Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is known for its breathtaking architecture, history, vibrant nightlife, thermal baths, and ancient ruin bars. Furthermore, it is one of the most stunning destinations in Europe. In this Budapest travel guide, I’ll share with you all the top attractions and activities to do in the city. I’ll also go over where to stay, restaurants to try, and so much more. This guide dives deep into all that Budapest has to offer for an unforgettable time in this magical city.
Previously, Budapest was two separate cities, “Buda ” and “Pest”. Consequently, in 1849, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge opened and connected Buda and Pest, leading to their eventual unification in 1873 to form the city of Budapest. It is often referred to as the “Paris of the East” due to its grand boulevards, neoclassical buildings, and charming cafes. Whether you’re interested in exploring museums, indulging in traditional Hungarian cuisine, or simply wandering around the city streets, Budapest offers a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone.
If you want to avoid the busy, tourist summer months, plan your trip for spring or early fall (the shoulder season). You will still get great weather, but with fewer crowds. Additionally, if you opt to visit in the winter, plan for cold and gray days, but you will still find plenty to do. Budapest offers great museums, thermal baths, and ice skating and Christmas markets during the holiday season. This city experiences all four seasons, but regardless of which season you plan to visit, there will be no shortage of activities.
If you want to explore all the top attractions Budapest has to offer, you will definitely need a minimum of 2 days. However, if you want to have more time for leisure and activities, I recommend staying for at least 4 days. Our trip was a total of 3 full days and overall, we felt like we saw everything we wanted to. We would have loved to visit another thermal bath if we had a fourth day. Additionally, many of the churches have beautiful lookout points that we would have loved to have the time for.
If you fly into Budapest, you will most likely arrive at their international airport, Ferenc Liszt International (BUD). It is just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city center.
From here, there are a couple different options to get into the city. We took the bus 100E to reach downtown, which was the cheapest option and we found it to be very seamless. The bus runs daily, every 20 minutes and takes about 45 minutes to get to the city center. The cost of the journey is 900 HUF (€2.90) per person, and tickets can be purchased outside Budapest Airport terminal 2.
Here you can find the bus schedule and route.
Nonetheless, if you don’t prefer waiting for public transportation, you can also choose to book a shared shuttle bus transfer. This option allows you to book your shuttle before your arrival, and it drops you off directly at your hotel. This will cost you about 4,000 HUF (€12) per person. Check here to book your shared shuttle bus.
While Uber does not exist in Hungary, they offer the ride-share app Bolt. It is a fairly priced and an efficient way of getting from the airport to your accommodation. The trip should cost you around 6,500 – 8,000 HUF (€18 – €25) and takes about 30 minutes. If you decide you don’t want to take public transportation, I always suggest a ride-share app over taking a taxi. Taxi drivers are known for ripping off tourists (in most major cities) and you don’t want to find yourself in that predicament.
If you come to Budapest by train, you will find three main international railway stations in the city. You can check here for train tickets and time based on the city you’re coming from.
I always recommend staying in the heart of the city whenever you can. You’ll spend less time on public transportation getting from point A to B, especially when you have such a limited amount of time in a city. Moreover, Budapest is a city that offers great accommodations in the best areas, without costing you an arm and a leg.
Should you stay on the Buda or Pest side? Like I previously mentioned, Budapest is divided into two sides by the Danube River. The Buda side is considered to be classier and more residential. It is known for being a bit quieter and laidback. Buda is the side where you’ll find Fisherman’s Bastion, the Buda Castle and Matthias Church. On the opposite side of the river is Pest. Pest is known for being much livelier and more touristy. You will find that there is much more to do on this side, considering it is ⅔ of the city. Here you will find the beautiful Parliament building, Széchenyi Thermal Bath, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and much more.
Regardless of which side you decide to stay on, it’s a no-brainer that both sides have so much to offer and deserve to be explored.
We stayed at a great Airbnb during our 3 nights in Budapest and loved the location. In case this one is booked, or you are looking for something a bit different, here are a few other options that offer a great location and have great reviews.
If you are a person that prefers hotels over Airbnb’s, here are a few great options for hotels in the area.
So many of the popular destinations in Budapest are within walking distance from one another, so you’ll be able to see much of the city on foot.
When needed, their public transportation is easy to navigate and very affordable. Budapest Közlekedési Központ (BKK) is the city’s transport network. This includes the metro, trams, buses and even boats in the summer. BKK has a handy app so you can see when the next bus, tram, boat or metro is scheduled to arrive. They have several ticket options to choose from: single journey, 24 hours, 3-day pass, 7-day pass, etc. If you know you’ll be using public transportation often, I suggest the 3-day pass, which will cost you 5500 HUF (€14.30), or a pack of 10 single journey tickets for 3000 HUF (€7.80). Check here for more ticket options and pricing.
The city also offers a “Budapest Card” which includes travel on public transport, as well as free / discounted entry to many sights and attractions. Check here to learn more about pricing and what’s included.
You can also get around the city easily by using electric scooters, such as Lime and Bird. We used them a couple of times, making exploring so fun and efficient!
Hungarian Parliament Building: The Parliament Building definitely won’t be missed on your itinerary, as it sits right on the river of the Pest side. You don’t need a lot of time here, but it’s worth strolling around the building and capturing some beautiful pictures.
Shoes on the Danube: Located very close to the Parliament Building, you’ll find the Shoes on the Danube Bank. It is a memorial to honor the Jewish victims of the Holocaust and is made up of 60 pairs of iron shoes.
Hungarian National Museum: If you’re a history buff and enjoy museums while on vacation, this is definitely one to visit. Tickets will cost you 2900 HUF (€7.50)
Opera House: If you have the time for it, going to the Opera would be a fun evening activity! However, if you don’t plan on seeing a show, it is still worth going to see the beautiful building! You can even walk inside and view the interior- it is breathtaking!
Gellért Hill: If you are looking for a place to watch the sunset, many people go to the top of Gellért Hill. Bring a bottle of wine and enjoy the views as the sun goes down. It is also where the Budapest Statue of Liberty stands. Gellért Hill offers beautiful panoramic views of the city.
St. Stephens Basilica: A Catholic Basilica located in the heart of Budapest. I definitely recommend climbing to the top of the church for beautiful views on the city. The entrance fee for the church cost €5.20, and the entrance fee for the lookout costs €8.30. Alternatively, you can purchase a combined ticket for €11.70 per person.
Thermal Baths: Budapest is famous for their thermal baths! There’s really nothing else quite like it! Visiting at least one during your time here is a must. Below are some of the most popular ones.
Fisherman’s Bastion: This is one of Budapest’s most popular attractions without a doubt. It serves as a beautiful lookout tower with amazing panoramic views of the Pest side, including a breathtaking view of the Parliament building. I suggest going at sunrise to get some great pictures without the crowd.
Matthias Church: Also located on the Buda side and directly behind Fisherman’s Bastion is Matthias Church. Entrance fees to the church will cost you 2500 HUF (€6.50) and 2900 HUF (€7.50) for the tower.
Buda Castle (The Royal Palace): The last recommendation on the Buda side is the Buda Castle. Located on top of Castle Hill, this 13th-century palace can be seen from anywhere in Budapest as it is easily noticeable in the city’s skyline. It was once a residence for the Hungarian kings. Today the castle serves as the Hungarian National Gallery, The Budapest History Museum, the Széchenyi National Library and displays many beautiful statues.
Budapest Funicular: The Funicular is a cable car that takes you from the Chain Bridge up to the top of Castle Hill.
Chain Bridge: Like I previously mentioned in the intro, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge opened in 1849 and connects Buda and Pest.
Liberty Bridge: Located just outside of the Central Market Hall is the Liberty Bridge. There is a walkway on the bridge for pedestrians to cross over to the Buda side.
River Rafting on Danube: A fun water activity if you’re coming in the summer!
Boat Ride on the River: I definitely recommend taking advantage of the beautiful views from the Danube River. They offer many different types of boat rides, but I suggest opting for a sunset or evening cruise!
Central Market Hall: An indoor food market that also offers a ton of souvenirs. Depending on how much shopping for souvenirs you want to do, you could easily spend 1-2 hours in the market.
Budapest Eye: The Ferris Wheel of Budapest. The cost is 3900 Ft (€10) per person.
Explore Jewish Quarter: Unless you’re short on time, I suggest taking your time to stroll around and explore the Jewish Quarter. Nowadays, there are many shops, bars, cafes and more. This is where you’ll find the first ever ruin bar, Szimpla Kert, the popular restaurant Mazel Tov, and Karavan Street Food.
Heroes Square: The Heroes Square is one of the main squares in Budapest. Its statues commemorate the leaders of the seven Hungarian tribes who founded the country. It is located on Andrássy Avenue.
Christmas Market: If you’re coming to Budapest around the holidays, visiting their Christmas markets is a must!
Ice Skating: Another fun activity if you’re planning to visit in the winter. Budapest has several ice rinks to choose from, but City Park Ice Rink is the most popular. Not only is it Budapest’s largest open-air ice rink, but it just so happens to be the biggest one in all of Europe!
Do an Escape Room: Funny enough, Budapest actually has a ton of escape rooms. If this is your type of thing, it is definitely a fun evening activity!
Go Thrifting: Budapest offers so many cool vintage shops. If you’re into thrifting, I definitely recommend visiting a few. Retrock Vintage Store is one of the most popular.
As you can tell, this is a long list of things to do in Budapest, and you most likely won’t get to all of them. This list just goes to show how much the city has to offer. Many of the landmarks don’t require a lot of time, so you will likely be able to cross off more than you think!
New York Cafe: The most famous restaurant in Budapest and has even been voted the most beautiful restaurant in the world! This restaurant is a must on your trip to Budapest. Be sure to book a reservation in advance.
Karavan Street Food: Located in the Jewish Quarter, this outdoor food market is definitely worth visiting. It has several vendors to choose from, including vegan options, fried cheese, sausages and lángos.
Mazel Tov: One of Budapest’s most popular restaurants and it definitely did not disappoint. Located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, this restaurant offers great food and a lively ambience. You will definitely want to book a reservation in advance.
Tereza: If you’re a fan of Mexican food, this restaurant is a must! Their pulled pork tacos were to die for and paired with their delicious cocktails…… it was one of our favorite meals!
Turkiz Budapest: A stylish and delicious Turkish restaurant.
A La Maison Grande: We came here for brunch on our first day and it started our trip off on the right foot. Try their pancakes with peanut butter mouse……WOW.
Home of Franziska: We stumbled across this cute little cafe after spending the morning at Fisherman’s Bastion. The food was delicious!
Honey: If you’re looking for a cute little cafe for breakfast, this was a great option and located just minutes from St. Stephen’s Basilica. Try one of their homemade and unique flavors of honey, like pistachio, blackcurrant, or even truffle honey!
Box Donut: Located right next to St. Stephen’s Basilica, these donuts were fresh and delicious!
Szimpla Kert: The first ever ruin bar. Come here in the morning for brunch, an afternoon drink during the famers market, or at night to experience the nightlife.
360 Bar: A lively rooftop bar and restaurant that offers 9 giant heated igloos.
Boutiq’ Bar: A trendy cocktail bar.
Hotsy Totsy: A laid back industrial bar with delicious cocktails.
Chimney cakes (Kürtőskalács): Although chimney cakes are commonly linked with Prague, they actually come from Hungary. The dough is made from a sweet mixture that is coated in granulated sugar, shaped into a cone, and cooked over charcoal. Today, chimney cakes are filled with ice cream and can have toppings such as walnuts, coconut shavings, cinnamon, or chocolate.
Stuffed cabbage (Töltött káposzta): In Hungary, stuffed cabbage is a customary dish served during the Christmas season. The recipe involves rolling cooked cabbage leaves around a filling of ground beef and rice, then topping it with homemade tomato sauce. The dish is often served with sour cream and white bread.
Goulash (Gulyás): One of the most widely recognized Hungarian dishes is the goulash soup. This classic soup is prepared using tender beef, onions, potatoes, carrots, and paprika. It is a satisfying and filling meal, often served with white bread.
Lángos: A typical street food in Hungary is the Lángos. Today, it is deep fried flatbread, but traditionally it was made of the last bits of bread-dough. A traditional Lángos is served with sour cream, garlic butter, and shredded cheese, but there are various other toppings available such as onions, sausages, or bacon.
Pros:
-Affordable in comparison to other European countries.
-No shortage of activities for any season you visit.
-Good public transportation and easy to navigate.
-Offers unique activates compared to other European countries, like thermal baths and ruin bars.
-The locals are very friendly!
Cons:
-Different currency than the euro.
*I don’t think I would even consider this a con; it is just something to note if you’re traveling to other European countries and plan on using cash. Most places in Budapest will accept euros, but they may give you a small upcharge in doing so.*
Believe it or not, I really couldn’t come up with many cons at all of Budapest. It really is a city that is so beautiful and has so much to offer. After your time in Budapest, send me an email or DM on Instagram (@_juliatravels) and let me know what your pros & cons of the city were!
Budapest was a city that we quickly fell in love with. Not only that, but it rose to the top as one of our favorites! It offers so much history, beautiful architecture, friendly locals, and some amazing cuisines. The ruin bars and thermal baths make the city so unique and something you definitely won’t find anywhere else. It is not a city that you need a lot of time in, but I highly suggest spending 3-4 days here to fully immerse yourself and get a feel for the culture.
If you’re like me and need help keeping all of your travel plans and itinerary organized, be sure to check out my travel journal that I designed for just this reason! It’s how I plan every single trip and keep organized. It has everything you need from a packing list, a page for your accommodation info, travel itinerary, budgeting on your trip, journal entries each day and more!
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