Budapest
Split by the Danube into hilly Buda and flat Pest, Budapest pairs grand imperial architecture with steaming thermal baths and one of Europe’s liveliest night scenes.
Things to do in Budapest
Tours in Budapest
405 tours · prices per person, book with partner
Budapest is two cities in one, divided by the Danube and joined by graceful bridges. Hilly Buda holds the castle and old town; flat Pest buzzes with grand boulevards, ruin bars and thermal spas. The "Pearl of the Danube" delivers imperial elegance at a fraction of Western European prices.
Top Things to Do in Budapest
The neo-Gothic Parliament Building on the riverbank is among Europe's most photographed; book a guided interior tour in advance. Cross to Buda for the Castle District, Fisherman's Bastion and sweeping views over the city.
Soak in the grand Széchenyi Thermal Baths, a Budapest institution, then experience the city's famous ruin bars set in crumbling courtyards. A Danube evening cruise, with the Parliament lit up, is unforgettable.
Tours Worth Booking
- Parliament Building guided interior tours
- Danube river cruises, daytime or evening with dinner
- Thermal bath entry and spa packages
- Ruin bar and craft beer evening crawls
Best Time to Visit
April–June and September–October bring pleasant weather and lively terraces. Summer is warm and busy with festivals; winter is cold but magical, with Christmas markets and warming thermal baths. Spring and autumn are the best all-round times.
Getting Around
Budapest has an efficient metro (including continental Europe's oldest line), trams and buses, all covered by a single travel pass. The centre is walkable, and tram 2 along the Pest embankment is a scenic ride past the main sights.