Top 10 Places To Visit In Budapest

Budapest is an incredible city to visit, full of rich history and incredibly architecture. This captivating city will keep you busy for a decent amount of time on your next trip to Europe.

I was going for the top 10 but couldn’t leave one out so you just might find a bonus at the end of the blog…wink wink. I will be going into detail on a few of these over the next few weeks but for now, here are my favorite places that I recommend everyone make time for if they find themselves in Budapest. (Just a heads up, 1000 HUF which is their currency, converts to about $3.54 USD):

1. Danube River Night Cruise

Even if you take a cruise during the day to see the highlights of the city from the river, I highly recommend you do this at night too – the entire city lights up making it look incredibly magical in the moonlight! Since this is a very popular attraction, there are multiple options, regular cruise, dinner cruise, and champagne cruise. But do book early as the most popular time slot (8:00 pm) books quickly. I opted for the one-hour cruise with Legenda Cruises and it was perfect. The Royal Palace, Parliament, the bridges, and other sites light up at night and you get to experience, not only the beautifully lit buildings but the reflection dancing on the river water. On our cruise, a complimentary drink and an audio-guide (in 30 languages) was included.

Price: Adults 5500 HUF (depending on which cruise you do)

2. Walk the Vaci Utca

This main street in Budapest has been described as one of is one of the world’s most beautiful pedestrian shopping streets. During the height of the Soviet occupation, this street was the envy of all other Communist countries. True, it is a bit touristy and so the shops and cafes are on the pricier end, but this street is also full of beautiful architecture and history. It’s a fun street to walk with a mixture of souvenir shops, upscale stores, and middle market clothing stores with, of course, restaurants and cafes galore.

3. Parliament Building

This beautiful World Heritage site is absolutely stunning and the most photographed place in Budapest. It’s considered among the most beautiful parliament buildings in the world, and I can easily tell why. It is where the five political parties in Hungary meet. The architecture is unique in that the outside is neo-gothic and the inside is eclectic. One hour guided tours in various languages are available with the price of admission. One of my favorite parts about the guided tour was being able to see the Hungarian Holy Crown and the Coronation Insignia (closely protected by the Crown Guard of the Hungarian Armed Forces).

Price: Advance tickets or same day at the Visitor Center

EU citizens 2400 HUF

Non-EU citizens 6000 HUF

4. Central Market Hall (Nagycsarnok)

This Great Market was built in 1897 in the neo-gothic style and is three floors of shopping, eating, and people-watching. It is the oldest and largest indoor market in Budapest and is located at the end of Vaci Utca. This is where locals and visitors alike come to buy fresh produce, spices, meats, fish, and wine. You could easily spend three hours here just walking the floors.

5. Heroes’ Square (Hösök Tere)

Located at the end of Andrassy Avenue it was erected for Budapest’s millennium celebration in 1896. Many say this is the spot in Budapest where art meets history. The most significant persons in Hungarian history have large, beautifully designed statues dedicated to them in this blended monument, including the seven chieftains who led the Hungarian people into the Carpathian basin in 896. The square is surrounded by the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art if you would like to visit some museums while in the area.

6. Great Synagogue

The synagogue was constructed from 1854 – 1859 and is the second largest Jewish temple in the world. It’s hard to imagine this impressive building only took five years to build! The design definitely has elements of Oriental and Moorish design, but the designers also wanted to integrate elements of Christianity, so you will be surprised to see a main alter and pipe organ. Make sure to take some time to explore the museum in the Synagogue complex. Here you will find all sorts of interesting artifacts from the 19th - 18t, and some even from the 17th centuries donated primarily from families. Step out in the back and see the Holocaust Tree Memorial. We opted for the extended tour (four hours) which included a walk through the Jewish District, which was incredibly interesting. (stay tuned for a future blog post about that).

Cost: Admission and 45 min guided tour - 18 EUR

7. The Thermal Baths

Because Budapest lies on a geological fault line, mineral water gushes from 123 thermal springs each day. Some in Budapest date back to the 16th century. Some offer a more Art Nouveau experience, which is what we opted for, as we heard it was like taking a bath in a cathedral. Budapest Spas and Hot Springs (www.spasbudapest.com) is an excellent source of information to help you decide if you need help choosing a location, but we went to the Gellért Baths, which were incredibly beautiful. Save yourself some time and pack a swim suit and flip flops before leaving home and bring a towel from the hotel regardless of which place you decide to enjoy.

Cost: Admission cost start at 2300 HUF

8. Matthias Church (on Castle Hill)

This beautiful neo-Gothic church was originally built in the 12th century but its most recognizable features like the colorful tiled roof and pointed spires were built in 1896. The church was used as a coronation site for Hungarian Kings for centuries but also as a mosque during the Turkish invasion, so this is not your ordinary medieval church! The still functioning church sits high a top Castle Hill. We happened to visit on a Saturday and a wedding ceremony was happening – it was just magical seeing the bride and groom exiting the doors of this exquisite church!

Cost to enter: 1,000 HUF

9. Fisherman’s Bastion (on Castle Hill, just east of Matthias Church)

This neo-gothic platform was finished in 1905 but on the medieval site originally built by the guild of fisherman responsible for protecting this stretch of the city. The seven towers represent the original seven tribes that came from Asia in 896 and formed Hungary It has been said that the best view of Parliament is across the river from here. Don’t forget to study the impressive St. Stephen’s statue.

Cost: The main area is free but a small fee to enter the lookout tower

10. St Stephen’s Basilica

This neoclassical church is dedicated to Hungary’s first king, St. Stephen and took over 50 years to build partly because the impressive dome collapsed in 1868 and the structure had to be demolished and rebuilt from the ground up. The most famous item housed in the basilica is the Holy Right – the actual mummified right hand of St Stephen (it is housed in the Holy Right Chapel behind the main alter). The dome is reached by many steep steps (or take the lift like we did) for an amazing 360-degree view of the city.

Cost: Donation asked for entrance

500 HUF for Panorama Tower

2000 HUF for Guided Tour (includes Panorama Tower)

You made it to the end! Now lets jump in to my bonus location!

11. Hungarian National Museum

A trip to this museum really gives you an appreciation for all the obstacles and hardships the Hungarian people have had to endure and survive throughout history! The Nation’s most important relics and artifacts are housed in a large neoclassical building founded in 1802 when Count Ferenc Szechenyi donated his large collection of relics to the State. There are three floors to explore but the most interesting to me was the second floor. Here you will find all types of interesting objects from that famous year of 896 to the end of communism.

Cost: 1600 HUF

Hope this helps you plan your next trip to Budapest! Stay tuned in future weeks for more detail on some places I mentioned above and some other gems outside of Budapest, that are worth a visit too.