Budapest

23 places, 8 of them free and 9 tours and activities. A grand Danube capital of thermal baths, ruin bars and castle views.

23 places

Must SeeFree

Buda Castle

Castle Hill

A hilltop palace complex of museums and gardens, with views over the Danube.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers · Photographers

Grounds open daily; museums have their own hours

Must See~£5

Fisherman’s Bastion

Castle Hill

A fairy-tale terrace of white turrets with a panorama of the Danube and Parliament.

  • Suggested time: 45 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Photographers

Open daily; upper terrace has a small fee

Must See~£18

Hungarian Parliament

Pest

A neo-Gothic riverside landmark, with a gilded interior and the Holy Crown of Hungary.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • Book ahead
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Daily by guided tour

View Tickets
Couples~£24

Széchenyi Thermal Baths

City Park

A grand yellow bathhouse with outdoor thermal pools, saunas and chess players in the water.

  • Suggested time: 4 hrs
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Families · Couples

Daily, roughly 6:00–22:00

View Tickets
Local FavouritesFree

Chain Bridge

Danube

A graceful suspension bridge linking Buda and Pest, especially pretty when lit at night.

  • Suggested time: 30 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Open-air; always accessible

NightlifeFree

Ruin Bars (Szimpla Kert)

Jewish Quarter

A famous bar in a crumbling building, filled with eclectic furniture and art.

  • Suggested time: 3 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Nightlife fans

Daily; bars open from late afternoon

Shopping & MarketsFree

Great Market Hall

Fővám

A soaring iron-and-tile market hall with paprika, sausages and lángos upstairs.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Food lovers

Monday–Saturday, roughly 6:00–18:00; closed Sundays

ViewpointsFree

Gellért Hill and Citadella

Gellért Hill

A hill with a fortress and a huge statue, the best panorama over the city.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Photographers

Open daily

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