Hungary's capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. There's so much to see in Budapest, an urban centre made up of three unified cities - Buda and Óbuda, on the west bank of the Danube, and Pest, on the east bank.
Much of the city has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some people call it the "Paris of the East", but I'm not a fan of these comparisons (nor am I in love with Paris). I prefer the Hungarian capital or Prague in the Czech Republic - two fascinating capitals.
The city combines a fascinating history with a modern and relaxed artistic atmosphere. Hungary's largest city is popular for its hot springs, which have been used for therapeutic purposes for hundreds of years, but also by the Central Market, by several bridges over the Danube or by Buda Castle.
There's also delicious food, impressive architecture, classical music and churches. Even the Parliament of Hungary is so beautiful that it receives thousands of visitors every year. There is a wide variety of activities to see and do in Budapest and it will take three days or more to explore all the city's attractions.
What to see in Budapest
Danube River
The Danube River is the soul of the Hungarian city. Almost 3000 kilometres long, it is the second longest river in Europe - from its source in the Black Forest in Germany to its mouth in the Black Sea in Romania. It is only surpassed in length by the Volga River in Russia.
The Danube runs through nine countries: Germany, Romania, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovakia. On its banks, you can find the neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament building, the ornate Buda Castle and the Fisherman's Bastion, as well as several imposing bridges. One of the ways to enjoy the river is to take a boat trip on the Danube (day or night) - something I recommend.
- Hotel in Budapest - Find the ideal accommodation in Budapest, with incredible offers and excellent facilities
- Take out travel insurance at IATI or Heymondo with a 5% discount
- Book the best tours, activities, transfers and entry to monuments in advance, without any unforeseen problems with GetYourGuide
Parliament of Hungary
The Hungarian Parliament building is one of the main attractions, perhaps the most important, to visit in Budapest.
The building was inaugurated in 1886 - when Hungary was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire - to mark the country's 1,000th anniversary. Situated on the banks of the River Danube, it is the third largest parliament building in the world, with 691 rooms and almost 20 kilometres of corridors and staircases. It is on the UNESCO list and is one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance architecture in the world.
The views from the opposite bank of the Danube or from Gellert Hill are my favourites. In addition, the 45-minute guided tours give you an inside look at the imposing building.
Annual visits to the Hungarian seat of government exceed 500,000, which is why I recommend buying your ticket online.
St Stephen's Basilica (Szent István-bazilika)
Meet my basilica... All joking aside (because I'm no saint), this is a place in the city centre that you really must visit in Budapest.
St Stephen's Basilica (Szent István-bazilika) was named in honour of Hungary's first king and the founder of the Hungarian state. The neoclassical basilica opened its doors in 1905, after 54 years of construction. Both the interior and exterior are impressive.
Part of the roof and walls of St Stephen's Basilica were seriously damaged during the Second World War, but restoration work was carried out after the conflict. If you're lucky, you can attend one of the many organ and classical music concerts that take place in the basilica.
For a panoramic view of the city, you can climb to the top of the church. To do so, you have to climb 360 steps... Alternatively, you can use one of the two lifts. The choice is yours... Admission is free, but if you want to go up to see the views there is a ticket at a symbolic price.
Great Synagogue of Budapest
Experts say that Budapest's Great Synagogue is the largest Jewish place of worship in Europe (and the second largest in the world, outside of Israel). The architecture and decoration stand out, but inside you'll also find the Museum, the Hungarian Jewish Archives and the Tree of Life Holocaust Memorial. To learn more about the history of the Jewish complex and its relationship to the Holocaust, you can take a guided tour.
As you pass through the area, take a look at Budapest's Jewish Quarter - also known as the Seventh District. There you'll find good bars, cafés and restaurants. In fact, that's where I ate best in Hungary's capital.
Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Chain) is an impressive example of 19th century engineering, linking Buda and Pest. Designed by an English engineer, this suspension bridge was inaugurated in 1849 and was the first to be built over the River Danube.
You can walk across it in 10 minutes, but watching it from one of the banks is just as fantastic. It's particularly attractive at the end of the day, when the lights come on. I spent several hours there trying to capture the perfect photo.
Heroes' Square
Built in 1896, Heroes' Square has a prominent place at the end of Andrássy Avenue. At the top of the Millennium Monument is the archangel Gabriel holding the Hungarian crown, while below is a group of bronze knights and Prince Arpades.
Heroes' Square is home to the statues of the Seven Chiefs of the Magyars and the Heroes' Memorial Stone. Explore the Museum of Fine Arts and Budapest Palace of Arts.
Buda Castle (Royal Palace)
Buda Castle or the Royal Palace is a 13th-century building inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage List. The site also contains the Hungarian National Gallery and History Museum. Both the gallery and the museum are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
The courtyards of Buda Castle are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sometimes special events (such as festivals) take place there and access is restricted, requiring the purchase of a ticket. On normal days, you don't have to pay.
Budapest Central Market
I love visiting markets, seeing the colours, watching the incessant movement of vendors and shoppers, smelling the smells and tasting the fresh produce. Built in 1897, this magnificent place has over 100 shops on three floors in a neo-Gothic style building. It is sometimes packed with tourists, but many Hungarians still use it to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and paprika sausages.
Budapest's Central Market is open every day (except Sunday) from 6am until 6pm. On Saturdays it closes at 3pm.
Gellert Hill
The half-hour climb to the top of Gellert Hill is a good way to exercise and the effort will be rewarded with an excellent view of the city.
In fact, Gellert is one of my favourite places to visit in Budapest. The sunset here is spectacular and you can see the lights and traffic in the capital at the end of the day.
The hill stands majestically on the Buda side of the Danube River. It was named after Saint Gellert, a Benedictine monk and one of Hungary's first missionaries. At the top of the hill, you'll also find the Citadel, some weapons used by the Red Army in the Second World War and the Statue of Liberty.
This statue was erected in 1947 to honour those who sacrificed themselves for Hungary's independence, freedom and prosperity. The Citadel houses a restaurant, a hotel and a museum.
Matias Church
The Church of the Assumption of Buda Castle, or Matthias Church, is located next to the Fishermen's Bastion and was named after King Matthias Corvinus - who ordered the remodelling of the south tower.
During the Turkish occupation, it was used as a mosque and was later renovated. It's an unmissable place to see in Budapest and where you can also attend classical music concerts. If you're there on a Sunday evening, it's worth listening to a free organ concert.
Budapest Cable Car
Budapest's funicular railway opened in 1870 and is one of the oldest in the world. It's also the fastest (and most relaxed) way to get to the top of Castle Hill, as well as offering great views of the Danube. It was rebuilt a few decades ago, having been completely destroyed during the bombings of the Second World War.
The cable car runs every 10 minutes from 7.30am until 10pm. Tickets cost between €3 (one way) and €5 (return).
Pinball Museum (Flippermúzeum)
I'm still from the days when I lost myself (and a few coins) in this addiction. In fact, you can still find some of these machines in cafés in Portugal. However, in Hungary they have gone one step further and created a museum! There are more than 100 different pinball machines and 30 other games that were played years ago. I haven't had the chance to visit it, but it seems like a curious place to visit in Budapest.
Thermal baths and spas
When travelling to Budapest, one of the first places on visitors' lists is the thermal baths. There are several spas in the Magyar city and they even call it the "City of Spas". And this nickname is no coincidence, as there are more than 100 natural spas for therapeutic purposes.
The city's spa culture dates back to Roman times, but there are other spas built during the Ottoman occupation. One of the largest spas is the Gellert, which includes a sauna, several pools - one with waves - as well as massage rooms. It is located in the famous Gellért Hotel.
Another popular spot is the Széchenyi Thermal Baths - one of the largest in Europe. Built in 1913, it includes three outdoor pools, 10 plunge pools, massage rooms, saunas and (rumour has it) even a beer bath!
As these are popular locations, it's best to buy your ticket online.
Chocolate Museum
Because a treat should never come alone, after the spa indulge in a piece of chocolate at the Museum you really must visit in Budapest. Visitors embark on a culinary journey through the history of chocolate, including tastings. Even the gates look like cocoa and there's chocolate pouring out of a fountain. Visitors can make their own chocolate. You'll melt for more...
Fishermen's Bastion
From the towers of Fisherman's Bastion on Castle Hill, you can access some of the best views in Budapest - of the Danube, Margaret Island and Pest. The building was constructed with seven towers symbolising the Seven Magyar Chiefs - the founders of Hungary. Legend has it that the building was protected by fishermen, giving the place its current name. There you'll also find a statue of St Stephen, the first king of Hungary.
Walk along the Danube
My favourite thing to do in Budapest was to stroll along the River Danube, admiring the views, the movement of the boats and the many terraces, restaurants and cafés. It's also on the banks of the Danube, near the Hungarian Parliament, that you'll find a curious site - the Budapest shoe memorial or "Shoes by the Danube". This is a series of 60 pairs of steel shoes, in honour of the Jews killed there by the Nazis during the Second World War.
Margaret Island
Margaret Island (Margitsziget) is only two kilometres long and 500 metres wide, but it is one of the most popular places in Hungary's capital. There you'll find hot springs, gardens, jogging trails, ruins of historic buildings and a former Dominican convent.
One of the highlights of Margaret Island is the Palatinus water park - Budapest's largest open-air swimming sports complex. In summer, there are open-air restaurants and concerts. You can reach the island by bus (26), boat, tram, on foot or even by bicycle. Walking from Pest will take you around 45 minutes. Other alternatives are tram 4 or 6, or the public boats: D12 and D11, which cost around €2.
The nearest metro station to Margaret Island is Göncz Árpád (line 3).
Free tours in Budapest
Did you know that there are free tours in Budapest? Take a look at this site and book yours. You don't have to pay for your guided tour, but it's nice to give a tip at the end (if you were satisfied with the guide, of course).
Other places to see in Budapest
- Budapest Opera House (State Opera)
- House of Terror
- Memento Park
- Andrássy Avenue
- City Park (Városliget)
- Hungarian National Museum
Map of places to see in Budapest
Extra information
Additional tip
Those who visit Budapest often choose to buy the Budapest Card, which entitles you to entry to several of the city's attractions and offers discounts on others.
How long to stay in Budapest?
As you can see from this list, there's plenty to visit in Budapest: walks to take, local food to try, terraces to relax on, sunsets to admire. So, three days is the minimum to explore Budapest. Ideally, you could split a week's holiday between Budapest and Vienna or Prague.
When to visit Budapest
The Hungarian capital can be seen at any time of year, although winter is the least favourable period.
In my opinion, spring and autumn are the best times to visit Budapest, as the temperatures are mild and there are far fewer tourists.
Summer is also a good time for a holiday in Budapest, but you'll have to consider the floods of tourists and sometimes excessive heat. The plus point is that it's perfect for attending festivals, concerts and spending more time on terraces by the river.
- March to May and September to November: good prices and fewer people
- July and August: more tourists, festivals and concerts
- December to January: low prices, grey and cold weather
Internet and Wi-Fi
The most affordable way to access the internet is to buy this eSIM (with a 15% discount). Discover the world without worrying about roaming and access high-speed internet in over 190 countries.
Money in Budapest
The country has not yet joined the Euro, so Hungary's currency is still the Hungarian guilder. The banknotes available are: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 guilders. Coins are: 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. It's very easy to find cash machines or shops where you can pay by card, so there's no need to travel with cash.
I use the Wise card and the Revolut card to avoid bank fees and commissions. I always travel with both.
Luggage in Budapest
Store luggage safely and cheaply in Budapest. This storage service allows you to shop your belongings in shops, hotels and other partners. Booking can be done online in just a few seconds and the service is available 24 hours a day.
How to get to Budapest
Located in the heart of Central Europe, Budapest is a relatively easy city to get to. The most common ways to reach the Hungarian capital are by plane, train, bus and even by boat from Vienna and Bratislava.
It's very easy to get to Budapest by plane. Budapest's only airport, Liszt Ferenc International Airport (or Ferihegy) is located around 40 minutes, 16 km, from the city centre. The airport's Terminal 2A receives Schengen flights, while Terminal B handles connections to the rest of the world.
As routes and timetables change frequently, it's best to use this site to search for your flight and get the best price.
How to get from the airport to Budapest
Bus
The minibus (miniBUD) is one of the most popular ways to get from the airport to the centre of Budapest, and prices vary depending on the number of passengers. You can sometimes find tickets for €5.
The public bus 200E goes to the M3 Kőbánya-Kispest station (blue line). There, the metro takes passengers directly to the centre. There is another transport, the 100E, but at the time of writing this article the bus was temporarily deactivated.
Check the bus timetable from Budapest airport to the city on the official website.
Taxi
A taxi to the centre of Budapest should cost between 25€ and 30€.
Train to Budapest
Budapest has three international railway stations: Keleti, Nyugati and Delhi. There are daily connections to European capitals such as Vienna, Bratislava and Prague, among others. Use this site to search for timetables and buy train tickets.
The three international railway stations are connected to Budapest's metro system. Déli and Keleti stations are connected via the Red Line (number 2) and Nyugati - via the Blue Line (number 3).
Hire a car
If you have your own car, it's much easier. Choose to hire a car with Discovercars. This site allows you to compare prices and, in many cases, you can cancel the rental free of charge up to 48 hours before departure.
Hotel in Budapest
The quality of hotels in Budapest is high, so I've chosen some of the best at good prices.
For example Monastery Boutique Hotel Budapest which has over 1000 reviews, a 9.4 rating and is 600 metres from the Fishermen's Bastion and 700 metres from the Chain Bridge.
600 metres from St Stephen's Basilica, you'll find the Cortile Budapest Hotel. It has an indoor pool on the top floor and fantastic views. And if you look at the price I'm sure you'll stay at this hotel.
With more refinement, it has a palace - the Anantara New York Palace Budapest. The price is not exorbitant and nearly 2,000,000 guests give it almost the maximum score - with an emphasis on comfort and cleanliness.
Other hotels in Budapest for comfortable sleeping
- Hotel Moments Budapest (9.5)
- Wyndham Budapest City Centre (9.3)
- T62 Hotel (9.2)
- Roombach Hotel Budapest Centre (9.0)
Travel Insurance
Never travel without travel insurance. I recommend IATI Seguros or Heymondo (if you use either of these links you get a 5% discount). They are the best travel insurance (and the cheapest) and have Covid-19 protection.
Whenever you want to book a flight, a hotel or buy travel insurance, use the platforms I recommend and trust. All you have to do is click on the links below before researching your trips.
You don't pay extra for using these links.
- Hotel in Budapest at the best price
- Travel Insurance at IATI or Heymondo (5% discount with this link)
- Cheap flights for your next trip
- Rental car with reduced rates
- Bank card without commissions for travelling
- Store your luggage safely and cheaply
- Photography workshops — learn photography with me
Note: This text may contain affiliate links, but you don't pay more for using any link (and you can even save money). Guaranteed!
I organise and lead group trips to destinations I know well. And I only travel with small groups (maximum 12 people).
I've been to 60 countries, so if you have a trip in mind with a group of friends, family or work colleagues, contact me and I'll be happy to plan, organise and lead the trip you want. The itinerary can be customised, as can the budget and activities.
See the travel calendar and sign up or tell me where you want to travel as a group and I'll take care of everything.
