Budapest dazzles visitors with its beautiful vistas, rich history, and unique culture. The dynamic Hungarian capital straddles the Danube River, uniting the hills of Buda and the plains of Pest into one vibrant city.
| # | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marvel at the Parliament Building | Tour the Neo-Gothic landmark and enjoy sunset views from the Danube. |
| 2 | Explore the New National Gallery | Visit the renovated gallery in a 19th-century palace, showcasing Hungarian fine art. |
| 3 | Relax at Széchenyi Thermal Baths | Enjoy outdoor pools and therapeutic treatments at this iconic bath complex. |
| 4 | Wander through Castle Hill | Discover Budapest’s medieval origins and visit historic sites like Matthias Church. |
| 5 | Cruise the Danube | Experience Budapest from a riverboat, passing iconic landmarks. |
| 6 | Tour the Hungarian State Opera House | Explore the Neo-Renaissance opera house and attend cultural performances. |
| 7 | Ride the Zugliget Chairlift | Enjoy breathtaking city views from this chairlift to János Hill. |
| 8 | Go Cafe-Hopping | Experience Budapest’s cafe culture, including historic and modern cafes. |
| 9 | See the City by Segway | Tour Budapest’s landmarks on a Segway with guided tours. |
| 10 | Experience a Thermal Bath | Visit various thermal baths like Gellért and Rudas for a relaxing soak. |
| 11 | Tour Memento Park | Explore an open-air museum with Communist-era monuments. |
| 12 | Take a Food Tour | Sample Hungarian cuisine at Central Market Hall and surrounding eateries. |
| 13 | Go Bar-Hopping in the 7th District | Enjoy Budapest’s nightlife with pubs, bars, and clubs in the trendy 7th district. |
| 14 | See the Sights by Bike | Cycle around Budapest to see key attractions along the Danube River. |
| 15 | Explore City Park | Visit Budapest’s largest park with ponds, gardens, and the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. |
In 2024, new developments add to familiar favorites, giving tourists even more reasons to visit Budapest. From admiring parliament buildings to unwinding in thermal baths, Budapest offers remarkable experiences. Here are 15 of the best things to do in Budapest, Hungary in 2024:
Marvel at the Parliament Building
Name and Location: Hungarian Parliament Building, Kossuth Lajos tér, Budapest
History and Significance: Completed in 1904, this enormous neo-Gothic parliament building is among Budapest’s most iconic landmarks. It contains the National Assembly, the oldest parliament in Central Europe.
What to Expect: Visitors can admire the intricate architecture and take tours to see the Congress Hall, the Domed Hall, and other lavish interiors. Changing of the Guard ceremonies take place hourly.
Visitor Information: Guided tours in English run multiple times daily but must be booked in advance online. Tickets cost 8,000-10,000 HUF per person.
The awe-inspiring Parliament Building towers over the Pest riverbank. Take a guided tour to admire the meticulous details of this Neo-Gothic landmark completed in 1904. Gaze up at the towering spires, turrets, and ornate stonework.
Don’t miss the Hexadecagonal (sixteen-sided) Hall with its soaring cupola painted with brilliant murals. Grab your camera for stunning sunset views of Parliament reflecting off the Danube.
Explore the New National Gallery
Name and Location: New National Gallery, A épület, Budapest
History and Significance: Housed in a Neoclassical building, this state-run museum exhibits Hungarian fine art from 1800–1945. Its collections include over 5,000 paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
What to Expect: Visitors view pieces by prominent Hungarian artists like Mihály Munkácsy and László Mednyánszky across three floors of galleries. An audio guide is available.
Visitor Information: The gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. Admission is 3,000 HUF; free on the first Sunday of each month.
After extensive renovations, the National Gallery unveils its new home in 2024 in a restored 19th century palace. State-of-the-art spaces showcase the museum’s collection of Hungarian fine art from medieval times to today.
Don’t miss masterpieces like “The Painter and his Family” by 18th century artist Ádám Mányoki. Exciting temporary exhibitions accompany the permanent displays ranging from contemporary photography to Renaissance sculpture. An airy new cafe overlooks the Budapest skyline.
Relax at Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Name and Location: Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, Budapest
History and Significance: Széchenyi Baths are one of the largest and most popular bath complexes in Budapest, supplying numerous pools with its natural thermal waters. They opened in 1913.
What to Expect: Visitors can soak in warm indoor and outdoor pools, enjoy steam rooms and saunas, book massages, and experience thermal bathing culture.
Visitor Information: The baths are open daily 6am-10pm. Entry tickets start at ~6,000 HUF. Book ahead to skip ticket lines. Bring towels or rent them there.
Bask in Budapest’s famed thermal waters at this iconic bath complex, from outdoor pools to elegant bathing halls. Széchenyi offers a range of helpful treatments like underwater spine traction in the warm mineral waters.
Pamper yourself with relaxing massages, healing peat baths, or soothing saunas. Don’t miss the atmospheric indoor pool with intricate copper-clad walls and ceiling. The renovated wellness center provides updated amenities to enjoy Budapest’s healing thermal waters.
Wander through Castle Hill
Name and Location: Castle Hill, Budapest
History and Significance: This elevated area on the Buda side was home to Hungarian royalty dating back to the 13th century. Wandering the historic streets and squares provides scenic views.
What to Expect: Top attractions include the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, and medieval architecture along quaint cobblestone streets. Museums, shops, and restaurants abound.
Visitor Information: Castle Hill is easily accessible by funicular. Entry to the grounds is free; individual attractions have admission fees.
Explore Budapest’s medieval origins at Castle Hill, a limestone plateau rising above the Danube. Weave through cobblestone streets passing Gothic and Baroque architecture. Visit the 13th century Matthias Church, site of many coronations, with its brilliant patterned roof.
Get lost within the labyrinths of Hospital in the Rock, a fascinating underground museum built into a WWII bomb shelter. Panoramic views reward those climbing to the top of the hill.
Cruise the Danube
Name and Location: Danube River Cruises, Budapest
History and Significance: The Danube River flows through the heart of Budapest, separating Buda and Pest. Cruises along the river offer unique vantage points of the city’s top attractions.
What to Expect: Popular excursions include short evening sightseeing cruises to see the city lit up, jazz or dinner cruises, and daytime rides with refreshments and commentary.
Visitor Information: Numerous companies offer cruises. Average prices are 5,000-15,000 HUF per person for 1-2 hour trips. Book ahead online for discounts.
See Budapest from a new vantage point onboard a riverboat cruise along the Danube. Float past iconic landmarks like the Parliament Building, Chain Bridge, and Buda Castle. Take a sunset cruise for glittering nighttime views of Budapest’s artfully illuminated buildings and monuments.
Enjoy dinner or drinks as you watch both the Buda and Pest sides of the city drift slowly past. Several new cruises launch in 2024, adding more ways to experience Budapest by water.
Tour the Hungarian State Opera House
Name and Location: Hungarian State Opera House, Andrássy út 22, Budapest
History and Significance: Constructed in 1884, the neo-Renaissance Hungarian State Opera House is one of Budapest’s most exquisite performance venues, known for opera, ballet, and classical concerts.
What to Expect: Attend an evening performance or take a guided tour to admire the ornate interior, frescoes, gilded columns, chandeliers, and sweeping staircase. Tours available in English.
Visitor Information: Performance tickets vary; tours cost ~4,900 HUF per person. Book tickets and tours online or at the venue box office.
This lavish Neo-Renaissance opera house dazzles visitors with its marble staircase, chandeliered lobby, and richly decorated auditorium. Take a tour to admire the ornate architectural details up-close. Attend an opera or ballet in the enchanting venue for an authentic Hungarian cultural experience.
Don’t miss the sumptuous Tea Salon, a gilded hall offering concerts and dining. With improved acoustics after the 2024 renovation, the opera house sounds better than ever.
Ride the Zugliget Chairlift
Name and Location: Zugliget Chairlift, Zugligeti út 97, Budapest
History and Significance: Constructed in 1970, this 1,000-meter long chairlift ascends János Hill to offer panoramic views from Buda’s highest point at 528 meters.
What to Expect: Riders are lifted over the forested hillside aboard an open-air chairlift, providing beautiful vistas of the city and surrounding hills. Refreshments available at top station.
Visitor Information: The chairlift runs daily 10am-7pm during summer. Tickets cost ~1,500 HUF round-trip for adults, cheaper for kids.
For breathtaking city views, soar above Budapest on the Zugliget Chairlift. Climbing nearly 1,000 feet, the recently updated cable car carries you from Zugliget Park up to János Hill. Gaze out over the forested hills of Buda as you glide over the valley.
At the top, hiking trails wind through the woods. Have lunch at the lookout restaurant with panoramic vistas. Ride by day for scenery or at night for glittering city lights.
Go Cafe-Hopping
Name and Location: Budapest coffeehouses and cafes
History and Significance: Iconic café culture is a way of life in Budapest. Locals gather in historic and trendy cafés to socialize, read, play chess, and pass time over coffee, tea and sweets.
What to Expect: Hop between renowned cafés like Gerbeaud, the New York Café, and many one-of-a-kind hangouts. Sample Hungarian pastries like kürtőskalács and dobos torte.
Visitor Information: Café-hopping can be done anywhere across the city. Most cafés on tourist routes will post menus in English.
Budapest boasts a flourishing cafe culture to experience. Stop at the historic New York Cafe for elegant Viennese flair and a taste of their famous chocolate cake. Coffee lovers flock to Espresso Embassy for the finest brews from independent roasters.
Enjoy literary-themed treats at the Writer’s Cafe, paying homage to many writers who called Budapest home. In 2024, a 1920s style literary cafe opens, inviting visitors to channel the city’s vibrant cultural past.
See the City by Segway
Name and Location: Budapest segway tours
History and Significance: Gliding through the city by electric segway provides a unique perspective of Budapest, covering more ground than walking. Tours make seeing top sites efficient and fun.
What to Expect: Typical 2-3 hour segway tours include training, then guided riding past landmarks of Pest, the Parliament, Margaret Island, Castle Hill and more.
Visitor Information: Segway tours can be booked through most tour providers. Average cost is 50-70 EUR per person. No experience needed.
Zipping through the streets on an electric Segway makes sightseeing extra fun. Small group guided tours provide helmets and training before setting you loose to glide to top attractions. Feel the breeze as you Segway past architectural marvels like Heroes’ Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Great Synagogue.
At strategic stops, knowledgeable guides share insider information before sending you smoothly on your way. It’s a carefree way to cover a lot of ground and see key landmarks.
Experience a Thermal Bath
Name and Location: Thermal bath experiences in Budapest
History and Significance: Bathing in Budapest’s natural warm mineral waters is a longstanding local tradition. Thermal baths range from historic to modern.
What to Expect: Choose a historic Turkish-era bathhouse like Rudas or Király for an authentic experience or a modern spa like Széchenyi for pampering. Expect relaxation and warmth.
Visitor Information: There are over a dozen thermal baths to choose from. Admission starts around 5,000 HUF. Some mandate swimsuits and/or separate men’s and women’s hours.
There’s no better place than Budapest to experience the pleasures of bathing in warm mineral waters. Széchenyi, Gellért, and Rudas Thermal Baths pamper visitors in elegant soaking pools. For a more traditional experience, head to the Turkish-era Kiraly Baths established in 1565.
The newly opened Lukács Thermal Baths offer state-of-the-art hydrotherapy. Follow the locals’ lead and turn an afternoon at the baths into a relaxing ritual.
Tour Memento Park
Name and Location: Memento Park, Balatoni út & Szabadkai utca, Budapest
History and Significance: This outdoor museum contains 42 statues and monuments from Hungary’s Communist era, collected since the regime change in the ’90s.
What to Expect: Visitors can see imposing socialist-realism statues of Lenin, Marx, and Hungarian leaders, preserved as memories of this period of history. Guided tours provided.
Visitor Information: Memento Park is open daily 10am-sunset. Admission is 3,000 HUF, includes guided tour. Reachable by direct bus from Deák Ferenc tér.
This fascinating open-air museum preserves Communist-era monuments that once dominated Budapest’s landscape. Now removed from public squares, the statues, plaques and murals stand together as a memorial.
Take a guided tour to understand the propagandist messages and skewed history behind hulking pieces like the Republic of Councils Monument. As more Communist relics are unearthed around Budapest, the exhibits at Memento Park expand to cover this compelling aspect of the city’s history.
Take a Food Tour
Name and Location: Food and wine tours in Budapest
History and Significance: Food tours are an excellent way to taste Hungarian cuisine and drinks ranging from hearty comfort foods like goulash to delicate desserts like somlói galuska.
What to Expect: Tours combine walking between eateries with learning about Hungarian food and wine, trying small plates and wine samples at each stop.
Visitor Information: Several tour companies offer 3-5 hour small-group food and wine tours starting around $100 USD per person. Advance booking recommended.
Taste your way through Hungarian cuisine on guided walking tours of Budapest’s Central Market Hall and surrounding eateries. Graze on local cheeses, cured meats, caviar, strudels, and other delectable bites as you learn about typical Hungarian ingredients and dishes.
Visit a historic cafe for a coffee break mid-tour. Dine at a romantic restaurant to finish your food experience. Popular food tours sell out quickly, so book in advance before your trip.
Go Bar-Hopping in the 7th District
Name and Location: 7th district bar scene, Budapest
History and Significance: Budapest’s vibrant nightlife is on display in the restaurants, pubs, bars, and nightclubs found in the 7th district, known for its “ruin pubs” and artsy scene.
What to Expect: Bar hop along streets like Akácfa utca to find ruin pubs like Szimpla Kert with eclectic decor, hidden bars like Kisüzem, and creative cocktails at hotspots like Coqtail & Love.
Visitor Information: The district comes alive at night, especially on weekends. Ruin pubs stay open late. Some bars have no website or signs, just look for people and follow them in!
Budapest’s vibrant nightlife comes to life in the trendy 7th district, also known as the historical Jewish quarter. The “Broadway of Budapest” bustles with ruin pubs, hip cocktail bars, and local breweries perfect for a lively night out.
Grab drinks on courtyards illuminated by strings of lights before dancing at a club with live DJs and music. Friendly “party hosts” help visitors navigate the eclectic bar scene on boisterous pub crawls.
See the Sights by Bike
Name and Location: Biking in Budapest
History and Significance: Cycling is a popular way to cover ground in Budapest. Designated bike paths run through scenic areas along the Danube and around Margaret Island.
What to Expect: Rent a bike and cruise along the river, over the Chain Bridge, through Városliget Park and more. Be prepared for some hills! Many bike tour options available too.
Visitor Information: Bike rentals are offered from locations like Margaret Bridge and Hero’s Square. Bike sharing systems also exist. Bike tours start around $40 USD.
Cycling is a wonderful way to cover ground and see key attractions in this sprawling city divided by the Danube River. Convenient city bike rental systems make it easy to get around. Pedal along the riverbank’s pedestrian promenade for gorgeous views.
Bike past architectural icons like the Parliament Building, Royal Palace, and Great Market Hall. Guided cycle tours provide insider knowledge and manage tricky navigation so you can relax and take in the sights.
Explore City Park
Name and Location: City Park, Budapest
History and Significance: This large green space dating to the 1800s houses many of Budapest’s top attractions like Heroes’ Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, Széchenyi Baths, Zoo, Circus, and museums.
What to Expect: The lush park offers walking trails past fountains and monuments, lakes for boating, and countless sights to enjoy. Don’t miss strolling down iconic Andrássy Avenue.
Visitor Information: City Park is accessible by metro, with stops at Heroes’ Square and Széchenyi Baths. Attractions have separate admission fees.
Budapest’s largest park invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature without leaving the city. Stroll around tranquil ponds and gardens perfect for picnics. Let kids play at the petting zoo or historic amusement park. Dip into the open-air thermal baths of Széchenyi Baths.
Don’t miss Europe’s largest medicinal bathing facility, the recently renovated Széchenyi Thermal Bath. With many exhibitions and summer concerts happening in the park, there’s always something new to enjoy.
Conclusion
From luxuriating in thermal baths to admiring architectural marvels, Budapest offers remarkable experiences in 2024. New park spaces, renovated landmarks, and exciting developments give visitors fresh reasons to fall in love with this beautiful city.
With creative restaurants, spirited nightlife, and rich history on both the Buda and Pest riverbanks, Budapest sets the scene for unforgettable adventures.