Visit Budapest: what are the best things to do and see in the capital of Hungary?
Budapest is one of the most popular central European cities for a weekend or a longer getaway. The Hungarian capital was created in 1873 by the merger of Buda and Pest (and Óbuda). If you go only a few days, you should look at this list of Things to do in Budapest for your stay!
1. The castle hill and its historical monuments, museums and cafes
Bastion of fishermen in Buda – Flickr – Duda Arraes
This neighborhood in Buda contains a large number of sites to visit. The Buda Castle (Palais Royal) is of course not to be missed, but we also find the Bastion of fishermen and the view it offers on the Danube and Pest, church Matthias located on the place of the Trinity but still many statues and buildings with a beautiful architecture. In the neighborhood, it is very pleasant to walk on the paved streets and stop in a café drinking a drink or eating. Click on the link to learn more about the Buda neighbourhood.
2. Chain bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd)
A walk on this bridge is a history lesson. Built from a design by British engineer William Tierney Clark in the 1840s, it was one of the most important of the first suspended bridges . Large statues of lions at each end of the structure keep the passage. It is one of the emblematic sites in Budapest. The city was created from two cities on both sides of the Danube, Budapest is a city of bridges. You will find others along the river.
3. The incredible Hungarian parliament
Flickr – Larry Myhre
The huge building of the Hungarian parliament is on the Danube. Inspired by the Westminster Palace in London, the building features an incredible neo-Gothic architecture. At night, it is lit and it is even more beautiful. You can visit the Hungarian parliament whose interior decoration and size of this building are breathtaking.
4. Danube shoes (Jewish memorial)
Flickr – archer10 (Dennis)
On the banks of the Danube near the Parliament and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, you will find a memorial dedicated to the Jews killed in the river during the Second World War. The members of a fascist party had asked them to leave their shoes before getting shot. To find the place, it’s simple: walk along the shore from the chain deck to Parliament. This mini-monument was created by Can Togay and Gyula Pauer in 2005.
5. ♪ bath thermaux Budapest
Budapest is a spa town where you find a wide range of baths to choose from. Opt for traditional Ottoman style baths Rudas (booked to men on weekdays and all weekends), or if you want a complete contrast, choose the vast complexes of the bath (at Gellért Hotel; covered baths are beautiful) or baths Széchenyi with huge outdoor pools, marble care rooms and a large number of treatments that will occupy you for hours.
For locals, coming in the spas is a friendly way to meet with friends while enjoying the medicinal waters or an invigorating massage, a body scrub or other beauty treatment.
6. La Basilique Saint-Étienne
Flickr – David Baggins
This building is a real masterpiece of humanity. Located in Pest in the Belváros district , it is one of the largest churches of Hungary . Its dome-shaped roof houses a few relics and works of art but above all the amazing Holy Dextre , the mummified right hand of the 1st Hungarian king Étienne to which the church owes its name. In terms of architecture, locals say they like to admire it every time they pass in front of it then imagine when it happens to you for the first time!
7. The House of Terror
Located on Andrássy Avenue in a former Hungarian secret police building, the Maison de la Terreur is a museum that recounts the history of the successive dictatorships suffered by Hungary (these of Nazism and Communism). This museum is really worth visiting if you are interested in the history of the Hungarian people.
8. The Place des Héros (Hősök tere)
Flickr – Gazteaukera
At the end of Andrassy Avenue, one of the most famous places in Europe awaits you. Come on very early to enjoy the calm of the morning or come in at the end of the day to capture the hustle that is getting ready. Around the square you can find some museums and especially the Városliget, the “wood of the city” or you can go picnic and walk in the shade of trees.
9. Spend an afternoon on Marguerite Island
This island is easily accessible by tram number 4 or 6 (stop: Margit-Sziget). These tram lines are the most used, so the trams pass regularly. Formerly known as the "Island of the Rabbits", she has since been renamed the name of Sainte-Marguerite (the daughter of King Béla IV). If you come here in the summer, wait to see crowds of people sitting in the grass, drinking beer and laughing ( ideal for picnic ). In winter, you find a lot less people but it’s a good place to run because there are 5.3 km trails.
10. Making the Budapest markets
Flickr – Markus Kolletzky
If you like the atmosphere of the markets, go without hesitation Central halls Budapest. It is an excellent place to eat but also to meet the locals doing their small shopping. The place in itself is very beautiful. For stores there is also the street Váci (Váci utca), but this one is very touristic. If you want a little more authenticity, go to Gozsdu Court between Király, Dob and Holló streets.
How to get to Budapest?
It is relatively easily find cheap flights to Budapest . If you leave the summer, like many tourists, the prices will be a little higher, then take it in advance. You will find some Cheap flights to Budapest on our partner's website Ulysses .
Where to stay in Budapest?
Regardless of the period of the year to which you travel in the Hungarian capital, think to book in advance. You will find all types of hotels, from the youth hostel to the charming or luxury hotel. But the important thing is to choose its neighborhood for accommodation in Budapest ! To find a cheap hotel in Budapest, search this Compare hotels .
Did you travel to Budapest? How did you find the danubian city?
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