Budapest Places to Visit: The 22 Best Highlights

Buy Tickets for Budapest Attractions Online in Advance

In Budapest, some highlights are always busy. Long lines at the entrance are pretty common — so booking ahead is genuinely worth it.

In the table below, you’ll find the attractions where we recommend buying tickets in advance so you can skip the queue.

All Budapest Attractions on One Map

Before we dive into each highlight in detail, here’s a map with all 22 Budapest places to visit so you can get your bearings right away.

Castles and Buildings in Budapest

The Castle District

The best place to start your tour of the Castle District is at the Castle Garden Bazaar.

When you look at the freshly renovated and lovingly decorated buildings of the Castle Garden Bazaar today, it’s hard to believe that a youth club and a disco were once housed here in the 1980s.

The Communists didn’t quite know what to do with the grandeur of the complex and handed it over to the young people. After some columns collapsed during an overly wild party and the place fell into increasing disrepair, it was closed in 1984 and didn’t reopen until 2014.

From the Castle Garden Bazaar, a convenient escalator takes you up to the Royal Palace, one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks.

Right next to the Castle Garden Bazaar is the beautiful Fisherman’s Bastion, and in between there are always great vantage points from which you can look out over the Danube and the Pest side of the city opposite.

Our tip: Don’t want to spend hours researching and organizing? Just join a guided tour of the Castle District. Your local guide will know the coolest spots and the most fascinating stories behind them.

Guided Tour of Budapest’s Castle District

Fisherman's Bastion

The name Fisherman’s Bastion isn’t exactly glamorous at first glance — which makes the structure behind it all the more impressive.

Because Fisherman’s Bastion looks like a fairy-tale castle straight out of a Disney film: entirely white, with pointed turrets and battlements all around.

In the past, the fortress was used as a fish market — hence the name.

The bastion sits on Castle Hill, and from the terrace you have a breathtaking panorama over Budapest’s historic center and the Danube.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is not only the largest building in Budapest, but probably also the most famous. A visit is absolutely essential when you’re in Budapest for a city break!

In the 13th century, the Royal Palace was the residence of the Hungarian kings. But few other buildings have had such a dramatic history — over the centuries it was constantly redesigned, destroyed, and rebuilt.

The palace itself is stunning for its magnificent architecture alone. But there are also several museums inside, including the National Museum and the Historical Museum, as well as the National Library.

A photo in front of the enormous palace with its turquoise dome is, of course, a must.

Tour of the Royal Palace

Vajdahunyad Castle

Budapest and castles go together like peas in a pod — there are simply an incredible number of them! But there’s only one like Vajdahunyad Castle. So what makes it so special?

Vajdahunyad was built to mark Budapest’s 1,000th anniversary, and its towers are copies of the 21 most beautiful castles and buildings in Hungary. You get 21 castles for the price of one — pretty cool, right?

Even so, the architecture is remarkably harmonious and doesn’t look thrown together at all. With its moat and portcullis gate, Vajdahunyad is a castle straight out of a storybook.

The Hungarian Parliament

The Hungarian Parliament is Budapest’s most iconic landmark and truly massive in scale: almost 270 meters long and 96 meters tall. That makes it one of the largest parliament buildings in the world and one of the tallest structures in the city.

The architecture is quite reminiscent of the Palace of Westminster in London, with its many pointed white turrets and countless arched windows.

On a tour of the Parliament, you can even visit the magnificent dome hall, where the Hungarian royal crown is on display.

By the way, the best spot for photos is from the opposite bank of the Danube.

St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest and most important church in all of Budapest and, like several other Budapest sights, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With its rich ornamentation, the church is seriously stunning both inside and out.

The dome soars a full 100 meters high, and the best part is that you can climb all the way up to the observation platform — after 297 steps, that is. The effort is totally worth it, because from the top you’re rewarded with a breathtaking vista over the city.

By the way, the spiral staircases leading up to the church towers make for a great subject for perspective photography.

Tour of St. Stephen’s Basilica

Chain Bridge

A total of nine bridges span the Danube in the city. But the Chain Bridge is the oldest bridge to permanently connect the two sides of Buda and Pest — and especially at night, when lights illuminate the massive structure, it might just be the most beautiful of the nine.

The Chain Bridge measures a total of 375 meters in length and, as the name suggests, is held up by steel cables attached to two enormous towers.

You can also cross it on foot — honestly, it’s just part of any Budapest visit. Plus, you’ll have a great view over the Danube and both sides of the city.

Our tip: In addition to the Chain Bridge, we can also recommend the Margaret Bridge or the Liberty Bridge. For us, both are genuine hidden gems in Budapest!

Fascinating Museums in Budapest

House of Terror

This next attraction isn’t exactly the most cheerful one. But if you want a well-rounded picture of Budapest, the House of Terror absolutely belongs on your list of things to do in Budapest.

Hungary endured not one but two horrific dictatorships in the 20th century — first under the National Socialists and immediately afterward under the Communists.

Before it became the House of Terror, this was simply a beautiful Renaissance-style building. But during the dictatorships, unspeakable atrocities, torture, and murders were committed here.

Today, the museum sheds light on this dark chapter in Budapest’s history. The films featuring eyewitness accounts are both tragic and deeply moving.

Guided Tour of the House of Terror

Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts is impressive even from the outside — but inside, even more highlights await.

The permanent collection showcases classical art across the centuries: paintings by old masters, a hall of classical sculptures, and a deep dive into the art history of Hungary.

Particularly fascinating is the Egyptian exhibition in the basement — where you can even see real mummies.

Also worth your time are the rotating special exhibitions, which tell fascinating stories about famous artists such as Frida Kahlo or Hieronymus Bosch.

Our tip for families: The museum offers an Adventure Kit for families, letting kids explore the museum in a fun, playful way.

Flipper Museum

No matter what generation you’re from, pinball is something you’ll recognize instantly: brightly lit machines, balls flying around, and that shrill ringing when you hit an obstacle.

But did you know that pinball dates back to the 18th century? No joke — though the game looked completely different back then.

At the Flipper Museum, you can admire the most diverse range of machines, learn all about the history of the game, and on top of that, play to your heart’s content.

Definitely one of the quirkiest museums we’ve ever come across.

Admission to the Flipper Museum

Into the Great Outdoors

Gellért Hill

The best view over Budapest is from Gellért Hill. Unlike at the castle, there’s no escalator here — you’ll need to use your own two legs.

The best starting point is to the right of the famous Gellért Baths. Don’t let the word “climb” put you off — it sounds much harder than it actually is. The short hike is absolutely worth it!

City Park

City Park is a recreational area right behind Heroes’ Square and essentially the green lung of Budapest. Locals spend their evenings and weekends here, reading in the grass or letting the kids loose on the many playgrounds.

City Park has quite a few other attractions too. There’s a circus that puts on shows year-round, as well as a zoo and a botanical garden on the grounds.

On summer days, most people head to the lake in City Park to soak up the sun and cool off in the water.

Margaret Island

Margaret Island sits in the middle of the Danube between the Buda and Pest districts.

It’s a true oasis of calm — apart from public transit, no cars are allowed here. In return, there’s a wide range of leisure activities, and on warm days the place buzzes with people enjoying summer days out.

The Palatinus Outdoor Pool is perfect for this, with several pools, sunbathing areas, and even water slides. There’s also a small petting zoo and a Japanese garden where turtles splash around in the ponds.

Especially if you’re traveling with kids, Margaret Island is a wonderful day-trip destination.

People and Culture in Budapest

Thermal Baths

The thermal baths in Budapest are world-famous — and for good reason. Budapest is the largest spa city in Europe, with a total of 21 baths.

Two in particular stand out: the Gellért Bath and the Széchenyi Bath, both of which impress not only with their relaxing waters but also with their stunning architecture.

The Széchenyi Bath, for example, is housed in a palace building from 1913 and offers several natural pools, saunas, and a generous outdoor bathing area.

The Gellért Bath is designed entirely in the Art Nouveau style. Its most famous pool is set in an impressive columned hall with delicate balconies.

Tickets for the Gellért Bath

Tickets for the Széchenyi Bath

Synagogues

Budapest has a rich Jewish tradition, and today more than 100,000 Jewish people still live in the city. The Great Synagogue is the largest in all of Europe and is definitely not to be missed.

The synagogue is beautifully decorated and feels quite different from Christian churches. Right next to it there’s also a museum dedicated to Jewish history in Budapest.

Our tip: A real under-the-radar find that we discovered through our guide Gábor is the synagogue on Kazinczy Street. What makes this Orthodox synagogue special is its Art Nouveau architecture. If you’re exploring the Jewish Quarter, don’t skip this one.

Tour of Jewish Culture in Budapest with Gábor

Ruin Bars

The Jewish Quarter in Budapest is now the city’s alternative arts and nightlife district and reminds us a little of Berlin. Bars and restaurants are everywhere, and especially in the evenings the streets of the neighborhood are seriously lively. Just wander through and soak up the unique atmosphere.

Budapest is also known for its ruin bars — places that have been set up in abandoned buildings and backyards. The most famous is Szimpla Kert. You won’t find many locals here anymore since it’s become a staple in every travel guide, but a visit is still totally worth it. For us, hitting a ruin bar is one of the coolest things to do in Budapest!

During the day it’s pretty relaxed, but in the evening it fills right up. Every Sunday morning there’s a farmers’ market here too, which is really worth checking out.

Want to explore Budapest’s alternative scene more deeply? We recommend this tour:

Walking Tour through Alternative Budapest

Famous Streets and Squares in Budapest

Heroes' Square

Heroes’ Square once served as the backdrop for Michael Jackson’s music video for his song History. At a height of 36 meters, the angel Gabriel sits atop the Corinthian column, surrounded by equestrian statues and monuments.

Heroes’ Square is located at the end of the famous Andrássy Avenue and is one of the most well-known spots in Budapest — not least because it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Behind the square stretches a beautiful park with a lake that invites you to paddle in summer and ice skate in winter.

Andrássy út

Andrássy Avenue is another structure built at the end of the 19th century to mark Budapest’s 1,000th anniversary.

The street is both a main thoroughfare and a grand boulevard — and since many of Budapest’s top points of interest are lined up along it, you’ll find yourself here sooner or later anyway. We recommend taking the time to stroll a little further.

From beautiful historic building facades to luxurious villas with gardens and tree-lined park sections, there’s a lot to take in. You’ll also discover some lovely cafés and restaurants along the way.

Unique Attractions in Budapest

Caves of Buda Castle

When visiting Budapest, the Castle District with Fisherman’s Bastion naturally tops the list. But if you’re after a lesser-known spot, we’ve got something for you — because beneath the beautiful castles, there are real treasures to discover underground.

Spanning more than 4,000 square meters is a labyrinth of caves. They formed entirely naturally and were connected by tunnels during World War II.

During the war, the cave system served as a military bunker and provided shelter for up to 10,000 civilians. There was even an entire hospital underground — hard to imagine!

Today, a large portion of the caves is open to visitors, and we really recommend a tour through this labyrinth.

Tour through the Caves of Buda Castle

The Great Market Hall

Attention foodies — Budapest is seriously your kind of city: in the Great Market Hall at Liberty Bridge, you’ll find 10,000 square meters of everything your heart desires, from glossy red paprika to fresh meat and the delicious Hungarian dumplings known as Pogácsa.

The Great Market Hall is a major tourist magnet and usually quite crowded. A great alternative is the Lehel Market, which is frequented by locals, has lower prices, and is packed with regional specialties.

Want to go deeper into Hungarian cuisine? There are special tours where you stroll through the market with a local and then cook authentic Hungarian food in a private apartment — honestly one of the best ways to really experience Budapest life.

Market Tour with Private Cooking Class

The Oldest Subway in Europe

Metro Line 1 is the oldest subway line on the European mainland.

And ironically, its construction was a total accident — the government had banned the construction of a streetcar on the famous Andrássy Avenue in 1893. So the people of Budapest decided to simply build the line underground instead.

From proposal to project approval, just five months passed. Not bad for a city infrastructure project!

Boat Trip on the Danube

The Danube flows through Budapest from north to south, dividing the city into Buda and Pest. If you want to experience the city from a completely different angle, we really recommend a boat trip on the Danube.

Along the banks you’ll pass many beautiful Budapest places to visit — including the Hungarian Parliament — and simply watching the historic center and the promenade drift past is absolutely gorgeous.

You can choose from standard sightseeing tours by boat or special options like evening cruises or boat tours with a gourmet dinner.

Daytime Sightseeing Boat Tour

Night Boat Tour with Dinner

General Tips for Visiting Budapest's Attractions

Finally, here are a few practical travel tips for Budapest that should make planning your trip easier and help you find your way around in no time.

The Best City Tours and Tours of Budapest's Highlights

We’ve had a really great experience with our tour guide Gabor from Gabor Tours. He’s a local who knows the city like the back of his hand and shows you the coolest spots you definitely won’t find in any ordinary travel guide. We can wholeheartedly recommend a tour with Gabor!

Gabor is a private tour guide — unlike typical group tours, he tailors the experience specifically to your interests, whether you’re more into history, architecture, or food.

Want a fun mix of everything? No problem — Gabor also has standard tours and day trips that give you a great introduction to life in Budapest.

All Budapest Tours with Gabor

Our Hotel Tips for Budapest

There’s no shortage of places to stay in Budapest, and there really is something for every taste — outstanding 5-star hotels with a long tradition, budget hostels for party travelers, and everything in between.

Budapest is divided into the two main districts of Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube. We recommend staying on the Pest side. While many famous attractions are in Buda, Pest simply has a lot more going on — countless restaurants, bars, and shopping options, and public transportation gets you to the other side very quickly.

Check out our hotel tips for Budapest for every budget.

Looking for a hotel with that extra something? Then check out our recommendations for the best boutique hotels in Budapest.

Save Money and Time with the Budapest Card

The Budapest Card is a classic tourist pass — and it’s genuinely worth it if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing and getting around the city.

With the Budapest Card you get discounted — and in some cases completely free — entry to many Budapest attractions, especially museums, plus unlimited use of public transportation. Whether the Budapest Card is really worth it for your trip is explained in the article linked below.

The card is available for validity periods of one (**46 euros**) to five (**104 euros**) days. To get it, download a voucher online in advance and then pick up your pass at one of the collection points at the airport or in the city center.

Get the Budapest Card

The Best Budapest Travel Guides

Can’t get enough Budapest tips, or just want a travel guide on hand? Here are our two favorites.

DuMont Direkt Travel Guide Budapest
Short on luggage space? The DuMont travel guide is ideal — at just 120 pages it’s super compact, yet covers all the essential information about Budapest’s top attractions. It also includes a few off-the-beaten-path tips, for example for jazz clubs, and helpful accommodation recommendations.

Baedeker Travel Guide Budapest
We especially recommend the Baedeker guides if you want to learn a lot about local culture. In addition to the typical information about Budapest’s sights, the roughly 300 pages also cover politics, history, and everyday life in the city.

Our Travel Video from Budapest

In our five-minute video 22 Hours Budapest, we wrap up this article by showing you the sights of Budapest, sharing great tips for your city trip, and taking you along on a virtual tour.