Looking for the top things to do when you visit Budapest in 2025 and beyond? You’ve come to the right place! We’re immensely excited about the capital of Hungary at the moment. We have a whole host of reasons why you should include this Central European destination on your wish list for future travels.

Read on to discover why Budapest is on the must-visit list of some of the world’s most intrepid travellers and why it deserves a spot of honour on yours as well.

Reasons to visit Budapest:

Budapest sightseeing is top-notch

Budapest tourist attractions are renowned worldwide, offering something for every type of traveller. Here are some must-see highlights:

St. Stephen’s Basilica

This stunning Roman Catholic basilica is named after the first King of Hungary. Did you know you can actually see St. Stephen’s right hand preserved in the reliquary?

Danube River

This majestic river beautifully divides Budapest, with the 19th-century Chain Bridge connecting the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. Stroll across for wonderful views, or take a river cruise to get even closer to the action!

Castle Hill

This impressive kilometre-long limestone plateau towers 170m above the Danube. Home to some of Budapest’s most important medieval monuments and museums, it’s no wonder it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Buda Castle

The historical palace complex of Hungarian kings, stands majestically on Castle Hill. Even if you don’t tour the interior museums, wandering the grounds and enjoying the panoramic views of Pest across the river is absolutely worth your time!

Hungarian Parliament Building

Nearly 700,000 visitors admire this stunning building each year, and it’s easy to see why! It’s one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival and Renaissance Revival architecture in the world.

Hungarian State Opera House

Renowned as one of the finest examples of Neo-Renaissance architecture today, this recently refurbished gem reopened to the public in 2022 and is a must visit for culture lovers!

Kőbánya Caves

These fascinating underground tunnels beneath the city’s 10th district were used to assemble aircraft engines during the Second World War, as well as serving as civilian bomb shelters. Today, they’re popular with cave divers!

Gellért Baths

No visit to Budapest is complete without experiencing at least one thermal spa! The Gellért Baths are a popular choice and can be found in the world-famous Gellért Hotel. Here, guests can enjoy the healing properties of the thermal waters in steam rooms, saunas, and thermal baths. Massage facilities and a lovely sun terrace are also on offer for guests to enjoy!

Budapest Pinball Museum

This quirky museum offers a fascinating journey back in time with its collection of 140+ pinball machines! It is the most popular museum in Hungary, making it too good to miss.

Budapest Chocolate Museum

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Just a short trip from the city center, this delicious museum invites you to dive into Hungary’s surprising chocolate-making heritage (yes, with plenty of tastings along the way!). You’ll get hands-on with interactive exhibits where you can create your own sweet masterpieces, learn chocolate-making secrets, and even watch master chocolatiers at work. Trust us – this mouth-watering experience is a hit with kids and adults alike!

The city is magnificently beautiful

Budapest is one of those cities that manages to take your breath away every time you visit it. Aside from the natural beauty that seeps through the city in the form of the majestic Danube River and gorgeous green spaces, the buildings themselves also add to the air of sumptuousness. Architecturally, the city is a treasure trove, with enough baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and art nouveau buildings to satisfy everyone. 

Fun things to do in Budapest year-round

Budapest has a great annual event lineup that includes everything from music festivals to fairs, concerts, markets and other festive shindigs. The events take place across the year, so there is pretty much always something cool coming up. Here are a few of the most famous events you can enjoy on a trip to Budapest: 

Sziget Festival

The Sziget Festival transforms a leafy 108-hectare island on the Danube into one of Europe’s largest music and cultural festivals every August. This massive week-long celebration in northern Budapest draws thousands of festival-goers from around the world who come for the incredible lineup of international artists, vibrant atmosphere, and the unique experience of partying on Óbudai-sziget (literally ‘Old Buda Island’). It’s basically a temporary music city that pops up each summer!

Budapest Spring Festival

When Budapest shakes off winter and bursts into bloom, the city celebrates with its premier cultural extravaganza – the Budapest Spring Festival! This prestigious government-sponsored festival (happening in April/May) transforms the entire city into a massive arts venue with something for everyone. From classical concerts in stunning historic buildings to cutting-edge art exhibitions, traditional Hungarian performances to international theater – you’ll find incredible events scattered across Budapest’s most beautiful venues. It’s the perfect time to experience the city’s rich cultural scene while enjoying those lovely spring temperatures and blossoming parks!

Budapest Wine Festival

Wine lovers, this one’s for you! Each September, the spectacular Buda Castle transforms into a wine lover’s paradise during Budapest’s premier open air wine celebration. The festival combines history, culture, and delicious tastings in one unforgettable UNESCO World Heritage setting. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover your new favourite Hungarian varietals while mingling with locals and visitors alike!

Danube Carnival

Every June, Budapest erupts into the joyful celebration known as the Danube Carnival. This vibrant festival brings Hungarian folk traditions to life alongside amazing performances from around the world. You’ll find yourself tapping your feet to lively folk dances and musical performances that showcase both local talent and international artists. What makes this festival extra special is how it spreads throughout the city, popping up in various venues and public spaces, so you’ll stumble upon delightful performances while exploring Budapest’s different neighbourhoods. It’s like the entire city becomes one big stage of cultural celebration!

You can visit Budapest for the food alone

Hungary has been emerging as a foodie destination for a while now, and there will be plenty of opportunities to eat, drink and be merry once you touch down in Budapest. Here are a few of the must-eat Hungarian foods you should try on your visit: 

Chicken Paprikash

One of the most popular dishes in Budapest, chicken paprikash is essentially chicken coated in a sour cream sauce spiced with lashings of paprika. 

Halászlé (Fisherman’s soup)

This deliciously spicy soup is usually made from carp caught in the river Danube.

Gulyás

Also known as goulash, the national dish of Hungary is a meat stew with noodles and vegetables, seasoned with paprika and other sorts of delicious spices for hearty flavours.

Lángos

Flatbread made with flour, yeast, water and salt and topped with mashed potatoes, sour cream yoghurt, grated cheese, ham or sausages.

Szilvásgombóc (Plum dumplings)

These dumplings are made from potato, filled with plums and dipped in cinnamon sugar, then, they are boiled, rolled in fried breadcrumbs and sprinkled with powdered sugar. 

Travel Tip: The Central Market Hall is the biggest market in Budapest, and it’s more than a century old. This is the ideal place to go if you want to hit all the culinary high notes in one go!

Some of the best things to do in Budapest are free!

You don’t necessarily have to pay an arm and a leg to experience the best places to see in Budapest. Here are a few free and cheap experiences you can enjoy while you visit the city: 

Take a free walking tour of the city

Follow in the footsteps of a passionate local guide. They will show you around their city free of charge!

Visit Heroes’ Square

Heroes’ Square is one of the city’s most recognisable attractions and completely free to visit. 

Enjoy a picnic in City Park

Grab some picnic essentials from a market and have a low-key picnic in City Park. This green space is a great place to observe the locals going about their day. Alternatively, you could also just enjoy a stroll or read a book on a bench and soak up the peaceful surroundings. 

Travel Tip: Invest in a Budapest Card if you want to save big on public transport, entry at some of the biggest tourist attractions, and more. 

There are great places to go in Budapest in any weather

Scared of heading to Europe in the winter or over shoulder season? Don’t be! There are plenty of fun things you can get up to if the weather turns nippy. The five best rainy-day outings in Budapest include: 

Visiting art galleries and museums

Art galleries like Hungarian National Gallery and museums like the Museum of Fine Arts are great options on a rainy day. 

Relax at a spa

There is nothing like a long soak in a warm, thermal spa on a chilly day to warm you up.

Enjoy a cooking or baking class

If you like to get your hands dirty, a cooking or baking class can be a great way to spend a rainy day. 

Go wine tasting

Discover the excellent wines which Hungary is known for! Interested in local vintages? Why not make your way to a wine shop, or head out of the city for a tour of a nearby estate?

Take a ride on tram number 2

This tram line was voted the nicest in all of Europe. Locals advise getting a seat on the left-hand side. This way, you can see the River Danube and the Castle district area better as you pass by. 

Hungary’s capital has an undeniable vibe

There are certain places that truly have an undeniable vibrancy about them. Of course, Budapest is definitely one of those spots! The locals are a happy bunch that like to engage with visitors. Therefore, wherever you go, you will discover the very hospitable nature of the Hungarian population.

If you head into this marvellous city with an open mind, a little Hungarian under your belt (or a good translation app on your phone), a big smile and a willingness to learn more about a new culture, you will indeed be welcome in this city. 

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Why not enjoy a new twist on travel and see Budapest from a different point of view? Embark on our Amsterdam to Budapest rail tour. It’s sure to be a trip you won’t forget!