All must-do's in enchanting Budapest
EuropeBudapest is the capital of Hungary and lies on both sides of the Danube River. Since the unification of the cities of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest in 1873, the city has been known as Budapest. There's so much to do in Budapest. In this blog post, you'll find out what you absolutely must see and do during your city break to this beautiful city.
What to do in Budapest?
Visit one of the famous bathhouses
It's said that healing water flows through Budapest, which explains why there are no fewer than 125 bathhouses. Visiting one of these is definitely a must.
Széchenyi
Budapest's most famous and largest bathhouse is Széchenyi. This bathhouse boasts three large outdoor pools, eighteen indoor pools, and several saunas. The pools have varying temperatures, ranging from 18 to 38 degrees Celsius. Not only is it wonderful to swim here during the day, but Széchenyi is also known for its "sparty" (spa party) held on Saturday evenings (from February to December).
If you visit Széchenyi during the day, be sure to visit the adjacent city park, Városliget. This green oasis is perfect for a leisurely stroll and a visit to Vajdahunyad vára Castle. At the castle, you'll also find one of the miniature statues by artist Mihály Kolodko, several of which can be found throughout the city.
Gellért
Besides Széchenyi, the Gellért Baths are also worth a visit. The baths are magnificent, featuring stained-glass windows and mosaic tiles. Gellért has three outdoor pools and 13 indoor pools. Please note: swimming caps are required for the indoor pools. Outdoors, there's a lap pool and a heated pool. You can also relax and soak up the sun on a lounger.
Please note: Gellért will be closed for major renovations starting in October 2025. The planned reopening isn't until 2028.
Dancing in a ruin bar
An absolute must-see during your city break in Budapest is a visit to one (or more) ruin bars. These unique bars are housed in neglected buildings or former factories and transformed into trendy nightlife spots. They often feature colorful décor with colored lights, vintage furniture, artwork, and plenty of plants.
The most famous ruin bar, Szimpla Kert, is definitely worth a visit both day and night. It can get busy in the evenings, and there's sometimes a long line at the door, but the unique atmosphere makes the wait more than worth it.
Another popular spot is Instant-Fogas, a combination of the ruin bars Instant and Fogas Ház. It's especially lively in the evenings, and you can dance on one of the six different dance floors.
Take a tour with the tram
If you want to see all the city's highlights, the best way is to take the yellow tram line. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Danube, the castle, and the Fisherman's Bastion from the tram. Along the way, you can hop off at the famous Parliament Building, for example. With the BudapestGO app, you can easily buy a day or multi-day ticket for public transport. Besides the app, you can also simply buy a ticket at one of the stations. This allows you to hop on and off almost all buses, trams, and metro lines throughout the day.
Beautiful views over the city
The Várkert Bazár, also known as the Castle Garden Bazaar, is a complex of several buildings, including a theater, exhibition spaces, and restaurants. The buildings are built in the Neo-Renaissance style and are surrounded by beautiful gardens. An escalator takes you up from the Castle Garden Bazaar and offers views of the city. Continuing along the road, a fifteen-minute walk will take you to Halászbástya, the Fisherman's Bastion, where you'll once again have stunning views of the city. The Fisherman's Bastion comprises several buildings, walls, staircases, and towers and has been renovated several times.
Walk from Buda to Pest
Because the Danube River flows right through Budapest, the city boasts no fewer than eleven bridges. The most famous is the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd), which connects the Buda and Pest districts. From the bridge, you have impressive views of the water and the city. It's a beautiful place to stroll, especially at night when everything is illuminated. A visit to this iconic bridge should definitely be on your to-do list.
On the Pest side of the city, not far from the bridge, you'll find the Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok). This market hall is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. It's a pleasure to browse the many stalls brimming with local produce, souvenirs, vegetables, and Hungarian specialties. It's definitely worth a visit during your city break!
Visit one of the islands
Besides its many bridges, Budapest also boasts eight islands. The Hungarian word for island is sziget. One of the most famous islands is Margit-sziget (Margaret Island), which resembles a large city park. A walk around the island takes about an hour, but you can also rent bicycles or a golf cart to explore it at a leisurely pace. On the island, you'll find cafés, a water tower, Japanese-style gardens, a rose garden, ruins, and a musical fountain. Note: the musical fountain only plays at set times: 10:30 AM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.
Every year, Óbuda Island hosts one of Europe's largest music festivals: the Sziget Festival. This six-day festival is usually held in August. If six days is a bit much for you, you can also purchase day tickets or a three-day pass. Besides music, the festival grounds also host a circus, theater performances, and other acts. You can camp on the island in your own tent, or stay in Budapest and travel daily to the festival.
Eating and drinking in Budapest
Budapest boasts countless great places to eat and drink. Here are a few of my tips:
Rooftop '360 bar'
This rooftop bar offers stunning panoramic views of the city. It's a popular spot, so booking in advance is recommended. The atmosphere is especially vibrant at sunset.
View on Google Maps
Lumen café
This is a lovely spot for lunch, with a peaceful conservatory and a leafy courtyard. They serve delicious dishes and homemade lemonade.
View on Google Maps
Mazel Tof
In this beautifully decorated, green conservatory, you can enjoy delicious Israeli dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed and modern, and it's a great place for a dinner.
View on Google Maps
QUÍ Restaurant & Bar
In this stylish Asian restaurant you can enjoy delicious food in an atmospheric setting.
View on Google Maps
Rumpus Tiki Bar
Enjoy delicious cocktails served in colorful tiki glasses at this cozy cocktail bar with a tropical vibe. A unique spot for a fun night out!
View on Google MapsBudapest has a lot to offer: from relaxing in thermal baths and visiting beautiful unique buildings to doing many activities.
Useful information
Official language: Hungarian
Currency: Hungarian forint (HUF)
Area: 525.2 km²
Best time to visit: Due to the risk of frost in winter and the warm summer months, it's best to visit Budapest in spring or autumn.
