See the Hungarian ParliamentMust-See SightsPaidHungary's Parliament is one of the largest and most ornate in Europe, right on the Danube embankment. Guided tours of the interior run daily but require booking in advance; the exterior is impressive from either riverbank.0 Add to listSee the Hungarian ParliamentMust-See SightsPaidHungary's Parliament is one of the largest and most ornate in Europe, right on the Danube embankment. Guided tours of the interior run daily but require booking in advance; the exterior is impressive from either riverbank.0 Add to list
Visit Buda CastleMust-See SightsPaidBuda Castle sits on a hill above the Danube with a palace complex, history museum and good views over Pest. Take the funicular up or walk; the grounds are free, individual museums are ticketed.0 Add to listVisit Buda CastleMust-See SightsPaidBuda Castle sits on a hill above the Danube with a palace complex, history museum and good views over Pest. Take the funicular up or walk; the grounds are free, individual museums are ticketed.0 Add to list
See Fisherman's BastionMust-See SightsPaidThe Fisherman's Bastion is a terrace of turrets above Buda Castle with wide views over the Danube and Pest. The lower level is free; the upper walkways require a small ticket in peak season.0 Add to listSee Fisherman's BastionMust-See SightsPaidThe Fisherman's Bastion is a terrace of turrets above Buda Castle with wide views over the Danube and Pest. The lower level is free; the upper walkways require a small ticket in peak season.0 Add to list
Cross the Széchenyi Chain BridgeMust-See SightsThe Chain Bridge is Budapest's most recognisable bridge, connecting Buda and Pest with lion statues at each end. Worth crossing on foot for the river views.0 Add to listCross the Széchenyi Chain BridgeMust-See SightsThe Chain Bridge is Budapest's most recognisable bridge, connecting Buda and Pest with lion statues at each end. Worth crossing on foot for the river views.0 Add to list
Visit St. Stephen's BasilicaMust-See SightsPaidSt Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest; the nave is free, and a ticketed lift or stairs take you to the dome for a 360-degree city view. The panorama is worth the short climb.0 Add to listVisit St. Stephen's BasilicaMust-See SightsPaidSt Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest; the nave is free, and a ticketed lift or stairs take you to the dome for a 360-degree city view. The panorama is worth the short climb.0 Add to list
Soak at Széchenyi Thermal BathMust-See SightsPaidSzechenyi is the largest and most famous of Budapest's thermal bath complexes, with several indoor and outdoor pools. Go on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds; entry is ticketed and locker rental is extra.0 Add to listSoak at Széchenyi Thermal BathMust-See SightsPaidSzechenyi is the largest and most famous of Budapest's thermal bath complexes, with several indoor and outdoor pools. Go on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds; entry is ticketed and locker rental is extra.0 Add to list
See Heroes' SquareMust-See SightsHeroes' Square has a large colonnade of statues marking Hungary's founding leaders, at the end of Andrassy Avenue. Free to visit, easy to combine with a walk to City Park.0 Add to listSee Heroes' SquareMust-See SightsHeroes' Square has a large colonnade of statues marking Hungary's founding leaders, at the end of Andrassy Avenue. Free to visit, easy to combine with a walk to City Park.0 Add to list
Visit the Dohány Street SynagogueMust-See SightsPaidThe Dohany Street Synagogue is the largest in Europe and still an active place of worship. The complex includes a memorial garden and a small museum; entry is ticketed.0 Add to listVisit the Dohány Street SynagogueMust-See SightsPaidThe Dohany Street Synagogue is the largest in Europe and still an active place of worship. The complex includes a memorial garden and a small museum; entry is ticketed.0 Add to list
Hunt the Bronze WormFun Side QuestsMihaly Kolodko places tiny bronze sculptures around Budapest - a worm, a matchbox-sized tank, a mini Rubik's cube - often on railings or ledges at knee height. No map makes it too easy; just keep looking down.0 Add to listHunt the Bronze WormFun Side QuestsMihaly Kolodko places tiny bronze sculptures around Budapest - a worm, a matchbox-sized tank, a mini Rubik's cube - often on railings or ledges at knee height. No map makes it too easy; just keep looking down.0 Add to list
Eat Lángos at a Budapest Market StallLocal FoodLocal RitualsLangos is deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and shredded cheese, sold at market stalls and street vendors. Cheap, filling and messy - best eaten standing up over a bin.0 Add to listEat Lángos at a Budapest Market StallLocal FoodLocal RitualsLangos is deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and shredded cheese, sold at market stalls and street vendors. Cheap, filling and messy - best eaten standing up over a bin.0 Add to list
Drink the Rotten-Egg WaterFun Side QuestsThe Szechenyi Ivocsarnok is a small drinking hall near the baths where you can sip the thermal spa water locals claim is medicinal. It smells strongly of sulphur; keep a straight face.0 Add to listDrink the Rotten-Egg WaterFun Side QuestsThe Szechenyi Ivocsarnok is a small drinking hall near the baths where you can sip the thermal spa water locals claim is medicinal. It smells strongly of sulphur; keep a straight face.0 Add to list
Raise a Glass Without Clinking in BudapestFun Side QuestsIn Hungary you don't clink beer glasses - a custom rooted in a 19th-century grudge against Austrian generals who clinked steins at a Hungarian execution. Raise your glass, make eye contact, drink. Explaining this to a confused visitor is half the fun.0 Add to listRaise a Glass Without Clinking in BudapestFun Side QuestsIn Hungary you don't clink beer glasses - a custom rooted in a 19th-century grudge against Austrian generals who clinked steins at a Hungarian execution. Raise your glass, make eye contact, drink. Explaining this to a confused visitor is half the fun.0 Add to list
Ride the Postcard TramActivePaidTram 2 runs along the Pest side of the Danube past the Parliament, Chain Bridge and Buda Castle - one of the better tram views in Europe. Pay the regular fare, ride the length and double back.0 Add to listRide the Postcard TramActivePaidTram 2 runs along the Pest side of the Danube past the Parliament, Chain Bridge and Buda Castle - one of the better tram views in Europe. Pay the regular fare, ride the length and double back.0 Add to list
Play All 130 Machines at the FlippermúzeumFun Side QuestsPaidThe Flippermuzeum is a basement museum with around 130 vintage pinball machines - one entry ticket covers unlimited play. Expect to lose a lot and stay longer than planned.0 Add to listPlay All 130 Machines at the FlippermúzeumFun Side QuestsPaidThe Flippermuzeum is a basement museum with around 130 vintage pinball machines - one entry ticket covers unlimited play. Expect to lose a lot and stay longer than planned.0 Add to list
Sneak Into the Palace LibraryFun Side QuestsThe Ervin Szabo Library is a public library inside a converted 19th-century palace. The upper reading rooms look like a ballroom with bookshelves; it's free to look around during opening hours.0 Add to listSneak Into the Palace LibraryFun Side QuestsThe Ervin Szabo Library is a public library inside a converted 19th-century palace. The upper reading rooms look like a ballroom with bookshelves; it's free to look around during opening hours.0 Add to list
Explore Szimpla Kert, Budapest's Original Ruin BarFun Side QuestsSzimpla Kert is Budapest's original ruin bar - an old derelict building filled with mismatched furniture, a car cut in half, plants growing through the walls and no particular design logic. The template for every ruin bar that followed.0 Add to listExplore Szimpla Kert, Budapest's Original Ruin BarFun Side QuestsSzimpla Kert is Budapest's original ruin bar - an old derelict building filled with mismatched furniture, a car cut in half, plants growing through the walls and no particular design logic. The template for every ruin bar that followed.0 Add to list
Order the Daily Menu at Frici Papa KifozdejeLocal FoodLocal RitualsFrici Papa Kifozdeje on Kiraly utca is a no-frills Hungarian canteen with a handwritten daily menu - two courses, cheap, mostly in Hungarian. Point at what your neighbour is having if needed.0 Add to listOrder the Daily Menu at Frici Papa KifozdejeLocal FoodLocal RitualsFrici Papa Kifozdeje on Kiraly utca is a no-frills Hungarian canteen with a handwritten daily menu - two courses, cheap, mostly in Hungarian. Point at what your neighbour is having if needed.0 Add to list
Watch the Chess Match in Széchenyi's Thermal PoolFun Side QuestsPaidAt Szechenyi, groups of older regulars play chess on floating boards in the outdoor thermal pool. Bring a swim cap (required), find a spot at the edge and watch. One of the more surreal things you can observe while chest-deep in hot water.0 Add to listWatch the Chess Match in Széchenyi's Thermal PoolFun Side QuestsPaidAt Szechenyi, groups of older regulars play chess on floating boards in the outdoor thermal pool. Bring a swim cap (required), find a spot at the edge and watch. One of the more surreal things you can observe while chest-deep in hot water.0 Add to list
Run the Margaret Island Loop at DawnActiveLocal RitualsMargit Island in the Danube has a 5.3km rubberised running track that loops the island - flat, traffic-free and popular with local morning runners. Worth the short tram ride from the centre.0 Add to listRun the Margaret Island Loop at DawnActiveLocal RitualsMargit Island in the Danube has a 5.3km rubberised running track that loops the island - flat, traffic-free and popular with local morning runners. Worth the short tram ride from the centre.0 Add to list
Jog the Floodlit Városliget CircuitActiveLocal RitualsVarosliget (City Park) has a lit running track and soft paths good for an evening or early-morning jog. Flat, leafy and free; easy to combine with a visit to Heroes' Square nearby.0 Add to listJog the Floodlit Városliget CircuitActiveLocal RitualsVarosliget (City Park) has a lit running track and soft paths good for an evening or early-morning jog. Flat, leafy and free; easy to combine with a visit to Heroes' Square nearby.0 Add to list
Ride the Children's Railway Through the Buda HillsActiveWith KidsDay Trip · PaidThe Gyermekvasut is a 12km narrow-gauge railway through the Buda Hills where the stations and signals are staffed by school-age kids in uniform. Get off at Normafa for a wooden playground in the forest. A proper half-day trip.0 Add to listRide the Children's Railway Through the Buda HillsActiveWith KidsDay Trip · PaidThe Gyermekvasut is a 12km narrow-gauge railway through the Buda Hills where the stations and signals are staffed by school-age kids in uniform. Get off at Normafa for a wooden playground in the forest. A proper half-day trip.0 Add to list
Catch the Margaret Island Musical Fountain ShowFun Side QuestsWith KidsThe musical fountain on Margaret Island runs timed shows with jets synced to music - free to watch and easy to stumble on. The daytime show at 11am is aimed at young kids; evening shows are more impressive.0 Add to listCatch the Margaret Island Musical Fountain ShowFun Side QuestsWith KidsThe musical fountain on Margaret Island runs timed shows with jets synced to music - free to watch and easy to stumble on. The daytime show at 11am is aimed at young kids; evening shows are more impressive.0 Add to list
Play on the Giant Városliget PlaygroundActiveWith KidsBudapest's largest playground is in City Park - a 13,000 sqm spread of zip lines, climbing frames, ground trampolines and towers. Free and open until dusk; genuinely tiring for children.0 Add to listPlay on the Giant Városliget PlaygroundActiveWith KidsBudapest's largest playground is in City Park - a 13,000 sqm spread of zip lines, climbing frames, ground trampolines and towers. Free and open until dusk; genuinely tiring for children.0 Add to list
