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Budapest and Beyond: 11 Things to Do in Hungary
Written by Nate Robinson
Museum-palaces, riverside cruises and some of Europe’s most spectacular baths – here’s how to discover Budapest’s best.
From cave-fed hot springs in Art Nouveau bathhouses to fairy-tale castles, Hungary’s capital – the convergence point between ancient Obuda, cosmopolitan Pest and the royal city of Buda – is packed with three cities’ worth of things to see, eat and do. Read on to discover our guide to having the best time in Budapest.
1. Soak in a Budapest thermal spa
Hungary is blessed with more than a thousand thermal springs, with over 120 located in Budapest, aptly known as Europe’s ‘City of Spas.’ The city’s love affair with hot springs dates back almost two millennia, shaped by the thermal culture of Celtic tribes, Roman legionnaires and Ottoman invaders, with many of the latter’s spectacular sunlit hammams remaining today. Most baths operate year-round, and many are architectural masterpieces – Gellért Baths’ Art Nouveau stained-glass windows, marble columns and vivid mosaics make for a breathtaking backdrop.
2. Cruise the Danube River
Europe’s second-longest river ambles through Budapest, offering the perfect chance to sail through the capital at night, beneath historic bridges and past the city’s illuminated monuments, including the Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle. Day cruises offer a convenient, unobstructed way to see the city’s twin faces, the royal walled city of Buda and once-independent Pest, formally divided by the waters of the Danube.
3. Explore caves in the Buda Hills
Budapest’s western hinterland offers picturesque walking trails, grand castles and a vast network of caves, sculptured over centuries by thermal spring water bubbling to the surface. For first-time explorers, Szemlőhegyi Cave is a must-see: easily explored in about an hour, the cave dazzles with its brilliant crystals and unique, flower-shaped mineral formations.
4. Admire the riverside Hungarian Parliament Building
Big, bold and beautiful, even in a city as jam-packed with spectacular architecture as Budapest, the Hungarian Parliament Building stands triumphant. Still the largest building in the country, this Gothic Revival masterpiece sits on the bank of the Danube river and is well worth seeing in person (especially from the comfort of a river cruise). Inside, you’ll find the Holy Crown of Hungary, used in coronation ceremonies for almost a millennium.
5. Head out to the Etyek-Buda wine region
Drive just half an hour west to see Budapest fall away, replaced by rolling hills and traditional villages. The region has been renowned for its red wine for centuries: today, sandy slopes, fertile loam soils and a cool environment make it a white wine powerhouse. Vineyards like Etyeki Kuria make for a wonderful place to sample the region’s abundance of remarkable chardonnays, pinot gris and rieslings.
6. See a real-life fairy-tale castle in Öreghegy
Architect and sculptor Jenő Bory is best known for his spectacular concrete masterpiece, Bory Castle, the result of four decades of tireless labour. While seemingly plucked from another time, the castle is an ingenious blend of traditions, styles and influences, with countless mythological and folkloric references peppered throughout. Less than an hour’s drive from Budapest, the castle and surrounding fortresses make for an enchanting day trip.
7. Explore Hungary’s largest Baroque palace
Gödöllő Royal Palace has seen a lot of history: built by a 16th-century aristocrat and presented to Emperor Francis Joseph I for use as a springtime royal retreat, it later served as Soviet barracks before restoration and conservation began in 1985. Today the palace holds permanent exhibits dedicated to the palace’s illustrious past, including its time under the German-Austrian Habsburg ruling family, its use as the country residence of Hungary’s Queen Elisabeth and its role during wartime.
8. Peruse art at the Hungarian National Gallery
Located within the massive Buda Castle, the Hungarian National Museum is the largest public collection of works on the development of the country’s fine arts. Exhibits range from 11th–century stone carvings to contemporary oil paintings and sculptures by Hungarian masters.
9. Taste everything from traditional goulash to modern Michelin-starred cuisine
There’s more to Hungarian cuisine than goulash, though you’d be wise not to sleep on the country’s paprika-fueled national dish. Budapest’s position as an emerging culinary wonderland is backed by seven Michelin-starred restaurants, including Salt (one star), plating spectacularly minimalist takes on Hungarian classics. The bar scene is just as good, with marble-and-copper speakeasy Black Swan boasting its very own Vintage Negroni Room, filled with hard-to-find and unique spirits.
10. Step back in time at a living museum
The riverside town of Szentendre – located just a 40-minute train ride from Budapest – offers the largest open-air museum in Hungary, and the rare chance to see how local villages lived centuries ago. A wealth of authentic buildings have been relocated from across the country to build the exhibit, including an entire market town from the country’s northern mountain ranges.
11. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hollókő village
The deliberately preserved old village of Hollókő is a startling example of life in Hungary before the agricultural revolution. The historical site features a medieval castle, orchards, vineyards and a church, with many peasant houses and old buildings now operating as shops, museums or restaurants (the artisan cheese shop and doll exhibition are must-sees). Admittance to the site – just a two-hour drive from Budapest – is free.
Discover Hungary
This article was produced in partnership with Visit Hungary.
After more inspiration? Check out The Prettiest Ports on Europe’s Danube River.
