Our Favourite Budapest Attractions

We compiled our most beloved Budapest attractions that we visit the most often during our wanders in the city centre.

The list includes most of the must-see sights of Budapest as well as some lesser-known landmarks (the so-called hidden-gems).

Castle District-Historic Monuments, Museums, Fine Cafes

The Castle Hill with the Royal Palace and the Matthias Church in Buda is featured in all guidebooks among the most popluar attractions in Budapest.

The district together witht the Danube Bridges and the embankment is a World heritage site due to its importance playe din Budapest's history and development.

Getting to Castle District:

• by bus 16A or 116 from Moszkva tér (trams 4,6, M2 metro),
  
  
• by funicular (sikló) from Clark Adam Square at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge, Ticket: 700 HUF/adult (if you plan to use the funicular for both the upward and downward trip then you have to buy 2 tickets)
  
  

The Castle District abounds in historical monuments, lovely old houses, romantic walkways, intimate cafes and some great restaurants. One of the citiy's best panoramic views can be admired from Fishermen's Bastion. Although the district's history dates back to medieval times most of the buildings are from later era (17-19. centuries).

TIP: Buda Castle Hill gives home to several large-scale festivals and events throughout the year so it's a good idea to time your visit during one of these major events:

• Festival of Folk Arts- a 3-day festival around 20th August,
  
  
• International Wine and Champagne Festival - first half of September,
  
  
• Pálinka & Sausage Festival in October on the Savoya Terrace of the Royal Palace.

If you do not like crowd than avoid these events and time your visit in the low season: early or mid-spring or mid-autumn.

Admission to the Castle District itself is free, but there's entrance fee to the major monuments and the museums in the Palace. See more details about Budapest Castle District.

TIP: An ideal and relaxing way of exploring the sights on the Danube banks and admiring the beautiful vista is by going on a cruise on the Danube. For a more romantic experience choose the Cruise with Dinner & Live Music starting every day at 19.00. During this evening cruise you can enjoy the illuminated night cityscape of Budapest. Read our account of the evening cruise on the Danube.

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Chain Bridge and the Danube Promenade

Another well-known Budapest attraction is the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) spanning the Danube at the foot of Castle Hill. Built in the middle of the 19th century the stone bridge with the lion bridgeheads was the first permanent connection between Buda and Pest.

The bridge hosts an annual summer festival titled the Summer on the Chain Bridge during which it is a pedestrians only bridge with colurful programs on weekends in July and August.

The Danube promenade -also part of the UNESCO's World Heritage program- runs along the river between Chain bridge and Elizabeth Bridge.

A walk along the promenade or known by locals as Duna Korzó offers wonderful views of the Danube and the Buda side with the Gellért and Castle Hills. Tram 2 runs along the promenade should you wish to see a longer stretch of the river bank.

Read more about Budapest's World heritage Sites.

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Gresham Palace Art Nouveau Splendour While you walk along the river bank don't miss one of Budapest's architectural gems the art-nouveau Gresham Palace on Roosevelt Square at the Pest end of the Chain Bridge. After an extensive restoration finished in 2004 the palace houses the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace one of the best hotels in Budapest.

Gellért Hill - Hiking & Amazing Panorama

The dolomit cliff in Buda is one of the loveliest green spots in Budapest. Gellért hill is one of our favourite places for weekend outings. Find out more about Gellért Hill.

Winding walkways lead up to the top where the Citadella, a former fortress and the Liberty Statue stand. The hill is dotted with groves and flowery parks, an excellent place for Sunday afternoon walks for the family or nice rendezvous spot for couples.

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St Stephen's Basilica & St Stephen's Square

The church is the largest monument after the Hungarian parliament building dominating the Pest side of the Danube.

The spacious plaza in front of the basilica is flanked by cafes and restaurants.

Read details about the history and architecture of St Stehen's basilica.

Central Synagogue in Dohány Utca

The Great Synagouge in Dohány Street, VII. district is one of the world's largest and most beautiful synagogues so even if you aren't religious you must see this magnificent Jewish monument of Budapest.

Budapest once had a large jewish community the monuments of which are scattered in the former Jewish Quarter.

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Andrássy Avenue-Opera House, Museums, Luxury Shops

One of my absolute favorite attractions in Budapest is the Andrássy út, an elegant avenue similar to Parisian boulevards that connects the inner city with Heroes' Square and City Park. The most noteable sight on Andrássy road is the Hungarian State Opera House, an artfully decorated building which you cane explore on guided tours.

Besides the Opera House the avenue abound in fine architecture so it's well worth a long walk.

If you plan a longer walk you can take a rest in one of the many sidewalk cafes and resturants lining the road. Liszt Ferenc tér and Nagymező utca, two sidestreets opening from Andrássy út offer wide choice of cafes and terrace resturants with outddor terraces. Try Két Szerecsen Cafe & Restaurant (Nagymező utca 14.)for a fine cappucino and tasty breakfast.

A famous museum the House of Terror is located on Andrássy út should you want to find out about the terrible Communits Era and the violent and injustice things the party organizations committed during those years. Read more about sights and Attractions along Andrássy Avenue.

Váci Street - High-End Shops, Some Great Architecture

Although Váci utca tends to be crowded during the tourist season it is one of the best known attractions in Budapest and during a walk in low season (early spring or mid-autumn) you'll be able to discover some nice, historic buildings, and monuments.

As a pedestrian shopping street - and one of the most beautiful ones in the world based on a recent contest - Váci utca has plenty of high-end shops, boutiqes, upscale resturants and cafes. Find out more about Váci utca and its attractions.

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Central Market Hall (Központi Vásárcsarnok)

For me the Central Marke Hall is like a large treasure trove of fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and culinary delicacies. The spacious market at the Pest end of Liberty bridge (Szabadság híd) however is famous for its architecture too. Built at the turn of the 19-20. centuries it was one of the most modern indoor markets not only in Budapest but in the whole world.

When I do my shopping there I take my time and walk row by row to admire the attractively arranged produce and products.

For fish and game take the escaaltor the basement level. My favorite store selling Asian specialties and a wide variety of herbs and spices is located at that level too.

The Market hall is great place for buying Hungarian souvenirs (paprika powder, wine, fois gras).

For Hungarian folk textiles and embroidery go to the first level. The first level has some restaurants and food stalls offering traditional Hungarian fare.

See other food markets in Budapest.

New York Palace - Luxury Hotel & Elegant Cafe

If you stroll along Nagykörút (Grand Boulevard) the grand building of the New York Palace on Erzsébet körút will catch your eye. Once a headquarter of the New York Insurance company the lavish building was converted into a 5-star luxury hotel by the Italian Boscolo Group between 2001-2007. Read a detailed review of the new York Palace Boscolo Hotel.

The ground-floor of the palace housed the famous literary coffee house the New York Cafe which had been considered to have been one of the most attractive cafes of the world at that time (turn of the 19th-20th centuries).

The coffee house was also restored to its original glory during the hotel construction. Some might find the interior too glitzy with all the gold gilded stuccos and pillars, fancy plaster, chandeliers, and ornate wood works but it's a stylish place reflecting the grandeur of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The prices are matched to this grandeur too.

My favorite part of the New York Palace are the bronze demonic lamp holders outside the building.

More information:

Read a detailed description of the New York Palace.

Find more historic Budapest cafes.

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Margaret Island - a Green Budapest Attraction

Besides Gellért Hill Margaret Island (Margitsziget) is another of our family excursion spots within Budapest. Situated at Margaret Bridge the island on the river Danube attracts nature lovers with its flowery parks. Numerous ruins tell about the history of the island.

Jogging tracks run along the line of the Danube and bikers, skateboarders also have lost of space to practice theri favorite sport.

Read more about Margaret Island (Margitsziget).

City Park (Városliget)

The City Park is another sprawling green field behind Heroes' Square with lots attractions for children and grwon-ups alike (Budapest Zoo, Amusement Park, City Lake, the Széchenyi Bath).

The park has some fine restaurants like the famous Gundel, or the Bagolyvár Restaurant.

Find out more about attractions in Budapest City Park.

Thermal Baths - Fun, Relaxation and Healing

And last but not least in a listing about top Budapest Attractions the world-famous thermal baths must be included.

Budapest and the whole of Hungary abounds in thermal springs with healing qualities upon which numerous spas and thermal baths have been built.

The thermal baths of Budapest can be divided into two categories:

• the older Turkish baths (Király and the Rudas baths), and
  
  
• the turn-of-the-19th-20th-century baths like the Gellért, and the Széchenyi Baths.

Apart from these there are several spa and wellness hotels in Budapest too providing upscale accommodation and modern and traditional massage therapies and other wellness services.

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Related Articles - More Budapest Attractions

Budapest Parliament - the building of the Hungarian Parliament dominates the Pest bank of the Danube.

Heroes Square - large plaza with lots of statues of great Hungarians and monuments commemorating the turbulent history of the country.

Gerbeaud Coffee House - another historic cafe of Budapest.

Museums in Budapest - overview of the city's most poular museums, and exhibition halls.

Statue Park (Memento Park) in Budapest- Huge Statues from the Communist Era in the outskirt of the city.

Caves in Budapest - Budapest has some nice caves that you can explore on guided tours.

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