Is Budapest Worth Visiting? What You Need to Know Before You Go

Is Budapest worth visiting? Absolutely!

If you’ve ever seen photos of its stunning architecture, like the Hungarian Parliament, historic streets, or the iconic Danube River running through the heart of the city, it’s easy to see why it would be worth visiting.

But let me tell you—it’s even better in person.

As a first-time traveler to Budapest, I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did.

From its fairy-tale-like Fisherman’s Bastion to its impressive history, architecture, and delicious food (seriously, the food), I think Budapest is worth visiting for so many reasons.

Ready to explore? Let’s dive into everything that makes Budapest one of Europe’s most unforgettable destinations!

Why visit Budapest?

Budapest is an amazing city, with so much beauty, charm, and endless corners with stories and beautiful streets to walk through.

From its architecture to its amazing food, views of the Danube River from the promenade, crossing the Chain Bridge from Pest to Buda, and delicious food, there are more than a few reasons to make it to Budapest at least once in your life.

Budapest is very walkable

One of the best parts about exploring Budapest? It’s incredibly easy to explore on foot!

The main attractions are pretty close to each other, so you can wander from place to place without worrying about transportation.

From the city’s main avenues, like Andrássy Avenue, to the Jewish Quarter, the Danube promenade, and the Chain Bridge, you can easily go from the Pest to the Buda side to see Castle Hill and everything else.

Make sure to pack comfortable shoes, and you’ll be good to go!

>> Read More: The Best Travel Wardrobe Essentials For Your Next Trip

The city’s detailed architecture

The architecture in Budapest is quite a mix of different periods, styles, and cultures.

Throughout the city, you can see examples of Hungarian embroidery designs on buildings, like on the roof of Matthias Church, Turkish and Roman architecture influence in the famous thermal baths, Gothic architecture at the towering Fisherman’s Bastion, Jewish influence in the architecture inside the Jewish quarter, plus Renaissance influence at Buda Castle.

Whether you’re an architect nerd or you just love to see pretty architecture, you won’t be disappointed in Budapest!

The food scene is actually amazing

The food scene in Budapest truly surpassed my expectations. I didn’t think I’d love it as much as I did.

From the schnitzel to the goulash, everything was truly delicious. If you don’t know, schnitzel in Hungary is a thin slice of pork chop coated in a mix of breadcrumbs and Hungarian paprika, and it’s fried. As a Latina, it reminded me of a milanesa.

Goulash is a comforting stew with meat and veggies seasoned with Hungarian paprika and other spices. As a Latina, it reminded me of Caldo de Res, which was delicious, especially as the weather was a bit colder the day I had it.

Lángos, a popular Hungarian street food, is a flat piece of fried dough topped with cheese. Sometimes, there are different toppings you can add to it.

Here are some of the restaurants I went to that I recommend trying these dishes at.

• Artizán – artisanal-made breakfast pastries and good coffee. It’s a popular spot, so make sure to get there early!
• Negro Mangalica – Hungarian restaurant where I tried the pork schnitzel. So good!
• Menza Étterem es Kávézó – Hungarian restaurant where I had the goulash.
• A Lángosos – Hungarian street food where I tried Lángos.
• Pest-Buda Bistro – Traditional Hungarian restaurant on Castle Hill. They have great schnitzel, and their Homemade Pasta dish is amazing!

Things To See in Budapest:

There’s so much to see in Budapest. Here are a couple of the things I filled my Budapest itinerary with.

Explore the historic Castle Hill

Walk across the Chain Bridge from the Pest side to the Buda side, and explore the historic Castle Hill district.

It was originally built in the 13th century as a fortress, and through the times, it has been built with different architectural influences, including Baroque and Renaissance.

Castle Hill is the oldest part of Budapest. It’s been lived in since 1827 and was originally the home of King Béla IV.

The whole area is quiet, historic, and picturesque. It’s different from the Pest side simply because of its quietness.

It’s definitely a place to get lost in a little bit and appreciate for a while.

Take in the architecture (and views) from The Fisherman’s Bastion

For amazing city views and a fairy-tale-like structure, visit the Fisherman’s Bastion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The name of this landmark came from a few fishermen who defended the castle wall.

It’s a beautiful place to take in the details of the stunning arches, staircases, turrets, and, of course, wide views of the Danube River, the Hungarian Parliament, and overall the Pest side.

It’s a great place to admire the sheer beauty and, of course, take some amazing photos.

Watch the Changing of the Guards at Sándor Palace

Sándor Palace is known as the official residence of the Hungarian Prime Minister. Outside the main doors, some 24-hour guards perform a “Changing of the Guards” ritual daily every hour between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

If you’re there at midday, you’ll also hear the drummer be part of that changing of guards.

You can’t go inside, although our tour guide told us the story of someone from inside the palace who once ordered food, and the delivery person somehow made it through the guards to deliver, even though it’s not allowed. Apparently, it made national news.

The Sándor Palace also didn’t survive the bombings of WWII but has since been reconstructed, and it has been the home of 19 Prime Ministers.

Admire the beautiful roof of Matthias Church

Matthias Church is a Gothic-style church with a Zsolnay tiled roof, which is said to be inspired by Hungarian woven textile patterns. It’s beautiful.

The church was where royalty was married, and coronations took place.

Today, you can go inside and admire the frescoes and more, just be sure to get your tickets ahead of time because there is a line to get in.

🇭🇺 Book your entry tickets to Matthias Church here

Wander around Buda Castle

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Buda Castle, which looks amazing day or night, plus the views of the Pest side are incredible!

It was once the home of the Hungarian King, King Béla IV. Today, the palace is the home of the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, which you should visit if you’re interested in either subject.

Though it was completely bombed during WWII, it’s been reconstructed to its original beauty.

💡Pro Tip: Get entry into the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, plus a Thermal Pool and access to 2 walking tours for one price and in one card. It’s easier to manage, and you get way more for a one-time payment instead of separately purchasing.

🇭🇺 Purchase the Budapest Card Here

Feed your senses at Central Market Square

Central Market Hall is known as a must-visit for any food lovers!

Here, you can shop for locally sourced produce, spices, and ingredients, which, even if you’re not going to buy, it’s still cool to see and appreciate the local cuisine better.

This is a good place to sample traditional Hungarian food if you don’t mind a little crowd. So be sure to get there right at the beginning and try some Lángos!

Click to find it on Google Maps: Central Market Hall

Learn the fascinating history of The Hungarian Parliament

Hungary’s main government building is one of Europe’s most iconic buildings, the Hungarian Parliament Building.

It’s over 314 feet and required around 100,000 people to construct the building between 1885 and 1904.

Included in its construction, the Parliament building required 40 million bricks and 88 pounds of 22-23 carat gold.

Inside, you can see the Holy Crown of Hungary and a few paintings of important historical figures and events while learning about the current political structures of Hungary.

You can go inside on a guided tour, which is recommended because the lines are very long if you don’t plan and wait to get your ticket in person.

🇭🇺 Book your tickets to the Hungarian Parliament here

Reflect on the darker side of history at the Iron Shoes Memorial near the Danube River

The Shoes on the Danube Promenade is a stark reminder of one of Hungary’s darkest times, the Holocaust.

The memorial stands as a memorial for Holocaust victims in Budapest.

They represent the murders of Jewish men, women, and children who were executed in the middle of the winter along the Danube River.

There are 60 pairs of iron shoes that remind people of the terrors of this dark time in history in Budapest.

The memorial is on the Pest side of the Danube River.

See the public art and trendy spots at the Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter is a popular area to explore in Budapest, where you can see everything from street art, some of the best cafes and restaurants in the city, trendy shops, and cool bars, especially the famous Ruin Bars.

I didn’t have time to do it all, but one thing I wanted to do was go to a Ruin Bar Hop and not only visit the most famous ruins bars but also learn their story and history. So, if you go, definitely check them out!

The Jewish Quarter is also home to the Great Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe. Nearby is the Tree of Life Memorial, which was built to honor Holocaust victims.

Things to Do in Budapest

Explore the city on a walking tour

One of my favorite ways to learn about the city’s history and areas is by taking a walking tour.

Not only are they a great way to learn the story of the city, which helps you enrich your experience of the city you’re visiting, but they also help you learn the lay of the land to orient yourself a bit more.

Plus, you can get insider tips on how to make the most of your trip there.

I did 2 walking tours in Budapest. The first one was on the first morning there, a free tour general tour of Budapest, which gave me much more insight into the city’s history and great tips for the remainder of my trip.

I also did a tour of the Buda Side (Castle Hill).

Both were a lot of fun and informative.

💡Pro tip: Bring cash to Budapest if you’re going to do tours or any activity where you’d leave a tip! Some tour guides have electronic ways to leave a tip, but just to be safe, bring cash.

Experience the city on a river cruise through the Danube River

The Danube River is the main river that divides the Buda and Pest sides of the city, and like any city with a river, it offers tours.

I’ve been on my fair share of river cruises, but I have to say that this river cruise was definitely worth it!

You get to see the city’s major landmarks lit up at night and cross under some of the city’s main bridges, like the historic Chain Bridge.

It makes for a great night activity and an opportunity to take good photos of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

🇭🇺 Book your Danube River Cruise here

Enjoy a Pastry at the Oldest Bakery in Budapest

Only a few steps from Matthias Church is the oldest bakery in Budapest called Ruszwurm.

The bakery dates back to 1827, and today has a nice selection of cakes, bread, and coffee with alternative milk options!

So grab a sweet treat after walking up to Castle Hill, and sit near Matthias Square for a little people-watching and a transformative travel moment.

See a Hungarian Folk Dance Show

Hungarian folk dancing and music are infectious and traditional, and it is worth seeing for yourself.

I saw some of it on the Danube River Cruise, but there are other places where you can see a show and enjoy some Hungarian culture.

Do some European shopping

Head to Váci Street for some shopping, including some souvenir shopping to bring back home.

If you’re looking for luxury shopping, check out Andrássy Avenue, where you’ll see luxury brands, mostly European.

Walk Across Budapest Bridge

Of course, cross the beautiful Chain Bridge, enjoy views of the Danube River, and see both the Buda and Pest side.

Get out and explore the nightlife

Király Street is packed with ruin bars, trendy spots, and local vibes if you want to explore a bit of the lively nightlife.

When to visit Budapest

Realistically, any time is a good time to visit Budapest. However, April-May and September-October seem even better because of the drop in tourism and the mild weather.

I went in October, and I experienced some rainy days but also sunny ones. It got chilly at night, so bring a coat!

Is Budapest Safe?

Yes! I found Budapest to be very safe for travelers, but of course, like any big city, don’t let your guard down, especially if you’re a female traveler.

I would be out all day and return to my Airbnb at night with no problem. This, of course, also depends on where you’re staying, but If you’re staying in Central Budapest, you should be safe.

>> Read More: My Best Tips To Stay Safe While Traveling as a Female

Where to stay in Budapest

The Buda side is more residential, quieter, and historic, while the Pest side is more active and lively, where many of the city’s most popular restaurants and nightlife are.

Here are some hotel recommendations:

• Hotel Moments Budapest – 9.8 ⭐️
• Eurostar Danube Budapest – 8.8 ⭐️
• Áurea Ana Palace – 9 ⭐️

Will you be visiting Budapest soon? What would you like to do or see in the city that you learned about?

I hope this post was helpful to you in deciding whether or not visiting Budapest is worth it.

I can say with certainty that I loved it and look forward to my visit again soon.

To more travel moments like this,