Ferenc Puskás, both showcased in suitable settings.

4.  Children’s Railway

Get out of the city centre and escape to the Buda Hills on this nostalgic 45-minute train ride through the forest. Why ‘children’s’? It’s not aimed at kids, necessarily – but run by them. This vintage railway is a remnant of a communist youth programme called ‘The Pioneers’, which encouraged children to develop a work ethic and learn about responsibility. These days, a staff of uniformed children still operate the narrow gauge railway, but sans propaganda. Fortunately, the drivers and engineers are grown-ups.

5.  Memento Park

Memento Park may be on the city’s outskirts, but its graveyard-like array of communist statues is well worth the trek. Bronze statues of Lenin and Hungarian political figures from the Communist Party are dotted around the vast park alongside monumental pieces of street propaganda. Don’t miss the barracks next to the main gate where you can watch films from the secret service. And make sure to have a go on the time-travelling telephone booth just inside the entrance.

6.  Dohány Street Synagogue

It’s hard to miss this neo-oriental building, topped as it is with two gold-dappled onion-dome turrets. Inside, the synagogue dazzles with its rare rose window, lavish gold leaf detailing and carved wood features. A poignant graveyard marks where some 2,000 Jews were killed during the Holocaust, alongside a weeping willow sculpture that bears the name of the victims on each of its leaves. Europe’s largest synagogue definitely merits a visit, but you can only go in with a guide.

7.  St Stephen’s Basilica

This domed basilica is Budapest’s most photographed monument and its tallest building at 97 metres (tied with the Hungarian Parliament). Go inside for the spectacular frescoes and the mummified hand of Hungary’s canonised first king. Make sure you head to the viewing platform for 360-degree views over the city. For a truly magical experience, check out an organ concert. 

8.  Hungarian Parliament

Another Danube-side icon, the Hungarian Parliament dominates the Pest side of the river with its neo-gothic spires, gargoyles and a dome that peaks at 97 metres. Tour the building, see it from a boat or simply look over from Buda. If you take a guided tour, climb the golden staircase, and ogle the crown jewels that once belonged to Hungary’s first king (plus the rooms where the Hungarian government now meet). 

9.  Heroes’ Square

Heroes’ Square bookends the north-eastern end of the elegant Andrássy Avenue. It feels more like a memorial than a square, thanks to the arcade filled with statues of Hungarian kings and leaders. In the centre, a column rises with the Angel Gabriel at the top; at the bottom, you’ll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Each side of Heroes’ Square is flanked by two neoclassical, temple-like buildings: The Museum of Fine Arts and the Kunsthalle.

10.  Central Market Hall

If you’re feeling peckish, make this your first stop – and don’t get too distracted by the surroundings (save that for afterwards). This red-brick building, with its striking yellow and green tiled roof, is a big draw for architecture buffs. And the cavernous interior, accented with steel beams, is even more spectacular. But most importantly, the ground floor bursts with a cornucopia of fruit and veg, sausages, cheese and pickles. Game and fish counters populate the labyrinthine basement, while the first floor is split between folk art and embroidery and an effervescent food court.

11.  Margaret Island

The 2.75-kilometre-long Margaret Island stretches from Margaret Bridge in the south to Árpád Bridge in the north. Apart from the local bus, most of the island is traffic-free, and it’s a refreshing, leafy hangout for Budapestians and visitors alike. Visit the ruins of a medieval convent, climb an art nouveau water tower, kick back in the Japanese or rose garden, or picnic by the musical fountain. The island also boasts an open-air art deco thermal bath, the Palatinus.

12.  Hospital in the Rock

This underground hospital saw action in the Second World War and the 1956 Revolution before it became a nuclear bunker. For decades it was top secret and only became declassified in the early 2000s. Today it offers a fascinating insight into frontline medicine in Hungary, with guided tours through the hospital, now enhanced with creepy waxwork figures. The bunker’s decontamination chambers are brilliantly eerie, too. 

13.  Szimpla Kert

Szimpla Kert is the original and most famous ruin bar in Budapest. Step inside this crumbling building, and you’ll feel you’ve entered a surreal, fairy-light-wrapped wonderland with graffiti-daubed walls and mismatched furniture likely brought in off the street. Original art and sculptures adorn the walls, and the complex is vast (it takes up an entire gutted apartment block). On Sunday mornings, it turns into a farmers’ market with a charity cook-off and live music.

More great Budapest attractions

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13 of the best things to do in Budapest

By Sarah Rodrigues

2023 marked 150 years of unification of the cities of Buda and Pest, and despite Budapest ’s dark past (it still bears the traces of its former fascist and communist regimes), Hungary’s capital is vibrant, fascinating and endlessly beautiful. Although easily navigated on foot, it’s worth picking up a  Budapest Card , which gives you unlimited access to public transport and discounts to many attractions. It's undeniably become one of the best city breaks in Europe , so we thought it was about time we gathered up a definitive list of the best things to do in Budapest.

1. Wallow in the city’s thermal baths

Budapest features an unusual topography, blessing the city with mineral-rich thermal springs , many of which have been used to create more than a dozen bathing complexes scattered throughout the city. Idyllic at any time of year, there is something undeniably special about sitting outside, with the cold stinging your nose, as your body luxuriates in warm water. One of the oldest and most beautiful is the  Rudas Bath . Featuring ornate Ottoman Empire design flourishes, it has six thermal baths and a swimming pool, as well as a rooftop hot tub with views of the Danube. It’s also the only bath house in Budapest to have segregated male and female sessions available, where those who'd rather eschew swimwear. The biggest and most popular bathing complex is  Szechenyi,  which lies on the outer reaches of City Park, northeast of the city. Its Neo-Baroque architecture in primrose yellow is slightly scruffy around the edges, but all the more realistic for it – you genuinely get the sense that this is where the locals come, and the sight of clusters of older women soaking and gossiping can’t fail to make you smile. Szechenyi has 18 pools of varying temperatures, both indoor and outdoor, as well as saunas and spas. Some of Budapest’s baths (including Rudas and Szechenyi) are also open by night, making for a blissfully serene, romantic experience.

2. Explore the Castle District

Located high up on the Buda side of the city, the views over the river and surrounding architecture aren’t to be missed, so if you don’t object to a touch of the touristy, take the funicular up from the near the Chain Bridge – it’s been in operation since 1870 and allows you to soak up the views on the way.

It’s worth hiring a guide or joining a tour when you explore Budapest’s vast castle district because, as aesthetically fascinating as the complex is, these walls hold a wealth of insight that may go unnoticed without expert commentary. This area has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history, but the signs aren’t always immediately apparent – for instance, the lions guarding the entrance to the Lion’s Court have been crudely patched up. Other areas of the complex are currently being reconstructed, thanks to the  National Hauszmann Program,  which aims to return the castle district to its original form – a far cry from the plans of the Soviet era that considered knocking the whole complex down and building a blank, modernist structure for officials. A few minutes walk away is the gloriously Gothic Mathias Church, complete with a statue of Hungary’s first king, St Stephen, and the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion next door. Underground, a system of caves and tunnels can be visited on a  guided tour.

3. Enjoy the city’s musical offerings

Music is tightly woven into Budapest’s – indeed, Hungary’s – history. From 11th-century Gregorian chants to folk music and the enduring genius of Liszt and Kodály, this is a city that sings. Both the  Matthias Church  in the castle district and  St Stephen’s Basilica  on the Pest side of the Danube host recitals throughout the year, while Budapest Opera House, a gilded confection restored in the 1980s, is now open for tours and nights spent enveloped in soaring acoustics, luscious oak panelling and ornate frescoes. Over in the  City Park , the  House of Music  opened in 2022 and takes visitors on a musical journey through various forms of Hungarian music, classical composers and explains how the rise of television and technology has an impact on the music industry. Complete your musical journey with a drink at the  Hard Rock Hotel . Opened in 2021, it’s home to a stylishly curated array of rock memorabilia, including Prince’s purple (what else?) faux fur jacket, Madonna’s high school yearbook, Michael Jackson’s black fedora and Elton John’s bright yellow shoes. Stay at the hotel and live out your rockstar dreams with an in-room Fender guitar and amp.

4. Cross the Danube on the Chain Bridge

The glorious Danube (perhaps not as blue as Strauss would have had us think) is crossed by eight bridges in the Hungarian capital, but none so iconic as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Overseen by Scottish civil engineer Adam Clark, it was the first permanent bridge between the previously divided cities of Pest and Buda and has become a symbol of unification. Closed for an 18-month renovation period, the bridge has now been re-opened to pedestrians, taxis and cyclists. Stroll over its floodlit magnificence by night for the best atmosphere, and by day for the best views.

5. Walk the streets – and look up

Perhaps it sounds trite, advising visitors to a city to go for a ramble or take time while exploring, but in Budapest almost every edifice tells a story. Not only is the city an almost unfathomable mish-mash of architectural styles, ranging from Baroque and Neoclassical to Art Nouveau and Gothic, but the sheer range of modes offers insights into Budapest’s varied and complex past. In District VIII, walls are dimpled with bullet holes that, in a city where millions have been poured into restoration, is poignant: these structures wear their troubled past with a "lest we forget" defiance. Large holes can be linked to the Red Army siege of 1945, while smaller ones indicate activity during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, which lasted for just 12 days but had a lasting impact on Eastern Europe’s place in the Cold War. Elsewhere, stop to examine the ornate facades of Kodály körönd (pause by number 14, where  Miksa Róth’s  mosaics frame the windows) as well as the richly coloured tiles of Emil Vidor’s Honvéd utca 16, and the peacock-ish design of the  Löffler brothers ’ (who also designed the Orthodox Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter) at Síp utca 17.

6. Explore the Jewish Quarter

Perhaps this hipster area has become something of a victim of its own success. Ever since the rise of the Ruin Bars (drinking establishments set up in the dilapidated remains of the post-WWII Jewish Quarter – bohemian pioneer  Szimpla  led the way) in the early 2000s, the area has become a magnet for those looking for the good times that Budapest has to offer. The result? The area is now attracting developers and undergoing a process of gentrification, which may eventually lead to the demise of the decrepit spaces that made Ruin Bars so popular to begin with. By all means, get in while you still can, but this historical neighbourhood has far more to offer than places to wet your whistle. Indeed, a plaque outside Szimpla states simply, “People used to live here” – and it’s this, coupled with the knowledge of the atrocities of WWII, that imbues the Jewish Quarter with fascination, albeit an uncomfortable one. Explore the area’s street art: Neopaint’s The Seamstress, at Akácfa Street 41, is particularly noteworthy since it highlights one of the professions most popular with the Jewish population in the 19th century. Delve deeper to find the Chevra Shas-Lubavitch synagogue, folded into a secret courtyard, as well as a wealth of kosher restaurants. On the pavements in front of houses from which Jewish people were seized during the Holocaust, you will find golden cobblestones beneath your feet.

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7. Pay your respects at The Shoes on the Danube Promenade

Although only a 2km walk from the Jewish Quarter, this memorial’s heartbreakingly poignant beauty deserves its own entry. Between 1944 and 1945, Budapest was under the control of the Arrow Cross Party, a fascist group with Nazi sympathies that took thousands of Jews from their homes and executed them at the side of the Danube, so that their bodies would fall into its waters and be swept away. Most of the executions took place over the winter months, so the waters would have frozen anyone who might had a hope of survival. Since shoes were a valuable commodity which soldiers could sell for profit, the victims were ordered to remove their shoes before being shot. Film director erected this memorial Can Dogay on the river’s east bank in 2005. Featuring sixty pairs of cast-iron shoes – men’s, women’s and children’s, all painstakingly recreated to reflect the era in which the victims were massacred – the numbers of this tragic sculpture only represent a fraction of those who so brutally lost their lives.

8. Do leisure like a local

Located to the northeast of the city centre, Budapest’s City Park spans 300 acres. Yes, there are many attractions – museums, galleries,  a castle ,  a zoo,  the  Szechenyi  Baths and even a  faux hot air balloon  from which to take in the city’s views – but wander through this green space on a sunny day, and you’ll be tempted to make like a local and just laze about. When it’s warm, it’s full of people lying in the grass, reading, picnicking and dozing; in winter, you can ice skate on the lake. It is also where many of the city’s festivals are held. Time your visit for mid-October and you may happen upon the foodie Kürtőskalács Festival. Available widely throughout the city centre, the name of this classic Hungarian dessert translates to “chimney cake"’ – it is a hollow cylinder, traditionally cooked over a coal furnace to achieve a crisp exterior and fluffy inside, and then rolled in toppings such as cinnamon or vanilla.

9. Museum hop

With over sixty museums in the city, culture buffs are spoiled for choice in Budapest. Check out the  Hungarian National Gallery  in the castle district, which features works by Cézanne, Renoir, Pissarro and Hungary’s Csörgő. At times, it may be possible to ascend the building’s verdigris dome, which offers 360-degree views of the city.  The Museum of Fine Arts,  in Heroes Square near City Park, houses old Hungarian art and permanent exhibitions from Ancient Egypt and 19th-century Europe, including a vast collection of Spanish art. While here, pause to admire Heroes Square itself, where the seven tribes responsible for establishing the Principality of Hungary in 1896 are memorialised. At 60 Andrassy Avenue you’ll find the  House of Terror , which was once the headquarters of the secret police and opened as a museum in 2002 to educate about the atrocities of the fascist and communist regimes. Equally as harrowing is the  Holocaust Memorial Centre . Housed in a former synagogue in the IX District, this place doesn’t spare the visitor details of what occurred in the concentration camps. For something less emotionally taxing, head to the  House of Houdini  to celebrate the magic and mastery of the Hungarian-born escapologist, or try the quirky  Pinball Museum  for retro kicks on over 100 consoles – some of which date back to the 1800s.

10. Visit the Parliament Building

Impressive enough from the outside (be sure to view the complex from the Buda side of the city by night, when it dazzles like a precious bracelet and reflects in the water), the interior of the seat of the  Hungarian Parliament  can also be explored. Gon on a 45-minute tour to take in the gold-plated City Staircase XVII, deeply hued stained glass windows and detailed frescoes, as well as soaring granite columns, the former Chamber of Peers and The Dome Hall, where the Crown Guard of the Hungarian Armed Forces keep watch over the Hungarian Holy Crown and the Coronation Insignia 24 hours a day. Despite its rich history, the tour is not averse to some modern technology – at the end of your visit, you can screen-view snapshots of off-limits spaces and learn more about the building’s construction.

11. Wine and dine

Despite the wide range of cuisines on offer, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to feast on traditional Hungarian food during your visit: authentic beef goulash,  nokedli  (dumplings), vegetable stew and chicken paprikash can all be enjoyed at  Café Kör  or the cosy  Gettó Gulyás . Feeling fancy? The city is also home to no fewer than 28 Michelin-starred restaurants, twenty of which retained their stars from 2022.  Stand Restaurant  is a popular choice – so much so that you’ll need to book it weeks in advance. The Jewish Quarter is peppered with great places to eat, ranging from dive-bar burger joints to the impeccable  TATI , but a consistent favourite is  Mazel Tov  – a verdant, light-filled courtyard with a glass roof serving up irresistible Israeli-Mediterranean fusion dishes. For some true Belle Epoque Glamour head to the  New York Café , a gleaming confection embodying the tradition of the European coffee house housed within the Anantara Hotel.

12. Hop on the Number 2 Tram

Frequently regarded as one of Europe’s most scenic tram journeys, this dinky toy-town mode of transport, painted in a chirpy shade of yellow, takes in many of Budapest’s best sights. Setting off from Jaszari Mari Square, it follows the Danube on its Pest side, with views of Buda and its castle across the water, and the Hungarian Parliament Building and the Chain Bridge on the side of travel. Gellért Hill is an additional feature, with its vivid greenery standing out against the city’s graceful and varied architecture. The journey also takes in the Jewish Holocaust Memorial and the Shoes on the Danube. Ending at the National Theatre, the trip also allows you to admire some of Budapest’s other landmarks, such as the Elizabeth Bridge and Gresham Palace.

13. Visit an outdoor museum to Socialism

Many of the sculptures and statues of Socialist leaders – Lenin, Marx and others – were torn down and trashed when the regime collapsed.  Memento Park , located about an hour’s train journey southwest of Budapest’s centre, is home to around 40 Socialist plaques and figures, dating from 1945 to 1989. The sheer scale of these confirms the grandiose notions that accompanied the Socialist mindset. A highlight is Stalin’s bronze boots – all that remained of the dictator after a crowd of around 20,000 Hungarians toppled his effigy in Budapest’s City Park in 1956. Audacious as it may appear, this is not a place where socialism is idealised, but one where it is recognised as having shaped Budapest’s history. After making your way through the statues, head to the old barracks building where displays document the events of 1956 and film footage of secret agents gathering intelligence about ‘subversives’ can be viewed.

22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Budapest

Written by Joni Sweet and Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is considered by many to be the "Paris of the East." Not only is this beautiful city one of the most culturally important metropolises in Eastern Europe, it's also home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

Straddling the River Danube , Budapest is famous for its thermal springs , some of which have been used for therapeutic purposes since prehistory. In fact, Budapest has so many things to do that you'll want to spend at least a few days exploring this dynamic city. Popular attractions range from impressive architecture and poignant reminders of 20th-century history to its vibrant cultural and entertainment scene, with everything from street buskers to classical concerts in beautiful churches.

Budapest is also a shopper's paradise , from the traditional wares and foodstuffs available at the grand old Central Market Hall to Vaci Street, noted for its mix of luxury boutique stores and big brand names.

Whatever your sightseeing preferences, get the most out of your Hungary travel itinerary with our guide to the top tourist attractions in Budapest, Hungary.

1. Buda Castle & Castle Hill

2. hungarian parliament building & crown jewels, 3. st. stephen's basilica, 4. fisherman's bastion, 5. the danube promenade, 6. matthias church (church of our lady), 7. exploring gellért hill, 8. central market hall, 9. the museum of fine arts, 10. heroes' square and the millennium monument, 11. széchenyi thermal bath, 12. hungarian state opera house, 13. budapest zoo & botanical garden, 14. hospital in the rock nuclear bunker museum, 15. the university church, 16. hungarian national museum, 17. city park (városliget), 18. margaret island, 19. gellért spa, 20. labyrinth of buda castle, 21. ferris wheel of budapest, 22. the garden of philosophers, where to stay in budapest for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to budapest, map of tourist attractions in budapest, budapest, hungary - climate chart, more must-see destinations near budapest.

Towering over the Danube, Budapest's Castle Hill (Várhegy) contains many of the city's most important medieval monuments and museums. Topping the list of these impressive structures is the 18th-century Buda Castle (Budavári Palota), a massive 200-room palace that replaced a 13th-century castle built to protect the stronghold from Mongol and Tartar attacks.

Although badly damaged in World War II, much of the exterior has been restored, along with sections of the interior, which now houses a number of important museums. These include the Hungarian National Gallery in the main wing, while in the south wing, the Budapest History Museum occupies four floors.

In front of the castle, overlooking the Danube, stands a bronze equestrian statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a hero of Turkish attacks on the city. Castle Hill is worth exploring for its medieval lanes and it Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. This entire historic complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Like much of the city, Buda Castle is spectacularly illuminated at night, and the castle courtyards remain open 24 hours a day. You can reach the castle on the restored historic Castle Funicular Railway , which departs from the Buda end of the Chain Bridge.

Address: 1014 Budapest, Szent György tér 2

A highlight of a walk around Budapest's lovely pedestrian-friendly cobbled streets is the area around the country's architecturally pleasing Parliament building (Országház). Along with its neighbors, the Museum of Ethnography and the Ministry of Agriculture, it's perhaps one of the city's most attractive quarters architecturally.

The world's third largest parliament building, this Neo-Gothic building was inaugurated in 1886 to mark the country's 1,000th anniversary. (Hungary was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.) This impressive structure boasts 691 rooms, as well as an impressive 19 kilometers of corridors and stairs.

Guided tours last approximately 45 minutes and are available whenever the government is not sitting, and include many of the building's highlights, such as the main entrance hall, various lobbies, and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Most tickets sell out a week in advance, so make your reservations as early as possible.

Address: 1055 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3

Official site: http://hungarianparliament.com/tours/

Budapest's St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István-bazilika) is a popular attraction for its impressive architecture, the beauty of its interior, and the panoramic views from its dome. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Stephen, Hungary's holy king and the founder of the Hungarian state, and construction began in 1851, but after several construction setbacks—including the collapse of its unfinished dome—it was not dedicated until 1905.

The roof, towers, and external walls were badly damaged in World War II, and the church's precious mosaics fell from the walls. However, these were successfully restored to their original place and are the highlight of the richly decorated interior. The most impressive of these, the five-part Venetian mosaic is in the sanctuary and represents the allegories of the mass.

The cathedral's most precious holy relic, the mummified right hand of the church's patron saint, the first king of Hungary, is displayed under glass in the chapel to the left of the high altar.

One of the best things to do here, if time permits, is to take one of the two elevators that carry visitors up to the cupola for sweeping 360-degree views over the city and the Danube (alternatively, you can climb the 364 steps). Guided tours of the basilica are available on weekdays. Also, be sure to check the cathedral's website for details of one of its frequent organ and classical music concerts .

Address: 1051 Budapest, Szent István tér

Official site: http://en.bazilika.biz/

Overlooking the Danube, on the spot where the city's fishermen's guild built their defence walls in the Middle Ages, stands the impressive Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya). This exquisite collection of Neo-Romanesque towers, courtyards, colonnades, and walls was built between 1895 and 1902, and is one of the most popular points in the city for tourists, largely for its spectacular views over the city and the Danube.

While here, be sure to look for the bronze equestrian statue of St. Stephen, the first King of Hungary, in the south courtyard. The reliefs on the sides of the base depict scenes from Stephen's life, and make for an incredible selfie backdrop.

For more great photo ops , head to the upper towers or turrets. There's a small entry fee, but it helps reduce crowding on that part of the attraction.

Address: Szentháromság tér 5, Budapest

Official site: www.fishermansbastion.com

The Danube (or "Duna" in Hungarian) flows through Budapest from north to south, and in some places within city boundaries is as much as 640 meters wide. One of the top free things to do in Budapest is strolling along the Danube Promenade (Dunakorzó), a pleasant century-old riverside walk that extends between the Elisabeth and Széchenyi Chain Bridges.

Although there are many places from which to enjoy views of the majestic river as you stroll its banks (either the Buda or Pest sides, they're both good), the Danube Promenade is definitely one of the best vantage points to take in views of the city's stunning architecture.

It's also on the banks of the Danube (the northeast side, close to the Hungarian Parliament buildings) that you'll find the chilling Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. It consists of a series of 60 pairs of steel sculpted shoes memorializing Jews shot here by the Nazis, and is a poignant and moving reminder of the Nazi atrocities suffered by Hungary in World War II.

Another great way to view the city is via a boat cruise along the Danube . Numerous tourist excursions depart regularly from the landing stages at Vigadó tér on the Pest bank and Bem József tér on the Buda bank, and are highly recommended. It's also fun watching these sturdy vessels from the historic Freedom Bridge as they whip down river only to have to struggle back against the current.

Alternatively, you could enjoy incredible views on a budget by taking a ride on the number 2 tram . Skirting the eastern bank of the Danube, it's considered to be one of the most beautiful tram lines in the world .

Matthias Church, also known as The Church of Our Lady (Nagyboldogasszony-templom), is a prominent landmark on Castle Hill. It was completed in 1269, and its magnificent south doorway with its relief depicting the Death of Mary was added in the 1300s.

During the Turkish occupation of 1541-1699, the church was used as a mosque, and was later renovated in the Baroque style. It has been the scene of several historic events, including the coronation of King Charles I of Hungary in 1309 and the coronation of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and his consort Elisabeth (Sissy) as rulers of Hungary. It was for this event that Franz Liszt composed his coronation mass.

The free organ concerts held here on some Sunday evenings are well worth attending (check the website for specific dates).

Also worth checking out, the Ecclesiastical Art Museum is located on the church's medieval crypt and features a collection of sacred relics, stone carvings, and replicas of the Hungarian crown jewels.

Address: Szentháromság tér 2, Budapest

Official site: https://matyas-templom.hu/home

Another of Budapest's most striking features is the panoramic Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy), a 235-meter block of dolomite that falls steeply down to the Danube. It's here along the hill's geological fault line that several of the city's most famous medicinal springs emerge to supply the Gellért Spa and Rudas Baths , which have lured visitors from far and wide since the 13th century.

The Rudas Baths are one of a handful of buildings remaining from the Turkish occupation, and are among the few original Turkish bathhouses in the world still in use that date back to the 1600s.

On the hill's northeast slope is the Gellért Monument , a tribute to Hungary's beloved famous saint, a Benedictine monk who died in 1046 and after whom the hill is named. Perched high above a man-made waterfall, it offers magnificent views over the city. The Citadel on the summit was built by the Austrians in 1851, and the Liberation Monument was erected in 1947 in memory of the Soviet soldiers who died fighting in WWII.

Finally, if you have energy left, take a stroll around Jubilee Park . Laid out to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution, it's home to many charming walkways, beautiful flowerbeds, and sculptures.

Located just across the Freedom Bridge from the Gellért Spa is Budapest's Central Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok), also known as the Great Market Hall. You can't miss it for its central location and its roof of colorful Zsolnay tiles from the town of Pécs.

Built in 1897 and the largest and oldest of Budapest's many markets, it's as interesting to view from the inside as it is on the outside – particularly if you enjoy people watching. As cavernous as any major rail terminal in Europe, this popular indoor marketplace encompasses an area of over 10,000 square meters and is as popular with the locals as it is with tourists, here for the abundance of fresh produce, food stuffs, and other goods being traded across its many levels.

Feeling peckish? Grab a bite to eat from one of the vendors on the second mezzanine level, or a pastry and coffee on the go as you continue to explore. There, you can try typical Hungarian street food, like lángos, a delicious deep-fried dough smothered in sour cream, cheese, and your choice of veggie and meat toppings.

While Saturdays are naturally the busiest days at the market (it's closed on Sundays), you can avoid the larger crowds with a weekday visit. If you're an early riser, get here for early morning; it opens at 6am, when it's fun watching the vendors setting up and prepping their produce for sale.

Address: Budapest, Vámház krt. 1-3, 1093 Hungary

Official site: https://piaconline.hu/en/central-market-hall/

The Museum of Fine Arts (Szépmuvészeti Múzeum) is not only Budapest's most important art gallery, it houses one of the largest collections of works by the Old Masters to be found in Europe.

The extensive array of Italian, Spanish, and Dutch paintings are on display in a spectacular, classically influenced 19th century building with long rooms for the larger paintings, cabinets for smaller and more intimate items, together with architecturally interesting space such as the Renaissance Hall.

Established in 1870 after Hungary inherited a fine collection of paintings, drawings, and prints, the museum is divided into six excellent departments: Egyptian Art, Ancient Art, the Old Sculpture Gallery, the Old Painter Gallery, the Modern Collection, and the Graphics Collection.

The adjacent Palace of Art is the city's leading contemporary art museum and hosts many temporary exhibits, so be sure to check for current offerings. (Note that this is not to be confused with the Palace of Arts, a high-tech arts center that houses the Ludwig Museum , a contemporary art collection with works by Picasso, David Hockney and numerous Hungarian Masters.)

Address: 1146 Budapest, Dózsa György út 41

Official site: www.szepmuveszeti.hu/main

The impressive Heroes' Square (Hosök tere) was largely the work of architect Albert Schickedanz, who was also responsible for the huge Museum of Fine Arts that flanks this large open space.

Highlights include the Millennium Monument, a 36-meter column crowned by a figure of the Archangel Gabriel and unveiled in the late 19th century. Around the plinth can be seen a group of bronze horsemen representing the conquering Magyar Prince Árpád and six of his fellow warriors.

On either side of the column, colonnades extend in a semi-circle, and between the individual pillars stand statues of Hungarian rulers. Above the corner pillars are beautiful works in bronze by Zala.

In front of the Millennium Monument stands a memorial to the Unknown Soldier. It's an especially nice place to visit at night when illuminated.

Address: Budapest, Hosök tere, 1146

Budapest is well-known worldwide for its incredible thermal springs, many of which have been harnessed to provide citizens, as well as visiting tourists, the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in thermal baths.

Of the many such attractions Budapest, the best known is Széchenyi Thermal Bath (Széchenyi gyógyfürdo). Established in 1913, it's supplied by two thermal springs; it's also the biggest such facility in Europe, capable of handling thousands of bathers at a time in its three outdoor pools (including an adventure pool that's great for families) and 15 indoor pools.

In addition to its pools, guests can enjoy its saunas and steam rooms, as well as spa services including massages. For a special treat, pay a visit to the baths after nightfall. Day tickets, which include use of a locker, can be purchased online, or upon arrival. Don't forget to bring your bathing suit, a towel, and flip-flops!

Address: Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146

Official site: www.szechenyibath.hu

As impressive inside as it is on the outside, the Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház) is a must-see when in Budapest. The building's dimensions alone are impressive, and since it opened in 1884, it has commanded top spot on the city's cultural events calendar.

As delightful as its many performances (more on that in a minute) is the sumptuous interior of the building. Festooned with wonderful artwork and sculptures from the country's most significant artists, the Opera House can seat up to 1,300 people in its horseshoe-shaped (and acoustically pleasing) auditorium.

The Hungarian State Opera House is home to the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hungarian National Ballet , and you'd certainly find attending a performance a crowning moment in your Budapest travel itinerary. The orchestra's season typically runs from September to June, and tickets can be purchased online. Daily guided English-language tours are also available.

Address: Budapest, Andrássy út 22, 1061

Official site: www.opera.hu/?lan=en

Said to be one of the world's oldest still-operating zoos , Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden (Fovárosi Állat- és Növénykert) is one of the top things for families to do when visiting the city. Established over 150 years ago, the park is home to over 1,070 different species of animals, and has the rare distinction of being located in the heart of its host city, just around the corner from the Museum of Fine Arts.

In addition to its well-preserved Art Nouveau animal homes , this top-notch zoo park features a nature reserve, themed animal enclosures, and a variety of kid-friendly programming including feeding opportunities. If you're not in a big hurry to leave, hang around for one of the regular evening concerts.

Address: Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 6-12, 1146

Official site: https://zoobudapest.com/en

Underneath Castle Hill, the rock is a maze of caves and passageways that have been used for various purposes since prehistoric times. In World War II, some were fortified as an air raid shelter and emergency hospital. Now known as the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum (Sziklakórház Atombunker Múzeum), this site was, at the time of the Cold War, further secured against nuclear contamination.

This former hospital and bunker is well worth exploring and features a variety of exhibitions on the kind of lifesaving efforts seen here during the Siege of Budapest in World War II. Another exhibit explores the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons. Admission is via guided tours only (English language tours available).

Address: Lovas 4/c, Budapest

Official site: www.sziklakorhaz.eu/en

Budapest's University Church (Kisboldogasszony-templom) is widely regarded as the most beautiful Baroque church in the city. Although somewhat hidden—it stands in the south of Pest away from the main shopping streets—its main front faces onto a narrow side street, which scarcely does it justice.

Built between 1725-42 (the two mighty towers were not completed until 1771), the principal façade incorporates a triangular tympanum with representations of St. Paul and St. Anthony, as well as the arms of the Pauline Order (a palm between two lions and a raven).

The church has a single nave with pilasters and enclosed side-chapels, and its walls are clad in artificial marble. Highlights include the frescoes on the barrel-vaulted ceilings depicting scenes from the life of Mary (1776), the choir-stalls, and the sculptures of St. Paul and St. Anthony on the High Altar (1746). Also of note is the Pauline Monastery near the church.

Address: Budapest, Papnövelde u. 8, 1053

Although founded in 1802, the superb Hungarian National Museum (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum) didn't move into its current home, a large classical building surrounding two courtyards, until 1847. In addition to its massive portico, a monument to the famous Hungarian poet János Arany impresses, as does its park-like gardens with their numerous busts of famous people.

Major exhibits comprise the Royal Regalia , including the magnificent Crown of St. Stephen with its precious stones and pearls, as well as Hungary's pre- and early history from the Stone Age through to Roman times and the early Middle Ages.

Also of interest are the exhibits and artifacts dealing with the country's many struggles for independence, as well as historic Hungarian and Turkish weapons.

For music buffs, Beethoven's grand piano, which later belonged to Franz Liszt, can be seen here.

Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum körút 14-16

With its pretty lake, the 302-acre heavily wooded City Park (Városliget) is a popular recreational site for both Budapest locals and visitors. Laid out in the 19th century, the park has had many additions over the years.

Sightseeing highlights include the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art; the Municipal Zoological and Botanical Garden ; the excellent Transport Museum of Budapest ; Tivoli Pleasure Park , with its kids' rides and arcades; and the massive open-air Széchenyi Medicinal Bath .

Also worth seeing are the fairy-tale Vajdahunyad Castle and the 100,000-seat People's Stadium.

Margaret Island (Margitsziget), barely 2.4 kilometers long and 503 meters wide, is Budapest's main recreation and recuperative center for locals. Thermal spring-fed medicinal baths, carefully tended gardens and paths, as well as the ruins of many historic buildings also serve to attract many tourists, too.

A highlight of any visit is the Palatinus Baths , a huge spa complex that covers more than 17 acres and includes a bath with artificial waves, together with various medicinal, swimming, and children's pools capable of accommodating up to 20,000 bathers at a time.

Other island highlights are the pretty Rose Garden (Rózsakert); the Union Monument , a metal sculpture by István Kiss (1972) in the form of a flower; ruins of the Dominican convent, once home to Princess Margaret, the daughter of King Béla IV; the 51-meter water-tower, built in 1911, with its excellent viewing platform; and a large open-air theater.

Other things to do here include bike rentals or enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants. If visiting at night, be sure to head to the Margaret Island Musical Fountain for its illuminations.

Gellért Spa is another famous thermal bath in Budapest. The Art Nouveau bath palace has welcomed bathers to take to its medicinal waters, fed from deep underground springs, since 1918 (check out the vintage photos on display!).

Inside you can soak your muscles in five thermal baths, get a refreshing chill in two plunge pools, and take a few laps in the stunning swimming pool, flanked by tropical plants and columns. The spa also boasts lovely outdoor facilities, including a wave pool and thermal sitting pool.

Address: Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118

Official site: http://gellertspa.com/

If you're looking for a unique thing to do in Budapest , check out the Labyrinth of Buda Castle.

Located in natural caves beneath Castle Hill , the underground attraction allows you to visit the dank chambers where the man now known as "Dracula" was imprisoned for many years during the 15th century.

You can also see a series of statues of historical Hungarian figures, and try your best to navigate the Maze of Darkness in pitch blackness. Whatever you do, don't let go of the garden hose flanking the wall – it's the key to finding your way around the maze.

Address: Budapest, Úri u. 9, 1014

For the best views of the entire city, take a ride on the Ferris Wheel of Budapest in Erzsébet Square . Its 65-meter height allows you to get amazing vantage points of Buda Castle , St. Stephen's Basilica , and the Hungarian Parliament Building from any of the 42 partially open cabins.

You're guaranteed to take at least three full turns on the wheel for a ride that lasts up to 10 minutes.

Hot tip: Sunset is the best time to ride the Ferris Wheel of Budapest, so plan your visit accordingly.

Address: Budapest, Erzsébet tér 1051, 1051

Official site: https://oriaskerek.com/en/

Atop Gellért Hill is a series of serene sculptures called the Garden of Philosophers. The installation was created in the 1990s by Hungarian sculptor Nándor Wagner who wanted his work to inspire a better understanding of the world's religions and philosophies.

It features Buddha, Abraham, Jesus, Laozi, and Akhenaten situated around a shiny orb. You can also see statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Saint Francis, and Bodhidharma along the sidelines.

The beautiful attraction offers the opportunity to take a few moments out of a day of sightseeing for quiet contemplation.

The best option when it comes to finding accommodations in Budapest is to focus on the Pest side of the Danube (the east bank), home to wide cobbled streets as well as attractions such as the Parliament Buildings and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Luxury Hotels:

• For stunning views over the Danube, try the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace , popular for its large rooms with high ceilings and excellent indoor spa and pool.
• In the heart of Pest's palace district, historic Hotel Palazzo Zichy impresses from the get-go with its palatial foyer and sumptuously decorated, spacious rooms.
• Equally luxurious, the Corinthia Hotel Budapest boasts large, well-appointed rooms, some overlooking a lovely courtyard. Guests can also enjoy the terraced indoor pool.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Steps from great shopping and dining, the Casati Budapest Hotel offers a relatively quiet, intimate experience of the city due to its small size (check out the sauna and gym in the brick-lined cellar).
• Another boutique hotel in the heart of Pest, Gerloczy Rooms de Lux offers larger rooms with high ceilings, the best with balconies overlooking a picturesque city square.
• A little more modern, the Bo18 Hotel Superior offers well-appointed rooms, along with amenities such as a gym, hot tub, and Finnish and infrared saunas.

Budget Hotels:

• Popular for its affordability and central location in the heart of Pest, Hotel Erzsebet City Center offers good-sized modern rooms.
• Although a little further east of Pest's inner city area, Hotel Chesscom offers large rooms and is close to public transport and the airport.
• Also close to public transport, the charming Kis Gellert Guesthouse offers excellent value in a quiet area of town.
• Sightseeing: For independent sightseeing and to get oriented with the city, the Budapest Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour is a great option. This excellent tour option incorporates bus stops at all major tourist attractions. Tickets are valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours. If you are pressed for time or would like a more in-depth guided tour, the Budapest Half-Day Sightseeing Tour is your best bet. For a unique perspective on this scenic city try a Budapest Night Walking Tour and River Cruise to see the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge lit up at night and capture some awesome photos.
• Day Trips: If you want to see more of this fascinating region than just Budapest, there are some wonderful day trip options. You can visit Slovakia's capital on this Private Bratislava Day Trip from Budapest . The 10-hour tour will show you popular attractions, like Michael's Gate and Bratislava Castle. Nature lovers can also hike the beautiful mountains surrounding Budapest on this One Day Wonder Hiking Trip . A private guide will take you to Prédikálószék peak and Ram Canyon at whatever pace is most comfortable for you, giving you time to appreciate the scenic waterfalls and forest.

Some of the top destinations in Hungary can be visited on easy day trips from Budapest , which makes it a good base for visitors. A tour of Eastern Europe's capitals combines Budapest with visits to Bucharest in Romania , and the picturesque city of Prague in the Czech Republic. Like Budapest, Prague is crowned by a beautiful hilltop castle .

A good stopover en route to Prague is the art-filled city of Brno . Only 2.5 hours by train or a three-hour drive from Budapest is the cultural city of Vienna , on the Danube River in the heart of beautiful Austria.

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The 15 Best Things to do in Budapest, Hungary

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Divided in two by the River Danube, Budapest is one of Europe’s most aesthetically astounding and historically intriguing capitals. You’ll love how many fascinating things there are to do all over Hungary ’s largest city! 

Budapest is really a tale of two cities: Buda and Pest. On one side of the roaring Danube, the tall towers and mighty bastions of Buda Castle stand on a prominent rocky outcrop high above the city. Buda is where the royalty of centuries past lived, and you’ll find iconic landmarks like Fisherman’s Bastion, the Castle Hill Funicular, and the Liberty Statue to explore. 

On the other side of the Danube, the flat neighborhoods of Pest are home to the Hungarian Parliament, to long, elegant 19 th -century streets like Andrassy Avenue, and to the coolest pubs, clubs, and Ruin Bars in the city. Enjoy long walks along the banks of the Danube, escape the city with a cruise along the river, and quickly fall in love with a city that’s as historic as it is trendy.

With so many cool things to see and do in Budapest, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Budapest for you. Stick to these fun and unique Budapest bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’re going to have an amazing time exploring this gorgeous European city!

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 15 Best Things to do in Budapest

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The 15 Best Things to do in Budapest

1. take a bath in budapest.

At the top of any Budapest bucket list should be taking a bath. No, we don’t mean in your hotel room (although we’re not stopping you!), but in one of the city’s many traditional thermal baths. 

Budapest is built above hot springs, and the Hungarian capital has a long history of bathing that stretches back to the Romans. The Ottoman Empire refined bathing to an art, and even today, the oldest baths you can visit are the Turkish-style Kiraly Baths, which date back to 1565. 

There are many spa options to consider, but if it’s your first time in the city, then one of the best things to do in Budapest is to spend the day at Szechenyi Thermal Bath . Located in City Park, these are the largest public baths in Budapest. 

You’ll find there are three enormous outdoor pools surrounded by a brightly colored baroque palace, where you’ll also find a whopping 15 indoor pools. Everything is heated, except for the ice-cold plunge pools, which you can brave in between sauna and steam room sessions!

If you’d like to get away from the crowds, though, then you can book a slot at the Lukacs Baths instead. Located across the river in Buda, this is a local favorite that dates back to the late 19th century and is complete with modern infrared saunas. While you’re in Buda, you can also visit the Gellert Baths , an art nouveau-style spa that’s said to be the most architecturally beautiful of all Budapest’s bathhouses! 

2. Tour the Parliament Building

You really can’t miss Budapest’s magnificent parliament building. Standing tall on the Pest side of the River Danube, you’ll instantly recognize the red dome and red roof of the Hungarian Parliament Building from almost any skyline photographs you might have seen of the city.

The Hungarian Parliament Building really is an iconic landmark, so if you’re wondering what to do in Budapest when you first arrive, we recommend heading here. Start by strolling along the eastern bank of the Danube and admiring the tall, almost dreamy architecture as it rises high above you.

Once you’ve found the entrance of this mammoth building, you can find out more about its history and inner workings by joining a tour. You’ll discover how the parliament building was first opened in 1902 and remained the largest building in all of Budapest. 

The unique architecture, as you’ll also discover, is a contrasting mix of Gothic and Renaissance Revival, while Hungary’s National Assembly only ever meets in the Lower House of the building, leaving the Upper House to be used for conferences, meetings, and events. 

3. Admire Architecture On Andrassy Avenue

You have to take a stroll along Andrassy Avenue because it’s one of the must-do things in Budapest! Andrassy Avenue is one of Budapest’s longest, most elegant, and most famous boulevards, and you’ll love admiring the beautiful architecture and soaking up the history as you stroll from one end to the other.

Andrassy Avenue is found on the Pest side of the river, and it was designed as a central thoroughfare that could be lined with impressive neoclassical buildings. Opened in the 1870s, so important is the street’s architecture to the city’s image that Andrassy Avenue is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

You can start at either end, but we recommend beginning your walk at Erzsebet Square, the side closest to the River Danube. From here, you’ll stroll past townhouses, the opera house, museums, cafes, and restaurants as you walk for almost 2 miles to the endpoint at Hero’s Square.

We recommend walking this way because once you reach Hero’s Square, you can continue on through the park and take a dip in the pools at Szechenyi Thermal Bath !

4. Stroll Along the River Danube

Make sure you bring a sturdy pair of shoes when you’re visiting all of the top Budapest attractions because walking is often the best way to explore the city. 

One of our favorite walks anywhere in Europe is along the banks of the River Danube in Budapest. This is the geographical feature that defines the Hungarian capital more than any other – and we think it’s important to see it from the ground level! 

You can walk for miles along the river in either direction and on either side, but for a taste of what the banks of the Danube have to offer, we recommend starting at the Szechenyi Chain Bridge on the Pest side of the river. 

Walk north, and you’ll soon reach a moving monument known as the Shoes on the Danube Bank , which remembers the Jewish citizens who were killed here during World War II. Continue, and you’ll be walking under the spires of the Hungarian Parliament Building before you reach Margaret Bridge and the southern end of Margaret Island. 

That’s a good 45 minutes of walking, not counting stopping time, and if you cross over the river, you can continue the walk on the Buda side of the river. This time you can walk south toward the Szechenyi Chain Bridge. Along the way, you’ll pass below Castle Hill and enjoy spectacular views across to the Parliament Building you visited earlier. 

Of course, if you’re tired, worn out from too much sightseeing, or just don’t want to walk, you can always take a river cruise along the Danube instead of walking!

5. Ride the World’s Second-Oldest Metro System

The flat streets of Pest are made for walking, but there’s also a much quicker way to get around when you’ve got no time for a leisurely stroll. Deep underground, you can find the Budapest Metro, a rapid transit system that can get you almost anywhere in the city (especially when combined with the iconic yellow trams above ground).

But this isn’t any ordinary metro system. In fact, you’ll be happy to hear that a ride on the Budapest Metro is an experience unto itself because this is the second-oldest underground metro in the world!

The oldest in the world is the London Underground, and that dates back to 1863. It took a while for Europe to catch up, and Budapest opened its first underground line in 1896. The first line to open was, of course, Line 1, and today Line 1 is of such historical importance to the city that it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

6. Visit the Castle on the Hill

Cross over the Szechenyi Chain Bridge from Pest, and you can walk or ride the funicular to the top of Castle Hill. Since at least the year 1265 AD, Castle Hill has been the site of royal castles, built to control the River Danube and the flat plains below.

The medieval castle was destroyed in the endless wars between Hungarians and the Ottoman Empire, and the large, baroque-style palace you see on the hill today was built in the 18th century. It was then destroyed in World War II before being rebuilt again. 

You’ll find a tumultuous history on top of the hill, but today, things are calm and peaceful around this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can take a guided tour through the palace itself or a guided walking tour through the surrounding Castle Quarter where you’ll find famous landmarks like Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, as well as formal ceremonies like the changing of the guard. 

You’ll also find that Castle Hill is home to some of the best museums in Budapest, including the Budapest History Museum and the National Hungarian Gallery . You’ll need at least an entire day to see everything, so get an early start before making the journey to the top of Castle Hill!

7. Eat Everything at the Great Market Hall

Are you a big foodie? If so, you’re going to love visiting the Great Market Hall, which we guarantee is one of the most fun things to do in Budapest!

Eating and drinking your way through this extravagant local marketplace is one of the best Budapest activities for hungry travelers. You’ll be spoiled for choice as you peruse the stalls and dig into the local cuisine. 

The market hall itself is a thing of beauty, as the building dates back to 1897 and is the largest of its kind in Budapest. But the real action is among the traders on the ground floor, where you can try local wines and fiery Hungarian spirits, Kolbasz sausages, pickled vegetables, and smoked fish. 

You can take a guided tour to learn more about the local delicacies and dishes, but if you’re particularly hungry, then head to the upper floors, where the local eateries serve up hearty Hungarian food at excellent prices. You can order steaming bowls of goulash, langos flatbreads smothered in sour cream, or the famous fisherman’s soup! 

8. Drink Beer in a Ruin Bar

One of the coolest things to do in Budapest is a tour of the city’s unique Ruin Bars. Ruin Bars aren’t your average bar or pub, although they are incredibly trendy. Ruin Bars began to pop up in the 2000s, as abandoned buildings were taken over and turned into cool and unusual places to drink beer, hang out, and play music.

These peculiar bars are quite unique to Budapest, and they are found primarily in District VII, which was the old Jewish Quarter of the city with the largest concentration of derelict buildings. You’ll love how Ruin Bars are characterized by unique themes and designs, where nothing is in the right place or where nostalgia has been allowed to take over.

The first Ruin Bar to make it big was Szimpla Kert , and there you’ll find a labyrinth of bars and cafes surrounding a central garden. There are free concerts, great craft beers, and an old East German car for decor. Another favorite is Red Ruin , where you can try local beers in a Communist-themed bar that even Lenin would be proud of!

Many of the best Ruin Bars are hidden away, so we recommend taking a Ruin Bar tour to help you uncover the quirkiest places to drink in Budapest. 

9. Take a Walking Tour of the Jewish Quarter

Just as Budapest is a tale of two cities, so too is the Jewish Quarter. Today, you’ll find some of the city’s coolest pubs and bars in the old Jewish Quarter, where tourists and locals flock when night falls over Budapest. 

You’ll also find some of the best restaurants, including the delectable Middle Eastern cuisine of Mazel Tov . There are vintage shops, design cafes, co-working hubs, and so much more for the savvy modern traveler to experience, but there’s also the history!

While the Jewish Quarter is always one of the trendiest things to see in Budapest, a walking tour will show you the darker side of the district. This was where the Budapest Ghetto was built during World War II, as the city’s Hungarian population suffered immensely under the fascist regime. 

Most did not survive the war, however. In the 1990s, the Dohany Street Synagogue was fully restored to its pre-war glory and is now the second-largest synagogue in the world. Enjoy the modern outlook of the Jewish Quarter, but try not to forget the past while you’re enjoying craft beers in the Ruin Bars. 

10. Brave the House of Terror

Budapest endured many decades of fascist and then communist rule in the 20th century, and the locals suffered many privations throughout the reign of totalitarian regimes. While little remains visible in the streets themselves of this often dark history, you can learn more with a visit to the quite terrifying House of Terror . 

This is no haunted home or theme park-style house of horrors. This is a museum dedicated to telling the story of Hungary’s secret police. It’s also a museum dedicated to the many victims of both fascism and communism. 

The House of Terror will take you on a journey through the horrors of World War II and then into the often bleak days that followed until Hungary became a democracy in 1989. You’ll see mock prison cells, a Russian T-34 tank, and come face to face with pictures and portraits of those who died fighting either the fascist regime or the communist regime.

11. Experience the Communist Past at Memento Park

Regimes loved to build statues, but despite enduring five decades of communist rule, you’ll notice that the streets of Budapest are firmly entrenched in their 19 th -century character rather than the more recent 20th century.

That’s because much of the socialist-style architecture, particularly the statues, was completely dismantled or torn down when Hungary became a democracy. You may be wondering where statues end up once they’ve been taken down, and in Budapest, it’s a place called Memento Park . 

This is one of the most unique Budapest attractions, and a visit to Memento Park will throw you back in time to the communist era. Located in an old sports field on the outskirts of the city, Memento Park is home to statues of Lenin, Stalin’s Boots , and many other communist statues that were removed.

You can tour through the resurrected statues in this Disney-esque theme park for nostalgics before learning more about communism in the attached exhibition hall. 

12. Attend a Summer Festival

Budapest is a glorious city to visit in the summer, not only because the sun is always shining, but because the Hungarian capital hosts so many events throughout the season!

There really is something for everyone. Sziget Festival is held every August on an island in the Danube, for example, and it’s now one of Europe’s biggest and best outdoor music festivals.

The Budapest Summer Festival sees classical music concerts held in open-air venues across the city and on Margaret Island, while the Budapest Beer Festival will need little introduction. 

And then you have the outdoor baths, the alfresco dining, and so much more to experience throughout those long summer days in Budapest.

13. Shop at Budapest’s Christmas Markets

Budapest is a wonderful city to visit any time of the year, but you’ll find that in the winter, things here are very different from summer. Wrap up warm because Budapest gets cold, but there will be plenty of opportunities to warm up with mulled wine and hot bowls of goulash!

The winter season sees Budapest’s central squares bursting with holiday joy as market stalls crowd the streets and impromptu concerts and carol-singing events fill the city with music. You’ll love trying all the traditional food and drink on offer at this time of the year because Hungarian winter food is designed to be hearty, and it’s designed to be served piping hot.

The traditional markets pop up all over the city, from Andrassy Avenue across the Danube to Castle Hill. Rest assured, you’ll find plenty of excellent souvenirs that will make for fantastic presents back home. 

14. Visit Margaret Island

If you’re looking to escape the city, then you don’t have to go far, because one of the best sights in Budapest is Margaret Island. Located in the middle of the River Danube, you’ll find Arpad Bridge at the northern end and Margaret Bridge at the southern end of the island. 

You can quickly reach Margaret Island by boat, tram, or just by walking over from either Pest or Buda. Once you’re there, you’ll have several square miles of beautiful urban parklands to explore. You’ll feel like you’re worlds away from the city!

There are lots of things to do on Margaret Island. You can rent a bicycle or golf cart and traverse the length of the island, you can climb the water tower for views over the city, or you can stroll through the many gardens that are all open to the public.

Best of all, Margaret Island is home to its own set of thermal swimming pools. The Palatinus Baths is an outdoor, open-air swimming pool that’s fed by thermal hot springs. There are slides, plunge pools, and fountains. Plus, the baths are open throughout the year.

15. Take in the Views from Liberty Statue

Are you looking for one of the best views in Budapest? Then you’ll love the 360-degree panoramic views from the Liberty Statue. This is one of the best Budapest attractions because the Liberty Statue is located high on top of Gellert Hill, and it’s here that you’ll have a complete view of all of Budapest below.

The statue itself is an impressive monument, and it was built in 1947 to commemorate all those who lost their lives fighting during the Second World War. The statue was built next to the Citadella, which saw fierce fighting and action at the end of the war.

A network of steep walking trails leads from Szechenyi Bridge and the Danube below, all the way to the top of the hill. Visit when the sun is about to set, and you’ll have colorful views over the skyline before seeing the city lit up spectacularly at night. Bring your camera because this viewpoint is one for the photographers!

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Budapest. What’s your favorite thing to do in Budapest?

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Frequently Asked Questions

At the top of any Budapest bucket list should be taking a bath. No, we don’t mean in your hotel room (although we’re not stopping you!), but in one of the city’s many traditional thermal baths. There are many spa options to consider, but if it’s your first time in the city, then one of the best things to do in Budapest is to spend the day at Szechenyi Thermal Bath. Located in City Park, these are the largest public baths in Budapest.

Are you a big foodie? If so, you’re going to love visiting the Great Market Hall, which we guarantee is one of the most fun things to do in Budapest! Eating and drinking your way through this extravagant local marketplace is one of the best Budapest activities for hungry travelers. You’ll be spoiled for choice as you peruse the stalls and dig into the local cuisine.

Budapest is a glorious city to visit in the summer, not only because the sun is always shining, but because the Hungarian capital hosts so many events throughout the season! There really is something for everyone. Sziget Festival is held every August on an island in the Danube and it’s now one of Europe’s biggest and best outdoor music festivals.

Cross over the Szechenyi Chain Bridge from Pest, and you can walk or ride the funicular to the top of Castle Hill. Since at least the year 1265 AD, Castle Hill has been the site of royal castles, built to control the River Danube and the flat plains below. This hill has a tumultuous past, but today, things are calm and peaceful around this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the coolest things to do in Budapest is a tour of the city’s unique Ruin Bars. Ruin Bars aren’t your average bar or pub, although they are incredibly trendy. Ruin Bars began to pop up in the 2000s, as abandoned buildings were taken over and turned into cool and unusual places to drink beer, hang out, and play music. These peculiar bars are quite unique to Budapest, and they are found primarily in District VII, which was the old Jewish Quarter of the city with the largest concentration of derelict buildings.

Richard is an award-winning travel writer based in Southwest England who’s addicted to traveling off the beaten track. He’s traveled to 75 countries and counting in search of intriguing stories, unusual destinations, and cultural curiosities. Richard loves traveling the long way round over land and sea, and you’ll find him visiting quirky micronations and breakaway territories as often as he’s found lounging on a beach (which is a lot). When he’s not writing for BBC Travel, National Geographic, or Lonely Planet, you can find Richard writing for the Wandering Wheatleys or updating his off-beat travel blog, Travel Tramp.

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• 15 Must Visit Attractions In...

25 Must-Visit Attractions in Budapest, Hungary

From majestic Art Nouveau thermal baths to trendy ruin bars, a whole host of new experiences await at Budapest’s must-visit attractions. To make the most of your trip to Budapest, skip the queue by booking Budapest’s top attractcafions online, whether it’s touring the spectacular Neo-Gothic parliament building, diving into the underground cave system or battling it out at the Pinball Museum.

1. gellért thermal bath.

Building, Spa, Health Spa

Budapest is nicknamed the “City of Spas” for good reason. More than 118 natural thermal springs deliver 70 million litres (15.3 million gallons) of therapeutic waters to the city each day. Housed within the world-famous Gellért Hotel, the Gellért Baths is just one of a dozen spas where you can take advantage of spa water’s healing qualities. The sumptuous spa offers a steam room, sauna, sun terrace, thermal baths and massage rooms, all housed in a spectacular Art Nouveau-style building. Head there early in the morning to avoid the crowds, or book a guided tour to skip the queues.

2. River Danube, Budapest

Natural Feature

For a fresh perspective on the Hungarian capital, see it from the waters of the River Danube. Upon its banks, the Neo-Gothic Hungarian parliament building stands opposite the ornate Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, while river cruises also provide views of the Liberty Statue, Chain Bridge and Margaret Island. To avoid the hassle of looking for the best river cruise during precious holiday time, guided tours can be booked online in advance.

3. Pinball Museum (Flippermúzeum)

The Budapest Pinball Museum might sound like an attraction that caters only to die-hard gamers, but this quirky museum offers a fascinating journey back in time with its collection of over 130 pinball machines. Positioned close to Margaret Island in the heart of the city, the Flippermúzeum houses Europe’s largest ongoing interactive pinball exhibition and includes the Mesovonat – the only Hungarian-made pinball machine. Book tickets online to ensure a stress-free experience.

4. Hungarian Folk Show at the Danube Palace

Hungary has a rich tradition of folk dancing – Budapest even has its own college dedicated to the study of these historical dances. The art of Hungarian folk dance offers a fascinating insight into the music, costumes and dance heritage of Hungary through the years. To experience a real-life Hungarian folk show first-hand, grab tickets for a 1.5 hour performance at the Danube Palace ( Duna Palota ) theatre by one of Hungary’s foremost folk ensembles – either the Danube Folk Ensemble, Hungarian State Folk Ensemble or Rajkó Folk Ensemble.

5. Budapest Chocolate Museum

To satisfy those with a sweet tooth , the Chocolate Museum on the outskirts of Budapest provides guests with a rich history of Hungarian chocolate. Taking a leaf out of Willy Wonka’s book, the museum is a unique place where visitors are taken on a culinary journey through the history of chocolate, complete with tasting sessions. Guests can dip marzipan balls into a chocolate fountain, make their own handmade chocolates, and explore the museum’s collection of historic Hungarian paintings. Visitors are advised to book tickets in advance to secure a slot.

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6. St Stephen’s Basilica

Church, Architectural Landmark

Many class St Stephen’s Basilica as the jewel in Budapest’s crown. Taking pride of place in the centre of the city, the world-famous Roman Catholic Basilica is named after Stephen, the first King of Hungary who ruled between 975 and 1038CE. Completed in 1905 after 54 years of construction, the Neo-Classical building remains to this day the most important church in the country. Housing a stunning interior with intricate paintings adorning the walls and ceiling, this architectural masterpiece is best appreciated while enjoying an enchanting organ recital within its walls.

7. Dohány Street Synagogue

Building, Church, Memorial, Museum, Park, Synagogue

The Dohány Street Synagogue is undoubtedly a key highlight of the up-and-coming seventh district. Built between 1854 and 1859 in the Moorish Revival architectural style and with a capacity of over 3,000 people, it is the largest synagogue in Europe. The synagogue complex houses the Great Synagogue, the Heroes’ Temple, the graveyard, the Memorial and the Jewish Museum. To learn more about the rich history of the synagogue complex and its relationship to the Holocaust, guided tours can be booked in advance.

8. Széchenyi Thermal Baths

Spa, Swimming Pool, Health Spa

Situated in the heart of Budapest City Park, the Széchenyi Baths is one of Europe’s largest thermal bath complexes. Built in 1913, the spa houses three large outdoor pools, 10 inside plunge pools, massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms and even a beer bath. Open all year round and popular not least due to its opulent Neo-Baroque style, Széchenyi is best experienced with a full-day skip-the-line ticket, which can be booked in advance.

9. Hungarian Parliament Building

Architectural Landmark, Building

The Hungarian Parliament Building is among Budapest’s leading attractions, drawing nearly 700,000 visitors each year. Situated on the UNESCO-listed banks of the River Danube, the building is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival and Renaissance Revival architecture in the world. The House of Parliament is still very much a functioning law-making body today, but it is open to the public at certain designated times. Long queues often form outside, so book online to avoid the crowds.

10. Buda Castle

Historical Landmark

The iconic Buda Castle District houses the historical castle and palace complex. The awe-inspiring Baroque-style palace was completed in 1769, but the complex was first constructed as far back as 1265. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former Royal Palace is now home to the Budapest History Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery. Castle Hill, which comprises the entire upper quadrant of the Várnegyed (Castle Quarter), houses an array of museums, shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels. Although visiting the site does not require advanced booking, it’s strongly advised that you sign up for a guided tour to learn more about the history of the castle and the palace complex.

11. Szimpla Kert (Ruin Bar)

Bar, Pub, Beer, Wine, Cocktails

12. Hungarian State Opera House

Opera House

The Hungarian State Opera House is renowned as one of the finest examples of Neo-Renaissance architecture in existence today. Completed in 1884, it boasts a grand chandelier that weighs a whopping three tonnes (3.3 tons), and almost three kilogrammes (6.6 pounds) of gold were used to gild the cherubs and nymphs of its lavishly ornate interior. Although the Opera House is closed for refurbishments until early 2020, tours of the building are still available.

13. Fisherman’s Bastion

Historical Landmark, Building

The Neo-Romanesque lookout towers housed within the Fisherman’s Bastion provide some of the best views across Budapest. Built between 1895 and 1902, its seven towers symbolise the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars who founded the Hungarian nation in 895CE. Today’s structure stands where thick walls once protected Buda Castle from enemy attack – legend has it that the building was protected by the guild of fishermen, giving the Bastion its name. To appreciate the beauty and history of Fisherman’s Bastion, consider booking a tour online.

14. Vajdahunyad Castle

Historical Landmark, Architectural Landmark

Built in 1896 as part of the Millennium Exhibition to commemorate 1,000 years since the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin, Vajdahunyad Castle sits majestically within Budapest City Park. First built out of wood and cardboard, the site became so popular that it was rebuilt from stone and brick in 1908. Surrounded by a boating lake in the summer that turns into an ice rink in winter, the castle houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, the largest agricultural museum in Europe.

15. Széchenyi Chain Bridge

Architectural Landmark, Bridge

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is an impressive example of 19th-century engineering spanning the River Danube, linking Buda to Pest. Designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark and built by (unrelated) Scottish engineer Adam Clark, the cast-iron structure opened in 1849 and was the first permanent bridge constructed across the river. Connecting Széchenyi Square in front of Gresham Palace to Adam Clark Square below the Castle Hill Funicular, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a symbol of bringing people together: from all walks of life, from the east and west of the city. Walking tours afford an ideal opportunity to learn more about the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.

16. Margaret Island

Park, Natural Feature

Sitting between the Margaret and Árpád Bridges on the River Danube, the leafy 2.5-kilometre-long (1.55-mile-long) Margaret Island ( Margitsziget ) hosts open-air swimming pools, running trails, bars, luxury hotels, a wildlife park and even the ruins of a 13th-century Dominican convent. The pièce de résistance, however, is the dancing musical fountain – one of the largest and most dramatic in Europe – which pairs dancing water jets with a diverse playlist of music.

17. Heroes’ Square

Built in 1896, Heroes’ Square takes pride of place at the tip of Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s Champs-Élysées-esque boulevard replete with upmarket stores, cafes and restaurants. Heroes’ Square features the colossal Seven Chieftains of the Magyars statue complex and the Memorial Stone of Heroes, which stands in tribute to those who have died defending Hungary. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Arts are also positioned around the outside edges of the square, which make an informative cultural addition to any guided tour of the area.

18. Hospital in the Rock

Historical Landmark, Museum

The Hospital in the Rock was built into a 10km-long (6mi-long) underground cave system situated directly beneath the Buda Castle District. Built as a secret military and hospital bunker during the 1930s in preparation for World War II, the hospital was used to full capacity during the siege of Budapest in 1944-45, with both civilians and soldiers treated there. Although the hospital was closed in July 1945, it was still used by the Vaccine-Producing Institute to develop medicines to tackle typhus for many years afterwards. English guided tours depart every hour on the hour from 10am to 7pm, with tickets available to purchase on-site or online in advance.

19. Great Market Hall

Ever abuzz with activity, Budapest’s Central Market Hall (also known as the Great Market Hall) promises an adventure in culture and retail therapy, offering up traditional Hungarian clothing and local delicacies such as beech wood-smoked gyulai kolbasz sausage. Built in 1897, this magnificent venue holds more than 100 stalls over three floors, housed in a Neo-Gothic-style listed building. Taking advantage of a guided tour will not only give you an in-depth history of the building, but will also give you the opportunity to try authentic Hungarian food and enjoy wine tasting en route.

20. Kőbánya Caves

The Kőbánya cellar system is a vast network of subterranean tunnels underneath Budapest’s tenth district. During World War II, the tunnels were used to assemble aircraft engines and as a bomb shelter for civilians. Also referred to as the “Dreher Cellars” by virtue of the Dreher Breweries that once resided there, the former quarry is now extremely popular with cave divers and beer enthusiasts.

21. Matthias Church

Church, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Officially named the Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle, Matthias Church sits in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion in the centre of Buda’s Castle District. The church’s first iteration (then dedicated to Mary) was built in 1015 under the first king of Hungary, Saint Stephen. The current building is remarkable for its late Gothic style, first constructed in the second half of the 14th century, and restored in the late 19th century. The name of the contemporary church refers not to Saint Matthias but to King Matthias Corvinus the Fair, who remodelled the building in the 15th century with the addition of the church’s southern tower, the appropriately named Matthias bell tower.

22. Gellért Hill and Citadella

Historical Landmark, Natural Feature

23. House of Terror Museum

Since opening in 2002, Budapest ’s House of Terror Museum has become one of the Hungarian capital’s most popular attractions. The museum, dedicated to exploring the Fascist and Communist regimes of 20th-century Hungary and commemorating the victims of these regimes, is set within the former headquarters of the Hungarian Nazi Party.

24. Memento Park

Museum, Park

25. Andrássy Avenue

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark, Shopping Mall

Budapest’s most famous street, Andrássy Avenue is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lined with Neo-Renaissance mansions, Andrássy Avenue is heaven for shopaholics, thanks to the plethora of high-end fashion brands that find their home there. Those more interested in arts and culture will be fascinated by the elegant Hungarian State Opera House and the stretch nicknamed the “Broadway of Budapest” (at the intersection of Nagymező Street).

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50+ Best Things to Do in Budapest (+Tips for Visiting!)

Planning a trip to Hungary soon and trying to decide exactly what to do in Budapest?

Budapest is our undisputed favorite city in Central Europe: both majestic and accessible, beautiful and bohemian, regal and down-to-earth, it’s one of those cities that has something for everyone… and in our case, there are enough things to do in Budapest that we can’t seem to stop going back.

Whether you’re hoping to see the popular highlights, to get (sometimes literally) underground, or a bit of both, we have you covered here!

More than 50 attractions is a lot for one trip, but with so many best things to do in Budapest, we have a feeling that, like us, you’ll leave ready to book your next trip back.

Table of Contents

Overwhelmed by 55 Things to Do in Budapest?

Fantastic viewpoints to sample in budapest.

• Must-See Museums in Budapest, Hungary

Epic Churches and Monuments to Visit in Budapest

Best food experiences in budapest, more fun things to do in budapest, where to stay when visiting budapest.

• Tips for Traveling Budapest, Hungary

Read More About Visiting Budapest (and Beyond)

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If so, we completely understand!

A s much fun as it can be to do a deep-dive into a city, if you’re headed out on your first trip to Budapest and only have a few days, you probably want to know what you simply have to see in Budapest.

Here’s the short version: make sure to see at least the outside of the Hungarian Parliament building, walk across the Chain Bridge, visit Central Market Hall (and buy paprika if you like it), check out St. Stephen’s Basilica, head to Fisherman’s Bastion, try out a thermal bath, and visit at least the exterior of Buda Castle.

We’ve outlined our suggestions for 3 days in Budapest here , and our suggestions for spending one perfect day in Budapest here , so if you’re on a tight timeframe, be sure to take a look!

Soak up the views at Fisherman’s Bastion.

Fisherman’s Bastion may look like a medieval castle overlooking the stunning Danube River and Hungarian Parliament below… but it was actually built in 1902!

Despite its (relatively) young age as compared to many spots in Budapest, it is absolutely worth visiting.

T he views are truly spectacular, and its setting (right next to Matthias Church and a short walk away from Buda Castle) means that you’ll almost certainly pass by anyway while working through the best things to do in Budapest.

Be warned: Fisherman’s Bastion’s lovely views have turned it into a bit of an Instagram playground, so if you’re hoping for a peaceful moment there by yourself… I hope you like waking up at dawn.

Watch the sunset on Gellert Hill.

Gellert Hill stands high over Budapest, and sitting on top of it (perhaps with a mulled wine on a cold night) while watching the sun slip away and the lights come on over Budapest–Parliament, Buda Castle, Budapest Eye, boats on the river and all–is quite the treat.

Be sure to show up a bit before sunset in order to check out the Liberty Statu,e which commemorates those who fought for Hungary’s independence, and the 19th-century citadel.

… And also from Liberty Bridge.

Located right next to Great Market Hall, Liberty Bridge is a popular sunset spot in Budapest.

If you head out on a warm night around sunset, you’ll see plenty of Hungarians and tourists alike lined up along the bridge, hanging out and enjoying the vie

Climb to the top of St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Don’t miss the climb up St. Stephen’s Basilica when you’re making your list of the best things to do in Budapest!

Modestly priced and absolutely beautiful, it’s hard to say what’s better about the view from St. Stephen’s–the city of Budapest stretching out before you, or the close-ups of St. Stephen’s intricate towers.

Take a cruise on the Danube.

… And for best results, take one at sunset.

On our own first trip to Budapest, we watched the sun go down and the city lights come on from the water, and it was one of those magical travel moments that ended up sticking with us for years.

Whether you opt for  an extremely affordable sightseeing cruise  or  a dinner cruise featuring Hungarian food and folk dancing , it’s definitely worth the splurge to hit the water while in Budapest.

Book your Danube River cruise  today!

Ride the Budapest Eye.

While not nearly as well-known as its namesake in London, the Budapest Eye gives you absolutely amazing views of the city.

Landmarks like Gellert Hill, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament, and the Danube are all clearly visible, and it’s a fabulous way to get a bird’s eye view of Budapest.

At 3000 HUF (just over $8 USD/person at the time of updating this post) it’s not the cheapest thing to do in Budapest, but the long ride and the views are definitely worth it.

Hop on the Castle Hill funicular.

Perched on top of Castle Hill sit some of Budapest’s best-loved spots: Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, several quirky museums, and of course Buda Castle itself… but climbing up to see them is not fun!

You can hop on a bus to get to the top of the hill, but a far more entertaining (and less motion-sickness-inducing, for those of us who worry about such things) way to get up the hill is to ride the Castle Hill funicular .

The funicular also comes with the bonus of fabulous views of the Chain Bridge and Danube!

Stroll across the Chain Bridge.

No visit to Budapest would be complete without a stroll across the iconic Chain Bridge!

Pedestrian walkways make this bridge very simple to cross, and the views of Castle Hill, the Danube, and Parliament are wonderful.

Ride Budapest’s Tram #2.

Both useful as transportation and delightful as a nostalgic tourist attraction, Budapest’s cheery yellow tram #2 spends its days traveling along the Danube, earning its status as one of the most scenic tram rides in the world (at least according to National Geographic , who tend to know their stuff).

This isn’t so much an “oh-wow-we-need-to-take-photos-here” view, it’s more of a “wow-this-city-is-so-cool view”, and it is well worth the (very modest) price tag.

You can buy tickets onboard, but they’re slightly cheaper if you pick them up at the station ahead of time (or simply use your Budapest Card ).

Must-See Museums in Budapest , Hungary

Visit the hungarian parliament..

Nestled right up against the Danube, Hungary’s incredible Parliament building is known as one of the most beautiful in the world for good reason!

If you’d like to take a tour inside the building, you’ll need to  book a tour  at least a few days in advance.

When updating this post in 2023, I was surprised to see how far in advance tickets are booked out–so the further ahead you can plan this visit, the better!

(If tickets are sold out for your dates and you want to be sure to visit, another option is booking  a third-party guided tour like this  that includes a visit to Parliament.

If you’d rather not fork over the forint, admiring the building up close from the outside is definitely still worth stopping by.

We make a point to walk by several times during all of our trips to Budapest!

Check out the House of Houdini.

If you have an interest in magic tricks, be sure to visit this quirky museum dedicated to all things Harry Houdini!

Complete with original artifacts and plenty of fascinating stories , the House of Houdini is a fun, offbeat Budapest attraction for magic lovers.

Tour the Hungarian State Opera House.

Whether it’s to see a show or simply to tour the stunning space, don’t miss taking a peek inside the beautiful Hungarian State Opera House while in Budapest.

Step inside Buda Castle.

Buda Castle may no longer be a royal residence, but it’s still a busy place!

H ome to several museums, just about anyone trying to decide what to do in Budapest will find something that piques their interest inside.

The most famous of the museums housed inside are the lovely Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, both of which are worth a visit.

Don’t want to step inside a museum?

The terraces in front of Buda Castle are free to visit and offer amazing views of the city, so don’t cross it completely off your Budapest bucket list!

Pay a somber visit to the House of Terror.

I’ll admit that it took me a couple of visits to Budapest to slow down and appreciate the House of Terror.

So many towns have museums with similar names that are dedicated to medieval torture techniques (seriously: why does the world need SO MANY of those), and I wrongly assumed that the House of Terror was just another museum in the same vein.

The House of Terror is absolutely one of the best things to do in Budapest if you’re interested in learning about Hungary’s 20th-century history.

H oused in the former headquarters of Hungary’s Secret Police, the museum serves as both an educational tool for those unfamiliar with Hungary’s time under two separate brutal regimes, and as a memorial to the victims who died on the premises.

Learn something interesting at the Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum.

Interesting in chemistry and alchemy of the Middle Ages?

Then be sure to add the Golden Eagle Pharmacy Museum to your list of things to do in Budapest !

The eclectic displays include everything from herbs to historical books on medicine to tiny, dried bats once used in healing.

Check out the Pinball Museum.

Home to around 130 pinball machines dating from the 19th century all the way to the present day, the Pinball Museum is interactive–meaning that you can play on many of the machines!

For a completely unique museum experience, break out your inner kid and play some vintage and not-so-vintage pinball games… all under the guise of an educational museum experience.

Explore the Hospital in the Rock.

There are tons of interesting things lurking under the surface of Buda Castle, and the Hospital in the Rock is one of them.

In preparation for WWII bombings, this emergency hospital was built directly into the caverns under Buda Castle from 1939 to 1944, and was used throughout the war–especially during the Siege of Budapest–to handle the injured and dead.

Though the Hospital in the Rock was used a few more times in history, primarily during Hungary’s 1956 uprising against Soviet Rule and in preparation for possible nuclear attacks, today it has been turned into a museum focusing on its WWII-era mission.

… And the Labyrinth under Buda Castle.

Yet another piece of the caverns under Buda Castle’s long and storied history occurred here in the 15th century.

V lad the Impaler, also known as Count Dracula, was held in this prison underneath the castle for a whopping 10 years!

Though parts of the exhibition are a bit cheesy, it’s extremely interesting to dive into this labyrinth and get to know another piece of Budapest’s story.

Go see the Semmelweis Medical Museum.

If you’ve poked around the internet long enough, you’ve probably heard of Dr. Semmelweiss… even if you didn’t realize it.

In the mid-1800s , he pioneered the (now utterly common sense) idea that by having doctors wash their hands before attending to women in childbirth, the number of women who died of infection after giving birth could be lowered.

His findings were considered unfathomable–how could a gentleman’s hands cause disease?–but later developments in germ theory eventually proved Semmelweiss correct.

Sadly, Semmelweiss died before his findings were proven accurate, but this museum in his native Budapest preserves his memory, his findings, and several other items of historical medical interest, such as an early X-ray machine.

Step inside St. Stephen’s Basilica.

In addition to the stunning views from the roof that I mentioned above, the opulent St. Stephen’s Basilica is worth visiting for its interior alone.

In addition to the impressive architecture and decor, the basilica also claims to contain the mummified right hand of St. Stephen himself.

Admire the incredible Dohany Street Synagogue.

As the largest synagogue in Europe and one of the largest in the world, a visit to the Dohany Street Synagogue presents an opportunity to not only admire the gorgeous building but also to learn about the long and often perilous history of Jews in Budapest, as the city’s Jewish Museum is located in the same complex.

Visit the Cave Church.

The Cave Church is exactly what it sounds like: a church built into a cave.

It is quite an impressive site, and walking through the entrance to see the exposed rock walls towering over the gift shop definitely sets the stage for a memorable visit!

The tour is provided by an audio guide and walks you through the fascinating history of this church–including when it was sealed off with a concrete wall for decades during the Soviet era.

Tour the beautiful Matthias Church.

The interior of Matthias Church is absolutely stunning, with intricately detailed walls and a long, storied history.

This church played host to the weddings of kings (including that of Charles IV, the final Habsburg king), was used as a mosque during the Ottoman period, and in its original form (which is no longer standing) dates back over 1000 years!

Pay a visit to Heroes Square.

Home to impressive statues and monuments dedicated to several of Hungary’s most important national leaders, Heroes Square is an important part of Hungary’s history, and for that reason, is a popular site for political events to this day.

Located right next to City Park, be sure not to miss this important spot while visiting Budapest.

Step inside Central Market Hall.

Whether you’re looking for groceries like fresh fruits and vegetables, foodie souvenirs like paprika and palinka, or a quick and tasty meal of langos, stuffed cabbage, or goulash, Budapest’s Central Market Hall has you covered.

The ground floor is made up of groceries and is a great place to pick up some Hungarian paprika (and yes, you should definitely get some) to take back home.

The second floor (or first floor for Europeans) is home to souvenirs, including everything from Christmas ornaments to Hungarian lace, and, more importantly, the prepared foods section.

Taste some goulash.

This warm meat stew is the quintessential Hungarian meal, and no trip to Budapest could be considered complete without at least one serving!

… and langos.

Langos is fried bread, traditionally topped with sour cream and shredded cheese.

If you think that sounds strange, it’s just because you haven’t tried it yet!

And lots, and lots, and lots of other delicious Hungarian food.

Chicken paprikash. Solet. Jokai soup. Esterhazy cake. Sausage. Lecso. Sour cherry soup. Strudel. Palacsinta.

Hungarian food is many-layered, generally hard to pronounce for us English speakers, and uniformly delicious.

Since the names are often unfamiliar to those of us who don’t hail from that corner of the world, we recommend doing some research on Hungarian food while you’re picking out the best things to do in Budapest , or even signing up for a Budapest food tour to get acquainted with the cuisine.

Y our time in the city will be greatly enhanced by it!

B ook your Budapest food tour today!

Taste Hungarian wines.

Hungary may not have enormous wine regions, but it still manages to turn out some delicious wines!

We personally can’t stop raving about the tasting we did with Taste Hungary in Budapest!

I t’s easily one of our favorite wine tastings to date and the perfect itinerary addition to consider when you’re deciding what to do in Budapest.

We adored this wine and food tasting class , and still occasionally crave our favorite blue-cheese-and-Tokaj-wine pairing!

… Or even set off on a day trip to wine country.

It may be hard to fathom when standing in amongst the beautiful architecture of the historic center of the city, Budapest’s wine country is easy to visit as a day trip from the capital .

This popular day trip to the Etyek wine region is a fantastic way to explore another corner of Hungary during your trip to Budapest!

Munch on a chimney cake.

Known as “kürtőskalács” in Hungarian, these hollow pull-apart cakes are the perfect quick dessert to try while on the go in Budapest.

They’re popular across Central Europe these days, especially at Christmas markets –but to enjoy the original version, be sure to snack on some while visiting Budapest!

Indulge in Budapest’s cafe scene.

Budapest is known for its glitzy, glamorous cafes, complete with stunning decor, delicious coffee, and–of course–plenty of cake.

New York Cafe is the best-known and arguably most beautiful cafe in Budapest… but the prices and crowds definitely make you pay for the privilege of visiting.

We personally prefer Central Cafe, which is almost as beautiful, far more affordable (though still pricey by Budapest standards, of course), and much less crowded.

Try one of my favorite cakes in the world: Esterhazy Cake.

Spiced buttercream layered with a walnut dough and topped with icing–what could possibly be better than that?

Esterhazy cake is sweet, rich, smooth, and delicious, and grabbing (at least) one slice is always on my list of things to do in Budapest.

Buy some paprika.

Hungary is known for its paprika, and buying a bag or two makes the perfect souvenir from Budapest!

Hungarian paprika i s affordable, easy to pack, and much more delicious than the paprika sold in other parts of the world.

Go on a bar crawl through the ruin bars (or just stop by for a drink).

Nearly 20 years ago, ruin bars came to Budapest… and their popularity has only continued to explode ever since.

Known for cheap drinks and eclectic decor, Budapest’s ruin bars are housed in once-derelict buildings that have found second lives as lively pubs.

The oldest, biggest, and most famous ruin bar is Szimpla Kert, and it’s the perfect place to introduce yourself to Budapest’s ruin bars.

For nightlife lovers, signing up for a pub crawl like this can be a great way to get to know this special side of Budapest while meeting fellow travelers!

Budapest is often touted as one of the best cities for nightlife in Europe , and its incredible ruin bars are a big part of the reason why.

Check out the For Sale Pub.

Though it is not as well known as the ever-popular ruin bars, I’ve wanted to visit this place ever since seeing a picture of it years ago!

T he For Sale Pub is decorated by guests’ artwork, receipts, pictures, and just about any other form of paper you can think of hanging from the ceiling.

Add in a brick fireplace, worn wood floors with straw on them, and dark lighting, and you have the makings of a cozy spot to grab a drink or a bite to eat.

While the prices aren’t the cheapest you’ll find in Budapest (this is a bit of a tourist attraction, after all, and located right across from the famous Central Market Hall), we found them to be completely reasonable–and the portions so enormous that they actually warn people on their menu about them!

Pay a visit to (at least) one of Budapest’s thermal baths.

Budapest is known for its beautiful thermal baths, from the Instagram-famous Szechenyi Baths to the glamorous Gellert Baths to the offbeat Rudas Baths , and paying a visit to at least one of them is absolutely one of the best things to do in Budapest.

Don’t leave the city without experiencing at least one soak!

We recommend setting aside at least a couple of hours to enjoy each spa you want to try, though true relaxation lovers could easily spend a full day in places like the Gellert Baths (especially if you want to add on extras like a massage).

Book tickets to visit some of Budapest’s best thermal baths today!

Get underground and go on a caving adventure.

Budapest is built over a couple of incredible cave systems, and the best part is that some of them are open for tours!

You could opt for a standard walking tour around a beautiful cave with stalagmites and stalactites… or you could go the adventurous route.

Our adventure caving tour wit h Caving Under Budapest took us into the cave through the entrance of what was once used as a war-time bomb shelter.

From t here we descended underground and spent the next several hours squeezing through tiny crevices, climbing walls, and enjoying an incredible, naturally formed “playground” as our guide Kazer christened it.

It was amazing, and we can’t recommend the experience enough.

Swing by the statue of Imre Nagy.

Imre Nagy was a political leader in Hungary during two points in time–but most importantly, during the uprising of 1956.

In 1956, Hungarians rebelled against Soviet rule, and Imre Nagy played a key role in the movement.

However, the movement was eventually crushed by the Soviets, and Nagy was executed and buried in an unmarked grave a mere 2 years later.

Today, the statue commemorating Nagy looks over Parliament in honor of his memory.

In addition to the meaningfulness of the statue, the small square it is housed in and the beautiful view of Parliament available make this a spot definitely worth seeing in Budapest.

… And also the one of Ronald Reagan.

Ronald Reagan may seem like a surprising candidate for a statue at the edge of Budapest’s Liberty Square, but there he is–and not very far away from Imre Nagy!

The statue was placed in honor of Reagan’s efforts to end the Cold War and, by extension, Soviet influence over Hungary.

Watch the changing of the guard at Buda Castle.

Every hour on the hour, the guard outside of Buda Castle changes over in a formal, choreographed ceremony, and it is well worth taking a few minutes to stop and watch!

See a different side of Budapest on Margaret Island.

Margaret Island is completely different from the rest of Budapest!

L ocated in the middle of the Danube, this small island is full of green spaces, pedestrian walkways, and peaceful, nature-filled ways to escape the city.

Pay a visit to take a bike ride, enjoy river views, check out the Japanese gardens that call the island home, and even take a dip in Margaret Island’s thermal baths.

Visit Liberty Square.

Home to several historical monuments (including one honoring the Soviet Red Army and one honoring the victims of German occupation), plenty of green space, and the former home of the Budapest Stock Exchange, Liberty Square is a solid mix of history, modern life, and cultural touchstones.

On a completely unrelated note, it’s a fantastic place for dog watching, which is one of our favorite aspects of the square!

Check out Memento Park.

Hungary existed under Communist rule for 40 years, from 1949 to 1989.

When it was over, Budapest suddenly had a lot of fairly irrelevant and often hated monuments to Communism and its leaders… and needed to find something to do with them.

Hence, Memento Park was born.

Home to dozens of statues of monuments dedicated to the likes of Marx, Lenin, and other Communist figures, Memento Park is an outdoor museum that exists to share a very specific piece of Budapest’s history.

Release your inner Belle at the Szabo Ervin Library.

When we walked into the incredibly gorgeous art deco rooms of this library, I had two thoughts: 1) I cannot believe this place isn’t more well known, and 2) this is everything I dreamed of as a child.

Picture some of the rooms of Versailles , add books and random students who are studying, and that’s more or less the level of opulence in this place!

A s a result, I spent about half our time there having major Beauty and the Beast flashbacks.

For a small fee, you can enter the library through the pretty-but-not-so-remarkable lobby and ascend to the fourth floor, where the most beautiful wing of a library that I have ever seen is waiting to be discovered and then savored.

If you’re a book lover trying to decide what to do in Budapest, the Szabo Ervin Library should definitely be a priority!

Stroll through City Park.

This large, shady park in Budapest is the perfect place for a picnic, a quick rest away from the city, or even for some sightseeing!

Several of Budapest’s major attractions, including the Szchenzyi Baths and Heroes Square, are located in or right by City Park.

… And visit Vajdahunyad Castle.

Also located within City Park?

Vajdahunyad Castle, which is not exactly the traditional castle it may appear to be at first glance.

Built in 1896, Vajdahunyad Castle was built by combining several architectural styles popular in Hungary at different times, making the castle itself a bit of a hodge podge.

It was also originally made of cardboard and was intended to be a temporary attraction in the late nineteenth century.

Eventually , the castle’s popularity demanded a more permanent solution, and it was rebuilt out of more durable materials.

Pay your respects at the Shoes on the Danube monument.

Placed in honor of the Jewish people who were murdered along the Danube in 1944 and 1945, the Shoes on the Danube monument is both important and deeply meaningful.

As WWII hurried toward its conclusion in the mid-1940s, many Jewish people in Budapest were shot by firing squad along the Danube–but not before first being forced to part with their shoes, as they were considered valuable.

This monument is a memorial to those murders and is a must-see in Budapest.

If you descend to the bank of the Danube at the Hungarian Parliament and walk toward the Chain Bridge, that is where you’ll come across the Shoes on the Danube monument.

Visit the Cinkota Cemetery.

If you like visiting obscure places or cemeteries in general, Cinkota Cemetery is the place for you.

This cemetery has been forgotten by time, and today is overgrown, with nature steadily working to reclaim each of the gravestones.

It’s eerie and unusual, but definitely an interesting place to visit for those looking to see an often overlooked piece of history.

Admire the street art in the Jewish Quarter.

Budapest’s Jewish Quarter (which is also where you’ll find many ruin pubs) is packed with impressive street art.

The murals tend toward the gigantic and include everything from political messages to peaceful nature scenes to an enormous mural of a Rubik’s cube in honor of the Hungarian inventor of the puzzle.

You can, of course, hunt down the street art for yourself–but we found some of our favorite pieces by taking a street art tour .

If you’re curious about discovering a different side of Budapest’s art and culture, a street art tour like this is a fantastic sightseeing option!

Shop street art tours in Budapest today!

Stroll down Andrassy Avenue.

Lined with beautiful mansions and leafy trees, Andrassy Avenue dates back to the 19th century and is often considered one of Budapest’s most fashionable streets.

It begins roughly across the street from St. Stephen’s Basilica and runs all the way to Heroes Square and City Park–and if you decide to walk the whole thing, you’ll find plenty to see along the way!

Andrassy Avenue is home to the Hungarian State Opera House and the House of Terror Museum, so you’ll likely be stopping by at least once when exploring the best things to do in Budapest.

Get into the holiday spirit at the Christmas Markets.

Budapest’s Christmas markets–especially the one in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica–are beautifully decorated and full of delicious foods, drinks, and souvenirs, usually for much less than you would expect to pay in nearby Austria .

Check out the Ecseri Flea Market.

If you’re looking for something eclectic, unusual, or just plain strange to bring home, consider adding a visit to the Ecseri Flea Market to your list of things to do in Budapest.

This giant flea market in Budapest is at its best on weekends, and there is absolutely no telling what you’ll find there–except several surprises.

Go see the Zero Kilometer Stone.

Interested in transportation like Jeremy is?

Then you’ll want to see the Zero Kilometer Stone–this statue marks the exact spot from which all road distances to Budapest are measured in Hungary.

Head off to Szentendre for a day.

This small, artsy Hungarian town is colorful, beautiful, and a great way to get a small taste of Hungarian life outside of Budapest without having to travel far.

Located about 40 minutes away from Budapest by train or an hour by boat (yep, visiting Szentendre is a great excuse to take an impromptu Danube river cruise!), a day trip to Szentendre is the perfect addition to a longer Budapest trip.

Book your day trip to Szentendre today!

Wondering where to stay in Budapest ?

Be sure to first decide whether or not to stay in Buda or Pest!  We break down that decision here.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for any budget on either side of the river!

Here are a few well-reviewed picks for where to stay in Budapest.

Jackquaters  — Located right next to Vaci Utca and only 100 meters from the Danube, Jackquaters is the perfect location for anyone visiting Budapest.

Budapest highlights like the Chain Bridge and Great Market Hall are within easy walking distance.

Check rates & book your stay at Jackquaters!

Hotel Erzsébet  — With Central Market Hall and Vaci Utca at your fingertips, you definitely won’t go hungry while staying at the beautiful Hotel Erzsébet!

With modern interiors, easy access to the metro, and a central location, this well-reviewed property is a reliable and cozy place to stay.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Erzsébet!

Hotel Mika Superior  — Not only does Hotel Mika Superior offer beautiful rooms, fabulous service, and a delicious included breakfast, but it’s also located in the old Jewish Quarter of the city, near the Dohany Street Synagogue and Hungarian Opera House.

This is one of our personal favorite neighborhoods to stay in while visiting Budapest!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Mika Superior!

Tips for Traveling Budapest , Hungary

Consider grabbing a transportation pass or budapest card..

If you’re planning on hitting several of the best things to do in Budapest, you’ll likely find yourself hopping on trams, buses, and the metro on a fairly regular basis.

In most cases, it will work out better to buy a transportation card good for a certain number of days (available at metro ticket kiosks).

Alternatively, some travelers may want to buy a Budapest Card that includes public transportation as one of its benefits.

If you want to visit the Hungarian Parliament, book tickets in advance.

Tours of the Hungarian Parliament do need to be booked in advance and sell out days in advance, especially in the summer.

If you have your heart set on visiting, book your tickets ASAP!

Think carefully about which side of the river you want to stay on: Buda or Pest.

Both sides of the Danube have their advantages (Buda boasts prettier views and Pest better nightlife, for example), but they do have a different feel.

For more on this, check ou t our guide to choosing between Buda and Pest .

Hint: we personally prefer to stay in Pest.

Hungary doesn’t use the Euro, but Budapest is very card-friendly.

The Hungarian forint is the currency in Budapest, and Euros are not widely accepted (and in places where they are accepted, it’s still better to use forint–the exchange rate is generally not favorable).

However, most restaurants and tourist attractions take credit cards, so you may not need as much forint as you would think when traveling in Budapest!

We tend to use very little cash while in the city.

Plan your itinerary based on geography.

Budapest’s main attractions are spread all across the city–and while this is a bit of a challenge from a logistics perspective, it actually ends up working to Budapest’s advantage!

U nlike other popular Central European cities like Prague or Salzburg , Budapest manages to be incredibly popular without feeling extremely crowded (minus certain spots like Fisherman’s Bastion).

This does mean, however, that you’ll want to plan your days based on the attractions concentrated in certain areas.

For instance, the Castle District, home to Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and beyond makes a good focus for one day.

Another day could cover the Szechenyi Baths, City Park, Heroes Square, and Vajdahunyad Castle, which are all concentrated close together.

Don’t worry about the language barrier.

English is widespread in Budapest, especially among those who work in the tourism and customer service industries.

While it is polite to learn a few Hungarian phrases and they are always appreciated when we break them out, Hungarians don’t tend to expect visitors to know or learn their language.

Personally, w e’ve never experienced any significant language barrier challenges while visiting Budapest.

Ready to keep planning your trip to Central Europe?

We’d love to help!

You can  browse all of our Hungary blog posts here , or check out these guides:

• The Ideal 3 Days in Budapest Itinerary (+ Travel Guide)
• 75+ Essential Europe Travel Tips You Need to Hear
• Budapest in November: Worth the Trip? (+ Tips!)
• 21+ Dreamy, Romantic Cities in Europe for a Couples Getaway
• How To Visit Auschwitz From Krakow (Do You Need a Tour?)

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Many thanks to Caving Under Budapest, Taste Hungary, and Absolute Walking Tours for hosting us on our adventures with them! All opinions are, as always, our own. 

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

24 thoughts on “50+ Best Things to Do in Budapest (+Tips for Visiting!)”

Wow – what a truly amazing and engrossing post! Such unique, interesting and fun activities that so many people would have no idea existed in Budapest. I don’t think I have a particular favorite – I would just love to visit and use this post as my list to experience them all! Such a great article and inspiration to go and visit Budapest.

Hope you get a chance to visit Budapest soon! I think you’ll love it.

I love caving, which make Budapest an interesting choice. ATM was amazing. We used to live in Tucson where they have two commercial caves – Kartchner Caverns and Colossal Cave. Colossal is the older, historic tour that even includes they parts of the cave that were used as a bomb shelter. Kartchner is a newly discovered cave with amazing formations. Much like Budapest, you can have your choice of tours.

I agree, ATM was phenomenal! I’ll have to look up those caves the next time we’re passing through Arizona–so far, we haven’t met a cave we didn’t like.

I’ve not yet been to Budapest, so I would love to climb Gellert Hill and take photos of their fantastic parliament building! The walking tour is something that really interests me, as you get to see so many great and hidden sights. The labyrinth at Buda Castle looks creepy but fun!

Their parliament building really is amazing–one of the prettiest buildings we’ve ever seen!

I have been to Budapest a couple of times but I didn’t know about any of these places before. I guess I have to go again! I had no idea that you can explore cave underneath the city. That is pretty cool! I’d love to have a coffee at Cafe Central as well, the building looks absolutely stunning! The walking tour sounds exciting as well.

Always a good reason to plan your next trip to Budapest, right? 😉 We already can’t wait to see it again!

I love Budapest so much! I’d heard about the caving but wasn’t sure about it. If I go back I’ll definitely do it now! Love all the places you went to, I definitely need to remember them for when I go again with my husband!

Hope you guys get to make it back soon! Definitely check out the caving–such a memorable way to spend a day!

Oh boy! You got me at caving!! I’d love to do that. Like you said, you can never get bored of Budapest. Hoping to tick off the 2 C’s in Budapest: Caving and Coffee, soon!! 🙂 Cheers!!

Ha, I like that! Two very important C’s indeed 🙂

I wish I’d seen this a few weeks ago before we were there! Luckily, we filled our days to the brim, so we don’t feel like we could have done much more anyway. I had to laugh about your fear of ferris wheels because I, on the other hand, would have been terrified to do the underground stuff! Heights I love; depths not so much.

So strange how the mind works, right?! I love being underground, but am still too nervous to try a helicopter tour!

I never knew that Budapest was built above an underground cave system, how interesting! That library looks so stunning, I could spend all day just taking it all in. Would love to visit Budapest one day, so many unique things to do, thanks for sharing this great list!

Hope you get a chance to see it soon–Budapest is an amazing city!

It is very interesting to know that there is something underground which is a cave system of Budapest. Exploring this city underground is so unique. Blue Hour picture taken by you is most stunning one. This city is magical during evenings. I would prefer Coffee at central cafe.

Thanks! Jeremy took that blue hour photo, it’s one of our favorites too. 🙂

I haven’t made it to Budapest yet so I probably would want to check out some of the touristy spots, but I ALWAYS appreciate an off the beaten path list for any city I travel to. I love the underground caves – they remind me of caves I went to near Vinales, Cuba. Our guide also turned off our headlamps and let us sit in complete darkness for a moment, just to see how quiet it got and what that felt like. I would love to check out all these places when I visit Budapest!

Oooh, that Cuba experience sounds wonderful! We’ll definitely have to remember that for when we eventually go.

Is there any good mobile apps you recommended for city maps etc

I’ve heard of one called My Budapest City to find attractions, but I’ve never used any!

Honestly, we just pin things to do on Google Maps and then download them offline if needed. 🙂

Greetings from Israel! Thank you for this great article. We just booked a 3.5-day trip to Budapest and are excited to follow your Budapest in 3 days plan + a few extras from this article. We’re so jealous that you are doing this as a lifestyle!

Thank you so much, Inbal!! I hope you guys have an amazing time in Budapest–it’s a magnificent city.

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This Central European City Is 'Paris of the East' and Boasts Michelin-Starred Restaurants, Contemporary Museums, and High-End Shopping

Budapest is emerging as Central Europe's most modern city.

Where to Eat

Where to stay, where to see art, where to shop.

Stuart Westmorland/Getty Images

With its history dating back to the Roman times and its grand palaces and cultural institutions, Budapest is one of Europe's most beautiful and architecturally significant capitals. Dubbed "Paris of the East," the Hungarian city comprises Buda and Pest, sitting on the opposite banks of the Danube River, linked by the spectacular Chain Bridge.

The city is recognized for its cultural significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , offering spectacular architecture, riverfront views, and thermal baths. But Budapest, while rooted in the past, is also emerging as a modern world-class destination with Michelin-starred restaurants, a globally acclaimed art scene, top-notch hotels, sleek spas, and countless independent boutiques and design shops.

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"Budapest has been an 'over-cultured' city for about a hundred years, with more theatres, symphony orchestras and museums than the country could have afforded," said András Török, a Budapest-based author and lecturer, whose latest book "Budapest Gem" was published by Assouline in April. "Nowadays, Budapest, a city just the right size, offers all the sophistication of much larger cities, especially after the gastro revolution of the mid-2010s."

Read on for a curated list of Budapest's best hotels, restaurants, spas, and galleries that reveal the city's modern spirit. 

Overlooking the Danube River, Felix occupies a stunning neo-renaissance building and a former pumping station for the Royal Palace. The elegant eatery, often frequented by celebrities, boasts multiple dining rooms, including a breezy (and shaded) terrace with spectacular Gresham Palace and Buda Castle vistas. With seasonal, globally-inspired menus and a few year-round classics like oysters and caviar, Felix sources the freshest local ingredients and prime cuts of Australian and Japanese meats. Patrons also enjoy an impressive selection of hundreds of bottles of classic and rare Hungarian and international wines. Try the 1995 Oremus Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos, a sweet dessert wine from Hungary's most renowned wine region, or indulge in a bottle of dry white 2021 Balassa X Czinki Szent Tamás Furmint, the result of a collaboration between one of the country's best vineyards and master sommelier Tamas Czinki, who's behind the restaurant's wine list.

In 2022, the Michelin Guide launched its inaugural Hungary guide, awarding two stars to just two eateries, including the Budapest-based Stand . The cozy downtown restaurant is helmed by award-winning chefs Tamás Széll and Szabina Szulló, whose elaborate dishes are rooted in traditional Hungarian culinary traditions but prepared with modern palates in mind. The result is a fine dining experience that showcases modern techniques and takes guests on a culinary journey around the country in an elegant yet cozy dining room.

Courtesy of W Budapest

Another highlight of the modern Budapest dining scene is Babel , which, like Stand, has been part of the Michelin Guide for two years. There is something whimsical and homey about its dining room, which features exposed stone walls, lush greenery, and warm wood accents. The eight-course menu is a refined celebration of Central European flavors and ingredients with a touch of Scandinavian minimalism. 

Nightingale by Beefbar , the sleek Art Nouveau restaurant and bar of W Budapest, draws the city's cool crowd. Handcrafted cocktails, live DJ sessions, and shareable plates of Asian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes are complemented by front-row views of the city's Opera House across the street on elegant Andrássy Avenue. 

It's easy to see why luxe hospitality brands love Budapest — the city has no shortage of grand palaces and mansions oozing Old World charm that have been transformed into five-star hotels.

But a roster of new openings blends past and present, marrying the best of two worlds and aesthetics.

W Budapest , which opened its doors in the summer of 2023 and was a finalist on this year's Travel + Leisure It List , is a prime example of the timeless sophistication of the city's historic buildings. Housed in the UNESCO-listed Drechsler Palace on Andrássy Avenue, the property's spectacular interiors reference the building's past — at one point, it served as the headquarters for the Ballet Insitute, so all bathrooms are outfitted with dressing room-like mirrors and lighting fixtures are inspired by delicate pearl earrings that ballerinas wear — with the brand's design-forward approach to hospitality. There are spacious accommodations with custom furnishings, a spa with an indoor heated pool, an impossibly chic hidden speakeasy, and a very Instagram-worthy courtyard covered by a wave-like glass ceiling.

With 84 rooms, the splendid Kozmo Hotel Suites and Spa , falls into the boutique hotel category and bills itself as the "modern reinterpretation of luxury." The five-star property, also housed in a historic landmark building, proves sophistication is in the small details such as Penhaligon toiletries, poster beds, bathtubs, and expansive city views.

Spanning three buildings, Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection debuted in November 2023 at the heart of the city's downtown, just a few blocks from the Danube River. With 216 rooms, all impeccably furnished by the Milan-based Lissoni & Partners studio and featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, soaking bathtubs, and private balconies, the property's interiors balance old and new.

In recent years, the art landscape in Budapest has changed thanks to the growing recognition of Hungarian artists abroad and the rise of younger Hungarian collectors at home.

"Hungarian people have become more open for contemporary art," Márton Nemes , one of Hungary's most prominent contemporary artists, explained in his downtown Budapest studio. He said more young people are encouraged to pursue careers as professional artists at home. Nemes studied in London and divides his time between New York City and Budapest. His colorful abstract work is currently on view at the Hungarian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

Tanatat pongphibool/Getty Images

The Hungarian capital's art scene is ripe with galleries and spaces showcasing a diaspora of art media by established and up-and-coming artists. acb Galéria , housed in a neo-Renaissance building a few city blocks from the city's Opera House, was founded in the early 2000s but has since become one of the most prestigious art galleries in Hungary with three exhibition spaces and focuses on emerging local and international artists. (Nemes's work was displayed here in 2023.) 

In September 2021, 37-year-old Hong Kong art collector Queenie Rosita Law opened Q Contemporary , a non-profit art center dedicated to Central and East European art, housed in the elegant 19th-century Rausch Villa on Andrássy Avenue. Law has been a champion of Hungarian art for over a decade after spending time in the region as a student at the prestigious Central St. Martins School of Art and Design in London. The space was renovated and now has whitewashed walls where travelers can peruse some one hundred works of art by dozens of the region's most prominent multidisciplinary contemporary artists like the internationally acclaimed László Fehér, Ilona Keserü, and Mira Brtka. 

Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

For decades, The Studio of Young Artists' Association has supported Hungary's art professionals, and its FKSE Stúdió, a permanent exhibition space in Budapest's bohemian 7th district on the Pest side, promotes the work of the country's youngest artists and most recent art school graduates. The dynamic space also hosts lectures, discussions, video presentations, and other events where the general public can meet the artists in person.

And among the many galleries and art spaces along Bartók Béla Boulevard on the Buda side, you'll find Godot Intézet (the entrance is through a coffee shop), a small and beautiful gallery space with huge circular windows that regularly showcases art by local newcomers. Godot Intézet is associated with Budapest's Godot Galéria, an Independent Museum for Contemporary Art , which is also a worthy stop.

Nanushka , the sustainable fashion brand with a cult following among fashionistas on both sides of the Atlantic, was founded almost two decades ago in Budapest by Sandra Sándor and is now one of the best-known Hungarian labels worldwide. The company's aesthetic blends traditional Hungarian folklore details with urban simplicity and impeccable craftsmanship. Nanushka's Budapest store is fronted by a trendy coffee shop serving pastries and caffeinated drinks, hinting at the company's lifestyle appeal. The curated boutique collection includes women's and men's wear, including accessories like bags and sunglasses.

Dan Glasser/Courtesy of Nanushka

A few steps from Nanushka is the bright and airy boutique of Aeron , another well-known Hungarian brand in fashion circles, offering pieces that showcase its designer's penchant for sustainable practices and materials and exquisite tailoring and timeless design.

On the complete opposite of the creative spectrum is Eszka , whose brightly colored patterns and bold knitwear are designed to boost a wearer's confidence.

And if you need some high-end R&R, head to Omorovicza Insitute . The serene spa and store of the celebrity-favorite beauty brand (Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Uma Thurman are fans) uses minerals from the city's thermal waters. Book a detoxifying facial with Omorovicza's Moor mud products that refine and nourish or boost your skin's hydration levels with the brand's Hydrafacial Skin Therapy Session, blending its proprietary healing concentrate for instant glow and rejuvenation.

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Best Things to do in Budapest

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Budapest  is by far one of the most beautiful European capital city; an authentic gem where museums, monuments, and hidden treasures conquer its visitors and tourists since the very beginning.

These are some of the best things to see in Budapest  for those who visit it for the very first time and do not want to miss a thing, as well as for those who know the city already but are willing to discover new things.

Hungary's Parliament

Budapest Parliament  is one of the landmarks of the city. It overlooks the Danube river and it is one of the first attractions to see in the city. Its Neo-Gothic architecture reminds of the Palace of Westminster in London. However, the Parliament is characterized by its dome and its size: it is 268 meters long and 96 meters high, just as much as St.Stephen’s Basilica .

It hosts the Parliament, the Hungarian Library, and the offices of the  Head of Government  as well of the  President of the Republic . It is possible to attend guided tours; tickets can be purchased at ticket offices or online.

Find out more about the Hungarian Parliament

Thermal Baths in Budapest

Budapest is the city of the thermal baths; it is one of the European capitals where thermal bath facilities represent a daily habit of its inhabitants. Most of its thermal baths are historical and are characterized by elegant structures offering all the best comforts.

Do not miss  Szechenyi  baths, located near Heroe’s Square, and  Gellert  baths, built in Liberty style and located right in the heart of Budapest;  Lukacs  baths date back to the 13th century and its waters have great benefits for belly disorders.

Find more about Thermal Baths in Budapest

Buda Castle

The Buda Castle overlooks the city of Budapest from a hill. In 1987 it was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Back in the past it was used as the residence of kings and emperors, while today it hosts the Budapest  History Museum and the  Hungarian National Gallery .

It is possible to reach it by walking across the Chains Bridge or by the taking the funicular. The view of the city from the Castle Hill is just amazing; you can see the Parliament building on the opposite shore of the Danube river, the Cathedral and the whole district of Pest.

Find more About Buda Castle

Chains Bridge

The  Chain Bridge  is the most famous bridge crossing the Danube river in Budapest. It is adorned by two lion statues and it represents by far one of the main landmarks of the city. It is a drivable bridge, but it is closed to traffic on public holidays. At night time it is lighted up giving to the city a magical touch.

The Chain Bridge is also known as the  Szechenyi Bridge , named after the Hungarian count who ordered its construction. It was opened it 1849 and it was demolished by the Germans during Second World War. However, it was reconstructed in 1949.

Find more about the Chain Bridge

Heroe's Square

Heroe’s Square , also known as Hosok Tere in the Hungarian language, is one of the main squares in Budapest. It is located on the north side of the city, near  Varosliget  park and facing the Museum of Fine Arts and the Mucsarnoc Art Gallery.

The  Millennium Monument  stands in the heart of Heroe’s Square; it is a column featuring at its base the statues of ancient heroes who wrote the history of Hungary, including Arpad, who is considered the founder of the country.

On the back side of the square, just in front of  Varosliget park , there are two semicircular arcades with a colonnade with statues featuring Hungarian statesmen and leaders.

Margaret Island

Margaret Island , or Margit Sziget in Hungarian, is located on the Danube river, a little bit towards the north side from the old city of Budapest. It is a very popular city park characterized by a Japanese garden, a zoo, and some other installations such as fountains and pavilions.

During spring and summer time Margaret Island is a great option for those who wish to  spend an entertaining and relaxing day ; it is possibile to rent a bike or a rickshaw and ride around the park enjoying the beauty of nature.

Vaci Utca  is a pedestrian street in Budapest and it is very much appreciated by tourists. It represents the shopping street of the city thanks to its several shops, bars, restaurants, and night clubs.

It connects Budapest Central Market to  Vorosmary Square  and it is crowded at any time of the day or night. All restaurants and bars on this street are mostly for tourists, so if you are looking for a more authentic and local experience you should choose somewhere else.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral was build in Neo-Classical style between the end of 1800 and the beginning of 1900. Located in Pest, it is the main cathedral of Budapest as well as one of the most beautiful churches of the city.

It has a  Greek cross ground plan  and its dome is as high as the Hungarian Parliament in order to underline the same importance of the laical and spiritual power within the city. The interior of the cathedral is adorned by marbles and woks of arts which are in contrast with its austere facade.

Fisherman's Bastion

The  Fisherman’s Bastion  is located near Matthias Church, not too far from the Castle district. Its unique shape turned it into one of the main symbols of the city. It was built between 1895 and 1902 and it was restored just after the  Second World War . It was named after the fishermen’s corporation, who was in charge of defending this side of Budapest.

From here it is possible to admire the beautiful view over the Hungarian capital city; the Budapest Parliament is located on the  opposite shore of the Danube . The Fisherman’s Bastion is made of white marble and it is characterized by seven towers representing the ancient magyar tribes living in the area.

Matthias Church

Matthias Church , named after the Hungarian King Matthias, in located on the Castle Hill, and its origins date back to 1255. It was converted into a mosque during the Turkish conquest, while towards the end of 1800 and it was restored once again.

The church features two majestic gates, while its interior is characterized by three aisles decorated by frescos and glass windows. The  royal funereal chapel  hosts the remains of king Bela III of Hungary, as well as Anne de Chatillon.

In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article

Cruises on Danube in Budapest

Szechenyi baths, the parliament of budapest, great synagogue, st. stephen’s basilica, belvaros district, budapest funicular, budapest indoor market, budapest opera house, budapest zoo, chain bridge, fishermen’s bastion, jewish quarter, heroes’ square, hungarian national gallery, memento park, budapest’s statue park, new york cafe, tours and itineraries, 3 days in budapest, the perfect itinerary, budapest guided tours, best museums in budapest, around budapest, day trips from budapest, tourism in hungary, how to save on transport and entrance fees.

City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.

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Bathers soak in the Széchenyi thermal bath in Budapest, Hungary.

Discover the Best of Budapest

Make your trip to this European capital unforgettable with these top 10 tips.

A cosmopolitan European capital with a relaxed vibe, Budapest’s wide boulevards and stunning architecture, steamy thermal baths, wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites, and evolving food scene are sure to resonate with all types of travelers.

Natural Wonder

Budapest has a massive underground cave system formed by the same geological springs that provide water to the city’s many thermal baths. Three of the caves are open to visitors, with varying levels of difficulty. The fascinating Hospital in the Rock is part of the Buda Castle Cave and was used as a secret hospital and shelter during World War II.

Archaeological Site

The remains of the Roman city of Aquincum are on display at Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park in Budapest’s Óbuda district. The capital of the Roman Empire’s Pannonia Inferior province, Aquincum’s excavated ruins date back to the second century and include the remains of an amphitheater, mosaics, tombs, and statues.

UNESCO Site

No trip to Budapest is complete without a visit to the Castle Quarter , including Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the quaint cobbled streets and pastel buildings throughout. Before sunset is the best time to visit, when the sun lays a warm blanket of light across the area and the sky makes a dramatic and colorful transition from day to night.

Cultural Sites

Exploring the Budapest Jewish community’s recent history is a sobering experience, laying bare both the unbridled evil and unabashed humanity of our species. Don’t miss Shoes on the Danube , memorials to Carl Lutz and Raoul Wallenberg , and the Dohány Street and Kazinczy Street Synagogues.

Best Day Trip

Szentendre is a pleasant day trip about one hour by train from Budapest. Known as an artists’ community, you’ll meet plenty of makers hawking their work on the streets in warm weather, and you'll see a mix of souvenir and upscale design stores around town. Break up your exploring at a riverside restaurant, or grab a table on the main square.

Off the Beaten Path

Although Széchenyi is the most famous thermal bath in Hungary , you’re unlikely to find yourself soaking with locals here. Instead, head to Rudas Thermal Bath , which dates back to the 1500s when Budapest was occupied by the Ottoman Empire. The small soaker tub on the rooftop is a must, offering great views over the Danube.

Most Iconic Place

In a city filled with spectacular architecture and sites, the Hungarian Parliament Building stands out as a symbol of the city and impossible-to-ignore presence on the Danube. Wander the beautiful grounds, take a tour to see the Hungarian Holy Crown, and enjoy spectacular views of the exterior from Margaret Bridge and the opposite bank of the Danube.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Budapest’s nightlife is concentrated in the Seventh District (Erzsébetváros), otherwise known as the Jewish Quarter. Among synagogues and kosher restaurants you’ll find something for everyone, from street food pods and dive bars to upscale speakeasies, wine bars highlighting local varietals, and secret clubs. Kazinczy Street, Király Street, and Gozsdu-udvar are good spots to start (and finish) your night.

Historic Site

Don’t leave Budapest without taking a ride on the adorable M1 metro , a UNESCO World Heritage site that runs under Andrássy Avenue from Vörösmarty Square to City Park. The oldest underground in continental Europe, the M1 was built in the late 19th century and has maintained its original character at each stop.

Local Quirk

Hungary’s unofficial ban on clinking beer glasses dates back to 1848, when Austria quashed Hungary’s anti-Hapsburg revolt and clinked beer glasses to celebrate. Enraged by the insult, Hungarians vowed not to clink beer glasses for 150 years. Although the ban expired in 1998 and you’re unlikely to find Budapest’s young, craft-beer-loving urbanites following along, older Hungarians stick to the custom.

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Your Guide To Planning a Trip Budapest: When to Go and How Long to Stay In Hungary’s Gorgeous Capital City

W e might be biased since we used to live here, but man, Caleb and I think Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe.  It’s got hearty food that feels like your grandma is hugging your taste buds, mind-blowing wine, gorgeous architecture, and a stunning river. Did we mention the wine?

With all that goodness, it can make trip planning hard! We struggled with what to prioritize when we first visited, so we’re here to help with our beginner’s guide to planning a trip to Budapest! The quick overview is that you should spend at least 2 days in Budapest and the best months are April, May, September and October!

In this guide, We’ll go deeper into what you need to know to decide how many days to spend in Budapest and when to visit so you can have a memorable central European getaway! Let’s dive in!

Quick Navigation For This Guide: when to visit / How many days to stay

✔️ Essential Info:

📍 Location: In northern Hungary, which is in Central Europe

✈️ How to get there:  Fly into Ferenc Liszt International Airport or take a train.

☀️ Best months to go: April and May or September and October

🚗 Getting around:  Walking or public transport

⏰ How long to stay: at least 2 days, but longer is better!

💰 Budget: $300-$500 total for a weekend is an excellent, mid-range budget for two people, excluding flights/trains.

💴 Tipping: we recommend 10-12% in restaurants, and many restaurants add it to the bill already.

📞 Phone and Internet: We recommend getting Google Fi service , as you have data in basically any country worldwide. We LOVE it!

Let’s Choose When To Visit:

The “tldr:” our personal advice is to visit in spring or summer .

If you’re like us and have the attention span of a worm (do they even have attention spans? Life’s great mysteries), you really just need to know that we think the best time to visit Budapest is in April and May or September and October.

The weather is the nicest, the prices are the cheapest, and it’s less people-y. Of course, December is an option if you want Christmas markets, but as much as it hurts our Budapest-loving-hearts to write this, we think it’s one of the worst Christmas markets that we’ve ever visited.

Don’t throw a chimney cake at us.

Other Stuff You Should Consider: 

When planning how many days in Budapest, here are some other tips and tidbits that you should keep in mind:

• Prices: The best prices will always be the off-season – so basically anytime from January through May and then September through October.

The Summer and November/December are the most expensive months due to holidays and Christmas markets.

• Weather:  If you want the best weather, plan your visit for May or September/early October. That is when we’ve had the nicest, warm-but-not-face-melting weather.
• Tourists: Avoid June-August and December if you want Budapest without as many tourists.

Said a tourist. The irony.

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• Worst time to visit: Personally, we did not like visiting in the Summer or December. We were battling it out with selfie sticks and sticky, sweaty faces in the Summer and the Christmas market brigade in December.

Plus… it’s really cold then. Trust us, we lived there in the winter.

Month by Month Weather To Keep In Mind

While we are not weather people, here is what you can expect month-by-month according to Weatherspark , so you can use it as a guide to determine the best months to visit Budapest for you:

• January has an average temperature of 32°F or 0°C and 3 days of rain on average. 
• February has an average temperature of 34°F or 1°C and 3 days of rain on average. 
• March has an average temperature of 43°F or 6°C and 5 days of rain on average. 
• April has an average temperature of 53°F or 11°C and 6 days of rain on average. 
• May has an average temperature of 62°F or 16°C and 9 days of rain on average. 
• June has an average temperature of 68°F or 20°C and 8 days of rain on average. 
• July has an average temperature of 71°F or 22°C and 8 days of rain on average. 
• August has an average temperature of 70°F or 21°C and 7 days of rain on average. 
• September has an average temperature of 62°F or 16°C and 6 days of rain on average. 
• October has an average temperature of 52°F or 11°C and 6 days of rain on average. 
• November has an average temperature of 41°F or 5°C and 5 days of rain on average. 
• December has an average temperature of 33°F or 0°C and 4 days of rain on average. 

I MPORTANT:  These average temperatures are the average between the daily high and daily low temperatures. So, the daily high temperature is usually around 10°F higher than what is listed here.

Choosing How Many Days to Spend

Considering we lived there, we think you could spend endless days in Budapest. But, in reality, you need at LEAST 2 days in Budapest to see all the main tourist sites. But, to be honest, these are going to be really packed, and you’ll need a vacation from your vacation.

We *strongly* (like we wish we could shake you through the screen) urge you to resist trying to get it done as quickly as possible and really spend more time: at LEAST 3 days but ideally 4-5 or more to experience all the things that make us say it’s a top destination for couples!

Please, for the love of all things chimney cake, don’t just spend one day!

Ideas for choosing your perfect trip length:

With 2 days, you could:

If you have 2 days, it will give you enough time to see the main sites on the Buda side of Budapest – the chain bridge, Buda castle, and Fishermans Bastion – in one day. Then, you could zip around St Stephen Basilica and the Hungarian Parliament building one day. These things are featured in the video at the top of this post.

It would give you just enough time to try some Hungarian food and AMAZING wine (seriously, it’ll change your life) wine. But, your days will be rushed!!

If you had 3 days, you could:

If you had 3 days, you could do the above at a much more leisurely, enjoyable pace and even sleep in a little bit as you’re not rushing around.

You would have time to do a Hungarian wine tasting at our FAVORITE wine bar in all of Europe (no lie) and even do our favorite river cruise one night. We tried 3 of them, and this one is by far the best. Did we mention free wine?

If you had 4-5 days, you could:

Now things start to get really fun! You could do all the above and add this epic Budapest cooking class (with free wine!) so that you can experience the true local culture and flavors. It’s also a fun way to be able to recreate your trip at home!

You can eat more delicious Hungarian food and explore more of District 9 (our favorite, more local and trendy area where your wine tasting was)

You could also explore some of the gorgeous Hungarian bathhouses for a thermal bath! Romantic!

If you had a week, you could:

Do ALL THE THINGS listed, plus have some time to just get lost, explore, and find things to do.  Or, do it all really slowly and leisurely.

When we did this, we stumbled upon the cutest little deli with amazing Charcuterie called Falu Delikat – you should absolutely go if you like wine, cheese, and sausage! 

We also suggest a day trip to Lake Balaton Szentendre or Eger – the first and last options there are great for wine lovers.  White wine and red wine, respectively! 

Consider These Things When Choosing Your Itinerary:

Your budget:

While Budapest is a relatively cheap vacation, especially in relation to some other European countries, it still isn’t free! The longer you stay, the more you will spend.

Unfortunately, we’ve found that inflation is quite bad in Budapest , and it is no longer nearly as cheap as it was when we visited a few years back. Others noted this too, especially around the Christmas season.

“The prices are simply unreal, regardless of whether it’s for tourists or for Hungarians.” Margit Varga, local Hungarian

Where you’re staying in Budapest:

If you decide to stay in the city center, you will be able to see more quickly as you can walk basically everywhere. However, if you opt to save some bucks and stay outside the city center, you will need to factor in longer walks or metro/bus/train rides, meaning you may need more days to see more things!

You’re arrival and departure: 

The recommendations provided are primarily for entire days. Spending a couple of days in Budapest, where you arrive at night and depart in the morning, differs significantly from the opposite.

How you’re getting around:

While Budapest is very walkable, you have to consider transit time getting between these areas if you do take public transit or rideshare.

Time of year: 

If you’re visiting Budapest in the Summer, there are more tourists, so you will have to move a little more slowly, so you may want to spend an extra day or two. It will also be quite hot, so you may want to move slower and have more days so you can seek some AC while walking in the hot sun!

If you go in the winter, you may want to go slower so you can have time to seek warmth between walking! Hello, forralt bor! (Hungarian for mulled wine.)

Well, people, that’s a wrap on our personal guide for the basics of planning a trip to Budapest! If you have any questions, just leave a comment and we’ll get right back to you!

But, planning the perfect time and length doesn’t matter if you choose the wrong district to stay! We’re to help with our guide on the 3 best districts to stay in Budapest for first timers!

Other posts you might like:

• A Guide To Europe For Foodie Couples
• Where To Go In Europe: Couples Guide
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Budapest Weekend Guide 21-23 June

Shows, concerts and cultural attractions – Budapest is always buzzing. Each week, we gather all of the important happenings taking place in our favourite city so you can plan ahead.

Friday, 21 June 

Children's island.

Óbudai Island , a lush gem on the Danube in northern Budapest, transforms into a children's paradise from June 21st to 23rd . Renowned for hosting the famous Sziget music festival, the island will be temporarily renamed Children's Island. Activities abound for all age groups , from workshops, tattoos, and games to puzzles, ice cream, dancing, and concerts. Best of all, every event is free!

More details here .

MOME DIPLOMa EXHIBITION

If you'd peek inside the creative world of Budapest's biggest art and design institution, Moholy-Nagy University (MOME), Friday is the last day! Check out their Master's students exhibition , showcasing an array of intriguing concepts and innovative ideas reflecting on 21st-century issues and challenges.

Cinema: Agent of Happiness

Sign up for a movie night at  Toldi Cinema , where you can watch a true gem with English subtitles: the documentary by Hungarian Dorottya Zurbó . Agent of Happiness offers a unique take on the notoriously exoticized Bhutan and its unusual happiness policy. Get ready for unflinching honesty and quiet wisdom. 

"Amber is one of the many agents working for the Bhutanese government to measure people's happiness levels among the remote Himalayan mountains. We follow him as he investigates various expressions of contentment across different households and lifestyles while navigating his own struggle as a Nepali minority."

Get tickets here  online or on the spot.

Backstreet's Back – '90s Party at Budapest Park

If Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and the Spice Girls speak to your heart, not to mention your feet, you will love this themed party at Budapest Park ! The open-air concert venue's Retro Kert stage turns into a proper disco spot, with the music of the '80s, '90s and '00s  in the spotlight.

Get tickets here .

Saturday, 22 June

Midsommar – feast & wreath making.

Midsommar  is one of the most magical days in Sweden, when families and friends come together to celebrate nature, light, life and the joy of being together. And that's exactly what's about to happen in the surroundings of lush Széllkapu Park on June 22nd:  several bakeries join forces for a mouthwatering feast, bringing their signatures. You can also join a flower wreath workshop , guided by Floresse from 1 pm.

Downtown wardrobe sale

Let your inner shopaholic and eco-warrior enjoy themselves at the same time by joining a cool  second-hand sale . You can set off on a treasure hunt right in the city centre, on Erzsébet tér , to refresh your wardrobe in a sustainable way . The sale is on from 11 am to 7 pm, and you will surely not leave with empty hands.

Budapest Pride – March and Afterparty

The ultimate event to advocate for LGBTQ+ social and legal equality while dancing and singing your heart out to upbeat music. Over 35,000 people are expected to march through the streets of Budapest, including the World Heritage Site Andrássy út , uniting for equality, love, solidarity and justice. The celebration doesn't stop here: Hungary's largest LGBTQ+ party is popping up at Budapest Park, with more than 20 talented Hungarian artists showcasing their best tracks, dance moves and drag costumes.

More details here and here .

Night of Museums 2024

The Night of Museum is a special evening when you can enter more than 130 museums with one single wristband . For HUF 3,000 (for adults and 1,500 for children) you can view all temporary and permanent exhibitions of the participating museums, and join side events too. Pop into the House of Terror , House of Music Hungary , Aeropark , Aquincum , House of Unicum , the Museum of Fine Arts , or the Ludwig Museum !

Buy tickets at the participating museums or here . More details here .

Sunday, 23 June

Makers' market at most bistro.

If you're in search of  unique souvenirs or local designer pieces that speak to your heart, Makers' Market is the place to go. This vibrant fair pops up once or twice a month, and lucky for you, it's making its next appearance on June 23rd . Head over to downtown's MOST Bistro , where you can browse through an array of creative goods, chat with the designers, and then stick around for lunch or some drinks!

Eastern European Beauty – Contemporary Fashion Photography

If you are into  fashion photography , this one is for you! You can be among the first to explore a very cool photo exhibition at Robert Capa Center in the heart of Budapest! Opened on June 20th, Eastern European Beauty offers possible explanations of what the 'Eastern European aesthetic' consists of through seventeen photographic projects. And yes, Barbara Palvin is included too.

Sunday Session at A38

Budapest's iconic concert venue and club  A38 is a repurposed Ukrainian cargo ship. But that's not the only reason you should board it at least once while in Budapest. One Sunday every month , you can watch the sunset on its terrace with a cocktail in hand (or two if you arrive before 7 pm for the 'pay one, get two' deal) while gently moving to the beats of live DJ sets . Sunday session kicks off at 5 pm.

Flow with a View – Rooftop Yoga 

If you are a yogi (or a wannabe) and don't mind  amazing views throughout your practice, sign up for Luca Flow Yoga's class on top of the Central European University's downtown building. Grab your mat, arrive a bit before 7 pm, and prepare for a dynamic vinyasa flow!

The price of the class is HUF 4,000, sign up through Instagram DM here .

(Cover photo: Csudai Sándor - We Love Budapest)

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