Embarking on a Hungarian Adventure. Discover What to See in Budapest

The Castle Hill

We start by talking about this beautiful hill, also known as Várhegy Hill. With an elevation of 170 meters above the Danube, it is one of the best points to start moving around all the sights of Budapest. Therefore, it is highly recommended to stay at one of the hotels in Budapest nearby. 

Since it is the oldest area of the city, it also has a high historical value. It is filled with numerous historical monuments of the medieval era. Among these, the most prominent are the Danube River and the Castle of Buda, for which we will talk about later. 

If you decide to visit Castle Hill, you can access it by walking through the stairs that are next to the Chain Bridge. Alternatively, you can also get there by climbing through the tail to the left of the funicular or by the Budavári Sikló cable car. 

Although the most interesting thing to do on the hill is to visit all the monuments and historical sites it houses, it is also a good place to connect with nature and to go hiking, so you should not limit yourself to visiting the monument during your visit.

The Buda Castle or Royal Palace

Once you get to Castle Hill, this iconic Budapest castle may well be the first place you choose to visit. It is no coincidence that this is one of the most iconic places in Hungary. 

Touring it gives you a unique opportunity to recognize throughout its architecture the tumultuous history behind it, which encompasses both the lowest and the highest moments of Hungary. It also houses the Budapest Museum of History and the National Gallery. 

It is worth noting that, if you decide to come in the night, it is highly recommended to visit the Chain Bridge, as it is illuminated at night, offering you a visual beauty worthy of contemplation. On the contrary, if you attend in the daytime, the best views you will find in the highest part, where you will have a privileged point from which to see the Danube, at about 300 meters high. 

On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that the most recommended times to go to the castle are from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, as it is at these times that the museums are open, so you can visit everything on one occasion. 

However, if you decide to go at a different time, this is not a limit to enjoying an enriching experience. It will still be possible to tour the surroundings and gardens. In fact, walking around these areas is completely free.

Parliament of Budapest: Another of the Budapest main attractions

It is impossible to talk about what to see in Budapest without mentioning the parliament building. This place is not only iconic in terms of tourism, but also within the scope of the Hungarian legislature. 

It is located near the Danube River, in the middle of District V and you can find its main entrance at Kossuth Square. It is practically an architectural fossil since its construction took place between 1884 and 1902. It even has the honour of being the second largest parliament in Europe. 

In fact, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. As soon as you visit it, you will understand why it is a building that has given so much to talk about since it is very impressive in person. 

To gain a sense of why, you need to know that it has 27 entrances, 691 rooms, 29 stairs, 13 lifts, more than 200 offices, and 10 courtyards. As if this were not impressive enough, the parliament also houses inside it a colossal library, with a collection of more than five hundred thousand books. 

It also has the honour of safeguarding the sacred crown of Hungary, as well as other complementary coronation insignia. Best of all, you won’t have to miss anything of this on your visit, as the building has guided tours that allow you to slowly tour every place of this incredible building.

Fishermen's Bastion

The Fishermen's Bastion is a terrace that forms part of the Royal Castle of Budapest. It is so beautiful with its style between Neoroman and Neo-Gothic that it deserves its own space of mention within this list of what to see in Budapest. 

It is another monument of great antiquity, the construction of which was possible thanks to the plans of Frigyes Schulek, between 1895 and 1902. Its peculiar name is due to the fact that a group of fishermen were responsible for its defense at the time it was an enclave in the walls of Budapest. 

Although its role has changed and now it is only a tourist attraction, it is one worthy of admiration. In addition, it is the perfect place to relax and contemplate the beautiful views it offers of the city. It is also ideal for taking some photos, especially next to the bronze equestrian sculpture of King Stephen I of Hungary, which is located between the bastion and the Church of Matthias.

House of Terror

The House of Terror, also called Terror Háza, is located at 60 Andrássy Avenue and, far from what could be thought of by its name, it is not the typical embroidered house filled with animatronic figures, but a museum. 

However, it exhibits real terror within it, though in a different way. It happens that the theme of the museum revolves around exhibitions of the communist and fascist regimes of Hungary, including those interrogated, detained, tortured, and executed in those times. 

Mária Schmidt has been the director of the site since its inauguration on 24 February 2002, when Viktor Orbán’s Government took over the complete renovation of the interior and exterior of the building. 

Although its theme is somewhat more adult, it is one of Budapest's main attractions, so it is highly recommended to visit it. You can see it as a unique opportunity to ponder and learn about the darkest times of the Hungarian people.

Hungarian National Museum: The answer to what to see in Budapest if you are looking to absorb its culture

The Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum or Hungarian National Museum is another of Budapest’s top museums that you should visit. In fact, it stands out because it contains the largest public collection in the whole country. This makes it the ideal place to learn about the whole history of Hungary from its birth as a state. 

It has the peculiarity that its tourist attraction is not limited to the appreciation of the content of its interior, but also to the architecture of the museum itself, which has a beautiful classic style. 

Among the best exhibitions you can appreciate in it is the coronation mantle, which is more than a thousand years old, a figure of a golden deer that was forged in the 6th century BC, the exhibition of the history of Hungary and the objects that form part of it and its funeral crown from the 13th Century.

Thermal baths in Budapest

Not everyone knows, but Budapest is home to some of the best thermal baths in the world. Therefore, it is a tourist attraction that you cannot miss, as it can be extremely relaxing. 

Known as “banyas”, they are an intrinsic part of the local culture. In addition to giving great relaxing pleasure, they bring different health benefits. There is even a wide variety of options to choose from. 

Széchenyi Thermal Bath

It is one of the most popular options. It is near the Elliptic, on the Pest side of the city. It has thermal waters more than 140 years old, which are attributed to medicinal properties.

Bath of Rudas

A romantic choice perfect for couples. Its waters are attributed to the potential to help in the healing of musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases. In addition, there are three indoor swimming pools and a hot air pool.

Gellért Bath

This is a more modern option, and it is equipped with a hydromassage room and marble floor. It also has a restaurant offering a variety of delicious dishes for tourists.

Bath of Pali

A thermal bath with a lot of history, since the building where it was established was built in the 19th century. It has adapted very well to the new times, as it has a spa, hydromassage room and restaurant.

Bars in ruins

The “ruin pubs” are an adventure you must not miss on your visit to Budapest. They are far from any traditional bar, which is why they have become one of the main tourist attractions of the city. 

It happens that these pubs are installed in abandoned buildings, which are remodeled to be pleasant, but not so much as to lose their distinctive appearance. The result is a mixture of a strange and relaxed, and at the same time bohemian atmosphere. 

There is a wide variety of this style bars that you can visit in Budapest, but among the most popular are Szimpla Kert, Instant-Fogas Complex, Mazeltov, Púder Bárszínház, and Csendes. It is worth noting that an interesting feature of these locations is that they are not just a good place to have a drink. 

Unlike traditional bars, they are also places where you can attend markets, concerts, exhibitions, and a variety of cultural events. 

Of course, this does not mean that they are not an essential part of the city's nightlife. Therefore, we recommend that you venture to visit them both day and night. You will discover that the same place can offer you a completely different experience depending on the time of the day.

Danube Cruises

Finally, we end by talking about an activity that will allow you to embark on an adventure in Budapest. The Danube cruises are probably the most pleasant way to travel around the city. 

There is a wide variety of cruises of this style, including some such as day trips or night trips. In this way, you will be able to contemplate many of the points of interest already mentioned from another perspective, such as the Parliament of Hungary, the Bridge of Chains, or the Castle of Buda. 

If you are interested in exploring areas beyond Budapest, you should know that there are also river cruises along the Danube that cover more cities in Europe like Bratislava or Vienna. 

On the other hand, all these cruises allow you to adapt to different budgets and circumstances, as the characteristics and duration of each are unique. 

However, we can assure you that whatever option you choose, it will be a memorable and legendary experience that will allow you to appreciate the beauty of Budapest in such a special way that you will most likely want to repeat it. 

In conclusion, Budapest is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Europe. As you can see, there is a wide variety of places where you can travel. Some, such as the Museum of Terror, will give you knowledge, while others like the Danube cruises or the Fishermen's Bastion are perfect for relaxing and contemplating the beauty of the city. 

Therefore, there are options for every taste, so you will never have to ask yourself what to see in Budapest again. Without adding anything else, we invite you to visit them all when you embark on this Hungarian adventure.