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The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular transports riders up a steep hill in Hungary's capital.

Everything to Know About Budapest

Here's how to plan the best possible trip to the Pearl of the Danube.

Budapest seems effortlessly suspended between centuries, proudly displaying elements of past and present to create an intriguing city that remembers where it came from and knows where it’s going. Budapest’s true character lies somewhere between the extremes of its Belle Époque opulence, the decades of drab communism, and today’s vibrant entrepreneurialism. Merging sophistication with a bit of grunge, impeccable Art Nouveau with spectacular street art, one thing’s for sure: Budapest isn’t lacking in surprises.

May to September is the best time to enjoy Budapest, as it springs to life with an enviable selection of garden bars and patios, parks and green spaces, and the most colorful sunsets of the year. From late November until New Year’s Eve, the city embraces Christmas, offering markets and light displays throughout. The off-season is from October to November and January to April, when the weather is less predictable but crowds are minimal.

Budapest Wine Festival takes place every September at Buda Castle, highlighting domestic sips from Hungary’s 22 wine regions. The opera season runs from September to June in the spectacular Hungarian State Opera House . In mid-November, Christmas markets spring up across the city and Budapest dons its finest lights. Micro-festivals take place throughout the year, offering everything from Craft Beer Week to Macaron Day .

What to Eat

Lángos is Hungary’s favorite savory indulgence and a must-try in Budapest. In the most classic iteration, a deep-fried disc of flat dough about the size of a dinner plate is slathered with fresh sour cream and garlic, then topped with shredded cheese. The best lángos are served steaming hot and are crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside.

Souvenir to Take Home

Hungary is one of the world’s main paprika-producing regions, with shops stocking several varieties that differ in spiciness and color. While Budapest’s Great Market Hall sells nicely packaged sets, you can also head to one of the city’s many everyday produce markets or stock up at a grocery store. In addition to paprika powder, paprika paste is a Hungarian staple that’s perfect to take home.

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Sustainable Travel Tip

Budapest’s tap water is excellent both in taste and quality, so you can skip bottled. If you prefer sparkling water, ask for soda water ( szódavíz ) instead to avoid a plastic bottle. Hungarian Ányos Jedlik is credited with inventing the soda spritzer bottle, and many restaurants serve soda water in these reusable retro spritzer bottles. Most bars and restaurants automatically include plastic straws in drinks, so be sure to ask for yours without.

Instagram-Worthy View

Gellért Hill offers the best panoramic views of the city, with Buda Castle, the Danube, Chain Bridge, and Hungarian Parliament Building all visible below. Less busy than the also lovely views from Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle, a trip up Gellért Hill will cost you some sweat (or a taxi fare); it’s a 20-minute uphill walk along a steep but well-trodden path and staircase. The best time to visit is at dawn or sunset.

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• Mind, Body, Wonder
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• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
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Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Must-see attractions in Budapest

Castle Hill

Castle District

Castle Hill is a kilometre-long limestone plateau towering 170m above the Danube. It contains some of Budapest’s most important medieval monuments and…

Great Synagogue

Erzsébetváros & the Jewish Quarter

Budapest's stunning Great Synagogue is the world's largest Jewish house of worship outside New York City. Built in 1859, the synagogue has both Romantic…

Memento Park

Home to more than 40 statues, busts and plaques of Lenin, Marx, Béla Kun and others whose likenesses have ended up on trash heaps elsewhere, Memento Park,…

Basilica of St Stephen

Budapest’s neoclassical cathedral is the most sacred Catholic church in all of Hungary and contains its most revered relic: the mummified right hand of…

House of Terror

The headquarters of the dreaded ÁVH secret police houses the disturbing House of Terror, focusing on the crimes and atrocities of Hungary's fascist and…

The Eclectic-style Parliament, designed by Imre Steindl and completed in 1902, has 691 sumptuously decorated rooms. You’ll get to see several of these and…

Hungarian National Museum

The Hungarian National Museum houses the nation’s most important collection of historical relics in an impressive neoclassical building, purpose built in…

Liberty Monument

The Liberty Monument, the lovely lady with the palm frond in her outstretched arms, proclaiming freedom throughout the city, is southeast of the Citadella…

Óbuda & Buda Hills

The most complete Roman civilian town in Hungary was built around 100 AD and became the seat of the Roman province of Pannonia Inferior in AD 106…

Hungarian National Gallery

The Hungarian National Gallery is an overwhelming collection spread across four floors and four wings of the palace that traces Hungarian art from the…

Hungarian State Opera House

The neo-Renaissance Hungarian State Opera House was designed by Miklós Ybl in 1884 and is among the most beautiful buildings in Budapest. Its facade is…

Royal Postal Savings Bank

East of Szabadság tér, the former Royal Postal Savings Bank is a Secessionist extravaganza of colourful tiles and folk motifs, built by Ödön Lechner in…

György Ráth Museum

The one-time home of the eponymous first director (1828–1905) of the Museum of Applied Arts has recently opened and is a shrine to art nouveau…

Museum of Fine Arts

Housed in a grand Renaissance-style building and once again opened after three years' renovations in late 2018, the Museum of Fine Arts is home to the…

Castle Museum

The Castle Museum, part of the multibranched Budapest History Museum, explores the city's 2000-year history over four floors. Restored palace rooms dating…

Royal Palace

The former Royal Palace has been razed and rebuilt at least half a dozen times over the past seven centuries. Béla IV established a royal residence here…

Kerepes Cemetery

Also known as the Fiume St Graveyard (Fiumei uti sírkert), this is Budapest’s equivalent of London's Highgate or Père Lachaise in Paris. Established in…

Vasarely Museum

Installed in the imposing Zichy Mansion (Zichy kastély), built in 1757, this renovated and rehung gallery contains some 150 works of Victor Vasarely (or…

House of Houdini

Dedicated to the famous Hungarian-born magician and escape artist Harry Houdini, who was born Erik Weisz in Budapest's district VII in 1874, this small…

Hungarian Museum of Trade & Tourism

This superb museum traces Budapest's catering and hospitality trade through the ages, including the dramatic changes after WWII, with restaurant items,…

Pesti Vigadó

This Romantic-style concert hall, built in 1865 but badly damaged during WWII, faces the river to the west of Vörösmarty tér. Reopened in 2014 after a…

Heroes' Square

Heroes’ Sq is the largest and most symbolic square in Budapest. It is dominated by the Millenary Monument (Ezeréves emlékmű), a 36m-high pillar topped by…

The capital’s premier pedestrian shopping street is crammed for the most part with chain stores, touristy restaurants, ripoff bars and a smattering of…

Pálvölgy Cave

This 29km-long cave – the second-largest in Hungary – was discovered in 1904 and is noted for both its spectacular stalactites and rock formations. Tours…

Fishermen’s Bastion

The bastion, a neo-Gothic masquerade that looks medieval and offers some of the best views in Budapest, was built as a viewing platform in 1905 by Frigyes…

Palace of Art

The Palace of Art, reminiscent of a Greek temple, is among the city’s largest exhibition spaces. It focuses on contemporary visual arts, with some three…

Vörösmarty tér

At the northern end of Váci utca lies Vörösmarty tér, a large square surrounded by smart shops, galleries and cafes. In the centre is a statue of Mihály…

Museum of Applied Arts

Housed in a gorgeous Ödön Lechner–designed building (1896) decorated with Zsolnay ceramic tiles, this museum was closed for renovation at the time of…

Liszt Music Academy

The art nouveau Liszt Music Academy, built in 1907, attracts students from all over the world and is Budapest's top classical-music concert hall. The…

Szabadság tér

This square, one of the largest in the city, is a few minutes’ walk northeast of Széchenyi István tér. As you enter you’ll pass a delightful fountain that…

Gödöllő Royal Palace

Gödöllő Royal Palace, the largest baroque manor house in Hungary, was designed by Antal Mayerhoffer for Count Antal Grassalkovich (1694–1771), confidante…

Matthias Church

Parts of Matthias Church date back 500 years, notably the carvings above the southern entrance, but essentially the church (named after King Matthias…

Holocaust Memorial Center

Housed in a striking modern building, the centre opened in 2004 on the 60th anniversary of the start of the Holocaust in Hungary. The thematic permanent…

Hungarian Electrical Engineering Museum

This place might not sound like everyone's cup of tea, but some of the exhibits are unusual (and quirky) enough to warrant a visit. The staff will also…

Andrássy út

Andrássy út starts a short distance northeast of Deák Ferenc tér and stretches for 2.5km, ending at Heroes’ Sq (Hősök tere) and the sprawling City Park …

Castle Garden Bazaar

This renovated pleasure park dating from 1893 has added a whole new dimension to Tabán district in recent years. The complex comprises over a dozen neo…

Széchenyi Chain Bridge

Arguably the most striking of all the bridges in Budapest, twin-towered Széchenyi Chain Bridge, which is named in honour of its initiator, István…

Zwack Museum & Visitors' Centre

Unicum, the thick medicinal-tasting aperitif made from 40 herbs and spices, is as bitter as a loser’s tears and a favourite drink in Hungary. To delve…

Gül Baba’s Tomb

This renovated tomb contains the mortal remains of one Gül Baba, an Ottoman dervish who took part in the capture of Buda in 1541 and is known in Hungary…

Ervin Szabó Central Library

Southeast of the Hungarian National Museum is the main repository of Budapest’s public library system, which holds some 2.4 million books and bound…

More destinations you need to see

Free Things to Do

Best Museums

Thermal Baths

Shopping in Budapest

Hungarian Dishes to Try

Best Restaurants in Budapest

Ruin Bars to Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Budapest Airport Guide

Public Transportation

Neighborhoods to Know

72-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Budapest

Top Things to Do

The Best 18 Things to Do in Budapest

Jennifer Walker is a freelance writer specializing in art, travel, and culture. Jennifer's work has appeared in many publications, including Matador Network and CNN Travel.

Budapest offers the perfect blend of complex history, vibrant nightlife, and stunning architecture. Whether you want to drink in one of their famous ruin bars, soak in a thermal bath, or get off the beaten track, we have prepared a starter kit for your trip to Budapest. 

From must-see sights to unusual attractions, get to know the Hungarian capital and its most exciting places with our picks for the best things to do in Budapest.

Take a Tour of the Hungarian Parliament Building

TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris 

The Hungarian Parliament is one of Budapest’s most famous landmarks. Although you can spend hours admiring the exterior in all its intricate details, try to get on a guided tour to look around inside. You’ll see the gold-gilded staircase, the 1,000-year-old crown jewels, parliamentary rooms, and more. Just take the tram number 2 to Országház látogatóközpont or metro 2 to Kossuth Lajos tér and head to the visitor’s center (open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m). Book a tour online (minimum four days head) before going so you can guarantee a spot.

Go for a Drink in Szimpla Kert

Courtesy of Szimpla Kert 

Pay a visit to Budapest’s most famous ruin bar. Szimpla Kert resides in a dilapidated apartment block in the Jewish Quarter, decked out with mismatched furniture, fairy lights, art, and graffiti-colored walls. It’s packed on the weekends, but you can escape the crowds and bachelor parties if you come on a weeknight or in the afternoon to soak in the atmosphere of this quirky bar.

Ride a Boat on the Danube

See Budapest the way it’s meant to be seen: from the river. You can book on a boat tour like Legenda , for a relaxed sightseeing or dinner cruise as the city floats by. Take the public transport boat run by the BKK for a couple of dollars to see the city from the water on a budget.

Go Spelunking Under Budapest

There are hundreds of caves running under the city that have been carved out by thermal water. If you need an adrenaline fix, you can even go on a spelunking adventure with Caving Under Budapest . However, if you don’t want to get down and dirty on your hands and knees, you can visit the show caves at the Szemlőhegy or Pálvölgyi Caves .

Relax at the Gellért Thermal Baths

No trip to Budapest is complete without a trip to one of the thermal baths. The Gellért Thermal Baths are an art nouveau jewel with thermal bath halls clad with turquoise mosaics. There is also a colonnaded swimming pool and an outdoor pool with a wave machine that shakes things up on the hour. Just head to the entrance behind the Gellért Hotel on Kelenhegyi út. The baths are open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Walk Along the Danube Promenade

The Danube is the heart of the city, and no trip to Budapest is complete without a stroll on the Danube Promenade to take in the view. You can stroll along the Pest side for amazing views of the Royal Palace of Buda Castle and Gellért Hill, and on the Buda side for the Hungarian Parliament. Strolling is 100 percent free, so there’s no reason not to do it. 

Climb Up to the Dome of St. Stephen’s Basilica

TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris

St. Stephen’s Basilica is another must-see landmark. Still, the best way to enjoy this stunning cathedral is to head up to the dome for 360-degree views over the city from its viewing platform. The Basilica is on Szent István tér, and the panorama lookout is open October to June from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from July through September 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

Drink a Coffee at the New York Café

Budapest is home to one of the world’s most beautiful cafes, with twisted marble columns, frescoes, and liberal lashings of gold leaf. There is usually a line out the door at the New York Café , so it’s a good idea to book a table or come early morning for a weekday. It is pricey, but you’re paying for the opulent location rather than the coffee. However, it’s not every day you have the chance to sip in surroundings such as these. Take tram 4 or 6 to Wesselényi utca.

Take in the View From Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the top spots in the city for a panoramic selfie, and it’s easy to see why. This neo-Gothic lookout overlooks the river and the Hungarian Parliament from the Castle Hill in Buda and offers the most romantic views over the city. The perfect spot for a photo or you can just take in the view. Come early in the morning when the crowds are minimal. 

Ride the Children’s Railway into the Buda Hills

Ride into the Buda Hills on this nostalgic railway line staffed by school-age children (the drivers and engineers being the exception though). The Children’s Railway began life as a communist initiative to encourage children to learn work ethic, but today it runs without the socialist ideology yet keeps its retro feel. Take tram 56 to Hűvösvölgy or tram 60 to Széchenyi-hegy and ride from one end to the other. 

Explore Communist History in Memento Park

Courtesy of Memento Park 

Want to know where communist statues go to die? Then trek out to this surreal statue park in the suburbs to visit these old communist monuments from statues of Lenin to Stalin’s boots and giant bronze propaganda pieces. You can take the 150 bus from Újbuda-Központ (which you can reach with metro or tram 4) to the Memento Park stop. Alternatively, you can take the 101B or 101E from the Kelenföld train station (reached by metro 4, tram 49 or 19).

Drink Unicum at the Zwack Museum and Visitor’s Point

If you're interested in knowing more about Hungary's most famous bitter liqueur, pay a visit to the Zwack Unicum Factory Museum and Visitor's Point . You won't just learn about Unicum—you'll also sample it straight from the barrel and may get a sneak peek of what goes into a bottle. Take tram number 2 to Haller utca/Soroksári út. 

Eat a Cake at Gerbeaud

Hungarians are famous for baking for delicious cakes. If you want to enjoy a classic cake in decadent surroundings, you can't beat the Gerbeaud Cafe on Vörösmarty tér. Velvet drapes, marble tables, and delicious cakes await. Try their Dobos torta, a chocolate cake topped with hard caramel, or the eponymous Gerbeaud slice, a cake made with ground walnuts, apricot jam, shortcrust pastry, and chocolate. 

Visit the Great Synagogue

The Great Synagogue at Dohány utca is the largest synagogue in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Take a tour inside to see the colorful interior, grand organ, and rose window. The enclosed grounds include the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives. There is a cemetery left behind from the Holocaust, and the moving Tree of Life Memorial in the garden, where thousands of victims' names are inscribed on the leaves. 

Go Shopping at the Central Market Hall

Pay a visit to this stunning 19th-century market hall. You can pick up packs of paprika powder, canned goose liver, Tokaj wine, and other yummies on the ground floor, or head up to the mezzanine level for some folk art. Or just come to look around, especially in the mornings when it’s quiet. The market is next to the Fővam tér metro 4 station and tram 2, 47, 48, 49 stop. 

Play a Game at the World’s First Room Escape Game

Budapest is the home of the first-ever live room escape game, and you can get locked in where it all started at ParaPark . This basement room escape game lies under a lesser-known ruin bar in Vajdahunyad utca in the VIII District. Come and get locked in a code-breaking themed game or a 1990s detective theme. 

Go Ice Skating in City Park

When winter hits, head up to City Park for one of the most beautiful ice rinks in Europe . Skate over a drained lake overlooking Vajdahunyad Castle, which is at its most beautiful when it’s lit up at night in the snow. You can rent skates at the ice rink, so don’t worry about leaving the skates at home. You can get to city park ice rink by taking metro line 1 to Hősök tere or Széchenyi Fűrdo.

Discover Budapest’s Ottoman History at the Tomb of Gül Baba

titoslack / Getty Images 

The Turks occupied Buda for 150 years. Other than the baths, little remains from the Ottomans, which is what makes this dervish saint's tomb so interesting. Gül Baba's tomb is a curiosity that doesn't just give you a peek into Ottoman Budapest through its museum and mausoleum but also has fantastic views over the river. Get off at the Lukács baths and take the steep Gül Baba utca up the hill.  

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3 Days in Budapest: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

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Divided in two by the beautiful banks of the River Danube, Budapest is one of Central Europe’s most enticing city break destinations. A 3-day weekend in Budapest is the perfect length of time to experience the Hungarian capital’s eclectic history, culture, and cuisine , but you’ll find there’s never enough time to truly appreciate all that this great Central European city has to offer.

Budapest has an ancient history dating back to the Romans, while the city’s architecture recalls successive Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and communist eras, which all left an undeniable mark on the skyline. Learn more as you enjoy a walking tour of the city, crossing back and forth over the Danube to visit historic sites like Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the monstrous Hungarian Parliament Building on either side of the river.

Downtown Pest is perfect for walking, while the funicular can whisk you to the lofty heights of Castle Hill for stunning views over the capital. This is a year-round destination, too, and in the summer, you can enjoy the city in its greatest light, making the most of Budapest’s famous outdoor thermal baths before sipping cold beers on a rooftop terrace. In winter, the streets are icy cold, but Christmas cheer is rampant, as Budapest’s main squares are overrun with market stalls and festive celebrations. 

If you’re planning a trip to Hungary’s exciting capital city, then keep reading as we provide you with our perfect weekend itinerary. Here’s how to spend 3 days in Budapest!

If you’re still deciding where to stay then make sure to check out our article on the  best boutique hotels in Budapest !

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

How to Spend a Weekend in Budapest, Hungary

Getting around budapest.

Budapest is Hungary ’s capital and largest city, with sights, restaurants, and hotels spread across both banks of the River Danube. The first thing to understand when you’re getting around Budapest is that the Hungarian capital is, effectively, two cities in one. 

On the eastern side of the river is Pest a largely flat, downtown area that was, for centuries, an independent city. Opposite Pest, on the western side of the River Danube, is Buda. Historically, Buda was home to the ruling elite, who built their homes and palaces on the steep and rocky crags of Castle Hill. The two cities merged into one when they were connected by the Szechenyi Chain Bridge in the mid-19th century, and since 1873 they’ve officially been known together as Budapest. 

This means that the city is still divided into two distinct central zones, Buda and Pest, but luckily, they’re well connected by Budapest’s integrated public transport system. This mass transport system is easily the best way to get around Budapest, and it consists of a mixture of trams, buses, overground trains, and a subway system. 

You can purchase single journey tickets for just 350 HUF (approximately 1 USD), while discounts apply for bulk purchases. Tickets can be purchased from machines at subway, train, and bus stations, or you can use the handy BudapestGO app to buy tickets and plan journeys. 

Remember to validate your tickets before every journey, or you will be fined by the ticket inspectors. There are validation machines at all stations, or you can use the app to scan the QR codes as you embark. Given you’ll be spending 3 days in Budapest, you could also purchase a 72-hour Budapest travel card, which provides unlimited journeys across the city. 

If you need to make your way to the airport, we recommend catching bus 100E from Deak Ferenc Ter, a central square in downtown Budapest that’s well connected to the rest of the city. If public transport isn’t your style, then you’ll find ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are another cost-effective way to get around. 

Budapest Weekend Itinerary – Day 1

Your 3-day Budapest vacation begins on the Buda side of the River Danube, where you can delve into the city’s regal history before enjoying supreme views of the Hungarian capital. 

Castle Hill Funicular

Located on the western bank of the river, your day is centered around Castle Hill, atop which Hungarian rulers, royals, nobles, and elites have long built their homes, castles, and palaces. Castle Hill towers above Pest and the best way to reach the top is by riding the Castle Hill Funicular starting at Adam Clark Square, close to the Buda end of the Szechenyi Chain Bridge. 

Castle Hill Funicular began taking passengers to the top of the hill in 1870, and the traditional wooden carriages you’ll be riding look to have seemingly changed little since their first outing. Within minutes, though, you’ll be whisked 100 meters upwards, where you’ll alight a short stroll away from Buda Castle. 

Buda Castle

Buda Castle is at the heart of the Buda Castle District, and you’ll love strolling around this historic part of the city on foot. Take some time to appreciate the unique mixture of medieval and baroque architecture, the oldest of which dates back to the 13th century, before joining a tour of Buda Castle to learn more about this impressive fortification’s long history. 

As you’re guided around the castle, you’ll discover how the first Hungarian royals built their first residence here in the 13th century. Most of the beautiful baroque architecture you see today, though, was built during the 18th century, when the need for fortifications diminished and a desire for aesthetics prevailed. 

The Austro-Hungarians added to the splendor before Buda Castle was almost entirely destroyed during World War II. The area was rebuilt, though, and is now one of Budapest’s most recognizable attractions.

Experience a Classic Buda Castles Tour

Hungarian National Museum

You might want to take some more time after your guided tour of Buda Castle to explore the Hungarian National Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery , both of which have a permanent home within the palatial walls.

Experience a National Museum Tour

Hungarian National Gallery

By now, though, we expect you’re going to be hungry, but before heading to lunch, we recommend waiting outside the castle’s entrance to catch the Changing of the Guard. 

Castle Hill is home to many of Budapest’s best upmarket restaurants, and we suggest making your way to the Pest-Buda Bistro for a taste of the local cuisine. The Pest-Buda Bistro is located in St Matthias Square, where you’ll also find Matthias Church.

Matthias Church

This marvelous Christian church was founded by the first king of Hungary in the 11th century AD and was where successive Hungarian kings were crowned ever after. After having a quick peek inside the church, your next stop is Fisherman’s Bastion.

Get a ticket for a Classical Music Concert

Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most famous sights in Budapest, although you’ll soon find that the view of the city is just as enthralling as the Neo-Romanesque architecture. Fisherman’s Bastion is a unique lookout terrace built in the 1900s, and over a century later, tourists are still drawn in droves by the beautiful panorama across the River Danube. 

After admiring the views, it’s time to continue your afternoon on Castle Hill with a visit to the Hospital in the Rock. This intriguing museum is found on the site of an old hospital that was built into the caverns and caves below Castle Hill. 

Hospital in the Rock

The hospital was built in preparation for World War II and treated thousands of wounded soldiers during the Siege of Budapest (1944-45). After the war, the hospital was converted into a nuclear fallout shelter and remained top secret until the fall of the communist regime in the 1990s. 

Experience a Tour in Hospital in the Rock

When you emerge from the Hospital in the Rock, the afternoon will be drawing to a close. There’s one last stop to make, and you can either walk or take a tram from Castle Hill to Gellert Hill. Atop Gellert Hill, which is a half-hour walk away from Buda Castle, you’ll find the Citadella, another fortification built to defend Budapest.

Liberty Statue

You’re not here for the history, though, but for the exceptional views across the city, the best of which you’ll find by the iconic Liberty Statue. 

Hungarian Classics

You can watch the sunset over Szechenyi Chain Bridge from Gellert Hill before making your way to Downtown Budapest for dinner. You’re spoiled for choice when choosing where to dine on your first night in the city, but can we suggest booking a table at Getto Gulyas? This simple diner is known for its home-cooked Hungarian classics , with some even saying that they serve the best Goulash in Budapest. 

Budapest Weekend Itinerary – Day 2

Elisabeth square.

Your weekend in Budapest continues with a walking tour of Downtown Budapest (or “Pest”) to kick off your second day in the city. Day 2 is focused on the opposite bank of the River Danube, and after a lazy morning, you can make your way to Elisabeth Square, where one of our favorite free walking tours begins in earnest at 10:30 am.

We recommend the daily tour of Downtown Budapest run by Trip to Budapest , but there are many more tour operators offering similar walking tours in the city, with a similar itinerary (although check the starting location, as this differs). We love the free walking tour model, as you only pay what you feel the experience was worth at the end of the tour! 

St Stephen’s Basilica

From Elisabeth Square, you’ll be guided to St Stephen’s Basilica while your guide tells you the riveting tale of Budapest’s history. St Stephen’s Basilica is named after Hungary’s first king, Stephen, who reigned around one thousand years ago.

From this beautiful Christian church, you’ll move to Archduke Joseph Square, where you’ll learn more about the Habsburg dynasty that ruled both Austria and Hungary until the end of the First World War. 

Experience a Basilica Tour with Tower Access

Vorosmarty Square and Danube Promenade

The tour lasts around two hours, during which time you’ll see all of Downtown Budapest’s major pedestrian areas, including Vorosmarty Square and the Danube Promenade. You’ll also have a chance to pop into Gerbeaud Cafe, one of the oldest and most prestigious art deco-style bistros in Budapest, for a quick coffee and cake.

Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Szechenyi Chain Bridge

After visiting major landmarks, like the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Szechenyi Chain Bridge, you’ll learn about the darker history of Budapest with a stop at the Shoe Memorial.

Shoe Memorial

This moving memorial consists of bronze shoes lining the riverbank, a testament to the city’s Jewish population who were murdered during World War II. 

Hungarian National Parliament

From the Shoe Memorial, you’ll then visit the Hungarian National Parliament, an oversized but glorious building that’s one of the largest and most spectacular works of architecture in Europe. If you prefer not to take a guided tour, then simply use the Downtown Budapest itinerary we’ve laid out above to plan your second day in the city!

Experience a Visit to the Parliament

Hungarian State Opera House

There’s still more walking to do in the afternoon, as your next stop is a stroll along Andrassy Avenue, Budapest’s most iconic boulevard. We suggest taking the metro or tram to the Hungarian State Opera House , located at the start of Andrassy Avenue.  

Budapest’s public transport system is a sight in itself. The yellow trams are an iconic symbol of the city, with many routes being traversed by decades-old wagons and cars dating to the communist era. The subway is the second-oldest underground train network in the world (the only older underground train network is in London), and the line that stops along Andrassy Avenue still features antique cars and carriages. 

House of Terror

From The Hungarian State Opera House, you can then stroll along Andrassy Avenue toward your next stop, the ominously-named House of Terror . Located within a nondescript Austro-Hungarian-style townhouse, the House of Terror was once the headquarters of Hungary’s feared secret police, first during the right-wing era of World War II and again during the communist era that followed. Now, it’s not only a museum but a warning from history, as the House of Terror shows the perils and pains of dictatorships in all their guises. 

It’s going to be late afternoon now, but don’t worry because it’s almost time to enjoy Budapest’s ultimate relaxation experience. Jump back on the metro and ride it a few stops to Heroe’s Square (or you can carry on walking along Andrassy Avenue), admire this commemorative national monument, and then stroll through City Park until you reach the entrance to the Szechenyi Thermal Baths .

Visit the Shocking House of Terror

Szechenyi Thermal Baths

Even if you only did one thing during your weekend in Budapest, it would have to be a thermal bath experience. The city is built atop a vast network of hot springs, and since the Roman era, locals and tourists alike have been soaking in the rich, natural mineral waters. 

The Szechenyi Thermal Baths are the largest and most visited baths in Budapest, and they’ve been open since 1913. You’ll love the art deco-style of the baths and the mixture of indoor and outdoor swimming and bathing pools that you can move freely between as you like. There are saunas, steam rooms, hot pools, and cold plunge pools, and you can even order a few beers, wines, or cocktails to enjoy on the outdoor terraces. 

Relax at Szechenyi Thermal Baths

Street Food Karavan

Enjoy a steamy spa session at the baths, then head back into Downtown Budapest for dinner. We suggest visiting Street Food Karavan , a laid-back venue offering an impressive range of dishes in a street food style (think burgers, curries, Hungarian Langos, shawarmas, and much more). 

Next door to Street Food Karavan is Szimpla Kert , the original Budapest “Ruin Bar.” Ruin Bars are unique to Budapest, having developed among the many abandoned apartment blocks and run-down buildings that were common following the fall of communism. 

Szimpla Kert was the original Ruin Bar, and it’s since grown into Budapest’s most fascinating nightlife spot. Get ready for beers, cocktails, and live music as you enjoy a raucous second night in Budapest!

Budapest Weekend Itinerary – Day 3

If you spent last night at Szimpla Kert, then we expect you’re ready for a big Budapest brunch to begin day three. There are many excellent brunch spots in the city, including Szimply Breakfast and Brunch and Cirkusz Cafe . Both of these options are located in the Jewish Quarter, which will be the focal point of your third morning in Budapest.

Jewish Quarter

You might already be familiar with Budapest’s Jewish Quarter (which is officially part of District VII) because this is also where the best Ruin Bars are found (including Szimpla Kert). Although it’s now Budapest’s nightlife district, the Jewish Quarter looks much different during the day. We suggest joining a Jewish Quarter Walking Tour to learn more about the area’s fascinating, but heartfelt, history. 

For centuries, the Jewish Quarter was home to Budapest’s thriving Jewish community. There were an estimated 200,000 Jewish inhabitants in the city prior to World War II, but few survived the conflict. You’ll have seen the Shoe Memorial on day 2 of your Budapest itinerary, and today, you’ll learn how the Jewish Quarter was turned into an infamous ghetto for Budapest’s Jewish inhabitants. 

But you’ll also hear about the local heroes who tried to save their neighbors before visiting the Tree of Life Memorial and seeing the Dohany Street Synagogue, which still remains the largest synagogue in Europe. It’s a moving tour, but one that’s punctuated with contemporary stops at street art murals and Ruin Bars, where you’ll see the modern side of the Jewish Quarter. 

Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour

Great Market Hall

After exploring the Jewish Quarter, hop on a tram and make your way across Downtown Budapest toward your next stop, the colorful Great Market Hall . We hope you’re hungry after your walking tour because the Great Market Hall is where you’ll find the best local eats (and drinks) in the city. 

You’ll be awed by the sheer scale of the Great Market Hall as soon as you walk through the entrance. Dating back to 1897, the Great Market Hall is the largest marketplace in the Hungarian capital, with a vast neo-gothic frame housing three enormous floors packed with stalls, shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

If you’re overwhelmed, then you can always book a food tour of the Great Market Hall to find the best eats. If not, then it’s time to get exploring (and eating!). 

On the first floor (ground floor), you’ll find stalls serving up local specialties, including the famous paprika spices, Hungarian wines and palinka, and smoked sausages. The lower level is where the locals go for vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products, while the top floor is reserved for cafes and restaurants serving up hearty portions of Goulash, Fisherman’s Soup, and other local favorites. The market is open until 6 pm, but don’t stay too late if you still have the energy for one more late afternoon/early evening activity.

Experience a Food and Wine Tastings Tour

Gellert Baths

A 10-minute walk over the River Danube brings you to the Gellert Baths , where you can enjoy one last session bathing in Budapest’s thermal waters. The Gellert Baths are smaller but also less visited than the Szechenyi Thermal Baths the day before, while some would say that the Art Nouveau interiors are also much more beautiful. The baths are open until 7 pm, after which you can head out for a few drinks at a Ruin Bar or head back for an early night.

Get a Full-Day Gellért Spa Ticket

If you’re still hungry after eating your way around the Great Market Hall, then you can try out Mazel Tov , Kiosk , or Costes for some delightful cuisine. 

What to do if you have more than 3 days in Budapest

If you’ve got longer than 3 days in Budapest, then we’ve got plenty more recommendations for you:

Memento Park

On the outskirts of Budapest, you’ll find a curious open-air museum that’s become the final resting place for communist-era statues toppled in the 1990s. The museum offers an intriguing insight into the communist regime that gripped Hungary for decades, and you’ll find all sorts of socialist-style statues and monuments on display (including Stalin’s Boots ).

Get a Memento Park Ticket

Communist Walking Tour

If you’re fascinated by Budapest’s communist history, then you can sign up for a communist walking tour of the city. Led by locals who lived through the communist regime, you’ll learn about everything from the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 to the dawn of the capitalist era. 

Experience a Communism Walking Tour

Margaret Island

In the middle of the River Danube, you’ll find Margaret Island. Home to thermal baths, walking trails, and summer music festivals, the island offers a pleasant escape from the city. 

Get a Margaret Island Day Spa Entry Ticket

Danube Cruises

Rather than strolling along the River Danube, why not take a cruise along the waterway? Options range from short sightseeing cruises to long day trips upriver or even multi-day excursions to cities like Bratislava and Vienna. 

Book a Cruise along the River Danube

Day trip to Visegrad

Follow the River Danube north, and you’ll come to Visegrad, a beautiful castle town that was once the former seat of Hungarian royalty.

We hope you enjoy your weekend trip to Budapest, Hungary! Should we add something else to our 3-day Budapest Itinerary? Let us know in the comments.

Planning a trip to Hungary? Check out our favorite travel guides and resources!

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Richard is an award-winning travel writer based in Southwest England who’s addicted to traveling off the beaten track. He’s traveled to 75 countries and counting in search of intriguing stories, unusual destinations, and cultural curiosities. Richard loves traveling the long way round over land and sea, and you’ll find him visiting quirky micronations and breakaway territories as often as he’s found lounging on a beach (which is a lot). When he’s not writing for BBC Travel, National Geographic, or Lonely Planet, you can find Richard writing for the Wandering Wheatleys or updating his off-beat travel blog, Travel Tramp.

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Getting Around Budapest: The Essential Guide For Navigating Hungary’s Capital

B udapest is known as the “pearl of the Danube” because it’s divided into 2 areas – Buda and Pest- each one on a different side of the Danube. While we think this makes Budapest SO beautiful, we also found that it makes navigating around a *little* more tricky.

After living in Budapest and getting around the city using ALL the ways, Caleb and I have narrowed down the 5 best ways to get around Budapest and, to take it a step further, which method of transport is the best for getting to each of the main attractions. Spoiler alert: your feet are the best, followed by the tram!

We’re laying it all out for you in this guide so that getting around Budapest is simple, easy, and stress-free. whether you’re only there for a few short days or longer. Let’s dive in, starting with a sneak peek of the beautiful #2 tram ride!

The Best Way To Get Around Budapest As a Visitor 

These are the 5 methods of transportation we recommend and what attractions to use them to see. You can click each option to jump to our detailed guide on that topic!

1️⃣ Walking –  best for basically everything 

2️⃣ Trams – getting around the pest side/seeing Parliament/Margaret Island

3️⃣ Buses – getting to Buda Castle/fisherman’s Bastion

4️⃣ Metro – Getting to hero’s square or Széchenyi Baths.

5️⃣ Taxi/Rideshare – getting anywhere when you’re short on time and don’t mind spending.

The easiest way to get around is walking.

Use this method: to get pretty much anywhere except * maybe * Heroes Square and Szechenyi Baths.

Yes, Budapest is a *little* spread out between the Buda and Pest sides, and that pesky, very large Danube river makes crossing between both a little more time-consuming on foot, but you get incredible views of the river if you take the time to walk across them! 

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Walking is truly the best way to get around Budapest and see all its beauty! We racked up 40k steps some days and weren’t mad about it.

We mean, If you’re walking from Buda to Pest, it’s likely only going to be 30-40 minutes, which means more calories burned to refill with creamy chicken paprikash and Hungarian white wine, you know? 🍷

READ NEXT: Budapest district guide to see the main, walkable attractions in each district.

The trams are a scenic way to get around without traffic.

Use this method: to get around the pest side and visit Parliament or Margaret Island.

Trams are our second pick because they offer the convenience of wheels but without the traffic of other cars on the road, like a bus, making them faster. Plus, you’ve got lots of options with about 40 lines to choose from.

We also really like trams vs buses because they can also be pretty scenic and romantic, like our favorite ride on the #2 tram.  Great for couples like us!

The tram line you’ll likely want to use is the #2.

According to National Geographic , this is one of the best tram rides in the world, and we agree. When we rode it, we walked to Margaret Bridge on the pest side (you’ll see the tram stop right at the entrance to the bridge), then we took it all the way to Zsil Utca station. Then walk along the water back because it’s a super nice romantic stroll.

This route will let you see Buda Castle from the other side of the river, the Chain Bridge, Margaret Bridge, and Parliament.

But you could also take it all the way to Fővám tér if you want to add a peep at the Liberty Bridge or Grand Market hall. You could also hop on it right at parliament buildings (stop at Országház Látogatóközpont) if you don’t care about Margaret Bridge.

The bus system is the best way to cross the Danube.

Use this method: to get from Pest to Buda Castle if you don’t want to walk! Or to and from the airport.

The bus system is our third pick because it lets you see Budapest’s beauty, but it can take more time because of traffic.

To use it to get to Buda Castle, we recommend taking Bus #16 , which goes from Deak Ferenc Ter to the Disz ter, where you’ll get off and head to Buda Castle. 

Below is a photo of the *usual* timetable for this route for easy reference:

We also recommend taking the bus from the airport to the city center to save some cash. We found it super punctual, too! The best option is to get the 100E right from the airport – it’s right outside the arrival area, and it’s only about $6 USD per person!

Don’t worry about buying a ticket anywhere for that. You can just pay by tap with your credit card onboard. However, we each had to have our own credit card; we could not share a credit card if we used the tap method. 

The metro is fast but less scenic than above-ground options.

Use this method: to get to Heros Square or Széchenyi Baths.

The metro is fast, but, as a tourist, we recommend you prioritize the tram or bus if needed so you can actually see the beauty of Budapest, not just stare at concrete walls whizzing past you.

Having said that, we find it the most convenient way to get to the Heros Square or Széchenyi Baths. Just take the M1 from Deak Ferenc Ter in the city center and get off at Hosok Tere for Hero’s Square or Szechenyi Furdo for the baths.

Buying Tickets For Public Transport

You can buy tickets that work on the bus, tram, or metro, and you can get them from any of the purple ticket dispensers at the tram stops or at the ticket counters in the metro.  There are some at a few bus stops, but only the main “touristy” stops.

You can get them from drivers, but we always felt we were annoying them, and they never had change. Using the ticket dispensers is easier because they take credit cards.

Once you buy your ticket, MAKE SURE to validate it by scanning the barcode on the bus/tram doors or at the driver’s area. If you’re at the metro, the validation box is at the top of the escalator before going down to the platform.

Honorable Mention: Taxis For When you’re short on time & don’t mind spending $$

You could also use a taxi to get to any of the main sites in Budapest. Just know that this is the most expensive option , and it’s not always the fastest because you might get stuck in traffic. Licensed cabs are yellow, and the prices are regulated across Budapest , so you won’t get ripped off.

Is there Uber in Budapest?

Yes, as of June 2024, Uber is back in Budapest! Except, just like Bolt, Uber is the same as original taxis and all have the same fares.

Insider Tips For Using Public Transportation in Budapest

• Our top tip is to snag the Budapest Card. This is a card, especially for tourists with multiple time frame options like 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc, and you get unlimited access to public transport! Bonus: It gives you other discounts on attractions around the city! 

Here is a description of the whole shebang that the card covers. 

You can get them online here, at the airport, or at any of the info points around the city. 

2. Know about single journey tickets . In most cases, if you are purchasing single tickets (not the Budapest card), it’s one ticket per passenger per ride.  So, if you have to transfer buses or trams at any point, you need a new ticket.

The metro is an exception to this. You can keep transferring until you exit the metro at your final point.

3. Always keep your tickets handy . until you’re done riding any form of transportation so you don’t get stuck in a spot check with your pants down.

Eeerr…without your ticket in hand? 😅

4. Get the “Budapest Go” app. This app allows you to plan your journey , buy tickets, and even pre-buy your ticket for the airport bus. It’ll save you a lot of time and stress!

Download it here.

5. When in doubt, use Google Maps . The public transportation option never failed us, so that’s a good way to know which option to take and which line to take!

6. If you’re going somewhere during rush hour, try your absolute best to walk. Otherwise, it will likely take you longer than you think because you’ll get stuck in traffic OR be squished into a crowded bus or tram!

Here is a link to the Budapest public transportation guide if you have any other questions!

Voila! That about covers in our guide to the best ways to travel around Budapest for first-timers. Of course, there are other options like Lime Scooter or bike, but, honestly, those have some safety risks, and we don’t recommend them! If you have any questions, just leave us a comment and let us know!

Now that you know how to get around, you have to know where to stay to make the most of your time. We wrote a beginner’s guide to the 3 best districts to stay in Budapest for first-timers to help you out!

Things to do

Top 100 things you can’t miss in Budapest

Coming to budapest and in need of a few tips on what to see and do why not make it a hundred read on to learn about the top 100 things this city has to offer..

Collecting all the things to see and do in Budapest may very well be an impossible task, but in this 100-item list, we tried. From historic landmarks and iconic sights , through captivating museums and cultural venues , to staple Hungarian foods and entertainment recommendations , we took a shot at giving you an all-around summary of what you can discover in the beautiful capital of Hungary during your stay, for however many days it is. So, get comfortable and prepare to be overwhelmed by the wonders of Budapest – 100-fold .

1. Hungarian Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of the most recognizable landmarks of this beautiful country . At 96 meters, it’s one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest – the other being St. Stephen’s Basilica – and it was mainly built in Gothic Revival style . And if you’re wondering about the number 96, they didn’t just pick it randomly: it refers to the nation’s millennium (the building was augmented in 1896) and the conquest of the later Kingdom of Hungary in 896. Due to the building’s enormous size and elaborate handiwork, the Parliament is almost constantly under renovation.

You can take a Hop-on Hop-off bus to get here. Click here to find out more.

Guided tours are available inside the building , which is a must for visitors in the city: apart from the breath-taking interior of the Parliament, you can also check out the Holy Crown of Hungary which has been displayed in the central hall since 2000. For more info, visit the official Hungarian National Assembly website .

Summary of Hungarian Parliament

2. Heroes’ Square

Heroes’ Square is also an iconic landmark of Budapest and Hungary. Featuring statues of the Seven chieftains of the Magyars , as well as Hungary’s most prominent kings and other important leaders , the central element of the square is the Millenium Monument.

 You can take a Hop-on Hop-off bus to get here. Click here to find out more

The construction of Heroes’ Square began in 1896 in memory of the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin and the foundation of the Hungarian state. Since then, Hősök tere, as the Hungarians call it, has played a major role in many historical events.

Summary of Heroes’ Square

3. St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest , and at 96 meters, it’s exactly the same height as the Parliament , which symbolizes the balance between church and state . As magnificent as it is on the outside, it’s also worth checking out from the inside: the Basilica is home to the Holy Right , the mummified right hand of St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary. In addition, the dome of the Basilica also functions as a viewpoint with a breathtaking panoramic view which you won’t want to miss.

Summary of St. Stephen’s Basilica

4. Hungarian State Opera

Built in late-19th century neo-Renaissance style by Miklós Ybl (who also designed St. Stephen’s Basilica), the Hungarian State Opera is a gorgeous piece of architecture commemorating the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Among many others, the Opera House was once managed by Ferenc Erkel, none other than the composer of the Hungarian anthem.

Summary of Hungarian State Opera

5. Gellért hill

Towering over Budapest on the Buda side , Gellért Hill is a highly popular lookout spot among locals, and home to many historic and iconic sights in itself, such as the Liberty Statue and the Citadel .

There are numerous walking paths leading up the hill that touch many sights along the way, but if you don’t feel like walking, you can also take bus 27 departing from Móricz Zsigmond körtér.

Summary of Gellért hill

6. Liberty Statue

Standing tall on top of Gellért Hill is the Liberty statue which was built to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of Hungary. The Liberty Statue is also one of the most-recognized landmarks of the country and its capital.

Summary of Liberty Statue

The Citadel is a fortress that was built on top of Gellért Hill after the Hungarian Revolution in 1848 . Sadly, it was the scene of multiple dark events during Hungarian history after its construction, having been occupied by both Austrian and Soviet troops, the latter of which even fired down into the city during an assault on the then-government. The Citadel is closed down to the public unfortunately, but the view of the city from here is breathtaking .

Summary of Citadel

8. Gellért Hill Cave / St. Ivan’s Cave / Cave Church

Located at the foot of Gellért Hill, the Gellért Hill Cave is part of a network of caves which was turned into a chapel and monastery in 1926 (hence ‘Cave Church’) and extended with a Neo-Romanesque cloister in 1934. The cave is also commonly referred to as St. Ivan’s Cave in memory of a hermit who once lived there.

Summary of Gellért Hill Cave / St. Ivan’s Cave / Cave Church

9. Castle District

Home to some of Budapest’s oldest buildings , most magnificent historic sights , as well as classiest restaurants and hotels , Castle District is a tourist’s must in Budapest. Encompassing Buda Castle , Fisherman’s Bastion , Matthias Church , and a long list of other gems – which you’ll see in a minute if you keep reading – this part of Budapest outweighs the rest of the city in the number of things to see and do in such a small area.

Summary of Castle district

10. Buda Castle

Buda Castle is another famous landmark and popular tourist attraction of Budapest. Having served as home to kings for hundreds of years , the castle played an important part in Hungarian history from as early as the 13th century. From the beginning of the 16h century, however, fate was unkind to the castle.

First, it was severely damaged and captured by the Ottoman army , and – despite multiple recapture attempts – it remained in their hands until 1686, when the Holy League finally took it back. Unfortunately, during its recapture, the castle exploded and was completely destroyed. It was rebuilt a few decades later in Baroque style and became a World Heritage Site in 1987 .

Summary of Buda Castle

11. Fisherman’s Bastion

Built in the middle of the 19th century , the Fisherman’s Bastion is a magnificent neo-Romanesque fortress which offers a breathtaking view of Budapest and is a highly popular attraction of the city. Want to know something interesting about the monument that not many know? The seven towers bear a significant meaning: they represent the leaders of the seven Hungarian tribes that settled down in the Carpathian Basin , which eventually led to the birth of the Hungarian Kingdom.

Summary of Fisherman’s Bastion

12. Matthias Church

Matthias Church is a Roman Catholic church built in the 11 th century. Although it was originally built in Romanesque style, it was reconstructed in the 14 th century and got a Gothic look. Through the many centuries it has existed, it has served as a coronation church for kings (including King Matthias who it was named after), and it was also turned into a mosque during the Turkish occupation in the country. It was restored to its current image in the late 19th century . It also functions as a viewpoint, so if you want to marvel at the stunning panorama of the city, be sure to check it out.

Summary of Matthias Church

13. Labyrinth of Buda Castle

Complete with its own waxworks, the Budapest Castle Labyrinth is located deep in the caves of Castle Hill. Having served as dungeons , a 16 th century Turkish harem, and war bunkers, the 1000-meter long tunnels have a varied history. Today, they’re home to one of the most peculiar selections of exhibitions in Budapest, maybe even the world.

Let us give you a little teaser for what you can expect: The Masked Ball of the Black Count, (with creepy, dusty mannequins dressed in 18 th century clothing), Dracula’s Dungeon and his coffin, where legend says Vlad the Impaler (the original Dracula) was imprisoned by King Matthias I for 14 years.

Summary of Labyrinth of Buda Castle

14. Museum of Military History

Located in the northeastern corner of Buda Castle , the Museum of Military History holds invaluable memorabilia from Hungary’s military history . In addition to managing its exhibitions, the institute also undertakes research, exploration and systematization duties, as well as other important academic responsibilities, such as organizing scientific conferences.

Summary of Museum of Military History

15. Hospital in the Rock

The Hospital in the Rock was built in the caves under Buda Castle in the 1930s in preparation for World War II . As the castle was used by the government at the time, the hospital was also made bomb-proof to ensure the treatment of government officials in the event of an emergency. During the war, the hospital was heavily used as an urgent treatment center.

After the war ended, it was used as a vaccine production facility , then it opened its doors to wounded soldiers and civilians once again when the revolution began in 1956. Between 1958 and 1962, in response to the cold war, the hospital was reconstructed to double as a nuclear bunker as well. It was not until 2007 that it was opened to the public as a museum .

Summary of Hospital in the Rock

16. Vienna Gate

The Vienna Gate is the northernmost entrance to Buda Castle . Although the current gate was built in 1936 (to mark the 250th anniversary of recapturing Buda from the Turks), it was already in place in the middle ages – albeit it was called Saturday Gate at the time, because markets used to be held in front of it every Saturday .

Summary of Vienna Gate

17. Buda Castle Funicular

If you’re looking for the most scenic way up to the castle , look no further than the Funicular. As these nostalgic little toy-like cars leave Clark Ádám square behind (the Buda end of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge) and ascend slowly to the castle atop the hill, they’ll have you pressed up against the window gawking at the view in a matter of seconds. If we were you, we wouldn’t miss it.

Summary of Buda Castle Funicular

18. Turul Statue

The Turul is a mythological hawk-like bird of prey which appears in many origin stories of the Hungarians, such as the one where it dropped a sword in what is now Budapest to show the Magyars arriving in the Carpathian Basin in 896 AD where their homeland would be.

Consequently, the Turul has become a national symbol for Hungarians (appearing on the coat of arms of different Hungarian law enforcement agencies) and thus many statues have been erected in its image. The Turul Statue in Buda Castle happens to commemorate the famous sword dropping tale.

Summary of Turul Statue

19. Széchenyi Chain Bridge

Guarded by two majestic lions, the Chain Bridge is undoubtedly the most iconic bridge of Budapest. It was named after the iron chains on which the road-bed hangs and it’s illuminated at night, creating one of the most majestic sights in Budapest at night. At the time of its inauguration, 1849, it was the first permanent bridge that connected Pest and Buda . Sadly, the Chain Bridge was destroyed during World War II, but it was completely rebuilt for the 100 th anniversary of its original construction.

Summary of Széchenyi Chain Bridge

20. Liberty Bridge

Completed on the 1000 th birthday of Hungary in 1896, Liberty Bridge was originally named Franz Joseph Bridge after the prominent Astro-Hungarian Emperor. Even though the bridge was damaged during WWII , it was not nearly as bad as the Chain Bridge, so it could be quickly reconstructed and opened with a new name. As of 2016, Liberty Bridge is closed off from car and tram traffic every summer, which gives locals a unique place for social gatherings such as picnics, performances, yoga classes, and more.

Summary of Liberty Bridge

21. Elizabeth Bridge

Originally built as a suspension bridge in 1903 , Elizabeth Bridge was named after Empress Elizabeth of Austria (who was the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph), and it was meant to be the pair of the then-Franz Joseph Bridge. However, like many bridges in Budapest , Elizabeth Bridge also fell victim to the destruction of WWII . Eventually, it was rebuilt as a cable bridge and, unlike Franz Joseph Bridge, it held onto its name.

Summary of Elizabeth Bridge

22. Margaret Bridge

Margaret Bridge was the second-ever permanent bridge connecting the two sides of the city , following the Chain Bridge . During WWII it was bombed not once, but twice, but luckily, it was rebuilt in just 3 years after its destruction. Margaret Bridge also connects the city with Margaret Island , which, thanks to tram 4-6 running across the bridge , makes it quickly and easily accessible from most of inner Budapest.

Summary of Margaret Bridge

23. Margaret Island

Margaret Island is one of the largest most popular green areas of Budapest – if not the most popular one. One of the biggest advantages of Margaret Island is that it has a direct connection to Margaret Bridge , making it easily accessible both on foot and by public transportation (it has its own stop on tram lines 4-6 in the middle of the bridge).

In addition to the huge green areas that make perfect picnic and hang-out spots, the island also offers a bunch of places to go and things to do, such as a musical fountain , outdoor bars and restaurants, a swimming pool , an open air theater, and a 5-km something running track around it.

Summary of Margaret Island

24. Margaret Island Musical Fountain

One of the most popular attractions of Margaret Island is its Musical Fountain which puts on a hell of show on the hour from 10 AM to 10 PM every day (when the weather’s nice, of course). So what exactly does it do? Prepare to hear a selection of musical pieces written by artists ranging from Mozart to Ed Sheeran as the fountain sprays water completely in sync with the rhythm of the track being played. And if that weren’t enough, after sundown, the performance is further enhanced with a colorful lightshow . Yes. All by a fountain.

Summary of Margaret Island Musical Fountain

25. Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden is located on the northern end of Margaret Island on the left side. With its little koi fish pond , bamboo grooves and small wooden bridge , it’s the perfect get-away spot if you want to spend some romantic quality time with your significant other.

Summary of Japanese Garden

26. Óbudai Island / Hajógyári Island

Although Óbudai Island (aka Hajógyári Island) is mostly famous for hosting Sziget Festival in early August, it is a popular recreational area for locals all year round. One of its biggest perks is its huge slide park and playground which is highly popular with kids.

To reach Óbudai Island, take suburban railway line (HÉV) 5 to Filatorigát.

Summary of Óbudai Island / Hajógyári Island

27. Danube Promenade

The Danube Promenade (or Dunakorzó as we call it in Hungarian) is the name given to a section of the bank of the Danube between Széchenyi Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge on the Pest side. It began receiving special attention in the middle of the 19th century, when the city center started developing at a fast pace, and hotels started popping along the riverbank . The most important landmarks along the Promenade are Contra-Aquincum (a 4th century Roman fortress next to Elizabeth Bridge), the Inner City Parish Church, Vigadó Concert Hall, and the Gresham Palace.

Summary of Danube Promenade

28. Shoes on the Danube Bank

This heart-wrenching monument was erected to commemorate the 20,000 Jewish people who were executed on the bank of the Danube. Although these bronze shoes are arguably the most unique mementos of the Holocaust in Budapest, check out our article on the Holocaust Memorial if you’d like to learn more about the sad story of Jews in Hungary .

Summary of Shoes on the Danube Bank

29. House of Terror

The House of Terror is a unique museum with exhibits on the fascist and communist regimes of the 20 th century, and a memento for those who were interrogated, tortured, and killed in the building which was once used by the fascist Arrow Cross Party and KGB-like communist secret police ÁVH (State Protection Authority).

Even on the outside, the House of Terror creates a menacing atmosphere : with photos of victims covering the streetfront of the building and huge symbols of dictatorship looking down at the sidewalk from the top of the facade, visitors and bywalkers are reminded of the darkest times of modern Hungarian history and prepared for the gruesome exhibition within. It is truly an intense experience.

Summary of House of Terror

30. Memento Park

Memento Park is an open-air museum mostly filled with statues and sculpted plaques that were removed from the streets of Budapest after the fall of the Communist regime . The park is divided into two parts: Statue Park and Witness Square – the latter featuring a monument called Stalin’s Boots, a replica of the boots of the monumental Stalin statue that was erected “as a gift to Stalin” for his 70th birthday and torn down by anti-Sovier crowds during the Hungarian revolution in 1956.

Summary of Memento Park

31. Dohány Street Synagogue

Also known as the Great Synagogue Budapest , the Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe, and it was built in the mid-19 th century in Moorish Revival style. It’s in the 7 th district between Astoria and Deák Ferenc tér, and the building itself also hosts the Hungarian Jewish Museum , the Heroes’ Temple , the graveyard and the Memorial . It served as the border of the Budapest Ghetto between 1944 and 1945 and it’s recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Summary of Dohány Street Synagogue

32. Rumbach Street Synagogue

Similarly to the Dohány Street Synagogue , the Rumbach Street Synagogue was built in Moorish Revival style in 1872, and they’re only a few blocks away from each other on foot in the 7 th district . It stopped being a place of worship in 1959, as it got severely damaged in World War II. It has been restored recently, and is planned to serve as a Jewish Ethnographic Museum . Its eight sides are reminiscent of Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock, and its color pattern is similar to the Dohány Street Synagogue.

Summary of Rumbach Street Synagogue

33. Holocaust Memorial Center

Built in the 9 th district in Páva utca , the Holocaust Memorial Center is a national memorial. It was raised outside of the Jewish Quarter on purpose, signaling its national importance. The memorial is in the same building complex with the Páva Street Synagogue , and together they serve as a scientific, educational and cultural center.

Summary of Holocaust Memorial Center

34. Hungarian National Museum

Founded in 1802, the Hungarian National Museum is a history , art and archeology museum for historical Hungary. The current home of the museum can be found in the 8 th district , between Kálvin tér and Astoria in a neoclassical building . It served as an important location in the history of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848/49 , as Sándor Petőfi recited the 12 points on what the Hungarian nation wants and his famous poem, Nemzeti dal (National song) on the steps of this building. At the moment the museum has 6 permanent exhibitions, 2 temporary ones and 2 virtual ones.

Summary of Hungarian National Museum

35. Hungarian National Gallery

The national art museum of Hungary, the Hungarian National Gallery was founded in 1957, and its home is the Buda Castle . Its collections cover a whole millennium – from the state foundation to present day. Its permanent exhibitions provide a holistic view of how Hungarian art history developed throughout the centuries.

Summary of Hungarian National Gallery

36. National Theater

Originally opened in 1837 , the National Theater found its current home in 2002 on the bank of the Danube , just a few steps from the Pest side of the Rákóczi bridge in the 9 th district . It’s interior is high and spacious with several floors and a huge auditorium. The building is surrounded by a garden and a sculpture park, including a memento of the old National Theater building , half-submerged in water. 

The best way to reach the National Theater is with tram line 2, which was voted one of the most scenic tram lines in the world by National Geographic.

Summary of National Theater

37. Museum of Fine Arts

Found in Heroes’ Square on metro line 1 , the Museum of Fine Arts was built right at the beginning of the 20 th century in eclectic-neoclassical style. Its collections cover international art from all periods , and include famous pieces of art by Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto, Dürer, Breughel, Rubens, El Greco, da Vinci, Delacroix, Manet, Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir and Rodin among many others.

Summary of Museum of Fine Arts

38. Museum of Ethnography

Founded in 1872, the Ethnographic Museum is the home of the collection of Hungarian folk objects from the 19 th century. The museum is located across the Heroes’ Square, in City Park .

Summary of Museum of Ethnography

39. Budapest Palace of Arts

The Palace of Arts, or MÜPA in Hungarian (short for Művészetek Palotája) opened its doors in 2005 in a modern building next to the National Theater on the bank of the Danube . Just a few steps from the Pest side of Rákóczi bridge, the Palace of Arts is home to the gigantic Bartók National Concert Hall, the Ludwig Contemporary Art Museum and the Festival Theater. 

The best way to get there is with tram line 2, which was voted as one of the most scenic tram lines in the world by National Geographic.

Summary of Budapest Palace of Arts

40. Vigadó of Pest (concert hall)

Vigadó (an old-school Hungarian word meaning “place for merriment”) is the second largest concert hall after the Palace of Arts . It can be found on the bank of the Danube, close to Vörösmarty tér , the final stop of metro line 1 . Vigadó is a monument, a tourist attraction and an art event center at the same time. The building was damaged during World War II, but was reconstructed several times. 

Summary of Vigadó of Pest

41. Aquincum Museum

Aquincum was a historical settlement of the Roman Empire , located in current-day Budapest’s 3 rd district. The Aquincum Museum, however, goes back until the 4 th century BC , when the Celts were occupying the Carpathian Basin. The museum awaits visitors with shortened opening hours during winter time. 

The best way to reach the museum is with HÉV line 7 from Batthyány tér.

Summary of Aquincum Museum

42. Ludwig Museum (Museum of Contemporary Art)

Ludwig Contemporary Art Museum is part of the Palace of Arts complex in the 9 th district , on the bank of the Danube. It occupies four floors of the western side of the building and its exhibitions consist of significant Hungarian and international pieces of art . If you’d like to visit, make sure to book an appointment via their website , as currently this is how the museum ensures its visitors’ safety.

Summary of Ludwig Museum

43. ELTE Botanical Gardens

A true oasis in the heart of the 8 th district , on Illés utca, ELTE Botanical Gardens is home to thousands of different species of orchids, water lilies, cacti and other interesting plants. Interesting fact: Ferenc Molnár’s novel, The Boys of Pál street is set among the trees of these botanical gardens. They organize about 20 events per year to show true biodiversity to visitors. 

The best way to get there is with metro line 3 until Klinikák station.

Summary of ELTE Botanical Gardens

44. Gül Baba’s Tomb

Gül Baba was a Turkish patron saint of Budapest after his death during the battle of Buda in 1541. His tomb is the world’s northernmost Islamic pilgrimage site, and it can be found in the 2 nd district , on Mecset utca. The quickest way to reach it is to get off tram line 4-6 at the Buda side of the Margaret bridge , then have a short walk from there. Since it’s on the Buda side, the streets are fairly steep, but the view from the top of the hill will compensate for the out-of-breath experience.

Summary of Gül Baba’s Tomb

45. Titanic Exhibition

If you’ve always wanted to experience what it was like walking on the decks of the majestic trans-Atlantic ship that was Titanic , this exhibition is for you. Have a real time travel experience back to the beginning of the 20 th century with the reconstructed cabins, engine room and dining room, and check out the special Hungarian section where you can get to know all the Hungarian ties the sunken ship had. The exhibition is located in the 7 th district , in Király utca, just a few blocks away from Deák Ferenc tér.

Summary of Titanic Exhibition

46. Erzsébet Square

Erzsébet tér is the largest green area in downtown Budapest, located next to Deák Ferenc tér . It’s a popular meeting place, especially among young people who love to sit around in the grass. Erzsébet tér is home to a skate park for those who are up for some active leisure time, and to Akvárium Klub where popular concerts and other musical events are held.

you can take a Hop-on Hop-off bus to get here. Click here to find out more.

Summary of Erzsébet Square

47. Budapest Eye

A smaller sibling of the London Eye, the Ferris wheel called Budapest Eye stands on Erzsébet tér in downtown Budapest, and it’s open every day of the year. Experience the panoramic view of both Pest and Buda from 65 meters high , and enjoy the comfort of the closed, air-conditioned cabins.

 You can take a Hop-on Hop-off bus to get here. Click here to find out more.

Summary of Budapest Eye

48. Christmas Market

The most famous Christmas Market in Budapest can be found in Vörösmarty tér , at the final stop of metro line 1 , but it’s just a few hundred meters away from Deák Ferenc tér. If you’re thirsty for a mulled wine or you’d like to experience gastronomical wonders from all over the country , this is absolutely for you.

Summary of Christmas Market

49. Metro Line 1

Opened in 1896 , the 1000 th birthday of Hungary, this was the second metro line in the world that connected Vörösmarty tér and Mexikói út stations. It mostly runs under the historic Andrássy út, and its stations are much closer to each other than those of other metro lines. It became a World Heritage Site in 2002 , just a few years after the whole line and the carriages were renovated.

50. Szabadság Square

Szabadság tér is a huge square in the middle of the 5 th district , right in the heart of the diplomatic quarter . Its name is Liberty square in English, and it’s a reference to the Hungarian Revolution of 1848/49 . The square is home to several festivals throughout the year, like the Beer Festival or the BelFeszt (Downtown Festival). It’s within walking distance from metro line 3’s Arany János utca station.

Summary of Szabadság Square

51. City Park

Városliget (City Park) is the second largest park in Budapest , located in the 14 th district . It’s a popular recreational area and cultural center, and some parts are currently under reconstruction. During summer you can go pedal boating on the lake, and during winter you can go ice skating and drink mulled wine by the rink.

To get here, just take metro line 1 to Széchenyi fürdő.

Summary of City Park

52. Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden

Located in the northern part of City Park , Budapest Zoo is just a stone’s throw away from Heroes’ Square, and thereby metro line 1. It was founded in 1866 and since then it has become one of the most popular venues with more than 1 million visitors every year. If you’d like to visit Budapest Zoo, it’s recommended to set aside a whole day, especially if you arrive with kids – they’ll have the chance to pet several animals for hours.

Summary of Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden

53. Vajdahunyad Castle

It’s a replica of the Castle of Vajdahunyad (located in Transylvania) in the heart of City Park, close to Heroes’ Square and metro line 1 . It was originally a temporary wooden building, aiming to showcase the main features of Hungarian architecture , but it became so popular, they decided to build a permanent version. It stands on an island and can be reached via four bridges .

Summary of Vajdahunyad Castle

54. Boating and pedal boat in City Park

Right behind Heroes’ Square , on the lake of City Park there’s a special recreational opportunity waiting for you. Enjoy the green area surrounding you while rowing or pedal boating on the lake, and have a unique glimpse of Vajdahunyad Castle . It’s only available during summer, though, since come wintertime, a large part of the lake is converted to a skating rink.

The easiest way to get here is a few-minute walk from Hősök tere, which has its own stop on metro line 1.

Summary of Boating and pedal boat in City Park

55. Ice-skating in City Park

If you’re looking for a truly fun time during winter in Budapest , ice skating in City Park is definitely for you. Just a few meters away from Heroes’ Square, you can rent a pair of skates and skate on the artificial ice until dark. If you’ve exhausted yourself, have a mug of mulled wine and enjoy the laughter from the rink.

Summary of Ice-skating in City Park

56. City Park Playground

City Park Playground , or Városligeti Nagyjátszótér is one of the most complex and most modern playgrounds in Hungary. There are more than 50 elements kids can play with , and several of them can be safely used by disabled children too. 

It’s within walking distance from Heroes’ Square and metro line 1, and also from tram line 1 or trolley bus line 75.

Summary of City Park Playground

57. Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Europe’s largest medicinal bath , the Széchenyi thermal bath is located in City Park, and it’s easily reachable by metro line 1. It has 3 outdoor pools and 15 indoor pools, and several saunas and steam chambers. Its thermal water comes from two springs and they contain sulfate, calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, metaboric acid and fluoride. The Széchenyi Thermal bath has its own stop on metro line 1 (Széchenyi fürdő).

Summary of Széchenyi Thermal Bath

58. Gellért Thermal Bath

The origins of Gellért Thermal Bath can be traced back to the 13 th century , but the current building was only built at the beginning of the 20 th century in Art Nouveau style. It’s located in the same building as Danubius Hotel Gellért on Szent Gellért tér, and it has had such famous visitors in the past, like Juliana, former Queen of the Netherlands, Yehudi Menuhin and Richard Nixon. The thermal water of Gellért Bath is used to treat degenerative joint illnesses , spine problems , asthma and chronic bronchitis .

Summary of Gellért Thermal Bath

59. Rudas Bath

Rudas Bath is a famous Turkish bath in the 1 st district , right at the Buda side of Erzsébet bridge . It was built in the mid-16 th century, during the Ottoman rule in Hungary. Parts of the bath’s building were damaged in World War II, but they were later restored.

Interesting fact:

Rudas Bath has the hottest (29 °C/82 °F) swimming pool and the hottest (42 °C/108 °F) thermal bath in Budapest.

Summary of Rudas Bath

60. Király Thermal Bath

Király Thermal Bath can be found close to the bank of the Danube , on Fő utca in the 2 nd district. It was built in the 16 th century, during the Ottoman rule, and it still has some features of a Turkish bath. Its thermal water contains sodium, calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, sulphate-chloride and fluoride ion, and comes from the same springs that feed Lukács Bath .

Summary of Király Thermal Bath

61. Lukács Bath

Lukács Bath is one of the oldest thermal baths in Budapest , first used in the 12 th century. The spa complex built in the late 19 th century was named after Saint Luke, and it’s water is heated by natural hot springs. Don’t get confused by the historic naming of the pools, like men’s swimming pool and women’s swimming pool, as all areas are equally accessible by both men and women . It can be reached by trams 19 and 41, and it’s also a short walk away from the tram 4-6 stop at the Buda side of Margaret bridge .

Summary of Lukács Bath

62. Dagály Thermal Baths

Dagály Thermal Bath is fairly new compared to other thermal baths in Budapest , its thermal water is provided by an Artesian well and the same hotspring that feeds the Széchenyi Bath. Dagály is the largest bath of the Pest side, suitable to host around 35,000 visitors.

Since it’s close to the Pest side of the Árpád bridge, the easiest way to get here is by taking tram number 1 to the Népfürdő utca stop.

Summary of Dagály Thermal Baths

63. Veli Bej

Veli Bej (Bej or Bey meaning “chieftain” in Turkish) is one of the amazing Turkish baths Budapest has to offer. It was built during the Ottoman rule in the 16 th century, and has 5 pools, wellness facilities such as saunas and steam cabins, and special services, like underwater massage. Its largest pool is unique, as it’s the largest pool in Central Europe .

You can easily get there by trams 4, 6, 19 and 41

Summary of Veli Bej

64. Paskál Spa & Swimming Pool

Paskál Spa and Swimming Pool is the youngest bath in Budapest , opening in 1989. It was renovated in 2016 and now it’s open for visitors all year. It has a special Finnish sauna, and a relaxation pool for those that are longing for a bit of peace and quiet. You can get there by trolley buses 77 and 92, or by tram line 3 and a short walk.

Summary of Paskál Spa & Swimming Pool

65. Aquaworld

Aquaworld is a stunning aqua park complex with water slides , indoor and outdoor pools , a water walking ball , a wave pool , surfing , and diving – all with a mesmerizing, Inca-inspired interior design. And being a joint venture with Aquaworld Resort Budapest, a 4-star spa hotel that’s more than perfect with kids as well, it can also cover your accommodation needs if you want – although we’re not going to lie: it’s kind of far from the city center . Either way, it’s a wet heaven for the whole family as they do not only have many kid and infant activities, but they also have their own babysitting service if you wish for some privacy with your significant other.

Summary of Aquaworld

66. Budapest Park

Being the largest open-air nightclub and concert venue in Europe, Budapest Park is the top dog of the capital’s nightlife. With a capacity of 10.000 visitors, this magnificent wooden creature has already given its stage to Faithless, Die Antwoord, Marilyn Manson, Parov Stelar and Sum 41 – just to mention a few names. High-quality sound and light system , and an enormous LED wall are just minor technicalities beside the fact that here you can party beneath the stars all night long. Fresh air just makes everyone loco, don’t you think?

Summary of Budapest Park

67. Pálvölgyi Cave

If you thought you needed to visit Aggtelek to see a dripstone cave in Hungary, think again. At 7200 meters, Pálvölgyi Cave is the longest cave in Buda Hills , the third longest in the country, and it became a highly protected natural preservation area in 1944. The 500-meter tourist route was recently renovated and adjusted not long ago to fit the highest modern requirements, so it’s as safe as caves get, too!

Summary of Pálvölgyi Cave

68. Children’s Railway in Hűvösvölgy

This shrunken railway road is like any other railway with ticket offices, diesel locomotives, signals, switches and a timetable. The only difference is that this 11,7018 km long narrow gauge railway line is run by CHILDREN . You wouldn’t rob your kids of the opportunity to feel like real Hungarian train ticket conductors, would you? Located on the Buda Hill near the lookout towers, forest playgrounds, and several other sights, it can be an ideal part of a whole day hiking activity.

Summary of Children’s Railway in Hűvösvölgy

69. Andrássy Avenue

With its impressive neo-renaissance mansions and townhouses , Andrássy is one the most well-known avenues of Budapest , no wonder it’s been a World Heritage Site since 2002. If that weren’t enough, this broad boulevard is also home to the Hungarian State Opera House , the House of Terror , and the College of Fine Arts , and it crosses the “Pest Broadway” junction before it ends in the Heroes Square . Moreover, many world-famous shops, lovely cafes, exclusive restaurants, theatres, embassies, and luxury boutiques are situated on Andrássy Avenue. It’s easily accessible by Metro line 1 , several bus lines and trolleys.

Summary of Andrássy Avenue

70. Váci Street

Váci street could be called the Hungarian The Champs-Élysées without any guilt. Being the fashion street of Budapest, it has all the fancy and not-that-fancy shops and luxury boutiques you would expect of it. It also has many restaurants, cafes and tourist shops, for example the famous Gerbeaud Confectionery, which is worth a visit. Vörtösmarty square is om the northern part of the street and is packed during winter season as it’s the home to the Budapest Christmas Market . 

To get here, take metro line 1 to its terminus, Vörösmarty tér, or take a short walk from Erzsébet tér, the biggest transport hub of Budapest.

Summary of Váci Street

71. New York Café & Salon Restaurant

Built in 1894 by the New York Life Insurance Company, the building of the New York Palace initially served as the local head office of the firm. The famous New York Café on the ground floor was a meeting point for the biggest figures of Hungarian literature and poetry for a century. Nowadays, it’s still one of the most elegant and luxurious restaurants in Budapest and it gives home to many prestigious events.

Easily accessible by metro line 2, the 4-6 tram and many bus lines as well (get off all lines at Blaha-Lujza tér).

Summary of New York Café & Salon Restaurant

72. Gresham Palace

Gresham Palace is a magnificent, Art Noveau feather in Budapest’s cap. It was built by Gresham Life Assurance Company in 1906 to serve as an office and apartment building. After World War II it was occupied by the Red Army and was used for accommodation until 1990, which is when the Hungarian government presented the palace to the city of Budapest. In 2004 it was renovated to be suitable for one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world, the Four Seasons. Facing the Chain Bridge , it is definitely a characterizing part of Budapest’s cityscape.

Summary of Gresham Palace

73. Great Market Hall / Central Market Hall

Great Market Hall isn’t just great in its name – it’s the largest and oldest market building in Budapest , which was built in 1897, after nearly 40 years of contemplation. The 10000 sqm metal building was designed by Samu Pecz with neo-gothic elements on the front gate and roof, and with colorful Zsolnay tiling. Apart from providing the citizens of Budapest with fresh goods to this day , the market hall has also become a popular tourist attraction . No surprise, though, as its gigantic size and architecture mixed with the charm of indoor markets give it an unmatched atmosphere.

Easy to access by Metro line 3 and 4, trams 56 and 47, as well as several bus lines (the stop is called Fővám tér).

Summary of Great Market Hall / Central Market Hall

74. Wine tasting

Wine tasting is a sensory evaluation of wine using specified methods to describe the detected flavors, aromas and other characteristics. Hungary is the wine capital of Central Europe , so be sure you don’t leave Budapest without going to a fancy wine tasting event. With 22 wine regions , we have more than enough categories for you to try, whether you’re someone who just enjoys a glass of red with your dinner once in a while, or a real sommelier type who recognizes a quality Pinot Grigio from a mile away.

75. Beer tasting

Whatever beer does, it does it well. Even before recent years when it became hip, this plain mix of water , barley , hops and yeast had always been known to be one of the most popular drinks in the world – and that’s including even non-alcoholic beverages. Then came the craft beer revolution, and IPA, APA, lager, ale, pilsner, wheat bear, stout, and an endless number of other beer types witnessed an unprecedented level of fanaticism.

Following in the footsteps of small brewing business, even commercial brands took note of and adapted to this change in beer culture and started filling shelves with new fancy types of beer after a while. It’s exactly this shift that’s behind today’s hip beer tasting events, and Budapest boarded the hype train successfully. Check out our article on beer tasting to get some ideas.

76. Pálinka tasting

Pálinka is Hungary’s signature , traditional fruit brandy that can be made from basically any kind of fruit (sometimes even vegetables) and the combination of those. The tasting event itself is really similar to a wine tasting: you gather with fellow liquor lovers and go through many types of pálinkas coming from different regions and pálinka houses of the country. If you’d like to know more about pálinka, we recommend visiting the Pálinka Museum where you can participate in a tasting in place.

77. Zwack Unicum Museum

While we’re at unique Hungarian alcoholic beverages, we can’t leave Unicum unmentioned . This herbal liqueur is made from a secret blend of more than 40 different herbs and spices . The history of the nearly 230 years old Zwack company is anything but boring, so it was only logical they built their own museum. While at the venue, you can also purchase tickets for individual and group packages including film screening, a virtual tour to the old distillery and cellar, a tasting, and museum visiting with audio-guide – all available in English.

Summary of Zwack Unicum Museum

78. Rooftop bar crawl

We’re sure you already heard of pub crawls. Why don’t you upgrade this experience by visiting various rooftop bars in one night ? At one point, bar owners in Budapest must have realized that the city’s beautiful skyline is worth gazing at with drinks , because there sure isn’t a shortage of high-quality rooftop bars in Budapest today. Get lost in the beauty of the inner city from High Note Skybar or take in the panoramic views from 360BAR ’s unique igloos where you can enjoy the view even in wintertime.text here.

79. Ruin pub crawl

Budapest is famous for its worn-down , funky pubs that became popular during the early 2000s and flourish to this day. Honestly, in how many cities can you get smashed and have a party in a 19 th century living room? Hit the city for a night out and visit as many of the nearly two dozen ruin pubs of Budapest as you can.

80. Nightlife

We’re sure you’re already familiar with the nightlife of Budapest – the countless concerts, parties, rave venues, cheap prices and unmatched romantic atmosphere that make this city the party capital of Central Europe . But, if you’d like a summary, we encourage you to read our guide to a perfect night in Budapest – you can’t go wrong with our tips.

81. Escape rooms

Escape rooms are the craze of this century. We’re not exaggerating, Budapest was in fact the first country that brought the Asian concept to Europe . An escape room is a live game in which participants are confined in a themed room and are given a set amount of time (usually 60 mins) to find a way to escape by discovering hidden clues and solving a series of riddles or puzzles. Budapest has nearly 80 of these, so you have a huge pool to choose from, but if you’d like to know which are the best ones, read our article!

82. Langosh

Lángos is a traditional Hungarian deep-fried dough most frequently topped with sour cream, cheese and garlic sauce. Although it became a popular street food in Budapest , it’s also a favored beach food throughout the country despite its heaviness. You must think Hungarians are crazy, but we cannot remember a single person who tried lángos and didn’t like it. In fact, riding on the wave of the recent street food revolution, lángos is living its renaissance . Thanks to this, you can choose from an incredibly versatile range of toppings nowadays, e.g. cottage cheese and dill, Bolognese sauce, beef stew, and even with Nutella and other sweet toppings.

83. Chimney cake

Kürtöskalács , as we call it a Hungarian, is a traditional sweet, yeast dough cake coming from Transylvania (a part of Romania where Hungarians live). If lángos is the favorite savory dough of the country , then Chimney cake is the sweet counterpart . During its making, they wrap the dough around a truncated cone–shaped baking spit, then – according to the original recipe – they roll it in granulated sugar. As the recipe evolved, now it’s available with walnut, coconut, cinnamon, and many other coatings as well.

If you’re in Hungary, you should definitely try one of the locals’ favorite and special desserts, the chimney cake. The chimney cake of Budapest is one of the most delicious treats which is available in many flavors -it is definitely a must try!

84. Palacsinta

Everyone has heard of pancakes. It’s not a Hungarian invention, not even the way we make it. The British pancakes and the French crepes are made almost the same way, but we do put a unique twist on them : the filling ! There’s probably no other country that puts sugared cocoa powder in their pancakes, or grandma’s jam that’s always on the shelf of our pantry. Our recommendation? You should definitely try a “lekváros palacsinta” (pancake with jam) when you visit Budapest!

85. Fisherman’s soup

Finally, a meal that has Hungarians’ red gold in it: paprika ! The three basic elements of a Fisherman’s soup are sweet water fish, onion, and paprika. Beyond these, the recipes change based on the region they come from. The two most popular ones are the Bajai (a town by the Danube) and the Szegedi (a town by the Tisza, the second largest river of Hungary). The main difference is that Bajai is served with noodles and the soup itself is clear red, while the Szegedi is muddy looking and has a rusty-red color. Good news is, you can try them both in Budapest!

86. Stuffed cabbage

As much as we Hungarians like to think of it as our own, if we claimed stuffed cabbage as a traditional Hungarian food , all our neighboring countries (and even a few more) would declare war on us. This filling, heavy food is well-known all over Central and Eastern Europe , and although the recipes slightly differ in each region, the main characteristics are constant. Spiced minced meat mixed with rice, stuffed into sweet or pickled cabbage leaves and cooked together for hours. In Hungary, we add paprika to the spice mix (shocking, isn’t it?) and serve the meal with sour cream on top.

87. Goulash

You’ve most certainly heard of goulash already. If you ask somebody what’s the first thing they think of when they hear ‘Hungary’, it will probably be goulash (or maybe Puskás Ferenc if they’re football fans). Our national dish consists of more or less the same vegetables (usually potato, carrots, and parsley), meat (beef, veal, or pork) and spices (garlic, cumin, paprika, etc.), but all families have their own takes on the recipe. There are many rip-off versions of it all around the globe, but if you’d like to taste the real “Gulyásleves” , you have to visit Hungary! 

88. Michelin star restaurants

Michelin stars are a rating system used by the red Michelin Guide to grade restaurants on their quality. Having only one means we talk about an exceptional restaurant, but having 3 stars means that place is a restaurant royalty ! In Budapest, you can come across five 1 Michelin star restaurants, and one that was awarded 2 Michelin stars – the latter being called onyx .

89. Chairlift

Take a good look at Budapest from a suspended chair that cuts through the beautiful greens of Buda hill. Using the chairlift ( Libegő ), you can travel between Zugliget and the road leading up to the Elizabeth Lookout Tower in roughly 15 minutes while enjoying the panoramic views of the Buda surroundings.

Summary of Chairlift

90. Elizabeth Lookout

The Elizabeth Lookout Tower is located in Normafa , Jánoshegy, the largest and most popular green area of Budapest . It was built in 1911 and got its name after the revered Habsburg Empress Elisabeth of Austria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I. It was designed by Frigyes Schulek, the same architect who designed the Fisherman’s Bastion . If you walk up the 100-step spiral stairwell, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view from the top.

Take the Chairlift to its terminus on the top or the Children’s Railway, and walk 10 minutes.

Summary of Elizabeth Lookout Tower

91. Go-kart

Racing with these miniature cars is a great source of joy whether you come with family or friends. Compete with each other on the narrow and winding kart tracks and figure out who’s the real devil of the asphalt. There’s at least half a dozen go-kart tracks in Budapest , so you have plenty of options – you can even floor the gas pedal on the Hungaroring !

92. Pinball Museum

You didn’t think you could find something like a Pinball Museum in Budapest, did you? With over 130 machines in their collection which cover each era from the end of the 19 th century, this venue is the wet dream of every pinball lover. Travel back in time and play with the different pinball machines of every decade. 

It’s located in the city center, pretty close to the Nyugati Railway station, so you can go just walk there or take trolley 76 (one of the red electric buses).

Summary of Pinball Museum

93. F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

Hungary has been on the list of FIA Formula One World Championship locations since 1986. Once a year every F-1 maniac has their eyes on Budapest to see which pilot wins the Hungarian Grand Prix. It takes place in Mogyoród at the Hungaroring , the 4381 km long racetrack. Fun fact: as the circuit gets twisty and bumpy in the summer, it’s frequently called “Monaco without the buildings” jokingly. According to surveys, Mogyoród ranks third among the most visited Hungarian destinations by tourists. 

Summary of F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

94. Shopping malls

No need to be shy about it: Budapest is packed with shopping malls! Officially there are 13 of them in the city, and most of them are quite massive. The largest and most frequented ones are Arena Mall , Allee , Árkád and the Westend .

As for accomplishments: Arena has the largest floor area of all the shopping malls in Central Europe and Westend has the second largest total area in the whole region. If you asked us to recommend you one, we’d put our vote on Westend for two reasons – one, it’s really close to the center (adjoining Nyugati railway station), so it’s easily and quickly accessible both on foot and with public transportation (metro line 2, tram 4-6 and several bus and trolley lines); and two, you can take a Hop-on Hop-off bus to get there. Click here to find out more.

95. Hop-on hop-off

First time in Budapest? Don’t know where to start the sightseeing? There’s no better way to explore the city than Budapest Sightseeing’s Hop-on hop-off tours . It’s almost hard to believe how many amazing things you can do and see over the course of a few hours. The main tour lasts for about 2 hours and includes 22 stops (2 of them for taking photos) and audio guide is available in 16 languages. From City Sightseeing Budapest’s double-deckers, you will have a look at the city from a point of view that’s unavailable from any other type of transportation. The buses operate all year and the tours start as early as 9 AM and keep going until 5 in the afternoon. Boarding one of the unmistakable red or green buses guarantees you a once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing experience. 

This 100-item list of Budapest’s finest includes several places that are accessible by Hop-on hop-off buses . Wherever there’s a Hop-on hop-off stop nearby, we indicated it in the description for you. Learn more about Hop-on hop-off bus tours here .

96. River cruise

One of the best ways to truly appreciate the beauty of Budapest is to go on a river cruise and watch as the historic landmarks of this thousand-year-old city unfold before your eyes while riding the calm waves of the Danube. Either by day or night, you’ll be amazed by the magnificent bridges, and spectacular sights on both sides of the river. Intrigued yet? Check out our article on the best river cruises Budapest has to offer.

97. RiverRide

RiverRide is a unique sightseeing bus that roams the streets of Budapest – as well as the Danube. Yes, we’re talking about an amphibious transport vehicle capable of riding the waves of the river despite looking almost exactly like an ordinary bus. Did we pique your interest? Check out their website to learn more.

98. Bike rental

The bike situation has been steadily evolving in Budapest lately. As the bicycle lane network keeps getting extended and upgraded, more and more bike rental and sharing options emerge in the city. In addition to privately owned bike rentals, modern app-enabled bike sharing companies have also taken Budapest by storm: the government-founded MOL Bubi boasts a network of 158 docking stations and 2071 bicycles, and the global bike sharing start-up from the Netherlands, Donkey Republic is also extremely popular.

99. Scooter rental

Similarly to bike rental the scooter market is quite monopolistic in Budapest . Lime , the international electric scooter sharing company appeared on the streets of the capital in 2019, and has conquered it in the blink of an eye. It doesn’t come as a surprise, though, as using it is extremely simple and convenient: all you need to do is download the app, register, then find a scooter (which is about as hard as finding oxygen these days), scan its QR code, and you’re good to go. However, if you prefer fixed term rentals from smaller businesses, Budapest has some options for that, too. If you’re interested, read our article about the scooter situation in Budapest .

100. Flight tours

You won’t get any higher than this in Budapest! If you’re the insatiable type who isn’t satisfied with viewpoints but wishes to admire the beautiful city from the air , then flight tours were made for you. Jump into a light aircraft or a helicopter and explore the undisrupted panorama of the city from above! Check out what companies offer flight tours in Budapest .

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The bridges of Budapest are marvelous. If you want to learn more about these amazing structures, read our article about the topic.

Where is Budapest ? What pleasures does this amazing city offer to the tourists? If you are interested, you should read our article on the topic. As everyone knows, who once visited Budapest, this is the city, which you will never forget in your life!

The central market hall is one of the most iconic places in the capital of Hungary. If you visit Budapest, check out this nice market which offers you the best food and delicacies.

The Great Synagogue Budapest is definitely an unmissable attraction! Don’t miss it if you visit the Hungarian capital.

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17 Top Tourist Attractions in Budapest

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest is a treat to visit and has long been a popular tourist destination. The capital and largest city of Hungary boasts a long and illustrious history that has seen it ruled by everyone from the Romans and Ottomans to the Austro-Hungarians. As such, the city is awash with impressive historical sights, fascinating museums, and astounding architectural styles.

Known as the ‘City of Spas’ due to all the hot springs it lies atop of, Budapest straddles the Danube River and once consisted of the two different cities of Buda, on the west bank, and Pest in the East, which only united in 1873.

In addition to its many charms and tourist attractions, Budapest is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife scene, which centers around the ruin bars found in the Jewish Quarter. Not to be missed out on, Budapest is certainly one of the highlights of any visit to Central Europe.

17. Liberty Bridge

Only opened in 1896, Liberty Bridge spans the width of the Danube River and connects Gellert square in Buda to Fovam square in Pest. While strolling across it is a great way to get from the Central Market Hall to Gellert Hill or Gellert Spa, the wrought iron bridge also showcases some delightful Art Nouveau architecture, as well as some lovely views out over the river.

Originally named after Emperor Franz Joseph I, who was at its opening, the bridge was built for the Millennium World Exhibition, and some wonderful mythological bronze sculptures can be found at either end of it.

16. Central Market Hall

The oldest and largest indoor market in the city, Central Market Hall is loads of fun to peruse. Its cavernous interior is home to a huge range of different shops, stalls, and eateries. Located in a gorgeous building that was constructed in 1897, the market is set over three floors and hums with life: vendors hawk their wares and tourists and locals bustle about.

Lying in Fovam square, just a short walk away from many other remarkable sights, the Central Market Hall is a great place to sample some local delicacies or pick up some souvenirs.

15. Hospital in the Rock

Set up in the 1930s, the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum can be found in the amazing network of caves that lie beneath Buda Castle. Used as an emergency hospital and bomb shelter in WWII, it was later reinforced and became a secret nuclear bunker during the Cold War.

Nowadays, it is a popular tourist attraction. Exploring the subterranean world of the museum is a fantastic experience as you pass waxwork figures, hospital beds, and Soviet spying equipment. In addition to showing you what it once looked like, the informative exhibitions and displays tell you all about the history of the facility.

14. Vajdahunyad Castle

Appearing very much as if out of a fairytale, Vajdahunyad Castle’s imaginative design exhibits a breathtaking array of Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque features. Modeled on a similar fortress in Transylvania, it was originally erected out of cardboard and wood for the Millennium World Exhibition.

Its fantastical features proved so popular amongst locals, however, that the architect Ignac Alpar’s vision was then created in 1896 out of proper materials. Located in City Park, the unique and unusual castle certainly makes for some great photos. It lies just a short distance away from both Heroes’ Square and Szechenyi Bath.

13. Great Synagogue

Also known as the Dohany Street Synagogue, the Great Synagogue is one of the most important and impressive buildings in the city. Built in 1859, it showcases some exquisite Moorish Revival architecture, with its ornately decorated interior being no less astounding to gaze upon.

Remarkably it is the second-largest synagogue in the world after Belz Great Synagogue in Jerusalem; this indicates just how influential and sizeable Budapest’s Jewish population once was. As it is connected both to the large Jewish cemetery behind it as well as a Jewish museum and several memorials commemorating the Holocaust, the Great Synagogue is well worth heading to if you want to learn more about the city’s Jewish past.

12. Heroes’ Square

Lying at one end of Andrassy Avenue right next to City Park, Heroes’ Square is dominated by the huge monument that lies at its heart. Stretching towards the heavens, the large column that towers over the square is flanked by two elegant colonnades. Each proudly displays statues of famous and important Hungarian national leaders.

At the bottom of the column are yet more fabulous and epic looking statues; these depict the ‘Seven Chieftains of the Magyars’ – the first leaders of the Hungarian people. Bordered by both the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art, Heroes’ Square is the largest and most important square in Budapest.

11. Matthias Church

Set in a stunning spot right next to the Fishermen’s Bastion, Matthias Church is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Its lofty spire and marvelous facade exhibit some incredible Gothic features, and in the sun, its light-colored bricks veritably sparkle before your eyes. Rebuilt in the second half of the 14th century after the previous one was destroyed by the Mongols, the church boasts a long and fascinating history.

Besides being used as a mosque during Ottoman times, it was here within its walls that Franz Joseph I was crowned Emperor; its lavishly decorated interior is certainly fitting of such an occasion. Well worth visiting when in Budapest, Matthias Church makes for some fantastic photos and looks just as magical lit up at night.

10. Shoes on the Danube Bank

Only erected in 2005, this small and simple memorial tells the harrowing story of 3,500 dissenters and Jews who were brutally murdered by the Arrow Cross Party – a fascist party that briefly ruled Hungary in WWII.

After being rounded up by the militiamen, the unfortunate victims were ordered to remove their shoes, after which they were shot and their bodies were swept away by the river. Scattered about the riverbank just a short distance away from the Hungarian Parliament Building, the bronze shoes that commemorate their tragic deaths make for a moving sight.

9. Citadella

Perched atop of Gellert Hill, the Citadella offers commanding views out over Budapest and the Danube River below. Built in 1851 by the Hapsburgs, the solid-looking fort was later commandeered by the Nazis and then Communists. Over the course of its history, it has both protected and oppressed the local population.

Nowadays, visitors can find a striking Liberation Monument located on top of it. Although the fort’s interior has recently been closed to the public, you can still enjoy the dazzling views from its lookout point.

8. Szechenyi Chain Bridge

When it was opened in 1849, Szechenyi Chain Bridge was heralded as an engineering wonder and a symbol of Hungary’s reemergence and reawakening. Linking Buda to Pest, the cast iron construction was the first permanent bridge to span the Danube in the country and helped bring East closer to West.

Besides the fine architecture on show, the bridge also features some superb decorative elements, with four distinguished-looking lion statues guarding each end of it. Beautifully illuminated at night, Szechenyi Chain Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city.

7. Margaret Island

A very pleasant and picturesque place to spend some time, Margaret Island lies right in the middle of the Danube and is mostly covered in lovely leafy parks. Connected to both sides of Budapest by Arpad Bridge in the north and Margaret Bridge in the south, the island also boasts a water park, athletics center, and lots of scenic paths and trails.

As such, it is a very popular recreation spot with both locals and tourists, with some interesting medieval ruins and a playful Music Fountain also on show.

6. Fisherman’s Bastion

Located inside of Buda Castle, the magical Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Budapest, and justifiably so. Set upon the edge of the hilltop, its dazzlingly bright white walls are punctuated with seven elegant and elaborate towers – one for each of the Hungarian chieftains who founded the country back in 895.

Only built in 1902, the bastion is named after the fishermen’s guild who used to protect this stretch of the city’s defenses. Besides taking in its fabulous Neo-Romanesque architecture, visitors can bask in its breathtaking view of the Danube and Hungarian Parliament Building, with sunset being a particularly special time of day to visit.

5. Buda Castle

Fascinating to explore, the large Buda Castle and palace complex was once the home of Hungarian kings and queens of years gone by. Built in 1265 at one end of Castle Hill, the regal Baroque palace is now home to the Budapest History Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery, both of which are well worth visiting.

While the former sports lots of interesting artifacts that take you through Budapest’s tumultuous past, the latter exhibits a huge array of incredible paintings, sculptures, and prints. Perfect for people interested in art, history, and architecture, Buda Castle lies just a stone’s throw away from many of the most important sights in the city.

4. St. Stephen’s Basilica

Almost blocking out the sky with its magnificent and monumental facade, St. Stephen’s Basilica makes for a spectacular sight. Named after the first king of Hungary, the enormous Roman Catholic basilica also sports two mighty bell towers and is topped by a large cupola. Its spacious interior is lavishly decorated, and amongst its sturdy marble columns, you can find some awesome mosaics, statues, and paintings.

Completed in 1905, St. Stephen’s is the most important church in the country and still bustles with life to this day: choir performances and classical concerts take place alongside daily religious services.

3. Szechenyi Bath

While Budapest has lots of amazing thermal baths for you to check out, none of them are quite as famous or popular as Szechenyi – the largest spa complex in Europe. Set in a lovely bright yellow Neo-Baroque building that was built in 1913, the expansive facilities include saunas, steam rooms, and of course, thermal pools for you to enjoy.

With lots of fine decorations, such as mosaics, sculptures, and chandeliers, it is a delightful place to relax and unwind. Although it can get quite crowded, there is always a tranquil feel about the place – unless you visit during one of its Saturday night pool parties, that is! When in the ‘City of Spas,’ wallowing in Szechenyi Bath’s thermal pools is a must.

2. Castle Hill

Set on the Buda side of the city, Castle Hill looks out imperiously over the Danube River and the rest of Budapest. While the hill is not all that large, it is home to many of the capital’s most important and impressive sights, with Buda Castle and its fantastic museums found alongside Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and Buda Tower.

Wandering around the small and narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town and the elegant buildings of the Royal Palace complex really is a treat as beautiful Baroque, Gothic, and Neoclassical architecture lies all around you. A great way to get to the top of the hill is to take the wonderful old Castle Hill Funicular that trundles its way up the hillside.

1. Hungarian Parliament Building

The largest building in the whole of the country, the sheer size and scale of the Hungarian Parliament Building is staggering to behold – it dwarfs everything around it. Set on the banks of the Danube River, the colossal building is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. One of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture around, its two symmetrical facades are sumptuously decorated with sculptures of critical Hungarian figures; these lie to either side of a large, imposing dome.

Completed in 1904, its interior is equally bewitching, and tours take you to see the Golden Staircase, the Dome Hall, and Congress Hall. All told, there are 691 rooms in the parliament, each more exquisitely decorated than the last. Still in use to this day by the country’s government, the Hungarian Parliament Building is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and is not to be missed out when exploring Budapest’s many wonders.

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The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Budapest, Hungary

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Budapest, where history, culture, and modernity converge to create a vibrant and enchanting destination. With One Nation Travel , uncover the hidden gems of this magnificent city that often go unnoticed by the average tourist. From its grandiose architecture and historic baths to its eclectic street art and charming cafes, Budapest offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered.

A Stroll Through History: The Castle District

Start your adventure in the Castle District, a UNESCO World Heritage site brimming with history and breathtaking views. Wander through cobblestone streets, marvel at the majestic Buda Castle, and explore the labyrinthine caves beneath. Don’t miss the Matthias Church, renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture and vibrant tiled roof, or the Fisherman’s Bastion, offering panoramic views of the Danube River and the sprawling Pest side of the city.

Soothing Waters: Budapest’s Famous Thermal Baths

Budapest is famed for its thermal baths, a legacy of the Roman and Turkish influences. Indulge in a relaxing soak at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the largest medicinal bath in Europe, or visit the Gellért Baths, known for their Art Nouveau architecture and therapeutic waters. These baths are not only a place to unwind but also a cultural experience, reflecting the city’s rich heritage and social life.

Artistic Enclaves: Discovering Budapest’s Street Art

Venture off the beaten path and into the heart of Budapest’s burgeoning street art scene. The city’s District VII, also known as the Jewish Quarter, is a canvas for vibrant murals and thought-provoking graffiti. Explore the area’s ruin bars, unique establishments set in abandoned buildings, adorned with eclectic décor and artistic installations. Szimpla Kert, the pioneer of ruin bars, is a must-visit for its quirky charm and lively atmosphere.

Culinary Delights: Savoring Hungarian Cuisine

Hungarian cuisine is a delightful blend of flavors and traditions. Savor a bowl of rich goulash, sample the famous chimney cake (kürtőskalács), and enjoy a glass of Tokaji wine. For a truly unique experience, dine at a traditional Hungarian restaurant like Gundel, where you can indulge in classic dishes with a modern twist. Don’t forget to visit the Great Market Hall to taste local produce and pick up some authentic paprika to take home.

Green Retreats: Budapest’s Parks and Gardens

Amidst the bustling cityscape, Budapest offers serene green spaces perfect for relaxation and leisure. Margaret Island, nestled in the middle of the Danube, is a haven of tranquility with its lush gardens, medieval ruins, and musical fountain. City Park (Városliget) is another gem, home to the picturesque Vajdahunyad Castle and the Budapest Zoo. These parks provide a refreshing escape from the urban hustle and bustle, ideal for a leisurely stroll or a picnic.

Adventurer’s FAQ

Q: What is the best time to visit Budapest? A: The best time to visit Budapest is during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild, and the city is less crowded.

Q: How do I get around Budapest? A: Budapest has an efficient public transport system, including buses, trams, and the metro. Biking and walking are also great ways to explore the city.

Q: Are there any unique souvenirs to buy in Budapest? A: Look for traditional Hungarian embroidery, handcrafted porcelain from Herend or Zsolnay, and local paprika or Tokaji wine as unique souvenirs.

Where To Stay In Budapest: Hotels For All Budgets

Discover the charm of Budapest with its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and rich history. Whether you’re looking for luxury, mid-range comfort, or budget-friendly options, here are the top hotels in Budapest that cater to every traveler’s needs.

1. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace

Location: Széchenyi István Square, District V Nearby Attractions: Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, St. Stephen’s Basilica

The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace offers an unparalleled luxury experience in Budapest. This Art Nouveau landmark combines historical elegance with modern amenities, featuring a stunning lobby, a world-class spa, and breathtaking views of the Danube River. Get the Best Deal & Book Now

2. Hotel Clark Budapest

Location: Clark Ádám Square, District I Nearby Attractions: Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Chain Bridge

Hotel Clark Budapest is an adults-only boutique hotel located at the foot of the Buda Castle. With its contemporary design, stylish rooms, and panoramic views of the city, this hotel is perfect for couples and solo travelers looking for a chic urban retreat. Get the Best Deal & Book Now

3. Continental Hotel Budapest

Location: Dohány Street, District VII Nearby Attractions: Great Synagogue, Hungarian National Museum, Szimpla Kert

Housed in a beautifully restored Art Deco building, Continental Hotel Budapest offers a blend of historical charm and modern comfort. The hotel features a rooftop pool, wellness center, and a gourmet restaurant, making it an excellent choice for a mid-range stay. Get the Best Deal & Book Now

4. Hotel Erzsébet City Center

Location: Károlyi Mihály Street, District V Nearby Attractions: Váci Street, Elisabeth Bridge, Central Market Hall

For those seeking an affordable yet comfortable stay, Hotel Erzsébet City Center is an ideal option. Located in the heart of Budapest, this hotel offers cozy rooms, friendly service, and easy access to the city’s main attractions and shopping districts. Get the Best Deal & Book Now

5. Hotel Moments Budapest

Location: Andrássy út 8, 1061 Budapest, Hungary Nearby Attractions: St. Stephen’s Basilica, Hungarian State Opera House, Andrassy Avenue

Hotel Moments Budapest offers an elegant and comfortable stay in the heart of the city. The hotel features stylish rooms, a fitness center, and a delightful restaurant serving local cuisine. Its central location makes it perfect for exploring the nearby attractions. Check Availability & Book Now

Whether you’re visiting Budapest for its stunning architecture or its lively cultural scene, these hotels provide the perfect base for your stay.

Top Experiences & Tours in Budapest

• Danube River Cruise : Experience Budapest from a different perspective with a scenic river cruise.
• Budapest Parliament Tour : Explore the stunning architecture and history of Hungary’s largest building.
• Hungarian State Opera House Tour : Discover one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world.
• Wine Tasting in Etyek : Enjoy a day trip to the Etyek wine region, known for its vineyards and charming countryside.
• Szentendre Day Trip : Visit this quaint artist’s village just outside Budapest, famous for its galleries and museums.

Capturing the Essence: A Memorable Conclusion

Embrace the Spirit of Budapest

From its historic roots to its modern charm, Budapest is a city that captivates the heart and soul. With its hidden gems and unique experiences, every corner of this magnificent city tells a story waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re soaking in a thermal bath, exploring artistic enclaves, or savoring Hungarian delicacies, Budapest promises an adventure that will linger in your memories long after you’ve left. So pack your bags, join One Nation Travel, and set off to unveil the wonders of Budapest.

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

Travel to Budapest, Hungary – Episode 35

The AmateurTraveler interviews Erick who is spending a year teaching English in Budapest Hungary.

Budapest Photos on Flicker.com

Budapest Tourist Office The Baths Culture Wine Roads Top Things to Do in Budapest by a Local

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Discussions

“You do the Amateur Traveler Podcast” My Store First Commercial thanks to Steve from The SG Show

Chris : Welcome to the Amateur Traveler Podcast. I’m your host, Chris Christensen. Today in the show Budapest, Hungary.

Flight Steward : The cabin has been pressurized; in the unlikely event of sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask and pull it over your nose and mouth and breathe normally. Yeah, that’s going to happen.

Chris : And now as promised, an interview with Eric who lives in Budapest to tell us about that city.

I’d like to welcome on the show Eric, who I’m talking to in Budapest, and brought him on the show to tell us a little bit about life in Hungary. Welcome, Eric.

Eric : Thank you.

Chris : We’re also dealing a little bit with a delay from here to Hungary, so it’ll be interesting to see how this turns out.

So you have been in Hungary since September and you actually spent last year in Slovakia.

Eric : In the Czech Republic.

Chris : I’m sorry; I’ve got the wrong one. In the Czech Republic. And you have been teaching English over there.

Eric : Yes, that’s correct. I teach English to maybe 50 teenagers. I teach about 21 hours a week.

Chris : And what’s the biggest thing you notice that’s different between . . . you’ve lived in the U.S. obviously most of your life, and you’re now living in Budapest itself? Are you in Buda or are you in Pest?

Eric : I’m in Kispest, which is kind of the run-down area of Pest. It’s very communist.

Chris : Okay.

Eric : Very, I call it the concrete jungle; block housing, lots of graffiti, not the nicest neighborhood at all.

Chris : Okay. And I assume you’re being put up from the organization you’re working with; they found you an apartment in that area?

Eric : Yes. The apartment I live in is actually owned by the school, which is convenient because the school I work at is like an eight-minute walk from here.

Chris : Okay. And what’s the first difference you’ve found in living in Hungary versus the U.S.? What’s the first thing you noticed?

Eric : Public transportation. Most Hungarians don’t own cars, so the public transportation, the subway, the trams, and the buses are absolutely amazing. And so, coming from America I’m used to being very, very defensive when I’m traveling. I don’t like people cutting me off, or if you get too close to my car I’m uncomfortable. But when you get on a bus you can just kind of turn your head off and go to your own world, which is fantastic for me.

Chris : What’s the best surprise you’ve found in living there, the best fringe benefit of living in Hungary for awhile?

Eric : The best thing in my opinion about Budapest is the baths.

Chris : The baths.

Eric : The Turks took over Hungary in the 1600s and they found these natural hot springs, and they put up these large public baths. The Romans did it first in like the 200s, 300s, but then the Turks really took care of it, so they have these huge baths, and you can pay $10 and sit in a mineral bath or a hot tub for the entire day. They have saunas, which is also my first sauna experience, which was a very strange thing. Jumping into that cold water is really refreshing, but it takes a lot of courage to do it.

Chris : And what’s the flip side of that? What’s the thing you miss most about being in the U.S. or really wish Hungary would discover?

Eric : I really miss American football. That hurts a lot; that’s painful. But you know, I’m entering a season where the Niners aren’t so great, so maybe it’s good I’m over here.

Pizza is very different also, but that’s the Italian; they have very thin pizza. And I don’t know, I like the deep dish. And being able to talk to people whenever you want. There’s not a lot of English in my neighborhood, so I’ve become a master of charades. But I guess that’s what happens when you go to different countries.

Chris : Now before you went there did you speak any Hungarian, some Hungarian; you didn’t speak a lot for sure?

Eric : I don’t think anyone speaks really good Hungarian. Hungarian is I think ranked as the most difficult language to learn in the world. It’s closely linked to Mongolian, because the Hungarian people are the Maja people, are nomadic people that started over in Mongolia and [gotcha] about the 800s. So they’re not closely linked to any of the other languages around them. And it’s absolutely ridiculously hard to figure out. The words are far too long. It seems like they’re trying to push as many syllables into a word as possible. And they have like a strange word combination thing. For example, there’s a city called Szekesfehervar, which is one word and this means the castle with the white chair inside of it.

Chris : Okay, so tourism. My show is about people coming over and visiting, not necessarily people living for a whole year usually. Does that pose big problems for people who come over, or is there enough English to get around; or do you just recognize things by how many syllables they have? How did you learn to adapt?

Eric : If you stay in the center of Budapest you shouldn’t have any problems. Sometimes I go to the center and I only hear English. There’s a big tourism industry in Hungary. I think typical throughout Europe you’ll see lots of British bachelor parties, where you see like 12 or 13 English guys drunk and singing. And British people love singing. So they’ve kind of, I don’t know, developed a tourist industry around these singing drunk British people.

Chris : Okay, there’s an interesting mental image forming there. So you’ve had visitors come over and visit you; I think your folks came over and saw you while you were there.

Eric : Yes.

Chris : And where do you go, where do you take visitors? What’s the best thing to see in Budapest or thereabouts. Other than drunk British people singing?

Eric : Hungary has a fantastic wine region, Julien, which is to the south. So wine tasting is very popular.

Also Hungary has some really interesting architecture, because Budapest was actually . . . well, Hungary hasn’t won a war in 600 years. So they were conquered by the Turks, so there’s a lot of old Turkish architecture around, which I think is very interesting.

They were conquered by the Hapsburgs and the city was almost destroyed then. So there’s a lot of Venice architecture also. And they are also one of the few cities in the world to get the dubious honor of being bombed by both sides in World War II, because they originally sided with the Nazis. So most of Hungary was destroyed and then rebuilt up, so there’s a lot of this very old gothic classical architecture that’s been redone again. So it’s very beautiful.

The building here are just unbelievable, specifically the castle, Buda Castle, which is also an art museum now.

Chris : That would be the other side of the river from where you are?

Eric : And then there’s Szent Istvan Cathedral, which was built only 100 years ago, which is new for a cathedral. It’s a very interesting place, because Szent Istvan, who was the second king of Hungary, you can pay $.50 and go into the cathedral and see his severed hand, which is relic.

Chris : Okay. Is that now an orthodox church, Catholic Church?

Eric : I think it’s Roman Catholic.

Chris : Okay, I don’t know what the background is in Hungary.

Chris : Okay. That would make some sense. And what do you do, what is nightlife like in Budapest, if you’re not a British tourist on a bachelor party?

Eric : Budapest, my students do a lot of clubbing. I have a few students every Thursday morning who will go to clubs and when the club closes will come directly to school. There are lots of discos. But what is kind of typical, and what I enjoy doing, is you can just go to a pub, buy a local beer, because everything foreign is much more expensive. And you just sit down and talk for a while. And there are lots of places to do that.

There is an opera, an opera house in town. And Budapest is interesting because it’s one of the few cities I’ve ever been to that’s really on fire for choirs. Choirs will sell out billings, and they’re classical choirs, too.

Chris : Oh, that was my question, what type of choir are you talking about. Interesting.

Eric : Hayden sells out. Last night I was walking through the city and I stopped in the park and I heard a string quartet playing. They really enjoy their classical music here.

Chris : Interesting. And the food in Hungary? My perception as an American is that it’s goulash, and I don’t even know what goulash is, but I don’t really know what Hungarian food is like.

Eric : Goulash, which is very different from the goulash I grew up with as my Mom was cooking it, is a thick soup.

Eric : It’s a stew. And I don’t know, sometimes I like it, sometimes I don’t. Hungary doesn’t have a lot of trade as far as vegetables go, so the food here is really dependent on the season.

Eric : They are famous for paprikash, which is their red peppers. So they like their food a little bit hotter. Yeah, lots of cabbage.

Chris : Spicy cabbage, okay. What else stands out to you in your experience here in Hungary? The winter I’m guessing is not the best time to visit Hungary?

Eric : Well, this winter has been the worst winter I can ever remember. It’s like my soul is missing; it’s been going on for six months. Let’s see, there’s Margaret Island which is in the middle of the Danube. And that’s one of my favorite places to go, just to walk around. It’s a park now, like the Central Park, but it also has ruins from a 12th Century abbey. So you can just walk around, walk your dog, enjoy the spring. And then there’s an abbey and it’s kind of strange. I really enjoy it.

Chris : You were telling me about winter.

Eric : Oh, winter. Yes, you know, spring’s going on. You can see the flowers. I don’t know, getting out of Budapest is important, because I think there are a lot of beautiful countryside out here.

It’s very flat; actually it’s a rolling hills deal. I feel like I’m not being . . . oh, yeah, the wine regions. A family will own the wine region for hundreds of years, and a lot of families have actually had to buy back their vineyards back from the communist government. And so what you can do is you can go to a small town, like Pecs, which is spelled P-E-C-S. Or you can go to Ager and you can just take a tour and go from these small wine basements to the other wine basements and have a brief selection of whatever they offer. The most famous wine is called Tokaj, and this is a dessert wine. And it’s white, it’s from sweet grapes.

They’re very proud of their wine around here. Most Hungarian dishes are served with alcohol. If you don’t get a beer or a glass of wine with it, people might look at you like you’re a little strange.

Chris : Anything else people should know if they’re heading to Hungary on vacation?

Eric : I think that might be about it – make sure you get the baths in.

Chris : Any difference in the people?

Eric : The people… Traditionally people who under communist rule are a bit quieter and a bit closer to their families because you never know who was a communist spy. Hungarians, I think, are the most talkative of these. I’ve been around some other countries. Hungarians are talkative.

There’s a lot of stereotypes about the Roma, the Gypsies. The stereotype being that they are all thieves and violent people. Some of my students have been assaulted by some of the Roma but there’s a lot of racist Roma jokes. They do tend to hang around the dirtier parts of town. I seriously thought of that as the Roma parts of town. There’s a sense of second class citizenship around here. People feel uncomfortable.

Chris : I gather that’s a different ethnic group.

Eric : Yes. The Gypsies Roma, they are people who immigrated from India over across Asia through Europe. They’re in pretty much every European country. I think Germany makes a big effort to turn them away at the boarder. Slovakia has cut away their housing funding. A lot of people are… they’re moving away from Slovakia now.

Chris : I know when you were living in the Czech Republic, you were saying that one of the differences you saw was you had trouble, even though you were teaching adults, with people cheating in class even though the point of the class is to teach English. So I’m not sure what advantage cheating gives you. Is that an Eastern European thing? Was that a Czech thing and you don’t see that as much in Hungary?

You said there was a Czech saying about if you were cheating. How does that go?

Eric : If you’re not stealing from someone, you’re stealing from your family. This is an old Czech saying. I don’t know if it holds so true anymore. In Eastern European schools, in post-communist schools, it’s traditional that you’re in a group of 15 or 16 students and this is your class. Every class you have from kindergarten to maybe the eighth grade, you have with these same 15 students.

So you develop a really strong bond with these students, because it’s not like America where you have Math with some friends and then English with a bunch of different friends. You are always with these 15 students. So they have a strong friendship. They will always cheat or they’ll always try to help each other.

Chris : But in a cooperative sort of way.

Eric : Yes, it’s cooperative cheating.

Chris : I realize it’s the teacher that may not come across this positive, but not on a competitive sort of way.

Eric : No. They’ll argue that, “I was giving the answers so I’m not cheating. He was only cheating by taking them.”

Chris : So you are still running into that. It’s something that you’re seeing that’s sort of…

Eric : Daily.

Chris : …in that culture at this point.

Eric : Yes, I have to check all the desks to make sure there’s no writing on them. Girls will write on their thighs in pen and then sneak up their skirts to look at the answers. That’s when you always feel strange checking for.

Chris : I could imagine that that would be awkward. Is there something that people run into outside the school environment? Is that something that’s a school thing? Do you have to capture change?

Eric : You have to capture change which is traditional. A few times it’s happened to me. If you go to a bakery and they see that you are American or English and you ask for two rolls, they’ll automatically give you three just so they can up their profits a little bit. If you go to a tourist store and you give them a large bill and you don’t say to them what the change should be, you might find yourself short-changed.

For example, I had a friend who went and she bought a blanket which was about 900 forint. It’s about $4. She gave the person 10,000 forint bill which is 50 dollar bill. The person only gave that change for 1,000 forint bill which was a five dollar bill. So she didn’t think on her toes and ended up losing $40.

Chris : Now for equal time here, what’s the best thing you like about the Hungarian people? That’s not necessarily their best characteristic. What’s the best thing you like about them?

Eric : Hungarian people are very charismatic. They are full of energy. They are full of life. They’re a bit louder than the rest of the people around them, but they… Budapest, it’s like a drug. It’s full of vibrancy. It’s exciting. There’s always something going on. It’s a beautiful city. It’s an unbelievably gorgeous city.

Everywhere you go, there’s something new. It’s not like Prague where Prague is very centralized. There’s one area where the tourists go. Budapest is very spread out. So when you’re walking through Budapest, you’ll see stuff. You’ll think you’re getting away from the nice, attractive areas, and then you’ll see something like a gigantic church. You’ll think, “Whoa, what is this doing here? This is way far away from the center of town.”

I was walking through the streets just randomly because I like to walk around the city sometimes. I was thinking I was getting into a dark area. I walked into it. I saw this gigantic cemetery. It was such a gorgeous cemetery. The gravestones are just common as these wooden ones. I don’t know. It’s a fantastic place.

Chris : That seems like a better note to end on than the other one. I thank you very much for your time, Eric, for spending time telling us a little bit about Budapest and about Hungary. Actually I should ask you this before you leave. What’s the correct pronunciation of the city.

Eric : Budapest.

Chris : Okay. I’ve been saying that and I wasn’t sure if I was saying it right. Thanks very much for coming.

Eric : Thank you for having me.

Chris : I have three new stories for you today. The first one is more of a personal nature. If you read the April edition of the National Geographic Traveler Magazine, you will note that there’s an article about podcasting and it happens to mention the Amateur Traveler Podcast. So thanks to the National Geographic Traveler for printing that mention of the show.

The second story is from the San Jose Mercury News. There’s a trend to ban smoking that is taking hold in Europe. Coming from the United States that’s a real relief, if you happen to have a family that as sensitive to cigarette smoke as mine is. Links to that in the show notes at AmateurTraveler.com.

The third story is a press release from a company called PoshAir.com that is planning on selling sleeping bags to fliers on long flights. So even if they take away your blanket you’ve got this little lightweight sleeping bag you can zip up in and then sit in your seat. It’s not just a long flight, it’s a slumber party.

Chris : Well I’m so glad that I could finally have Eric on the show. I actually tried to get Eric on the show before he left for Budapest last summer to talk about his time last year in the Czech Republic, but it didn’t quite work out before he left town. So if you have any questions for Eric, feel free to send them to me and I’ll forward them on. And there’s a picture of him in the iTunes Enhanced version ladies, and yes, I believe he is single.

In the internet resources part of the show I have two different things that I want to tell you about. The first one is just a site that caught me eye called Footscape, and Footscape is a site that does walking tours of the Dorset coast in England. And a lot of the walking tours that I’ve seen tend to be a very expensive tour.

Quite often $3,000 a week and then you’re doing all of the walking, but they’re still carting your luggage from one hotel to another and then providing you a guided walking tour along the way.

This particular site provides walking tours that are self-guided using the survey maps of England and well-marked trails apparently, as well as guided walking tours, and so the cost is about a third of the cost of the other walking tours that I’ve seen. So that’s kind of interesting, if you’re into a walking tour but you want to save a little money, check out that site on the show notes at AmateurTraveler.com I’ve got a link to that.

The other thing that I’ve been wanting to tell people about for a while – I’ve got a little shorter show today so I’m going to do some housekeeping and tell you things that I’ve been meaning to tell you but haven’t – there is an Amateur Traveler Flickr group. And if you’re not aware of what Flickr is, Flickr is the site for instance where I pulled a lot of images for this particular show’s iTunes Enhanced version and I have a link to the Flickr gallery searching for pictures from Budapest. And you can join Flickr for free, and if you put your pictures up there you can also join the Amateur Traveler group and it’s a way for you to show other people who are also listeners of the show your pictures.

Right now the group is I think just Nathan and I. Nathan is from Manchester. He and I set up the group some time ago and I just haven’t got around to telling anybody else about it. So that is something I’ve wanted you to know, and in the community section feel free to go to the discussion boards and post a comment about this particular episode or start other conversations or look at what else is going on in the discussion boards.

I had an unusual thing happen to me this week; the very first time it’s happened. I went to a Cafe Press meet-up. Cafe Press is the place where I have my online store where I have both the Amateur Traveler designs as well as a lot of other different t-shirt, mugs, mouse pads designs and such, and they allow you to have a store for free, or if you have a premium store like mine that has more things, it’s about $6 a month. So I went to a meet-up there to learn more about things I could do with the particular store I have, and we introduced ourselves and I said “I’m Chris Christensen” and talked about what my store was and the person next to me turned and said “You do the Amateur Traveler podcasts.”

So that’s the very first time that’s happened to me and a shout-out to Ann, who also has a Cafe Press store, for being the very first person to come up to me and actually recognize me who didn’t know me ahead of time. So that was particularly fun.

I’ve also created a MySpace for the Amateur Traveler, so if you have a MySpace, feel free to link to either the Amateur Traveler podcast MySpace or the Chris2X MySpace – that would be my personal MySpace which will actually soon have links to some of the things in my designs and my store if you’re curious about that. So if you are a MySpace user, that would be someplace, a way for you to support the show.

Speaking of supporting the show, I had somebody ask with within the last 24 hours, am I planning on putting up a donation button for the show? And I’m not. That is not something I feel all that comfortable doing, so it’s not that I’m opposed to making money on the show, I just don’t feel comfortable asking you for money. I think you should be spending your money on travel.

But I would appreciate you supporting the show; there are other ways to support the show without sending me money. Obviously if you’re interested in a particular book that I’ve featured in the show notes and you want to buy it through the link that I put up there in Amazon , that gives me a couple dollars. Or if you see any travel deals on the right side on the AmateurTraveler.com, I’ll get a small cut – a really small cut – for some of those, so I may even take those off. And then I will be adding advertising to the show, as I did say I have been lining up an advertiser for the show. In fact, here’s your first sample of the show’s first advertiser.

Male Voice: It’s the most refreshing beverage ever created. It’s cool. It’s completely clear with no calories, no carbs, no fat, no kidding. So the next time you are craving for a drink to satisfy you completely, choose the one people have been choosing for ages. Water. It’s what you’re made of.

Chris : Consider that an early April Fools joke. Thanks to Steve from the SG show for allowing me to use that commercial that they did for a recent show. I’ll put a link to their show in the show notes at AmateurTraveler.com. I am still talking to a sponsor, but we haven’t yet worked out all of the paperwork. I’d love your feedback.

Feel free to call me at the Amateur Traveler voicemail line, which the number is (408) 512-1083. Catch me on Skype at ChrisTwice, at Gizmo Project at ChrisTwice, at AIM at ChrisTwice, at Yahoo Messenger at Chris2X, or send me an e-mail at host at amateurtraveler.com. All of that contact information can be found in the show notes at AmateurTraveler.com.

If you enjoy the Amateur Traveler, please subscribe so you won’t miss out on an episode, and please support the show by voting for it at PodcastAlley.com or at PodcastPickle.com, at Yahoo Podcasts.

Links to all of those in the show notes, or fill out one of the two listener surveys on the site. Feel free to review the podcast at any place they review podcasts.

For closing the show today, I couldn’t find a good song about Budapest or Hungary in any of the places I usually look, so I thought I would just make something up.

Chris : Budapest, we’re talking about…

Chris : Nevermind. Thanks for listening.

Male Voice : The best and the brightest served up daily by the sharpest minds in content delivery, podshow, and limelight.

Transcription sponsored by  JayWay Travel , specialists in Central & Eastern Europe custom tours.

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by Chris Christensen

+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook

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Just to let you know we do a weekly podcast about arts & culture in Budapest: http://www.budacast.hu

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7 experiencias imperdibles que debes vivir en Budapest estas vacaciones de verano

Caminatas entre flores de cerezo, atardeceres en frente del Danubio con vista al Parlamento y visitas a los baños termales son de las actividades que harán de tu visita a Budapest única.  

El gran río Danubio divide la capital de Hungría en dos: Buda y Pest. La primera con un estilo arquitectónico totalmente barroco, envuelto por el castillo Buda, el Bastión de los pescadores, la Iglesia de San Matías y la Ciudadela. La segunda tiene un estilo neoclásico, atravesado por episodios históricos significativos, com o la hegemonía otomana o su participación dentro de la República Soviética.  Este contraste hace que Budapest tenga un ambiente multicultural.

Es por eso que la capital de Hungría representa la mezcla perfecta entre cultura, naturaleza y  entretenimiento . Éstas son unas de las actividades que debes hacer si pasas algún tiempo ahí:

Caminar entre flores de cerezo en la Ciudadela

Para quienes disfrutan de la naturaleza, una experiencia única es subir la colina más alta de Budapest : Gellért, en donde también encontrarás la Ciudadela. Ésta representa un refugio del peligro, construida a raíz de la Guerra de la Independencia. Mientras subes la colina, te encontrarás entre la belleza rosada de los árboles con flores de cerezo y una vista aérea hacia el lado de la ciudad de Pest y el río Danubio.

Te sugerimos: 15 catedrales europeas majestuosas que debes visitar al menos una vez en tu vida

Perderse en el Castillo Buda y sus jardínes de encanto

Los jardines de flores exóticas, senderos amplios y estatuas que rodean el Castillo de Buda, también conocido como el Palacio Real, harán del recorrido a pie una delicia visual y cultural. Además de ser el Museo de Historia de Budapest, también alberga la Galería Nacional Húngara y la Biblioteca Széchenyi.

Salir al amanecer de un Ruin Bar

El bar más icónico de Budapest es Szimpla Kert, localizado en un edificio gigantesco de la pre-guerra decorado con todo lo que te puedas imaginar: desde bañeras, graffitis hasta un coche abandonado y luces neón. Podrás disfrutar de los debuts en vivo de distintos DJs y distintos gustos musicales, dependiendo en el salón al que decidas entrar. Aprovechando que estás de fiesta, deberás probar la bebida nacional llamada Palinka, el más tradicional siendo el de ciruela.

Mirar el atardecer desde el Bastión de los Pescadores

Ver el atardecer entre 7 torres blancas y neo-románicas que componen el Bastión de los Pescadores es una necesidad turística para quienes visitan la capital húngara. Estas estructuras rinden homenaje a las 7 tribús húngaras que se establecieron en la Cuenca de los Cáarptos.

A esa altura, la puesta del sol y el Parlamento son protagonistas . Ya ahí, vale apena probar el postre típico húngaro llamado “Kürtős kalács”, compuesto por una masa de levadura fresca cubierto de azúcar caramelizada y canela .

Estando ahí, la Iglesia de San Matías está a unos cuantos metros. Originalmente era una mezquita turca.  Sin embargo, fue reconstruida al estilo barroco y, así, se transformó en una obra neogótica.

Disfrutar de un buen vino en el Puente de la Libertad

Si mirar la caída del sol desde el Bastión de los Pescadores no es opción, una alternativa es mirar el paso del Danubio desde el Puente de la Libertad. Es fácilmente identificable por su distintivo color verde y estilo Art Nouveau. La vista hermosa se puede complementar con una buena botella de vino de la región Eger, y pizza para llevar del restaurante “ Manufaktura ”.

Más capitales europeas: 5 barrios que debes conocer en Berlín y qué hacer en cada uno de ellos

Perder la mirada sobre la fachada del Parlamento

El recorrido puede extenderse hasta el corazón de Budapest , donde es fácil encontrar un buen lugar para brunchear al aire libre.

Picnic en la Isla Margarita

Si la idea es pasar una hermosa tarde o mañana al aire libre, un picnic en la Isla Margarita es lo ideal . Es posible rentar una bicicleta o tomar el transporte público. Cuenta con bares, restaurantes y cine a cielo abierto. Al mismo tiempo, tiene un zoológico y un jardín japonés . En la noche, en la fuente central hay un espectáculo de luces neón y música clásica.

Dialogar con la colección de arte del Museo Ludwig

El Museo Ludwig es la casa dedicada al arte contemporáneo y contiene una colección de arte moderno internacional y arte fino húngaro. Además, cuenta con una vista privilegiada al Danubio y en los inviernos, dispone de una pista de patinaje sobre hielo que parecería ambientada en la década de los 80.

Alessandra de Zaldo es una fotógrafa mexicana que radica en Budapest. Está comprometida a mirar de manera distinta el mundo contemporáneo, desde una perspectiva documental y artística. Estudió en la Escuela Activa de Fotografía. En 2019, fue la fotógrafa oficial del seminario feminista e internacional “Global Youth Ambassadors and Leadership Summit” en la ciudad de Chicago. 

Sigue leyendo:

7 experiencias únicas que sólo puedes vivir en Viena

10 cosas que debes hacer en Praga después de la pandemia

Descubren 250 sarcófagos y 150 estatuas de bronce en la necrópolis más grande de Egipto

Así fue el nacimiento titánico del kilauea, el volcán más activo del planeta, leave a reply cancel reply.

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Salar de Uyuni: Cómo llegar hasta el desierto de sal más grande del mundo

Todo sobre el Art Nouveau, la corriente que encuentra la belleza en lo natural y funcional

Langkawi, el impresionante archipiélago asiático que no te puedes perder

Destinos LGBTIQ+: Cinco lugares imprescindibles para la comunidad

Cinco encantadores pueblos de Sudamérica en los que debes caminar una vez en la vida

Reflexiones de la Antártida: El recorrido por un continente que está amenazado por el cambio climático

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