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Europe's Hidden Treasure - Budapest

In 2019 more than 62,000 travelers voted Budapest the best destination in Europe, leaving London, Paris, and even Barcelona in the dust. 

The European Best Destinations (EBD) contest is a reflection of the magic of Budapest in the Old Continent. 

Budapest night Danube river things to do Hungary capital city

Nearest Airport

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, formerly known as Budapest Ferihegy International Airport and commonly known as Budapest Airport.

Best time to visit Budapest

Budapest is a summer holiday destination. The European summer is from June to August is the best time to explore Budapest. This is the time when there are usually plenty of festivals and great summer vibes. 

Budapest gets snow in the winter, but the city is not a winter ski destination. The city’s landscape does not lend itself to skiing. 

Budapest is served by an extensive public transportation network. The Millennium Underground is the second oldest underground railway in the world (after London's Metropolitan Line)! Tickets must be bought before boarding, and are available at metro stops and newsstands. But be warned: a standard single ticket doesn't allow you to change between lines, so ask about special tickets if your journey requires them.

FAQ: How expensive is Budapest?

One thing we all know only too well is the cost of living where we live. However, what we don’t know is how it compares to our dream holiday destination. Compare city to city on typical holiday expenses. Like the cost of dinner out, or the cost of groceries (self-catering holidays), or transport such as taxis, buses, and trains. 

Suggested Read: Step-by-step guide to planning your holiday trip.

Save with city card

The 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120-hour Budapest Card gives you:
  • discounts on tours, and popular restaurants
  • unlimited use of public transport
  • free entry to top museums like the Budapest History Museum and Hungarian National Gallery
  • free entry to Lukács Thermal Bath and Pool

You also get a guidebook that sets out all the freebies and discounted travel deals.

The best of Budapest - Free Travel Guide

Even just seeing the sights could fill a long weekend in the city quite effortlessly. If you want to experience Budapest's best baths, museums, and nightlife then start thinking about at least a week!

Get Your 4-Day Free Itinerary: Budapest

No strings attached. View, save, print, and/or share with friends. Having been to Budapest plenty of times, these are the places you need to explore.

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BUDA CASTLE - A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Budapest, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue are known as the Pearl of the Danube. "It is one of the world's outstanding urban landscapes and illustrates the great periods in the history of the Hungarian capital." - whc.unesco.org

Hop-On-Hop-Off in Budapest

See all the top sights of the city and you can hop-on and hop-off at major landmarks to explore in your own time. Recorded commentary is available in multiple languages making Big Bus’ Hop-On-Hop-Off a perfect option in terms of flexibility. Travel and Home tried and tested Big Bus’ Hop-On-Hop-Off routes and it’s worth it. 

City Sightseeing Budapest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Boat Ride

Organ Concert in the St. Stephen's Basilica with Optional Danube Cruise

  • The largest religious building in Hungary.
  • Together with the parliament, the highest structure in Hungary which is 96 meters (315 ft) – this equation symbolizes that worldly and spiritual thinking have the same importance in Hungary.
  • Alan Parker, director of the movie EVITA, chose St. Stephen’s Basilica for the wedding scene between Evita and Perón.
  • The biggest bell in Hungary is in St. Stephen’s Basilica – all of 9 tonnes of iron!
  • And now for something freaky… The mummified hand (“Holy Hand”) of St. Stephen (who passed away more than 1,000 years ago) is on display in the Basilica!
  • Go up in the Panorama Lookout Tower for a panoramic view of Budapest.
  • You simply have to book an evening concert in the Basilica. The sound is incredible, and the atmosphere is beyond words.
  • The Basilica is also open to masses and ceremonies.

ENTRANCE is free. Donations are welcomed. Address: Szent István tér 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
Experience the best of Hungary’s wine region on a half-day Etyek wine country tour from Budapest with dinner. You’ll leave the capital city in the morning or the afternoon to discover the serene landscape of the Etyek wine region, known best for its white and sparkling varieties.
 

Budapest attracts a lot of visitors at the height of summer. However, with its sights spread all over the place, the city absorbs large influxes of tourists better than most. Still, the best time to visit is probably early or late summer when the weather's not too hot to enjoy the thermal baths!

And if the above selection has not done it for you, don’t worry. There is more than enough to see and do in Budapest.

Hortobagy National Park Hungary UNESCO World Heritage Site Things to do sightseeing

Heroes' Square

Budapest Heroes Square travel and home best holiday destination 2019

Hősök tere (as it is known in Hungary) honors the seven founding figures of the country, as well as a few other noteworthy national leaders. In close proximity is the Museum of Fine Art with the Kunsthalle art museum next door. Behind Heroes’ Square is the vast City Park with plenty of spots to relax and enjoy the view of Heroes’ Square.

Address: Hősök tere

 
 

Have You Had Your Lángos Today?

When in Hungary it is almost compulsory to try the country's national street food.

House of Terror Guided Tour

Visit the building of the central office of AVO, the Communist secret police. Learn about the shocking atrocities carried out here by the secret police from your guide.

Guided tour in English with a professional local tour guide

Duration: 1.5 hours

Check Availability
House of terror Budapest Hungary

Best Budapest Tours, Excursions, and Activities

GetYourGuide provides the best short tours in Budapest for travelers on a budget, or couples, groups, and families. We’ve selected the best 12 tours, excursions, and activities in Budapest. Enjoy!

 

According to scientific studies, water has a positive impact on mental well-being and the river Danube does it for me.  Compared with a dinner cruise and music, it is a sure winner. But there’s more to Budapest than the Danube. 

You might have heard about the 5 Ways to Well-Being, i.e. connect, give, take notice, keep learning, and be active. Rest assured, all five will come to fruition when you visit Budapest, Europe’s Best Destination for 2019.

Tours in and from Budapest

Cycle the Danube | Book a port-to-port river cruise from Vienna to Budapest | 3 cities with 3 nights in each, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest | Explore best holiday destinations such as Budapest, Esztergom, Bratislava, Vienna, Cesky Krumlov, Tabor, Prague by coach (bus) | Self-guided tours

Popular Places to visit near Budapest

Eger for wine

Lake Hévíz for healing

Lake Heviz near Lake Balaton Hungary things to do beautiful destinations

The largest body of naturally occurring, medicinal water in the world is Lake Hévíz. The mixture of hot and cold subsurface spring waters has an impact on its temperature. At a pace of about 410 liters per second and a temperature of 36-38°C, the curative water emerges from the spring cave on the surface. That delivery claims that the lake’s water is consistently pure and changes every seventy-two hours.

Gödöllő for Hungarian Royal History

Godollo Hungary near Budapest things to do travel and home

Székesfehérvárfor Hungarian Royal History

Székesfehérvárfor Hungary sightseeing town near Budapest day trip from Budapest castle

Small Town Hidden Gems Near Budapest

Szentendre, Visegrád, Esztergom, and Komárom
Four perfect day-trips if you’re visiting Budapest, or living near enough.

Balatonberény

Balatonberény makes for the perfect getaway when you want to avoid the crowds

Fly & Stay

The Best of Budapest in Accommodation

Tried and tested! See what's available and what's hot and not!!
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