Are you looking for a weekend city break to escape the routine life? Are you searching for a destination to relax, to discover the world’s history and cultures, to taste new food and enjoy a great nightlife?
If so, Budapest, the capital of Hungary and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, has to offer it all for you!
In this article, we will share with you the top things to do in Budapest!
Table of Contents
1. The Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament, famous for its Gothic Revival architecture, is the third largest parliament building in the world and one of the largest buildings in Hungary with 691 interior rooms! You can have a perfect view of the Parliament during a river cruise or from the opposite side of the Danube. You can also have a paid tour inside the Parliament; it is open every day from 9 am till 4 pm.
2. Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square is one of the most iconic sites in Budapest; it features major Hungarian national leaders as well as the Seven chieftains of the Magyars who are believed to be the leaders of the seven tribes of the Hungarians that arrived to the Carpathian Basin in AD 895 from central Asia. In the middle of the square, you can see a tall column and at the top the Archangel Gabriel holding the Hungarian Holy Crown and the apostolic double cross in his hand.
3. Saint Stephen’s Basilica
Saint Stephen’s Basilica is a Roman Catholic basilica named in honor of the first King of Hungary, Stephen, whose right hand is still kept in the reliquary inside the basilica!
It is possible to climb up to the dome of the basilica to enjoy a 360 degree view over Budapest. The fee to go up is around 3 euros and is totally worth it!
4. Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most famous places in Budapest located on Castle Hill. The Bastion is very unique with its Neo-Romanesque style and its terrace that offers a beautiful panoramic view on the Danube river and the city . It was built between 1895 and 1902 as part of the celebration of the 1000th year of the Hungarian state. You will see there 7 towers which represent the 7 Hungarian chieftains who founded the country in AD 895. The Bastion is open all day and it is free to enter; there is only a fee to go up to the turrets.
5. Matthias Church
Matthias Church or the Church of Assumption of the Buda Castle is a 700 year old Roman Catholic church located just in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion and is absolutely one of the beautiful and unique landmarks of Budapest with its majestic and impressive Gothic architecture.
6. A promenade along the Danube river and a river cruise
Walking along the Danube River or having a river cruise is a fun way to see most of the iconic monuments of Budapest! You can do these activities during the day but also by night; for example by having a dinner river cruise.
7. Gellért Hill
Walking along the Danube River or having a river cruise is a fun way to see most of the iconic monuments of Budapest! You can do these activities during the day but also by night; for example by having a dinner river cruise.
Gellért Hill is a 235 m high hill overlooking Budapest and the Danube river. The hike takes 20-30 minutes to arrive at the Citadella, a fortification built in the 1850s, but the panoramic view from up there is totally worth it!
You will also find there the Liberty Statue; built in 1947 to remember the Soviet liberation of Hungary from Nazi forces during World War II. Nowadays, it commemorates “all who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, and prosperity of Hungary”. You can enjoy this hike and the views during the day as well as during the night when it is much less crowded!
8. Buda Castle
You can reach Buda Castle by foot or you can pay for the Buda Castle Hill Funicular (the world’s second oldest funicular of its kind!). Built in 1265, this historical castle is the place where Hungaraian kings lived in Budapest. The courtyards of the castle are free to visit, but you have to pay to enter the museums (the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum).
9. The chain bridge
The chain bridge is a magnificent bridge that connects Bupa and Pest, the west and the east parts of the city over the Danube river. It was inaugurated in 1849 as a symbol of national pride and economic development. The walk to cross the bridge is amazing, you can admire the views on both sides of the river and it is particularly wonderful at night when the bridge and the city are all lit up!
10. Hungarian Chimney Cakes (Kürtőskalács)
If you are a dessert lover, trying the Chimney cakes are a must when in Budapest! It is a sweet bread baked over charcoal and covered by the flavor you like (cinnamon, coconut, chocolate, crushed walnuts and much more!)
Other things to do when in Budapest
- Enjoy the Thermal Baths and the spas: Budapest is with no doubt the city of Baths; so you can’t miss living this experience! The most famous baths are Széchenyi thermal baths and Gellért thermal baths.
- Tour the city with the Hop-on Hop-off Bus:If you have less than 3 days in Budapest, it is a good idea to book a tour with the Hop-on Hop-off Bus to visit all the major popular attractions in Budapest!
- Visit Dohány Street Synagogue: Opened in 1859, it is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world!
- Have a walk in Margaret Island and watch the musical fountain there.
- Visit the Hungarian State Opera House
- Visit the Great Market Hall
- See the Shoes on the Danube Bank
- Visit the House of Terror: a museum for exhibits related to the fascist and communist regimes in Hungary and a memorial to the victims
- Discover the Memento Park: an open-air museum for monumental statues and sculpted plaques from Hungary’s Communist period
- Ride the Tram number 2 to enjoy beautiful views of the Danube and Budpest’s main attractions
- Ride Metro line 1: the oldest metro system in continental Europe
- Have a drink at a ruin bar
Budapest is definitely full of amazing sights and offers a lot of activities, so keep in mind to well organize your trip before going there!
If you have any questions or anything to add, leave us a comment below!
Discover what are the things you need to know before visiting Budapest here!