A trip to the central European country of Hungary's capital Budapest is a treat for the senses.
Before our trip in July 2023, I'd read many good things about Budapest. Still, nothing could have prepared me for the sensory overload of awe-inspiring architectural marvels we saw on this trip.
The city is a kaleidoscope of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque Revival and Romanesque architecture with some buildings dating back to the 13th century. Also, the entire city is decorated with statues of kings, martyrs, poets and heroes, even anti-heroes from the Communist era!
Little wonder then that Budapest is considered a hot tourist spot for Europeans who flock to this land-locked land from neighbouring countries and international tourists alike.
Here are a few handy pointers for your visit to Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is rated as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Adding to the zing of the city is the River Danube that bisects the city into 2, Buda, the hilly district and Pest, the flat plain land.
The Hungarian capital is safe for tourists and most people dealing with tourists speak English.
The official currency is Forint. Please remember to exchange the currency you carry only at authorised exchange centres.
Hungary is world-renowned for its rich thermal and mineral water resources. While in Budapest, don't forget to indulge yourself in a hot thermal bath. There are many options available. I have written a detailed blog on our thermal bath experience in Budapest.
The Hungarian Parliament is a gem that has to be seen. It's rated as the 10th most popular landmark in the world as per Trip Advisor's travellers. I can tell you, it'll leave you wonder-struck for sure!
Budapest is very well connected with trams and metro lines. Metro Line 2 is the famous Yellow Line in Budapest that goes past many scenic landmarks. Just hop on into the tram and gape at the sights from the tram while resting your feet!
Buying the Budapest Card is a good idea, it will cover a lot of attractions and travel within the city on public transport. You can buy a travel pass for 1-day, 3-day or weekly. Check their official website for more details https://www.budapestinfo.hu/en
Remember to validate your tickets as you start your journey. Ticket checks are done very frequently and there is a heavy fine for carrying unvalidated tickets.
Many attractions lie within walking distance of the Hungarian Parliament, so you may want to plan to see all these on the same day. I have given some walking tips for each of these attractions below.
We had 5 days in Budapest, so there was ample time to wander around and enjoy these sights. But if you have less time on hand, then you may start from the top of this list and try to cover as many attractions as time permits.
Now let's start with what to do and see in Budapest with my personal
15 Must-See Attractions list...
Budapest's Castle District
Visiting the Buda Castle can be a delight for the senses. It lies on the Buda side of the city facing the Hungarian Parliament on the opposite side of the River Danube.
Read more about this amazing landmark in the heart of Budapest by clicking on the link below
Hungarian Parliament Building
As per Trip Advisor's Travellers, the Hungarian Parliament is the 10th most popular landmark in the world!
Located on the banks of the River Danube on the Pest side of Budapest is this stupendous building.
Read more about it by clicking on the link below
Shoes on the Danube
Walk about 300 meters south of the Hungarian Parliament to reach this memorial on the bank of the Danube.
It was erected in 2005 as a poignant reminder of the Jews who were shot by the Arrow Cross Party, an anti-semitic organisation supported by Hilter and thrown into the water during World War II.
There are 60 pairs of metallic shoes, including some for women and even children, strewn on the edge of the river bank to mark the site.
The area wears a veil of sadness amid all the revelry around the river.
Sźechenyi Chain Bridge
Straddling the banks of the River Danube on the west side of Buda and the east side of Pest, the beautiful Sźechenyi Chain Bridge is one of the most visited landmarks of Budapest.
The bridge was inaugurated in 1849 and was the first permanent stone bridge connecting the two parts Buda and Pest at the time.
You will have to walk for about 15 minutes from the Hungarian Parliament Building, along the River Danube, to reach the Chain Bridge on the Pest side.
The bridge with its iconic towers has been featured in many prominent movies, so looking at it from a distance gives a very familiar feeling.
You can see so many people walking on the side rails on both sides of the bridge.
Liberty Bridge
Walk for about 30 minutes from the Chain Bridge on the Pest side of the city along the river southwards to reach this beautiful green-coloured bridge running over the River Danube.
The bridge lies approximately 2 kilometres away parallel to the famous Chain Bridge and is as beautiful.
St. Stephen's Basilica
Just a 15-minute walk away from the Hungarian Parliament Building is the magnificent structure of St. Stephen's Basilica. If you're not up for walking, then you can also take Tram line 2.
The Basilica is considered the most sacred Catholic church in Hungary named after Stephen, the first King of Hungary. Now, the most important relic held by the church is the mummified hand of King Stephen.
Interestingly, the elevation of the church is equal to that of the Hungarian Parliament. I believe this is symbolic to establish the equal status of both the church and the state of Hungary.
Entry to the church is free but you have to buy a ticket if you wish to see the dome.
My Tip -
We did not buy the ticket to see the dome because, one we had less time and two, there are 364 spiral steps to climb to the top. There is an elevator too but at the time of our visit, the place was quite crowded with a long queue.
There is a very nice square outside the church with some great places to sit and relax.
Heroes Square
Very close to St. Stephen's Basilica is the famous landmark of Budapest, Heroes Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Heroes Square is to Budapest what Arc de Triomphe is to Paris!
In the centre of the square is a tall column called the Millenium Monument which was erected in 1896 to commemorate 1000 years of the formation of the Hungarian Nation hence the name.
On top of the column is the statue of Archangel Gabriel holding the crown of St. Stephen, the first king of Hungary. The lower end of the column is encircled by stunning equestrian statues of the chieftains of the seven Hungarian tribes.
On both sides of the column, you will see two colonnades with lifesize statues of several prominent Hungarian leaders.
My Tip -
This stunning monument is a celebration of Hungary as a nation.
Located at the far end of Andrassy Avenue, it is a must-see attraction in Budapest.
Andrassy Avenue is a World Heritage Site boulevard that connects Downtown Budapest with Varosliget or City Park. The 2-kilometre-long street is lined with buildings of varied architectural styles and gets wider as you keep walking towards Heroes Square.
The Fine Arts Museum flanks Heroes Square on one end and the Mucsarnok Art Gallery on the other.
If you have time, then walking towards Heroes Square from Andrassy Avenue can be quite an enthralling experience.
Sźechenyi Thermal Baths
Budapest is called the City of Baths as it's blessed with natural hot springs loaded with medicinal qualities.
While in Budapest, a visit to these baths can be an invigorating experience, literally!
Read more about our amazing day out at the Sźechenyi Thermal Baths by clicking here
Ruin pubs Budapest - Szimpla Kert
Before visiting Budapest, I thought that 'ruin pubs' was just a cool name for pubs in the city. But interestingly, 'ruin pubs' are pubs that are located in actual old ruins!
Read more about this rocking pub culture in Budapest by clicking on the link below
Gellert Hill
Named after the first Bishop of Hungary, Saint Gerard or Gellert in Hungarian, Gellert Hill is the everlasting symbol of Budapest.
It is visible from many places around the Castle District and also very clearly from the Liberty Bridge.
Gellert Hill is the site of the famous fortress, called Citadella in the local language and its iconic Statue of Liberty.
The statue was erected in 1947 to celebrate Hungary's freedom from Russia in World War II which also ended Hungary's occupation by Nazi Germany.
The Liberty Monument shows a lady carrying a palm frond in her two outstretched arms to proclaim peace and freedom for Hungary.
My Tip -
Citadella Bus number 27 will take you right to the top of the hill. I don't remember the name of the bus stop, I'm afraid, but you'll see many tourists getting down there, also the bus driver will tip you off.
If you're up for a good hike, then you can also walk for 20 to 25 minutes to reach the hilltop. The hike is very steep but it can also be a lot of fun as you catch beautiful scenic views of the city along the way.
On the way back, you can walk down towards the Liberty Bridge.
The Citadella was closed for renovations in July 2023. But we still got beautiful views of the city and the Danube River from the top.
Dohány Street Synagogue
Located in the Jewish Quarter of Pest, this Great Synagogue of Budapest is the largest in Europe.
The complex has 4 main attractions, the Heroes' Temple, Cemetery, Jewish Museum and Memorial.
The striking outer facade of the synagogue is a fine example of Moorish architecture.
My Tip -
The synagogue is very conveniently located very close to Elizabeth Square.
One can visit the complex only through a conducted tour.
The place is massively crowded, so making bookings beforehand is a good idea if you wish to see it from the inside. We did not have a pre-booked tour, we had to contend with looking at the synagogue from the outside only.
There are many tour options available.
Please refer to their official website before your visit at https://www.greatsynagogue.hu/gallery_syn.html.
Memento Park
A half-day trip to this park from Budapest will take you on a lesson in history on the rise and fall of the communist regime in Hungary.
Click on the link below to learn more about this unique cultural attraction
Ferris Wheel Budapest at Elizabeth Square
About a 10-minute walk away from Dohany Street Synagogue and very close to the Deak Ferenc Station, you will see the huge circle of the Ferris Wheel at Elizabeth Square.
The square has shops, eateries and some grassy patches that come alive in the evenings.
My Tip -
The ticket price for the Ferris Wheel is 11 EUR for adults for a 10-minute ride. Undoubtedly, one gets beautiful views of the city from the top of the wheel, but then you get these scenic views from so many other places as well. I found the ticket price a bit steep and not value for money. View from the top ...
Margitsziget, Margaret Island in the Danube
This beautiful patch of verdant greens lies in the Danube River between Buda and Pest.
The park has many attractions to see and lots of things to do.
You can rent a 3-wheeler bike which is an absolutely fun thing to do and go around the park.
There is a Water Tower which one can climb for a small fee for beautiful vistas all around. The park also houses Palatinus Strand, a thermal bath pool that Budapest is so well known for.
You can also visit the Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden. The highlight of the park is the Musical Fountain. The fountain is lit every evening and plays a melody 3 to 4 times a day.
My Tip -
We went to the island by taking the tram line 4. Entry to the park is free and it's always open.
But the best time to go is during the afternoon and wait for the musical fountain to be lit up.
The water tower was closed on the day we went.
You can refer to the official website of the park for more info before your trip at http://margaretislandbudapest.com/.
Cruise on the Danube River
The River Danube bisects the city of Budapest into two parts, Buda and Pest. Buda side has the famous Buda Castle District and right opposite on the other bank of the river is the Hungarian Parliament.
The river cruises ferry tourists along the length of the river between the two famous bridges, the Chain Bridge and the Liberty Bridge.
A lot of companies offer cruise services and tickets are easily available online.
My Tip -
We had booked a Budapest Evening Cruise via getyourguide.com. It lasted for 2 hours and included a free welcome drink on board. There were packages for drinks with dinner as well.
In my honest opinion, the cruise was okay, nothing spectacular because cruises confine themselves to the length of the river between the 2 bridges as I've mentioned earlier. There are a whole lot of commercial office buildings to be seen once the boat goes past the parliament building and the Castle District.
Apart from these Top 15 Attractions, you can also visit -
Vajdahunyad Castle
This castle was built only about 100 years back in the year 1896 for the Millennial Celebration of the State of Hungary.
The castle is located in the City Park very close to Heroes Square.
We did not go inside the castle for lack of time. We spent some time in the park around the castle which is very beautiful.
Central Market Hall
The Central Market Hall of Budapest is a great place to be where you can eat, buy fresh groceries, taste authentic Hungarian dishes, buy trinkets and spend time loitering around.
The market hall opens weekdays at 6 am and closes at 6 pm on most days. It's closed on Sundays. The closing hours alter between days of the week, please check the timings before your visit.
Hungarian State Opera
The beautiful Renaissance and Baroque building of the Hungarian State Opera lies on Andrassy Avenue in Central Budapest.
The structure is very beautiful. You can take a guided tour of the opera or see one of the performances.
This is all of Budapest for you. After having spent 5 days in the Hungarian capital, I can say that it's undoubtedly one of the most alluring cities in all of Europe.