10 Things To Do In Central Budapest

Central Budapest is situated mainly in District V, but some other parts of the city, like the other side of Danube on Buda, belong to the central area as well. It’s riddled with shops, banks, cultural hot-spots and entertainment, so the best place to spend a few hours or even days if you’re in Budapest. Beautiful surroundings and a sparkling social life guarantee excitement day and night.

Parliament, Fisherman’s Bastion, Chain Bridge

If you are in Budapest’s central area, either on the Buda or Pest side, you must visit these iconic places – they are the symbol of the city and Hungary as well. The Parliament building was built in a neo-Gothic style, and its resemblance to the British parliament is not incidental, since the latter inspired the designer. Have a walk on Buda side of the Danube to be able to take a charming photo. And if you are in Buda, don’t miss the Fisherman’s Bastion – with its fairytale towers it provides a beautiful view of Pest and the Danube. The easiest way between these two features – the Parliament and the Fisherman’s Bastion – is to walk across on the Chain Bridge. Guarded by two stone lions, this bridge takes you back into the 19th century. Rumor has it that these lions don’t have tongues – you can check for yourself!

Parlament Address: Kossuth Lajos Ter 1-3 Budapest, Hungary phone +36 1 441 4000

Chain Bridge

1. Sightsee on the Danube by cruise – or hop on tram number 2

Natural Feature

A panoramic view from the slow and majestic Danube, with an optional stay on Margaret Island for a very reasonable price. Offering boats day and night, this trip can be a unique experience during your stay in Budapest. If you prefer to stay on the shore, tram number 2 runs through a scenic route right next to the Danube, stopping at various sites that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

2. Window shopping on Váci street

Shop

The Vaci street, main pedestrian area of the city in spring time.

Perhaps one of the most famous streets in Budapest, Váci street offers a lot to see. The area is famous for having gorgeous buildings but very pricey shops, as well as luxurious restaurants, elegant stores, antique shops, and no traffic (it is a pedestrian zone). It’s an ideal place to have a nice walk and to do some window shopping. Don’t miss the beautiful buildings like the Thonet house either.

3. Faust Wine Cellar

Hotel

Fancy to get to know the real taste of Hungary? Under the Dominican UNESCO World Heritage Cloister there is a superb chance waiting for you. Hungary is a famous wine producing country; usually you won’t find any wines in any shops other than Hungarian varieties. It’s not surprising, then, that around 80 wines from this rich country and 30 sorts of pálinka (schnapps) are battling to quench any curious tourist’s thirst.

Bars, cafés and restaurant

There is really everything that can be desired – Michelin starred non-plus ultra (Onyx), paradise for meat-lovers (KNRDY), Mexican fast food (Burrita), Hungarian bistro (Kispiac), a premium bakery with French tastes (á table!), quality pasta-focused street food (PASTA.), five-star café (Alibi), bonbon manufacturer (Cadeau), world famous patisserie (Gerbeaud) and so on. Whether you’re looking for international or traditional Hungarian food, you can find anything to your taste!

4. Budapest Whale – the City’s Newest Attraction

Market, Pub, Hungarian

Balna building, cultural center and restaurants on the Danube, Budapest, Hungary

Opened in 2013 after a long dispute between the municipality and the constructor, this curious and out-of-the-way building awaits great and small into its huge belly. You cannot miss noticing this enormous glass building on the Pest side of the Danube, and, referring to its shape, it soon became Bálna, meaning whale. It is a cultural, entertainment and commercial center and hosts the Budapest Gallery as well. There is an antique and design market on Sundays, individual shops (like a handmade beer pub, a vernacular store, bars and cafés) that are opened each day, Belgian beer festival and spring festival in specific times. Definitely a fun day out!

Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm

5. Central Market Hall

Market

Built at the turn of 20th century, this was a unique, large shopping center and famous for its architecture. It preserved its function and provides a great place to do everyday shopping for fresh vegetables, fish and game, special international delicacies and traditional Hungarian food. You might find yourself walking slowly row by row and spending ages admiring the immense selection. If you would like to return home with a variety of edible souvenirs, then this is your spot: paprika powder, wines, foie gras, salamis and sausages are on display. Opening hours: Mon 6am – 5pm, Tues-Fri 6 am- 6pm, Sat 6 am-3pm Address: Vámház krt. 1-3, Budapest, Hungary Phone:

6. Gellért Bath

Building, Spa, Health Spa

This amazing and grandiose bath stands on the Buda side of the Danube. Built in 1918 in an Art Nouveau style, it harnesses the natural thermal springs from the inside of Gellért Hill. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, children’s pool, thermal baths, saunas, massages and several packages ensure relaxation during the day. If this weren’t enough, the wonderful ceramic tiles, Roman style columns and glass roof flatter the visitors’ eyes. There is a café as well where you can treat your stomach with a nice cup of coffee and cakes. Open: Mon- Sun: 6 am-8pm, Address: Kelenhegyi út 4, Budapest, Hungary

7. Hungarian National Museum

Building, Museum

Budapest, Hungarian National Museum, The Stairway. Image shot 05/2018. Exact date unknown.

This magnificent, columned giant museum proudly presents everything relating to Hungarian history from its very beginning until the Nazi regime and Soviet era. It offers marvelous frescoes on the walls, a nice courtyard area with quiet benches, well-preserved artifacts and a nice café where you can have a reasonable priced lunch. Don’t miss it if you want to know and understand Hungary a bit better. Opening Hours: 10 am to 6pm. Closed on Monday Address: Muzeum korut 14-16, Budapest, Hungary phone

8. Cave church

Church

The Cave Chapel (also known as Saint Ivans Cave), Gellert hill, Buda, Budapest, Hungary.

If you are longing for some solitude and a different experience than you get in most churches, this derelict cave church offers some silence in a beautiful environment. Inside of Gellért Hill, the temperature is almost constant throughout the year, which can be very refreshing on a hot day in August! There is still an active life inside, and because of the Pauline monks, regular masses are held in this serene cave. Address: Szent Gellert ter 1, Budapest, Hungary phone

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.