Falling in love with Budapest is simple. It’s a full-package type of city offering thermal baths, cobble-stoned streets, and quirky bars — not to mention it’s gorgeous and packed full of history. The city splits at the Danube River separating the city into two different energies, ensuring a variety of experiences for its travelers. To get you started on your first trip to Budapest, I’ve compiled a list of must-dos from a young and budget-minded perspective.
Visit beer gardens and ruin pubs.
Budapest is beer garden paradise! There are many throughout the city, but the majority are located within the Jewish Quarter. They’re colorful, airy, inviting, and each has its own personality and quirkiness. I’d highly recommend visiting these in the day as well at night. My top picks are Kőleves Kert, Ellato Kert & Taqueria, and Szimpla Kert. Fun fact: Kert means garden in Hungarian.
Sit on the Liberty Bridge.
There’s a really awesome bridge called Szabadság Híd (Liberty Bridge) where locals and visitors climb up and sit to partake in awesome views of the Danube River. Pro tip: Bring some drinks or a bite to eat, but forewarned, it’s a bit windy as cars and people are whizzing past you — still absolutely worth it!
Visit a bath house, or two, or three, or. . .
Visit a bath house, or two, or three, or. . .If you’ve got time, you should absolutely visit more than one bath house. There are many to choose from and each one is different.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the most popular one, but with good reason. My advice would be to go as early as possible. It open sat 6 a.m., and if you can arrive anytime between then and 8, you get a discount, and it will be far less crowded than if you were to visit in the early afternoon or later.
For the ladies, Tuesdays at Rudas Baths the thermal baths are open only to women, with men-only the remaining week days. Ladies can enjoy several thermal baths, saunas, cold baths, massages, and a sweet view of Budapest and Gellért Hill from the 360 outdoor pool on the top floor.
Note: Men are welcome on the top floor, referred to as the Wellness Center, at all times. Only the thermal baths are women-only.
If you want to be more Hungarian, go nude at Rudas Baths! You’ll receive an apron to wear around, but you’re absolutely encouraged to go full-nude in the baths. It was an amazing experience to feel completely free surrounded by women who, for the most part, were also nude. You’ll leave feeling more in tune and confident in your body. Once again, this option is only available to women on Tuesdays at Rudas Baths. If you decide to also go to the 360 pool on Tuesday, you’ll need to wear a swimsuit there as men are also welcome in the Wellness Center.
Visit some of the many delicious coffee shops.
Budapest surprised me with an endless number of amazing coffee shops, especially around the Jewish Quarter and near the Hungarian Parliament Building. Refer to my Budapest coffee article to find out where you should go.
See Budapest at night.
You didn’t actually go to Budapest if you didn’t go along the Danube River and see it lit up at night. It’s a breathtaking, must-see site. The views of the bridges and the Parliament are incredible.
Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion.
Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion.Over on the Buda side, you’ll find the Fisherman’s Bastion, a 19th century lookout terrace with seven small towers offering spectacular views of the Pest side and the Hungarian Parliament.
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Visit the Hungarian Parliament.
Whether or not you decide to go inside is up to you, but the Hungarian Parliament Building is still stunning just seeing it from the outside. With its Neo-Gothic architecture, it is the third largest parliament building in the world. Visit it up close on the Pest side and then find great views of it across the river on the Buda side.
Check out St. Stephen’s Basilica for 360 degree views of Budapest.
For around €2, you can climb the hundreds of stairs (It was fun — but you’re also welcome to take the elevator) to the top of the basilica where you’ll find a cupola offering 360 degree views of Budapest from above.
Hike up to the Citadel.
Pest is the much more hilly side of Budapest, and it offers a few lovely little hikes such as the hike through Gellért Hill to the Citadel. It’s a short trek and when you arrive to the top you’ll be greeted with more amazing views of Budapest and the fortress and its sculptures. There will be several vendors at the top if you want to buy any little trinkets or food as well.
Looking for accommodation?
There are some amazing Airbnbs in Budapest. Ours even offered free bicycles to use! Click the link to get €34 off your first stay!
Looking to mingle with other travelers? Try Hostelworld!
Note: Some of the links above contain affiliate links. This doesn’t increase the cost of any item to you, but simply means that I’ll receive a small commission of any sales from those links. But don’t worry — I only share products that I love and trust!
