by Ivanhoe / CC BY-SA 3.0

A Blend of Old-World Elegance and Modern Vibrancy

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.

➖ Negative Aspects

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 — 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.

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 (Halászbástya) 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 Café 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Restored in 2006 to its original splendor, the famous New York Café (New York Kávéház) 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 2.6 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 2.6 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

#11 | Great Market Hall 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The Great Market Hall in Budapest, Hungary, is a historic landmark located at the Pest end of the Liberty Bridge.

Constructed in the late 19th century, this immense market hall spans three floors and is renowned for its stunning Neo-Gothic architecture.

Historic Cafe

by Thaler Tamas / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

#12 | Museum of Fine Arts Budapest 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Situated in a neoclassical landmark building, the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest offers a diverse collection encompassing various art forms and periods, including Hungarian and Spanish masterpieces.

Its collection includes works from various artistic movements, including Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanticism, as well as pieces from renowned artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, and Goya. The museum also features Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts, offering visitors a comprehensive view of both European and non-European art.

Museum

by Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) / CC BY-SA 3.0

#13 | Szechenyi Chain Bridge 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The Szechenyi Chain Bridge, an emblem of Budapest, is a historic marvel with its elegant suspension design, lion statues, and panoramic views.

Designed by the English engineer William Tierney Clark and opened in 1849, it was the first permanent bridge to connect Buda and Pest, uniting the once-separate cities.

Bridge

by Wilfredor  / CC BY-SA 3.0

#14 | Vaci Utca 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Váci Utca in Budapest is a lively pedestrian street known for its diverse shopping opportunities, historic charm, and cultural landmarks.

Lined with elegant Neo-Renaissance buildings and adorned with charming cafes and boutiques, Váci Utca attracts locals and tourists alike, creating a vibrant atmosphere day and night.

Shopping Street

by Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 3.0

#15 | Mementó Park 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Mementó Park in Budapest preserves monumental statues from Hungary's Communist era, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into the country's history through its collection of socialist sculptures.

These artifacts were relocated to the park following the fall of communism, serving as a reminder of Hungary's past political ideologies.

Open-air Museum

by Civertan / CC BY-SA 4.0

#16 | Városliget (City Park) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Városliget, or City Park, is one of Budapest's largest and most iconic green spaces, spanning about 302 acres.

Visitors can explore landmarks like Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, and the Budapest Zoo within the park's expansive grounds.

Open-air Museum

by Dezidor / CC BY-SA 3.0

    • Rudas Spa 5
    • Central Synagogue 5
    • Liberty Bridge 5
    • Post Office Savings Bank building 4
    • House of Terror (Terror Háza) 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Budapest

🌍 OLD VILLAGE OF HOLLOKO (World Heritage Site since 1987, 66 km from Budapest) 4


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

Margit-sziget 5