ALL the Must-Do Things In Budapest. Don’t Miss Out!

Did I mention that Budapest is one of my top favorite cities in the world? I have spent months here over the years – starting in my early 20s and continuing now in my 30s and I still LOVE the city, its people, its vibe, and the fact that you will ALWAYS find something new to do!

Not only is Budapest amazingly beautiful, but it also has a rich history, resulting in jaw-dropping architecture and a variety of attractions that you can rarely find elsewhere. Add to that an exciting nightlife, delicious local foods and drinks, plenty of events, and you know that you will love this place, too.

It’s that kind of place that, once visited, will keep calling you back again and again and again.

You can read more in depth about one of my month-long digital nomad experiences in Budapest here.

Now let’s talk about the best attractions in the city – make sure to cross off the list as many as possible.

1. Visit the Buda Castle

Since it is one of the most popular Budapest landmarks, the Buda castle is a great place to start your exploration of the city.

The mighty palace was originally built in the 13th century, but is now famous for the mixture of Medieval, Baroque and 19th-century architecture.

It was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1987. For lovers of spook, there were rumors that Dracula (aka Vlad Tepes, the man behind the legend) being held in a secret underground labyrinth here, but this was just a tourist trap.

Instead, I recommend booking this Walking Tour of Buda Castle with a Historian. He’s extremely passionate about the subject, and you’ll have plenty to learn. Plus, it’s a “skip the line” ticket and since the place is always crowded… it’s a double-win.

Quick Break: Where to Stay in Budapest

There are hundreds of options in the city, and choosing the best spot is always a challenge. Based on our experience, you want to be close to a metro station because it takes you to the main attractions quickly. Even better if you can get a centrally located hotel or apartment – the center is highly walkable and filled with attractions.

We usually choose an apartment stay on Booking.com (like the cool one you can see in the photo above). Just check the reviews before booking.

I also stayed at various hotels that I can recommend below, if you’re a hotel person:

• NH Budapest City (at the limit of the city center, but a chain hotel you know what to expect from).
• Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace (excellent location, a bit pricier but worth it).
• Charm Hotel Budapest (close to the Danube and metro, also in a top location).

2. Check Out the Danube River (Ideally, At Night)

Budapest shines in it’s full glory by night when the river reflects the lights of the Buda Castle, the Parliament, the Fisherman’s Bastion and all those other buildings that make up the city’s impressive skyline.

A cruise by day is fun, but by night it is truly an awe-inspiring experience.

There are plenty of options, too. I personally recommend this evening cruise, which is just an hour long, so perfect duration to see what matters.

You can do a fancy dinner boat-ride (slightly expensive, but certainly worth it), a guided tour (which is probably the most touristy way to do it), a party cruise (highly recommended for the younger audience) and a huge variety of other themed cruises.

Of course, if you are the DIY type – just start walking along the shores of the Danube – either shore is great, but I actually recommend being on the Pest side for the best views during the night.

3. Spend Time at Margaret Island

If you’re looking for what to do in Budapest to recover from all the food and drink you’ll be consuming (more on that in a minute), look no further than Margaret Island.

This island is but a tiny strip of land right in the middle of the Danube River. It is popular with locals and tourists alike, since most of it is covered by parks.

So take a lazy afternoon and turn it into a picnic on one of its grassy meadows, walk around (or rent one of the four-wheeled pedal bikes), and come back in the afternoon for the Musical Fountain – an amazing attraction that plays various songs and is so constructed that it seems like it dances to it.

My son, who was 10 when he first saw it, considered it the best thing he’s ever seen for quite a while.

If you are looking for interesting accommodation right on the island, there is the Ensana Grand Margaret Island, a gorgeous fin de siècle hotel that also has a great spa area.

And for the party animals out there – there are some awesome open-air clubs and pubs, if you happen to be visiting in summer.

Margaret Island is actually so nice, relaxing and amazing that during one of my stays, I actually booked a room at the Ensana Grand Margaret Island for seven days and only left the island on a very few occasions (mainly to visit nearby supermarkets).

I regret nothing.

Finally, you can head over to Margaret Island for its Palatinus Strand Baths, an outdoor aquatic complex that the entire family will enjoy during the summer. It has a few pools with heated water, a few slides, too and is very affordable.

4. Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica

This is the biggest church in Budapest and, as you can see in the photo above, the architecture is truly mind-blowing, both outside and inside.

And while staring at the walls and ceiling loaded with beautiful, massive frescoes, as well as plenty of gold and marble is definitely the thing to do first, I recommend buying the ticket that gives you access to the panoramic dome

You can climb up the stairs or take the elevator if your legs are completely fried from walking all day all the way up to the dome you can see in the photo. Once at the top, you get one of the best 360-degree views of the Pest side of the city.

TIP: While in the main church area, look for the Holy Right Chapel. It holds the 1,000-year-old mummified fist of Hungary’s first king, St. Stephen. You can’t miss it – it’s inside an ornate glass box that lights up when you drop a coin in the slot. Pretty interesting.

If you want to avoid the lines (and it’s usually pretty crowded), I recommend booking a skip the line ticket here. Or choose this option if you want your skip-the-line ticket paired with a guided tour.

After you finish visiting the church, reward yourself with a coffee in the massive square right outside the front steps and watch the crowds pass by.

5. Enjoy a Thermal Bath

Since the city has so many underground thermal water sources, it is no surprise its baths are a quintessential part of the full Budapest experience – and Hungary’s as a whole.

The usual choice for tourists is the Széchenyi Bath, which offers not only a huge pool of mineral water, but can also be distinguished for its gorgeous architecture.

Also, don’t think this is a summer-only activity. Since the water is so hot, even though the pools are open-air, they remain open and quite popular during the winter.

In fact, they might even be more enjoyable in colder weather. There is nothing quite like relaxing in hot mineral water, as you watch the snow fall idly over the city.

Also, if you want to party, you can get the Budapest Sparty ticket, which also takes place at the Széchenyi Baths, but it’s a night activity (usually 9:30 PM – 2 AM) – the ultimate late-night Spa Party that you have to experience at least once.

6. Party!

It’s not just the Budapest Spa Party scene that’s truly unique and taken to a whole new level in Budapest. The entire party scene in this city is legendary, with various options available for various age groups.

After all, people come from all over the world for the Budapest Ruin Pub experience, for crazy stag parties (aka bachelor parties) or hen parties (aka bachelorette parties), and everything in between.

A favorite bar for tourists is Szimpla Kert, a massive, weird, and wonderful maze of old furniture and strange art, various types of drinks and – somebody has to say it – pretty average food and service, all tourist-priced.

Prepare for a surprising lack of air conditioning in Budapest – and things to get warm during the summer, but it’s part of the charm.

If you want a massive clubbing experience, head to Instant-Fogas. It is a gigantic multi-room complex where you will inevitably lose your friends and have a great time anyway.

7. Take Stunning Photos from Gellért Hill

Gellért Hill dominates the Budapest skyline. The name of the hill is linked to the curious legend of Saint Gerard.

Hungarians say that he was squeezed into a barrel and rolled down the hill towards the river by pagans during a rebellion that took place in the 11th century. In spite of this somewhat grim story, this is a great spot to enjoy spectacular views to the city.

At the top of the hill you will find a citadel from which you get a view in both directions of the Danube River – an unmissable site for professional and amateur photographers alike.

Also, on your way up to Gellért Hill, make sure to check out the Gellért Hill Cave Chapel – a truly impressive small chapel built inside the hill’s cave network. When I was there, a lady was softly playing the piano and the entire atmosphere gave you the chills – the good kind.

Finally, go all the way to the top! The Citadel and the iconic Liberty Statue you can see from most parts of the city can be found there, and it’s reason enough to take the mighty climb:

8. Enjoy Hungarian Food

Hungary’s cuisine does not really get the fame it deserves. Make a point not to leave the city without enjoying it on multiple occasions.

One awesome street food is lángos that you can enjoy at the Central Market (or find scattered throughout the city). A sort of deep-fried flatbread, they are best enjoyed topped with cheese, garlic, cream or bacon. Or a mixture of any of these ingredients.

Then there is gulyás (aka goulash), a hearty meat soup made with beef, potatoes and plenty of veggies and spices – the one you can see in my photo above.

For those who do not particularly like meat, there is lecsó, a delectable stew made with peppers and tomatoes.

Körözött is a cream made with cheese and carrots, a great dip for veggies, or a spread for sandwiches (after all, do not forget that picnic at the Margaret Island).

For dessert, don’t miss gesztenyepüré which is a heavenly chestnut purée served with plenty of whipped cream.

Then there is this weirdly amazing sour-cherry soup, that you might see as dessert, but you should definitely try as a meal in its own right.

If you’re wondering where to eat in Budapest – join the club! There are TONS of amazing places – and not just for traditional foods. We personally had the best Chinese and Vietnamese food in the city, plus plenty of other options. This is the advantage of visiting such a massive place: you have options.

While this is definitely not exhaustive, I am listing a few places (with Google Maps links) we ate at and loved – including the meal you can see in the photo above:

• Fatal Restaurant (that’s where the photo above was taken at – huge, delicious, fairly priced).
• Fannicika Pho & Pad Thai (a hidden gem if you like this food)
• Wasabi Running Sushi (all you can eat sushi & wok, but no drinks were included when we visited)
• Gozsdu udvar (A small pedestrian street with various options)
• Parasztkonyha Restaurant (no way I could ever pronounce that, but it has amazing Hungarian food)
• Vibe Budapest (if you’re looking for a fine dining experience)

9. Understand the City’s Dark History at House of Terror

It’s not all rainbows and butterflies when it comes to Budapest, and Terror Haza (aka the House of Terror) is the place where the city accepts it and tells a story so it’s not repeated ever again.

Located on the otherwise serene Andrássy Avenue, this museum has a really dark history and what happened inside was nothing but horrific.

This building served as the headquarters for both the fascist and communist secret police and the modern day version does not hold back.

You will walk through the interrogation rooms and basement cells where thousands of Hungarians were tortured. Expect the atmosphere there to be dark, heavy and gritty – but something you should go through if you want a complete view of the city.

However, I recommend leaving the younger kids at the hotel for this one. I still get the chills remembering the experience, and I think you should be over a specific age to take it and fully understand it.

10. Visit the Parliament

Remember how I told you that the Buda Castle is one of Budapest’s iconic landmarks and hence, you can’t miss it?

Well, the Parliament building is the other one. There is certainly more to the building than its stunning façade, reflected in the Danube waters.

Stop by the magnificent Assembly hall of the House of Magnates or the Old Upper House Hall (this one they no longer use since the modern Hungarian Parliament only has one chamber).

Keep in mind that you should book your ticket well in advance here if you want to enter and visit the building. I have to admit that this is something we always skipped for a reason – and the outside area is still mighty impressive.

11: Get Souvenirs at the Central Market

The Central Market of Budapest, aka the Great Market Hall is an indoor market. Constructed in the 19th century, the building has three floors, one of which is full of cool things to bring back home as a souvenir.

On the first floor, you can enjoy an inexpensive, yet truly delicious meal, or buy fresh produce, meat, cheese, sausages (these are something Hungarians take pride in, so try them) to try and whip up something yourself.

I ate on a couple of occasions at the Market Hall and the food was surprisingly good and hearty – an experience worth trying at least once, in my opinion.

Each month, there are days when cultural and foodie events take place, so check in advance if you can arrange your visit on one of those.

12. Don’t miss the Fisherman’s Bastion

This neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque terrace was built in the late 19th century. Its seven turrets represent the seven chieftains who founded Hungary.

It offers visitors a breathtaking vantage point overlooking the Danube River, Margaret Island, and the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building. Plus, the place itself looks absolutely stunning, with an impressive church nearby (the Matthias Church) and enough reasons to spend an entire evening there.

Plenty of good cafes there also – I still remember the delicious ice cream we had at a local spot there, which is now replaced by a Starbucks. But the memory remains.

13. Watch the Sharks at the Tropicarium

While this one is far, far away from the city center, it’s worth the bus ride (as there is no metro nearby). The Tropicarium-Oceanarium is housed inside a shopping mall, but despite that, it’s pretty big.

It actually has the largest shark aquarium in Central Europe, as well as a rainforest section where it rains every 15 minutes, complete with lazy alligators and free-flying exotic birds.

The main attraction remains, in my opinion, the observation aquarium, where you have all sorts of exotic fish swimming around and above you.

If you have kids with you, or if you just want a break from historical monuments, spend an afternoon here. While it’s not as large and impressive as the one in Munich, it’s still pretty amazing.

14. Enjoy the Budapest Zoo

If aquariums are not your thing, or if the distance to it is a deal breaker, the Budapest Zoo is a must-see and it is located close to the city center (and also close to many of the other attractions on this list).

This is actually one of the oldest zoos in the world, sitting right in the middle of City Park (Városliget). And, despite its age, it remains pretty impressive – definitely one of the best zoos in this part of Europe.

It houses over a thousand different species here, and their Elephant House looks like a beautiful Art Nouveau mosque covered in colorful Zsolnay tiles.

The animal enclosures are massive and perfectly integrated with the botanical gardens, making for a pleasant escape (again, especially if you are with kids). And despite all the amazing animals, the petting zoo they operate is always the best thing, according to my son (as you can pet and feed the baby goats there).

We usually spend at least half a day here, and come prepared to do a lot of walking.

15. Don’t Skip Heroes’ Square and City Park

You are going to end up at City Park one way or another, no matter if you plan to check out the zoo, the thermal baths, or simply wander around Budapest. And you’re going to like it, as there are quite a few important attractions here.

First, if you’re there, make sure you either enter or exit through the Heroes’ Square. It is a huge, impressive, sweeping monument featuring statues of the most important Hungarian leaders of the past. It is truly epic and looks incredible both in photographs and real life.

Behind those impressive statues is the equally impressive City Park. But as you walk over the bridge, on the right side, you will see Vajdahunyad Castle.

It looks exactly like an ancient Transylvanian fortress straight out of a movie. The crazy part is they originally built it out of cardboard and wood for an 1896 exhibition. People loved it so much they rebuilt it using actual stone and brick.

Walk through the courtyard, check out the haunting statue of the anonymous monk, and then grab a bench near the lake and enjoy the nature.

Or, if you visit during the winter, enjoy it as it turns into one of the largest outdoor ice skating rinks in Europe.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully now you’re no longer asking yourself what to do in Budapest, but rather how you plan to fit everything in to a busy schedule.

Of course, these are just the top things to do in the city. There is a LOT more and honestly, even if you spend a month there, you will probably still have enough things left on your “to-do list” for a future visit.

And if you want to make sure that you get some work done while there (if you really have to), make sure to read about my experience at Kaptar, an amazing co-working space in Budapest.

If you’ve got questions or suggestions on what to do in Budapest, drop them below in the comments section! I look forward to hearing from you.