Most tourists head over to the top tourist attractions of Budapest. While these really are beautiful parts of the city that well worth a visit – Budapest has so much more to offer for a curious tourist to see and do. Make an effort, get away from the mainstream tourist attractions and crowds and I promise that you will be rewarded with unique sights. Read on to find out more about Budapest off the beaten path.
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Budapest Off The Beaten Path – Top 10 Budapest Off The Beaten Track In Budapest
So here are the top 10 off the beaten path attractions in Budapest:
1. Castle District: Koller Gallery
Founded in 1953, this contemporary art gallery is the oldest private gallery in Hungary.
This gallery – located on Castle District – has a focus on modern, Hungarian art.
Originally the building was Amerigo Tot’s home. The memorial room of the Hungarian-Italian sculptor is on the third floor.
The gallery also has a unique renaissance-style sculpture garden that worth a visit by itself.
Admission is free.
How to get to Koller Gallery
Address: 5. Táncsics Mihály street
Take the Funicular from Chain Bridge, the public bus serving Castle Hill is bus No. 16 (from Deák Ferenc square).
2. Garden of Philosophers and the statue of Prince Buda and Princess Pest
On the north slope of Gellért Hill hides a little park that is unheard of even for many Budapest citizens.
I still recommend visiting this place because it has gorgeous views of both Buda and Pest.
There are also two statues here, very close to each other.
The park was named after one of them: a group of 8 statues – five figures around the center symbolize cultures and religions around the world, the other three are people who influenced spiritual enlightenment.
The other statue is a cute representation of the unification of Buda and Pest. This is the statue of Prince Buda and Princess Pest, reaching their hands to each other.
Visit this lookout point during sunset, if possible.
How to get to the garden
The garden is situated between the north slope of Gellért hill and Hegyalja út. I recommend walking there from the top of Gellért Hill after visiting the Citadel.
3. Tabán
Tabán lays between the northern slope of Gellért Hill and the Buda Castle.
It is hard to imagine today, but this area has been inhabited since Neolithic times and in the 19th century it was known as a bohemian, party district of Buda. The slope that is a green park today was full of houses, restaurants, and bars, with narrow streets between them. The whole quarter was demolished in the 1930s because a huge thermal water facility was planned here. Because of the WW2, this failed to come to life.
Today Tabán is a leisure park with gorgeous views of the Buda Castle.
There is also a cute, family-run bistro here, called Czakó Kert. Buy some very delicious bakeries, desserts, drink a coffee or have brunch.
How to get to Tabán
I recommend visiting Tabán after the hike to Gellért Hill. As you descend on the northern side of the hill, you will pass the Garden of Philosophers and if you are there already, Tabán will be just under your feet.
4. Palace Quarter
While the Palace Quarter is very close to downtown Budapest, it is still outside the usual tourist routes.
The area was built-in between 1867 and the First World War and during the decades more than 30 mansions and palaces were built here.
Some of these palaces have been restored some are still waiting for it. The restored ones are used today as universities, libraries, hotels, and institutions.
Wander around this small portion of Pest and pay attention to the details. Make sure to visit Mikszáth square, a laid-back square full of eateries and cafés.
How to get to the Palace Quarter
Palace Quarter hides right behind the Hungarian National Museum. You can walk there from downtown Pest or take M3 to Kálvin square.
5. Szabó Ervin Library
The library is located in one of the palaces of the Palace Quarter. It is one of the few that can be visited inside.
The building is called Wenckheim Palace, named after the aristocratic landowner family who built this residence.
Feel free to walk in and have a look around. There is a small fee (daily ticket: 1000 HUF, about USD 3.5) but it worth the price.
Walk up the 4th floor and you will see the original details of the aristocratic grandeur, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, gilded stucco ornaments and mahogany walls, and crystal chandeliers inside.
Don’t bother with the café on the first floor though.
How to get to the Library
Take M3 to Kálvin Square
6. Király Baths
While Gellért and Széchenyi Baths are the most famous and busy, I recommend visiting Király Baths for a much more unique experience. In Király Baths you will find a huge communal bath under a 16th century stone dome roof, plunge pools, massage rooms, and steam rooms.
Location: Király Bath, II district, Fő street 84.
Getting to Király Baths
M2 to Batthány square and walk a few minutes on Fő street.
7. Római fürdő
It is a stretch of the Danube riverbank with eateries and buffets. This area is very popular among runners, families with small children, dogs, and humans.
The atmosphere is very laid-back, there is no stress, no cars and no high-end restaurants here.
It is in full swing during summer weekend afternoons and nights.
It is easy to get here by public boat!
Getting to Római fürdő
Take the public boat from Vigadó square (downtown Pest)
8. Memento Park Statue Park
There is a very unique open-air museum on the outskirts of Budapest. This museum is dedicated to the statues of the communist period (1949 to 1989) in Hungary.
Statues of Engels, Marx, Lenin and several Hungarian communist leaders are placed here after the fall of communism in 1989.
This reminder of the tyranny will be interesting for anyone interested in history and life under Soviet influence.
Getting to Memento Park
M4 Kelenföldi station + bus no. 101B/101E (only during weekdays! – 2 stops to Memento Park)
or
M4 Újbuda központ + bus no. 150 (33 minutes – every day)
9. Park of the National Theater
The building of the National Theater stands in a green park and sculpture garden.
The sculptures in the garden represent scenes and people of Hungarian theatre.
One part of the park is shaped like a boat and during some summer weekends, open-air events are held here.
There is also a ‘Ziggurat’ here that represents the Tower of Babel. It is also a lookout point and from its top, the Danube river, the bridges, and Gellért Hill are clearly visible.
Getting to the Park
Tram 2: Müpa-Nemzeti Színház station
10. Bartók Béla street
Bartók Béla Street is a hipster area and cultural hub of Budapest. It has always been a center of creatives.
Start exploring the neighborhood from Bottomless Lake (Feneketlen tó) and walk in the direction of Gellért square, where the iconic Gellért Bath is situated.
During your stroll, you will pass several cafés, designer shops, galleries, and restaurants.
I recommend “Hadik Café” or the colorful “Szatyor Bar” for a coffee or lunch.
Getting to Bartók Béla street
From Deák Ferenc station: Tram 49 or Bus 7
These were a selection of all the off the beaten path attractions in Budapest that you can visit to escape from it all.
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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.
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We hope that you will be able to squeeze some of them into your itinerary.
Wish you a great time in Budapest!
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