The Best of Budapest: Must-See Places

Budapest is an amazing European city that we highly recommend! The Hungarian capital has beautiful architecture, gorgeous river views, delicious wines, relaxing thermal baths, and much more. If you have the chance to visit, be sure to check out the following must-see places in Budapest:

This famous landmark overlooking the Danube is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary and home to the Hungarian crown jewels. It is the third-largest parliament building in the world, with over 18,000 square meters of floor space. Its opulent interior is reminiscent of a royal palace. It features a million precious stones, 40 kilograms of 22-carat gold leaf, and a red carpet that stretches for three kilometers. The parliament building is open to visitors, and you can buy tickets online on the official site of the Office of the National Assembly.

Behind a beautiful yellow facade, you will find o­ne of the largest spa complexes in Europe. Start by trying its 18 mineral-rich thermal pools with different temperatures. The complex also features whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, relaxation areas — and even a beer spa! You can spend the whole day soaking your weary bones, but if you visit on a Saturday get ready for a nighttime party. Every Saturday night from 9:30 PM, Széchenyi hosts “Sparty,” a massive pool party with DJs and light shows. Head to the Széchenyi Thermal Bath website for daytime or evening tickets.

This eatery is often referred to as “the most beautiful café in the world.” The spectacular setting boasts marble columns, glittering chandeliers, stunning frescoes, and gold accents. The restaurant has been welcoming visitors for over 125 years, and when you are surrounded by its neoclassical decor, you will feel transported to another era. While you enjoy the view, dig into a piece of decadent caramel Dobos torte, sip some rich hot chocolate, and listen to live Gypsy music. Go to the New York Café website to make a reservation. 

For Instagram-worthy photos, head to Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill. The monument consists of seven high-pitched stone towers that symbolize the seven chieftains who founded Hungary in 895. You can appreciate the beauty of the statues, turrets, and nearby Matthias Church. However, Fisherman’s Bastion is famous for its panoramic views of the river Danube and the city of Budapest.

The city is full of unique drinking holes set in dilapidated pre-war buildings with open courtyards. Ruin bars feel a bit like a garage sale; with mismatched furniture, bizarre artwork, and quirky lighting. You will find tourists, affordable drinks, and party vibes at any ruin bar. A few we recommend are Szimpla Kert, Instant & Fogas, Dürer Kert, and Doboz. If you visit a ruin bar (or any other bar in Budapest) be sure to try the local spirit — an herbal liqueur called Unicum.

This neoclassical building with a 96-meter-high dome is the largest church in Budapest. It is named in honor of Stephen, the first King of Hungary, and it houses his mummified right hand! The interior of the church is lavishly decorated with mosaics, stained-glass, and sculptures. You can also climb up 300 stairs to a terrace at the base of the dome to enjoy spectacular city views. In addition to weekly mass, St Stephen’s hosts regular organ and classical music concerts. If you visit Budapest during the holiday season, you will get a chance to see a traditional Christmas market and watch a light display projected on the basilica’s facade.

Another must-see religious structure in Budapest is the Jewish synagogue. With seating for 3,000 people, it is the largest place of Jewish worship in Europe, and the second largest in the world. The Moorish Revival style building features two onion-shaped domes, a rose stained-glass window, and an ark that contains Torah scrolls from various synagogues destroyed during the Holocaust. Please note, you can only visit the synagogue on a guided tour.

The Hungarian State Opera House on Andrássy avenue is finally open after an extensive restoration project. Its elegant facade and lush interiors combine Neo-Renaissance and Baroque elements. The main concert hall features a beautiful fresco of the Greek gods painted by Károly Lotz, illuminated by a bronze chandelier weighing 3050 kilograms! Another key piece of art at the Royal Opera House is the statue of Franz Liszt, Hungary’s most famous composer. You can appreciate this music venue by taking a 60 minute tour, or better yet catch a performance. To see what’s playing, visit the official Hungarian State Opera website.

Budapest is a thriving city with too many attractions to discuss in depth here. In your own time, you should also research the Franz Liszt Music Academy, the House of Houdini, the Museum of Terror, and Buda Castle. If you get tired of tourist sites, you can simply stroll along Andrassy Avenue — the Champs-Élysées of Budapest. Alternatively, you could solve a puzzle or two at one of the city’s many escape rooms. A lot of people believe escape games were invented in Budapest.

If you are looking for a craft cocktail, head upstairs to the High Note Sky Bar, or downstairs to Hotsy Totsy Bar. However, you must not leave Budapest without drinking deliciously sweet Tokaji dessert wine! 

Foodies will love the city’s diverse culinary scene. Our personal favorite restaurants include Prime Steak & Wine, Caviar & Bull, Bestia, and Bamba Marha Burger Bar. If you want to dig into a Hungarian specialty, you should try a langos, which is a piece of deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and grated cheese. Chimney cakes are a good option if you have a sweet tooth.

Budapest has accommodations to suit every price range: from basic chain hotels such as Ibis, to boutique offerings such as Mystery Hotel Budapest, all the way to luxurious settings such as the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace.

We hope this article helps you plan a trip to Budapest! If you want to explore other European cities, start by reading our article Paris – Things To See vs. Skip.