Three cities combined into one incredible place. Buda, on the left side of the Danube River, sits on top of the hill and overlooks the region. Pest (pronouced “Pesht”) is on the right side of the Danube and is a very flat area, where most of the parks and attractions sit. Óbuda sits to the north of the other cities, just past Margaret Island.
Architecture
The buildings in this city are the most unique I’ve ever seen. There are so many different architectural styles, even the same building could have different designs from over the centuries.
Ride the most scenic tram in Budapest
Enjoy scenic views of the city from the comfort of a public tram. Line 2 goes up and down the Pest side of the Danube. You pass by the main landmarks of the city, such as Buda Castle, Széchenyi Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge, the Parliament Building, and the Shoes on the Danube. It’s a great way to see the city without paying top dollar for a sightseeing bus, just pay for a regular tram ticket!
Erzsébet tér (Elizabeth Square)
A nice spot in the middle of the city to take a breather from all the commotion. There’s a few cafes, a beer garden, some stalls for street food, and plenty of space to just sit and relax. The Budapest Eye in the background is also particularly peaceful.
Szent István Bazilika (St. Stephen’s Basilica)
Be prepared to climb the 323 stairs to the top of the basilica. There is an elevator, but it only brings you up halfway, you still need to walk up the rest. For 500 HUF (~$1.80 USD) you can go up to the top and get a bird’s eye view of the city. I am not good with heights, and rickety old stairs scare the hell out of me, so getting to the top was not fun for me. The views are great and it’s nice to get away from so many of the people, even though the terraces themselves had a decent amount of people up there.
Take a tour at the Parliament Building
The different architectural styles of the Parliament makes it easily one of the most beautiful places in Budapest. Built in the late 19th century to mark the unification of the three cities to become the nation’s capital, and an international competition was held to find the designer. To be able to see the interior of this gorgeous you can join in on a 45-minute tour.
Find the Statues
The city is full of life-like statues scattered around in the most unsuspecting places. Most are placed as if they were regular human beings in the street. See how many you can find!
Cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
The first permanent bridge connecting Buda and Pest, built in the late 19th century. It was rumored that the sculptor forgot to carve tongues in the lion statues, which ended up causing a big fuss. Don’t worry, they’re there. From the ground they’re practically invisible, but if you climb up close you can see for yourself.
Ride up to the top of Buda Hill on the Funicular
For a quick way up to the top of Buda Hill, you can take the funicular for 1,200 HUF. We were the only ones on it at around 8 am, and for good reason. It was dreary and cold out, not very good sightseeing weather. The ride up the hill was only about 30 seconds, and saves you from walking uphill. It’s a fun ride, but very anticlimactic, and what you can see from the car isn’t any different than any other point on the top of the hill.
Mátyás Templom (Matthias Church)
Originally built in the 11th century, Matthias Church is the second largest church in Budapest and seventh in the country. Over the centuries, many coronations, religious ceremonies, and funerals have taken place here. The stained glass and the exterior tiling are definitely something to admire. If you are okay with heights and climbing lots of stairs, for a small entry fee you can head up to the observation deck in the tower of the church.
Halászbástya (Fisherman’s Bastion)
Little known fact, if you arrive before 9 am or after 8 pm, the upper terraces are free to enter. Otherwise, it costs 800 HUF per person to go up. The views from the top are stunning, and if you have a clear day you can see the Parliament Building perfectly. If you get there around 8:30 am, the area still is pretty empty and you can walk around without all the crowds.
Buda Castle
Once the home to the royals of Hungary, now still in use as several museums for visitors to come see. From the several times it’s been destroyed and rebuilt, you can see he different architectural styles in the castle. The castle is always open, so you can make the trip whenever you feel like. The grounds are enormous, so there’s plenty to see.
Shoes on the Danube Bank
A simply moving art piece along the Danube in between the Parliament Building and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. During WWII, over 3,500 people were shot and killed at the riverside, 800 being Jews. The iron shoe sculptures were meant to represent those who were forced to remove their shoes before being shot, and their bodies being carried away by the river.
Central Market Hall
As soon as you walk in, you feel like you’re in a converted train station filled with souvenir shops. That’s the beauty of the market. Rows and rows of shops and people haggling over spices and goods. Right next to the authentic handmade Hungarian toys and decorative pieces you can find a stall hawking made in China “I ♥ BUDAPEST” shirts. On the ground level you see mostly locals buying up food for their daily shop, on the upper level it’s mostly souvenirs and some restaurants. While exploring on my own, I wandered down to the basement and found several stores selling the same souvenirs as upstairs – but for less than half the price! I bought myself some mugs for 250 HUF each, and a snowglobe with the Fisherman’s Bastion in it for around 1,000 HUF, and upstairs they were selling the same one for more than 3,000! If you go to the market, definitely buy some Hungarian paprika, it adds a kick to any recipe.
Gellért Hill and Citadella
Come here for sunset, you will not regret it. It is a bit of a hike up, but if you want you can take bus line 27 to the top of the hill and walk a short distance. The hike up should only take about 15 minutes, but plan for it to take longer. We stopped so many times to see all the playgrounds and to take pictures we got to the top just as it was getting dark. The city is incredible from above, and when it lights up, it’s magical.
Jewish Quarter
Once a sprawling community for the Jews in Budapest is now the up and coming neighborhood with Ruin bars, street art, and trendy restaurants. Take a visit to the Dohány Synagogue, which is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. The exterior alone is just magnificent, and if you get the chance the trip inside is worth it.
Related Content: Jewish Budapest
Visit a Ruin Bar
Ruin bars are a staple in modern Budapest, since they are abandoned pre-war buildings turned into bars. From the outside, they just look like normal buildings, no sign of being a loud bar. Once you’re inside you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to another dimension. None of the furniture makes sense, there’s art all over the walls, and the party doesn’t stop.
See the House of Terror
Witness the effects of communism and fascism on the Hungarian people during the twentieth century. It’s on the heavier side of Budapest’s history, but I feel like it’s important to come during a visit here. The museum is like a maze, and at certain points you for sure feel like you’re being watched or there’s something lurking around the corner, which is exactly what it was like to live in WWII and Cold War eras Budapest. Thousands of people were killed in this building, and the orders to send even more to their deaths took place at 60 Andrassy Boulevard. The basement is where the torture took place, and the gallows are still up. No one was safe from the regimes that plagued the country. You walk down the halls of the museum and feel chills. In one part of the museum you can also see the war-time propoganda covering the walls with happy and smiling faces with bright flashy colors. Right outside the museum is a piece of the Berlin Wall and a chain wall to represent the Iron Curtain that kept Hungary under the control of the USSR for so many years.
Hősök tere (Heroes Square)
A monument at the end of Andrassy Boulevard to commemorate the Hungarian kings, other prominent Hungarian figures, and the seven chiefs of the Magyars (modern day Hungarians). In the center, the archangel Gabriel towers above the square, holding the crown of St Stephen and the apolistic double cross.
Take a soak at one of the many bathhouses
Visiting a bathouse in Budapest is a given. The underground thermal springs make for such a relaxing spa day. There are so many baths to choose from, and each one is so different from the next. Do you want to just soak and relax in peace or do you want to party in the pools? We picked Széchenyi, since it was the biggest, but it was a tough call between this and Gellért baths, which is supposed to be the most beautiful. We opted to get a cabin, which cost 5,700 HUF each, since we could change inside and have our things locked up. It was only an extra 500 HUF to get a cabin, so we decided to splurge a bit. The big main pool wasn’t open since it was undergoing renovations, but the two smaller main pools were still open. This included the circular wave pool which everyone who visits should definitely try, and the outdoor thermal pool which is set to a sizzling 38° C (100.4° F). If you want to do a polar plunge without going to Antarctica you can jump into one of the cold pools which are 18° C (64.4° F).
Budapest Zoo
Right next to the Széchenyi Baths is the zoo, which is my place to be. It’s a pretty sizable zoo, with lots of animals you can walk right up to. It’s one of the oldest zoos in Europe, and the entrance is remarkable. Even though it’s a bit out of the way, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re a fan of animals.
Vajdahunyad Castle
Located in the City Park, about a 5 minute walk from the Széchenyi Bath, this 1896 castle is not something you’d expect to find in the middle of a park. The castle is still in use for events and parties, and you can enter the museum and the tower for a fee. A favorite backdrop for wedding photos, look out for newlyweds around the castle.
Take a ride on the oldest metro in Budapest
The yellow line, or M1, goes right through the city and has a very short route. You can go end to end in less than 20 minutes. This historic metro was the first line to be built in 1896, and riding this line makes you feel like you went back in time. The loud buzzer warns you of the doors closing, but don’t worry, you can’t miss it.
Visit the fanciest McDonald’s in the world
If you’re heading to catch a train, or just want to stop for a coffee, check out the McDonald’s in the Budapest Nyugati station. The first location in Hungary in 1988, and what an entrance! Floor-to-ceiling windows, leather seating, the design has that vintage feel to it you wouldn’t expect in a McDonald’s.
Margaret Island
This little island in the middle of the Danube is the perfect place to take a walk and chill for a few hours to get away from the city. Being less than 3 km in length, you can see the whole island in a relatively short time. The island has everything: Japanese gardens, a petting zoo, thermal baths, Medieval ruins, a water park, and a musical fountain. The petting zoo isn’t just for kids, and you really can get up close to the animals, some will walk right up to you! I suggest heading to see the show at the musical fountain around sunset to really get the full effect. The music and lights change every hour, so it doesn’t get boring. Each show lasts around 15-20 minutes so grab a seat and enjoy.
Day Trip to Szentendre
The picturesque countryside of Pest is definitely something I recommend visiting when coming to Budapest. Located only about 40 minutes away by train from the city, it makes the perfect day trip. Tickets cost 310 HUF (~1 USD) each way, and can only be bought at the station before getting on the train. The train…
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International Itinerary 
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