Elegant, lively Budapest is like three cities in one. The Hungarian capital boasts three historic districts, each with its own unique ambiance. Pest, east of the Danube River, is home to big-ticket museums like the Hungarian National Gallery and the Jewish Museum. Quieter, hillier Buda and Obuda on the western riverbanks are where you’ll find Castle Hill, with Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion. Reward all that walking with one of the most popular things to do in Budapest: a hot soak in a thermal bath.
Budapest is best during the shoulder seasons. During spring and fall, you’ll encounter fewer crowds than in the sticky summer months and enjoy pleasant daytime temperatures—ideal for exploring both sides of the Danube River on foot. Although, if you can brave the cold, the Hungarian capital comes alive in December during the lead-up to Christmas, with holiday markets, fairy lights, and ice-skating rinks giving the city an extra festive vibe.
Not only is Budapest super walkable, but it has a public transit system well worth boasting about. There are four subway lines connecting the downtown areas and Budapest Keleti station. (You won’t see turnstiles, but tickets are frequently checked, so don’t try to score a ride for free.) You’ll also find tram lines and a well-connected bus network that serves the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. What’s more, the city has bike shares and water taxis along the Danube, not to mention ride-hailing apps.
You can’t go to Budapest without making time for a nice long soak in one of the city’s thermal baths. The most popular are the art nouveau-inspired Gellért Thermal Bath, the neo-baroque-style Széchenyi Baths, and the Ottoman-era Rudas Baths. Just make sure to bring a towel, a swim cap, and shower sandals, or you might have to rent or purchase those amenities for a hefty fee. And avoid peak hours when the over-crowded heated pools are likened to “people soup.”
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Originally three distinct cities— Buda and Óbuda, and Pest on the other side of the Danube River—Budapest is the elegant and historic capital of Hungary, famous for its steaming thermal baths, savory goulash stews, and iconic sights like the lion-guarded Chain Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament building, and panoramic Castle Hill.
...MoreDon't see any turnstyles in the metro station? Don't assume you can ride for free; tickets are frequently checked by hand at the exit. And when hitting the baths, do remember to bring your own towel and sandals. Those that arrive empty handed are often made to purchase an exorbitant entry package that includes a paper-thin cloth.
...MoreYes, you may only be scratching the surface, but three days in Budapest is enough to tackle the major sights. Plan a walk up Castle Hill to see the Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle, take a dip in one of the city’s historic bathhouses such as Széchenyi Baths, and visit the ornate Dohany Street Synagogue.
...MoreLukas and Rudas bathhouses offer late-night opening hours on weekends, letting you squeeze in a soak before bedtime. And don’t be sure to miss the city’s romkocsma, or ruin bars—originally makeshift pubs and dance clubs created in derelict buildings and disused factories, they are now quirky and vibrant tourist hotspots.
...MoreHungary was under Ottoman occupation for 150 years, and hilly Buda formed its cultural and administrative center. Don’t miss traces of Ottoman heritage, including the city’s oldest bathhouse—16th-century Kiraly Bath—and a serene hilltop shrine and fascinating museum both dedicated to a Turkish-born Sufi dervish, Gul Baba.
...MoreHungarian is spoken in Budapest—not a Slavic language, as is often thought, but one actually related to Finnish. While English is undersood within popular tourist areas, you’ll do well to memorize a few basic words and greetings, like szia (hello or goodbye), köszönöm (thank you), and bocsánat (I’m sorry).
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