Budapest Bucket List: 28 Things to Do in 2024

Budapest wasn’t on my radar for a long time. Now that I’ve been I can’t believe it took me so long to visit! Budapest offers beautiful architecture, steamy thermal baths, and so much more.

I was lucky enough to explore Budapest for 5 full days in 2023.

This is my Budapest bucket list; the list is full of my favorite things from my stay in the city!

To make your life easier this bucket list is more or less ranked. No one has time for everything!

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Budapest Bucket List

I had 5 full days to explore and I wanted to see as much as I could! I don’t enjoy sitting around in a new place.

That’s good news for you! I explored so I can help you plan your bucket list in Budapest.

Whether you have 4 days or only 1 day there are so many things to do in Budapest!

Full disclosure, I don’t love museums and I can only visit so many churches. So, if you’re looking to museum hop I will not be your girl.

1- Széchenyi Medicinal Bath

Thermal baths are one of the most unique things about Budapest. Széchenyi is the largest bath. Constructed in 1913, the building is beautiful and the pictures are beautiful.

The baths offer pools at different temperatures. Some are indoor but the most unique experience is soaking in the outdoor baths.

Széchenyi baths are open from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. It’s a good idea to buy your ticket before you go since it can be quite busy. You can buy directly from the baths or you can go through a third party if that’s your preference.

Regardless of where you get your ticket, book a cabin.

Then, you’ll have a place to store all of your belongings and change. If you’re in a group you’ll each have a wristband. Note that only one of the wristbands will open the cabin.

Change, store your things, and then head out to the baths. Walk down the hallway on the main floor and you’ll find the door on the left near the little cafe stand. Lots of people said it was complicated but it wasn’t hard for my group to navigate.

Pack a towel with you if you can. I recommend a microfiber camp towel. They’re small and super absorbent!

You can spend a couple of hours or all day at the baths depending on how much you’re enjoying yourself.

Even if it’s a little out of your comfort zone, a thermal bath should be at the top of the bucket list for Budapest.

2- Fisherman’s Bastion

The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most iconic sites in the city. The imposing tower looks down on the city from the top of the hill in Buda.

It was built in the 19th century but the current structure wasn’t used for protection. It stands where the walls used to stand.

You can find the best views of the city from up here! Views from most of the balconies are free and open all day.

But, to go up to the turrets and walk along the highest point you’ll have to buy a ticket.

The walls are open from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm. A ticket costs 1,000 Hungarian Forints (Ft) ($2.75) and can be bought on-site.

3- Matthias Church

Okay, I understand that I said that I don’t love visiting churches. I don’t.

But, this church… It’s amazing. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else.

Matthias Church was built in the 14th century and is a Gothic church. The exterior of the church is ornate and quite beautiful; The tile work on the roof is especially beautiful.

But, the mosaics on the interior are jaw-dropping. It’s worth going in for a visit.

The church is still in use today so the church services impact the opening hours.

• Mon-Fri: 9 am – 5 pm
• Sat: 9 am – 1 pm
• Sun: 1 pm – 5 pm

Tickets are 2,500 Ft ($6.83). They can be purchased at the ticket windows nearby. The church is popular so expect it to be busy.

When you’re exploring inside, be sure to head up the stairs at the front left. You can get a view from the altar and learn a bit more about the church.

4- Buda Castle

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out if Fisherman’s Bastion was Buda Castle. Maybe I’m the only one but, just in case, they are two different things. Buda Castle is a 10-15 minute walk away from the bastion.

Buda Castle is now the location of some pretty incredible lookouts over Pest. It is also home to the Budapest History Museum/Castle Museum.

The walk from the bastion to the castle was pleasant and the lookouts were worth it. It was also really interesting to wander around the city walls on different levels.

The museum is open from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm but is closed on Mondays. It’s 2.400 Ft ($6.50) to visit.

Even if you don’t visit the museum it’s worth checking out Buda Castle.

5- Visit the Hungarian Parliament

The exterior of the Hungarian Parliament is stunning. The building opened in 1902 and the position along the water just adds to the grandeur.

It’s worth making sure you see it during the daytime and at night.

The interior of the parliament building is over the top as well. To see it you’ll have to take an official tour.

Tours book out days in advance so be sure to get your tickets well in advance. It costs 10,000 Ft ($27).

There is an option to get a guided tour of the city and then a tour of parliament. It seems a bit too quick for me but if you want to get it all done at once or are short on time it would be a good option.

I didn’t plan and ended up taking a French tour. I can understand some French and I think I ended up getting about 70% of what the tour guide said. But, if I’d been more prepared it would have been a better experience!

Same-day tickets are sold on-site but I didn’t see anyone having luck with that.

Be sure you know where the visitor center entrance is. It was a longer walk than I was ready for and I was almost late!

6- Check out Chain Bridge

When construction finished in 1849, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge was the first bridge to cross the Danube in Budapest. The bridge is a prominent one and is easily seen from the top of the hill in Buda.

You can see the bridge throughout the city but you can also walk across it. It was closed when I was there so I had to settle for a tram ride across the iconic bridge.

7-Shoes on the Danube

This memorial is one of the more somber parts of a visit to Budapest. But, it’s beautiful. More than that, it’s important.

The memorial honors those who were killed in Budapest during World War II. Since shoes could be resold, victims were ordered to take off their shoes at the bank of the river before they were killed. 60 pairs honor the 3,500+ victims.

It’s a horrible story but a beautiful representation to keep their memory alive.

8- Funicular up Buda Hill

Buda Hill is quite the hill. Walking up is…a lot.

There are options for lifts in some places and the 16/16A bus is your bestie. But, the funicular is special!

The funicular started as a way to move the public in 1870. Now, it’s a tourist attraction. But, it’s cool, so it earns its title.

Catch the funicular at the base of the hill near Chain Bridge or at the top near Sandor Palace.

It’s open from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm. A round-trip ride is 3,000 Ft ($8).

9- Try a Chimney Cake

Now, this isn’t one I have personally participated in because I didn’t have any luck finding a gluten-free version.

But, my two travel mates ate their fair share of chimney cakes. And I was jealous!

I’m told it’s kind of like a donut. It’s a sweet dough cooked around a cylinder so when it’s removed it looks like a big chimney. The steam even looks like smoke!

They smelled delicious and I hope to track down a gluten-free version one day! There were tons of gluten-free restaurants to make up for the lack of chimney cake in my life though!

If you’re especially interested in chimney cakes take a class to learn how to make them.

10- Take a River Cruise

Most of the beautiful architecture in Budapest lines the river or is at least visible from the water.

When a Hungarian friend suggested a boat cruise in Budapest I, honestly, thought it was a stretch. But, she grew up there so I trusted her!

What could be so special about a boat cruise?

It was very cool to see the city from a different perspective. I took a cruise after dark and it was perfect! A dinner cruise could also be a good option.

The buildings were all well-lit. It made for some incredible pictures.

11- Gellért Baths

Since the thermal baths are one of the best parts of the city, why not check out two?

The Gellért Baths are a great second option. If you purchase on-site, there is a daily ticket for 9,400 Ft ($26) during the week or 10,900 Ft ($30) on the weekends. But, the baths are busy so book in advance to avoid waiting in line to buy tickets.

They are open from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm.

As a bonus, they also have spa services so if you’re interested in a massage or a pedicure in addition to your thermal bath experience the Gellért Baths would be a great option.

12- Gellért Hill

If you’d like some hiking in the city Gellért Hill is a good option. Near Gellert Baths and the Liberty Bridge, Gellert Hill can provide nature and a great view of Budapest from the top.

You can hike up or take a car to the top (Uber or a taxi). At the bottom of the hill, you can check out Cave Church if you’d like.

13- The Citadel

You can find the citadel on Gellért Hill as well. This historic fortress provides another view of the city. The fortress has a long history with Budapest.

The Liberty Monument can be found at the top of the hill as well.

14- Central Market Hall

Near Liberty Bridge and the Gellért Baths, you’ll find Central Market Hall. This is the main market building in Budapest.

The bottom floor is the food market. Buy Hungarian Paprika and other specialties here. There may even be some locals doing some shopping.

The top floor is souvenir central. The little stalls are crammed in. Find shirts, bags, trinkets, postcards, and anything else you may want as a souvenir.

There are also a few traditional Hungarian restaurants along the exterior of the top floor. It can be crowded but the restaurants are quite popular.

15- Stroll Andrassy Avenue

Walking along Andrassy Avenue will make you feel like you’re on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

Large trees, shops, cafes, and restaurants line the street.

Take some time to walk along the street and pay attention to each of the buildings. You can walk by some very interesting architecture!

The facades aren’t uniform but are each ornate. Typically, in tribute to whatever was housed there when they were constructed.

Grab a coffee and take in the spectacle. It’s a beautiful part of the city.

16- Vörösmarty Square

Vörösmarty Square is the main square in Budapest. It is surrounded by upscale shopping, cafes, and restaurants. Check out the square and the nearby streets.

If there is a fair or festival happening it will likely be in this square!

Honestly, you probably won’t even have to seek out Vörösmarty Square; you’ll just walk through it as you’re exploring Pest.

17- Vajdahunyad Castle, City Park, Heroes Square

Where Andrassy Avenue meets City Park you’ll find Heroes Square.

The square is most well known for the Millenium Monument.

Construction of the monument began in 1896 so it’s been overlooking the city for quite some time.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located here as well.

The castle was built along with the Millennium Monument in Heroes Square. It was made as a copy of Corvin Castle but pulled in inspiration from castles throughout Hungary. So, it’s kind of an eclectic building as far as architecture.

Today, it houses a museum but you don’t need a museum ticket to walk through the grounds of the castle.

After you walk through the castle you can continue walking in City Park. This was my favorite way to escape some of the Budapest traffic.

In the winter there is a Christmas Market here and an ice skating rink. Skating around with Vadahunyad Castle in the background was a highlight of my time in Budapest.

18-Try Hungarian Food

Hungarian food is delicious! Chicken Paprikash was a group favorite.

Try Hungarian food at one of the places in the central market or find a restaurant.

Dedicated gluten-free Hungarian food was top of my bucket list for Budapest. If you’re gluten-free this is the best pick by far!

Cuisines from other countries can be found easily in Budapest. But, don’t miss out on some of the local food.

19- See St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s is the largest church in Budapest. Since it is a working church opening times are impacted by services but in general, the basilica is open:

• Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Saturday 9:00 am- 1:00 pm
• Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Tickets are 2,000 Ft ($5). You can buy them from the ticket office or online.

If you want a different way to visit the cathedral head over for an organ concert. Tickets are about $30.

In the winter, the largest Advent Market in the city is in front of the cathedral. At certain times in the evening, there are music and light shows in the plaza. They project the images onto the facade of the cathedral! We were lucky to see it as we walked into our concert.

20- See the Ferris Wheel in Erzsebet Square

I’m not much for riding on big Ferris wheels. But, if you like Ferris wheels you’d love the view of Budapest from the Budapest Eye. As a bonus, it’s the tallest one in Europe! If nothing else it’s worth seeing!

• Monday – Tuesday: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
• Wednesday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 12:00 am (midnight)
• Friday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 01:00 am
• Sunday: 10:00 am – 12:00 am (midnight)

A ride takes about 10 minutes and tickets are 3,500 Ft ($10).

21- Jewish Quarter

I love wandering around the Jewish quarters in European cities; the winding streets are so fun to walk around. The one in Budapest is no different.

The Jewish Quarter in Budapest is home to some of my favorite restaurants in the city. Wander (or check reviews) to pick where you’d like to eat. If you’re looking for good food this part of the city won’t disappoint.

22- Dohány Street Synagogue

In addition to eating, the Jewish Quarter is home to the Dohány Street Synagogue.

The synagogue is the second largest synagogue in the world (behind one in New York City) and it is ornate.

You have to visit on a guided tour so be sure to book early if you want to visit.

23- Take a Walking Tour

Budapest has a complicated history and, if you’re American, we don’t know much about it.

I think it’s important to learn about the places I’m visiting and a walking tour is one of the best ways to do that.

Since there are two cities in Budapest you won’t take a walking tour of the whole area. Take this mostly walking tour of Buda and Pest.

Touring around Buda would also be worthwhile.

24- Margaret Island

This little island is in the river. You can reach it on public transit or walk across Margaret Hid (the nearby bridge).

Go to the top of the water tower or check out the thermal baths on the island. Palatinus Strand is more than just thermal baths though. There is also a water park on the site! I’m a kid at heart and getting to the wave pool is still on my bucket list for Budapest!

There are also ruins from some convents and a Japanese Garden if you’re into something a little less kid-like.

This isn’t a prime location in winter and the Christmas Markets take precedence anyway. But, in any other season, it’s a fun way to escape the city!

25- House of Terror

Honestly, this pick may not be for the faint of heart. I wasn’t positive if I could handle it. Even when I told my friends about it they were surprised it was even in the conversation.

The word “terror” and I don’t usually go together.

The building was used by the communist and fascist regimes that controlled Hungary in the 20th century. Now, the building is a museum dedicated to educating visitors about that time in Hungary’s history.

The museum is a dive into what life was like and is also a memorial to those who lost their lives; some even in the very same building.

It’s open every day except for Monday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.

Tickets are 4,000 Ft ($10). You can’t buy tickets online.

If that’s not your vibe, remove it from your Budapest Bucket List. It was tentatively on mine but I didn’t get brave enough to go.

26- Hospital in the Rock

Under Buda Castle is a nuclear bunker that is now a museum. It’s actually made in a natural cave system. But, it was set up as a hospital and a nuclear bunker. Now you can tour it.

27- Bar Hop at the Ruin Bars

If you’re down for something a little more low key head out to the ruin bars. I’m not much of a bar person but this had to be on the bucket list for Budapest.

The ruin bars can be found in the Jewish Quarter. The buildings had long been neglected and have now been turned into eclectic bars.

You can take a tour or do your research and start bar hopping.

28- Wander

Wandering will always be on my bucket list and Budapest is no different. Be sure to leave time to wander around Buda and Pest. There are beautiful neighborhoods and streets.

The bucket list is long but, unless you have a long trip, you won’t be able to do everything.

Be sure to leave some time for exploring without an end in mind. It’s one of the best ways to experience Budapest.

Bonus 1- Take a Day trip to Gödöllő

Gödöllő is a little city outside of Budapest, but I’m still adding it to my Budapest bucket list.

It’s home to the Palace of Gödöllő.

If you’ve been to Vienna and seen lots of Hapsburg history then this is likely skippable. But, if you’re hanging out in Hungary and want to learn about the Hapsburg Empire Gödöllő is a great option.

The palace was built in the late 1700s and was a favorite of Empress Elisabet.

The city is easily accessible by the train system. But, if you’re using a travel pass your ticket only covers part of the way. Don’t be surprised if an attendant on the train asks you to pay a bit more than your transit card.

A tour guide can also take you to see the city and the palace.

Bonus 2 – Visit a Christmas Market

If you are lucky enough to be able to visit during the Advent season you will see Christmas markets. Try to visit in the first two weeks of December if visiting the markets is on your list.

The most popular one for tourists is in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica.

But, there are so many other markets worth exploring. You can find little markets in pretty much every square throughout the city. Take time to go market hopping instead of seeing some of the other sites on this Budapest bucket list.

Getting Around Budapest

It is so easy to get around Budapest. It’s one of my favorite things about the city! There is a reasonably priced tourist pass that allows you to use the metros, trains, trams, and buses. Since the area is fairly large, and Buda is on a very steep hill, you’ll want to use public transit on your trip.

To make traveling easy download Google Maps. You’ll be able to find the easiest and fastest options when you’re ready to transit between locations.

An individual ride on transit is 350 Ft ($1). But there are also transit pass options.

Even with research before arriving I found the options a bit confusing. This is the breakdown to help you pick.

Budapest Travelcard

I found that the Budapest travel card was a no-brainer for me.

• 24 Hr- 2,500 Ft ($6.50)
• 72 hr- 5,500 Ft ($14.50)
• 7 days- 6,500 Ft ($17)

For 5 days, I picked the 7-day pass. We knew we’d take transit more than 17 times in our 5 days. You can try to predict how much you’ll use the pass during your stay.

Where to buy the Budapest Travelcard:

• Use the App – Download the Budapest Go app and purchase your travel pass before you arrive.
• Arriving by train – exit the train station and look for the Keleti Pályaudvar station. It’s underground so look for the “M” metro signs. You’ll find kiosks and ticket windows (depending on what time you arrive). The ticket window is easier if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for since the attendants can help.
• Arriving by plane – If you want to work with an attendant find the BKK counter inside the terminal. If you’re okay with the ticket machines you can find them at the bus stop at the airport. There isn’t a metro line here so if you’re planning to take transit into the city you’ll be taking one of the busses.

Budapest Card

The Budapest Card has similar unlimited access to public transit but also adds free or discounted admission to sites around the city. It’s not super clear what attractions are included.

The 72-hour card includes airport transfers, a boat cruise, and the Buda funicular.

Is the Budapest City card worth it?

I don’t think it is. Many of the things on my list are already free or they aren’t included in the City Card. For what it’s worth, I didn’t get it because it wasn’t worth it for what I was interested in doing. But, I’m also not a huge fan of the City Card systems. Unless you plan to spend a lot of time in obscure museums they just never seem like a good option.

Where to Stay

When you’re visiting Budapest it’s not shocking to find that you’ll either stay in Buda or Pest.

I stayed in Buda and some of my favorite things on my Budapest bucket list were in Buda. Plus the views were breathtaking.

Staying in Buda

Stay at the Hilton Budapest for the best views of the river! One of my favorite parts of staying in Buda was the access to some of the best sites in the city. Walking by Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion lit up at night was one of the highlights of the trip. The hotel also has an excellent view of the parliament building!

The rooms were perfect, the staff was great, and they were able to accommodate my gluten-free diet at breakfast so it was a win all around for me.

But, if you stay in Buda, you’re pretty much guaranteeing that you’ll be taking public transit to go anywhere.

Walking down the hill isn’t too bad but it is pretty steep. Walking up the hill is a lot.

The 16 and 16A buses run frequently enough so it wasn’t a big deal.

But, if you want to avoid taking buses this isn’t the place for you.

Staying in Pest

Stay in Pest if you want a more walkable Budapest experience.

If you enjoy Hilton properties (I do, but I also have points) the Hilton Budapest City Center is a great option.

Getting to Budapest

You can arrive in Budapest by plane or by train (or by bus).

• By plane- fly into Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD). The airport is well connected in Europe. For affordability, look from smaller European airports for options. I took an affordable flight to Dusseldorf instead of Frankfurt.
• By train– Budapest Keleti is the main international station in Budapest. Check for trains from Vienna or Bratislava for convenient options.

Make your own Budapest Bucket List

Budapest is the perfect combination of history, unique experiences, beautiful architecture, easy transit, and great food! There are so many things you can do that you’ll never be able to do it all.

This list is a start but narrow it down to your favorites (and maybe add things I missed).

Then, share your Budapest bucket list with me! I’m excited to see what you decide to do!