Best Things to Do in Budapest, Hungary
Are you looking for the best things to do in Budapest, Hungary?
You’re in the right place! This guide covers all the top experiences you can’t miss when traveling to Budapest. The Hungarian capital city is known for its elegant architecture, rich history, distinctive culture, and picturesque location along the Danube River. It’s an amazing destination that is well worth a visit.
How many days should you spend in Budapest? On my first trip to Budapest, I only had two days, and it was not enough time. I felt rushed, and I knew I wanted to come back and explore the city properly. On my second visit, I had four days in Budapest, and this felt like the perfect amount of time for the city.
Where should you stay in Budapest? I stayed at the Matild Palace on my most recent trip to Budapest, and it was a huge highlight of the trip. Here are some more of the best hotels in Budapest.
Here’s a look at the best things to do in Budapest, Hungary:
1. Tour the Hungarian Parliament Building
Probably the most iconic building in Budapest is the Hungarian Parliament Building. The exterior (pictured in the photo above) is striking, with its Neo-Gothic style and dramatic peaks and domes. This seat of the National Assembly of Hungary has graced the banks of the Danube since the turn of the 20th century.
The interior (pictured below) is equally as stunning. Many tourists don’t realize that you can actually go inside the Hungarian Parliament Building, but tours are available, and I highly recommend it!
You’ll just need to book your tour in advance since there are limited slots available. This is a great way to learn more about Hungary’s history while admiring one of its most beautiful buildings.
2. Explore Buda Castle
Buda Castle is another must-visit while in Budapest. The city is divided into two, with the older Buda on the left side of the Danube, and the newer Pest on the right side of the Danube. Buda Castle, on the left side, is a historic palace complex that dates all the way back to the 13th century. The present-day Buda Castle was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the mid-18th century, but was heavily damaged in World War II.
Today, the palace complex houses several museums, including the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. You need to buy tickets to these museums, but most of the Castle Hill area around Buda Castle is open to the public, and a great area to explore with lots of scenic views.
I recommend a guided walking tour of Buda Castle like this one, which includes a walk around the grounds and a visit to the interior of St. Stephen’s Hall, a restored part of the historic palace. You can also take this tour, which allows you to explore the hidden system of caves and tunnels beneath the palace.
3. Take in the views from Fisherman’s Bastion
Just a few minutes from Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion is another place you can’t miss while on the Buda side of the city. This stone monument was once part of an ancient castle, but today it’s known as the best viewpoint in Budapest, offering sweeping views of the Pest side of the city across the Danube River.
It’s free to visit most of Fisherman’s Bastion, but there’s a small entry fee of 1,500 HUF ($4.50 USD) to climb to the upper towers. Honestly, I don’t recommend paying for this, because the free views are the same!
4. Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest, named for Stephen, the first King of Hungary. With architecture styles drawing from Neo-Classical and Neo-Renaissance, it took about fifty years to complete this church, which finally opened to the public at the beginning of the 20th century.
Unfortunately, to visit the interior of St. Stephen’s Basilica, there is an entry fee. I’m not a fan of paying to enter churches, but if you want to see the beautiful interior, you can book a skip-the-line ticket. St. Stephen’s Basilica also hosts classical music concerts in the evenings, which is a unique experience.
5. Soak in the Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of the most popular attractions in Budapest and one that you cannot miss! This was one of my favorite things that I did in Budapest. It is the largest thermal bath in Europe, with 15 indoor baths and three grand outdoor pools. Széchenyi Thermal Bath opened way back in 1913.
The architecture is beautiful, and relaxing in the various thermal baths is a great way to pass an afternoon. I recommend booking tickets in advance. Prices vary based on whether you go on a weekday or weekend (weekdays are cheaper) and whether you want to rent just a locker or a private cabin. You can also upgrade to a ticket that includes a towel, a bathrobe, flip-flops, snacks, and drinks.
At night, Széchenyi Thermal Bath transforms into the Sparty (spa party), which looks like a lot of fun. You can check out tickets here. I would definitely consider doing this if I returned.
This is a great activity you can do year-round, since the majority of the baths and pools range from quite warm to extra hot (just avoid the couple that are cold if you are visiting during the winter months!
6. Visit Dohány Street Synagogue
Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe, and similar to St. Stephen’s Basilica, it’s an ornate house of worship in Budapest that is worth a visit, even though you must pay an entry fee. The synagogue was constructed in the mid-19th century and survived some bombing during World War II.
Admission to the synagogue also includes admission to the Hungarian Jewish Museum. Another option is taking a guided walking tour like this, which focuses on Jewish heritage throughout Budapest. It includes admission into the Dohány Street Synagogue as well as several other Jewish heritage sites.
7. Try local delicacies
Hungarian cuisine is distinctive and delicious, and Budapest is a great city to try popular Hungarian dishes. Some of the most iconic Hungarian foods to try include goulash (beef stew), chicken paprikash (chicken in paprika sauce), and lángos (a deep-fried flatbread covered in sour cream, cheese, and garlic.)
Popular desserts that you should try while in Budapest include kürtőskalács (chimney cakes) and palacsinta (sweet crepes.) I was personally obsessed with the sugary and delicious chimney cakes, and if I return to Budapest again, I’d love to do this chimney cake workshop to learn how to make my own.
Another great foodie experience to check out is this guided food tour of Budapest, which includes tastings of local dishes at four different restaurants, as well as several included alcoholic beverages.
8. Take a Danube River cruise
Budapest is built on either side of the Danube River, and one of the best ways to see the city is from the water. A cruise along the Danube River is a great way to get a unique perspective of Budapest.
This sightseeing cruise with unlimited drinks is a popular option, or if you’re looking for something really special, you could book a dinner cruise along the Danube with Hungarian music and food.
9. Visit Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library
One of my interests is visiting beautiful libraries around the world when I travel, and Budapest is home to a particularly lovely one, the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library. Although most of it is a regular, modern public library, part of the library space occupies the former Wenckheim Palace.
Here, you’ll find a gorgeous collection of rooms dating back to the 19th century, filled with bookshelves, tables for working or studying, and cozy armchairs for reading. This is a popular place for students in Budapest to come work and study on their laptops, although it is also open to visitors who buy a day pass.
This is available at the front desk in the library for 2,000 HUF ($6 USD.) If you want to see the rooms with no one in them, be sure to come early, right when the library opens. I personally spent a few hours here doing some work on my laptop, which you’re entitled to do with a day pass (and it includes the WiFi code.)
10. Check out the ruin bars
If you’re looking for nightlife in Budapest, you have to check out the ruin bars. These funky bars are housed in formerly abandoned buildings, primarily in the Jewish Quarter, and filled with eclectic decor.
One of the best ways to experience the ruin bars is on a pub crawl. This is a great option for solo travelers or groups of friends who want a fun night out. You’ll visit several different ruin bars, each with free shots.
11. Go on a walking tour
Budapest is a very walkable city, and exploring on foot is one of the best ways to get to know different neighborhoods. I always like to do a free walking tour when I arrive in a new city. Budapest has plenty of these available, and though they are free, you should always tip your guide afterward.
If you’re looking for a more specialized walking tour with a smaller group, this tour of the Buda Castle area is a good one, or you could try this walking tour focused on Jewish heritage in the city.
12. Stroll across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
There are several bridges crossing the Danube River and connecting Buda with Pest, but perhaps the most famous is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. It was the first bridge to cross the river, opening in 1849.
The bridge offers great views of Castle Hill and the Hungarian Parliament Building. Walking across the pedestrian path of the bridge takes about ten minutes, and it’s well worth it for the incredible views.
13. Experience Budapest’s cafe culture
For centuries, Budapest has been known for its cafe culture. Once the coffee capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Budapest is filled with elegant Art Nouveau cafes with gorgeous interiors.
One of the most famous of these is New York Cafe, but I personally did not go there because the wait was insane. Although the interior looks beautiful, I’ve also heard that the cafe itself is overpriced and overrated.
I enjoyed Café Gerbeaud, which, though still touristy and definitely on the pricey side, was easier to get into. Another spot I really enjoyed was Centrál Grand Cafe. Checking out one of these Old World cafes in Budapest is a must. I recommend going for breakfast right at opening to avoid the crowds.
14. Tour the Hungarian State Opera
Like most European capitals, Budapest is home to a grand opera house. The Hungarian State Opera, which opened in 1884, has a beautiful exterior and equally stunning interior. Built in the Neo-Renaissance style, this opera house is an amazing place to visit while in Budapest, with tours available to the public.
You can book a one-hour tour of the opera house, which includes a guide who will show you the highlights of the building, as well as a brief opera concert onstage so you can experience the acoustics.
15. Check out Central Market Hall
I accidentally stumbled upon Budapest’s Central Market Hall, and I was glad I did! This massive indoor food market is situated in a stunning Neo-Gothic building and features endless rows of vendors. You can find all kinds of food here, including meats, cheeses, produce, and famous local products like paprika.
If you’re looking for a snack, you can also find stalls selling hot food and desserts. Upstairs, there are vendors selling non-food products, including unique handicrafts — perfect for souvenir shopping!
The market can be overwhelming, and if you want a good overview of it, I recommend booking this guided tour, where you’ll learn more about Hungarian food and cuisine. You’ll also get to taste several different things at the market, including salami and sausages, local cheeses, paprika, and honey.
Top Things to Do in Budapest, Hungary
This guide showed you the best things to do in Budapest, Hungary.
Budapest is an amazing city, and I definitely recommend spending at least a few days here, discovering all that it has to offer. These are some of the top things to do in Budapest for an amazing trip.
Enjoy your trip to Budapest!
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