These are the best things to do in Budapest, along with tips for visiting, activity costs, and more.
Budapest is, in my opinion, the most beautiful capital city in Europe. Yes, I even liked it better than Paris, Amsterdam, or Rome. Budapest is the number one city I fell in love with, and I can’t even describe why. Was it the stunning architecture, friendly people, or the tasty cuisine? You decide. These are the best things to do in Budapest, Hungary.
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About Budapest
Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, is a city where history and creativity come together. Divided by the Danube River into Buda and Pest, the city offers two distinct atmospheres: hilly, historic Buda with its castles and viewpoints, and lively Pest, known for its cafés, ruin bars, and grand boulevards.
Often called the “Paris of the East,” Budapest is famous for its stunning architecture, from the iconic Parliament Building to the fairy-tale towers of Fisherman’s Bastion. The city is also home to some of Europe’s best thermal baths, a legacy of both Roman and Ottoman rule, making soaking in hot springs a must-do experience. But more about that later…
Beyond the landmarks, Budapest has a laid-back yet energetic vibe, with affordable prices, rich Hungarian cuisine, and a thriving cultural scene. It really doesn’t matter what you’re visiting for, the history, food, partying, or exploring, Budapest will surely fill your heart in any way!
Getting to Budapest
Getting to Budapest is rather easy. Because there is a wonderful public transport system, you can easily get yourself anywhere.
By plane – The easiest way to visit Budapest is simply by flying to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. This airport is quite near the city center, where you can get to by tram.
By public transport – Of course, there are more ways to reach Budapest, like buses or trains. This is a more economical way to travel, make sure to find your train tickets on Trainline, or use Flixbus.
By car – Because Budapest was part of my road trip, I visited Budapest by car. This was a lot easier than I imagined it would be, as I found quite a few free parking spaces on the Buda side, and some Park and Rides on the Pest side, that were still pretty affordable.
Getting around Budapest
For getting around the city center, there are 2 ways that I highly recommend.
The first is to get a Metropass. You can opt for a 10-ride pass or a time-based pass, like for 24 or 72 hours. I went for the 72-hour pass, and it gave me a lot of peace of mind with getting around the city. You can check the current prices on this website.
So on my time in Budapest, I traveled around the city with a combination of two things. Firstly, I had the Metropass, and secondly, I opted for E-scooters.
I specifically like the Tier scooters, but you will also find Lime. All you have to do is download the app, scan, and go! You can pay per minute, or get a pass for 100 minutes, for example, which is a lot cheaper than paying per ride. This way of transport gives you even more flexibility and you get to see a lot more of the city.
How many days do I need in Budapest?
Budapest is a large city. There is no getting around it. There is also a ridiculous number of activities in the city. So I would say you need at least 3 days in the city, but if you have the time and want to see more, you can easily stay here for a week without getting bored.
Where to stay in Budapest
Buda or Pest?
Where to stay on your trip to Budapest depends on what type of traveler you are and the things you want to do. I stayed on both sides, so I’ll tell you about how I think you should choose.
If you love the liveliness of the city, shopping, being close to many activities, and maybe even partying, Pest is the perfect place for you.
But if you don’t mind the quiet and you want to explore the lesser-known parts of the city, Buda is your side. On this hilly side of the city, you will find a lot fewer tourists, but also fewer activities. However, you can find wonderful accommodations here and have your morning coffee in quiet, hidden cafés.
Accommodations in Buda
Luxury – Monastery Boutique Hotel Budapest
Budget – Hotel Castle Garden
Apartment/Family – Deluxe Swan Stone Castle Apartment
My favorite – PEST-BUDA Design Hotel
Accommodations in Pest
Luxury – Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa
Budget – Budapest Panorama Central
Apartment/Family – A13- Deluxe Apartments
My favorite – Beletage-Boutique Hotel
The 14 best things to do in Budapest, Hungary
So, I have broken down the best things to do in Budapest into different sections:
- The classic things to do
- Local things to do (coming soon)
- Where to eat and drink (coming soon)
- Museums (coming soon)
- Unique (and slightly quirky) activities (coming soon)
- Day trips (coming soon)
I do recommend reading the entire post, but if you’re looking for something specific, you can skip through the other parts in the table of contents below.
The classic things to do in Budapest
Find perfect views on the bridges
As you might know, Budapest is divided into 2 parts: Buda and Pest. The dividing factor here is the Danube River. And where there’s a river, there are bridges. Truly stunning ones. And where there are bridges, there are wonderful views.
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is by far the most beautiful one. It is also the bridge closest to the Parliament building, so you will find incredible views from it.
Other bridges offering stunning views include the Erzsébet Bridge and the Liberty Bridge.
You will likely go from Pest to Buda to Pest several times, so make sure to take a different bridge each time and enjoy all the views you can find!
Price: Free
Explore the Fisherman’s Bastion
On the Buda side of the city, the most popular place to visit the the Fisherman’s Bastion. And no wonder! With its beautiful towers, city views, Instagrammable spots, and so much more, this place is truly magical.
On my first day in Budapest, I stayed in one of the Buda Hills and decided to just walk toward the river. And that is when I ‘’accidentally’’ stumbled upon the Fisherman’s Bastion. Accidentally, meaning, I knew it existed on the Buda side, but I didn’t exactly walk to it. I just explored without any phones or maps, until I found this place and was blown away.
And even though it was the middle of the day, and there were lots of tourists, I really enjoyed this place. I took some photos of tourists, and they returned the favor. Having this kind of simple contact really made my day (it was a solo trip, I guess that explains it).
So yes, I highly recommend checking out the Fisherman’s Bastion. And not once, not twice, maybe even three times! Because it is beautiful during the day, but also at night, or very early in the morning, when the sun is rising. Just make sure to stop by here and enjoy the place.
Price: Free (but 1700 HUF (€5,50) to climb the towers. Tickets are sold on spot)
Get lost in the Hungarian Parliament Building
Of course, the one thing that Budapest is most famous for can’t be missed on this list. Visiting the Parliament building is a true must on your trip to Budapest! Because yes, it is absolutely stunning on the outside. But then, you haven’t seen the inside yet…
If you have the time, you must step inside this massive building to admire all the rooms and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. A guided tour is obligatory to enter, but it is definitely worth it.
Oh, and make sure to be close by during sunset sometime, as the entire building will glow golden, and it is a magical sight to see!
Price: EU Citizens (Adult): HUF 7,000 (approx. €17-€18)
Non-EU Citizens (Adult): HUF 14,000 (approx. €35-€36)
Book it here: Budapest Parliament Building Entry Ticket and Audio Guide
Go on a Danube River cruise
If you’re keen on seeing even more pretty views, you must go on a Danube River Cruise. At night. Because even though it’s one of the most classic things to do in Budapest, it’s also one of the most memorable ones.
And maybe that’s just because I was lucky. I was on a cruise with dinner and drinks, and the guy who was telling us about the city and the views was the funniest guy ever! I do not remember his name, but I do wish you the same experience. It was awesome, and I highly recommend checking out the Danube River Cruises!
Price: €9-80 euros. I highly recommend booking this affordable tour (that I experienced myself)
Climb up St. Stephen’s Basilica
One of the most visited churches in Budapest is the St. Stephen’s Basilica. And no wonder why! This immensely large basilica is already stunning from the outside, but climbing its tower, offers you incredible views of the entire city!
And to make your trip a bit quirky, you will get to see St. Stephen’s mummified hand on your way up 😉
If you’re not well-footed, there is also an elevator going up to the tower, so no climbing is necessary.
Price: €11 for basic church entry. A combined ticket for the church, panoramic dome, and treasury costs around €21
It’s best to get your ticket in advance: Book it here!
Look for the shoes on the Danube Bank
If you are interested in Second World War history, then you need to look for the shoes on the banks of the Danube River.
The story behind the shoes is a sad one. This monument stands for the victims who were shot across the Danube Bank during the war. Before they were shot, they were forced to take their shoes off ( a valuable item at that time). To honor those victims, the monument showcases 60 pairs of shoes scattered on the side of the river.
I absolutely recommend visiting this place, as it’s important to honor those victims, as well as feeling the sadness that comes with it.
Price: Free
Wander through the Jewish Quarter and find the Synagogue
The most popular neighborhood in the city is the Jewish Quarter. Famous for its synagogue, ruin bars, vintage shops, restaurants, and much more, this is the most lively part of the city.
I chose specifically to book an apartment in this neighborhood to see what the liveliness was like. And I loved it! During the day, I was close to every activity, making it easy to do some vintage shopping. At night, I only had to walk for 3 minutes to reach the most quirky ruin bar in the city for some partying.
And do make sure to stop by the Synagogue, as the building looks truly stunning. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to go inside, but I heard that it is quite worth it.
Price: Free, unless you want to go inside the Synagogue: 13,000 HUF (approx. €33-35)
Visit a thermal bath
Visiting a thermal bath on your trip to Budapest is a must. The most popular one is Széchenyi, but that doesn’t mean it’s the one you should visit. It is a wonderful experience, but in summer, it will also get crowded.
There are a lot more options, of which some are unknown to tourists, like:
- Gellért Baths
- Rudas Baths
- Veli Bej Baths
For more information on which thermal baths you should visit, read this post.
Price: 13200 (€35) to 47000 HUF (€125) for Széchenyi. The lesser known thermal baths are likely cheaper.
Book this: Széchenyi Spa Day Ticket with Optional Upgrades
Or an alternative: Mandala Day Spa & Luxury Pool Experience
Bike down Budapest’s most expensive street: Andrássy út
On my trip to Budapest, I met up with some people who I knew were visiting too. And we decided (as Dutch people), to go on a bike tour. Naturally.
And it was the best decision I made! Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of tours, because I think they’re mainstream, but this was something else. We were asked if there was anything specific that we wanted to see, or if we just wanted to go with the flow and visit the main attractions + some hidden gems. We went for the second option.
And it took us to places I wouldn’t have seen otherwise, including Andrássy út, the most expensive street in Budapest. And strangely enough, I adored it.
From the stunning baroque architecture to the crowdedness of the street, the vibe just totally clicked with mine.
So yes, I do recommend doing a bike tour, but also to make sure you experience Andrássy út. Walking, biking, it doesn’t matter. Just go ahead and admire this street.
Price: Free
Snap a photo of Heroes Square
Before visiting Budapest, I had no idea what the highlights of the city were (beyond the Parliament Building, of course). And when the bike tour guided me to Heroes Square, I was blown away.
The statues and monuments on Heroes Square as absolutely massive, you’ll be amazed. If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, I do recommend stopping by for just a few minutes; it’s more than worth it!
Price: Free
Admire the view from the Budapest Eye Ferris Wheel
Yes, the Budapest Eye is exactly what it sounds like: a huge Ferris wheel in the middle of the city. And while this is one of the most touristy places, I can understand why. I mean, the 360 views you get from a ride on the Ferris wheel… You won’t find many places with the same views.
During the day, you can spot many landmarks from above, and at night, when the sky is dark and the city is lit up, you can take in absolutely stunning views.
This is also an activity I would highly recommend for families.
Price: 4,900 HUF (approx. €12.80) for adults and 2,900 HUF (approx. €7.50) for children aged 2–12.
Climb up to Buda Castle
Built upon a steep hill, the Buda Castle is a true sight to see. But do you know what’s even better?
Visiting it.
It’s the one thing I regret from my trip to Budapest, not visiting the Buda Castle.
But the Buda Castle is said to be an incredible place to see. And it’s even free to walk the castle grounds! Beyond it, there are some museums that you can definitely check out.
And as you can easily climb up the hill to the castle, if you’re not well-footed, there’s also a funicular ride going up and down all day long. It is a bit pricy, but a lot of fun for families or elderly people.
Price: Castle grounds is free. The funicular ride is 5000 HUF (about €14). For the museums, you can also expect a 3000-5500 HUF entrance fee (depending on the season). Book it here!
Experience the Ruin Bars
One of the classic activities that you simply cannot miss out on is visiting a ruin bar.
But what exactly is a ruin bar?
Basically, it’s a bar built in an abandoned building. The first one opened in 2004, and is now the most popular one in the city: Szimpla Kert. Other iconic ruin bars are Mazel Tov, Kuplung, and Instant-Fogas.
Most of the ruin bars are located in the Jewish Quarter (7th district), and thus, this part of the city is best for going out and partying.
I only visited Simpla Kert and loved it. It’s so big, you will find endless rooms and bars throughout the building. There are also some food spots there. Because of a missing roof, half the place is outdoors, which makes for an awesome vibe. I mean, just check some of the photos I made below, and you’ll want to go here as well.
Price: Free to enter, but drinks can be a bit pricy.
Go on a walking or bike tour
I know, I know. I’ve already told you about booking a bike tour. And yes, I will tell you again. Just because it’s so underrated.
Following a walking or bike tour, makes you see the city from perspectives you otherwise wouldn’t see. You get to learn a lot and find personal connections to places and people. It’s hard to explain it any other way, it’s just something you need to experience yourself.
Price: €10-70 euros. I highly recommend this walking tour or this biking tour.
Final thoughts on the best things to do in Budapest
Now that you know the most popular places to see in Budapest, it’s time to book your trip!
And make sure to save this post, as I will add more hidden places regularly.
Happy travels!
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