Historic site · UNESCO
Hungarian Parliament Building
Budapest, Hungary
A neo-Gothic riverside palace, one of the most photographed buildings in Europe.
City · Hungary · Budapest
Budapest
A Danube capital of grand architecture, thermal baths, ruin bars and lively cafes.
about 5 h
For storytellers
Why Budapest matters
Budapest is two towns in one: hilly Buda with its castle and quiet streets, and flat Pest with its boulevards, cafes and nightlife. The Danube runs between them under elegant bridges. Soak in a thermal bath, wander the market hall, and end the night in a ruin bar built into a crumbling courtyard. The architecture alone, from Parliament to grand opera, makes it one of the great capitals of Europe.
Talking points
- Thermal baths are part of everyday life here.
- Buda and Pest were separate towns until the nineteenth century.
- Ruin bars occupy old courtyards and buildings in the Jewish Quarter.
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What to see in Budapest
Viewpoint · UNESCO
Fisherman's Bastion
Budapest, Hungary
A white neo-Romanesque terrace with fairytale turrets and sweeping river views.
Spa and wellness
Szechenyi Thermal Bath
Budapest, Hungary
A large yellow bathhouse in City Park with outdoor thermal pools.
Palace · UNESCO
Buda Castle
Budapest, Hungary
A vast palace complex on Castle Hill that now houses museums and a library.
Spa and wellness
Gellert Baths
Budapest, Hungary
A grand Art Nouveau bathhouse with mosaics, thermal pools and a hotel.
Market
Great Market Hall
Budapest, Hungary
A huge iron-and-glass market hall for paprika, salami and langos.
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Matthias Church
Budapest, Hungary
A Gothic church with a patterned tile roof and a rich painted interior.
Bridge · UNESCO
Szechenyi Chain Bridge
Budapest, Hungary
The classic suspension bridge between Buda and Pest, guarded by stone lions.
Viewpoint
Citadella and Gellert Hill
Budapest, Hungary
A hilltop fortress that offers the broadest city views in Budapest.
Church, mosque or temple
Dohany Street Synagogue
Budapest, Hungary
One of the largest synagogues in the world, with a moving memorial garden.
Square · UNESCO
Heroes' Square
Budapest, Hungary
A monumental square of statues representing the leaders of Hungarian history.
Church, mosque or temple
St Stephen's Basilica
Budapest, Hungary
A large neoclassical basilica with a dome you can climb for city views.
Neighbourhood · UNESCO
Andrassy Avenue
Budapest, Hungary
A grand tree-lined boulevard with mansions, cafes and the Opera House.
Entertainment
Hungarian State Opera House
Budapest, Hungary
A neo-Renaissance opera house with a gilded interior and fine acoustics.
Park
Margaret Island
Budapest, Hungary
A green island in the middle of the Danube with gardens, ruins and a musical fountain.
Spa and wellness
Rudas Baths
Budapest, Hungary
A baths complex from the Ottoman era, with a domed pool and a rooftop with views.
Monument
Shoes on the Danube Bank
Budapest, Hungary
A moving memorial of iron shoes lined along the river.
Food and drink
Szimpla Kert
Budapest, Hungary
The original ruin bar, set in a crumbling courtyard full of mismatched furniture.
Food and drink
New York Cafe
Budapest, Hungary
An ornate historic cafe that is a glittering spectacle of gold and frescoes.
Castle
Vajdahunyad Castle
Budapest, Hungary
A castle made of copies of buildings from across the old kingdom, in City Park.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.