What is there to do in Budapest?

Exploring the Hungarian capital of Budapest is a must for anyone visiting Eastern Europe. With its beautiful Danube River, historic castles, nouveau art nouveau architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants and exciting nightlife, Budapest is a city jam-packed with culture, history and entertainment.

For those visiting for a short break or for a bank holiday weekend, the sheer number of attractions and activities can seem overwhelming. To help narrow it down, here are 10 of the best things to do in Budapest.

1. Take a trip on a streetcar

The electric trams which travel along the beautiful Danube river beaches make up the fourth oldest public transport system in the whole world and are a great way to take in the views of the city. There are multiple trams to choose from – the yellow line runs through downtown, the green line is known as the ‘romantic tram’ and then you can take the blue line which is smaller and older, but makes a great sightseeing tour.

2. Visit a ruin pub

An experience not to be missed while in Budapest is visiting a ruin pub. The city’s ruin bars are legendary and an inherent part of its culture and nightlife. These pubs have been created from dilapidated historic buildings with retro furnishings and strange artwork.

The oldest and most famous ruin pub is Szimpla Kert, opened in the Jewish Quarter in 2002 and since then many more have sprung up around the city. It’s a great way to enjoy an evening out, meet locals and other tourists, or to simply linger in an unusual atmosphere over an (inexpensive) drink or two.

3. Enjoy a performance at the State Opera House

Appreciating culture is one of the most pleasurable activities to do while in Budapest and there’s no better place than the stunning State Opera House. Built in 1884, it has played home to many renowned musicians such as Verdi, Wagner and Mahler and still hosts operas, classical music concerts and ballet performances held among its impressive neo-Renaissance grandeur. It’s located on Andrassy Ave. in central Budapest and tickets can be booked online ahead of time.

4. Play at an outdoor flea market

Fovam ter is Budapest’s main outdoor flea market situated along the banks of the Danube river. It has been held for many generations and offers unique treasures such as vintage clothing, furniture, antiques and rare items from many different periods of Hungarian history. The market runs from mid-May to late October on Sundays between 9am–4pm, but you’re likely to find plenty of traders hanging around until sunset.

5. Take time out at St Stephen’s Basilica

The second largest church in Budapest is St Stephen’s Basilica which stands impressively in central Budapest, named after Stephen I of Hungary who was the first Christian king of Hungary in the 11th century. The basilica holds services regularly throughout the week which visitors are welcome to attend. Otherwise it makes a great place to spend some time taking in beauty of its architecture, or take in beautiful views from its top floor balcony.

6. Sample delicious Hungarian cuisine

Hungarian cuisine is known for its hearty goulashes and dumplings, but there’s much more than just that on offer for visitors to Budapest. Sample local dishes like jokai beans, salted stuffed cabbage leaves or beigli at one of the city’s many street side eateries or high end restaurants. There’s something for everyone’s taste and budget and many cafes double up as bars with live music performances in the evenings.

7. Walk through Fisherman’s Bastion

Perched atop one of Buda’s hills on the bank of the Danube is Fisherman’s Bastion, which offers incredible views across Buda Castle and into the Pest side of the city. It was built back in 1905 as an ode to Buda’s fishermen guilds which defended Castle Hill during wars in medieval times.

The Bastion consists of numerous towers connected by staircases and walks underneath arcades decorated with neo-Gothic statues representing different tradespeople from old Buda. Although entry to the Bastion is free, it is worth splashing out on a ticket for climb up the hill for an unrivalled view across the Danube river and city skyline.

8. Join in one of Budapest’s vibrant festivals

If you’re lucky enough to time your visit during one of Budapest’s festivals, then join in! In Springtime, Sziget Festival draws in thousands of visitors over seven days while Off Festival brings together jazz, folk, classical and rock music each September in a carnival atmosphere.

The Szentivánéji Álom (The Midsummer Night’s Dream) held each June is probably one of the oldest and most beautiful festivals in Hungary with fireworks, food stalls and live performances spread around Városmajor Park where everyone comes together across generations.

9. Relax at Margaret Island

The green oasis and nature reserve on Margaret Island is a great place from which to take some time out weaving amongst its gardens, fountains, monuments, playgrounds and open air swimming pools. Being a car-free zone it also makes for some peaceful picnic spots away from the hustle and bustle of city traffic or it’s possible to cycle around its 2 miles circumference making the most of its parks and scenic points along the way.

10. Enjoy watersports on Lake Balaton

Located two hours south west of Budapest is Lake Balaton – Hungary’s largest freshwater lake known locally as “the Hungarian Sea” because of its size (over 80km long). It’s a great spot for watersports activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, kitesurfing and sailing or even just simply taking a boat trip or fishing boat excursion around this stunningly beautiful lake