On our first Euro trip more than a decade ago, I visited Prague and Vienna. While I thoroughly enjoyed those cities, I really kicked myself for not adding Budapest on that itinerary (given its proximity to both Prague and Vienna).
So, when I decided to revisit Austria a couple years later, I knew I had to cross Budapest off my list! We chose to visit during holiday season and since this was our first time in Budapest, we explored the city beyond the markets as well. The good thing is that there is a LOT to see and do in Budapest beyond the Christmas markets. For a detailed guide on Budapest’s Christmas markets, please click here.
What to Eat/ Drink in Budapest
- Goulash – A beef stew with paprika, often served in bread bowls.
- Langos – Deep-fried flatbread with sweet and savory toppings. For my Indian readers, it literally tastes like bhatura 😉
- Pálinka – A strong Hungarian brandy with alcohol content ranging from 37.5% to 86%. The most popular flavors are apricot, pear, and plum. But sip slowly, it burns!
- Tokaji – A honey-like sweet dessert wine from the Tokaj region
- Kürtőskalács/ Chimney cakes –The dough is rolled in sugar, wrapped around a cone and roasted over charcoal, creating a crispy caramelized crust. You can get them with a variety of toppings like walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cinnamon, chocolate and even ice cream.
- Dobos Torte – A Sponge cake layered with chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel.
How long do you need in Budapest?
If this is your first time in Budapest, then you need at least 3 full days to explore this city.
Best Way to Reach
Budapest is easily connected by flight from most European cities. If you are visiting from one of the neighboring cities, then here is the distance:
- From Vienna – 3 hour drive / 2.5 hour train ride
- From Prague – 5.5 hour drive / 7 hour train ride
- From Bratislava – 2.5 hour drive / train ride
You can even hop on to a Flix bus from these cities to reach Budapest.
If you are driving into Budapest, then you need to buy an e-vignette – click here for more information.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) are great times to visit this city. It isn’t too hot to wander around the city and you can still enjoy the thermal baths. Additionally, spring blossoms and fall leaves make the city extra beautiful at these times. December is also a great time to visit, as Budapest has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
Hungarian Currency
The country’s official currency is the Hungarian forint (“HUF”), but Euros are also accepted at most places throughout the city. However, the exchange rate may or may not be favorable at most places so advisable to keep some HUF handy. You can find exchange centers all throughout the city.
Best Way to Get Around the City
The city has an excellent public transport system. Some sights are close to each other but for the rest you will need to hop on to buses and trams.
There are couple of ticket types are available – single tickets or block of 10 or multi-day options, which you can buy depending on your itinerary. Click here to read more.
We ended up buying a block of 10 tickets for HUF 4,500 and used it over a period of our 3 day stay. It was convenient and economical. Remember to validate your ticket before you start your journey. Ticket inspectors are stationed around the area, and you can be fined for non-validated tickets.
Depending on your itinerary, you can also looking into buying a Budapest Card. You can enjoy unlimited public transport (including from the airport), free admission to top attractions including a free thermal bath, a free Danube river cruise, discounts at restaurants and other experiences.
Taxis and Ubers/ Bolt are also readily available and relatively cheaper compared to other European cities.
Where to Stay
The city of Budapest spans over two sides of River Danube, with two halves of the city – Buda and Pest.
Pest is livelier and has a number of cafes, bars and restaurants so I would advise staying in this side of the town.
- District V (Belváros–Lipótváros) is the most convenient area, as both the Basilica and Vörösmarty Square are just minutes apart.
- District VI (Terézváros) and District VII (Erzsébetváros) are also great options with lots of restaurants, bars, and cafés nearby. It is close to the main sights and public transport makes it easy to get around.
While Buda is beautiful, it is not quite as convenient as a base. Pest is more central and perfect for exploring the city.
We stayed at this lovely Airbnb near Gozsdu Udvar. The room was spacious and just 10-minute walk from Fashion Street and Vörösmarty Square.
For our last night in Budapest, we switched accommodation and moved to the fancy Anantara Hotel. We had a few credit card points to use and what better way to use it than an opulent stay 🙂 Our room had a separate terrace area; too bad it was too cold to use it ☹ But the best part was NO wait lines at the iconic New York Café. We dined not once, but three times here during our stay 🙂 More on that later.
Things to Do / Places to See
Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and Buda Castle
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone says Budapest? For me, it is the iconic staircase of Fisherman’s Bastion.
Fisherman’s Bastion is a stunning architectural marvel in Buda Castle District Budapest. Built in the late 19th century, it offers a fairytale-like setting with panoramic views over the Danube and the Parliament, making it one of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sights and best photography spots in the world.
You can visit Fisherman’s Bastion anytime of the day or night and take in the stunning views overlooking the Pest side and the Danube River. Since it is a popular spot, it can get crowded during the day. If you want good photos, then try visiting during sunrise.
Most of the place is free to visit but if you want to visit the terrace, then additional fee is applicable. But if you visit before 9 am, there is no fee – so yet another reason to visit during sunrise 😆
The only way to reach Fisherman’s Bastion is via a furnicular, shuttle bus or climbing up the stairs. We chose to climb since it gave us an opportunity to stop and admire the views from different perspectives as well as burn the calories from all the food we ate at the markets 😛 If you choose to take the furnicular, then note that a standard return ticket costs around HUF 5,000 for adults.
If you plan to visit during sunrise then note that the funicular starts only at 8 am. So, if you want to reach earlier, take the UBER. While I had fully planned to visit during sunrise, waking up early in winters is a task 🙈so instead I ended up visiting late afternoon. And let me tell you the golden hour was just surreal here! It perfectly shone on the arches and beautifully lit up the buildings!
After you are done exploring Fisherman’s Bastion, check out Matthias Church right next door. It is a beautiful masterpiece of Neo-Gothic architecture with its colorful tiled roof and Gothic spires.
It has been built over the centuries with various wings and architectural elements added. The interior is really lovely as well, and you can explore it for an additional fee.
Next, wander over to Buda Castle, a centerpiece of Hungarian history. The castle dates back to the 13th century and has been a royal residence and a fortress. It now houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Both museums are included in the Budapest Card, or you can purchase tickets on-site or online before your visit.
You can even climb up to the castle’s dome, which offers panoramic views over River Danube and Pest.
There was a LOT of construction going on here when we visited but it was beautiful, nonetheless.
Apart from these sights, the Castle District, with its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and quaint squares, is a lovely neighborhood to explore.
There is even a Changing of Guards ceremony which takes place in the Buda Castle district at Sándor Palace (Presidential Palace). It is a free, five minute ceremony featuring rifle drills and music and is held every hour.
While sunrise offers a peaceful experience, I recommend going to Buda side during sunset as well. The views from the top are beautiful and they look even more beautiful at golden hour.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
Yet another iconic structure in this city is St Stephen’s Basilica! Apart from the stunning architectural beauty, what makes it worth visiting is the birds eye view it offers from the top!
There is an entry fee of around HUF 2600. Once you are done admiring the details from inside, climb around 364 steps up to the dome for a panoramic view of the city. Note that there is an additional fee of HUF 5000 to access the terrace – Click here for more details.
If you are visiting during holiday season, try visiting in evenings since there is a unique light show held every half hour from 5:30 pm to 10 pm. It is the largest 3D Christmas projection in Europe and one of the highlights of visiting Budapest at Christmas! 
Budapest Eye
The Ferris wheel at Elizabeth Square, steps away from St Stephen’s Basilica, also offers a lovely birds eye view of the city.
With its 65 m height, this is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe offering amazing panorama from the top. Click here for ticket details.
Hungarian Parliament Building
The magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building, is the most impressive sight in the city (and maybe all of Europe!). While I know you all have seen pictures of it, be prepared to be awestruck by its beauty !
You can even see if from inside on a guided tour. Click here to book your tickets.
For best views of Parliament building, head to Batthyány tér (Square) on Buda side. We went during the day and went back at night – isn’t it simply stunning?
Which one do you prefer?
Shoes on Danube Memorial
After you are done with the Parliament Building, take a stroll along River Danube and you will spot this memorial.
This memorial honors the Jews who were told to take their shoes off and then were shot and dumped into the river during the Holocaust. People have placed candles near the shoes, and many shoes are filled with rocks – a sign of respect at Jewish burial sites.
Heroes Square
This is one of the major squares in the city of Budapest and features several prominent historic figures.
This structure was built in 1896 to celebrate 1,000 years of Hungarian statehood. Today it serves as the gateway to City Park.
City Park and Ice Skating
City Park is the perfect place to stretch your legs in between all the walking. It is specially beautiful in spring, summer and autumn months.
If you are visiting in winter months, you will also find a huge ice skating rink right in the middle of the park.
Vajdahunyad Castle
This castle has some beautiful architecture worth admiring up close. Entry to the grounds and courtyards of Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest is free. However, if you want to enter some buildings then you need to pay an entry fee. Since we visited in late November, the whole area was filled with autumn beauty and was a visual treat.
Fashion Street and Vaci Street
Located in the heart of Budapest, Fashion Street is the city’s iconic destination and it totally comes alive during holiday season with pretty installations and light displays.
Váci Street (Váci utca) is Budapest’s premier 1.2 km long pedestrian shopping street, connecting Vörösmarty Square to the Central Market Hall. You will find top international fashion brands, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops.
Gozsdu Court
Gozsdu Udvar (Gozsdu Courtyard) is a vibrant, historic entertainment and gastronomy complex in the heart of Budapest’s Jewish Quarter. And if you are visiting during the holidays, then definitely stop by to see the pretty decorations!
Since we stayed in this area, we passed by this one everyday and couldn’t help snapping away 🙂
Admire the Bridges of Budapest
Budapest has some iconic bridges connecting Buda and Pest across River Danube. Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the oldest and most famous, known for its lion statues. Any Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam fans here 😛
We also walked by this bridge one evening during sunset and were greeted with amazing sunset views.
One other bridge I really loved is Liberty Bridge. Known for its Art Nouveau design, green color, and bird statues on its towers, it links Gellért Square and the Market Hall. Take Tram 47 / 49 if you want a scenic ride across River Danube.
Elizabeth Bridge, Margaret Briddge and Megyeri Bridge and other lesser-known bridges in this city.
Central Market Hall
This is a historic, 19th-century covered market popular among both locals and tourists and is open all round the year. The top level is primarily dedicated to souvenirs and a few food stalls, while the ground floor has a variety of market offerings like fresh meat and produce.
You can sample some local specialties (like langos, goulash) as well as browse for souvenirs. And if you are staying in an Airbnb and want to do some cooking, you can even check out the local produce. Or simply pick up paprika, other spices and palinka for friends and family back home 🙂
We enjoyed browsing thru the stalls however, in terms of food, we found limited vegetarian food options here. So, if you want a hearty meal, then better to visit Timeout Market.
Gorgeous Cafes
If you’re looking for Instagrammable cafes, then you are in the right city😉 Similar to Vienna, Budapest has a lovely cafe culture – unique coffee drinks paired with alcohol and delicious desserts !
New York Café, with its ornate interiors is a must visit! But it can have long wait even at 8 am in the morning. Since we were staying at the hotel (Anantara Hotel) that houses this café, we literally walked in! We passed by on weekdays and the wait wasn’t too bad but on Friday, there was a serpentine queue ! So try visiting during weekdays if you are in the city then. Or you can make a reservation for dinner (since they only accept reservations after 6 pm).
We had heard mixed reviews about this café but we had a lovely dining experience each time. We had breakfast, followed by coffee and desserts and then dinner too one of the days. My reviews may be biased since I didn’t spend a single minute waiting in line 😊 The food and drinks are on the expensive side but you are essentially paying for the experience.
If you don’t fancy waiting in line, then there are other equally beautiful cafes worth checking out.
Cafe Gerbeaud, is yet another historical cafe in this city. It is located right on Vörösmarty Square. Try their Dobos Torte and Lanchid coffee (brandy based coffee).
Parisi Passage is equally beautiful and has live music playing during the day. We stopped by for breakfast one of the days.
While you will find chimney cakes at most market stalls, I advise trying one from Pichler. They are freshly baked so give it 5-10 minutes. We had their pistachio chimney cake and hot chocolate, which was literally melted chocolate – so delicious !
Ruin Bars
Did you know that Budapest has a ruin bar culture? These bars are made in formerly dilapidated buildings and have several levels, rooms, bars, and nooks, a mix of indoor and outdoor space. Each area is decorated interestingly and offers a unique experience!
Simplza Kert is the most famous ruin bar in the city. For Sale pub, while not a ruin bar is unique and worth checking out. Sadly, there was a long wait when we got here at noon, so chose to skip it.
Thermal Baths
Budapest is a city of thermal baths and there are many to choose from! On a chilly day, the outdoor bathing areas are nice and relaxing! Sliding into the hot baths while breathing in the cool, crisp air sounds like pure bliss, isn’t it?
The most famous thermal bath in this city is Szechenyi Baths located near City Park and Vajdahunyad Castle. This is the largest thermal bath in Europe. There are several indoor baths with pools of various temperatures. The outdoor bath is in a striking yellow adorned with statues and looks beautiful.
While Szechenyi Baths are the most famous, I have heard mixed reviews. Gellert and Rudas offer a better experience.
Gellert is currently closed for renovation. Rudas offers a lovely view of the city and try visiting during sunset time. Sadly, we were busy exploring the city and markets and didn’t have time for this ☹
Most of these bathhouses charge for towels and flip flops and the charges are ridiculously high. So ensure you carry your own.
Other Things to Do
Take a River Cruise – Seeing the city from the water is always wonderful! Tours start from as low as Euros 12 and can go up depending on whether drinks and food are included. While boat tours run throughout the day, recommend taking one during twilight hour / post sunset. We booked our tickets on Getyourguide. You can find similar operators on Viator as well. Check the sunset time before booking since the lights are switched on only after sunset, which can vary depending on the month you are visiting in.
Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library – If you like beautiful architecture, then you must visit this library. It is housed in the opulent Wenckheim Palace, and is known for its breathtaking Neo-Baroque interiors, featuring ornate ceilings, grand staircases and intricate details. Entry fee is HUF 1900.
Gellert Hill – The perfect place to visit during sunset since it provides the best views in Budapest. You can also spend some time in the park around the citadel. At the base of the hill, you can also visit the unique Cave Church, which is a church built straight into the rocks of Gellért Hill.
Margaret Island – A unique car-free island in the middle of the Danube. You can easily reach the island via Margaret Bridge or Árpád Bridge. Enjoy the peaceful ambience and surroundings.
Watch a performance at the Hungarian State Opera House – The Opera House is stunning inside, and catching a concert or ballet here makes for a lovely experience.
Day Trips – If you have more time on hand, you can do a little day trip to one of the neighboring places in Hungary.
- Szentendre – A picturesque town with colorful Baroque houses and cute cobblestone streets. It is located just 40 minutes by train from Budapest’s Batthyány Ter station.
- Lake Balaton: Often called the “Hungarian Sea,” it is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe. Popular stops include Tihany, famous for its abbey and lavender fields, and Balatonfüred, a historic resort town. Located around 1.5-2 hours from Budapest.
- Visegrád: Known for its hilltop Visegrád Citadel, which offers panoramic views of the Danube river. Best way to reach is via a bus or train (1 hour).
All prices as of November 2025