Things to Do in Budapest: Attractions, Sights & Places to Visit
Budapest, Hungary’s capital, offers plenty of attractions and things to do, including Buda Castle and the Hungarian Parliament Building, Danube walks, churches, and thermal baths.
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If you are staying in central Budapest, plenty of attractions are within easy walking distance. St Stephen’s Basilica, Elizabeth Square, the Jewish Quarter, the Danube promenade and the Hungarian Parliament Building are all good options for sightseeing.
Budapest also has markets, churches, stadiums, architecture, and smaller sights worth experiencing on a longer trip. The city centre also has a selection of bars and restaurants where you can take a break between visits. If short on time, there are guided tours and river cruises that cover the key sights.
If you want to visit the city’s attractions, consider the Budapest Card.
Best Things to Do in Budapest
The best things to do in Budapest for first-time visitors include visiting Fisherman’s Bastion, exploring Buda Castle, visiting Matthias Church, walking along the River Danube, relaxing in a thermal bath, visiting the Hungarian Parliament Building and St Stephen’s Basilica, sightseeing at Heroes’ Square, and spending time in the Jewish Quarter.
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament building is an iconic landmark and a must-see. It’s also special to view from across the river or on a boat trip.
Construction of this grand building was completed in 1902. It was designed in the neo-Gothic architectural style. It is the largest building in Hungary and has been so since its completion. Make sure to visit both sides when in the area. You can also book tickets to tour the inside.
Fisherman’s Bastion
The Fisherman’s Bastion is a fantastic place to explore and enjoy panoramic views across the River Danube. The area is popular and can get busy; however, it is accessible 24/7 for those who like to visit when it is quiet. The Fisherman’s Bastion is a decorative fortification with towers built between 1895 and 1902. The bastion has 7 turrets, built to represent the 7 Hungarian tribes that founded the country in 895.
If you get the chance, visiting the area before sunrise is wonderful. The bastion is one of the best places to watch the sunrise in the city.
Buda Castle
Buda Castle is a historical castle and palace complex with stunning buildings and monuments. You can walk through most of the complex for free. The castle has evolved over the years, with the original completed in 1265. The Baroque buildings date from the 16th century. One of my favourite parts of the castle area is the Matthias Fountain.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Hungary is famous for its thermal baths, and you can visit many. We visited the Széchenyi thermal bath in the City Park area and thoroughly enjoyed it. The thermal bath was very relaxing and architecturally impressive.
St Stephen’s Basilica
St Stephen’s Basilica is an iconic church on the Pest side of the river. The basilica is named after Stephen, Hungary’s first king. It is the third largest church in the country. St Stephen’s Basilica was built in the neoclassical style and completed in 1905. The church regularly hosts classical music concerts, and you can also enjoy a tour inside.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a 19th-century suspension bridge spanning the River Danube between Buda and Pest. The bridge is often illuminated and offers a scenic walk by day or night.
Matthias Church
Matthias Church is right next to the Fisherman’s Bastion. Its spires and roof are striking, and the inside is spectacular.
The current church was built in the florid late Gothic style in the 14th century and has an interesting history, including spending 150 years as a mosque under Ottoman rule. Interestingly, two kings were crowned at Matthias Church.
Sightseeing Walk Along the River Danube
The River Danube is a prominent feature of the city and is a great option for a walk taking in amazing places of interest. This includes Buda Castle, the parliament, churches and an array of statues.
The river also passes grand buildings on the Pest side. River cruises visit Budapest, and as a regular visitor, you can enjoy a short sightseeing cruise to see the city from the water.
Dohány Street Synagogue
One of the most iconic buildings in the Jewish Quarter is Dohány Street Synagogue. Visiting the synagogue, you will learn about the Jewish Quarter’s history and its dark times. The museum features the era when the Nazis turned the Quarter into a ghetto, and many people forced to live there died. The synagogue is the largest in Europe and the fourth biggest in the world. It can seat up to 3000 people, and it is beautiful, too.
Night Out at the Ruin Bars
The Jewish Quarter has ruin bars, which are fun for a night out. Some of these are also good options for dining out or for a night out drinking. These are in formerly neglected buildings that have been brought back to life. We stayed in a hostel above one of these and spent evenings enjoying the atmosphere.
Gellért Hill & Baths
Gellért Hill is a pleasant place for a walk in nature with sights and views mixed in. At the peak of the hill is Citadella, a historic fortress with one of the best panoramic views of the city’s key sights. Szabadság-szobor is a grand monument in the citadel, visible from many parts of the city.
At the bottom of the hill are the Gellért Baths, the Gellért Hill Caves and a waterfall. The caves were interesting; the walk was steep but worth the climb, and the architecture of the baths and nearby buildings is great. Unfortunately, Gellért Baths are closed for refurbishment and will reopen in 2028.
Statues Throughout the City
One thing you will notice about Budapest is the sheer quantity of statues throughout the city. Many have historical significance, while others are less obvious. However, delving deeper, they all have connections to the city or to Hungary.
For example, you can also find the lucky policeman near St. Stephen’s Basilica, Ronald Reagan, the American president, and Peter Falk, a Hungarian actor best known for his role as Columbo.
One of the most poignant and most visited statues is Shoes on the Banks of the River Danube, Cipők a Duna-parton. It was created in 2005 to remember the Jews, whom the Fascist Hungarian militia massacred during the Second World War. Jews were shot on the banks of the river, and the water swept away their bodies. This memorial represents the shoes they left on the bank.
Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall is fantastic, especially if you are backpacking and cooking your own meals. It has a massive range of stalls for you to browse and buy local foods. This includes meats, sausages, vegetables and paprika.
There are also gift shops on the upper floor, ideal for souvenir lovers. The market hall was built in 1897 and is considered the most beautiful in the city.
Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square is large and features impressive statues and monuments. It also has fantastic architecture along its edges. This includes the Museum of Fine Arts and Kunsthalle, a neoclassical art gallery. Heroes’ Square is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features statues of the leaders of 7 tribes who founded Hungary.
City Park
City Park is large and perfect for a walk, especially in autumn as the leaves fall. The park has a castle, lakes, thermal baths and a museum or two. It’s also home to the city’s ice rink in the winter.
Vajdahunyad Castle
Vajdahunyad Castle is a historic building in the City Park with a museum to visit and towers to climb. The castle was built in 1896 to celebrate Hungary’s 1000th birthday.
Walk on Margaret Island
Margaret Island sits in the middle of the River Danube and offers a nice area for walks and other activities. To reach the island, you can walk from Margaret Bridge, 15 minutes from the Hungarian Parliament. Trails explore the island and are also geared toward running and cycling. The island also offers sights to enjoy, including the picturesque Japanese Gardens.
Andrássy Avenue
Andrássy Avenue is a 2.5-kilometre-long tree-lined road famed for its architecture, including Neorenaissance palaces and the neoclassical Hungarian State Opera building. You can arrange a tour of the Hungarian State Opera or get tickets to a performance. Andrássy Avenue also has high-end stores and highly rated restaurants. It’s an ideal route to walk if heading from Heroes’ Square to the central areas of Pest.
More Things to Do in Budapest on a Longer Stay
Art Nouveau Architecture
Budapest has many grand buildings in the Art Nouveau style, also known as ‘Secessionist’. They’re quite decorative and worth keeping an eye out for. One of my favourite examples is the Párisi Udvar Hotel Building. You can also go inside for a coffee and see their amazing interiors.
Szabadság Bridge – Liberty Bridge
Another bridge across the Danube is the Szabadság (Liberty Bridge), which offers good views. This is the shortest bridge in the centre of Budapest, roughly 333 metres long. Construction began in 1894 and was completed in 1896.
The bridge was rebuilt in 1945 after suffering damage in World War II. Other features include Art Nouveau designs. Mythological sculptures adorn the 4 masts, and the Hungarian coat of arms appears on the side.
Liberty Square
Liberty Square has impressive buildings along its edges, along with several statues and monuments. One key sight in the square is the Exchange Palace.
The square’s centrepiece is the Soviet War Memorial, which commemorates the Russians who lost their lives in World War Two.
Gozsdu Passage
Gozsdu Passage is a cool place in the Jewish Quarter, and most establishments there are dedicated to fun. Gozsdu Passage is also home to a karaoke club, a games arcade, and a small market.
Ferris Wheel at Elizabeth Square
When visiting Budapest or any other city, we gravitate to town squares and parks, so we spent time with the dog in Elizabeth Square. This pleasant park has an ornamental fountain & some cafes. It is also home to the Budapest Eye Ferris wheel, which you can ride for city views.
Palace of Justice
The Palace of Justice is next door to the parliament building in Kossuth Square. It is a rather stunning building to look at from the outside. On my first visit to Budapest, the Museum of Ethnography was here, but it has since moved to City Park.
Rumbach Street Synagogue
Near the main synagogue is the Rumbach Street Synagogue, built in 1872 as a place of worship for Orthodox Jews. Notable Austrian architect Otto Wagner designed the building. The interior is magnificent and decorated in the Moorish style.
Jewish Ghetto Wall Fragment
The Jewish Ghetto Wall Fragment is a remnant and reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. This is the last remaining section of the ghetto wall, which is why it is significant. It’s quite tricky to find; many tours of the Jewish Quarter include a visit.
István Széchenyi Square
István Széchenyi Square is a pleasant place to visit near the river. You can find it on the Pest side of the river near the end of the Széchenyi Bridge. It is home to the city’s oldest tree. Stephen Széchenyi Square features grand buildings, including the Hungarian Academy of Sciences building and the Gresham Palace. The square also has monuments, including the Ferenc Deák Statue and the Count István Széchenyi Statue.
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Near the Elisabeth Bridge, which crosses the Danube, is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The church has a long and interesting history, including the burial of St Gellért in 1046. It has been reconstructed many times and is now built in the Neoclassical style.
Lutheran Church in Deák tér
The Lutheran Church is a lovely building and is the oldest and best-known evangelical church without a tower. The church dates from 1799 and was built in the neoclassical style. This is also the largest Protestant church in the city.
Puskás Aréna
If you’re a fan of sport or music, you might want to catch a match or a concert at Puskás Aréna. It’s a massive stadium with a capacity of 67,000. You can find event and tour information on their website.