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Once a destination that flew under the tourist radar, savvy travellers have now clued into Budapest — Boo-dah-pesht, as it’s pronounced locally.
The Hungarian capital is physically split in two by the glittering Danube River, which also defines a split in the city’s personality. On one side of the river lies leafy Buda with its undulating hills, historic castle district, and refined museums and galleries. On the other side, larger, grittier Pest is home to endless bars and restaurants, cutting edge designer boutiques, and pulsating nightlife.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Budapest on a first visit.
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Watch our video of ten great things to do on a Danube River Cruise:
10 Great Things to Do on a DANUBE RIVER CRUISE, Europe | Passau, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
Cruising the great rivers of Europe is what holiday dreams are made of. Along the way you’ll see grand hilltop castles and chateaus, and visit medieval towns and atmospheric old-world cities. And unlike doing a coach tour of Europe, the big attraction of a river cruise is that you only have to unpack once.
1. Learn how Budapest came to be
Originally established as separate fortified settlements in the 9th century, Buda and Pest were united with a third much older municipality — Óbuda — in 1873 to form what is now Budapest. This led to the construction of the Hungarian Parliament Building — a hugely impressive neo-gothic structure on the Pest side of the Danube, which opened in 1902. It’s well worth doing the one-hour guided tour of the complex, but be warned: it books out well in advance.
2. Explore Castle Hill
For an unrivalled panorama of the city, head to the hilltop castle district on the opposite side of the river. This World Heritage-listed tourist hot spot encompasses Buda Castle (the former Royal Palace), Fishermen’s Bastion (an elaborate observation terrace), and the Gothic-style Matthias Church. The castle and Roman Catholic church were built in the 13th century, and the former housed the kings of Hungary for several centuries. The views from all three edifices are mind-blowing.
3. Honour the victims of a dark past
Hungary’s history took a dark, anti-Semitic turn in the lead up to World War II, which ultimately saw the deportation of thousands of Jews to Nazi concentration camps. In 1944, the fascist Arrow Cross party forced Budapest’s remaining Hungarian-Jewish population into a walled-off ghetto and systematically murdered an estimated 20,000 people. The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a poignant tribute to the victims, while the Tree of Life monument in the courtyard of the Dohány Street Great Synagogue (the largest synagogue in Europe) bears the names of victims inscribed on its metallic leaves.
4. Cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Today there are several bridges that span the Danube between Buda and Pest, but back in the mid 1800s there was just one — the famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Flanked by majestic life-like stone lions, it remains a defining element of the cityscape. It only takes a few minutes to walk across the bridge and the views along the way are superb.
5. Walk from the Chain Bridge to Heroes’ Square
From the Pest side of the Chain Bridge, follow Andrássy Avenue through the heart of the city to epic Heroes’ Square. The walk will take you about 45 minutes, depending on the number of photo stops you make (such as outside the stately Hungarian State Opera House). Heroes Square is a vast plaza that was built to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of Hungary. It’s yet another photographer’s delight!
6. Do a tour of ruins
While visiting old ruins is standard practice for travellers, the concept takes on new meaning in Budapest. Here, ‘ruins’ (romkocsma) are essentially pubs housed in abandoned, decrepit buildings. They’re largely concentrated in the Jewish Quarter and filled with quirky knick-knacks to create a frenzied visual feast. Try and visit at least one ruin during your stay in the city. If you have no idea where to look, join a guided tour and visit several venues over the course of a couple of hours.
7. Feast on traditional fare
Traditional Hungarian fare includes dishes such as goulash (which lies somewhere between a soup and a stew), paprika chicken (served with a type of egg noodle called nokedli), and lángos (pastry topped with sour cream and cheese). Learn more about the local food scene by visiting the Central Market Hall (also known as the Great Market Hall) — the largest indoor market in Budapest. Peruse the array of fresh produce available on the ground level, before heading upstairs to Fakanál Restaurant to enjoy an authentic Hungarian feast.
8. Indulge in sweet treats
Leave room for dessert, because you won’t be able to resist the tempting pastries and cakes on offer at Auguszt Cukrászda bakery (a one-kilometre walk from the Central Market Hall). Taste-test the rétes (traditional strudel with various fillings) and kürtőskalács (baked sweet dough rolled in sugar).
9. Bathe in a thermal spa
Budapest is known as the ‘city of spas’ and no visit would be complete without spending a few hours soaking in the warm, mineral-rich waters at one of the city’s thermal baths. The largest spa is the Neo-Baroque style Széchenyi Baths, which has fifteen indoor baths and three outdoor pools. A word of warning: it gets super busy here during peak periods.
If you prefer something a bit more boutique (three outdoor pools and eight indoor thermal pools), swing by the Gellért Baths — part of the famous Hotel Gellért. This spa is justly famous for its Art Nouveau-style furnishings and exquisite mosaic tiling. Please note: Gellért Baths is currently closed for a major renovation and will reopen in 2028.
10. Cruise the Danube
And finally, there’s no more relaxing way to soak in the beauty of Budapest than by drifting through the city centre on a river cruise. Do a day cruise, or push the boat out on a dinner cruise and watch the city lights dance on the surface of the Danube.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.visithungary.com.
Browse our range of Hungary tours and experiences here.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the top things to do in Budapest on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Camha Pham is a freelance writer and editor who has recently swapped the cosmopolitan laneways of Melbourne for the sunny beaches of Perth. Struck with the wanderlust bug from an early age, she has travelled extensively through Asia, Europe, and parts of North America. When she isn’t travelling, Camha is planning her next adventure and loves nothing more than the thrill of exploring new destinations and learning about other cultures. Travel highlights to date include chasing waterfalls in enchanting Iceland, hot-air ballooning over the lunar-like landscape of Cappadocia, and accepting a surprise marriage proposal at the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto!
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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