Is Budapest Worth Visiting? 15 Reasons to Visit!
I am originally from Budapest and although I have been living abroad for over 15 years, whenever I make it back to home, I am always amazed by how beautiful Budapest is.
Budapest is the most beautiful by the River Danube from where you can see the most famous, historic buildings along the river. It is just the best place at sunset and the evenings to see the city and buildings decorated in lights!
The main reasons to visit Budapest is to see the historic sites, beautiful architecture of buildings along the River Danube, go on a river cruise, chill in one of the thermal baths, and to try traditional Hungarian food.
BUDAPEST TRIP PLANNING
✈️ Travel Insurance: SafetyWing (affordable travel insurance)
🚊 Transport: Budapest Card (transport pass & entry to 30+ attractions)
💳 Travel Card: Wise (best exchange rate for card payments)
🏊♀️ Thermal Baths: Széchenyi Thermal Bath
🛳️ River Cruise: Evening Cruise
Is Budapest Worth Visiting?
Yes, Budapest is definitely worth visiting! Budapest is the capital of Hungary and there are so many great things to do in the city. Budapest has beautiful architecture and historic monuments, thermal baths, river cruises, delicious Hungarian food, museums and parks.
What are the Main Reasons to Visit Budapest?
The main reasons to visit Budapest is to see the historic sites, beautiful architecture of buildings along the River Danube, go on a river cruise, chill in one of the thermal baths, and to have traditional Hungarian food.
Some of the most famous buildings in Budapest include the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes’ Square, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle and St. Stephen’s Basilica. These are the most iconic sites to visit if you only have a short time or just 1 day in Budapest.
15 Reasons to Visit Budapest
1. See the Architecture of Budapest
Budapest is split into two sides (Pest and Buda) by the River Danube and you can see some of the most historic and beautiful buildings as you go along the riverside.
You have the options to walk along the river or the take a river cruise. Some of the most famous buildings you can spot along the river are the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion and the Citadella.
It is nice to see the buildings during the day but the nicest views are in the evenings when the buildings are decorated by lights.
2. Go on a River Cruise
The best thing to do in Budapest in the evening is to go on a boat cruise on the River Danube.
Budapest is split into two by the River Danube and you get a very nice view of the famous buildings in Budapest as you cruise along the river.
The famous buildings are decorated with lights in the evenings and so it is the best time for a river cruise.
There are various river cruises in Budapest that you can choose from, either a simple river cruise, a cruise with traditional Hungarian dinner or there is also an option for cruises with dinner and live music.
✅ Book a Cruise on the River Danube here! (Rated 4.6/5 ⭐ on 44,622 Reviews)
3. Try Hungarian Food and Drinks
Whenever you go abroad, one of the best things to do is to try local food and drinks.
Hungarian cuisine is famous for goulash soup and paprika, but there are so many other dishes to try! Pörkölt (beef stew) and stuffed cabbage are also traditionally Hungarian.
For dessert, make sure to try chimney cake. For a salty snack, ‘lángos‘ is the dish to go for.
🥘 Follow your stomach and join a Food Tour in Budapest here!
Some of the traditional Hungarian dishes include:
- Goulash soup
- Pörkölt (beef stew)
- Hortobágyi palacsinta (crepe filled with meat)
- Cherry soup
- Stuffed cabbage
- Lángos (deep fried dough with sour cream. It’s more like a snack)
- Chimney cake (dessert)
For traditional Hungarian food, here are some of the best restaurants:
4. Relax in the Thermal Baths
Budapest is well known for its thermal baths and there are many to choose from!
The thermal baths have both indoor and outdoor baths, as well as hot and cold water baths.
They also have saunas, steam rooms, spa, massage and beauty treatment services, so it is easy to spend a full day at the baths.
Two of the most popular thermal baths are the Széchenyi Thermal Bath and the Gellért Thermal Bath.
Book an Entry Ticket for the Széchenyi Thermal Bath here! (Rated 4.3/5 ⭐ on 24,452 Reviews)
If you are looking for less touristy thermal baths, check out Veli Bej Baths, Lukács Baths or Rudas Baths.
5. Chill on Margaret Island
Margaret Island is a popular spot for locals to relax in the park or to go for a run. There is actually a lot to do on the island, and it is easy to spend at least half a day here.
There is a water fountain once you enter the island and they hold a light show here once an hour in the summer months. There are some gardens (Rose Garden, Japanese Garden) that are beautiful in the spring and summer. There are also some medieval ruins on the island that are worth checking out.
My favourite time to visit the Margaret Island is between April to September when the weather is warm and sunny. The last time I visited the island in the winter, and although it was super cold, it was still worth it. Just make sure to dress in warm layers and stop for a tea break.
6. See a Hungarian Folk Dance Show
Watching a Hungarian folk dance show is great to see a traditional Hungarian dance performance, folk music and see the embroidery costumes of the dancers.
One of the best ways to see a Hungarian Folk Dance Show is on a river cruise on the Danube. The river cruises also include a dinner and you get great views of the historical buildings in Budapest in the evening time.
7. Check out the Heroes’ Square
The Heroes’ Square (“Hősök tere” in Hungarian) is an iconic spot in Budapest. The monument features the statues of historic figures (“Chiefs”), and other Hungarian national leaders.
The construction of the Heroes Square began in 1896 to commemorate the anniversary of the foundation of the Hungarian state in 896. The construction of the monument was completed in 1929.
The Heroes’ Square is located right next to the City Park, and it also hosts 2 museums, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Arts.
8. Walk around Buda Castle
The Buda Castle is a great place to walk around and explore the area. You can even walk here from the Fisherman’s Bastion if you are visiting there first.
The Buda Castle was first completed in 1265, although the current castle complex was built between 1749-1769.
The Buda Castle also houses museums and galleries such as the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest Historical Museum, and the Szechenyi National Library.
9. Visit the Central Market Hall
The Central Market Hall is full of Hungarian delicacies, salami, wine and spices. Many Hungarians go there to do their shopping so it is a great place to see what a traditional Hungarian market looks like.
It has two floors: on the ground floor, you will find most of the stalls selling food and on the upper level there are some restaurants to try delicious Hungarian food. Just follow your stomach and explore the market!
Visiting the Central Market Hall is one of the unique things to do in Budapest as you can see what a Hungarian market is like and you can try many different Hungarian delicacies.
The Central Market Hall is also a great place to buy some Hungarian souvenirs, such as paprika powder, pálinka drink or cured meat.
10. Check out the Fisherman’s Bastion
The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most popular places to visit in Budapest. It is located on the Buda side of the city and offers nice views.
It is not only that the Bastion is built in a beautiful Neo-Romanesque style, but you also get great views of Budapest.
It can get very crowded during the day, so if you don’t mind to wake up early, the best time to visit is in the early morning.
11. Go to a Museum Exhibition
Budapest is full of great museums, so if you like to see exhibitions, there are many museums to choose from.
Some of the best museums in Budapest are:
- Museum of Fine Arts: The Museum of Fine Arts is Hungary’s largest fine arts museum and it is located next to the Heroes’ Square. Its collection includes artwork from pre-history to present.
- Hall of Arts: The Budapest Hall of Arts (or Palace of Arts, it is called ‘Műcsarnok‘ in Hungarian) is a contemporary art museum. It is also located next to the Heroes’ Square.
- Museum of Ethnography (‘Néprajzi Múzeum’ in Hungarian): A new building was built for the museum collection and opened in 2022. The new building has a really cool, special architecture so you can even just visit it from outside and check it out.
12. Visit the House of Terror
The House of Terror is a memorial to the victims of the fascist and communist regimes of the 20th century Hungary.
Visiting the museum can be very moving as it depicts the torture and those killed in the building.
13. Have Fun at the Ruins Bars
“Ruin bars” in Budapest are a fun place for drinks. They have a unique atmosphere with funny furniture, like bath tubs for chairs, and even furniture stuck to the ceiling.
Szimpla Kert is one of the most popular and famous ruin bars in Budapest!
14. See Budapest at Night
The city is the most beautiful at nights and the best place to see the city is from along the River Danube.
You can go on a river cruise or just simply walk along the riverside to see the buildings. The historic buildings along the River Danube are decorated with lights and it is really one of the best views you can get of the city.
15. Go on a Day Trip to Szentendre
Szentendre is a small town 22 km from Budapest and the two places are connected by regular public transport.
Szentendre is famous for its cobblestone streets, architecture, churches and museums. It is a great place for a day trip from Budapest if you want to explore a small town near Budapest.
You can take the HÉV train from Batthyány tér (Budapest) to Szentendre if you want to go by public transport or book a taxi.
Where to Stay in Budapest
Looking for a place to stay in Budapest? Here are the top 3 hotels for every budget:
📍 Budget Hostel: Maverick Budapest Soho
📍 Mid-Range Hotel: D50 Hotel
📍 High-End Hotel: Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Public Transport in Budapest
The public transport in Budapest is well-connected and it is easy to get around. The main modes of transport in Budapest are the metro, buses and trams and the tickets are affordable.
Budapest is also a walkable city and many of the main attractions are located close to each other in the city.
In case you get tired of walking, you can also book Uber or Bolt using their taxi apps. Uber is back in Budapest since June 2024, so it now even easier to book taxis in the city.
FAQs: Is Budapest Worth Visiting?
How many days should I spend in Budapest?
The best is to spend at least 3-4 days in Budapest but if you are short on time, you can explore the main attractions even as a weekend or day trip.
The best things to do in Budapest include visiting the thermal baths, trying Hungarian food and visiting the historical buildings. If you are short on time, the most famous buildings to see in Budapest are the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes’ Square, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle and the Citadella.
Is it worth travelling to Budapest?
Yes, it is totally worth travelling to Budapest! Budapest is considered an affordable destination in Europe and there are so many things to do in the city.
Some of the best things to do in Budapest include chilling in the thermal baths, try Hungarian food, and check out the beautiful architecture of the city. The most iconic buildings in Budapest are the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes’ Square, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle and the Citadella.
Is Budapest friendly to tourists?
Yes, Budapest is friendly to tourists and young people and staff in hotels and restaurants also speak good English.
Many places in Budapest can be explored on foot. In addition, the public transport in Budapest is affordable and easy to get around. If you get tired, there is also Uber and Bolt in Budapest, so you can book taxis easily.
Why visit Budapest?
The main reasons to visit Budapest is to see the historic sites, beautiful architecture of buildings along the River Danube, go on a river cruise, chill in one of the thermal baths, and to taste traditional Hungarian food.
What is Budapest famous for?
Budapest is the most famous for its historic buildings, thermal baths and Hungarian food.
Some of the most famous buildings in Budapest include the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes’ Square, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle and the Citadella. These are the most iconic sites to visit if you only have a short time or just 1 day in Budapest.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Budapest is definitely worth visiting! Even if you only have a short time, Budapest can be explored on a weekend or even as a 1 day trip.
The main reasons to visit Budapest is to see the historic sites, beautiful architecture of buildings along the River Danube, go on a river cruise, chill in one of the thermal baths, and to taste traditional Hungarian food.
Budapest is the most beautiful by the River Danube from where you can see the most famous, historic buildings along the river. It is just the best place at sunset and the evenings to see the city and buildings decorated in lights!
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