Most of the places of tourist attraction are centrally located in Budapest. A combination of trams, bus and metro with a bit of walking will take you just about everywhere you may wish to go to. Buy a travel card so you don’t need to queue up for tickets on public transport every time and walk around. Unless you walk, you will miss the art coming alive on the streets of Budapest.
Key Contents
List of top things to do and see
List of top things to see and do in Budapest
Discover Buda Castle
Located on the Castle hills, the Buda castle(or Royal palace) looks stunning from across the river, especially in the evenings when lit. First built in the 13th century, it was rebuilt in the 18th century and again after World War II. A very imposing structure, but the best part is not the castle itself but the magnificent views it provides of Budapest and nearby areas. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex today houses the Royal palace, a Gallery, Museums, wine cellars, Fisherman’s Bastion (view point), the Matthias Church with Bell Tower, Mary Magdalene Tower(view point), and the Labyrinth of Buda Castle.
There are entry tickets for many of the attractions. Entry to Royal palace is free but just about everything else requires a ticket. There are a few ‘free’ view points and there is actually no need to pay and get into the towers.
I took the historic funicular both on the way up and down. Buses also ply and there is path for walking as well.
Overall about 2.5-3 hours is good enough to walk around and click pictures without getting inside any of the attractions. It can be a bit tiring and hence, make time for a coffee/snack break. There are a few cafes around but the restaurants here are relatively expensive. I found an Italian restaurant that served limited vegetarian dishes. Food was good and the views even better!
Buda Castle, Budapest 
Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest 
Statue of Savoyai Eugen at Buda Castle, Budapest 
Buda Castle at night, Budapest
Take Danube river cruise in the evening
The Danube river is probably one reason why Budapest looks beautiful. More so when the buildings along the river and the bridges are lit in the evenings. Taking a cruise in the evenings is a foregone conclusion. Most cruises start in central Budapest and you can choose a 1-hour sightseeing cruise or a longer cruise with live music and lunch/dinner. You can also consider a day cruise to Danube bend, which is a very picturesque area. There are a large number of options but I preferred a simple 1-hour sightseeing cruise.
Boating in River Danube, Budapest 
Budapest bridges
Dip into thermal baths
A must do in my view is a visit to a thermal bath. Budapest is also known as ‘city of baths’, with over 100 hot springs feeding the numerous baths in the city. Szechenyi Spa Baths is rated as one of the best and among the largest spa baths in Europe. Szechenyi is big, with multiple thermal baths, steam/sauna rooms, a cold outdoor pool, massages and facial treatments. The building itself is very impressive and is located in the City Park, easily accessible by Metro.
I tried both the outdoor and indoor pools with varying temperatures plus the steam, sauna and Jacuzzi. I also did two laps in the cold outdoor pool, twice. The mineral rich water in thermal baths is believed to be very good for the body but go to a thermal bath mainly to relax and get rejuvenated. After all, doing one thermal bath in a year(s) will not make any visible difference to the body’s health!
Avoid weekends as it can get crowded. The prices at Szechenyi are quite reasonable but cheaper options are available. Carry your swimming trunks, cap, towels and shower gel. Swimming trunks are normally mandatory while caps are a must in lap pools. Towels and shower gel will be available for purchase if you forget. If you don’t like walking on bare feet, carry slippers.
You can read more on this link.
Baths can only be enjoyed only at leisurely pace
I spent about 2.5 hours at the bath, from the time of entry to exit. You can spend the whole day if you wish to. But whatever timeframe you choose, make sure you do not rush. Slow and steady wins the race so to say. Better skip few facilities than rush from one bath to another.
There are other spas in Budapest and you can choose what is most convenient. I think there is really no need to travel out of Budapest for thermal spas, for example, to Lake Heviz. Better to visit couple of spas in Budapest itself.
Explore Limestone Caves
There are few caves created by thermal springs over the years that can be explored. I visited Palvolgyi caves, the longest in Buda Hills and third longest in the country. There are guided tours every hour. It is quite an experience seeing beautiful formations underground, squeezing through some with very narrow passages and up-down staircases. Warm clothing is required.
The one hour tour is an easy one but if you are looking at real adventure, take the 3 hours caving tour that goes into very narrow recesses.
Try Palvolgi or other caves if you have not been to any similar cave. Accessible by public transport with the last leg by bus. Other options in Budapest include Molnar Janos cave(underwater-diving certificate required) and Szemlo mountain cave.
Palvolgyi caves, Budapest 
Palvolgyi caves, Budapest
Admire the very beautiful Architecture of Budapest
1. Parliament House and Shoe Memorial
A very, very attractive building facing the river Danube, the structure was constructed around CE 1900. It is one of the largest assembly buildings in the world and ranks among the well-known structures in Europe. There are guided tours (lasts an hour) inside the building but I chose to simply chose to admire the views from all round.
Also check out the unique shoe memorial near the Parliament building, facing the river. Made of iron, 60 pairs shoes serve as memorial to those shot and killed by Arrow cross militiamen in 1944-45.
The shoe memorial, Budapest 
The Parliament House, Budapest
2. Central Market hall
The largest and the oldest indoor market in Budapest is worth a visit. It will be crowded though. First completed in CE 1897, it was rebuilt after World War II. There are shops selling souvenirs on the first floor. And some food stalls. The market is closed on Sundays.
I spent over an hour going round the hall.
3. The Great Synagogue
The second largest Synagogue in the world merits a visit. Mainly because you don’t get see a Synagogue everywhere. It dates back to mid 19th century CE and accommodates almost 3000 people. Located on Dohany street, the entry fee is a bit steep at over INR1k. There are few more Synagogues in Budapest.
4. St. Stephen’s Basilica
Rated as a top attraction, this Church is surely a landmark. Less than 10 minutes by walk from Chain bridge.
5. Opera house
Built in the nineteenth century CE, the Opera is a highly decorated building with paintings and numerous sculptures of artists. Take a guided tour if you have not been inside an Opera house. Or watch an opera or a ballet that may even be cheaper than guided tour.
Mupa Budapest is also another famous performing arts theatre.
Walk across Chain bridge
The oldest and the most renowned bridge, the Chain bridge(officially Szechenyi) was built in 1849. And then rebuilt in 1949 after it was partly destroyed during World War II. This bridge has to be crossed when going to Buda Castle. The views from the bridge in the evenings is superb. Walking across the bridge itself was a pleasant experience.
Two other attractive bridges are Margaret bridge and the Liberty/Freedom bridge.
Chain Bridge at night, Budapest 
View of Chain bridge from Buda Castle, Budapest
Ride Tramline #2
This heritage line, running along river Danube is a very scenic tram ride and should not be missed. Starts from near the Margaret bridge on one end and passes by the Danube for some time before going interior near Petofi Hid(bridge). You can get off here or go little ahead till the terminal stop.
I travelled on other tramlines as well, getting off frequently and exploring different neighbourhoods. Gives a lot more perspective on the city.
Shopping/Strolling streets
There is nothing very unique to purchase in Budapest but the two main shopping avenues – Vaci Utca and Andrassy avenue, are great for a leisurely stroll.
Vaci Utca (Vaci street), the main shopping street has a charm of its own and full of retail shops, restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. The oldest building here dates back to 1805.
Andrassy avenue hosts high end designer brands. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is another great street for a stroll. One end meets Heroes’ Square, near City Park. The Opera House, which dates back to 19thcentury, is located on this street.
Couple of other good areas for a stroll include Castle hill, Danube Promenade and Margaret Island.
Andrassy avenue, Budapest 
A street at Castle Hill, Budapest 
Margaret Island, Budapest
Have drinks at a Ruin bar
Ruin bars are very popular in Budapest. These bars have been built in the ruins of abandoned buildings, especially in the Jewish Quarter. Worth a visit though in terms of concept, not too different from some of bars and restaurants built inside abandoned textile mills in India.
Visit Hungarian National Museum
If you want to know a bit more on the history of Hungary, visit Hungarian National Museum. My visit was unintended, it was to escape from the rain! But I enjoyed the displays at this museum and even picked up couple of items from the shop. Located in the Palace district, it was founded in 1802.
Day trips from Budapest
If you are staying for 4 days, set apart one day for a day trip out of Budapest. I skipped for lack of time. Some of the places to consider are as follows:
Aggtelek national park and caves
About 3 hours from Budapest, on the border with Slovenia lies the Aggtelek Karst region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exploring some of the 280 limestone caves here is what draws the visitors.
Tokaj wine region
About 3 hours drive from Budapest. Hungary is a major producer of wine.
Danube bend
This is the place in Hungary where the river Danube takes a sharp turn before flowing into Budapest. Said to be very scenic place and perhaps one of the most popular options.
Lake Balaton
About 2 hours away from Budapest is the largest lake of Hungary, Lake Balaton. Famous for the Cave Lake and several resort towns, the average depth of the Lake is only 10ft.
Sample itinerary – 3N, 4D
Day 1 (assuming arrival in the morning)
Afternoon : Buda Castle, Chain bridge, Danube cruise.
Day 2
Morning – Thermal bath.
Afternoon – Key attractions on Pest side(Parliament house, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Synagogue, Andrassy avenue), Ruin bar
Day 3
Morning – Explore one of the caves. Else take Half/ full day trip out of Budapest
Evening (time permitting)– attend a concert, thermal bath
Day 4 (assuming departure after lunch)
Morning : Tramline #2, Central market hall, stroll on Vaci Utca
Tourist map of Budapest
Here is a simple tourist map of Budapest that I had downloaded. Not sure from which site and hence unable to give appropriate credit. The red line is the arc that I mentioned under ‘Where to stay’ in the post – 4 days in Budapest.
