12 Best Things to Do in Budapest: Sights, Experiences & Hidden Gems
Discover the best things to do in Budapest: we’re talking famous sights, fun experiences and a couple of lesser-known attractions...
Budapest is a city with plenty to keep you occupied, whether you’re interested in grand architecture, quirky museums, thermal baths or discovering its famous ruin bars.
I had originally planned to spend just three or four days in the Hungarian capital, but ended up staying for six. And I’m glad I did, because there’s so much more to Budapest than its most famous landmarks. Even if you’re only spending two days in Budapest, the city’s walkable nature means you’ll get to check out plenty of sights. Simply wandering the streets was a wonderful pleasure, and along the way, we stumbled upon lots of fun things to do…
From soaking in outdoor thermal pools in the middle of winter to exploring underground history and hunting down some of the city’s best street art, these are 12 of the best things to do in Budapest, including a few slightly more unusual experiences worth adding to your itinerary.
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Budapest Attractions Overview
Free sightseeing: Fisherman’s Bastion (lower levels), Buda Castle District, Shoes on the Danube, street art murals, Vajdahunyad Castle (exterior)
Paid attractions: St Stephen’s Basilica, House of Terror, Vajdahunyad Castle Museeum
Book in advance: Parliament tour
Unique Experiences: Szechenyi Baths, Hospital in the Rock, ruin pubs, chimney cake tasting
Tours worth taking: City walking tour, Jewish Quarter and street art, Budapest food tour
1. Relax in a thermal bath
If there’s one thing everyone recommends you to do in the city, it’s soaking yourself in one of the thermal baths. We spent a relaxed afternoon soaking ourselves in one of Budapest’s most well-known bath houses, the Szechenyi Bath. The building itself is stunning, with ornate facades and plenty of classical features. There are 3 outdoor and 15 indoor pools in total, as well as steam room and sauna facilities.
After donning our swimwear, we stepped out of the building to be greeted with 2-3 degree temperatures. Yep. Swimming costumes in winter. Which felt pretty odd. But on stepping one toe at a time into the hot waters of the baths, it was worth it. The steam coming off the water created a somewhat magical feeling – once in the hotter of the two pools, we couldn’t see further than a couple of metres.
Inside, we discovered yet more pools – some hot, some cold, some medicinal – all designed to treat the body and mind to some major relaxation. Not a rubber duck or bottle of Matey in sight.
Cost: From 10,500 HUF to 17,800 HUF (Ā£24-40), depending on the time of your visit and whether you choose a locker vs a private cabin.
Location: City Park (VƔrosliget)
Time needed: 2-3hrs
Practical tip: Bring flip flops, as you’re required to wear them on all communal walkways.
Not sure what to expect from a thermal bath in Budapest? My ultimate guide to the SzƩchenyi Baths covers pricing, what to wear, the best pools and more!
2. Visit Fisherman’s Bastion & Buda Castle
This is one of the first things we did as part of our walking tour, although it’s something you can easily do independently. Take a stroll across the incredibly photogenic Chain Bridge, and up the hill past Buda Castle. It’s an easy walk, but if you’re feeling particularly leisurely, you can take the Buda Castle Furnicular.
Make your way through the quaint streets, past the brightly tiled roof of Matthias Church and onto Fisherman’s Bastion itself. This panoramic viewing terrace has fairytale turrets and an incredible view out over the Danube and across to the Pest side of the city, where you’ll spy the aforementioned Budapest Houses of Parliament.
Cost: The lower tiers are free to access. Entry to the upper tiers during peak hours costs 1,700 HUF (around Ā£4), but it’s free before 9am or after 7pm.
Location: Buda Castle District
Time needed: 45-60 mins
Practical tip: Visit around 30-45mins before sunset to see the city bathed in golden light
If walking tours are your vibe, Budapest has some great offerings:
– This three hour orientation walking tour explores both the Buda and Pest sides, and is a great way to get to know the city and pick up some tips from your local guide.
– Combine art with the quintessential Jewish history of Budapest with a two-hour Jewish quarter and street art tour. We learnt so much on our tour that we wouldn’t have picked up otherwise!
– I absolutely LOVE a spooky night tour, and the Vampires and Myths night tour explores the darker side of Buda Castle.
3. Explore the Hungarian Parliament Building
Even just checking out this awe-inspiring building is a sight to behold, and it’s definitely one of the most beautiful structures I’ve seen on my travels. Perched at the edge of the Danube, our first sighting was from the other side of the river at Fisherman’s Bastion – and it gets even better up close.
You can book a guided tour to explore the interior, which includes the grand staircase, the spectacular Dome Hall and the Hungarian Crown Jewels. The interiors are just as extravagant as the outside, with gold detailing, stained glass windows, ornate ceilings and plenty of marble. It’s quite a contrast to the relatively understated buildings you might expect to find housing a government!
Cost: HUF 7,000 (European Economic Area) or HUF 14,000 (non-EEA) (approx Ā£16 for EEA, or US$46)
Location: District V, Pest
Time needed: 45mins for the tour
Practical tip: Book early, as these tours can sell out weeks in advance. Arrive at least 20mins before your tour time for security checks, and make sure you bring your passport or national ID card – it’s super strict.
4. See the Shoes on the Danube
One of Budapest’s most moving landmarks is also one of its simplest. The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a memorial dedicated to the thousands of Jewish people who were murdered by the Arrow Cross, a Hungarian fascist organisation, during the Second World War.
The memorial consists of 60 pairs of iron shoes lining the banks of the Danube, each one representing someone who was forced to remove their shoes before being shot at the water’s edge. Their bodies were then carried away by the river.
Cost: Free
Location: District V, Pest
Time needed: 20-30 mins
Practical tip: Be mindful of the memorial’s significance – don’t step into the shoes, make lots of noise or pose for smiling photos.
5. Visit Saint Stephen’s Basilica
Completed in 1905, St Stephen’s Basilica is a pretty impressive building. The cathedral is named after the first King of Hungary – and inside, you can actually see what’s said to be his preserved right hand, displayed as a relic. Which is pretty interesting, for a start, considering he died almost 1000 years ago.
As well as this well-known relic, it’s also well worth your time taking a look inside the Basilica. Because it’s absolutely stunning. Gaze up at the amazing domed ceiling, take in the beautiful paintings and tapestries, and for an extra fee you can even take the lift to the top for epic, far-reaching views. It’s a real, working cathedral so silence is required inside, which adds even more of an atmosphere to this incredible building.
Cost: Entry starts at HUF 2,600 (about Ā£6) for church hall access only; and HUF 6,800 (about Ā£16) if you want to add on the panoramic tower and treasury.
Location: District V, Pest
Time needed: 45-60mins
Practical tip: Modest clothing is required, so make sure shoulders and knees are covered before you try and enter.
Want to learn more about the cathedral and its history? You can take a guided tour, which includes skip-the-line and tower access.
6. Discover Budapest’s ruin pubs
I’ve already raved about Szimpla Kert’s awesome vibe, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. Budapest’s ruin pubs came about when derelict, abandoned spaces were taken on by locals and turned them into watering holes, complete with retro decor, thrift store furniture and walls covered in paintings and writings from local artists and visitors over the years.
Szimpla Kert is definitely the most famous of the ruin pubs, but there are a couple more you can visit with different vibes. If you don’t fancy a night clubbing, some of the bars open earlier in the day for a more relaxed atmosphere – we rocked up to Szimpla Kert around 4.30pm on a weekday and it was pretty quiet!
- Instant-Fogas HƔz is a double bar complex, best for all night dancing, open 6pm-6am.
- Doboz is a more stylish, upmarket take on the ruin pub vibe, open 6pm-6am.
- Csendes LĆ©tterem has a bohemian, vintage feel for laid-back daytime coffee and drinks.
- Ruin Brew specialises in craft beer and brunch, open during the daytime and evenings.
Practical tip: Lots of bars operate a cup deposit system, so keep your receipt or token to get your deposit back at the end of your visit.
Travelling solo? Join a Budapest ruin pub crawl to explore the city’s nightlife with other travellers. We actually did this on one of our nights in Budapest, and had a great time with our guide and the rest of the group!
7. Experience the House of Terror
Much like Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam, Budapest’s House of Terror isn’t necessarily the kind of place you enjoy per se – but it gives a fascinating and often moving insight into fascism and communism in 20th century Hungary. I’d definitely recommend it.
What’s really great about the museum is that each room has printed sheets for visitors, where you can guide yourself through the exhibits. My only regret is not paying a bit extra for the audio tour, as it was quite hard to balance reading the lengthy info sheets with looking at the exhibits. There are quite a few video sections though, and it was pretty emotional watching survivors of the regimes recounting their sometimes horrific experiences.
Cost: 4000 HUF (about Ā£9). The recommended audio guide costs an additional 2000 HUF (about Ā£4.50) If you’re aged under 26 and part of the European Economic Area, you can get reduced price entry.
Location: District VI
Time needed: 1.5-2hrs
Practical tip: Photography and videography is restricted or prohibited in many of the exhibition areas.
Looking for more museums and exhibitions in Budapest? From classic to quirky, there are plenty to explore. Here are a few to get you started…
Looking for more museums and exhibitions in Budapest? From classic to quirky, there are plenty to explore. Here are a few to get you started…
– The Hungarian National Museum is the place to explore the country’s history, including impressive art collections and artefacts from important periods.
– The Museum of Ethnography is one of the oldest ethnographic museum organisations in the world, housed in one of Europe’s newest museum buildings!
– Feline fanatics will purr with delight at Budapest’s Cat Museum, dedicated to all things cat-related (including the chance to meet the resident kitties!)
– Cinema Mystica is home to Budapest’s Museum of Lights and Magic, a sensory experience of captivating media installations.
8. Take an underground tour of Hospital in the Rock
If you’re like me and enjoy a bit of dark history and unusual museums, Hospital in the Rock is well worth adding to your Budapest itinerary. Hidden beneath Buda Castle, this underground hospital was originally created during the Second World War to treat wounded soldiers and civilians.
The network of natural caves and tunnels was converted into a fully functioning emergency hospital in 1944, and later used again during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. During the Cold War, it was also developed into a nuclear bunker, designed to protect those inside in the event of a nuclear attack.
Today, you can explore the underground complex on a guided tour, which takes you through the former hospital wards, operating rooms and bunker facilities. The museum uses original equipment, waxwork figures and preserved rooms to recreate what life was like inside, giving you an insight into the conditions faced by the doctors, nurses and patients who once used the facility.
It’s a fascinating, if rather sobering, glimpse into Budapest’s wartime history, and a good alternative to some of the city’s more conventional museums.
Cost: 9,500 HUF (about Ā£21.50)
Location: Buda Castle District
Time needed: 1.5-2hrs
Practical tip: It’s worth booking tickets online in advance as visitor numbers are limited. Photography isn’t allowed inside the museum.
9. Try a traditional chimney cake
If you want to look as attractive as I do while eating something rather tasty, a chimney cake’s your best bet. Chimney cakes are popular on the streets of Budapest, and they consist of pastry whirled up into a tube. The name comes from the fact they look a bit like a chimney, obv. You can get different flavours, including vanilla and chocolate, and they’re pretty enjoyable. And huge.
Cost: Between 1,500-2,500 HUF (Ā£3.40-Ā£5.70) from a street stall – or a bit more, if you’re going for a super elaborate filling.
Location: Around the city – but Chimney Cake KĆ¼rtÅs is a top recommendation.
Time needed: 30mins
Practical tip: Fitzkey Chimney Cake and Pichler Chimney Cake offer vegan chimney cakes.
If you’re looking to delve even further into the Budapest foodie scene, I’d recommend booking a Budapest food tour. As someone who’s always led by their stomach, trying lots of Hungarian food was a highlight of my trip – and this food tour takes you to essential street food spots and restaurants serving traditional cuisine. The price also includes three alcoholic drinks during the tour!
Exploring Budapest with not much in your pocket? I’ve shared the best places to eat in Budapest on a budget
10. Discover Budapest’s street art
The Pest side of the city is home to some pretty impressive street art, including this giant purple homage to Elizabeth, aka Sissy, the wife of Franz Joseph I and Hungary’s most-loved queen.
It’s also worth checking out the The Rubik’s Cube of Neopaint, which has a 3D effect when you point your camera at it. And the ‘6:3’ mural will be of interest to football fans – although England supporters may struggle, as it celebrates Hungary beating England 6-3 in 1953.
Cost: Free
Location: All around the city – check out this map for a comprehensive guide, and I’ve marked some top spots on my Google Map above.
Time needed: 60mins
Practical tip: If you want to learn more about the stories behind the artwork, the Alternative Budapest tour is a great way to see the murals around the city.
11. Play an Escape Game
Honestly, this is probably one of the best things I did while I was away. I know you could do an escape game pretty much anywhere, but if you’re on a slightly longer trip and have an hour or so to spare, Budapest has some great options. And although they didn’t originate in the city, some of the earliest escape games in Europe began here.
We decided to give Gozsdu Mission a try, as we’d walked past the night before. We headed in early on Sunday morning, and they had an on-the-day slot free for later that we headed back for. Our escape game was the ‘Mafia Mission’, and we found ourselves locked in a mob boss’ study searching high and low for clues.
We managed to complete the 75 minute game just in the nick of time, with around a minute to spare. It was challenging enough to be exciting, yet solvable enough I didn’t end up punching through a wall. Plus, the man running it said afterwards he was impressed with how well we did. YEAH. Definitely do one of these if you can!
At other locations, you can also throw yourself into a 90s sitcom, work out puzzles in Ancient Egypt or approach a case like Sherlock Holmes would.
Cost: Prices decrease based on the group size – for 2 people, its 9990 HUF each, dropping to 5290 HUF for eight.
Location: District VII – Gozsdu Udvar courtyard
Time needed: 60-90 mins
Practical tip: If you’re staying in a hostel, it’s worth joining up with other travellers to make the game cheaper per person.
12. Explore Vajdahunyad Castle
On our way to the Szechenyi Bath, we discovered this incredible castle building with serious fairytale vibes amongst the city park grounds. With the main castle built in 1896, the grounds of Vajdahunyad Castle also contain buildings from various time periods, meaning you can see Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. As well as the architecture, you can check out the statues that inhabit the grounds – including BĆ©la Lugosi, the actor who played Count Dracula in the 1931 film.
And is it just me, or does it have major Beauty and the Beast feels?
Cost: The courtyard is free to enter, access to the museum costs 2,500 HUF (about Ā£5.70)
Location: City Park (VƔrosliget)
Time needed: 45mins-1hr
Practical tip: Combine this with your visit to the thermal baths, as they’re close together
Planning a trip to Budapest?
Here are some tips to help you plan your visit!
- Get my full two-day Budapest itinerary, with all the recommendations above and more!
- Maximise your budget with this guide to finding cheap eats in Budapest.
- Get the lowdown on visiting the thermal baths with a full review of our experience.
- Do something different and head out in search of the Budapest Children’s Railway (not just for kids!).
Where to stay in Budapest
- On a budget, or going solo? Check out Avenue Hostel (Ā£) for affordable standard and ācapsuleā style dorms, and private rooms.
- Bohem Art Hotel (Ā£Ā£) is a unique, colourful spot that incorporates the work of local artists
- For something a little more fancy, check out Hotel Oktogon Haggenmacher (Ā£Ā£Ā£), an upmarket hotel in a restored historic building
How many days do you need in Budapest?
I’d suggest three days for a first visit, although you can see plenty of the main attractions in two days, so it works super well for a weekend trip.
Is Budapest expensive?
We found Budapest to be relatively affordable compared with many other European capitals, particularly when it comes to food, public transport and some attractions. It may not be as cheap as some other Eastern European destinations, but the value you get here is very good, in my eyes.
What free things are there to do in Budapest?
Lots! Fisherman’s Bastion’s free areas, exploring the street art, walking across Chain Bridge and visiting the Vajdahunyad Castle grounds. Ruin pubs can also be a low-cost option if you’re not drinking lots.
Gosh this post makes me miss Budapest SO much. It’s an incredible city and I want to visit again so so much! I did quite a few of these trips but I’m gutted I didn’t get to visit the Fisherman’s Bastion š We stayed on the Pest side and were only there for 2 and a half days but luckily we squeezed a lot in! Plus the weather was FREEZING, the river had frozen over and there were snow storms, so I’d love to visit again when it’s clear!! The ruin bars are just amazing aren’t they?? Wish we had something like that here!
Hannatalks
There was so much to do in Budapest that we only managed to do half of this list! Though I can highly recommend the alternative walking tour it was so interesting to find out more about the stunning murals
Woah! I wanted to go Budapest before, but now I need to go!!
I’ve read so many awesome blog posts on Budapest, but have never seen the outdoor baths or Fisherman’s Bastion. I NEED to visit these places!
Love, love, love Budapest. We went there on honeymoon 10 years ago! I think we need to go back and work our way through this list, starting with Chimney cake. We have a cafe near us and they make the best chimney cake, I’m proper addicted!
Gorgeous photos! My favourite thing in Budapest is the baths, both times I’ve been there I’ve spent a day there and loved it!
Oooh once again, gorg photos! I’m hoping to meet up with some friends here in august and knew all about the baths, but nothing else, so def pinning for later!!!
The architecture in Budapest seems absolutely stunning, especially the bath house! I’d really love to visit one day but I guess I should hurry up. Budapest seems to be such a popular place right now!
I’ve wanted to visit Budapest for some time. It looks like a wonderful city. The Bath House just looks amazing! Thanks for linking up with #CityTripping
I did Szechenyi baths and loved it! You must have got a cheap chimney cake! I got mine at the xmas markets and they were quite a bit more!
Vanessa x
therealnessonline.com
Woow! You make me feel like parking for Budapest on immediate basis…..