Best Things To Do In Budapest, Hungary

Budapest attractions – Best Things To Do In Budapest, Hungary  

Budapest is a city that has been preserved in time with its classical architecture, Turkish baths, and markets filled with Hungarian delicacies and handcrafted souvenirs. If you are looking for a place with a lot of character and history as well as a vibrant nightlife, then this city should be a part of your Euro trip itinerary. Budapest attractions are many. Here are 20 best things to do in Budapest once you have seen the grandeur of its largest building, The Parliament Building.

There are many quirky things to do as well when in Budapest and one of them is, of course, to pay homage at Michael Jackson memorial, a shrine for the pop legend.

Walk Across The River Danube

The River Danube is a wide river that divides Buda and Pest. With 7 bridges to cross with it, walking across the Danube River is a must of tourists as it gives a fascinating glimpse of the city. A walk across the Chain Bridge to see the city’s iconic buildings and structures from this viewpoint. Whether you do this in the morning or in the evening, it will be a walk to remember.

Get Lost In The Labyrinth Of Buda Castle

Being one of the 7 wonders of the underground world, take a walk through the former prison where Count Dracula, whose real name is Vlad Tepes, was held in captivity during the 15th century. Walking through this dark and misty tunnel with only the light of candle-lit lanterns is an eerie adventure that you can recount on Halloween nights.

Watch The Changing Of The Guards At The Buda Castle

If you time your visit right, you can catch the ceremony of the changing of the guards with its spectacular rifles manoeuvring and domino-like movements as the march in cadence around the building’s courtyard. This happens every hour from 8:30AM to 5:30PM from Mondays to Sundays. On Special Saturdays, however, the ceremony is only done at 12 noon accompanied by the sound of music.

Visit Budapest’s Fairy Castle

The Vajdahunyad Castle, with its mishmash of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, is a testament of the evolution of Budapest’s architecture. Even if you are not fussed about classic architecture, you will get some eye-popping shots for your Instagram by taking a walk around this castle. It’s one of the most romantic places in Budapest, so if you are traveling with your partner you simply can’t miss it.

Learn About The Dark Side Of Hungarian History Through The Museum Of Terror

Dedicated to the victims of the terror regimes of Hungary, the Haza Museum of Terror recreates the atmosphere that surrounded its victims as they faced the political brutality during this dark period. Here, you will find historical mementos and accounts of what it was like to enter these doors as a prisoner.

Soak In The Szechenyi Baths

Being the only remaining evidence of the Turkish occupation of Hungary, a visit to Budapest would not be complete without a dip in one of these beautiful, heated baths. Pamper yourself as you look up to see the ornate posts and graceful arches around you.

Have Your Fill Of Hungarian Food

The most well-known dish from Hungary, the Goulash is a rich beef and vegetable stew flavoured with paprika. Although it is served in almost every single restaurant, the best version can be found at the Gettó Gulyás. Goulash, however, is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you set foot in Budapest, you are bound to fall in love with Pörkölt, a low-simmered beef and onion stew, and their fisherman’s soup with the traditional tangy and spicy paprika seasoning.

Sample Hungarian Wines

Have a taste of Hungary’s wines and you will wonder where it has been all your life. Although it is presently not as popular as French, Italian or Spanish wines, Hungary used to be one of the biggest prime producers before history happened in the form of two world wars and communism. Louis XIV once described the Tokaji Aszú, a sweet wine with a hint of apricots, tangerines, cinnamon and cloves, as “the king of wines and the wines of kings.”

Go On A Ruin Bar Crawl

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Great Synagogue in District 7 is Budapest’s oldest ruin bar, Szimpla Kert. Reincarnated from abandoned buildings in World War II, these ruin bars have a lot of character with their strange history and unique decoration. Fogas Ház, the party central of Budapest, has 4 clubs in one roof: Fogaskert for the traditional ruin bar experience with its cheap beer and odd art pieces, Instant for a unique ruin bar experience with its psychedelic light shows and underground electronic music, Robot for its live rock shows, and Lärm for its electronic music. Although there are several Ruin Bar Crawl events in the city, you can also create your own crawl and explore each ruin bar at your own pace.

Rave At The Budapest Bath Party

Every Saturday night, the Szenchenyi baths take on the festival vibe with the light shows and DJs that they put together to create a wild night that gives the baths a complete makeover from their tranquil incarnation during day time. Every Saturday night, the Szenchenyi baths take on the festival vibe with the light shows and DJs that they put together to create a wild night that gives the baths a complete makeover from their tranquil incarnation during day time. Get your party, glow-in-the dark or sparkling swimming costumes on and jump into one of the most memorable raves in your life.

Tour The Abandoned Jewish Cemetery

Walking around a Jewish cemetery that had been abandoned in World War II may sound creepy to you but the overgrown graveyard with its massive tombstones and burial chambers do have a photogenic and tranquil quality during the day. As it is usually closed to the public, a tour for visitors can easily be arranged in advance.

See Budapest From The Top Of The Budapest Eye Ferris Wheel

Not quite as high as the London Eye, the Budapest Eye is around 200 feet tall with spectacular views of the city down below. At night, it shines with its 10,000 coloured lights. So, whether you feel like going for the daytime skyline or the night time delights of this well-lit city, you will have a spectacular time on top of this Ferris wheel.

Drink A Glass Of Unicum

If you are a big fan of strong concoctions, take a shot of Budapest’s version of Jagermeister. Made with 40 herbs that are aged in oak casks, this secret formula is considered the best remedy for many ailments. If the cold weather is starting to give you a cold, perhaps it’s worth trying a shot just to see if it works.

Take A Sip Of Cherry Pálinka

This sour and fruity liquor is usually taken before or after dinner. A word of caution! Take slow sips as Budapest’s version of brandy can cause quite a burn.

Try The Famous Langos

Whether it’s caused by an overdose of Hungarian wines or too much unicum, this hangover cure that is a cross between pizza and potato pancakes can take you back on the sightseeing track after a long night out. Rubbed with fresh garlic, smothered with sour cream and cheese, and topped with generous portions of ham, mushrooms, and cabbage, this hearty treat is the perfect brunch to start the day with.

Explore The Budapest Cave Church

Take a trip up Gellert Hill to explore Sziklatemplom, which means Rock church in Hungarian. With its interesting history as a hospital for refugees of war during World War II and its unique facade, this location shall blow your mind. And, by the way, here’s an interesting trivia: Gellert Hill is named after a saint who was stuffed in a barrel and rolled down the hill.

Marvel At The Decorations Of Matthias Church

Just about 7 decades old, Matthias Church is one of the oldest buildings in Budapest. This gothic cathedral with its multicoloured tile roof is even more striking inside with its high vaulted ceilings and ornate decorations.

Nibble Your Way Around The Central Market Hall

The Central Market Hall, the oldest and largest indoor market in Budapest, is filled with a plethora of food stalls and restaurants serving tasty Hungarian treat. If you fancy taking home some of the Hungarian treats, like sausages, spices, and liquor, you can get them at the lowest prices from this market. You can also find some handcrafted souvenirs like fine Hungarian embroidery from this massive market.

Head To Pastry Heaven And Indulge Your Tastebuds

Cafe Ruszwurm, one of Budapest’s oldest traditional confectioners, has a mouth-watering collection of chocolate truffles, pastries, and coffee blends in its tiny and quaint cafe filled with antique furniture that will take you back in time. As mentioned, the location is tiny and seats just about a dozen people at a time, so you might end up having to wait to be seated. It is, however, worth the wait. And, it might just give you ample time to decide on your order.

View Buda And Pest From The Citadella

Have a glass of wine as you view the stunning panorama of Buda and Pest from the Citadella, which was once a fortress built by the Habsburgs in 1854. Here, you will also find a market selling handcrafted knick-knacks like handmade clothing, wooden toys, and dolls.

How to Reach Budapest

Book cheap flights through Skyscanner or Cleartrip and hotels through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Hotels.com here.

Where To Stay In Budapest

For the best hotels in Budapest or the best place to stay in Budapest, we suggest checking out our favorite sites to book here. We always use these sites to book our stay. Budapest hotel booking can be done through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Hotels.com or Makemytrip or Expedia to save huge and get the best deals on booking your stay in Budapest.

Tours/Activities available in Budapest

Budapest points of interest are many and if you are wondering what to see in Budapest or what to do in Budapest, then look no further. Budapest attractions pass are available for the best Budapest tours. You can now book tours in Budapest as well as activities in Budapest. Plan the best places to visit in Budapest, Hungary and experience Budapest.

With all the hidden historical gems in this old city, you can also find your own secret spots as you go for a long walk through its myriad of streets. Aside from browsing through the old guidebook, strolling around this beautiful city is the best way to explore it.

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