13 unforgettable experiences to enjoy in Budapest

The capital of Hungary is famous for its romantic architecture and picturesque streets; divided by the River Danube, it features stunningly lit bridges that make walking around a true delight.

Combine that with countless cultural events, historic landmarks, and the chance to relax in soothing waters at centuries-old thermal baths, along with a vibrant food and drink culture, and you'll find yourself wondering how to fit it all into one visit. Don’t fret, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Here’s our selection of the 13 must-do activities in lovely Budapest.

1. Explore the stunning neo-Gothic Parliament building in Budapest

The neo-Gothic Parliament building in Budapest gracefully curves along the Danube and stands as a true emblem of the city. It is home to the Holy Crown (used for crowning the nation’s monarchs since the 12th century) and other royal treasures.

Not far from the Parliament, you’ll encounter one of the city’s most poignant memorials – the Shoes on the Danube. This touching tribute honors the Holocaust victims who were forced to the riverbank on a dark winter’s day, ordered to remove their shoes before being shot and falling into the swift waters below.

Planning tip: English-speaking guided tours of the Parliament are available, but it’s advisable to make reservations in advance.

2. Enjoy a soak at one of the city’s remarkable thermal spas

Budapest is situated atop a network of thermal springs, where mineral-rich water emerges from the earth, leading to an abundance of thermal spas, many of which date back to the Turkish occupation. These healing waters are believed to cure nearly anything, making a soak in a thermal pool a must-do experience in Budapest.

The renowned Széchenyi Baths is the largest spa complex in Europe. Although it can feel like a tourist trap, its stunning architecture and outdoor pools still make it a delightful spot to visit. Other spas around Budapest offer unique features, like the rooftop hot tub at Rudas Baths.

Planning tip: For a more tranquil soak, Gellért Baths with its stained-glass windows and vibrant porcelain tiles is a fantastic choice.

3. Discover the Castle District

Perched atop the rolling hills of Buda, the former Royal Palace stands as one of the city’s most iconic structures. Having been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history, it now houses the Hungarian National Gallery along with significant temporary exhibitions.

Other notable sites include Fishermen’s Bastion, offering breathtaking views of Pest's skyline across the Danube. Just a short stroll away, the Gothic Matthias Church awaits on winding cobblestone streets.

For a sweet treat, visit Ruszwurm, Hungary’s oldest confectionery. The Hospital in the Rock Museum, filled with wax figures and authentic medical equipment, was once a real hospital beneath the Royal Palace. The historic funicular – one of the oldest in the world – quickly takes you up to the palace, or you can catch bus 16, which has numerous stops around the city, or simply hike up (it’s not as far as it looks, we assure you).

4. Enjoy a ride through downtown on Tram 2

Often hailed as one of the most scenic tram rides in the world, Tram 2 runs along the Danube's edge from Margaret Bridge (Jászai Mari tér) to south Pest. It passes all the key sights downtown, all for the cost of a standard public transport ticket.

Planning tip: A boat trip offers a charming alternative to the tram. If you'd rather not pay for a sightseeing cruise, public boats are available using a regular transport ticket.

5. Explore the religious relics within the Basilica

The grand St Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in the city, located just a short walk from Deák Square. Within its walls lies Hungary’s most treasured (and somewhat chilling) religious artifact – the embalmed right hand of St Stephen, the nation's founding king. Ascend the 193 steps (or take the elevator) to the dome of the basilica for breathtaking views of Budapest.

6. Wander down Andrássy Avenue and into City Park

Lined with upscale shops, cafes, and stunning architecture, tree-lined Andrássy Avenue is Budapest's equivalent of the Champs-Élysées. It starts behind the basilica and extends all the way to Heroes’ Square, one of the city's iconic landmarks. Along the way, you’ll encounter the Hungarian State Opera and the sobering House of Terror Museum, once the secret police's headquarters where victims endured horrific torture.

At the end of the avenue lies City Park. This is Pest's largest park, featuring a lake filled with rowboats that transforms into an ice rink in winter, the enchanting Vajdahunyad Castle, and Széchenyi Baths.

Planning tip: If the walk feels too long, the Millennium Underground, the oldest metro line in continental Europe, runs the entire length of Andrássy Avenue.

7. Enjoy a coffee at a historic coffeehouse

Budapest boasts a rich coffee culture that stretches back centuries, and its classic coffeehouses are truly remarkable. Many served as cultural hubs and gathering spots for Hungary's literary legends. The most famous is the New York Café, once hailed as the most beautiful coffeehouse in the world, where gilded and marble surfaces, deep reds, crystals, frescoes, chandeliers, and often live Hungarian music evoke the elegance of the fin-de-siècle era. Gerbeaud Café, Hadik, and Centrál are also fantastic choices for a nostalgic experience.

8. Take in the city from a viewpoint or rooftop bar

With the winding Danube, picturesque bridges, and breathtaking landmarks, Budapest is particularly stunning – and highly photogenic – from above. If you're up for a stroll, hike up to the Citadella and the Statue of Liberty on Gellért Hill for a spectacular view. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to relax with a drink, check out one of the city's numerous rooftop bars for a front-row view of Budapest.

Planning tip: Parts of the Citadella are currently undergoing renovations and might be inaccessible to visitors.

9. Spend a day on Margaret Island

Margaret Island is Budapest’s largest green sanctuary, reachable on foot from the middle of the yellow Margaret Bridge. The entire island serves as a vast park, featuring the ruins of a medieval church, a delightful Japanese garden, towering trees over a century old, and plenty of picnic spots.

Planning tip: Make your way to the island's highlight – a grand fountain that illuminates and ‘dances’ to music every hour from spring through winter. The 9pm performance includes a multimedia display featuring images of Hungary’s notable figures projected onto a water curtain.

10. Admire the unique architecture of the Great Synagogue

As the largest Jewish house of worship outside New York City, the Moorish-style Great Synagogue is one of Budapest’s most striking structures. Erected in 1859, this remarkable building boasts a crenelated red-and-yellow glazed-brick exterior and two towering spires, situated alongside the Hungarian Jewish Museum. The courtyard features the moving Holocaust Tree of Life Memorial, crafted by sculptor Imre Varga.

11. Enjoy vibrant nightlife at ruin bars and garden clubs

Budapest's nightlife is renowned worldwide, and no summer visit is complete without spending an evening at one of the city’s numerous kertek, or 'gardens.' These outdoor spaces transformed into entertainment venues can include courtyards, rooftops, and romkocsmák (ruin pubs) that have emerged from abandoned buildings. While many of these venues are seasonal and can vary each year, some of the most popular have become permanent fixtures open throughout the year.

12. Delve into history at Memento Park

Home to statues and memorials from the communist era, Memento Park is essentially a graveyard of socialist errors, or a carefully curated collection of historical artifacts. Located in southern Buda, it features around forty statues, busts, and plaques of figures like Lenin and Marx, as well as local enforcers such as Béla Kun. Marvel at the socialist-realist artworks and reflect on the fact that some were still being erected as late as the 1980s, remaining in their original spots until the early 1990s.

13. Explore the Buda Hills by train

While the Buda Hills may lack numerous attractions – although Béla Bartók’s house, where he spent his last year in Hungary, is open for visits – they provide a refreshing escape from the city's heat and dust during the summer months. One of the hills' main attractions is its unique transportation options: a narrow-gauge cog railway from the late 19th century transports you into the hills, a children-operated train crosses through them, and a chairlift carries you back down to the ground.