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Are you planning a trip to Budapest, Hungary? Budapest is a stunning city with many things to do. Plan your trip carefully and make the most of every minute of this vibrant city.
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23 Things to do in Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is home to a lot of stunning architecture. Keep your eyes open and stop to appreciate it all along your way.
Check out these 23 things to do in Budapest!
Buda Castle
Buda Castle (also known as the Royal Palace) is home to the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
The exterior grounds are open 24/7, except during special festivals. The museum hours vary, be sure to check before you go.
Exterior Grounds
Time Needed: varies
Normal Price: free
National Gallery
Time Needed: 1.5 to 3 hours
Normal Price: HUF 3,200
Budapest Card Price: included
Budapest History Museum
Time Needed: 2 hours
Normal Price: HUF 2,400
Budapest Card Price: included
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
*both only account for time to see the grounds
Visitor Tips:
- If you only have a few days in the city, you likely won’t have the time to enter both (or potentially either) of the museums on site.
Budapest Eye
I love Ferris Wheels. It’s a bit strange since I’m claustrophobic and a bit scared of heights, but whatever. But anyway, if a city has a Ferris Wheel, you’ll find me on it!
The Budapest Eye opened in 2013 and offers panoramic views of the city.
Time Needed: 30 to 60 minutes
*the Ferris Wheel ride is about 10 minutes.
Normal Price: HUF 3,000
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- It’s busiest from dinner to early evening (9pm ish).
Castle Hill Funicular
The Castle Hill Funicular is a cable car that goes between the Buda Castle area and the Chain Bridge.
Time Needed: 10 minutes + queue time
Normal Price: HUF 1,200 one-way or 1,800 round-trip
Budapest Card Price: included
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- The Funicular is closed every other Monday for regular maintenance.
- You can walk up or down in about the same amount of time so skip the Funicular if the queue is long.
Cave Tour
Budapest has some (supposedly) awesome underground caving available. Caving does not appeal to me, but it’s really popular.
I can’t imagine not doing a tour if I was going to go caving. This one on Viator is highly rated.
Time Needed: 3 to 4 hours
Normal Price: 44 €
Itineraries: 3-day
Central Market Hall
The Central Market Hall is a great place to grab a bite to eat, do some shopping, or people watch.
Time Needed: 30 to 60 minutes (not including meals)
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Market halls are closed on Sundays.
- Late mornings and early afternoons are the quietest times at the Central Hall Market.
- Go hungry! There’s plenty to eat there.
The Chain Bridge
Officially known as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the Chain Bridge connects Buda and Pest.
No trip to Budapest would be complete without walking across this iconic bridge.
Time Needed: 10 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Citadella
The Citadella a 220-meter long fortress located on the top of Gellért Hill. It’s a great hike in the city with stunning views at the top.
Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
*it’s about a 20-minute hike up
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Danube River Cruise
Take a cruise of the Danube River. Nighttime cruises are especially beautiful!
Time Needed: varies (at least 1 hour)
Normal Price: HUF 4,000+
Budapest Card Price: discounts of 10-40% available on select cruises.
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Ervin Szabó Library
As a major book nerd, no trip is complete without a stop at a fabulous library. The Ervin Szabó Library is housed in a former palace! It won’t disappoint you!
Time Needed: 30 to 90 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion is a 19th-Century fortress. It has 7 lookout towers that offer panoramic views of Budapest.
Time Needed: 20 to 60 minutes
Normal Price: free for lower areas / HUF 1000 for upper areas
Budapest Card Price: 10% discount
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- You can get free entry to all areas any day between October 16 and March 15, during night hours, and on select holidays.
St. Gellért Thermal Bath
Budapest is sometimes referred to as the City of Spas because it has so many natural hot springs.
You can’t miss a thermal bath when visiting Budapest! Gellért Spa is one of the top spas in the city.
Time Needed: 2+ hours
Normal Price: HUF 6,600 +
Budapest Card Price: 20% discount
Itineraries: 1-day*, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Bring your own towel because rentals are pricey!
- You’ll need flip flops/slippers (available for sale at the baths)
- Massages and other additional services are available.
Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square is the largest square in Budapest.
Time Needed: varies (30 to 90 minutes)
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- If you have some extra time, there are several museums in the area worth visiting.
House of Terror
The House of Terror is a terrible place that you should visit. It’s a monument to people who were held captive, tortured, and killed in the building.
Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
Normal Price: HUF 3000
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- it’s recommended that you book a few days in advance
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is the third-largest parliament building in Europe. It’s a massive building that deserves a visit on your trip to Budapest.
Time Needed: 60 to 90 minutes
Normal Price: HUF 6,000
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- entry is free on some holidays.
- a guided tour is worth the price.
Hungarian State Opera
Take a tour of the opera house and see a short concert.
Time Needed: 1 hour
Normal Price: HUF 2500
Budapest Card Price: 20% discount
Itineraries: 3-day
Liberty Bridge
Take a stroll across Liberty Bridge during your trip to Budapest. It’s the shortest bridge in the city.
During WWII, all the bridges in Budapest were blown up. Liberty Bridge was the first bridge to be rebuilt (and renamed).
Time Needed: 10 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Margaret Island
Margaret Island is a public park in the Danube River. It’s a popular place with many things to do.
Time Needed: varies
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- If you have a Budapest Card, you can get 20% off entry to the Margaret Island Water Tower and the Margaret Island Open-Air Stage.
Matthias Church
Matthias Church (properly named the Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle) us a Roman Catholic church near Fisherman’s Bastion.
Time Needed: 30 to 60 minutes
Normal Price: HUF 1,800
Budapest Card Price: included
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Ruin Bars
The ruin bars are a series of bars located in old, abandoned buildings.
Time Needed: varies (how long will you drink for?)
Normal Price: varies (depending on what you buy!)
Itineraries: 3-day
Shoes on the Danube Bank
The Shoes on the Danube Bank are a memorial to honor the Jews who were killed during WWII.
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest. If you go up the tower, you’ll have a spectacular view!
Time Needed: blah
Normal Price: HUF 1,000
Budapest Card Price: HUF 800
*Entry to the church is free but you must pay the above fee for entry to the tower and treasury.
Itineraries: 1-day, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- If you’re just visiting the church, it’s free BUT a donation of 200 HUF (or more) is very appreciated.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
This is one of the largest thermal baths in Europe. It’s the most popular spa in Budapest with 15 indoor baths and 3 outdoor pools.
Time Needed: 1.5 to 3 hours
Normal Price: HUF 6,200+
Budapest Card Price: 20% discount
Itineraries: 1-day*, 3-day
Visitor Tips:
- Bring your own towel, rentals are expensive and there aren’t always enough.
- You’ll need flip flops/slippers. Bring your own or purchase some there.
Vajdahunyad Castle
Vajdahunyad Castle is a unique place. It’s a hodgepodge of architectural styles that’s fascinating to see in person.
Time Needed: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
Normal Price: free
Itineraries: 3-day
Suggested Itineraries
Budapest is a busy city with A LOT to do. These itineraries are packed! If you want to make additional stops, you’ll have to cut things from the itinerary.
1-Day in Budapest Itinerary
It’s really hard to choose what to do if you only have one day in Budapest! These are the things you definitely don’t want to miss.
Total Normal Price: HUF 18,200+
Total Budapest Card Price: HUF 21,160+ (includes 22 € for a 24-hour card)
- Fisherman’s Bastion (1000 / 900)
- Matthias Church (1800 / included)
- Castle Hill Funicular (1200 / included)
- Buda Castle (free)
- Chain Bridge (free)
- Shoes on the Danube Bank (free)
- Hungarian Parliament Building (free)
- St Stephen’s Basilica (1000 / 800)
- Budapest Eye (3000)
- Danube River Cruise (4000+)
- Thermal Bath (recommended: Gellért & Széchenyi) (6200+ / 4960+)
3-Days in Brussels Itinerary
A three-day itinerary of Budapest includes all the things you’d do in one day (although not on the same day) plus some more!
If you’re interested in a 2-day itinerary, you could just drop day 3. You could also remove one area of day 2 (yellow or blue) and do one area of day 3 instead.
Total Normal Price: HUF 51,300
Total Brussels Card Price: HUF 59,940 (includes 44€ for a 72-hour card)
Day 1:
- Fisherman’s Bastion (1000 / 900)
- Matthias Church (1800 / included)
- Castle Hill Funicular (1200 / included)
- Buda Castle (free)
- Chain Bridge (free)
- Shoes on the Danube Bank (free)
- Hungarian Parliament Building (6000)
- Danube River Cruise (4000+)
Day 2:
- Citadella (free)
- Gellért Thermal Bath (6600+ / 5280+)
- Liberty Bridge (free)
- Central Market Hall (free)
- Ervin Szabó Library (free)
- House of Terror (3000)
- Hungarian State Opera (2500 / 2000)
- St Stephen’s Basilica (1000 / 800)
- Budapest Eye (3000)
- Ruin Bars (varies)
Day 3:
- Cave Tour (15000)
- Margaret Island (free)
- Heroe’s Square (free)
- Vajdahunyad Castle (free)
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath (6200 / 4960)
Have More Time?
If you have more than 3 days, check out some more of the museums in the city or take a day trip to:
Buy a Budapest Card?
Every place on this list gave you two prices: normal and with a Budapest Card.
The Budapest Card comes with many benefits:
- free public transit
- free entry to 19 museums (plus discounts on more)
- free & discounted entry to other attractions & tours
- discounts at over a dozen restaurants
- and more!
The Budapest Card might not be best for you, but the only way to know is if you check it out.
Things to Know about Budapest, Hungary
All the things you need to know to make your time in Budapest easy!
Money in Budapest
Budapest uses the Hungarian Forints (HUF).
Euros & USD will be accepted at many tourist spots BUT the exchange rate will suck. The best place to exchange cash is at a Hungarian bank because they offer the best rates.
Tipping is customary at restaurants in Budapest, at 10-15%. However, be careful because many restaurants add the tip (12.5%) to the bill automatically. You do not need to tip again if they do!
Language in Brussels
The official language of Hungary is Hungarian.
English is widely spoken in Budapest and other Hungarian cities.
How to Get Around Budapest
Budapest has a great transit system that you can easily use on your trip. It’s also a pretty walkable city, if you enjoy walking!
The Budapest Card includes free public transit use.
Things to Eat in Budapest
Budapest has some great food. Make sure you try at least these two iconic dishes on your trip.
Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács)
Chimney cakes are made of sweet dough, brushed with butter, and roasted over charcoal. They’re available all over the city.
Tip: get one that’s freshly made NOT one that’s been sitting on display!
Goulash (Gulyás)
Goulash is the Hungarian national dish! You may have come across goulash in other parts of the world, but it was probably not the same as you’ll get in Budapest.
Goulash is a thin broth with chunks of onions, paprika, tomatoes, pepper, and beef.
Goulash is available at most restaurants. Try it in one that cooks it the traditional way (in a cauldron over an open fire).
Enjoy Budapest!
Budapest is a great city! Even if you only have one to three days, you can still see all of the highlights.
Ready for more? Head over to the Czech Republic and check out 33+ things to do in Prague.
Have you been to Budapest? What was your favorite thing in the city? Let me know in the comments below!
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