Budapest is hands down one of my favorite cities I’ve visited in Europe. It’s one of those cities I could easily return to for just a couple of days, hence why I’ve thought about the idea of living here for a couple of months.
The city is packed with cozy coffee spots (I absolutely love spending time in aesthetic cafés), but there’s also a lot of unique things to do in Budapest, which makes this place never boring in my opinion.
A couple of years ago, I’ve came to Budapest for a concert of Coldplay (finally can tick that one off my bucket list), which was honestly one of my most memorable city trips because of it. Besides the concert, we planned some days to explore several sights in the city.
In this guide, I’ll share with you some of the best things to do in Budapest, the things I loved and would absolutely do again.
Things to Do in Budapest: My Experience
A Budapest city trip was high on my must-visit in Europe list for a while. But somehow, it just didn’t happen, until I missed out on getting tickets in my own country for one of the concerts that was on my bucket list for as long as I can remember: Coldplay.
I started searching online and found that there still were some tickets available for several shows across Europe. We always wanted to visit Budapest, so 1 + 1 = 2! We managed to get tickets for the concert and thought; ‘Why not built a city trip around it?’. So, that’s exactly what we did!
Budapest seriously surprised me (obvi in a positive way) with how many different things there are to do, from historic buildings to impressive skyline views, to amazing local cuisine.
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Let’s quickly fill you in with some of the most iconic and impressive sights you really cannot miss during your trip to Budapest!
My Top Things to Do in Budapest
Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion is one of those magical places that looks straight out of a Disney movie. Sitting high on the Buda side, next to Matthias Church. Its white stone towers and stunning arches really gave a fairytale-like appearance that immediately stood out to me from the rest of Budapest.
The bastion is way newer than you’d probably expect, due to its medieval look, this really surprised me. It was built around the end of the 19th century as a part of the redevelopment of the Castle District. Each of the seven towers represents one of the tribes that helped establish Hungary.
There are many great spots to get a perfect glimpse of a huge part of the Pest area of the city. From the terraces, you can overlook the Danube River, and behind it, you’ll have a stunning view of the Hungarian Parliament Building, which will shine even more when the sun’s out!
Most parts of Fisherman’s Bastion are free to explore; however, the upper towers and terraces require a ticket, which will cost 1,700 HUF (€4,65) for an adult ticket.
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is a landmark that’s truly stunning in pictures and looks even more impressive in real life. Right on the edge of the Danube River, the building dominates the riverfront in a way that you can hardly miss.
The agreement to build the parliament was already made in 1880, even though the construction of the entire building was completed in 1902. The design was created by architect Imre Steindl, who passed away only a few weeks before his creation was fully finished.
Some parts of the building can be visited with a guided tour, while others are still used for parliamentary sessions and visits from foreign leaders.
I’d made sure to at least visit the building from both sides of the Danube; from the Buda side (Fisherman’s Bastion), you can get that spectacular ‘postcard’ view and from up close, you can actually see the tiny architecture details, which is super impressive to see.
Quick tip: go for a sunset or evening cruise on the Danube River, to see the Hungarian Parliament Building lit up, which gives such a unique view and it’s truly a worthy experience!
Buda Castle
Another one of the iconic landmarks and part of the skyline of Budapest, is Buda Castle. Nowadays the building has a mix of different architecture, as it has been rebuilt a couple times and expanded over the previous years.
There’s more than the castle itself to explore. You can walk around the courtyards and terraces for free and enjoy some of the most stunning views over Pest. I can highly recommend visiting the Budapest Historic Museum or the Hungarian National Gallery inside as well to learn more about the history of the country.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Széchenyi is the most famous thermal bath in Budapest, and seriously for good reason. It was the first thermal bath on the Pest side and has grown into one of the largest spas in Europe.
The setting is what makes this thermal bath so popular. The grand yellow Neo-Baroque building is surrounded by several outdoor and indoor pools, so even in winter it’s cozy to sit in the warm thermal bath while the air around you is freezing. That contrast is exactly what makes a visit here feel so typically Budapest.
I still regret not visiting, but during the period we were there in June, it was literally so busy that you couldn’t really enjoy having your own space. That’s why we decided to save it for another time of year, IF there’s still a month left when it doesn’t feel as busy as it did back then…
Ruin Bars
Go to one of Budapest’s ruin bars to fully experience the city’s nightlife. Most of them are built inside old, abandoned buildings in the Jewish Quarter. They are decorated with quirky, mismatched furniture, hidden rooms, and super cool street art.
I’m personally not a huge drinker, so I usually don’t spend much time in the party areas of a city. Still, I think the ruin bars are worth seeing at least once, even if you only stop by for one drink and have a quick look around. They’re a big part of Budapest’s nightlife culture, so you can expect to experience some crazy good parties over there!
Great Market Hall
If you want to see a more local side of the city, the Great Market Hall is a great place to start. It opened in the late 19th century, and the huge indoor market is packed with stalls where locals are selling fresh meats, spices, pastries, souvenirs, and high-quality Hungarian specialties.
It really doesn’t feel like just another sightseeing stop. You can wander around, try local snacks or even a full meal, pick up some fresh fruits or groceries, and feel a bit more like a local in the city. (even though it’s just for the day!)
I’d especially stop by around lunchtime, when you can combine a stroll through the market with having a freshly served lunch upstairs. This place is highly recommended, and I’d definitely choose it at least one time over all the trendy restaurants in the city.
Sunset at Danube River
Watching the sunset somewhere along the Danube River is one of the things you cannot skip when in Budapest. It’s easy to find a nice spot along the riverbank, watch the sun go down, and see magical colors fill the sky above the city.
The part that makes it so special is the view across the water, with the iconic landmarks and bridges catching the last bit of daylight. Take some drinks and snacks with you and you’ll have an amazing, relaxed afternoon and start of the evening!
Quick tip: watching the sun go down from Fisherman’s Bastion is truly spectacular, so I’d recommend going to this place early, as it can be quite crowded during sunset as everyone wants to catch a glimpse of it.
Shoes on the Danube bank
One of the most touching places you can visit in Budapest is the Shoes on the Danube bank. Along the river, you’ll find dozens of iron shoes lined up. It’s created as a memorial to Jewish victims who were killed in Budapest during World War II.
Behind the memorial is an unforgettable and dark part of Budapest’s history. Jewish victims were brought to the riverbank, where they were forced to take off their shoes before being killed and thrown into the Danube River.
The metal shoes serve as a quiet reminder of that dark chapter in the city’s history. I definitely think it’s worth stopping here for a few minutes and taking in the meaning behind the memorial.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
The church, named after Stephen I, the first king of Hungary, is an impressive eyecatcher, which can be seen from many parts of central Budapest.
From the inside, the basilica is just as stunning, with a richly decorated interior and spectacular detailed artwork. The most important thing to see inside is the Holy Right, one of Hungary’s most religious relics.
From the top of the church, you’ll get one of the best views over Pest and the rooftops of the city, which makes it a perfect sight if you like historical buildings and enjoy a great view!
FAQ About What to Do in Budapest
What to see in Budapest?
The city offers so many great things to do, from relaxing in one of the many thermal baths to walking around the dreamy Fisherman’s Bastion, having a local beer in one of the numerous cafés, or cycling from Buda to Pest. There’s a great mix of sightseeing, relaxing, and simply enjoying the atmosphere of the city.
How many days do I need to see all highlights of Budapest?
I’d say 3 or 4 days would be enough to see most of Budapest’s highlights without having to rush. It gives you time to explore the thermal baths, go on an evening river cruise, wander around Fisherman’s Bastion, and try some local cuisine in between.
Is Budapest worth visiting?
Oh, hell yeah! I’ve now been twice to the city, and I am sure it won’t be long until the third time. Budapest is such a lively, active and well-organized city. There’s loads of things to do, many amazing (local) restaurants and cafés where you can easily spend some of your time.
Final Thoughts About What to Do in Budapest
Like I already said at the beginning of this article, Budapest is never boring, as there’s always something cool to do or see, no matter what time of year you’re visiting the city.
Thermal baths, stunning viewpoints, historic buildings, local markets, wild nightlife; you can easily fill a few days exploring the city as a tourist.
My time spent in Budapest was during summer, so I can only confirm that you’ll have perfect long days for walks, sightseeing and spending much time outside as the temperatures are quite well (and sometimes insanely hot AF!) during summer months.
Although I must say, Budapest in winter really gives off cozy vibes as well, so I might write that one down and visit this beautiful city again during wintertime. In winter, you’ll be able to enjoy Christmas markets, go for long walks outside while sightseeing, and warm up in one of the many cafés afterwards.
Anyways, no matter when you’re about to visit, there are loads of major sights to see which I would personally mix with some slower activities like an evening river cruise for example.
Enjoy your time in Budapest and check out my other Budapest posts for more information about this interesting city.
Check My Other Budapest Blogs
Where to Stay in Budapest: Discover the Best Areas & Stays in Budapest
2 Days in Budapest Itinerary: How to Spend Two Days in the City
Is Budapest Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion
Check My Other Europe Blogs
The Best Cities to Visit in Europe in December: My Favorite Cities to Visit
