by Ivanhoe / CC BY-SA 3.0

A. About Budapest

Nickname: The City of Spas

Modern Budapest is the result of a historic amalgamation of the separate cities of Buda and Pest (as well as the smaller and more distant Óbuda).

The Hungarian Capital is known as the city of spas offering an astounding array of baths.

As for the sights, especially worth visiting are the Hungarian Parliament (also impressive from the inside) and the National Opera House.

 

Best Things to do in Budapest

The Good:

Packed with elegant architecture and magnificent monuments, Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, scoring very solid throughout all categories.

The Not-So-Good:

Budapest is one of those rare cities with no real flaw, but the city is also not scoring especially high in any category.


B. Best things to do in Budapest in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information) 

In total, we count more than 150 sights in Budapest. The following sights contribute to a score of 7.20/10 in this most important category:

# HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT 8 4.1 out of 5 stars

Completed in 1904 and still the tallest and largest building in Budapest the Hungarian Parliament Building features a striking neo-Gothic exterior and an extravagant interior.

Highlights include the elaborate staircase, the Assembly Hall of the House of Magnates, and the spectacular central hall with its marvelous vast cupola and the Holy Crown of Hungary.

Historic Building World Heritage Site: since 1987 | Prebooking required

Best Things to do in Budapest | Best Cities | Budapest | HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT

# National Opera House 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Opened in 1884, this neo-Renaissance opera house is one of the most beautiful in Europe â€” inside and out.

Take a tour of the opulent interior to marvel at the white marble main stairway, the remarkable foyer, the royal staircase as well as the main hall with a beautiful fresco and a bronze chandelier weighing 3050 kg.

đŸŽ¶ Opera House

Best things to do in Budapest | Best Cities | No. 19: Budapest | National Opera House

# Basilica of Saint Stephen 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Completed in 1906 (after 54 years of construction) and named after the first king and founder of Hungary, the massive Basilica of Saint Stephen is just as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside.

Ride an elevator up to the top of the 96-m [315 ft-] high dome tower for spectacular views over the city (open between April 1—October 31).

Church

Best Things to do in Budapest | Best Cities | Budapest | Basilica of Saint Stephen

# BUDA CASTLE with Hungarian National Gallery 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The imposing Buda Castle with its striking facade, one of the most eye-catching architectural masterpieces in Budapest, is situated on top of Castle Hill forty-eight meters above the Danube.

The palace complex houses the Hungarian National Gallery (5) the Budapest History Museum (4), the Ludwig Museum (5), and the National Széchényi Library (4).

Castle and Museum (World Heritage Site: since 1987)

Best Things to do in Budapest | Best Cities | No. 19: Budapest | BUDA CASTLE (Royal Palace with Hungarian National Gallery)

by Alex Proimos / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Gellert Baths 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Located in the same building as the Hotel Gellért, the world-famous Gellért Baths are considered the most elegant baths in Budapest.

Built between 1912 and 1918 in Art Nouveau style, the bath complex features an open-air swimming pool that can create artificial waves every 30 minutes, an effervescent swimming pool, intricate mosaic floors, tile work, and beautiful stained glass.

Historical Baths

Best Things to do in Budapest | Best Cities | Budapest | Gellert Baths

by Roberto Ventre / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Szechenyi Baths 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Constructed in neo-Baroque style and situated in City Park, Szechenyi Baths is the biggest and most popular of all the hot thermal baths in Budapest.

Open all year round it features stunning architecture with ceiling frescoes and grand marble columns.

Bath Complex (Pools: 21)

by Art Anderson / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Fisherman's Bastion 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

With its seven towers and numerous colonnades, Fisherman's Bastion (HalĂĄszbĂĄstya) is a neo-Gothic terrace that has the feel and looks of a castle taken straight out of a fairy tale.

It was built between 1895 and 1902 and offers a wonderful panoramic view of the Danube River, Margaret Island, and Pest.

Terrace (Towers: 7 | Completed: 1902)

Best Things to do in Budapest | Best Cities | Budapest | Fisherman's Bastion

# New York CafĂ© 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Restored in 2006 to its original splendor, the famous New York Café (New York Kåvéhåz) inside the Boscolo Budapest Hotel is considered the most beautiful coffee house in the world.

The extremely luxurious interior features ornate lamps and paintings on the ceiling mixed with contemporary furnishings.

☕ Historic Cafe

# Mathias Church 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

This elegant Neo-Gothic church is renowned for its beautiful interior.

Catholic Church

by VinceB / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Margit-sziget (Margaret Island) 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Wedged in a loop of the River Danube, this traffic-free 2.5 km long and about 500 m wide island with its parks and recreational areas, is a very pleasant place to relax.

Island with Park Land Area: 0.69 km2 / 238 acres

Best Cities in the World | No. 19: Budapest | Best Things to do in Budapest | Margit-sziget (island)

by Orrling / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Budapest

    • Vaci Utca (shopping street) 5.5
    • Szechenyi Chain Bridge 5.5
    • Central Market 5.5
    • Rudas Spa 5.5
    • Central Synagogue 5.5
    • Memento Park 5.5
    • Post Office Savings Bank building 5.5
    • Liberty Bridge 5.5
    • Museum of Fine Arts Budapest 5.5
    • House of Terror (Terror HĂĄza) 5
    • City Park (VĂĄrosliget) 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Budapest

OLD VILLAGE OF HOLLOKO (World Heritage Site since 1987, 66 km from Budapest) 5


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Budapest (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Budapest for at least three entire days:

HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT 8

National Opera House 7

Basilica of Saint Stephen 7

BUDA CASTLE with Hungarian National Gallery 6

Gellert Baths 6

Fisherman's Bastion 6

Cafe New York 6

Szechenyi Baths 6

Mathias Church 5.5 

Margit-sziget 5.5