Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a beautiful and affordable city to visit in Europe. Whether you are going with your family, on your first solo trip or with friends, Budapest is an amazing destination to choose. Having travelled here in 2019 and done all of the activities below, I have made a list of the 9 best places to visit in Budapest, Hungary.
Table of Contents
- General Information
- 1. Hungarian Parliament Building
- 2. Fisherman’s Bastion
- 3. St. Stephen’s Basilica
- 4. Shoes on the Danube Bank
- 5. Danube River
- 6. Buda Castle
- 7. Heroes’ Square
- 8. Széchenyi Lánhíd
- 9. Gellért Hill Vista Point Hike
General Information
How do you get around Budapest?
Budapest has very great public transit with their trams, buses and subway. In addition, it is very affordable. When I travelled to Budapest however, I did not use the public transit. Instead, I walked everywhere, planning my days in specific areas of the city. Budapest is an extremely walkable city so you can get away without using public transportation.
Where should you stay in Budapest?
I recommend staying in the city center, next to the main attractions. If you do not want to use public transportation, this will be super doable since you will be within walking distance of almost everything.
Click here to see all the accommodation options in Budapest. The accommodations are very affordable in Budapest. If you would like to save more and stay in hostels, click here for all your options!
Should I get an eSIM in Budapest?
If you aren’t from Europe or don’t have any plan that lets you use data in Budapest, I highly recommend for you to get an eSIM. Getting an eSIM makes accessing the Internet a stress free experience why you arrive in a new country. Click here to get an eSIM that you can instantly download!
Should I explore on my own or go with tours?
Whether you explore with tours or not really depends on your personal preferences. When I travel, I tend to prefer visiting without tours. The times I might do one tour is when the activity might be difficult to understand, so a guide would teach me a lot.
Click here to see all the amazing tours in Budapest. Below I will recommend to you some of the best tours from this list.
1. Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is a stunning architectural masterpiece located in Budapest. It’s a massive, grand building with a white exterior adorned with intricate details, statues, and spires. Sitting alongside the Danube River, it’s a symbol of Hungary’s rich history and democracy.
I highly recommend walking around the Hungarian Parliament Building. The architecture is stunning and great for photography. If you would like to visit the inside of the Hungarian Parliament Building, the entry is free.
2. Fisherman’s Bastion
The Fisherman’s Bastion is a picturesque terrace offering panoramic views of the city, including the Danube River and the iconic Parliament Building. Additionally, there’s a statue of King Stephen I of Hungary, the country’s first Christian king, on horseback near the entrance. It is a super picturesque location.
If you would like to visit with a guide to explain to you the history behind everything, I highly recommend this 3-hours walking tour. This also includes entrance to Matthias Church. You will be visiting the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace Gardens, the Savoy Terrace, the Matthias Church, and much more!
3. St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest is like a magnificent giant cake topped with a towering dome! It’s one of the biggest churches in the city and looks super grand with its stunning architecture and shiny marble floors inside. You can even climb up to the top for some awesome views of Budapest! Whether you’re into history, architecture, or just love beautiful sights, St. Stephen’s Basilica is definitely worth a visit!
If you want to visit the inside of St. Stephen’s Basilica, there is an entry fee. Click here to see the prices. The prices vary depending on if you want to simply visit the church, the terrace or both.
If you prefer visiting with a guided tour, I highly recommend this tour.
4. Shoes on the Danube Bank
The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a memorial in Budapest honouring the victims of the Holocaust. It’s like a quiet reminder by the river, with pairs of iron shoes lined up along the bank. Each pair represents the shoes left behind by Jewish people who were tragically shot and fell into the Danube during World War II.
5. Danube River
The Danube River is the second longest river in Europe, flowing through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and of course, Hungary. The river is located in the center of the city of Budapest, separating the city in two.
An amazing way to spend time on the Danube River is by doing a sightseeing cruise. Many companies offer an hour cruise along the Danube River, passing by some famous infrastructures in Budapest such as the Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament Building, Gellert Hill and much more! Click here to see the cruise I recommend! It is honestly such a good price and I recommend you to try!
6. Buda Castle
The Buda Castle in Budapest is like a real-life fairy tale castle overlooking the city. Inside, you can explore grand halls, beautiful courtyards, and even a museum that tells the history of Hungary. From the castle grounds, you get the most amazing views of Budapest.
To explore the exterior the of the Buda Castle, it is free. If you would like to visit inside, you will need to pay an entry fee.
7. Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square in Budapest is like a giant outdoor museum celebrating the country’s history and heroes. At the center stands a tall column topped with the Archangel Gabriel, surrounded by statues of famous Hungarian leaders and warriors. It’s a place where people come to admire the impressive sculptures, take photos, and soak in the patriotic atmosphere. The square is also a hub of activity, with events, festivals, and performances happening throughout the year.
8. Széchenyi Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest links the two sides of the city. It’s the oldest and most famous bridge in Budapest, stretching across the Danube River. Walking or driving across the bridge offers stunning views of the river and the city skyline, especially at night when the bridge lights up in a dazzling display.
There are many different viewpoints to see the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. It can be along the Danube River, on the bridge, or even at the Gellért Hill Vista Point. The bridge is walkable, so you can have fun crossing it by foot.
9. Gellért Hill Vista Point
The Gellért Hill Vista Point is a place that is less talked about, but I highly recommend for you to go if you have time! You can do a short hike to Gellért Hill Vista Point, and it will offer panoramic views of the city while being in a more quiet area. I recommend going at sunset because you will be able to see the glow of the sun on the city.
Jessie Across the World 