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In this blog, we’ll show you the top 10 things to do Budapest. Don’t forget to like this blog and subscribe to our webpage. We also created a mobile-friendly .pdf document covering all the things in this blog plus 10 additional things to do in Budapest including maps, links, opening hours and more.
Best Things to do Budapest Hungary
In this blog, we’ll show you the top 10 things to do in Budapest.
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament is the largest building in Hungary and the third-largest parliament building in the world. Built in 1902 in the neo-Gothic style and located on the Danube River, it is probably the most notable and iconic building in Budapest.
Apart from its impressive architecture, the building was also an engineering marvel at the time of its construction. For instance, a special system was designed to cool the building during hot summers, where a large ice cube was placed in the basement every day, and cool air was sent through a complex ventilation system.
You can visit the parliament building with an organized tour, admire its impressive dome housing a crown that is over 900 years old, and learn more about the detailed architecture of this remarkable building. Just be sure to purchase tickets online at least a couple of days before your visit, as they often sell out.
Don’t forget to visit the nearby Danube Promenade and the Shoes on the Danube Bank to honor the Jews who were killed during World War II. Check our travel guide for more information.
Thermal baths
Budapest is located over numerous thermal springs, and bathing has been a part of everyday life in the city since Roman times. During the Turkish occupation, the tradition continued, and as a result, Budapest has several incredible baths. So much so that Budapest is actually nicknamed the “City of Spas.”
Probably the most widely known, Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the largest medicinal bath in Europe and one of the largest spa complexes of its kind. Regardless of the season, you can jump into one of the outdoor pools and experience the positive effects of the rich thermal springs. While Széchenyi Thermal Bath is open to both men and women all week, some other baths are designated for men or women only, depending on the day of the week.
There are many more amazing baths in Budapest. Check out our travel guide for more suggestions.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge connecting Buda and Pest, the two areas of Budapest located on the east and west banks of the Danube River. At the time of its construction in 1849, the bridge was an engineering wonder and one of the largest bridges in the world.
Cross the Chain Bridge and admire the engineering and architectural details, such as the pair of lions guarding the bridge at both entrances. Another great angle to see the Chain Bridge and explore Budapest in general is from the river. Embark on a sightseeing cruise of Budapest or even take an inexpensive river bus as a version of public transport and enjoy the view.
Fisherman’s Bastion
The Fisherman’s Bastion is a monument overlooking Budapest from Buda Castle, and it is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city. The monument, constructed in 1902—the same year as the Parliament—offers fantastic views of the city. The name of the monument comes from a group of fishermen who lived under the wall in what was called Fishtown and defended the castle against invasions. Fisherman’s Bastion features seven towers and serves as an extension of the castle. Right behind the monument, you will find the impressive and beautifully restored Matthias Church, which holds special historic importance as it was the site of several prominent coronations of kings and a venue for other significant historic events. There are many more impressive churches in Budapest, such as St. Stephen’s Basilica and others.
Buda Castle
Located just a few steps from the Fishermen’s Bastion on Castle Hill, the former Hungarian royal palace—Buda Castle—awaits your visit. The first castle was built there in the 13th century.
The palace now houses museums and galleries, and the area surrounding it, known as the Castle Quarter, offers a wonderful insight into what life was like in the old days, with its well-preserved Baroque buildings, castle garden bazaar, medieval fortifications, and other attractions.
Check out our travel guide for more information.
Located beneath Castle Hill, you can visit the so-called “Hospital in the Rock.” For an ultimate experience of Buda Castle, take the funicular connecting the square in front of the Chain Bridge, or enjoy a short hike to the top and take in the view.
Ruin Pubs
Located in the former Jewish Ghetto, you will find a collection of bars and pubs with a special character, known as Ruin Pubs. Ruin pubs are exactly that – pubs in the ruins. They first started in the early 2000s to bring life back into the ruins of the former Jewish Ghetto. The first ruin pub, Szimpla, quickly became popular, and others followed.
Today, it is almost impossible to imagine Budapest without the ruin pubs. Order a beer or a cocktail and sit in a bathtub, or find another interesting spot like that, or simply walk around and soak in the atmosphere.
There are many other intriguing ruin pubs in Budapest. Check our travel guide for more suggestions.
Citadella
Located at the top of Gellért Hill is a former fortress, a citadel, built in the mid-19th century for Austrian troops before the formation of Austria-Hungary. The Citadella is now a popular tourist spot, offering amazing views of Budapest and an open-air display of Soviet weapons.
For a truly magical experience, you can visit the Citadella at night when all the main sights of Budapest are lit up. Don’t forget to visit the Liberty Statue from the Soviet era, erected in 1947, which is also clearly visible from downtown Budapest.
House of Terror
You will certainly find a museum or an art gallery close to your heart somewhere in the city. One of the more interesting museums is the House of Terror, a former seat of Hungarian Nazis and later a base for two Communist terror organizations. The House of Terror has now been transformed into a museum dedicated to this dark era of Hungarian history.
You can experience the terrors that ordinary citizens had to endure during these difficult times. Just be sure to pick up the English audio guide at the beginning, as the majority of the exhibits are presented only in Hungarian, except for long, letter-sized descriptions in English, which might take some time to get through.
Don’t miss the Berlin Wall Memorial in front of the House of Terror Museum. Budapest is also home to other impressive museums. Check out our travel guide for more suggestions.
Central Market Hall
What better way to discover Hungarian culture than through food? The Central Market Hall is a three-story food hall where you can experience all levels of Hungarian food production—from raw ingredients like traditional paprika and wine to prepared traditional dishes on the second floor, as well as traditional souvenirs and other interesting merchandise.
The Central Market Hall was built in 1897 by the first mayor of Budapest to create a marketplace where only quality food could be sold, with a central location to serve the city.
This impressive giant hall is located at the end of the famous shopping street Váci Utca, and even if you’re not hungry, a stroll along the kiosks feels almost like traveling through different regions of Hungary.
City Park
City Park is the main public park in Budapest and is home to impressive attractions and activities. The park offers a great escape from the busy streets, and you could literally spend an entire day there.
The entrance to the park opens with Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Monument, which features seven leaders of Hungarian tribes along with other prominent leaders and a Memorial Stone of Heroes.
Walk along the impressive Gatehouse Tower and admire the Jaki Chapel and Vajdahunyad Castle, built in 1896 to celebrate 1,000 years of Hungary.
The park also features an impressive ice rink, a lake, a zoo, a botanical garden, and several other attractions. And, of course, don’t miss the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which we already mentioned before.
Conclusion
There are many other things to discover Budapest. Check out our travel guide for more information. Our travel guide is a mobile-friendly PDF document that you can store on your phone for offline use. It covers the top 10 things to do in Budapest, plus 10 additional attractions, maps, links, opening hours, and other information that will help make your trip to Budapest stress-free.
