Welcome to Budapest! The capital of Hungary offers a lot of unique experiences. The city in a beautiful natural environment with a rich architectural and historical heritage, offering a combination of culture, delicious cuisine and thermal baths. We prepared for you the list of top things to do in our amazing city.
1. Fisherman Bastion and the Area of the Buda Castle
2. Citadella
3. Elisabeth Bridge, Margaret Bridge, Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge
4. Saint Stephen’s Basilica
5. Parliament
6. Budapest’s thermal baths
7. Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden
8. Tropicarium and Oceanarium
9. A38 Boat
10. Ecseri Flea Market
11. Ruin Pubs
We believe this must be the number one destination if you visit Budapest. Not just because of the insane panoramic view, which can be enjoyed from Fisherman Bastion, but because this place immediately brings you to a fairy tale – thanks to the magical towers and surroundings, and you can easily feel like a princess (or a prince). It’s also worth to visit the Matthias Church or to take a walk at the Tóth Árpád promenade and watch either a sunset or a sunrise from there.
Buda Castle sits on the top of the Castle district, which is famous for its medieval and baroque houses and churches. The castle itself is a pretty attractive building, but you will love the picturesque view, that you can have to the Pest side. The Hungarian National Gallery moved to Buda Castle in 1975, so you can visit many great exhibitions here too. There are more ways to reach the castle, you can take a nice walk or use the Buda Castle Funicular.
It was built between 1875 and 1883. After several years of blooming it was shut down in 1984 and it needed to wait till 2011 for its full reconstruction. Today it is shining again in its original beauty. It holds several classical music events, but during summertime, it is working as an open-air cinema too.
Citadella is located upon the Gellért hill and was a fortress a long time ago. This place holds strategic importance in Budapest’s military history. Together with the Buda Castle Hill and the panorama of the two banks of the Danube, Gellért Hill was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Another wonderful place to visit for a panoramic view.
All 4 bridges are worth a visit, as each is beautiful and unique in its own way. And thankfully all 4 are very close to each other.
The street and its square in front of the basilica are one of the best spots in the city. It has an amazing vibe with its monumental size and view from the church. The Basilica itself is not to be missed, as it is magnificent from the inside, and it is also worth going up into the tower.
Of course, it is also worth visiting one of the city’s most distinctive buildings, the Parliament. This stunning building is one of Budapest’s iconic landmarks and is considered one of the most beautiful parliament buildings in the world. The Parliament was designed by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl and completed in 1902. It is located on the banks of the Danube and features an impressive neo-Gothic architectural style, with stunning, meticulous detailing and symmetrical design. And while you’re there, it’s worth a walk to the Shoes on the Danube, a Holocaust memorial. The memorial commemorates the approximately 20,000 Jewish victims who were mercilessly shot. The victims were forced to take off their shoes and face the gunmen who shot them into the Danube. These shoes, created by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer, are a tribute to this terrible period in history.
Budapest is often called the “city of spas”, as it has many natural and healing thermal baths. The two most famous ones are Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Gellért Thermal Bath. In case you want to visit a less touristic one we suggest you check Lukács Baths, Veli Bej or Paskál bath.
It’s one of Europe’s largest hot springs complexes and has 21 pools altogether. The water in each pool has a different temperature, the warmest ones have 38 ° C. The waters are rich in sulfates, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and fluoride, which are believed to help patients with degenerative joint illnesses and other medical issues. The two outdoor pools are fantastic places to visit on a cold, dark night, as the steam rising from the hot water makes the whole place seem wonderfully mysterious. The admission price varies depending on whether you only want a cabinet or a whole changeover cabin, where you can leave your belongings. In addition, you can also have various treatments such as massages, beer spa and more.
The first mention of its miraculous water dates back to the 15th century. These baths were popular with the Turks because it was more profitable than the springs on the Buda side. One of the most beautiful spas in the city is the Gellert Bath, which includes an outdoor pool (swimming pool), and a range of saunas and indoor pools. The beneficial effects of the Gellért springs have been used for many years. Furthermore, a beauty center with a wide range of wellness services is part of the complex.
The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is one of the oldest in the world with nearly 150 years of history. The main attractions include a small rock garden with a restaurant just a few kilometers from the penguins and seals, a large rock with a tearoom and animal expositions and an elephant pavilion. There is also barrier-free access, a restaurant, a tea house, refreshments, an amphitheater and a 3D cinema. This zoo is just a short walk from Heroes’ Square and Széchenyi Spa, so you can join a visit together with a spa. Although this zoo is tiny, there are over 10,000 animals here and is truly exceptional. What’s more, you can even feed giraffes, kangaroos or ostriches as well.
The zoo showcases freshwater fish, including native fauna, tropical wildlife and the incredible diversity of marine life. Hundreds of animal species can be admired in 8 rooms, with exceptional facilities such as stingray viewing and tropical rain. The Tropicarium is also one of the largest marine aquariums in Central Europe, covering almost 3000 m².
The A38 Ship is a concert ship, cultural centre and restaurant in Budapest. A cultural institution and event centre, created by the complete conversion of a former Ukrainian cargo ship, where young people like to spend their free time and party. So far it has hosted famous foreign performers such as Peter Bjorn, Bill Haley, Shantel and many others.
This fantastic flea market is a great place to find treasure, as it offers a wide selection of antiquities, porcelains, coins, old posters, magazines or even new things. When we visited, we spotted a pair of limited-edition Converse, old Lego toys, and many more eye-catching goods. Those who arrive towards the end of the market can expect greater discounts.
Budapest is known for its amazing “ruin pubs”. The best ruin pubs are filled with comfortable but slightly worn furniture. Each tavern has its own unique style. We recommend visiting these popular ruin pubs: Instant-Fogas and Szimpla.
It includes 7 unique clubs at 1 site. This magical, neverending party labyrinth with diverse styled dance floors will fulfill your nights with countless memories and fun. Surreal ruin pub atmosphere with home alike garden and terrace, for the best nights and party kickoffs.
The Szimpla garden is the pioneer of the ruin pubs in Pest, a real trend-setter, a cult place. Undoubtedly the best known among locals and tourists alike. It offers various programs every day a week: concerts, parties, exhibitions, markets and numerous cultural events are held under one roof.
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