Things to do in Budapest
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Top 10 attractions in Budapest
Budapest Danube Boat Tour
The city of Budapest is divided into two by the Danube River, and has the reputation of "Pearl of the Danube". Board a sightseeing cruise and enjoy the views from the deck along this legendary river. The verdant forest, the majestic baroque palace, the ancient and mysterious Matthias Church, which is more than 700 years old, the opera house loved by Princess Sissi, the Fisherman's Bastion, which symbolizes the seven tribes, tells the vicissitudes of thousands of years. The beautiful scenery unfolded in front of me without reservation. At dusk, the sky is gorgeous and quiet. The crimson sunset and the Danube River form a strange picture. The lights on both sides of the river are gradually rising. This is the night in Budapest, like a soft waltz accompanied by a blue Danube River.Budapest · 1.4km from downtown
Fisherman's Bastion
The Fisherman's Bastion is located on the Castle Hill on the Buda side. It is a fortress named in memory of the fishermen who defended the Danube in the past. It is known as the three most shocking buildings in Hungary together with the Hungarian Parliament Building and the National Opera House. It also overlooks the Danube and overlooks the Lookout point for views of the Perth district. Historical background The Fisherman's Bastion stands on the Danube River, adjacent to the Matthias Church. It was built in 1895 and took six years to complete. This double-storey gray-white building is centered on the white minaret of the neo-Roman style. Together with several surrounding round towers, it represents the ancestral tribes of Hungary. The towers are connected by cloisters, like a labyrinth, which looks like a Disney Logo from a distance. in the castle. Several bronze statues on the Fisherman's Bastion are also quite eye-catching. One of the more famous is a horse-riding bronze statue of a Hungarian king. It was built in 1906 and is located between Matthias Church and Fisherman's Castle. The relief on the pedestal shows The king's life story. The guided tour of the Fisherman's Bastion has many steps and walking paths, and you can enjoy the scenery along the way as you climb the steps. Fisherman's Bastion has many high tower viewing platforms. It doesn't matter if it encounters windy, rainy weather, etc. The arched cloister of the viewing platform is a good shelter from the rain and summer. Take a break on the bench. Overlooking the scenery Standing on the Fisherman's Bastion, you can see the magnificent views that you can't even see from the top of the castle: the Danube, Margaret Island, the Chain Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament Building and the Freedom Hill are all in sight. The Fisherman's Bastion at night is also full of unique charm, and everything around is particularly charming under the illumination of special lights. The performance of street performers on the platform adds to the mood. It is also very romantic to come here to watch the night view. You can see many couples dating here. It is said that most of the first kisses of local young people happened here. The restaurant with the same name of the Fisherman's Bastion has seats in the north and south corridors of the Fisherman's Bastion. The dining environment is very good. The restaurant has a terrace on the high tower. Drinking coffee there and looking at the beautiful surrounding scenery is a pleasure. enjoy.Budapest · 627m from downtown
Castle District
Castle District is situated on Castle Hill on the west bank of the Danube in Budapest and has been the center of royal and religious power in Hungary since the Middle Ages. At the heart of the area is the Baroque-style royal palace built into the hillside, which now houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum / Castle Museum. From the palace terrace, you can take in the panoramic view of the Danube and the city skyline of the Pest district on the opposite bank. Castle Hill also hides a network of caves and wine cellars stretching for several km underground, which were historically used for storage and refuge. Today, some areas have been opened as exhibition spaces, showcasing a lesser-known side of this area. Strolling through the streets of the Castle District, you will see buildings that blend Baroque and medieval styles, quiet courtyards, and ancient ruins hidden in corners everywhere, making it a perfect place to slow down and savor the atmosphere.Budapest · 676m from downtown
St. Stephen's Basilica
St. Stephen's Basilica, located in Budapest, Hungary, is one of the country's largest churches, renowned for its magnificent architecture and religious significance. Named after St. Stephen, Hungary's first king, it is an important Catholic place of worship and a tourist attraction. The architectural style blends Neoclassical and Renaissance elements, featuring a grand exterior and exquisite interior decoration, attracting many visitors and worshippers. Visitors can explore the magnificent altars, stained-glass windows, and exquisite frescoes inside St. Stephen's Basilica, experiencing the solemnity and sacredness of religious art. The dome of St. Stephen's Basilica is one of Budapest's iconic views, and visitors can ascend to the top to admire panoramic city views. St. Stephen's Basilica also houses the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen, an important religious relic. Regular concerts and religious events add vibrancy to St. Stephen's Basilica, making it not only a religious site but also a center for cultural exchange. St. Stephen's Basilica is not only a perfect blend of architecture and religion but also a must-visit destination for exploring Hungarian history and culture.Budapest · 1.1km from downtown
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building with a typical neo-Gothic style was built in the early 20th century and is one of the more magnificent and solemn buildings in Hungary. If you want to understand the history and culture of Hungary, the Hungarian Parliament Building is a must-visit place. The Hungarian Parliament Building is majestic, with two tall and beautiful towers hollowed out with white stones. Portraits of Hungarian historical celebrities and huge murals depicting Hungarian historical events can be seen everywhere inside. The Hungarian Parliament Building was designed and supervised by well-known Hungarian designers. The building has a total of 691 halls, a total of 27 doors leading to ten courtyards, and a total of more than 20 kilometers of stairs. The main halls are decorated with portraits and frescoes of celebrities in Hungarian history. The outer walls are decorated with 88 sculptures. The Mun-kacsy hall also displays large paintings by well-known Hungarian painters.Budapest · 1.1km from downtown
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
In addition to its medieval buildings, Budapest is also a rare hot spring city in Europe. Although the city is only a hundred years old after the merger of the two sides of the strait, the large and small hot spring baths in the city have been vigorously developed by the ancient Romans who love bathing more than 2,000 years ago. has huge appeal. The Széchenyi Hot Spring located in the city park is the best among the many Budapest hot springs. This hot spring bath has a delicate structure. The hot spring pool surrounded by the courtyard is full of classical temperament. Countless people enjoyed it. Széchenyi Spa has various levels of fares, and depending on the time and the package you choose, the services you can enjoy are also different.Budapest · 3.9km from downtown
City Park
City Park is adjacent to Heroes' Square and is an important public green space in the center of Budapest, as well as one of the earliest established city parks, with a history dating back to the early 19th century. During the Middle Ages, this area was the hunting ground of King Matthias and was later used as a meeting place for the parliament. The park centers around an artificial lake, which offers boating in the summer and transforms into an open-air ice rink in the winter, with different scenery throughout the seasons. Standing on the island in the lake is Vajdahunyad Castle, built for the 1896 Hungarian Millennium Celebration, which blends various architectural styles including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. The park also brings together facilities such as the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, and theCapital Circus of Budapest, covering a variety of activities including thermal bath experiences, family-friendly tours, and cultural performances.Budapest · 3.7km from downtown
Matthias Church
Matthias Church is located on Castle Hill in Budapest and is a neo-Gothic church. The artistic minaret and bell tower on the south side and the magnificent church vault are worth savoring. Historical background In the 13th century, the king ordered the construction of this church at the same time as the construction of the palace. In the 15th century, King Matthias I rebuilt the iconic minaret and bell tower on the south side, and the church was called Matthias Church after that. Since the kings of all dynasties were crowned here, the church is also known as the "Coronation Church". After the Turkish invasion, the church was converted into a mosque, and after several reconstructions, it has formed a multi-faceted style. Architectural pattern The architectural pattern of the Matthias Church is asymmetrically distributed and very consistent. The west façade of the church is decorated with the iconic Gothic rose window, and the south façade is the main entrance of the Matthias Church, with two large gates. The gate of Mary near the tower is carved with the sleeping Virgin Mary. The image of Leah, which is also the relatively complete part of the medieval building preserved in the Matthias Church. There are towering spires on both sides of the Minaret and Bell Tower. The more striking one is the Minaret and Bell Tower on the south side. This highly artistic tower has five floors, and the bottom two floors retain the square style when it was built in the early 13th century. The upper three floors are octagonal, and the towering top of the tower is like a sharp sword straight into the sky. The shield of King Matthias is stored on the third floor of the tower, and the three surviving ancient bells of the church are also stored here, the larger one weighing 3.2 tons. The vaults of the vaulted churches are also very impressive. The vaults are all inlaid with mosaics, and the beautiful patterns formed are particularly dazzling in the sun. There is also a crow statue on the top of the church. According to legend, during the reign of King Matthias, someone tried to plot against him with a poison ring, but the poison ring was taken away by the flying crow. Since then, the crow has become a symbol of auspiciousness in Hungary. The interior of the church is decorated with exquisite frescoes, and the light inside the church through the stained glass is beautiful. Several flags hang from the pillars in the main hall of the church. The main hall is spacious and bright. This huge project was completed in the 14th century and contains the tombs of the Hungarian emperor and his wife. There is a main altar on the west side of the church, which is richly decorated with exquisite details. The paintings on both sides of the golden cross depict the story of the Virgin Mary. There is a museum in the basement on the north side of the Matthias Church, which displays the items that were used by the kings and bishops of the past dynasties and the treasures inherited by the church. You can go and see it. Enjoying music In addition, Matthias Church is also famous for its acoustics, and the music played by its pipe organ is elegant and solemn. Now the church often hosts concerts. At Mass on Sunday, there will also be a wonderful performance by the choir, if you come across it, be sure to listen to it. After visiting the Matthias Church, you can go to the adjacent Fisherman's Bastion to overlook the beauty of the Buda District.Budapest · 640m from downtown
Buda Castle
The Buda Palace stands on the Castle Hill and is one of the landmark buildings in Budapest. It used to be the residence of the Hungarian royal family. At present, the central part of the palace has been transformed into the Budapest History Museum, the National Library and the National Gallery. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Historical background The Buda Palace was built in 1242 on the west bank of the Danube, built by the Hungarian king to resist the invasion of the Tatars. Later, it was converted into a mosque due to the war, and it was once destroyed by fire. After being rebuilt in 1930, it suffered the catastrophe of World War II. . Architectural style The architectural style combines Baroque and Gothic styles. The palace is magnificent. The facade is supported by Greek-style Corinthian columns. for attention. Guided tour To visit the Buda Palace, you can take the cable car on the Chain Bridge, and you can enjoy the charming scenery along the way. At the entrance of the Buda Palace, there is a statue of the Turul Bird in Hungarian mythology. Legend has it that when the Hungarians came here, it was "Tulur" who flew in front and led the way. The eagle spreads its wings and flies high, holding a sword called "Attila's Sword" in both feet, which has the divine power to conquer the world. The Matthias Fountain in front of the palace is also very eye-catching. The statue at the base of the fountain shows the scene of the king leading the crowd to hunt. The carvings are very exquisite and lifelike, attracting countless tourists to stop and watch. Adjacent to the fountain is the famous horse trainer statue, which was exhibited at the 1900 Paris World's Fair, while the equestrian statue of Prince Eugen is placed on the viewing terrace on the side of the fountain. The main hall in the Buda Palace is now the National Gallery, displaying Hungarian paintings of great historical significance, including medieval and Renaissance stone carvings, Gothic wood carvings, altars and other works of art. The Budapest History Museum located in the side hall exhibits all the cultural relics unearthed in the archaeological excavations and the treasures preserved in the Buda Palace. The older collections can be traced back to 40,000 years ago. Come here, in addition to seeing the real content of the palace In addition, you can also learn about the life of the people of Budapest thousands of years ago. In addition, the bronze statue of "War and Peace" in front of the History Museum is also worth seeing. Adjacent to the Budapest History Museum is the National Library, where there are often temporary exhibitions to visit, where you can see antique books, maps, porcelain, folk art and more from thousands of years ago. After the visit, you can go to the viewing terrace in front of the main entrance of the Buda Palace. This is a good place to overlook the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Chain Bridge and the Danube River. The sunset and the scenery when the lights are on are not to be missed.Budapest · 196m from downtown
Heroes' Square
Heroes' Squarewas built to commemorate the millennium of Hungary's founding. Construction began in the late 19th century, and through continuous improvements, it has evolved into the solemn and magnificent complex of buildings and sculptures seen today. As an important historical and cultural space in Budapest, this square is not only a must-visit for tourists but also a traditional venue for major celebrations and commemorative events in Hungary. The Millennium Monument in the center of the square is the core of the entire complex. At the top of the towering stone column stands a bronze statue of Archangel Gabriel, holding the Holy Crown, which symbolizes Hungary's national power, in one hand and a double cross in the other, creating a solemn and majestic presence. In front of the monument lies the Memorial Stone of Heroes, dedicated to honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the country and the nation. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art are symmetrically located on either side of the square. These two neoclassical buildings, with their grand porticos and stone columns, echo the central monument, together creating a solemn and expansive urban landscape.Budapest · 3.4km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Budapest
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Free things to do in Budapest
Fisherman's Bastion
Budapest · 627m from downtownCity Park
Budapest · 3.7km from downtownBuda Castle
Budapest · 196m from downtownHeroes' Square
Budapest · 3.4km from downtown
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Budapest · 286m from downtownImmediate access, Book now for today
Castle Hill
Budapest · 637m from downtown
Liberty Bridge (Budapest)
Budapest · 1.7km from downtown
Vaci Street
Budapest · 1.2km from downtown
Liberty Square
Budapest · 1km from downtown
Shoes on the Danube Bank
Budapest · 751m from downtown
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Budapest Cruises
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What travellers say about Budapest
KitMee6 October 2026
4.0
Queue system was a messy one and no clear instructions. All slots mixed up in one queue line! Squeezed in between n u gotta act proactively in order not to miss your time slot!!! Crowded on board. Clear audio system. Smooth sailing. Amazing night view along Danue river..
Budapest Danube Boat Tour
苏河家园4 July 2026
5.0
Fisherman's Bastion, a complex of buildings that perfectly blends Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque styles, is not only a symbol of Budapest but also a testament to the wisdom and courage of the Hungarian people.
Fisherman's Bastion
300***0515 September 2025
5.0
Commemorate that Hungary was formed by seven tribes from the East and see the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Danube and the bridges on the river
Castle District
handsupppppp27 September 2026
4.0
#St. Stephen's Basilica | A Sacred Place You Can't Miss in Budapest ⛪️ The most moving stop on any trip to Budapest is St. Stephen's Basilica.
This basilica, which took 54 years to complete, boasts a 96-meter-high dome, the same height as the Parliament Building, symbolizing the balance between faith and secular life. Stepping into the basilica, you're greeted by gilded murals and exquisite marble sculptures. Sunlight streams gently through the stained-glass windows, creating a serene and solemn atmosphere.
The basilica houses Hungary's national treasure—the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen, the founding king, a relic spanning a millennium, silently narrating the origins and history of the nation.
Be sure to buy a ticket to ascend the dome observation deck for a 360° panoramic view of the entire city. The Danube River meanders through the landscape, and the Chain Bridge, the Parliament Building, and the sea of red rooftops are all within sight. Climbing to the top at sunset, with the entire city bathed in the glow of the setting sun, is a uniquely romantic experience in Budapest.
The spacious square in front of the basilica is very pleasant; after a long day of exploring, you can sit at a street-side café and quietly admire this magnificent building. If you're lucky, you can also attend a world-class organ concert and immerse yourself in the city's unique artistic charm.
When you come to Budapest, don't just rush through; step inside St. Stephen's Basilica and understand the city's faith and gentleness.
#HungaryTravel #BudapestCheckIn
St. Stephen's Basilica
Okina14 September 2026
5.0
The Parliament Building in Budapest, the most dazzling landmark on the Danube.
The neo-Gothic spires and reliefs sculpt the daytime, while at night, the dazzling lights and reflections on the river create a breathtaking spectacle!
Hungarian Parliament Building
Anonymous user1 October 2026
4.0
We went In October. Weather was chill and comfortable. The spa was a bit old but overall we enjoy ourselves. There were even small safety box (free) beside the pool so u can keep ur handphone after u finish taking photo without returning to the the changing room. Staffs were friendly. We went around 5pm then we can enjoy both blue sky and also the night at pool.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
小鱼儿20155 December 2019
4.0
The city park is also a free area to visit in the city. The park has a beautiful environment, a clean lake, and a very quiet environment. There are many tourists here. The city park is also very large.
[Scenery] The scenery is beautiful
City Park
Travel.poodie22 November 2023
4.0
Located on the castle district, can buy tickets to get inside. Design is quite good, worth for visit.
Matthias Church
Hossain Hoq Prohor1 November 2025
5.0
Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary, is a majestic historical complex that crowns Castle Hill overlooking the Danube River. Once the royal palace of Hungarian kings, it now houses the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, and the Széchenyi Library. The castle’s grand architecture, cobblestone courtyards, and panoramic views of the city and Chain Bridge make it a must-visit attraction. At night, the illuminated castle creates a breathtaking scene across the river. Visitors can explore its rich history, art collections, and nearby attractions like Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion. Buda Castle perfectly embodies Hungary’s royal and cultural heritage.
Buda Castle
Zoneboy19 July 2023
5.0
Hero square is atractive part of Budapest on the metro M1. It is way to perfect park woth nice enviroment, to gallery, to ZOO and also thermal spa is close from there I am providing some pics
Heroes' Square
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Frequently asked questions
What are the must-do things in Budapest?
Don't miss these attractions in Budapest: Budapest Danube Boat Tour, Fisherman's Bastion, and Castle District. If you like Food & drink, try Budapest Food Tour: Market to Tavern with 12+ Tasters & Wines. If you enjoy Cultural experiences, try Cat Museum Budapest: Entry Ticket + Audio Guide.
What are the must-try foods and restaurants in Budapest?
You can give Budapest Food Tour: Market to Tavern with 12+ Tasters & Wines and Budapest: 4-Course Dinner River Cruise with Live Folk Music a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.
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