Top 10 things to see and do in Budapest
Nicknamed the “Paris of the East”, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has something for everyone, from glorious architecture to fine restaurants, and from centuries-old bathhouses to a riveting nightlife.
A bit of history
Even though human activity in the greater Budapest area dates back to the Stone Age, the city as we know it today came to be in 1872 with the unification of three independent settlements: Old Buda (Óbuda), Buda, and Pest. The unification rapidly helped Budapest form one of Europe’s most beautiful but also most important cities. It’s not surprising that Budapest had the first electrified underground railway system in continental Europe, while it also boasts a number of world class inventors such as Kálmán Kandó, the father of electric railways, and János Irinyi, one of the early developers of matches.
Budapest is not just all about history, the “Beautiful Blue Danube” river crosses the city with countless attractions and things to do on both banks. Being part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and continuously competing Vienna, its streets are adorned with stunning architectural examples of Baroque, Νeoclassical and Αrt-nouveau style buildings and museums filled with fine artwork. Apart from its world-famous thermal baths that have been “in fashion” since Roman times, Budapest is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
I flew to Budapest a week before Christmas, so that I could take advantage of the Christmas markets and of course enjoy the city’s general festive atmosphere. If you don’t have many days to spend sightseeing, here are the top 10 things you must see and do:
House of Parliament
Undoubtedly, the most iconic structure in the city is the impressive neo-Gothic House of Parliament, the largest building in Hungary and the third largest national assembly in the world. Inaugurated in 1904, it was designed by architect Imre Steindl who tragically went blind and passed away, just weeks before the building was completed. Its main dome, which is 96m high, symbolises the year of the earliest documented Hungarian state in the Carpathian Basin (896AD), its 365 towers indicate the days of the year. The Parliament building is open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and group visits led by trained guides depart from the Visitor Centre for a tour of approximately 50 minutes through the lavishly decorated rooms of the building.
Shoes on the Danube
Right behind the Parliament, at the banks of the Danube river, there is a unique commemorative monument that will certainly send some chills down your spine. Erected in 2005, the “Shoes on the Danube Bank” honours the Hungarian Jews executed by militia of the far-right Arrow Cross Party during WWII. The monument represents the shoes left behind by the Jews, after they were ordered to take them off and subsequently be shot dead and carried away by the river. At least 20.000 Jews were massacred by the far-right party.
Great Synagogue
It might not be the largest in the world but it’s definitely one of – if not the – most beautiful in the world! Built in the mid 19th century, the Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as the Great Synagogue, is the largest in Europe and one of the largest functioning in the world. Its architectural style is predominantly Moorish but it also features Byzantine, Romantic and Gothic elements. Both the synagogue’s exterior and interior are spectacular. Its somewhat exotic exterior boasts a large rose window, stone-carved arched windows and tall polygonal towers crowned by copper domes, while its lavish interior has walls and ceiling adorned with multi-colored and golden geometric shapes.
Within the Synagogue’s compound you can find the National Jewish Museum which features a number of historical items from the local Jewish community. In the rear courtyard, the beautiful sculpture in the form of a weeping willow, called the Tree of Life commemorates all Hungarian Jews that perished during the WWII.
Interesting Fact: The Central Synagogue in New York City is an almost exact copy of Budapest’s Great Synagogue.
Castle District & Fisherman’s Bastion
Located at the Buda side of the city, the Castle area is definitely one of the city’s most photogenic and interesting quarters. You’ll need more than a day to explore this historic quarter as you will be torn between taking pics of the amazing view and exploring the important landmarks which have given the quarter a UNESCO status. Buda Castle District is high among visitors’ bucket lists as the Hungarian National Gallery, the former Royal Palace, the dazzling Matthias Church, and the Fisherman’s Bastion are only some of the attractions located at Budapest’s old centre. Fisherman’s Bastion alone is one of the city’s top attractions and every devoted instagrammer’s pursuit. The impressive edifice was built between 1895 and 1902, to celebrate the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian state and it is also one of the best spots to enjoy a stunning view of the city. Moreover, just across the entrance of the Bastion, Matthias church is truly an architectural wonder and it will certainly capture your attention.
Ruin Bars
I would say it is unthinkable to visit Budapest and not have a drink or two at one of the city’s famous ruin bars. In essence, they are quite big bars with several music scenes and numerous rooms, located in ruined and abandoned buildings in the Jewish quarter, hence the name. The first bar to hit the scene and lead the way to Budapest’s underground scene, was Szimpla Kert, now considered the mecca of ruin bars in the city. Even though it is considered a tourist trap by many, you can’t visit Egypt and miss the pyramids can you? In addition, there is an amazing street food outdoor market really close to it, called Karavan. Apart from Szimpla Kert there are many other ruin bars in the area such as Instant-Fogas Complex – the largest ruin bar in the city and Mazel Tov that functions also as a restaurant with middle eastern cuisine.
Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok Market)
If you love markets, people watching and grand indoor spaces then trust me you will love a visit to Budapest’s Great Market Hall. Built in 1897 to improve food quality in a rapidly growing capital, it is the largest but also the most beautiful of all the city’s market halls. The impressive three-storey hall with the magnificent neo-gothic entrance is 10,000 square metres big and you can buy all sorts of goods from here: fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese, truffle, foie gras, sausage, paprika, Tokaj wines as well as fridge magnets, bags, clothes and other souvenirs.
St. Stephen Basilica
Said to be the holiest of Catholic churches in the country, St. Stephen’s Basilica is one of the two tallest buildings in the city. Its height (96m) is equal to the Hungarian Parliament Building so that it symbolises the equal importance of worldly and spiritual thinking. The church is named in honour of Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary and it houses his mummified hand, a holy object of high importance for Hungarians. Upon entering the Basilica you will come across a gleaming array of kaleidoscopic marble columns, holding a large dome that is covered in stunning frescoes upon a golden background. The church is surrounded by a beautiful square that holds a charming market during the Christmas holidays, called Advent Feast. For the record, the main Christmas market takes place in Vörösmarty Square, where the popular shopping street, Váci utca starts.
Hungarian National Museum
Not only was it the country’s first museum, but the Hungarian National Museum played a major role in the Hungarian Revolution. Founded in 1802 as a library initially, it gradually grew as the nation’s depository for history, art and archaeology. After Sándor Petőfi’ read his famous poem “Nemzeti dal” at the front steps of the museum and thus partially spurring the 1848 Revolution, the museum elevated to a significant site of national importance and identity for the Hungarian soul. Its permanent collection is divided into seven displays spread through the elegant neoclassical building’s three floors, and it traces the country’s history from prehistoric times to the end of communism. Apart from its rich collection that features Celtic golden jewellery, a huge Roman mosaic and a piano used by Beethoven, its central interior stairway is really impressive and would leave you in awe.
Fun Fact: The scenes of Evita Peron’s coffin carried into a Buenos Aires state building from the movie Evita (yeah the one starring Madonna) were actually filmed here.
Museum of Fine Arts
Quite similar – at least externally – but with a grandeur interior to the National Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts is located at one of the most important spots of the city. Conveniently situated adjacent to the imposing Heroe’s Square and bordering the large City Park, this museum is home to a superb collection of both local and foreign works of art, ranging from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artefacts to stellar paintings of Spanish, Italian, German and Flemish artists. Among the highlights of its treasures are the seven paintings of El Greco, Raphael’s “Esterházy Madonna” and its collection of Greek vases. While walking through the museums’ main areas you will come across a number of astonishing rooms, the Renaissance hall, the Romanesque hall, the Baroque hall and the Michelangelo chamber, all vibrantly decorated with colourful tiles and murals. The Romanesque Hall was recently opened to the public after an extensive restoration and it’s the most impressive of all.
Thermal Baths
Budapest has been rightly called the City of Baths for many centuries. As a result of a geological fault line where the city was built upon, more than 100 thermal springs release some 40,000m3 of warm, mineral-rich water each day. There are a total of nine medicinal baths in the city today and even though the water’s mineral content is roughly the same in all, each bath is unique in terms of size, architecture and amenities.
The most popular of all is Széchenyi Baths, one of the largest spa complexes in Europe, with a total of 15 indoor baths and 3 outdoor pools. This Neo-Baroque palace of baths has a huge picturesque outdoor space with a swimming pool, a thermal pool and a leisure pool, all of varying water temperatures. Second on the list, in terms of popularity, comes Gellért Baths, a true gem of art nouveau architecture. There are 10 pools of various sizes and temperatures and relaxing under stained-glass windows and colourful porcelain tiles that adorn the walls around you, is a unique historical and pampering experience. Rudas Baths is the most famous Ottoman bath in Budapest and it has been in operation since the Ottoman conquest of Hungary in the 16th century. Its biggest attractions are its indoor octagonal domed pool and its rooftop hot tub, which provides a beautiful view of the city’s skyline. It’s important to know that Rudas is the only bath in Budapest, which holds same-sex days on weekdays and mixed on weekends.
Tip: Don’t forget to bring your own swimsuit, towel and flip flops and don’t hesitate to pay a bit extra for a cabin instead of a locker, so that you can have a private space to undress and keep your belongings.
The list of attractions and activities in a city such as Budapest, can be literally endless but if you have more days and free time on your schedule, some more must-visit sites are the gorgeous State Opera, which unfortunately was closed for renovation at the time of our visit (December 2021), the Liberty Monument at Gellert Hill, Margarita Island, which is a beautiful oasis during the spring and summer months, and New York Cafe with its extravagant interior. A brilliant way to see many of the city’s highlights is by getting a ticket for the red double decker buses. The ticket also includes a mini cruise on the Danube, a delightful way to spend your morning or afternoon.
All and all, Budapest is a must see European city destination with a lot to offer.
