Budapest, Hungary is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Europe! With its exciting blend of history, stunning architecture, and contemporary, artistic style, this city will appeal to everyone!
Budapest has become a bucket list destination for most travelers, and we can definitely see why! With all that there is to see, do, and experience in this Hungarian city, it will have any visitor dreaming of their return.
With all of the different attractions that Budapest has to offer, planning your itinerary can be difficult. Here is our list of the best Budapest things to do for any kind of traveler!
Our Favorite Places to Stay in Budapest
Budapest consists of different districts – each with their own unique appeal. It is important to stay somewhere central here, to suit your travel needs. This is crucial for an enjoyable trip! Here are our favorite places to stay in Budapest.
Hostel One Basilica
The Coolest Hostel in Budapest
- Ideal location and spacious rooms
- A fun party hostel!
Hostel One Basilica is a haven for backpackers. With spacious rooms, awesome facilities, and a seriously fun environment, this hostel is the ideal base in Budapest!
Vagabond Broadway
A Great Budget Hotel in Budapest
- Rooms are well equipped
- Within distance attractions of many attractions
If you want a super comfortable stay without having to break the bank, consider a room at Vagabond Broadway. This hotel offers apartment style rooms, equipped with kitchens, and everything else you need for a convenient stay!
Hotel Moments Budapest
The Best Luxury Hotel in Budapest
- A modern, stylish, and luxurious hotel
- Amazing location and facilities
Stay at Hotel Moments for the ultimate luxurious treat! This hotel is located on the famous Andrassy Avenue, and it is fully equipped with every comfort and facility one could dream of.
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• The 31 Best Things to Do in Budapest •
#1 – Budapest Parliament Guided Tour
- An iconic building in Budapest
- A live guided tour
- See important artifacts and rooms
Budapest Parliament is one of the most incredible and interesting buildings in the city. This is the third largest parliament building in the world and is truly impressive!
See the Hungarian crown jewels, the holy crown, the great vaulted hall, the stunning central staircase, and more all on this live guided tour!
Editor’s Recommendation! These are the staff pick for the top hostels in Budapest (for all budgets!)
#2 – Embark On a Sightseeing River Cruise
- Day or night tours
- Cruise down the Danube River
- Audio guided tour
Cruise down the Danube River to witness some of the best attractions in Budapest! This tour is available night or day – both offering memorable perspectives of the city.
The tour is guided by audio, allowing you to learn about all about Budapest as you cruise past it. A breathtakingly unique experience!
#3 – Visit the Great Market Hall
- A massive food and crafts market
- Set in a neo-Gothic tunnel
- Discover the local foods
This is one of the best places for food in the city! This market has all kinds of delicious treats and local produce on offer – a great place to discover more about Hungarian cuisine!
The setting of this market is also incredible. A brilliant addition to your Budapest itinerary.
#4 – Experience Buda Castle
- World heritage site castle
- The caste houses important museums
- Gardens are free to walk access
Witnessing Buda Castle is a must do activity when in the city! This Castle, sitting on top of a hill, is a significant building in Budapest.
Admire the beauty of the castle and its surrounds, while learning about the interesting royal history of the place!
#5 – Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion on a Walking Tour
- See incredible historic and architectural sites
- The Fisherman’s Bastion is a must visit!
- Expert guide
Learn all about the unique history and culture of Budapest in this 3-hour walking tour. The tour will stop at some important attractions in the city, including the Fisherman’s Bastion.
This ancient building was constructed to celebrate the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian state. Your guide will teach you many interesting and important facts.
Don’t stop the party! Read up on Budapest’s best party hostels too!
#6 – Enjoy the Szechenyi Spa Thermal Pools
- Skip the line ticket
- Famous thermal spring spa
- Made up of 18 thermal pools
The Szechenyi bath complex is the biggest of its kind in Europe! These warm thermal baths are thought to do wonders for your health and relaxation.
Visit during the day or night for a truly unique Budapest experience! A soak in these thermal pools will have anyone feeling great afterward.
#7 – Cross the Chain Bridge
One of the Best Free Things to do in Budapest
- An iconic landmark in Budapest
- Architecturally impressive
- Takes out 15 minutes
The famous Chain Bridge was built in 1849 to connect Buda with Pest. The bridge crosses the Danube River, and it is considered a symbol of national pride.
Take a short walk down the bridge to appreciate its grand nature. You also get some fantastic views out over the river and the city!
#8 – Tour the Great Synagogue
- Guided tour
- The largest synagogue in Europe
- Includes the Hungarian Jewish Museum
Experience the magic of the Great Synagogue with this skip-the-line tour. This magnificent synagogue has played a major role in Budapest’s history.
Learn about the Jewish history of Budapest through visiting the Hungarian Jewish museum and the famous Emmanuel Memorial tree.
#9 – Explore Margaret Island
Great Thing in Budapest to do With Kids
- An incredible green area
- A peaceful park island
- Lots of outdoor fun here
For a great day out in the sun, take a visit to the lovely Margaret Island. This island in the Danube offers a scenic escape from the busy city.
Enjoy the well-kept gardens, the waterfall, the musical fountain, and a small zoo! There are also some fun cafes here.
#10 – Ride the Funicular
Fun For the Whole Family!
- A fun ride up Castle Hill
- A historic funicular
- Great photo opportunities!
Ride the old funicular up to the castle from the Adam Clark Square and the Szechenyi Chain Bridge. This is the easiest and most fun way to get to the top.
The funicular is a historic attraction in itself, but it also offers fantastic views and an enjoyable ride!
Don’t stay in the city too long! Take one of these great day trips from Budapest to see more of the area!
#11 – Do a Backpacker Pub Crawl
- 5-hour guided pub crawl
- Discover the best bars
- Great way to meet people
Budapest is legendary for its party scene and famous ruin bars. For an ultimate night out, head off on a backpackers pub crawl!
This pub crawl will show you some of the most fun and atmospheric bars and clubs in the city – all guided by a knowledgeable local.
#12 – Witness St. Stephen’s Basilica
Architecture Fan? You’ll Love This
- Budapest’s largest church
- Has an impressive dome
- A historically significant site
This is an enormous, impressive church to visit! This famous basilica is a stunning work of architecture, with a 96-meter high dome!
See the mummified hand of the church’s patron saint, and first kind of Hungary, here! This church is well worth exploring – especially reaching the top of the cupola.
#13 – Budapest City Tour by Bike
- Explore the city by bike
- Small group tour
- Experience many important sites
Take a bike tour to witness Budapest in one of the best ways possible! These tours are fun and informative, offering a unique way of getting between fascinating sites.
Learn all about the city’s interesting history and culture while you ride between landmarks. A cool way to familiarize yourself with Budapest!
#14 – Visit Memento Park
- An outdoor historic park
- Contains statues, plaques, and memorabilia
- Learn about Budapest’s communist past
Memento Park is an outdoor museum dedicated to the communist history of Budapest. Explore this place to see the various statues and monuments from this period.
This is an interesting place to understand the country’s past a little better. There is even a cinema here that screens old propaganda films.
#15 – Take a Hungarian Wine Tasting Class
- 2-hour wine class
- Guided by an expert sommelier
- Taste many different local wines
To taste and learn about the wines of Hungary, join this guided class! You will get to discover loads about the country’s different wine regions and local styles.
This tour includes a food pairing with Hungarian delicacies – a great way to learn about the delicious local products here!
#16 – Visit the Gellert Baths
A ‘Cool’ Thing to do in Budapest in Winter
- A grand old spa
- Built between 1912 – 1918
- Contains a variety of baths
Spas and thermal baths are popular in Hungary, and the Gellert Baths are one of the best! These magnificent old baths include an open-air pool wave pool, saunas, plunge pools, and an effervescent swimming pool.
For wellness, relaxation, and warming up in the cold, enjoy the powers of these thermal pools.
Need to save money? Check out the cheapest hostels in Budapest!
#17 – Take an Art Nouveau Walking Tour
- Visit hidden treasures in the city
- Personalized tours
- A great historic tour of Budapest
This 3-hour walking tour around the city is a fantastic way of understanding the beauty and history behind Budapest. Learn about the Art Nouveau movement, and why it was important.
See famous buildings, important architectural details, and learn a great deal from your informative guide.
#18 – Visit the House of Terror
A Must Do For History Buffs!
- A museum about Hungarian communism
- Former headquarters of the Fascist Arrow Cross Party
- Great informative displays
Budapest’s communist rule during the 20th century is completely fascinating. Visit the House of Terror to learn all about this through many interesting displays!
You will get to explore the old Fascist Arrow Cross Party’s headquarters, including the basement prison. A must stop for any history fan.
#19 – Go on an Underground Caving Adventure
- Crawl through underground caves
- A 3.5-hour caving tour
- In the Danube-Ipoly National Park
To get outdoors and explore something fun outside the city, consider this underground caving tour! The tour takes you through the longest cave system in the Danube-Ipoly National Park.
Experience the beauty of the caves and park while learning all about caves geological history. A fun, fascinating and unique experience!
#20 – Catch a Show at the Hungarian State Opera House
- A 1200 seat auditorium
- First opened in 1884
- One of the city’s prized buildings
The Hungarian State Opera House is an amazing building with a rich history. Try to get tickets to a show here, it will be an unforgettable experience!
This opera house is one of the best in the world for the performances that take place on its stage. The building is equally impressive.
#21 – Embark on a Jewish Quarter Food Tour
- A self-guided tour
- Experience delicious local foods
- Witness the vibrant Jewish Quarter
Budapest’s exciting Jewish Quarter has a thriving and trendy culinary scene. Take this self-guided tour, through an app, to experience the best food on offer here!
You will be guided through expert recommendations and discover some hidden gems along the way. The tour includes six different carefully selected tastings.
#22 – Explore the Buda Hills
Fun For the Whole Family!
- A nature break from the city
- A popular escape
- Contains the Children’s Railway
For fun outside the city, venture out to the Buda Hills for some peace and nature! These hills offer various hiking trails, mountain bike paths, and picnic sites.
The Children’s Railway here (operated by children under 14) is a great attraction for families with kids!
#23 – Experience the Royal Palace of Godollo
- The largest baroque palace in Hungary
- Former residence of Empress Sisi
- Learn about Royal history
Take this tour to learn all about the fascinating royal past of Hungary by visiting the Royal Palace of Godollo! Explore the palace and admire its grand rooms and details.
Discover a great deal about the palace’s former residents and their important history with Hungary.
#24 – Walk Down Andrassy Avenue
- A recognized world heritage site
- The avenue dates back to 1872
- Full of spectacular buildings
To witness the charm of old world Budapest, experience the famous Andrassy Avenue! This old boulevard showcases the finest buildings in the city.
The street connects Erzsebet Square with Varosliget and is well worth exploring. A must visit for those wanting to soak up Budapest’s rich culture.
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#25 – Budapest Craft Beer Cruise
- Enjoy a Danube River cruise
- Sample amazing local beers
- See the cities monuments
This tour is a fun blend of sightseeing and beer! Enjoy a cruise down the Danube River while enjoying an artisanal beer tasting.
The tour shows off major sights and attractions in the city, all from the comfort of your craft beer boat. This tour is both fun and informative.
#26 – Visit the Citadella
- An impressive old fortress
- On top of Gellert Hill
- Offers amazing views
Visiting the Citadella on top of Gellert Hill is a brilliant way of enjoying the city skyline. This fortress was built in 1851, and it offers unbeatable views!
Discover more about the city’s interesting military past from here while you explore the old walls and areas of this huge fortress.
#27 – The Hungarian National Museum
To Learn More About the City!
- Founded in 1802
- Discover the history of Hungary
- Many interesting displays
To learn about the history of Hungary and its people, visit the Hungarian National Museum. This place has a wide variety of displays, covering many topics.
The stunning building is an attraction in itself, and the gardens and exhibitions are incredibly well looked after!
#28 – Explore the Aquincum Museum and Ruin Garden
One of the Top Things to do in Budapest for History!
- Explore Roman ruins
- Full of historic art
- Discover Budapest’s ancient history
The area that is now Obuda used to be the site of a significant Roman city! Visit the Aquincum Museum and Ruin Garden to experience this.
See two ancient open-air theatres, Roman ruins, as well as learn a great deal from the interesting exhibitions. This is a unique and truly fascinating museum!
#29 – Take an Etyek Wine Tour
- Visit the Etyek wine region
- Taste local wines
- A small group guided tour
Hungary has some fantastic wine regions, and this tour will teach you more about them! Visit the stunning vineyards and wine farms of the Etyek region.
You will be guided through a few wine tastings, learn about wine production, and meet the local winemakers. A home-cooked meal is included.
#30 – Stroll the Danube Promenade
- See an incredible memorial
- Amazing views of Budapest
- One of the city’s most important areas
Take a walk down the Danube River Promenade and witness the touching Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. This is a chilling tribute to the victims shot here during WWII.
Danube Promenade is also a lovely place to absorb the city. There are great cafes, bars, and attractions along here.
#31 – Take a Private Walking Tour of the City
- An informative guided tour
- Visit major points of interest
- See some hidden gems
To discover most of Budapest, consider this 3-hour guided walking tour. You will be taken along many top points of interest and attractions in Budapest.
Your local guide will show you some hidden gems along the way. This tour is suitable for all ages and travelers!
Final Thoughts
Now that you have some great ideas on what to do in Budapest, it is time to get out and start experiencing this amazing city! Clearly, Budapest is a destination that offers thrills and excitement to suit any kind of person.
Due to all of the things to see in Budapest, it makes sense that this city has become such a popular destination in Europe. We hope that this guide helps you to experience the best of Budapest, as it really is a one of a kind place!
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