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Budapest is a vibrant city full of hip spots and beautiful sights. As such, it is one of the best destinations for a city break in Europe. The city consists of two parts: Buda and Pest. The Pest district is flat and consists mainly of wide streets, stately buildings and a warren of trendy bars and restaurants. Buda is more mountainous, so you will find magnificent views here, such as on Gellért Hill and at the Castle Palace. Both parts of the city are worth visiting. Discover Based on our personal tips the most beautiful sights in Budapest!
1. The Great Market Hall of Budapest
One of the first sights in Budapest we visited was the Great Market Hall. This is a must-visit! You will find all kinds of stalls selling fresh vegetables, fruits, delicacies and souvenirs in this covered market hall. The building is also very beautiful. The market hall was built between 1894 and 1897. The metal roof construction is still the original and the roof is covered with decorative Zsolnay tiles.
In the hall you will find 180 stalls including Hungarian specialties such as the Tokaji wine and the many peppers in all shapes, colors and sizes. It is great fun to stroll through the market, but you can also eat typical Hungarian food.
Tip: the portions here are large! We chose a plate full of Hungarian delicacies, but one plate will certainly suffice for two. Do not expect the lowest prices. Because the market is fairly touristy, the prices here are also accordingly.
Also read: The best hotspots in Budapest
Budapest's Great Market Hall is, of course, on our list of fun hotspots in Budapest. But we have discovered many more great addresses. Curious? You can discover them here.
2. Budapest Parliament Building
Budapest's imposing Parliament is immediately striking as you walk along the Danube. The beautiful Gothic-style parliament building is the largest ever built in this style in Hungary. Tours of the building are offered, but also take a look at the Parliament memorial.
In 1956, an important event took place in front of the parliament building in Budapest. The year marked the culmination of the Hungarian Uprising, a popular uprising against the communist regime then in power in Hungary. On Oct. 25, 1956, thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament building in Budapest, demanding political freedom, democratic reforms and an end to Soviet occupation. The building became the symbol of the uprising, but the Soviet Union violently intervened on Nov. 4 and suppressed the uprising. Thousands of people died and many were arrested or fled the country.
Despite its suppression, the 1956 Hungarian Uprising marked an important turning point in the history of Hungary and the Soviet bloc. It demonstrated resistance to the communist regime and inspired later movements for political freedom in other countries under Soviet influence.
3. Budapest's bathhouses
If there is one thing you must do in Budapest, it is visit a traditional bathhouse. Bathhouses are among the most popular sights in Budapest. The most visited bathhouse in Budapest is the spa with the Széchenyibaden. We visited the Gellért bathhouse and Ensana Thermal Margaret Island. Curious about our experience? You can read about it in our article in which we The best things to do in Budapest tipping.
Also read: The best things to do in Budapest
From bathing in a bathhouse to a hot air balloon ride over the city, there is so much to do in Budapest. We share all our personal tips for an unforgettable city break.
4. Budapest's 9 iconic bridges
Budapest is known not only for its bathhouses, but also for its bridges. The 9 bridges in Budapest connect the parts of the city of Buda and Pest. The Freedom Bridge is one of these 9 bridges over the Danube in Budapest. It is perhaps the most beautiful bridge in the city. From the Great Market Hall, you walk across this bridge to Jubileumi Park and Gellért Hill, from where you have a panoramic view of the city.
5. Climb to the top of Gellért Hill
Next to the Gellért bathhouse you will find Gellért Hill. This hill, which is on UNESCO's World Heritage List, is the highest point in Budapest at 235 meters high. The hike up is a bit of a climb, but the view is well worth the effort. Gellért Hill rises above the city's skyline and here you have a view of both parts of the city of Buda and Pest. You will also find a number of sights and monuments on Gellért Hill, including the citadel, the Statue of Liberty, a church built in a cave and the monument to Bishop Gellért.
6. The most beautiful building in Budapest: the Fishermen's Bastion
An absolute highlight of a Budapest city break is a visit to the Fisherman's Bastion on Castle Hill. Not only is it one of Budapest's most popular sights, but the neighborhood around it is also great fun to wander through.
The Fishermen's Bastion is one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest. The structure was designed in the late 19th century and the domes were inspired by the nomadic people who took possession of Hungary in 896. For the stunning views alone, you'll want to go here!
Tip: get to the Fisherman's Bastion as early as possible, especially if you want to photograph there. It is a popular attraction and therefore can get very crowded during the day.
7. The Castle Hill
The Fisherman's Bastion is not the only reason to visit Castle Hill. In fact, you will find other special attractions here, such as The Castle of Buda, also called the Buda Castle, and Matthias Church. This is the old king's palace. The restored complex houses some museums, such as the National Gallery and the Historical Museum.
The district around the castle invites you to stroll around for hours. You will find narrow streets, colorful medieval buildings and cozy coffee spots and souvenir stores.
Where to stay in Budapest close to the sights?
Budapest is a fairly large city with many different places to stay. Nice neighborhoods to sleep are the Jewish quarter Erzsébetváros, the up-and-coming neighborhood Józsefváros and Ferencváros.
Accommodations in the Erzsébetváros district
One of the most popular neighborhoods to stay in is Erzsébetváros. With the impressive Jewish synagogue on one side and the ruined bars on the other, this is an incredibly lively place close to the sights of Budapest. It is also known for its vibrant nightlife.
Looking for a beautiful and sustainable hotel? Then Onyx Luxury Budapest a good option.
Accommodations in the district of Józsefváros
At Józsefváros are emerging more and more nice bars and restaurants. The neighborhood is known as a student district because you will find one of the largest universities here. It is therefore a place where you spot many locals and where you can find more and more fine and affordable accommodations.
Accommodations in the district Ferencváros
Ferencváros is very centrally located, near the Great Market Hall. If you stay here, many attractions and fun hotspots are within walking distance. This was also the neighborhood where we stayed and we would definitely recommend this. We slept at The right choice studio apartments, a simple, but very clean and neat apartment. Also, this is an affordable choice.
8. The Városliget Park
Did you know that you can find a vast city park in Budapest? The park Városliget is popular among tourists and locals alike. Városliget is best known for the Széchenyi baths, but you'll find many more attractions, including the Vajdahunyad Castle, Heroes' Square, several restaurants and museums, and a zoo.
Vajdahunyad Castle
We already mentioned it, but one of the most beautiful sights in Városliget Park is the Vajdahunya Castle. This castle depicts the architectural style of several castles in Hungary and is fairy-tale like. The architectural styles seen here range from Romanesque (the church) to Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque (the castle).
Various concerts are held in the castle in the summer. Different styles of music are played here. Also on the grounds of the castle you will find the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture (the Hungarian Agricultural Museum).
The Square of Heroes
Heroes' Square is a well-known square in Budapest. It is adjacent to the city park Városliget. The square is dominated by the Millennium Monument. On either side of the square are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Hall. Also admire the small hot water pond at the entrance next to Heroes Square.
General tips for a city break Budapest
We are also happy to share some general tips for a city trip to Budapest, such as the cost and best length of travel. We also recommend buying a Budapest Card.
Budapest Card for public transportation and free admission to museums and bathhouses
The Budapest Card is a benefit card that allows you to do things and visit sights for free or at a discount. You can also use public transportation for free with the Budapest Card.
It is very easy to explore Budapest by public transportation. There is a wide network of subways, streetcars and buses that take yes to various sights in the city.
How expensive is Budapest?
Before we went to Budapest, we heard that the city is a cheap destination for a city break in Europe. Relative to many other European cities, this is certainly true, but we still found it a bit more expensive than we thought. Especially the popular hot spots, such as the ruin bars and the restaurants in the Great Market Hall, have increased prices. Want to eat out inexpensively in Budapest? Then go to the lesser-known restaurants.
How long to Budapest?
There is an awful lot to see and do in Budapest, so you can easily spend several days there. We even stayed a week in Budapest, but then we had a very leisurely pace in which we discovered several bathhouses and parks. We do recommend spending at least 3-4 days in the city. That way you can discover the most beautiful sights in Budapest.
Combine your city break Budapest with Vienna
Do you have a little more time during your Budapest city break? Then make it a special combination and visit Vienna as well! The Austrian capital is about 2.5 hours away by train, taking you from Budapest's hip Danube to Vienna's imperial grandeur in no time. With several daily direct trains, it's a fine and affordable way to explore both cities. Did you know that if you book early, this can sometimes be done for as little as €25.00 for two people? So no reason not to do it!
Wondering what all you can do in Vienna? These are all our tips for a city break to Vienna in Austria.
Naomi van Hagen
Curious, creative and passionate about travel, I’m always on the lookout for unique destinations where culture, gastronomy and adventure come together. As a travel blogger, I share personal stories and insider tips from countries like Brazil, Greece, Indonesia, Thailand and Peru, from hidden gems and rich traditions to unforgettable culinary experiences. My blogs are based on real travel experiences and in-depth local knowledge. Ready to plan your own adventure? As a personal travel consultant, I’ll help you create a tailor-made trip that perfectly suits your travel dreams.
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