In a nutshell
- Beyond the classic sights in Budapest, the city is full of insider tips most visitors never find. We’ll show you exactly what to look for!
- Art galleries, boutiques, and seriously cool cafés: the hip Bartók Béla Boulevard neighborhood is one of Budapest’s best-kept secrets.
- For a unique bird’s-eye view, a hot air balloon ride over Városliget City Park delivers absolutely stunning panoramas.
- Foodies, take note: the creatively designed Twentysix° Restaurant — styled like an urban jungle — is one of the most memorable meals you’ll have in the city.
Ferris Wheel at Erzsébet Square
One of the most fun — and genuinely underrated — activities in Budapest is a ride on the ferris wheel at Erzsébet Square. You can hardly miss it in the heart of the city — it towers above almost every building in the area. And yet, many visitors have such a packed itinerary on their trip to Budapest that the ferris wheel gets skipped entirely.
Admittedly, about $13 for a single ride is a little steep. But the view is truly spectacular: you get a fantastic look at Budapest’s top sights, including the Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Buda Castle, and Fisherman’s Bastion. Seriously worth it!
Our tip: The ride is especially magical at sunset, when the sky turns pink and red and the city lights shimmer through the gathering dusk.
Bartók Béla Boulevard
Bartók Béla Boulevard is a real Budapest hidden gem. The neighborhood sits a bit off the tourist trail and has developed into one of the hippest districts in the city over the past few years.
Between historic old buildings and plenty of green spaces, you’ll find creative art galleries, small boutiques, and trendy cafés and bars with a cool multicultural vibe.
One of our absolute favorite spots here is Pékműhely Bartók, a small bakery with incredibly good pastries. Also worth a stop is Kelet, which serves oriental coffee specialties like Turkish coffee and Japanese tea. And for really great Hawaiian Poké Bowls, head to ONO.
Gozsdu Passage
Some of Budapest’s most beautiful corners are hidden in tucked-away courtyards and unassuming passages — and the Gozsdu Passage is one of the best. You’ll find restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and even an arcade with gaming machines all packed into one atmospheric corridor.
In the evenings, the Gozsdu Passage draws especially young crowds — the place really comes alive and the party goes on late into the night.
On weekends, a lovely flea and craft market also takes place here during the day.
The Twentysix° Restaurant
On Király Utca, a truly special restaurant awaits: Twentysix° is a kind of urban jungle. Greenery grows from every direction and the décor is made from natural materials — one of the hippest spots in all of Budapest!
You can enjoy a really great gin and tonic, snack on oriental mezze, or indulge in fantastic cheesecake. And on top of that, Twentysix° also doubles as a yoga studio, zero waste coffee shop, and event kitchen.
Twentysix° is super popular, so be sure to make a reservation.
Our tip: In the same building you’ll find the Stories Boutique Hotel, which is just as cool and creatively designed as Twentysix° — and very centrally located to boot.
Lies auch:
The Castle District at Night
Sure, the Castle District is no secret in Budapest. But while most visitors head up during the day, we really recommend going at night — for us, it’s one of the most beautiful walks in Budapest!
The big advantage: there are far fewer tourists around, and the atmosphere feels almost reverently quiet. The sea of lights in the historic district, which you can take in from Fisherman’s Bastion, is simply magical!
Another nice bonus: you can walk along the accessible wall for free.
Note: Between midnight and 1 a.m., the lights are switched off.
To the night walking tour of Budapest
The Lehel Market Hall
The Lehel Market may be a little less polished than the famous Grand Market Hall, but it’s far more authentic. Locals do most of their shopping here, which means you’ll find plenty of things cheaper than at the tourist markets.
There’s fresh fruit and vegetables, Hungarian cheese, and sausage specialties. In short: pure deliciousness!
Grab a bite from one of the many stalls and watch the hustle and bustle from the second floor while you eat. We especially recommend Gina’s Pogácsa — these little potato pastries have totally won us over!
The market is open on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on weekends it closes at noon.
Note: It’s best to keep your camera in your bag here — photos are not allowed.
Tram Line 2
Budapest’s trams with their bright yellow cars have real cult status. The only thing that might be even more beloved is Lisbon’s Tram Line 28E!
We especially recommend a ride on line M2 or 2. On the stretch from the Grand Market Hall to Margaret Bridge, you’ll enjoy a stunning panorama of the Danube, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Hungarian Parliament. National Geographic once even named it the most beautiful tram line in Europe.
Try to grab a window seat on the left side — that’s where you’ll see the most.
A single ticket costs just about $1.15, making it a seriously affordable alternative to a regular city sightseeing tour.
Budapest's Most Beautiful Bridges
Just about everyone knows the Chain Bridge in Budapest. But here are two more bridges that are absolutely worth your time.
From the middle of Margaret Bridge, you get a fantastic vista over the Danube with the Parliament and the Castle District in the background. For us, it’s a great alternative to the very touristy Chain Bridge! You can also reach Margaret Island from here — a real gem right in the heart of the city.
Our second pick is Liberty Bridge. The green steel structure has an extraordinary character all its own. A walk across it also pairs perfectly with other Budapest activities — nearby you’ll find the Grand Market Hall, Gellért Hill, and Bartók Béla Boulevard.
Balloon in Városliget
One of the newer attractions and still a genuine Budapest hidden gem is the red-and-white striped balloon that rises into the air in Városliget, the city park.
In just five minutes, the balloon lifts you up to 150 meters, where you’ll enjoy an unbeatable view of Vajdahunyad Castle, Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Heroes’ Square, and the entire Pest side of the city. At around $18, it’s a fairly pricey experience — but the views are hard to match.
If heights aren’t your thing, there’s a great alternative right in Városliget: the Museum of Ethnography, which features a beautiful rooftop garden with a great view completely free of charge. The building itself is designed like a giant halfpipe — seriously cool architecture.
The Danube Riverbank on the Pest Side
A walk along the Danube promenade may not be a secret anymore — but we have two specific pointers that not everyone knows about.
First: the road along the Pest side riverbank is closed to cars on weekends, so you can enjoy a truly relaxed stroll. It’s especially great for a family vacation with kids — no need to keep an eye out for passing traffic.
We also recommend making a detour to the Shoes on the Danube Bank, a moving memorial commemorating the Jewish victims of World War II. It’s easy to walk right past if you don’t know it’s there. You’ll find it between Széchenyi István Square and the Parliament (open in Google Maps).
A Day Trip to Szentendre
About 45 minutes by train from Budapest lies the small town of Szentendre. Even better: you can also take a boat from Budapest to Szentendre.
Also read our tips for boat trips in Budapest
The setting between green hills and the Danube is simply picturesque. In the early 20th century, many painters were drawn here and it developed into a kind of artists’ colony — it reminded us a little of the artists’ towns along the Côte d’Azur, in miniature of course.
For us, it’s the perfect day trip to escape the hustle of Budapest: cobblestone lanes, small art galleries, boutiques, and museums all invite you to wander and unwind.
Our tip: You can also book a guided day tour to Szentendre so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Depending on the option you choose, you’ll even be picked up directly from your hotel in Budapest.
To the day trip to Szentendre on Getyourguide
Food and Drink in Budapest
To really get to know the city, you’ll want to work your way through Budapest’s culinary scene. Here are our recommendations for great cafés and restaurants in Budapest.
Our Restaurant Tips for Budapest
Dobrumba: Delicious mezze and Mediterranean and oriental specialties — be sure to try the falafel. Very popular, so reserve ahead.
Két Szerecsen: This all-day bistro has you covered from morning to night — a croissant or full breakfast in the morning, French and Hungarian cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Menza: The décor is a matter of taste, but the food more than makes up for it. Traditional Hungarian dishes alongside international options, with great choices for vegetarians and vegans.
Teraza: The standout at this Mexican restaurant is the colorfully decorated courtyard. Expect great Mexican food — tacos, quesadillas, solid salads — plus pretty good margaritas.
Leila’s: The best address for authentic Lebanese cuisine in Budapest. Friendly staff, super charming atmosphere.
MOTO Pizza: A hip pizzeria serving authentic Neapolitan pizza. Grab a seat outside and watch the action at Madách Imre tér.
Rácskert: The vegan alternative to the Karavan Street Food Market, with a great variety of street food right in the heart of the Jewish Quarter.
Hilda: Beautiful interior, a small and carefully curated menu, fantastic food, and excellent service. Perfect for a special occasion or a more upscale evening out.
Breakfast in Budapest
Franziska / Home of Franziska: Locations in both Buda and Pest, with everything a breakfast lover could want — from omelets to avocado toast, granola, and pancakes.
London Coffee Society: A real treat for sourdough bread lovers. Fresh bread topped with egg, bacon, avocado, and more — and the smoothie bowls are really delicious too.
Cirkusz Café: Running late? No problem — at Cirkusz you can brunch until 4 p.m. It gets crowded during peak times and reservations aren’t possible, so you may have to wait a little.
Cinnamon: A small breakfast café on the Buda side with all kinds of great morning options — avocado toast, pancakes, shakshuka, and more.
Fekete: A particularly lovely spot to have breakfast in the cozy courtyard. Minimalist vibe, good coffee, a really tasty omelet, and pleasantly cool in summer.
Great Cafés in Budapest
My Little Melbourne Coffee & Brewbar: Australian vibes right in the heart of Budapest! This hipster café brought the specialty coffee movement to the Hungarian capital.
Espresso Embassy: Genuinely friendly baristas who really know their craft, plus delicious cakes, filled croissants (the pistachio one is incredible), and a variety of sweet snacks.
Madal Café: Very hipster, with all kinds of coffee variations and everything you need to brew great coffee at home. Three locations in Budapest — including one right around the corner from the Parliament!
Magvető Café: A cozy café that’s a great place to sit and plan your next adventure. Good coffee, and you absolutely have to try the apple cake.
mester bike & coffee: A little off the beaten path, but the coffee makes the trip totally worthwhile. The coolest part: it’s also a bike shop — road cycling fans will feel right at home.
Massolit: Café and English bookstore in one. The quiet garden is wonderful for unwinding, and a little cooler in summer too — a real oasis in the Jewish Quarter.
Arán Bakery: A small Iranian bakery with sweet treats and strong Iranian coffee. The baklava is absolutely dripping with honey — a guaranteed sugar rush.
