What’s the most underrated place you’ve been? Budapest is seriously an incredibly underrated city. There’s tons of history, great food, and beautiful places to see. You’ll need to figure out the best things to do in Budapest so that you can make the most of your trip. It’s one of my favorite places and it’s one of the cheapest places.
I have been to over 45 countries and countless cities. This one of of my favorite that I have ever explored! We were able to really get to know the city, because we had a week to explore the highlights. Read below for a great guide on what to see and do!
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Things to Do in Budapest!
#1 Visit the Parliament Building
The Parliament Building is the most famous building in Budapest and for a good reason. This gorgeous building sits on the banks of the Danube river and is in the center of town. You can go there for a tour and learn more about its history.
#2 Soak in Geothermal Baths
There are many baths in Budapest, but Szechenyi Bath is by far the best. It is more than 100 years old and it is beautiful. Visitors enjoy relaxing in the 18 pools and going to the spa on the property. It’s very affordable so everyone can enjoy a soak in the baths, but it also gets crowded so try to go at an off time.
#3 Stroll the Danube Walkway
Go to the Pest side of the city to walk along this area. Here, you will find numerous restaurants and cafes. The Shoes on the Danube Bank is one of the most prominent features of this walkway. This memorial is dedicated to the Jews who were killed there during World War II. The army shot them as they stood on the river’s edge and they fell in one by one. It’s a powerful memorial and it leaves an impression in your mind.
#4 Go out to Ruin Bars
During World War II, Jews were forced to evacuate and abandon their homes in the Old Jewish Quarter. People found these buildings and created an underground drinking scene. These then began to flourish. We found Szimpla Kert on our first night in Budapest, and we loved it so much that we went every other night. Ruin bars are very unique. Inside you will find thrifted furniture, random antiques, good music, and plenty of alcohol. Visit a bunch of these bars to scope out the best ones.
#5 Shop in Central Market Hall
You can’t make a list of the best things to do in Budapest, Hungary without including oldest market hall there. You will find plenty of vendors and stalls with delicious local food and handcrafted souvenirs. There are two floors of vendors, so there are tons of options to choose from. The bottom floor has food like meats, spices, and breads, while the top floor has places to eat and buy. We enjoyed eating some sweet food and walking the huge hall.
#6 Boat Down the River
One of my favorite parts of visiting Budapest was taking a cruise down the river. Our group had the boat to ourselves where we learned about the various buildings that lined the shore. There is so much history in the city, so it’s really interesting to learn about things that have happened over hundreds of years.
#7 Attend Services at Dohany Street Synagogue
Since I was on a Jewish group trip, this was something that we had to do, but I recommend visiting. The Dohany is the largest synagogue in Europe, it holds up to 3,000 people. The interior is beautifully decorated with astounding architecture and chandeliers. Go to a Shabbat service or go during the week to see the beautiful building.
#8 Enjoy the Views from Castle Hill
Buda Castle is on the top Castle Hill on the Buda side of Budapest. The Castle Hill area has tons of historic sights and is well known for all of the beautiful vistas around. Go during the day to explore the buildings or go at night to view the lights of the city. We went to the top of the hill at night to see the views of Budapest below. It was one of my favorite things we did on the trip.
#9 Walk down Andrassy
Stroll down the historical Andrassy Avenue to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most beautiful streets and has a multitude of museums, nice buildings, restaurants and shops along the road. It’s definitely one of the best things to do during your time in Budapest.
#10 Drink at the Wine Cellars
If you’re a fan of wine, then you should definitely visit one of the wine cellars to try Hungarian wine. There are multiple wine cellars in the city but Faust is the most famous one. These cellars are underground and you will get an authentic experience as you drink wine in caves underground. It’s a unique experience that’s well worth it.
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