When I first visited Budapest, the gritty, rundown streets charmed me. Budapest felt edgy. This was a city of underground bars in abandoned buildings, hearty food, and serious people.
Originally founded by the Celts around 1 CE, the region was later annexed by the Romans, who founded the city of Aquincum here (which present-day Budapest now covers). The Magyars eventually invaded the region after being pushed out of Bulgaria, founding the Kingdom of Hungary around the year 1000 CE. In 1361, the king built Buda Castle here, solidifying present-day Budapest as the capital and cultural hub of the kingdom.
In 1873, the towns of Buda and Pest were merged with the third area of the city, Óbuda (Old Buda), to form modern-day Budapest.
Over the years, I’ve seen the city change as tourists discovered this hidden gem and made it not so hidden anymore. And, while no longer as edgy as it once was, Budapest is still one of the best cities in Europe. It offers some of the best nightlife on the continent, beautiful districts, tons of spas and hot springs, stunning historic buildings and museums, and lots of green space.
To help you make the most out of your next trip, here are my top 25 things to see and do in Budapest.
1. Take a Free Walking Tour
2. Soak at the Baths
Budapest is known for its thermal spa baths (it’s one of the best things about this city). There are more than 100 mineral hot springs here, many dating back to the Roman Empire.
The most popular is the Széchenyi Baths in City Park. With 18 pools, it’s the largest and most famous in Europe. The historic buildings that house the spa were built in 1913, and it’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Don’t forget your bathing suit and flip-flops (you can rent towels and lockers).
Állatkerti krt. 9-11, +36-20 435 0051, szechenyifurdo.hu. Weekdays from 7am-7pm and weekends from 9am-8pm. Admission starts at 7,100 HUF on weekdays and 8,200 HUF on weekends and holidays.
3. Party at the Ruin Bars
For a more detailed list, check out my post on the best ruin bars in Budapest!
4. See Castle Hill
This historic area is home to baroque houses and Habsburg monuments. Cobblestone streets and narrow alleys that hark back to the city’s medieval roots parallel panoramic views of Pest and the Danube. This section of the city is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Old Town in the north and the massive 13th-century palace to the south. You can get up the hill by bus or funicular, but you often have to wait. The hill isn’t really that steep so I prefer to walk.
5. Tour Buda Castle
Fun fact: Beneath the castle, Vlad the Impaler (colloquially known as Count Dracula) was imprisoned for 14 years. In the dungeon area, there is also a labyrinth which is super cool. There are some museums here as well (see below).
Szent György tér 2, +36 1 458 3000, budacastlebudapest.com. The courtyards are open 24/7 while the castle has hours that align with the museum and gallery (see below).
6. Explore the Hospital in the Rock
Over the years, this museum has served as a hospital, bomb shelter, prison, and nuclear bunker. Here you can learn about the impacts that World War II, the 1956 revolution, and the Cold War had on the city and its people. Opened in 2008, it’s one of the most popular attractions in town. Admission includes a one-hour guided tour of the museums, which has all sorts of wax figures, tools, equipment, and furnishings.
Lovas ut 4/c , +36 70 701 0101, sziklakorhaz.eu/en. Open daily 10am-7pm. Admission starts at 8,100 HUF.
7. Visit the Hungarian National Gallery
Opened in 1957, this museum focuses on Hungarian artists and history (of which I knew very little before my first visit). The gallery is located in Buda Castle, home to paintings and sculptures from the renaissance and middle ages, including wooden altarpieces from the 1400s. You can also tour the building’s massive dome. The gallery hosts rotating temporary exhibits too so check the website to find out what’s on during your visit.
1014 Budapest, +36 20 439 7325, mng.hu. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm (last tickets sold at 5pm). Temporary exhibitions are only open Tuesday-Thursday. Admission is 3,400 HUF.
8. Wander the Budapest History Museum
2 Szent Gyorgy Square, +36 1 487 8800 , btm.hu/en/. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. Admission is 2,400 HUF (free if you have the Budapest Card and on national holidays).
9. See the Cave Church
In the 1920s, Catholic monks built this church in a large cave system that had been previously used by a hermit monk. Known as Saint Ivan’s Cave, the cave was used as a hospital during World War II. When the communists came to power after the war, they covered the entrance in concrete and executed the head monk. In 1989, as the Iron Curtain fell, the church was reopened and is now a popular place for tourists as well as a place of worship for locals. Get the audio guide to make the most out of your visit. There is a lot of history here.
Szent Gellért rakpart 1. Open Mon-Sat 9:30am – 7:30pm. Admission is 750 HUF which includes an audio guide.
10. Visit Matthias Church
During the Turkish invasion of the 16th century, it was converted to a mosque, which is why it has vibrant colors and designs that aren’t as common in European churches (the church has a colorful roof that almost makes it look like it was built from Lego). Once inside, you’ll see huge vaulted ceilings and ornate décor.
Szentháromság tér 2, +36 1 355 5657, matyas-templom.hu. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat, 9am-1pm; Sun, 1pm-5pm. Admission is 2,000 HUF (2,200 HUF for the tower).
11. Visit Fisherman’s Bastion
Szentháromság tér, +36 1 458 3030, fishermansbastion.com. Open daily 9am-11pm. Admission is free, with an additional charge of 1,000 HUF to visit the upper turrets.
12. Admire the Hungarian Presidential Palace
The Hungarian Presidential Palace has been the workplace of the president since 2003. Known as Sándor-palota (Alexander Palace), it’s not nearly as impressive as the surrounding buildings, but if you time your visit right you can see the changing of the guard ceremony at the top of each hour from 9am-5pm (excluding Sundays). Sometimes the palace is open for tours (but this rarely happens so don’t get your hopes up).
Szent György tér 1-2, +36 1 224 5000. Admission to the changing of the guard is free.
13. See Buda Tower
This reconstructed “tower” is all that remains of the Church of Mary Magdalene, which was originally built in the 13th century but was destroyed during World War II. When the Turks occupied the city between 1541-1699, the church was converted into a mosque. It reopened in 2017 and you can now climb the 172 steps that lead to the top. That said, the views from Castle Hill are just as good — and free — so I’d skip climbing the steps and just admire this historic tower from the outside.
Kapisztrán tér 6, budatower.hu/en. Open Friday-Monday 11am-5pm. Admission is 1,500 HUF.
14. Walk Across the Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge connects Buda with Pest and is a wrought-iron and stone suspension bridge. The bridge originally opened in 1849 but was damaged during World War II and had to be rebuilt. Spend some time strolling across the bridge and taking in the view. Don’t miss Gresham Palace, located on the Pest side. It’s an Art Nouveau building that is now a luxurious Four Seasons hotel.
15. Visit Parliament
Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, +36 1 441 4415, parlament.hu. Open daily 8am-4pm. Admission is 8,400 HUF for non-EU adults, 4,200 HUF for EU adults.
16. Stroll Along the Danube
17. Eat at the Great Market Hall
This is the oldest and largest indoor market in the country. Built in 1897, there is mostly produce, meats, baked goods, and candy on the ground floor while the upper floor is home to restaurants and souvenir shops. It has a lot of traditional places to eat, so be sure to walk around and explore first. Yes, it’s touristy (it’s the central market, after all), but I still found the food quite good (and affordable). Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s still worth a quick visit to walk around.
Vámház körút 1–3, budapestmarkethall.com/great-market-hall-budapest. Open Monday 6am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday 6am-6pm, and Saturday 6am-3pm. Closed on Sundays. Admission is free.
18. Admire St. Stephen’s Basilica
Szent István tér 1, +36 1 311 0839, bazilika.biz. Open daily from 9am-7pm (opens at 7:45am on Sundays). Entry to the basilica is 1,200 HUF and an additional 2,200 HUF to visit the tower.
19. See Dohány Street Synagogue
Also known as the Great Synagogue, this is the second-largest synagogue in the world (it seats 3,000 people). Built in 1854, the synagogue offers guided tours that shed light on the building and its place in the city’s history. You’ll learn all about the construction of the synagogue, Jewish life in the city, and much more. As a follow-up to your visit, check out Wallenberg Memorial Park (right behind the synagogue) and the nearby Hungarian Jewish Museum.
Dohány u. 2, +36 1-413 5584, jewishtourhungary.com/en. Hours vary from month to month; call ahead or check the website for details. Admission to the synagogue is 8,000 HUF, while a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter and 4 synagogues is 2,400 HUF.
20. Hike Gellért Hill
Gellért Hill, just south of Castle Hill, is the best place to watch the sunset (if you go for the sunset, take a flashlight for the trip home). There are also several monuments on the hill, such as the Liberty Statue, a bronze statue was erected in 1947 to celebrate the liberating Soviet forces who defeated the Nazis; the Statue of Queen Elisabeth, the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary who married Franz Joseph I; and the Statue of King Saint Stephen, Hungary’s first king, who helped establish the country as a Christian nation and provided a period of relative peace and stability.
21. Visit the Museum of Terror
Life in Budapest under the fascist and communist regimes was brutal. The building that houses this museum was used by the ÁVH (Secret Police) and Arrow Cross Party (the Hungarian Nazi party) during their reigns of terror. Over 700,000 Hungarians were killed or imprisoned by the Soviets, and the museum does an excellent and moving job of highlighting just how terrible their daily lives were. The museum’s permanent exhibits are spread over four floors and house all sorts of propaganda, weapons, and informative multimedia displays. They also host temporary exhibits too (for information on those, check the website for the most up-to-date information).
Andrássy út 60, +36 (1) 374 26 00, terrorhaza.hu/en. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. Admission is 4,000 HUF.
22. Stroll Around Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square (Hosök Tere) is the largest square in Hungary. Here there are statues of Hungarian kings and other historical figures, including the seven chiefs who led the Magyars (modern-day Hungarians) in the 9th century. The monument was built in 1896 to celebrate Hungary’s 1,000th anniversary and originally included Hapsburg monuments (as the Hapsburgs ruled the country at that time). The square is also home to the Millennium Monument, a large stone cenotaph dedicated to those who gave their life for Hungary’s independence.
23. Go Island-Hopping
There are a few islands on the Danube that you can visit to escape the city. The most popular is Margaret Island. It’s connected by the Margaret and Árpád Bridges and has a large park, swimming pools, and a musical fountain. Óbuda Island is known for its outdoor activities, including wakeboarding, jet skiing, and golf (there’s a driving range here). In August, they host the Sziget Festival of music and culture, which brings in thousands of people.
24. Visit the House of Houdini
Born in 1874, Harry Houdini was a famous escape artist and illusionist. He was best known for his elaborate and sensational escape tricks, including escapes handcuffs, chains, and even a grave where he was buried alive! Born in Hungary, this is the only museum in Europe dedicated to the Budapest native. The museum, which requires you to solve a small mystery before you can even visit, is home to original Houdini props and pieces of memorabilia, as well as props from the Houdini film starring Adrien Brody.
11 Dísz Square, +36 1-951-8066, houseofhoudinibudapest.com. Open daily from 10am-7pm. Admission is 3,800 HUF.
25. Day trip to Lake Balaton
From its wild ruin bars to its relaxing spas, Budapest offers everything you can find in Western Europe — but for a fraction of the price. Plus, it also sees a fraction of the crowds that you’ll find in cities like London, Paris, and Prague.
With tons to see and do and budget-friendly prices, it should come as no surprise that Budapest keeps becoming more and more popular!
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Book Your Trip to Budapest: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my twofavorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay in the city are:
If you’re looking for more places to stay, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in Budapest!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
SafetyWing (best for everyone)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They save you money when you travel too.
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