There is a lot to see and do in Budapest, Hungary, which is why it comes as no surprise that this beautiful city has become one of the most tourist-friendly cities in Europe. The fifth most popular city for international visitors in Europe, nearly 1.8 million people, visited Budapest in 2016 alone.
If you want to know what makes a city one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, you need only to look at Budapest, the capital and largest city of Hungary. The city is a notable shopping and entertainment center and has some of the best pubs and monuments in the world. A lot of sights await visitors: magnificent buildings, gothic museums, gardens, and popular exhibitions and pubs, as well as historical hills and ruin pubs throughout the streets.
As the capital of Hungary, Budapest’s beautiful architecture, popular surroundings, baths, gardens, pubs, and heritage are the main reasons tourists flock to this city. The first hill of Budapest is the Gellért Hill. It is often compared to the Sacre Coeur in Paris – once you have seen Gellért Hill, you will know why!
Then there’s the famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge that stretches over the Danube River – an elegant bridge with a great view that everyone enjoys these days as one of the most photographed spots of Budapest. Stroll through historic streets on your way to Grand Boulevard and Central Market Hall. The Hungarian Parliament Building is another attraction you should not miss – it comes with a culturally and historically significant relevance.
Other than its cultural significance and historical past, Budapest is a party city in Hungary. The place offers many exciting attractions, such as the hills, museums, pubs, and architecture, including the fantastic Gellert Hill, an ideal area for hiking. The city is also popular for its pubs and cafes. There are many gothic buildings located in the area, inviting you to explore.
That makes Budapest one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It’s an architectural jewel and a very loving city as well. The Buda Castle is a great example of the gothic aesthetic found in this Hungarian city. Budapest has many interesting sights like museums, historical monuments, parks, etc.
Take the famous Gellért Thermal Bath
Budapest’s beautiful architecture, popular surroundings, baths, gardens, pubs, and heritage are the main reasons tourists flock to this city. A visit to Budapest would not be complete without a trip to the famous Gellért Thermal Bath. The thermal baths are the number one place to visit in Budapest for some thermal relaxation, relief from jet lag, or dehydration after a big night out!
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By youflavio, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118 Hungary | Timings: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UdJDFo14f3aj52w19 | Phone Number: +3614666166
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is located in Budapest, Hungary. It is a monument of national importance that stands on the banks of the Danube and is the fourth home to Hungary’s National Assembly and Parliament. Founded in 1885, it was designed by Miklós Ybl and built by Károly Kós and János Feketeházy. It is currently home to the largest unicameral legislature in Europe.
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Address: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Hungary | Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/y1ftTHofGGecqKvDA | Phone Number: +3614414000
Margaret Island
Nestled in the middle of the Danube River is Margaret Island, one of the most popular Budapest attractions and islands. A favorite island among locals and tourists alike, Margaret Island has many things to do like the famous water park, places to go, and memories to make – all while exploring the magic that is Budapest in the heart of Margaret Island.
By Globetrotter19, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Address: Budapest, 1138 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Z4H5EYVA2pHkrbYF9
Visit the iconic Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square is an unforgettable experience and superb attraction that should top your list of best things to do in Budapest. Heroes’ Square is a true symbol of the country and a gathering place for citizens who come here to have a pleasant time together. And while the Square is not very large, the Square does offer many things that you need to see with your own eyes.
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Address: Budapest, Hősök tere, 1146 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/9AawesYRAFPsyY6M9
House of Terror
The House of Terror is a museum located in the city center of Budapest. This museum was originally built as headquarters for both the Nazi-sponsored Gestapo and the communist Arrow Cross Party during World War 2. If you are interested in history, politics or, just want to learn more about what life was like when these two parties ruled this small country and during the war, we would highly suggest a visit to the House of Terror.
Address: Budapest, Andrássy út 60, 1062 Hungary | Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/J6Yi7Wogwy6YRiEm6 | Phone Number: +3613742600
The Shoes on the Danube Bank
The story about them is a legend and a tale of love, but the Shoes on the Danube Bank symbolize Budapest like no other. They represent the city to thousands of tourists, Hungarians, and people worldwide. Enigmatic and surreal, they present one of the most romantic Budapest tourist attractions that seek to take the heart of all that look upon them.
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By Clay Gilliland, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Id. Antall József rkp., 1054 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/vKftqrXwuzrZmGLy6
Hungarian State Opera House
Hungarian State Opera House is a historical building in Budapest and one of the most important Budapest attractions. Here, you can experience excellent, bright music, especially during the unique Opera Festival every summer. It was built in 1884 with the help of French and Italian artists and architects and took seven years to complete the statue and monument. The opera house is surrounded by statues of famous composers like Wagner, Mozart, and Verdi.
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By PDXdj at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, Link
Address: Budapest, Andrássy út 22, 1061 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/98qcTF4cMX2LyYpo6 | Phone Number: +3618147100
St. Stephen’s Basilica
Known for being the tallest church in Hungary, St. Stephen’s Basilica is an impressive landmark and the episcopal seat of the Bishop of Budapest. St. Stephen’s Basilica is a masterpiece of Eastern European architecture with exceptional Byzantine mosaics.
Established in 1015, it is the second-largest church of its kind in Europe and holds around 25,000 people. The cathedral was constructed in Neo-Romanesque style between 1851 and 1905. Due to its great size, visitors often see the basilica with different faces each time they visit it.
By Jorge Láscar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/VtWAqKYXmvPYdZJ89 | Phone Number: +3613110839
Invisible Exhibition
The Invisible Exhibition was not about looking at art but making your artistic intervention. The exhibition took place in a commercial building built in 1952 on the corner of Váci út and Király utca in the center of Budapest. The artists sent across their invisible interventions – the exhibition installed them to the walls of those public spaces outside the exhibition where anyone could see them.
In the Invisible Exhibition, objects are hung from the ceiling at eye level. When the lights of the exhibition are switched on, they carry out their seemingly sole purpose at the exhibition: to be invisible. It was drawn by the idea of questioning what belongs to art and what does not. What can be an art object – and what is not? Whatever that may be, one thing is for sure – the Invisible Exhibition is one Budapest sightseeing spot you absolutely should not miss.
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Address: Karlovo nám. 1/23, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia | Timings: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/PRNVDqe9qJBYuA7AA | Phone Number: +420777787064
Tourist hot-spot Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion has been the center of attention lately in Budapest due to its modern renovation and the beautiful holiday lighting installations along with its towers. The construction for Fisherman’s was completed only in 1913.
This spectacular piece of architecture is located at the heart of Castle Hill, considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of Budapest. Fisherman’s Bastion is right by Matthias Church, a beautiful temple with colorful frescoes and other ornamental works.
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By Dennis Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Szentháromság tér, 1014 Hungary | Timings: 9:00 am to 11:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/YJBpkqbPywYEnDwF6 | Phone Number: +3614583030
Memento Park
Budapest is a city of great beauty. One of the most beautiful parts of the city is Memento Park, which contains statues and memorials from Hungary’s Communist regime. It is a good place to take photographs with the statue and maybe stand in front of the Iron Curtain statue.
By Elelicht, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Balatoni út – Szabadkai utca sarok, 1223 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://g.page/mementopark-budapest?share | Phone Number: +3614247500
Faust Wine Cellar
If you are looking for a place to enjoy your evening with a list of top Budapest things to do, the Faust Wine Cellar is one of the best options. This traditional Hungarian restaurant and wine bar is located in a historic building near Buda Castle. Since its opening in 1994, the place has been a great choice for everyone.
Address: Budapest, Hess András tér 1, 1014 Hungary | Timings: 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/PT9So1om24JJkyz28 | Phone Number: +36203263503
Szimpla Kert
Szimpla Kert (Simple Garden in English) is a unique ruin bar located in the center of the city in an area known as District VII or Erzsébetváros. Szimpla Kert was once a small factory that produced gas bombs during WWI and WWII. Today this is one of the most well-known sites in the city, with its “ruin bar” concept catching on quickly among tourists and locals alike. This ruin bar concept has helped the Szimpla Kert ruin bar win acclaim rapidly among all those that visit it.
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By Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075 Hungary | Timings: 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MJyMPa7f3uajA2Gr9
Dohány Street Synagogue
The Dohany Street Synagogue (Nagy Zsinagóga) is the second-largest synagogue globally and among the best-known Budapest sightseeing spots. The synagogue on Dohány Street is the largest in Europe; it can hold 3,000 worshippers and war patrons. It sits across from the Great Stairway, a remnant of an earlier synagogue built in 1859. The Nazis extensively damaged the synagogue during World War II.
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Address: Budapest, Dohány u. 2, 1074 Hungary | Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/YsyiBZFso2DutWuj9 | Phone Number: +3614131515
Eat and Shop at Central Market Hall
The Central Market Hall is a spectacular building in Budapest, Hungary. The market used to be an Art Nouveau luxury department market, and it remains one of the most attractive markets in Budapest to shop at today. As well as being a cool shopping market, Central Market Hall is also a great place for Budapest sightseeing. At this market, you will find some of the most delightful Budapest attractions and things to see in Budapest.
By András Osvát, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Vámház krt. 1-3, 1093 Hungary | Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/r33k98sUXf7v5K9w9 | Phone Number: +3613663300
Danube River
There are many amazing things to see in Hungary. Amongst those are the gorgeous cities, the tasty food, the epic mountains, and the river cruise on the delightful Danube River. The Danube is Europe’s second-longest river. It enters Budapest from the North as a stream but becomes a wide arm of the city as it flows through central and southern Pest. It then turns east again for the final course before emptying into the sea.
Address: Budapest, Id. Antall József rkp. 18, 1052 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/KUx8NmhpWmWJgk3J7
The Vintage Pinball Museum
The Vintage Pinball Museum at Kőleves is a must-visit thing to do in Budapest if you are into arcade and pinball games. The pinball collection belongs to Ferenc Sidó, one of the pioneers of this Hungarian hobby. He opened his private museum in 2009, and since then, it has become a hotspot for vintage pinball fans.
By Michael Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Radnóti Miklós u. 18, 1137 Hungary | Timings: 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/fpuGg2kjUAxHgeVGA
Buda Castle
Buda Castle (Royal Palace) is a castle complex in Budapest, Hungary. Buda Castle was first erected in the 13th century, making it the oldest building in Budapest. The grounds were first designed in the 19th century, and have a park-like atmosphere today. Lively and bustling, the Buda Castle commands an atmosphere that lands its space among the top Budapest tourist attractions.
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By Alex Proimos, CC BY 2.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Szent György tér 2, 1014 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/hSSeRLLFDHYchJhW7 | Phone Number: +3614583000
Catch a Hungarian Folk Dance Show at Danube Palace
There are lots of things to do in Budapest, but one of the best Budapest attractions is a show that tells the history of Hungarian culture and folklore through dance. It is called the Hungarian Folk Dance.
Catch a traditional Hungarian folk dance show at the neo-gothic Danube Palace, the former residence of the mayor of Budapest, from 1872 to 1945. Today, it is home to the National Folklore Museum, which includes national art and objects relating to national Hungarian folk arts. Expect lively national music and colorful national costumes!
Address: Budapest, Zrínyi u. 5, 1051 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/vLaBfMxEPBRRU2Du8 | Phone Number: +3612355500
Szamos Chocolate Museum
The Szamos Chocolates Museum (Szamos Cukrászda Múzeum) is a hidden gem of Budapest for all those chocolate lovers. Not many people know about this museum, but it is a popular Budapest attraction if you love chocolate. The Chocolate Museum is located in the heart of the city, just a stone’s throw away from some of the most popular Budapest sightseeing spots, such as the Hungarian Parliament Building and the Opera House, and offers plenty of opportunities for indulgence – chocolate or not.
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Address: Budapest, 1051, Kossuth Lajos tér 10, 1055 Hungary | Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Qs5nPwirvs8V6Qxj8 | Phone Number: +36307466995
Szechenyi Baths
The Szechenyi Baths are one of the city’s most famous and popular Budapest attractions. It has been enjoyed by both locals and tourists for over 150 years.
It was once a Turkish bath built in 1881. Today, the baths have become one of the finest bathing facilities in central Europe. In fact, the baths are so much more than just a place to relax, and they are also famous for being continually ranked as one of the top things to do in Budapest!
By Marc Ryckaert, CC BY 3.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146 Hungary | Timings: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FBZweUtaYxV9sn3C6 | Phone Number: +3613633210
The Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) is the most beautiful Budapest bridge, but it is also one of the city’s best-known symbols and one of the best views of the second-largest Budapest sightseeing. It was an ambitious project because no similar bridges existed in the world at that time. Its unique constructions are still regarded as modern engineering miracles.
Address: Budapest, Széchenyi Lánchíd, 1051 Hungary | Timings: 24/7 | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/CV6nXtuc4oTrhbTy7
Eat the Hungarian Special Langos
In Budapest, you will never go hungry. You might just gain a few pounds from the amount of great food you can find here (even if you avoid the rich Hungarian pastries). However, you should have on your list of things to do in Budapest, eating at least one serving of langos.
Hungarian Langos may be the best street food outside of France. However, it is a far more ubiquitous treat because it is served from every street cart and serviced by many restaurants. Made by deep-frying dough with various fillings, Langos is inexpensive and tasty. Visitors to Budapest should try the local specialty at least once during the trip, as it is sold all over the city in both restaurants and street stands.
The Jewish Quarter
If you are wondering what to do in Budapest, this is it. Welcome to the Jewish Quarter. You can find a little of everything here, from beautiful historic vestiges to a healthy amount of culture and a ton of fun stuff to do. This area is right next to the main bus stops and subway. One tip would be to rent a bicycle as well, as bike lanes are running directly through this quarter.
Address: Budapest, Dohány u. 2, 1077 Hungary | Timings: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/BpRGKfvJmC3tQEwYA | Phone Number: +3613428949
Vajdahunyad Castle
If you are wondering what to do in Budapest, this is it. Head to Vajdahunyad Castle to get a cultural and historical feel of the country. A perfect wedding destination, the gardens and the castle will give you a good idea of what life must have been like back then: how families lived, what homes were like, how people dressed. Imagine an entire city built in this style, and it will begin to dawn on you just how much of history is hidden away in Budapest’s many little alleyways.
By Endrjuch, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Vajdahunyad stny., 1146 Hungary | Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/BHJb7rxx3coDkLmZ6 | Phone Number: +3614220765
Take a Budapest Bike Tour
Budapest is a beautiful city, but it is not the easiest one to get around. There are many famous landmarks, but there is a lot of flat ground in between. That is why it is best to rent a bike tour. Not only does it provide an eco-friendly mode of transportation, but it also allows tourists to explore parts of the city that they might not otherwise see on foot or by taxi.
By Hibwub, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Rumbach Sebestyén utca 10, Deák Ferenc square 4., The Lutheran, Hungary | Timings: 10:30 am to 6:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://g.page/BudapestBikeBreeze?share | Phone Number: +36204885954
Hospital in the Rock
Hospital in the Rock is a must-see. This unique attraction hides underneath Buda Castle, where its construction began in 1900 and was completed by 1956. This bunker was originally built beneath a hill, as a refuge for the royal family and local notables. This is where an Italian fort once stood.
It is one of the unique highlights in the world, overlooking the Danube River with a structural history that makes you wonder what took them so long. Carved into the mountain, this is Hospital in the Rock, one of many highlights in Budapest.
By Globetrotter19, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Address: Budapest, Lovas út 4/c, 1012 Hungary | Timings: 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/HTBoyYJLrpv6fBMz5 | Phone Number: +36707010101
If you ask any Hungarian about Budapest, you are sure to hear the same response: that it’s the best city in the world. And, while that may be a bit of an overstatement, there are certainly a lot of things to do in Budapest when you visit!
Visit all the cathedrals, churches, or see the biggest statue of St. Stephen(the first king and patron saint of Hungary). You can just spend your time strolling through the nice boulevards and gardens, and go on a boat trip on the Danube River, which is a splendid place for fishing as well.
A city that is best explored on foot and by night, Budapest seduces first time visitors with the Parliament Building, Chain Bridge, Great Market Hall, among others, as well as some hidden gems like the breathtaking bridges over the Danube River and the National Cemetery (also known as “Blue” cemetery).
Budapest is a city of delicate beauty, relaxing baths, gardens, hills, rich history, excellent food, and vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a romantic trip or one full of excitement, Budapest has it all. Be sure to keep this ‘Budapest things to do’ list handy when you do visit. These 27 tourist attractions will make some of the best sights that you absolutely should not miss on your next visit.
