Budapest Attractions

First of all: Budapest surprised me! Not that I had prejudices or negative expectations. No - I had no clear idea of what to expect. I'll tell you directly: Budapest blew me away and captivated me with all its might!

I love cities by the water, whether by the sea or rivers. From now on, the Hungarian capital Budapest counts among my favorite cities in Europe. Budapest is perfect for a weekend trip. Affordable accommodations, great attractions, and a vibrant nightlife make the 'Pearl of the Danube' a highlight.

Budapest is not only the capital but also the largest city in Hungary, with nearly 2 million residents. It formed in the 19th century from the merger of Óbuda, Buda, and Pest. The two districts Buda and Pest are separated by the city's lifeblood - the Danube. A stroll along the riverbank impresses with stunning views of the Castle District in Buda.

By the way: The name Budapest is composed of the two districts Buda and Pest. Buda means 'hill' and Pest stands for 'flat'.

The most famous landmarks in Budapest, as well as the historically significant places and unique experiences in the city. In my opinion, these are the must-see sites during your first visit to Budapest.

These were our most important highlights in Budapest, summed up.

Of course, you can do so much more in the Hungarian capital. Below are the best attractions in Budapest. At the end of the article, I'll provide useful tips to plan your trip, so you're well-prepared for Budapest.

The Budapest Card is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours. With it, you can use public transport (except for the funicular) for free. There are also discounts for many attractions. You receive discounts at a total of 70 locations (museums, restaurants, etc...).

Free entry is available for 7 museums, two guided tours through Budapest are included, and the visit to Lukács Bath is also free.

I had the 72-Hour Budapest Card. It was really worth it for me. Order the Budapest Card here

You can redeem the card at Budapest Info Point Városháza Park, Liszt Ferenc Airport Budapest Terminal 2A, Ferenc Budapest Airport Terminal 2B, or Deák Ferenc tér M. against the voucher. You can find all information about the Budapest Card in this flyer.

To get a quick overview of all the attractions, I recommend you take a 4-hour bike tour through Budapest like I did.

At the top of the list is definitely the Danube panorama of Budapest, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987. At first glance, it becomes clear to me why the city is also called the 'Pearl of the Danube.' Especially the view from the Pest side's riverbank of the Chain Bridge and the adjacent Castle District, with the Castle or Royal Palace, Széchenyi National Library, National Gallery, Funicular, Fisherman's Bastion, and Matthias Church is breathtaking - both by day and at night.

-> Tips: Book tickets for excursions and tours online:

I always book tickets for tours and activities, such as private tours or airport shuttles, through Get your Guide. Here I know the quality is reliable and all providers are checked.

The best panoramic view over the Danube towards the Pest side, especially of the imposing Parliament building, is from the romantic Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya) on Castle Hill.

To get there, it's best to cross the Danube on the Chain Bridge, Budapest's first and oldest bridge that connects Buda and Pest.

You then ascend and explore Castle Hill with its picturesque streets, shops, and cafes best on foot. The best way up starts right at Clark Ádám tér (tér = square) at the base station of the funicular.

To the left, a path leads up. Alternatively, you can take the historical funicular from Budapest's 'Zero Point' at Clark Ádám tér to the hill (not included in the Budapest Card, often has lines and in my opinion is a tourist trap). I opted for the short walk.

Those who walk up will directly pass through the Sighs Gate to the Grand Rondel and behold the mystical statue of the Turul Bird with a sword.

In the immediate vicinity of the Palace and after the Fisherman's Bastion stands the impressive Matthias Church, built in Romanesque style. If you're already on the hill, you should stroll through Úri Utca (Gentleman's Street). You can admire beautiful medieval buildings and palaces here.

Here in the Matthias Church, Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Sissi were crowned King and Queen of Hungary.

I took 2-3 hours for the Castle District without entrances and visits. During my bike tour through Budapest, I revisited everything. I can't get enough of it - the views and panoramas are simply amazing!

The 'Champs-Élysées of Budapest': Andrássy út in the city center is the famous boulevard that connects the old town with Heroes' Square and the City Park.

Along this street are the imposing building of the Hungarian State Opera (Operaház), residential and commercial buildings, and stores of high-end brands like Armani, and the closer you get to Heroes' Square, the more the villas and embassies shape the picture.

The Földalatti ("Underground," Metro line 1) runs under Andrássy út and was first opened in 1896 as the first metro line on the European mainland. The street and the metro also belong to the UNESCO World Heritage.

At the end of Andrássy út, you'll find yourself at the largest square in the city: Heroes' Square (Hősök tere), also known as Millennium Square. The heroes of Hungarian history are honored here with sculptures. On the left and right, you'll find the Art Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts.

The square also forms the entrance to the City Park, a popular recreational area for locals. Here lies Europe's largest artificial ice rink: Every winter, artificial ice is created on the City Park Lake. The setting in front of Vajdahunyad Castle could not be more beautiful.

Directly behind it lies one of the most beautiful baths in Budapest: The Széchenyi Thermal Bath - an outdoor bath in neo-baroque style.

Heading back towards the city center, you should turn left at the opera. You are now in Elizabeth City, the Jewish Quarter (Zsidónegyed), which has become the absolute trend district. Here lies the largest synagogue in Europe, the Dohány Street Synagogue. It is one of the most important buildings in the city.

In one of the side wings is the Jewish Museum. One reason for me to come back to Budapest because I unfortunately didn't manage a visit. In the courtyard is the Holocaust Memorial: a sculpture representing a weeping willow with shimmering silver leaves, upon which the names of the victims are inscribed.

It stands over mass graves where thousands of victims of fascism are buried. Along the street, you'll find many Jewish shops and cafés.

An interesting street, especially at night, is the pedestrian zone Kazinczy utca. Here lies one of the first ruin bars, Szimpla kert. Across the street is the renovated Orthodox Synagogue. The most interesting part of Király utca is found behind house number 13: The Hackeschen Höfe of Budapest - as I was proudly informed.

But: I find the Gozsdu-Höfe even better. Here you will find plenty of great bars at night, each designed with great attention to detail. You definitely have to spend an evening here and just let yourself drift.

If you still have energy, make your way to St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István Bazilika). The building is the tallest in the city after the Parliament. You can see the dome from everywhere. The view from the top is worth it. (If you want to go up: 500 FT, about €1.50). I skip visiting the church from the inside.

If you now walk towards the Danube along the pedestrian zone, you come to a statue of a chubby policeman: supposedly, patting the belly brings good luck for food, hence it shines so beautifully. So don't tempt your luck...

Through Liberty Square, where not only the American Embassy stands but also the old stock exchange building, the Hungarian National Bank, and the last remaining Soviet monument, you now arrive at the Parliament Building. The building is 268 meters long, has a dome height of 96 meters, and lies directly on the Danube. The Palace of Westminster served as an inspiration here. The similarity is very noticeable.

One last important sight for me is the Central Market Hall. The most beautiful way is from the Parliament along the Danube. Here you'll not only pass the Elizabeth Bridge, Chain Bridge, and Liberty Bridge but also gorgeous buildings that sit beautifully along the banks of the Danube.

Here you can find everything your heart desires: Fruits, vegetables, meat, fish on the ground floor and on the first floor, souvenirs and food stalls. Bargaining is allowed here!

If you want to discover quirky and 'discarded' statues from the communist past, you must definitely go to Memento Park. This park is one of a kind. Unlike other cities, Budapest did not destroy the statues from the communist era but simply banished them from the city to preserve them for posterity.

Admission costs 5 euros. With the Budapest Card, you receive a 20% discount (Buy the card here).

The easiest way is to take the bus from 'Deák tér' (Metro lines M1, M2, and M3) daily at 11 a.m. directly to Memento Park.

It's cheaper and more flexible if you go on your own. You must first get to 'Kelenfold vasutallomas' metro station (Metro 4) and then switch to bus 101 or 150 to 'Budateteny vasutallomas' (Campona). The journey takes longer, but you will also be almost alone in the park. Buses run every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. With the Budapest Card (Link), you can enter the park for free.

Memento Park Website

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