Budapest
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Welcome to Budapest! Hungary’s capital city on the Danube is truly a gem, packed with things to do for all visitors, from those who want to relax in the thermal spas to those who want to learn all about the city’s long history. We’ve gathered all the best things to do so that you can plan your trip to Budapest!
By Anneliese O'Malley
By Anneliese O'MalleyTop 10 Things to Do in Budapest
Get inspired for your trip to Budapest: here are the best attractions and activities available in Hungary's capital.Széchenyi Thermal Baths | Flickr: Wei-Te Wong CC BY-SA 2.0
1
Go to the Baths
Budapest’s healing waters were first recognized by the Romans and some of the baths that you can visit are truly ancient. Under Habsburg rule, several new and elaborate baths were built both for leisure and their health benefits. The most popular are the Széchenyi Baths and the Gellért Baths, both of which also offer massages and wellness treatments that are sure to relax you after a day of sightseeing.Wellness
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Hungarian Parliament at night | Flickr: Naval S CC BY 2.0
2
Get Political
One of Budapest’s most beautiful buildings is the Hungarian Parliament Building or Országház, which graces the banks of the Danube. Tours will show you where the current Hungarian government works as well as explaining the history of politics during the Imperial days of Hungary, the interwar years, the Communist years, and the post-Communist years. Plus you’ll get to see the ancient crown of Hungary, one of the oldest crowns in Europe.Gödöllő Palace
3
Meet the Royals
Hungary no longer has a royal family, but it still has plenty of castles and palaces! One of the most prominent is Buda Castle, which looks down on the city from the top of its hill. Today it houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. For those who love the story of Empress Elisabeth (aka Sisi) and Emperor Franz Joseph, a trip to Gödöllő Palace, just outside Pest, is well worth a visit.Buda Castle
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Official Giraffe Hop On Hop Off | Wiki: Anatoliy-024 CC BY-SA 4.0
4
Take a Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
The twin cities of Buda and Pest have tonnes of attractions and monuments to see between them. One of the easiest ways to see everything is to take a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour - not only will you get commentary explaining the places you pass, but you’ll also be able to travel between attractions without having to navigate the local public transport system.Flickr: Frédérique Voisin-Demery CC BY 2.0
5
Try Traditional Meals
Whether gúlyas is your thing or you just can’t wait to get stuck into Hungarian wines like Tokaji, there’s a tour for you! From cooking classes that teach you how to make the perfect chicken paprikash to day trips to vineyards outside the city, you’ll find something that will tickle your tastebuds.Food Experiences
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Dohány Street Synagogue
6
Get into Religious History
Hungary is a predominantly Catholic country, but its religious history is a long and interesting one. You can learn more about the local Jewish community on a visit to the Great Synagogue (also known as the Dohány Street Synagogue), while you can learn about Christianity at the Matthias Church or St. Stephen’s Basilica.Matthias Church
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St. Stephen's Basilica
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Memento Park
7
See Communist Statues
After the fall of Communism in 1989, Budapest was cleared of monumental statues and sculptures that celebrated Communist heroes. They were moved out to Memento Park, and today it’s a tourist destination featuring the toppled statues of Lenin, Marx, Engels, Stalin, and several Hungarian Communist icons. Take a guided tour to learn all about the historical context behind the statues’ design and their ultimate destruction.Memento Park
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Margaret Island | Flickr: Wei-Te Wong CC BY-SA 2.0
8
Take a Bike Ride on Margaret Island
Margit-Sziget, or Margaret Island, is a 1.6-mile long island in the middle of the Danube, between Buda and Pest. Most of the island is covered in a park and is an ideal place to swim and cool off during the summer months. There are bike paths, a water park, and a musical fountain all of which can be enjoyed by tourists. Bike tours of the island are a popular pastime, or you can rent a bike and head off to explore by yourself.Margaret Island
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Bike Experiences
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Rentals
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Flickr: joiseyshowaa CC BY 2.0
9
Take a Tour of the Streets
Budapest is a great city to see on foot, exploring the various districts with a local guide. Tours include general history walks, specialist Communist or Jewish history walks, street art tours, and pub crawls. You’re sure to find something that piques your interest, and it’s also a great way to orient yourself in the city when you arrive.Segway Tours
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Take a Cruise on the Danube
10
Take a Cruise on the Danube
The Blue Danube is at its finest in Budapest, especially after dark! With Buda Castle and the Matthias Church on one side and the Hungarian Parliament Building lighting up the opposite bank, a river cruise is one of the best ways to see the city. Whether you’re taking a basic tour or combining it with a meal and entertainment, you’re sure to find the ideal option for you.Cruises & Water Tours
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Attractions in Budapest
The Budapest Card
The Budapest Card
If you want to see all that Budapest has to offer and you want to save money while doing so, then you should consider investing in the Budapest Card.It offers you free entry to several of the city’s most popular attractions including the Matthias Church, the Buda Castle Funicular and the galleries inside Buda Castle, Memento Park, and even some of the thermal baths. The pass also includes free public transport and access to several walking tours, so you can see the whole city, exactly the way you want to.Find offers for:
City Passes
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Budapest with Kids | Flickr: Mirtillosmile CC BY-SA 2.0
Family-Friendly Activities in Budapest
City breaks can be tough for the youngest family members, with lots of walking and history.Budapest’s baths are also not really recommended for children under the age of 12, though they are allowed to enter with parental supervision. We’ve collected some of the attractions that can be enjoyed by the whole family together, from the Miniversum model railway experience to the interactive Pinball Museum, which will intrigue big kids as well as small ones.Find offers for:
Pinball Museum
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Kiskunsági National Park
Day Trips from Budapest
While there’s a lot to see and do inside Budapest’s city limits, several tour providers offer the chance to get out into the Hungarian countryside to learn more about the country’s culture.From trips to the Puszta (also known as the Pannonian Steppe) or the stunning landscape of the Danube Bend, trips include a combination of history, culture, and delicious food.Find offers for:
Day Trips
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City Passes
Day Trips
Bike Experiences
Segway Tours
Shows
Workshops & Classes
Concerts & Opera
Museums
Rentals
The 10 Best Things to See in Budapest
We've collected ten of the top attractions in Budapest to help you plan your perfect city break. From museums to spas, you're sure to find several great places where you can discover the city.Hungarian Parliament at night | Flickr: Naval S CC BY 2.0
1
Hungarian Parliament Building
Head to the seat of the Hungarian government in a glorious building on the banks of the Danube. Learn all about the history of the nation and see the ancient crown of Hungary.Buda Castle
2
Buda Castle
Buda Castle sits proudly on top of Castle Hill, housing the National Art Gallery and other exhibitions on Hungarian history. Even if you don’t want to go inside, it’s well worth climbing the hill for the incredible view of the city below!More Information & tickets
Széchenyi Thermal Baths | Flickr: Wei-Te Wong CC BY-SA 2.0
3
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of Budapest’s most popular spas, featuring heated indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and wellness treatments, all in a beautiful building. Watch out for the late-night pool parties in summer for a special treat!Dohány Street Synagogue
4
Dohány Street Synagogue
The Great Synagogue managed to survive World War II and Communist Hungary, and today it’s an active place of worship, a museum, and a memorial to the members of the Jewish community who died in the Holocaust. Visit to learn all about the history of Jewish Budapest.Matthias Church
5
Matthias Church
The Matthias Church is also on top of Castle Hill and its brightly colored roof tiles make it a distinctive piece of architecture. It’s been the site of miracles and was the church where Kaiser Franz-Josef and Empress Elizabeth were crowned King and Queen of Hungary.More Information & tickets
Gödöllő Palace
6
Gödöllő Palace
This palace on the outskirts of the city was a favorite destination for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi. She was popular with the local Hungarian people and spoke the language herself, and she enjoyed her time in the parks and gardens of the beautiful palace.St. Stephen's Basilica
7
St Stephen’s Basilica
St Stephen’s Basilica in the heart of Budapest was only finished in 1905, but it’s impressive architecture and religious artworks shouldn’t be missed. It also hosts concerts and organ recitals, so music-lovers should look out for the dates and times of performances.More Information & tickets
Margaret Island | Flickr: Wei-Te Wong CC BY-SA 2.0
8
Margaret Island
This island is home to beaches where you can swim, a water park, hotels, tennis courts, and a musical fountain. It’s a popular destination with locals looking to exercise or escape from the heat of the city in the summer, and it’s the ideal place to rent a bike and explore.More Information & tickets
Gellért Baths
9
Gellért Baths
The Gellért Baths are built into the Gellért Hill and are an exquisite example of Art Nouveau architecture. Relax in the different pools or head outside to experience a wave pool. You can also enjoy saunas, steam rooms, or massages and wellness treatments from the expert staff.Memento Park
10
Memento Park
This park showcases statues, sculptures, and plaques dedicated to Communist heroes that were taken down or partially destroyed during the fall of Communism in 1989. The park will give you an insight into life under the authoritarian regimes, and a guided tour is highly recommended if you want to learn more about the period.More Information & tickets
More places to see in Budapest
More ideas for Budapest
Fun with Kids in Budapest
Budapest has several attractions that will entertain your children and teens if they need a break from exploring the city.1
Miniversum Experience
The Miniversum Experience is a large model railway exhibition with lots of tiny details to discover and interactive elements. You can also take a tour behind the scenes to learn about how the structures are built and looked after.Pinball Museum | Flickr: Mag Gilbert CC BY-SA 2.0
2
Pinball Museum
The Flippermúzeum collects pinball machines from the end of the 19th century to the most modern tables. They have a collection of 130 machines, most of which can be used by visitors! You can spend hours bouncing between machines with different features at this interactive museum.More Information & tickets
3D-Gallery
3
3D Gallery
This experience is something special for kids and those who love optical illusions. Here you can be part of the artwork, leading to some unique holiday photos.More Information & tickets
More sights in Budapest
Szemlőhegyi Cave1 tickets & guided tours
Aeropark1 tickets & guided tours
Written byAnneliese O'MalleyAnneliese is a former Londoner, keen traveler, and total word nerd. As a Content Management Specialist she knows the TicketLens inventory inside out and curates, matches, and writes about the most interesting attractions worldwide.
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