The Best Things to do in Prague
With its beautiful charm, rich culture, vibrant nightlife, and stunning architecture, Budapest is a European city you can’t miss!
If you’re looking for a city in Europe where you can explore, relax, or even have a crazy night, Budapest is the perfect place. It’s a city to fall in love with quickly, and it leaves quite the impression. Plus, it’s underestimated, so it’s less crowded by tourists and super affordable!
Before traveling to Budapest, I knew nothing about it. I added it to my backpacking trip because I knew the country was cheaper than Western Europe, and I wanted to try a more off-the-beaten-path country.
I have to say, I’m so glad to have spent two beautiful days in this city that’s full of life.
Here are all the things you can do in Budapest if you have two days.
First off, the Danube River divides Budapest into two sides, Buda and Pest. Buda is on the hill area, and Pest is the flat area of the city. Both areas are easily accessible by foot if you don’t mind walking.
Things to do in Budapest: The Buda Side
Table of Contents
Szechenyi Chain Bridge
You can start your Buda exploration by crossing Chain Bridge, which has beautiful architecture. Chain Bridge is one of the many bridges that join Buda and Pest.
It’s very similar to the Tower Bridge in London but with the Hungarian Coat of arms and lions decorating its ends. It is also the first bridge built to connect both cities and where Will Smith famously dances to the Keke song.
Clark Square
Adam Clark Square sits at the end of Chain Bridge when you cross and just below the Buda Castle. It is the spot where you can choose how to make it up to the iconic Castle Hill.
Castle Hill
As mentioned above, once you cross Chain Bridge and get to Clark Square, you can choose how to get to Castle Hill. Some options include a funicular (trolley-like ride), bus, taxi, or walking. I decided to walk, and it was a slightly steep but very short walk from the hillside.
In my opinion, the funicular is pricey because it’s aimed at tourists and there are cheaper and better ways to get up the hill. However, no matter what option you choose, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of Budapest and some options to eat. Once at Castle Hill, you’ll find two main attractions: Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion.
Fisherman's Bastion
With its beautiful arches and lovely towers, Fisherman’s Bastion will reward you with an incredible view of the entire city, including the Hungarian Parliament Building. It was one of my favorite spots in all of Budapest because of how picturesque it was. To get the best pictures, visit early.
Buda Castle
Sitting atop Castle Hill is the Buda Castle, or the Royal Palace. Here you can watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony, which takes place every hour daily. It happens in front of the Presidential Palace.
Matthias Church
Sitting just behind Fisherman’s Bastion is Matthias Church. It’s another architectural beauty made up of colorful tiles, beautiful colors, and a Gothic-style feel. The church is named after a medieval king and has an admission fee under 4 USD to enjoy its inside.
When you learn about the history, you’ll find out that Turkish invaders once took it over as a place of worship. Therefore, the inside contains Turkish imprints.
Danube River
There’s no missing the Danube River in Budapest. Along the river, you’ll get incredible views of each side of the city. You’ll also come across World War II memorial shoes representing the shoes Jews had to take off before getting shot and falling into the river.
Things to do in Budapest: Pest Side
Hungarian Parliament Building
Have I mentioned all the beautiful architecture found in Budapest? Sitting right by the Danube River on the Pest side, the Parliament Building is one of the most stunning buildings in the city.
This government building allows for tours, and at night it lights up the city. It’s pretty popular to take a night river cruise to see the Parliament Building lit up in all its glory.
St. Stephen's Basilica
While in the city, you’ll most likely come across the stunning St. Stephen’s Basilica. The city was named after the first Hungarian king, St. Stephen.
Though I didn’t have a chance to go to the top, it’s known to give you a great panoramic view of the city. The church is relatively high and made up of domes that make the building a pretty one. Fact: Buildings in Budapest can’t be built higher than the basilica.
St. Basilica Square
Just in front of the basilica, many restaurants and coffee shops line the street. It’s a busy area, but the perfect place to sit and relax while enjoying a nice lunch or dinner.
Thermal Baths
Budapest is famous for its thermal baths. They date back to the Romans who used them. You can find many of them throughout the city. Some are very popular with tourists, and the prices can be a bit high. On that note, take your towel to avoid extra costs.
I got to visit the Szecheni Thermal Bath, and I had a fantastic time. The plan was to arrive early to avoid the crowds, but we arrived at a decent time (around 9:30) that wasn’t too packed yet. So my friend and I had the most relaxing time in the pool and enjoyed the beautiful setting.
Some other famous baths are Rudas and Gellert. Another reason to visit? The thermal bath waters that flow through Budapest have mineral waters with curative properties and are therapeutic and help with joint diseases.
Heroes' Square
Near the Szecheni Thermal Bath is Heroes’ Square. It’s a World Heritage Site and a square that honors historical figures. This open plaza has monuments and statues and many museums that surround it.
In the center, you’ll find the Millenium Monument that commemorates the 1000 year history of Hungary. You’ll also see a statue of the Archangel Gabriel.
Vajdahunyad Castle
Budapest City Park
There are so many things to do in this park. The castle mentioned above is in this park. There is also a zoo, paths to stroll on, resting seats, greenery for picnics, located next to a thermal bath, and so much more.
Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter is where you’ll find all the delicious restaurants, trendy cafes, and hipster areas of the city.
Karavan Street Food & Beer Garden
One of the things I most enjoy in cities is the street food. Budapest has a handful of them, but the one I got to enjoy was the Karavan Street Food. The food garden was quite cute and had many food options.
I will be honest though, my chicken was not well cooked, and therefore I didn’t enjoy my food. My friend did, however, and there were many other options. Fun Food Fact: Paprika is a popular spice used on everything.
Ruin Bars
One of the coolest things about Budapest is that it has transformed old abandoned buildings into bars. That’s where they get the name Ruin Bars.
They are the perfect place to grab a drink and relax after a busy day in the city. I got to visit the Szimpla Kert, which had unique decor. The bar has funky pieces that fit the old and ruined style of the bar.
But it also boasted plants, dark rooms, old furniture, and a vibrant environment. Visiting a ruin bar is one of the things I most recommend doing in the city.
Visit a Coffeehouse
Hungary has a popular café culture, where you’ll see many Hungarians start and enjoy their day with coffee. The popular drink is a strong espresso.
Many cafes will also have delicious pastries to serve alongside your coffee. This one here is the New York Coffee House. I didn’t sit down to drink coffee here, but I peeked in to see the incredible design inside.
Other Things to do in Budapest
Free Walking Tour
One of the best ways to learn about a city is to take a free walking tour. Thankfully, the guide we had gave us great information and history about the city. The tour was about two hours long.
It started in Pest, and the guide led us across Chain Bridge up to Castle Hill, where it ended, and we finished exploring on our own. Free tours are great, but the nice thing to do is leave a tip for the guide.
Night Boat Tour
Perhaps one of the most popular ways to see the city is by a Danube River Cruise. There are tours offered for all types of people. Some will be calm river cruises, and others provide wild nights and club crawls. Either way, you’ll cruise in front of the Parliament Building, beautifully illuminated.
Margaret Island
Margaret Island is another great place we visited while in Budapest. After crossing the bridge to the island, we walked straight to the fountain, where everyone sat around it to stick in their feet and enjoy a mini fountain show.
It was the perfect activity, given that the weather was extremely hot and humid. Once we enjoyed that, we walked the rest of the island through the beautiful and huge park.
The park had primarily local people, and everyone seemed to be out enjoying the sun. A popular activity on the island is to rent bikes to get around.
Budapest Sky Bar
I’m all for a nice city view, and Budapest Sky Bar has that. You have a fantastic view of the illuminated Parliament from the rooftop bar, which glows from far away. It is more high-end.
Therefore drinks aren’t cheap, nor is the entrance compared to other prices in Budapest. Still, it has a nice view and a relaxed atmosphere. It felt more like a lounge to me.
Doboz Nightclub
Budapest is famous for its night scene! There is no shortage of places to go out for a fun night of dancing. Though I can’t handle staying out late the way I used to, I still enjoy a good night out of dancing.
Just a 5-minute walk from my hostel, I had a most memorable night at Doboz Night Club. It sported various dance floors and great music.
The area it was located is where all the other fun nightlife is. What I felt about Budapest, at least at the hostel, was that everyone was in slow mode and relaxed during the day. And once the evening hit, the city comes alive a bit more.
How to Get Around Budapest
Even though the city offers many ways to get around, we explored most of the city on foot. We only rode the metro system when we had spent a whole day walking, and our feet hurt. We also got to ride the yellow trams, and it was pretty easy to get around on them.
The metro system, trams, and buses are all very easy to use. A single ticket costs 350 HUF ($1.10USD) for the metro, bus, and tram. You can also buy multi-day passes from the vending machines at the stations.
- Subway: Constructed in 1896, Hungary’s capital city of Budapest is home to mainland Europe’s first subway system. Locals and tourists use it to get around.
- Tram or Trolly: Also in operation for many years, since 1866. It can get you to just about any sight in the city.
- Buses: Stops everywhere.
There is no Uber in Budapest, and there is no train from the airport that connects to the city. Your best bet is to take the bus to and from the airport or taxi. If you arrive or depart by train, the metro system connects to the train station.
- Budapest Card: You have the option of purchasing the Budapest Card, which offers unlimited travel on public transportation, walking tours, and museum entries. Options include 24, 48, or 72-hour cards.
Where to Stay in Budapest
Budapest has plenty of options for all types of budgets. I recommend staying on the Pest side because you’ll be closer to most of the city’s main attractions and lively side.
I stayed at Hostel One Budapest, one of my favorite chains of hostels in Europe because of the social aspect. If you prefer hotels, accommodation prices are very reasonable in Budapest.
You can find hostels starting at 8 USD but under 30 USD. Hotels will range anywhere from 20 USD to 100 USD.
Facts about Budapest
The metro line was added to the city by Hungarians in 1896 to celebrate its 1000th anniversary.
Because of the 1896 year, the city uses the number 96 for various places. So, for example, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Parliament Building are both 96 meters high. That makes both church and state equal. Domes are also 96 meters high, and monuments have 96 steps.
You pronounce Budapest as Budapesh. The “Pest” portion sounds like you say “Pesh.”
The country is cheap! At least for now, it is. Breakfast was usually around 4-6 USD, transportation was less than 5 USD for a day, and many attractions charge under 10.
There are water fountains throughout the city, so you can stay hydrated and refill your water bottle.
What to Pack for Dominican Republic
Here is a list of my favorite items I packed for my trip to the Dominican Republic.
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
The Best Things to do in Budapest
