Top 10 Places to Visit in Budapest

Budapest is one of Europe’s most breathtaking cities, blending rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. As someone who has explored its cobblestone streets, grand palaces, and hidden thermal baths, I can confidently say this city offers an unforgettable experience for every traveler.

Whether you're drawn to the majestic Danube River, the charm of Buda Castle, or the lively streets of Pest, Budapest is a destination that never disappoints.

I’ve uncovered the best places to visit in Budapest, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. If you're a history lover, the Hungarian Parliament Building and Fisherman’s Bastion will leave you in awe. For those who love relaxation, the world-famous Széchenyi Thermal Bath offers the perfect retreat. Foodies can indulge in authentic Hungarian cuisine at the Great Market Hall, while night owls will love the city's legendary ruin bars like Szimpla Kert.

This guide ensures you don’t miss any of Budapest’s top attractions, whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a week-long adventure. I’ll also share insider travel tips, including the best times to visit, how to get around, and must-try local experiences. Ready to explore Hungary’s enchanting capital? Let’s dive into the most incredible things to do in Budapest and make your trip unforgettable.

Best Places to Visit in Budapest

1. The Parliament, a must-see in Budapest

Parliament of Budapest

It is not only one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest, but it is probably the most spectacular parliament in the world . And although size does not usually matter, this is the third largest parliament in existence, after those in Bucharest (Romania) and Buenos Aires (Argentina).

It is located on the banks of the Danube, in the Pest part, and has a particular neo-Gothic style that, apparently, was inspired by the British Parliament. Don't just look at it from the outside, there is the possibility of joining a guided tour in Spanish for about €10, but remember to book in advance on its official website .

With this visit to the interior of the Budapest Parliament you will be able to see its most important rooms, such as the Dome Room (where one of the country's symbols is displayed: the Crown of St. Stephen , the country's first king, along with the sceptre, the orb and the sword), or the Upper House which is no longer in operation, and some other curiosities (we don't want to give spoilers but until recently the air conditioning system was at least ingenious hehe).

Things to do

2. Cruise on the Danube

One of the best views of Parliament is from the Danube itself. How? On a cruise , of course! There are several companies that offer tours along the calm waters of Europe's most cinematic river, both during the day and at night.

The one we took leaves from Pier 42 and goes to the Liberty Bridge, where it turns around. In total it is a 1 hour ride , crossing the historic centre of Budapest at night. When the sun sets and the city is filled with lights, the atmosphere takes on romantic and charming hues that are impossible to resist. And even less so if when you get on they give you a glass of champagne – cheers!

3. Jewish Quarter and Great Synagogue

Jewish Quarter Budapest

Unfortunately, there are still places where the horror of the Holocaust is still imprinted on the sidewalks, walls and streets. One of them is Budapest. Walking through the Jewish quarter is a necessary awareness to understand the soul of the city, its past and its present.

From the Great Synagogue , the second largest in the world after the one in New York , to the Tree of Life , a sculpture representing a huge weeping willow, where each silver leaf remembers someone who has disappeared. From the Jewish Cemetery , passing by a section of the wall that surrounded the former ghetto, to the mural that remembers Ángel Sainz, the Angel of Budapest. Streets that were crowded together in a town awaiting its sad fate.

We highly recommend taking a free thematic tour to learn more about the Jewish Quarter of Budapest and this period of history that was unfortunately repeated in so many other cities. Our guide Antonio (a Murcian passionate about history and the city) was able to make us hear the loudest noise of all: the silence of those who are no longer with us.

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4. Central Market, a must-see place in Budapest

Budapest Central Market

Not far from the Jewish quarter, another must-see in Budapest awaits us: the Central Market Hall , the perfect place to get started in Hungarian cuisine . It was opened in 1897 and has since housed the largest covered market in the country.

On its two floors, fresh products are sold, there are bakeries, pickles, cafes… And among all the stalls, you can’t miss the foodie souvenirs , where you can get a paprika bag, a bottle of Unicum or Tokaj liqueur. But you can also find hand-embroidered tablecloths and towels, magnets and everything that a tourist “needs”.

5. Ruin Bars, the most fun places to visit in Budapest

Ruinpub Budapest — Ruin bars (or ruin pubs) are one of those must-see places in Budapest

We have to point out one thing: ruin bars are no longer what they used to be. They were born as a way of making the most of run-down and ruined premises , which the city council rented for four duros to young entrepreneurs. They decorated them with literally any recycled material (from bathtubs to old TVs, from broken sofas to broken mirrors...) and transformed them into colourful, alternative and cheap bars .

But hey, don't be sad, they are still colorful and alternative, but not too cheap (at least NOT the cheapest in the city).

There are a few scattered around the historic centre of Budapest, the most famous being the legendary Szimpla Kert , the Instant Fogas , the Mazel Tov (which is the least ruin bar there is) or the Púder Bárszínház.

6. Buda Castle and Fisherman's Bastion

Fisherman's Bastion

Fun Things to do

The Castle District occupies a hill in the Buda area. It is the oldest part of the city and still retains a medieval atmosphere from its past, with colorful houses, cobbled streets and high roofs, which makes it quite unique. Here, there are a handful of places that you should definitely visit:

› Buda Castle

Don't expect a castle with crenellated towers and thick walls, it actually looks more like a fortified palace. And it makes sense: the country's kings once lived here. Today the complex houses a library and two museums, the Budapest History Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery.

› Fisherman's Bastion

One of the most fascinating places to visit in Budapest, and one that usually fills the Instagram feed of those who visit the city. It is a series of corridors and towers (there are 7, in honour of the 7 founding tribes of the country) that offer the best views of Budapest. It is free, but going up to the upper gallery has a price (we don't think it's worth it).

› St. Matthias Church

Right next to the Fisherman's Bastion we find this beautiful neo-Gothic church with its colourful and picturesque roof. Without a doubt the most spectacular of the churches in Budapest. Entrance costs 2,000 HUF and climbing the tower costs an extra 2,200 HUF.

Of course, there are many more things to do in Buda, such as exploring the Hospital in the Rock (4,000HUF for a 1.5-hour guided tour) or the Castle Labyrinth (3,000HUF) , climbing up to the Citadella viewing platform , or visiting a spa in the area (such as Gellert or Rudas).

By the way, to get up to this area you can do it on foot (there are several flights of stairs, but it is our favorite) or by the historic funicular opened in 1870 that leaves from the end of the Chain Bridge (one way 1,4000HUF, return 2,000HUF).

7. Budapest Spas (Széchenyi Baths)

Széchenyi Baths

Did you know that Budapest is a spa city ? Its more than 100 hot springs have been used since Roman times, although it was the Ottomans who made them fashionable. In fact, some beautiful baths from that time are still preserved.

So, one of the most fun and at the same time relaxing plans in the Hungarian capital will be to spend the morning, afternoon or evening soaking in thermal waters. But which spa should you choose? There are quite a few thermal centres, but if we had to choose one, we would go to the Széchenyi Baths , with its outdoor pools.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, flip-flops and a cap (only if you want to swim in the central pool, you don't need to swim in the other pools). And don't be afraid of the winter temperatures: once you've had a dip, you'll be in heaven. Book online to benefit from a discount.

8. Andrassy Avenue, the main artery of Budapest

Heroes' Square Budapest

The Széchenyi Baths are located in the heart of City Park , connected to the centre of Budapest by Andrassy Avenue , a boulevard of more than 2 km, where some of the most stately and elegant buildings in the city stand (many of them occupied by embassies or headquarters of famous companies).

So our advice is to go through it all. And if you're lacking reasons, we'll give you two more that will encourage you to do so:

› Terror Háza (House of Terror ). The place where the Nazis before and the Communists after, locked up and tortured their enemies. Today it houses a museum with permanent (paid) and temporary (free) exhibitions. More info .

› Heroes' Square . This is a monumental square where the statues of the leaders of the 7 tribes that founded the country stand out. On its sides, there are also two striking buildings: the Museum of Fine Arts and the Kunsthalle (Academy of Arts).

› City Park (or Városliget Park) . One of the green spaces in the city, where we find the Vajdahunyad Castle and the statue of Anonymus (thanks to whom we have knowledge of the history of Hungary). In winter they set up the largest ice rink in Budapest here.

› Cafés and restaurants . Along the avenue there are plenty of small cafés with terraces where you can fill up on caffeine and vitamin D, and restaurants where you can try local cuisine, such as Regös Vendéglö.

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9. St. Stephen's Basilica, the most important religious temple

St. Stephen's Basilica Budapest

In the first point we saw that St. Stephen was the first king of Hungary , and in this basilica, the largest in the city, one of his relics is preserved: a hand ! People who are easily impressed should abstain :-/

But beyond seeing a piece of a king, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest , with its two large bell towers that accompany the central dome standing out on the outside, and an interior full of decorations, marble, frescoes and sculptures.

To enter they ask for a donation of 200 HUF (about 0.60 €) but our advice is to spend an extra 1,000 HUF to also go up to the dome viewing platform , from where you will have some unforgettable views of the city.

At Christmas time, you can stroll through a beautiful Christmas market in front of the Basilica . Here we tell you about the best things to do at Christmas in Budapest .

Fun fact : did you know that the highest point of this Cathedral and the Parliament is exactly 96 metres ? For Hungarians, 96 is a magic number (the nation was founded in 896 – they got rid of the 8 and kept 96) and the fact that both the political and religious power headquarters are the same size is meant to symbolise equality between the two institutions.

10. Chain Bridge, another must-see in Budapest

Chain Bridge Budapest

The Chain Bridge, with its guardian lions , is one of the emblems of Budapest and therefore a must-see. Not only because it is logistically the best way to cross from Buda to Pest (or vice versa) but because it is a true masterpiece.

It was the first permanent bridge built in Hungary, to connect both banks of the Danube (1849). During the Second World War it suffered a terrible fate: the Nazis blew it up, and it was not rebuilt until 1949 (coinciding with the centenary of its inauguration).

NOTE: The bridge is currently undergoing restoration work, which is expected to last until 2023.

These are the 10 must-see places in Budapest . Do you agree with our recommendations? What are, in your opinion, the best places to visit in Budapest?

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