25 things TO SEE and do in BUDAPEST
Last Updated: 10/30/21 | October 30th, 2021
When I first went to Budapest, the gritty, rundown streets charmed me. Budapest felt edgy. This was a city of underground bars in abandoned buildings, hearty food, and major people.
Originally founded by the Celts around 1 CE, the region was later annexed by the Romans, who founded the city of Aquincum here (which present-day Budapest now covers). The Magyars eventually invaded the region after being pushed out of Bulgaria, founding the Kingdom of Hungary around the year 1,000. In 1361, the king built Buda castle here, solidifying present-day Budapest as the capital and cultural hub of the kingdom.
In 1873, the towns of Buda and Pest were merged with the third area of the city, Óbuda (Old Buda), to form modern-day Budapest.
Over the years, I’ve seen the city change as tourists discovered this hidden gem and made it not so hidden anymore. And, while no longer as edgy as it once was, Budapest is still one of the best cities in Europe. It provides some of the best nightlife on the continent, tons of beautiful districts, tons of spas and hot springs, spectacular historic buildings and museums, and lots of green space.
To help you make the most out of your next trip, here are my top 25 things to see and do in Budapest.
1. Take a totally free walking Tour
Whenever I arrive in a new destination, I always take a totally free walking tour. It’s a budget-friendly way to see the main sights, learn about the destination, meet new people and ask any questions you have to a local expert. They’re a quick and easy way to get an summary of a city, which helps you plan the rest of your trip. Budapest has a number of good totally free trips available. trip to Budapest and Generation trips both offer outstanding tours. just be sure to suggestion your guide!
2. soak at the Baths
Budapest is known for its thermal medspa baths (it’s one of the best things about this city). There are much more than 100 mineral hot springs here, numerous dating back to the Roman Empire.
The many popular is the Széchenyi Baths in City Park. With 18 pools, it’s the largest and many well-known in Europe. The historic buildings that house the medspa were built in 1913, and it’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Don’t forget your bathing suit and flip-flops (you can rent towels and lockers).
Állatkerti krt. 9-11, +36-20 435 0051, szechenyifurdo.hu. open daily from 6am-10pm. Admission starts at 5,300 HUF on weekdays and 6,200 HUF on weekends and holidays.
3. party at the destroy Bars
The nightlife in Budapest is one of the best in Europe — and destroy bars are a big reason why. located in the old Jewish Quarter (the district VII neighborhood), much of the neighborhood was left to decay after world war II. during the 90s, bars began to appear in the abandoned buildings in the area. Now, this underground scene is well on the map, but that doesn’t make these eclectic, arty, and funky spaces any less fun. Szimpla Kert and instant are my favorites.
For a much more comprehensive list, check out my post on the best destroy bars in Budapest!
4. See Castle Hill
This historic area is home to baroque houses and Habsburg monuments. cobblestone streets and narrow alleys that hark back to the city’s medieval roots parallel panoramic views of Pest and the Danube. This section of the city is actually a UNESCO world Heritage Site, with the Old town in the north and the massive palace to the south, which dates to the 13th century. You can get up the hill by bus or take the funicular but you often have to wait. The hill isn’t really that steep so I choose to walk.
5. trip Buda Castle
Also in the Castle hill area is Buda Castle (it’s much more of a palace complex than anything else). The original complex was constructed in the 13th century, however, the huge Baroque palace that exists today was actually built between 1749-1769. originally intended for the nobility, the palace was looted by the Nazis (and then the Soviets) during world war II.
Fun fact: below the castle, Vlad the Impaler (colloquially known as count Dracula) was imprisoned for 14 years. In the dungeon area, there is also a labyrinth which is very cool. There are some museums here as well (see below).
Szent György tér 2, +36 1 458 3000, budacastlebudapest.com. The courtyards are open 24/7 while the castle has hours that align with the museum and gallery (see below).
6. explore the medical facility in the Rock
Over the years, this museum has served as a hospital, bomb shelter, prison, and nuclear bunker. here you can learn about the impacts that world war II, the 1956 revolution, and the cold war had on the city and its people. opened in 2008, it’s one of the most popular attractions in town. Admission includes a one-hour guided trip of the museums, which has all sorts of wax figures, tools, equipment, and furnishings.
Lovas ut 4/c , +36 70 701 0101, sziklakorhaz.eu/en. open dai10h00-7pm. A admissão é de 5.080 HUF.
7. Visite a Galeria Nacional Húngara
Aberto em 1957, este museu se concentra em artistas e história húngaros (dos quais eu sabia muito pouco antes da minha primeira visita). A galeria está localizada no Castelo de Buda, lar de pinturas e esculturas da Renascença e Idade Média, incluindo retábulos de madeira dos anos 1400. Você também pode tropeçar a enorme cúpula do edifício. A galeria hospeda rotação exibições de curto prazo também, verifique o site para descobrir o que está acontecendo durante a sua visita.
1014 Budapeste, +36 20 439 7325, mng.hu. Abrir terça-feira-domingo 10 am-6pm (últimos bilhetes vendidos às 17h). Exposições de curto prazo são abertas apenas terça-feira-quinta-feira. A admissão é de 1.800 guias HUF e Áudio estão disponíveis para 800 HUF. Há um custo adicional para tirar fotos.
8. Vagar o Museu de História de Budapeste
Este museu abrange quatro andares do Castelo de Buda e tem as vistas mais notáveis de Budapeste. Oferece um extenso resumo da história da cidade. É um deve para alguém querer obter uma olhada muito mais abrangente no passado de 2.000 anos da cidade. Minha exposição favorita foi o visor “1.000 anos de Budapeste”. Certifique-se de obter o guia de áudio, pois oferece muitas boas informações suplementares. Vale a pena o custo.
2 Szent Gyorgy Square, +36 1 487 8800, BudacastleBudapest.com/Budapest-History-museum. Aberto terça-feira-domingo 10 am-6pm (4pm no inverno). A admissão é de 2.400 HUF (livre se você tiver o cartão Budapeste e em feriados nacionais).
9. Veja a igreja da caverna
Na década de 1920, os monges católicos construíram esta igreja em um grande sistema de cavernas que havia sido usado anteriormente por um monge eremita. Conhecida como a caverna de Saint Ivan, a caverna foi usada como uma instalação médica durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Quando os comunistas diziam respeito ao poder após a guerra, cobriram a entrada em concreto e realizaram o monge da cabeça. Em 1989, como a cortina de ferro caiu, a igreja foi reaberta e agora é um lugar popular para os turistas, bem como um local de adoração para os habitantes locais. Obtenha o guia de áudio para aproveitar ao máximo a sua visita. Há muita história aqui.
Sziklatemlom Ú Gellért Hill, Sziklatemplom.hu/web/fooldal.html. Abrir segunda-feira-sábado 9:30 da manhã às 17h30. A admissão é de 600 HUF.
10. Visite a Igreja de Matthias
Esta igreja católica romana neo-gótica é uma das igrejas mais distintas da Europa. Eu literalmente visto centenas de igrejas e catedrais em todo o continente e este é um dos mais distintos. A igreja original neste local foi construída no século XI, embora nada permaneça dele (o edifício atual foi construído no século XIV e foi fortemente renovado no século XIX).
Durante a invasão turca do século XVI, foi convertido em uma mesquita, e é por isso que tem cores dinâmicas e projetos que não são tão comuns nas igrejas européias (a igreja tem um sistema colorido que praticamente faz com que seja construído de LEGO). Uma vez lá dentro, você verá enormes tetos abobadados e decoração ornamentada.
Szentháromerg Tér 2, +36 1 355 5657, matyas-templom.hu. Aberto 9 am-5pm nos dias úteis, 9h-1pm aos sábados e 1 pm-5pm aos domingos. A admissão à igreja é de 2.000 HUF (2.200 HUF para a torre).
11. Visite o bastião do pescador
Construído entre 1895-1902, este terraço é composto por sete torres que olham para o rio. Cada um está implícito para representar uma das sete tribos húngaras que fundou a cidade. O terraço foi desenvolvido pelo mesmo arquiteto que criou a Igreja Matthias e oferece vistas panorâmicas espetaculares sobre o rio Danúbio. Lendas competentes dizem que o nome vem do fato de que o terraço tem vista para a antiga guilda dos pescadores ou que a guilda dos pescadores era responsável por proteger aquela área da parede. Ninguém é bastante certo que está certo.
Szentháromerg Tér, +36 1 458 3030, FishermansBasion.com. Aberto diariamente 9 am-11pm. A admissão é gratuita, com um custo adicional de 1.000 HUF para visitar as torres superiores.
12. Admire o palácio presidencial húngaro
O palácio presidencial húngaro tem sido o local de trabalho do presidente porque 2003. Conhecido como Sándor-Palota (Alexander Palace), não é tão excepcional quanto os edifícios circundantes, mas se você tiver a sua visita melhor, você pode ver a mudança da cerimônia de guarda No topo de cada hora das 9h às 17h (excluindo domingos). Em alguns casos, o palácio está aberto para viagens (mas isso raramente acontece, então não tenha suas esperanças).
Szent György Tér 1-2, +36 1 224 5000. A admissão à mudança da guarda é gratuita.
13. Veja a Torre de Buda
Esta “torre” reconstruída é tudo o que resta da Igreja de Maria Madalena, que foi originalmente construída no século XIII, mas foi destruída durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Quando os turcos ocupavam a cidade entre 1541-1699, a igreja foi convertida em uma mesquita. Reaberto em 2017 e agora você pode subir os passos 172 que resultam no topo. Dito isto, as vistas do Castle Hill são tão boas – e totalmente gratuitas – então eu pularia subir os degraus e apenas admirar esta torre histórica de the outside.
Kapisztrán tér 6, budatower.hu/en. open daily 10am-6pm (but only on the weekends in January and February). Admission is 1,500 HUF.
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14. walk across the Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge connects Buda with Pest and is a wrought-iron and stone suspension bridge. The bridge originally opened in 1849 but was damaged during world war II and had to be rebuilt. spend some time strolling across the bridge and taking in the view. Don’t miss Gresham Palace, located on the Pest side. It’s an Art Nouveau building that is now a luxurious four seasons hotel.
15. visit Parliament
Built on the Danube in 1902, this is the largest building in the country and home to the national assembly. This massive structure — which covers over 18,000 square meters — took practically 20 years to build after the three cities that make up modern Budapest (Buda, Pest, and Óbuda) united in 1873. The literal translation implies “House of the Nation” or “House of the Country.” You can take guided trips of the building where you can learn about the history of the city and how the government of the country works. (If you plan to visit, purchase your tickets in advancement as the lines can get really long.)
Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, +36 1 441 4415, parlament.hu. open daily 8am-4pm. Admission is 6,700 HUF for non-EU adults, 3,500 HUF for EU adults.
16. stroll Along the Danube
After going to Parliament, take a walk along the river. Head south to check out the promenade and its numerous green spaces and sculptures, including the sobering “Shoes on the Danube Bank,” a memorial honoring the Jews who were shot here during world war II. If you have a book or just want to take in the view, this is a reflective place to stop and relax.
17. eat at the great Market Hall
This is the oldest and largest indoor market in the country. built in 1897, there are mostly produce, meats, baked goods, and candy on the ground floor while the upper floor is home to restaurants and souvenir shops. It has a lot of conventional places to eat, so be sure to walk around and explore first. Yes, it’s touristy (it’s the central market, after all), but I still found the food quite good (and affordable). even if you don’t plan on purchasing anything, it’s still worth a quick visit to walk around.
Vámház körút 1–3, budapestmarkethall.com/great-market-hall-budapest. open Monday 6am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday 6am-6pm, and Saturday 6am-3pm. closed on Sundays. Admission is free.
18. admire St. Stephen’s Basilica
This is the largest church in Hungary. named after Hungary’s first king, the church is comprised of ornate architecture, beautiful artwork, and is crowned by a massive dome. It was completed in 1905 after taking 50 years to build. Be sure to check out all the little chapels as well as the reliquary that is (allegedly) home to St. Stephen’s mummified best hand. If you’re there on a Monday, they have organ recitals.
Szent István tér 1, +36 1 311 0839, bazilika.biz. open daily from 9am-7pm (opens at 7:45am on Sundays). entry to the basilica is by donation, though it’s 2,000 HUF per person for the tower/observation deck.
19. See Dohány street Synagogue
Also known as the great Synagogue, this is the second-largest synagogue in the world (it seats 3,000 people). built in 1854, the synagogue provides guided trips that shed lig