15 Best Things to do in Budapest, Hungary

Heading to Budapest and need help planning it all out? You’ve come to the right place!

Budapest is truly one of the best cities I’ve ever visited. I didn’t quite know what to expect before I arrived, and I came away completely wowed by what a magical place it is. With its dark yet fascinating history, steaming thermal baths, and seriously underrated food scene, there’s so much to love here.

I spent my most recent trip throwing myself into everything Budapest has to offer, from river cruises and beer spas to ruin bars and wine country, and this guide is the result. It’s a mix of the experiences I loved most, along with a few other standout options worth knowing about, so you can build the perfect trip for you.

Keep reading to discover the best ways to soak up the culture, history, and beauty of Hungary’s capital!

Budapest At A Glance

Budapest is a wonderfully easy city to find your feet in, and getting around is rarely a hassle once you know your options. Here are a few things I picked up that made moving around the city simple.

Uber and taxis are your best bet: I leaned on Uber a fair bit while I was there, and it worked flawlessly every single time. Local taxis are easy to find too, just make sure they’re running a meter. The one thing to keep in mind is that traffic in central Budapest can clog up during rush hour, roughly 7 to 9 in the morning and 3 to 6 in the afternoon, with Friday afternoons often starting even earlier. During this time, the metro is almost always the faster choice.

The metro and buses are excellent backups: Budapest’s public transport is great, with four simple metro lines plus a dense web of buses, trams, and trolleys filling in the gaps. It’s cheap, reliable, and a stress-free way to cover longer distances when you’d rather not walk or sit in traffic.

You can pay by card almost everywhere: I paid by card for pretty much everything, from restaurants and bars to shops and ticket machines, so there’s no real need to carry a big wad of cash around. It’s still worth having a little on hand for smaller vendors or markets, but you won’t need much.

Book your tours in advance: Budapest gets seriously popular in the summer months, and the best tours fill up fast. I’d strongly recommend booking anything you’ve got your eye on ahead of time, especially the small-group experiences, rather than risking them selling out once you arrive. Most Viator tours offer free cancellation too, so there’s little downside to locking things in early.

How I Would Spend Three Days in Budapest

Three days is just enough to see the best of Budapest without feeling rushed, and it’s how I structured my own trip. Here’s how I’d lay it out.

Day 1: Start with a guided city walking tour to get your bearings across both Buda and Pest, hitting landmarks like St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Chain Bridge, and Fisherman’s Bastion. Spend the afternoon soaking up the history at Buda Castle and the Budapest History Museum, then round off the day with a scenic Danube dinner cruise, seeing the city lit up from the water.

Day 2: Dive into local flavors on a Budapest food tour, then walk it off along the Danube, stopping at the moving Shoes on the Danube memorial. In the late afternoon, unwind with a beer spa and a soak at the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, one of the most unique things you can do in the city.

Day 3: Head out into the countryside for an Etyek wine tour with lunch, tasting Hungary’s underrated whites and sparkling wines. Back in the city, spend your final evening bar-hopping through the ruin bars of the Seventh District, starting with the legendary Szimpla Kert.

For a fuller breakdown of each day, check out my 3-day Budapest itinerary with all my personal recommendations!

Things to do in Budapest, Hungary

1. Enjoy a Danube River Dinner Cruise

Seeing Budapest from the water was one of the real highlights of my trip, and this Danube River dinner cruise is a lovely way to combine sightseeing, dinner, and a completely different perspective on the city all in one evening.

Budapest is a stunning city after dark, and gliding past the Parliament Building all lit up, which has to be one of the most beautiful in the world, was absolutely spectacular. Sailing under the Chain Bridge that links the two halves of the city was another standout moment for me.

There are a few different dinner options to choose from when you book, ranging from a lighter goulash-based meal to a full wine and food pairing, so it’s worth having a quick look at the current choices and picking whatever suits you. Whatever you go for, the food is hearty and satisfying, and you can order extra drinks on board too.

For me, part of the magic was the entertainment. There’s live folk music from a wonderfully talented orchestra, along with a traditional Hungarian dance performance during the evening. The dancers even made their way around the room, stopping at the tables so everyone could watch up close and grab a photo, which was such a fun, personal touch.

On my most recent trip, the cruise was completely sold out, so this is very much one to book well in advance. It’s also worth bringing a little cash, since drinks beyond your welcome drink and any tips for the performers aren’t included. If you’re curious what others think, take a look at over 6,000 5-star reviews here!

2. See Budapest’s best sights with a walking tour

If there’s one thing I’d tell you to do on your first day in Budapest, it’s this city walking tour. It was my favorite experience of the whole trip, and it gives you such a complete introduction to the city that everything you do afterward makes more sense for having done it first.

My guide was Balint, and he’s a big part of why it stood out. There were only seven of us in the group, so it felt personal and social from the start, and he took the time to chat with each of us individually. He told me about his experience working in Budapest’s tourism industry, which was fascinating and gave the whole tour a real local, human quality you don’t always get.

We kicked off at the Opera House, a beautiful building and a fitting place to begin, before making our way around the Pest side to landmarks like St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square, and the City Park.

One of my favorite stops was the Strudel House, where they brought out a whole range of flavors to try. There was so much of it that I ended up taking some home with me, which I wasn’t about to argue with. The cherry strudel was the pick of the bunch for me, though I’ll admit the cabbage one wasn’t quite to my taste.

Crossing over into Buda, we explored the historic Castle District and wrapped up at Fisherman’s Bastion, where the views back over the Danube and Parliament are about as good as they get.

Rather than walking the whole way, you actually hop on the bus and the metro at a few points, so it doubles as a handy introduction to the city’s public transport and a chance to get your bearings while you fire questions at a local.

Best of all, that transport is included in your ticket. Just don’t let the bus and metro rides fool you, there’s still a lot of walking, at least 10,000 to 12,000 steps by my count, so comfortable shoes are a must.

Between the small group, the brilliant guide, and the sheer amount you cover across both Buda and Pest, I couldn’t recommend this one more highly as a first-day introduction to Budapest.

3. Take in the view from Fisherman’s Bastion

Some views make a trip, and the one from Fisherman’s Bastion is firmly one of them. Perched up on Castle Hill on the Buda side, this fairytale sweep of white turrets and terraces looks out over the Danube, the Hungarian Parliament, the Chain Bridge, and the whole sprawl of Pest across the water.

The Bastion itself is worth a closer look while you’re up there. Built between 1895 and 1902, it was never actually a fortress. It’s actually a viewing platform designed to showcase the city, with seven towers representing the seven Magyar tribes who settled here over a thousand years ago. There’s a fairytale quality to the place, all arches and spires, which is most likely why it’s one of the most photographed spots in Budapest.

The lower terraces are free and open around the clock, and honestly, they give you most of the view. The upper towers do charge a small entrance fee during the day, currently 1,700 HUF (around €4) for adults, with half-price tickets for students, children, and EU seniors. But if you turn up before 9 am or later in the evening, access to the upper towers is completely free.

There’s plenty else to explore right here too, since Matthias Church sits next door and Buda Castle is a short walk away, so it’s easy to fold the whole Castle District into one lovely half day.

4. Tour Etyek Country

Hungary has a proud winemaking tradition, and the Etyek region is one of the loveliest places to get a taste of it, quite literally. It sits just 30 km (18 mi) outside Budapest, so it makes for an easy half-day escape into the countryside, and since I wasn’t about to drive myself around a wine tasting, this half-day tour was the perfect way to do it.

The region is known for its crisp whites and sparkling wines, thanks to its cool climate and limestone soil, and they were some of the most refreshing wines I tried on the whole trip. My guide was Susan, who was wonderful, and the group was a nice size at around twelve people, big enough to meet plenty of new faces without ever feeling like you’d lost your place in the crowd.

We visited two family-run vineyards over the course of the tour, and the personal touch at each was what made it. At first, we met Charlie, the owner’s son, who was so passionate about the family business that his enthusiasm was infectious. He even showed us how to use a “wine thief” to draw wine straight from the barrels down in the cellar, before pouring us a glass to taste right there.

The second winery came with a delicious lunch, and our host walked us through how to pair each wine with the different dishes, which was fascinating to learn about. This spot also had gorgeous views out over the rolling hills of Etyek, so lovely that they apparently host weddings there, and standing on that terrace with a glass in hand, I could absolutely see why.

By the time we headed back to the city, I felt that the tour was well worth it, and I’m not the only one – you can read over 1,300 5-star reviews here!

5. Eat your way around the city

A few days in Budapest is nowhere near enough to get to know its food scene properly, so this 3-hour food tour is a brilliant shortcut to eating like a local rather than falling into the tourist traps.

My guide was Kitti, who was lovely, and our group was a nice, manageable size at around eight people. Over the morning, she led us through a proper spread of Hungarian specialties, and a few stops really stood out.

We started with lángos paired with goulash, which was a hearty way to kick things off, and I learned here that lángos actually means “flamed.” There was chimney cake too, with the cinnamon one winning me over, and a stop for Hungarian sausage and a chocolate crepe that was very indulgent.

One thing worth knowing is that this tour involves a lot less walking than you might expect, since most of the stops were fairly central to where we began. That makes it a lighter, more relaxed experience than a full walking tour, which is handy to know when you’re planning how much energy you’ve got for the day.

If I had one tip to get even more out of it, it would be to ask your guide a little about why each spot was chosen. Budapest has an enormous number of places to eat, so hearing the story behind each stop, “why this bakery” and “why that cellar,” adds a layer of context that makes the tastings land even better.

All in all, it’s a tasty, easygoing way to spend a morning, and you’ll come away both well fed and with a better feel for the city’s flavors.

6. Explore the Budapest History Museum

If you’re even a little bit interested in history, the Budapest History Museum is well worth carving out time for! Set inside Buda Castle itself, it traces the city’s story from the Roman period through the medieval era and right up to the present day. There’s so much packed in that I’d set aside a good two hours or more to do it justice.

For me, part of the appeal was the setting. Because the museum occupies the old palace, you’re wandering through reconstructed castle halls, Gothic cellars, and preserved royal apartments as you go, so it feels like walking through a real piece of history rather than just reading about it behind glass.

When I visited, there was also an exhibit on St. Stephen’s Hall, a beautifully reconstructed royal ceremonial room that was destroyed during the Second World War and painstakingly restored to its former glory. The craftsmanship is fantastic, and if you’re into your history, I’d say it’s worth the extra ticket!

Speaking of tickets, standard entry is around 3,800 HUF (about €10), while the combined ticket including St. Stephen’s Hall comes in at roughly 5,900 HUF (about €15). Access to the hall is by timed entry, and spots are limited, so it’s worth booking ahead or arriving early if it’s high on your list.

Since it sits right inside Buda Castle, I’d pair this with a wider wander around the Castle District, with Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church both just a short stroll away, so you can fold the whole area into one satisfying half day.

7. Tour the city by tuk tuk

If you’d rather not spend your days pounding the pavements, seeing Budapest by tuk tuk is a fun and quirky alternative that covers a lot of ground in a short space of time. This private tuk tuk tour zips you around the city’s highlights in just a couple of hours, which makes it a great shout if you’re short on time or simply want to give your feet a rest.

The route takes in some of Budapest’s most impressive sights, from the citadel and sweeping views atop Gellért Hill to the historic Castle District, with its beautiful architecture, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion. I visited a number of these spots myself while I was in the city, and places like Gellért Hill and the Parliament Building are every bit as striking as they look, so getting whisked between them in a tuk-tuk sounds like a great way to string them together.

Because it’s a private tour, the itinerary is flexible, so you can skip anything you’ve already seen and spend longer at the places that grab you most. There’s also the option to add a Danube boat cruise for a small extra cost, which would make for a relaxing way to round off the ride with some views from the water.

For anyone wanting to see a lot of Budapest without a lot of walking, this is an easy one to recommend, especially if you’re traveling as a couple or small group and like the idea of having a guide and transport all to yourselves.

8. Visit the Shoes on the Danube

The Shoes on the Danube is one of the most moving places you’ll visit in Budapest. This quiet memorial sits right on the riverbank on the Pest side, and it’s the kind of stop that stays with you long after you’ve left.

The memorial is made up of sixty pairs of iron shoes, cast in the style of 1940s footwear and left scattered along the edge of the water. It stands in memory of the people who were killed here during the Second World War, ordered to remove their shoes before they died.

I won’t go into the full history here, but I’d really encourage you to read about it a little before you visit, because understanding what the shoes represent is what gives the place its weight. It’s a simple memorial, but a deeply affecting one.

It’s completely free to visit and sits in a very central spot, so it’s easy to fold into a walk along the river. It’s also a popular stop, so if you’d like a quieter, more reflective moment there, I’d aim for early morning or the evening when the crowds tend to thin out. However you time it, it’s a place worth pausing at properly rather than just passing by.

9. Join a Hungarian Cooking Class

Trying Hungarian food is one thing, but learning to make it yourself means you get to take a little piece of Budapest home with you, and keep cooking it long after the trip is over. That’s the appeal of this market-to-table cooking class, which pairs a hands-on cooking session with a visit to one of the city’s markets.

Hungarian food might look simple and hearty at first glance, but there’s actually a lot that goes into it, and every family seems to have their own treasured recipe for goulash. That’s what makes learning from a local so special, since you’re not just picking up a technique – you’re getting a recipe that’s been passed down through generations.

The experience starts with a trip to a local market to gather fresh ingredients, which is a lovely way to see how Hungarians actually shop and cook day to day. From there, you head to the kitchen to learn how to prepare several classic dishes from scratch, before sitting down to enjoy the meal you’ve made, washed down with a glass of Hungarian wine.

It’s a warm, wholesome way to spend an afternoon, and booking it is a great way to support a local host while getting a genuine feel for the food culture here. If you want to dig deeper into Hungarian cuisine than a restaurant meal allows, this is about as authentic as it gets.

10. Visit the Széchenyi Thermal Baths

No trip to Budapest is complete without a soak in its famous thermal baths, and the Széchenyi baths are the grandest of the lot. Housed in a magnificent neo-Baroque palace in City Park, this is one of the largest bath complexes in Europe, and one of the most iconic things you can do in the city.

There are 3 outdoor pools, including the postcard-perfect main pool where locals famously play chess in the steaming water, plus 15 indoor baths ranging from cool plunge pools to properly hot soaks, along with saunas, steam rooms, and various wellness treatments. You could easily spend a whole day here, though I’d say half a day is plenty to try a good spread of the pools without turning into a prune.

I visited in May and arrived around 5 pm, and I found it pleasantly quiet at that hour. Mornings and late afternoons tend to be calmer, while midday gets busy. If you want the most peaceful soak, an early start is your best bet.

Your ticket works as an all-day pass, so you’re free to come and go and stay as long as you like. Entry runs to roughly 13,000 to 15,000 HUF (around €30 to €35) for a standard day ticket, depending on the day of the week and whether you choose a locker or a private cabin.

On certain evenings the baths transform into a full-blown pool party, known as a “Sparty,” complete with music and lights. It’s a totally different vibe from the daytime calm, so if that appeals, or if you’d rather steer well clear of it, check the timetable before you book.

While I was here, I also tried the beer spa, which is a wonderfully quirky experience in its own right. There’s more on that coming up next!

11. Soak in a unique spa

If you’re after something a little different, this beer spa experience was one of the most fun and unusual things I did in Budapest. You spend around 45 minutes soaking in a warm bath infused with hops, yeast, and malt, all of which are said to be great for your skin, while pouring yourself as much beer as you like from a tap right beside the tub.

One thing worth setting expectations on is that this is very much a shared, social experience rather than a private one. There are around four tubs spread out fairly close to one another, so you’ll likely be soaking near other people. If you go in expecting that, it’s a lot of fun. I got chatting to an American couple in the tub next to mine, and hearing about their trip so far turned out to be one of the more memorable parts of the whole thing.

You also get access to a spacious private changing cabin as part of the experience, which is handy for stashing your belongings while you soak. And here’s a useful detail worth knowing: you can add a ticket for the wider Széchenyi baths to your booking, though it isn’t automatically included, so check what your ticket covers.

I’d really recommend adding it if you can, and if you do, I’d leave some time to enjoy the baths afterward, especially since you’ll be pleasantly relaxed after a few drinks.

12. Settle in for an afternoon of wine and cheese

Hungary turns out some excellent wines and cheeses, so why not settle in for an afternoon and enjoy both together with this guided cheese and wine tasting? It’s a relaxed, low-key way to get to know Hungarian wine without heading out of the city, which makes it a lovely option if you’re short on time but still want a proper taste of the local scene.

Over the session, a professional sommelier guides you through five different wines drawn from Hungary’s various regions, each paired with cheese and charcuterie to bring out the flavors. Hungarian wine is still fairly overlooked on the world stage, which is a shame, because there’s a lot to discover, from crisp whites to bold reds and the famous sweet Tokaji.

A tasting like this is a great way to get your bearings and work out what you actually like before ordering elsewhere on your trip!

The city-center setting makes it easy to slot into an afternoon, and since it runs at a gentle pace, it’s the kind of thing you can enjoy whether you’re a serious wine buff or just curious to learn a little more. If you appreciate good food and drink, it’s a great way to spend an hour and a half.

13. Explore Budapest’s famous ruin bars

Before the Second World War, District VII (or the Jewish Quarter) was the heart of Budapest’s Jewish community, and while the decades of communist rule that followed left much of the neighborhood neglected, with entire blocks of empty courtyards and crumbling interiors, that abandonment gave rise to one of the city’s most iconic fixtures, the ruin bar.

The concept behind a ruin bar, or romkocsma in Hungarian, is a simple one. You take a building that’s been sitting derelict, fill it with salvaged furniture, mismatched decor, and whatever art you can lay your hands on, and open a bar. The result is somewhere that feels less like a polished venue and more like a wonderfully chaotic art installation you can drink in.

The one everyone talks about, and the one I made a point of visiting, is Szimpla Kert. It opened back in 2002 on Kazinczy utca and was the very first ruin bar in Budapest, and it remains the most famous and most visited to this day. Stepping inside for the first time is quite something, a sprawling maze of rooms and courtyards crammed with fairy lights, plants, oddball furniture, and even a gutted car or two to sit in.

From Szimpla, the surrounding streets are packed with other ruin bars, each with its own personality, so it’s easy to turn the night into a mini bar-hop. It’s an only-in-Budapest way to spend an evening, and a brilliant one too.

14. Learn about the dark history of Buda Castle District

Budapest has more than its fair share of dark history, which makes it perfect territory for a ghost tour, and this dark history and vampire walking tour looks like a brilliant way to uncover the stories that don’t make it into the guidebooks. It’s set in the atmospheric Buda Castle District, which after dark feels like exactly the right backdrop for a few grisly tales.

The tour is led by an actor guide, which sounds like a fun touch, since it promises plenty of flair and theatrics as you explore the historic landmarks and hear the chilling stories behind them.

One of the highlights is learning about Vlad the Impaler, the man who inspired Count Dracula, who was reportedly imprisoned for years in an underground labyrinth beneath the castle. If you’re into dark history and true crime, it will be right up your street.

Beyond the stories, it doubles as a lovely way to explore the Castle District at night, when the castle is lit up, and the views over the city are at their most dramatic. There’s a fair bit of uphill walking involved, though there’s the option to take the funicular if you’d rather skip the climb. For anyone wanting a different, slightly spooky way to spend an evening in Budapest, this one is a winner.

15. Join a luxury private tour of the city

Luxury travelers, listen up! If you’re more concerned about getting the most out of your time in Budapest than your budget, then we highly recommend booking this private sightseeing tour. And since it involves traveling in a luxury car or minibus, it’s ideal for those who don’t want to do a lot of walking. 

My favorite thing about this tour is that it has a fully customizable itinerary. The base itinerary is fantastic and covers Budapest’s most magnificent buildings, such as St. Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament, and Fisherman’s Bastion. However, if you’ve already seen some of these places or just have another area of interest, you can speak to your guide and they’ll be more than happy to tailor the itinerary accordingly. 

I also like that you can choose a 4- or 6-hour tour depending on what suits you best. I think this tour is an excellent choice if you’re the kind of person who prefers to take things at your own pace. You get the freedom of choosing what you want to do, while still benefiting from having transport and a local guide to show you around, teach you the city’s history, and ensure that you don’t miss anything. 

Related Read: Want to plan a quick visit and see all the best sights? Our 3-day Budapest itinerary lays it all out from the top tours to restaurants and hidden gems!

Where to Stay in Budapest, Hungary

When choosing a place to stay in a city as large as Budapest, it can easily become overwhelming! Luckily, there are heaps of good options in hotels and areas. The city is well connected via public transit, so it’s easy to get around no matter where you end up staying. Here are my top three recommendations for a luxury, mid-range, and budget stay:

Luxury – $$$

Aria Hotel Budapest is a luxury hotel with an eclectic music-themed design. The rooms are exquisite and vary in options so you can choose one that fits you perfectly. I love the rooftop bar with views of Budapest, and you can enjoy the spa with pools and hammams. This hotel is located in downtown Budapest, near St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Opera House.

Prices start around €350 and can surpass €1,000, depending on which room you choose. Check out all the options and book this stay on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest is a smart, modern option in the middle of everything, with spacious rooms, a spa, and a handful of excellent on-site restaurants, including the well-known Nobu. You’re within a short walk of Fashion Street, Vörösmarty Square, and the whole downtown core, so it’s an easy base for exploring on foot. It’s a great fit if you’d like a hint of luxury without stepping all the way up to five-star prices.

Expect rooms to start around €230 per night. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.

Budget – $

Bohem Art Hotel is the one I stayed in on my last visit, and it’s an easy recommendation. It’s a lively, art-themed boutique hotel with bright rooms dotted with works by young Hungarian artists, and despite how central it is, I found it lovely and quiet at night.

The location is the clincher though, since you’re a two-minute walk from the Danube, ideal for an evening stroll with the bridges all lit up, and only around five minutes from the downtown old town.

Rooms usually start around €65 to €100 per night, which is brilliant value for the spot. Check availability and reserve a room on Booking.com.

For more options, check out all the hotels in Budapest here.

Related Read: Want a deeper breakdown by neighborhood? Check out our full guide to where to stay in Budapest here, covering the best areas and hotel picks for every travel style.

Thanks for reading!

Budapest is certainly a unique city to explore. It’s full of history and stunning architecture, amazing food and wine, lovely locals, and one-of-a-kind experiences. I absolutely loved my recent visit here and am already planning my next trip! If you try just a few of these top activities, I know you’ll love Budapest as much as we do.

If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other travel blogs. The team has been all over the world and loves sharing our experiences and expertise with fellow travelers. Here are a few related reads that might be helpful as you plan your next adventure!

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