Five Things You Have To Do When You Visit Budapest

Last Updated on February 18, 2026

Budapest has seen a steady rise in popularity over the last couple of decades and is now one of the most popular capitals in all of Europe. If you’re on a Euro trip, make sure to add Hungary’s capital to your itinerary and let the city charm you with its grand historic architecture, beautiful landmarks, and lively nightlife.

The city is made up of two distinctly different parts: Buda, which is western of the Danube River perched atop a hill, topped by an imposing castle, and Pest, on the eastern side of the river, dominated by the stunning Parliament Building on the riverfront.

To get a good overview of the city, visit the main sights and have time to try some delicious Hungarian food, I recommend spending at least two nights in Budapest, but no matter how much or how little time you have – here are five things you HAVE TO do on your visit:

1 Take in the breathtaking views

Since much of the Buda part of the city sits atop a hill, the city offers several viewpoints that offer sweeping vistas over the entire city and the Danube River which divides Buda and Pest. A panoramic view requires a bit of an uphill march, but trust me, it is worth the pain.

Fisherman’s Bastion (Halaszbastya) is one of the best viewpoints in Budapest, including a spectacular view of the remarkable Parliament Building. While you’re there, go for a stroll in the surrounding streets – there are plenty of nice cafes and bars.

If you don’t like crowds, I recommend heading up there early in the morning – this place gets busy, but it’s popular for a reason.

Another great viewpoint is Gellért Hill, named after Bishop Gellért, who was thrown to death from the hill by pagans in the fight against Christianity in 1046. You’ll find a monument erected in his honor atop the hill, as well as another famous statue: Budapest’s Statue of Liberty, visible from everywhere in the city. The big citadel on Gellért Hill is a popular tourist attraction now, also worth a visit, if you have time.

To get to Gellért Hill, take a tram across Liberty Bridge to the base of the hill. That’s where you also find the famous Gellert Baths, one of several thermal pools in Budapest (see below #2). The path to the top of the hill is well signposted.

A third magnificent view of Budapest can be enjoyed from Castle Hill. From here, you can see the Szechenyi Chain Bridge, Gresham Palace, and St. Stephen’s Basilica in a perfect line.

 

2 Take a Bath

A visit to at least one of Budapest’s thermal baths is a MUST when you visit the city. The city is built above thermal hot springs, which is why several of these springs were turned into thermal pools. The Szechenyi Baths are the most famous one and the largest ones – in fact, one of the largest thermal pools in all of Europe! They’re particularly famous thanks to the beautiful neo-Baroque building they’re facing, making it an extraordinary spa experience.

Since the Szechenyi Baths are very popular, it’s recommended to book tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting during the busy summer season (May to October), and if you don’t have much time, go for the fast-track tickets. Fast-track tickets are €41, and this price includes not only Skip the Line Entry but also a private cabin room, and you can spend the entire day in the baths if you want to.

 

3 Drink at a Ruin Bar

Ruin bars, which are basically watering holes inside abandoned buildings, are something Budapest is famous for, and you have to visit at least one of them while you’re visiting the city. Most of the ruin bars are in the Jewish Quarter, where in the early 2000s, many buildings sat empty – and a business savvy local decided to turn one of these ‘ruins’ into a bar: Szimpla Kert.

That was the very first one, and soon others followed. Many of these bars have a unique design, several rooms, and some have unique touches like mismatched furniture that looks like it was found on a flea market or at a garage sale (which it probably was.) The best part about them? That you can still get a large beer for $2 or even less!

In addition to Szimpla Kert, the Instant-Fogas Komplex and Mazel Tov are worth a visit, too. If you’re traveling by yourself, consider joining a Ruin Bar crawl– there are several tours in Budapest, check recent reviews for the best rated tour:

 

4 Eat in the Great Market Hall

Budapest’s Great Market Hall (Nagyvasarcsarnok in Hungarian – try to say that word!) looks more like a train station from the outside: a majestic building where you can watch the locals as they shop for fresh spices and produces, but also nosh on some Hungarian specialties. The three-storey market hall has enough to see to keep you entertained for a couple of hours. If you’re not sure, what food to try, here are some recommendations:

• Langos, a deepfried dough topped with sweet (honey) or savory (garlic, cheese, sour cream) toppings
• Sweet strudels for dessert
• Pogácsa (the Hungarian version of a scone)
• Hungarian salami
• Kürtőskalács – the famous Hungarian chimney cake (which you can’t miss if you love cinnamon!)

5 See the Shoes on the Danube

This might sound like a rather odd thing to do, but the Shoes on the Danube promenade are a memorial to the Jews who were murdered in Budapest during World War II. Many Jews were shot by the Nazis right on the promenade, their bodies consequently falling into the river and washed away. Before they were shot, they were asked to take their shoes off and strip naked, hence the shoe memorial.

The memorial, found right in front of the Parliament Building, consists of 60 pairs of shoes in all different styles and sizes – showing that absolutely nobody was spared from this horrifying act, not even children. It is estimated that around 20,000 Jews were shot on the shore of the Danube River, and the shoes are a haunting memorial to what was a gloomy time in the history of the city.

Where to stay in Budapest

Áurea Ana Palace (by Eurostars Hotel Company)

The Áurea Ana Palace Hotel is an elegant 5-star hotel, set in two combined historic 19th-century palaces  that date back to 1847 and 1895. This hotel blends neoclassical and late 19th-century architecture in a remarkable way – the public spaces retain much of their original grandeur, in carefully restored form. The hotel also has a full-service spa and wellness area with pools and sauna, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant and bar. Áurea Ana Palace Hotel is located on the Danube bank in the Lipótváros area, close to the Hungarian Parliament, and just a short walk from many of the city’s sights. Rooms from around US$169 per night.

Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest (part of Hyatt)

The Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest is a stunning 5-star hotel in the heart of central Budapest, housed in a meticulously restored historic building that was once a grand shopping arcade and architectural gem. Famed for its dramatic Art Nouveau, Moorish, and Gothic-inspired design – complete with intricate mosaics, stained glass, and a soaring glass dome – the hotel blends old-world elegance with modern comfort. In addition to the 110 spacious guestrooms and suites, you’ll find refined dining in the atmospheric Párisi Passage Café & Brasserie, and there’s also a boutique spa. The Párisi Udvar Hotel is centrally located and offers easy access to the Danube River, historic squares and nearby landmarks. Rooms from around US$299 per night.

The Radisson Collection Hotel, Basilica Budapest is a stylish 5-star hotel, just steps from the magnificent St. Stephen’s Basilica. It is housed in a beautifully restored neoclassical building, and blends historic charm with modern design, offering about 70 individually styled rooms and suites. Many of them offer stunning basilica views. There are several refined dining across several on-site venues, like a vintage-inspired café, and an all-day bistro. The most notable of them all is the gorgeous rooftop ISSEI Skybar & Restaurant with panoramic city views. The hotel’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring Budapest’s cultural landmarks and vibrant city life. Rooms from around US$195 per night.

How to get to Budapest

By plane

Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport connects Budapest with all major European cities, and is served by many low-cost airlines (EasyJet, Flybe, Germanwings, Jet2, Ryanair, Wizzair, Vueling, Norwegian).

By train

Budapest is connected to many European cities via rail, and has three railway stations (Eastern, Southern and Western Railway Station), which are all connected to the underground (metro) system. International trains usually arrive at the Eastern Railway Station. There are direct trains from Vienna (2.5hrs), Bratislava (2.5hrs), Zagreb (7hrs), Prague (7hrs), Munich (7.5 hrs), Belgrade (8hrs), Ljubljana (10hrs), Warsaw (10.5hrs), Berlin (12hrs), Bucharest (16hrs)

By bus

Budapest is served by several low-cost buses, making it easy to travel Europe on a budget. Check the following buses for connections to other European countries:

• Eurolines
• Flixbus
• Eurobusways