Even if you’ve never been to Budapest, you probably recognize the Hungarian Parliament Building. This sprawling masterpiece stretches across 18,000 sq-m (193,800 sq-ft) on the edge of the Danube River, its neo-Gothic spires capturing your attention by day and night. It’s an architectural wonder that embodies the opulence of Budapest, a city that’s one of the most beautiful in Europe, but never seems to get its due, at least until now.
In past centuries, people understood the romantic appeal of Budapest, the Pearl of the Danube, but at some point between the fall of the Hapsburgs and the end of Soviet Union, people forgot about what makes this city so marvellous. Luckily, things are changing and more people are waking up to the wonder that is the Hungarian capital. It’s a city with diverse appeal, so whether you find yourself exploring its architectural masterworks, dining in its cutting-edge restaurants, or simply popping in for a day or do before or after a Danube river cruise, you’ll find something to fascinate you within its storied streets. Here are some top reasons to put Budapest and the rest of Hungary on your bucket list, regardless of what kind of traveller you are.
Recommended: For an ideal introduction to Budapest, consider the 4-day Escape to Budapest.
A Budapest for Lovers of History & Architecture
Do you love to wander old city streets, snapping photographs of some of the most beautiful buildings you’ve ever seen? Then you’re going to love Budapest. For a bit of context, Budapest used to be two separate cities: hilly Buda to the west and flatter Pest to the east. They were separated by the Danube, and even though they were united in 1873, they still retain distinct characteristics to this day, with people still referring to the specific areas by their original names. No matter which one you focus on, you’ll find many beautiful landmarks to discover.
Start at Castle Hill in Buda. Built in the late 19th century on top of the Fisherman’s Guild, Fisherman’s Bastion is the most distinctive creation in the city: a white-washed neo-Romanesque fortress that recalls a fairytale castle high on the hill. Its seven turrets offer wonderful views over the Danube and Pest. It’s also a popular spot for romantic photoshoots at sunset, so plan ahead if you want to snatch a photo spot. Be sure to stop by the nearby Matthias Church, one of the most beautiful and historically important churches in the country.
Continue south to reach Buda Castle, an 18th-century rebuild of the 14th-century royal palace. The castle complex is massive and varied, with a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles between its buildings. If you want to spend a few hours looking at historical artifacts or admiring classical artworks, consider visiting the on-site Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest History Museum.
Cross the Chain Bridge over the Danube to Pest and you’ll find many more architectural marvels to photograph (or simply gawk at). The Hungarian State Opera House opened in 1875 and is renowned for its acoustics and Neo-Renaissance style. You can tour the building when there aren’t any scheduled performances. Every tour lets you explore the grand auditorium and even enjoy a live concert by the soloists.
A few blocks to the southwest lies St. Stephen’s Basilica, named after Hungary’s first king and patron saint. The 100m-high dome makes it one of the tallest buildings in the city, but its true importance is as the home of the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen, the nation’s most important relic which resides inside, drawing the devout from across the country.
Further southeast lies Dohany Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe. Built in the Moorish Revival style, the building contrasts beautifully with the city’s Neo-Gothic and Romanesque architecture. It’s also a fitting landmark that reminds us of the city’s vibrant Jewish past, which was decimated by the Holocaust. You can learn more about this past at the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives and Roaul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park. For another sombre reminder of the past, the House of Terror to the northeast recounts the city’s struggles under fascism and Soviet communism in the 20th century. It’s not for the faint of heart, though. Follow Andrassy ut further northeast and you’ll reach Heroes Square, where the nation’s founders are immortalized in massive statues and pillars. Seemingly, every corner of Budapest has a new architectural marvel to behold.
A Budapest for Wellness Seekers
If you want to unwind in the midst of your city vacation, Budapest will treat you well. For over 2,000 years, citizens of what became known as Budapest would head to the city’s natural hot springs to soak in the water warms and ease away their worries. When the Ottomans invaded in the 16th and 17th centuries, they brought their own Turkish bathhouse cultural practices, reenforcing what was already a civic tradition. Today, spa culture remains a huge part of life in Budapest, and a welcome treat for visitors to this City of Thermal Spas, as declared in 1934.
Of all the hot springs in the city, two reign supreme: Szechenyi and Gellert. Szechenyi Thermal Bath in Pest is the city’s most famous and popular with travellers. The bath’s 18 pools stretch across the grounds of a Neo-Baroque palace, with 15 indoor pools and three outdoor pools. There’s a mixed gender policy here, which is convenient when travelling as a couple. You can play chess in the outdoor pool or join one of the frequent evening parties held at the baths.
Gellert Baths in Buda offers a more ornate and refined experience. The gorgeous mansion is inspired by Turkish bath designs, with elaborate tile work and skylights. The pools are separated by gender, aside from the main pool, so it’s less casual than Szechenyi, but the variety of dry and steam saunas allow for a varied spa experience.
If you want to go somewhere a bit less touristy, Lukacs Baths and Paskal Baths offer more affordable and local options, with a variety of indoor and outdoor pools. The recently renovated Vel Bej Bath also lets you soak in a historic Turkish bath.
A Budapest for Foodies
When I visited Budapest over a decade ago, you didn’t hear much about the food scene. There were classics to be had throughout the city, including ubiquitous, delicious goulash, but it didn’t dazzle in the way Tokyo or Paris did. All that has changed, as the city has fostered a food culture that’s attracting international chefs and shining a light on local culinary innovation. Today, you have so much to choose from when dining out in Budapest, from 36 Michelin-starred restaurants to celebrated street food stalls.
The Great Market Hall is a great place to start, as it offers a taste of the local food scene (literally). Try bite-sized Hungarian favourites, from langos (deep-fried flatbread) to dobos torta (sponge cake), or enjoy samples of aged cheeses or truffles. Don’t leave without getting some paprika to take home with you (typically, ones that are in more modest packaging is fresher and better, since it’s used by local chefs).
After that, you can start to innovate. Try to score a reservation at some of the popular joints, including Onyx, which is known for its multi-course menus, or Borkonyha Winekitchen, which has one of the city’s best wine lists. After that, it’s time to hit the club or the pub, depending on your speed. Budapest is a great city for a night out. The ruin pubs of the Jewish Quarter continue to pull in travellers attracted to the post-Soviet industrial spaces and fun, graffiti-drenched vibes where they can try palinka and absinthe (Szimpla Kert remains the most popular of these pubs). But there’s more to the cocktail scene than ruin pubs. Cocktail bars such as Hotsy Totsy and SEVEN are showcasing more refined spirits with impeccable atmosphere to boot. If you’re looking for a memorable night out, Budapest will treat you well.
Exploring Beyond Budapest
The journey doesn’t end in Budapest on a trip to Hungary. Even if you’re based in the Hungarian capital, you can extend your itinerary to include more of the country on day trips or by adding a few extra days in the nation.
The wine regions should be your first stop. A few hours to the northeast, Tokaj is perhaps the best place to sample Hungary’s famously sweet wines. The region’s volcanic soil and traditional winemaking practices involving botrytized grapes (a kind of natural fermentation process involving fungus) contribute to the creation of incredibly rich and sweet wines, such as Tokaji Aszu. Tokaj is also blessed with rolling hillsides and picturesque villages, so it offers an ideal countryside escape from the city.
If you want to stay closer to Budapest, Etyek-Buda is the place to be since it’s located about 30 minutes out of town. This wine region is known for its white and sparkling wines, a result of its cool climate and viticulture that is similar to Champagne, France. Winemaking in Etyek-Buda dates to Roman times, so it has a long history of producing excellent Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, in particular.
If you’re looking to explore more history and nature outside the capital, consider a day cruise along the Danube into neighbouring regions and historic centres. Popular spots to visit include Visegrad, which is renowned for its castles including the 13th-century citadel and 14th-century Royal Palace, as well as Esztergom, the nation’s medieval capital. Lake Balaton is also a great place to visit, offering a wild respite from the cities and villages. Known as the Hungarian Sea, Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe and a great spot for wildlife viewing and aquatic adventure. Spot rare endemic birds including the Eurasian spoonbill or explore the underwater cave system on a scuba diving adventure. If that sounds a bit too adventurous, opt for a scenic sunset cruise with a glass of wine in hand, enjoying the sight of beaches and forests drenched in the twilight.
Budapest also makes for an ideal combination on a multi-country vacation through Central and Eastern Europe. Cruise the Danube river from Vienna in Austria all the way through to Belgrade in Serbia. Stop off in Budapest pre- or post-cruise to make it the ultimate intro or outro to a longer vacation. Or simply take advantage of the location to extend the journey into little-visited Romania and other neighouring nations. Budapest is located in such an ideal spot that it begs you to take advantage of its geography to see more of Europe.
Recommended: Combine Budapest with another world capital with the 7-day Timeless Elegance: Prague & Budapest.
What are you waiting for? Put Hungary on your bucket list and experience a gorgeous part of Europe on a tailor-made vacation today.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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