Top 5 Must-See Activities in Budapest
These are the most famous Budapest tourist attractions & sight tours which sees thousands and millions of visitors each year:
Free Things To Do In Budapest
Budapest is a great city to visit. It's one of the cities in the world that welcomes millions of tourists each year. Depending on the kind of traveller that you are, there's always something in Budapest to keep you entertained. If you are traveling on a budget, there are many cheap things to do in Budapest that can make your trip even more entertaining and fun. For instance, you can explore those areas beside the Danube River, which is a truly relaxing and pleasurable experience.
Although Budapest many not be a cheap city to visit, there are certainly lots of free things to do in Budapest that even the most budget traveller will find entertaining. For instance, if you're someone who loves history and culture, then check out the many free museums in Budapest. Of course, there are also lots of free attractions in Budapest that are truly mesmerizing. Among them are the St. Stephen's Basilica, City Park, Gellert Hill, Millenáris Park, Margaret Island, and Károlyi Gardens.
Regardless of the time of the year that you visit Budapest, there will always be something great to look forward to. For example, one of the free things to do in Budapest this summer is to explore the Danube Promenade and enjoy the good weather. For tourists visiting the city with kids, one of the free things to do in Budapest with kids is to visit the City Park. This sprawling park offers a wide array of attractions and a great place to spend quality time with the family.
So are you excited to visit Budapest but worried that you'll go beyond your travel budget? Then check out this list of free things to do in Budapest.
Free Attractions in Budapest
Top Rated Budapest Attractions
Danube Promenade
A walk alongside the river in Budapest is a rewarding, educational and invigorating experience. The best plan is to start at the Chain Bridge and head either north towards Margit Bridge or south towards Erzsebet Bridge and on towards Szabadság Bridge. You can walk on either side, but the official Promenade runs from Chain Bridge to Erzsebet Bridge on the Pest side.
The Shoes Monument is an important and moving memorial located on the...
Budapest Roman style Gellert Thermal Spa Full Day Entrance Ticket
Duration:
1 to 9 hou
- Full day entrance to Gellert Spa including skip the line privileges.
- Gellert Spa was built in 1918 and is today visited by tourists from all over the world.
- The building features an Art-Nouveau style and boasts both indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam rooms.
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St Stephen’s Basilica
This stunning neoclassical church is named after Stephen, the first King of Hungary, and contains his right hand as a holy relic. It is the joint highest building in Budapest, alongside the Parliament Building, at 96 metres. The construction stretched over 54 years, finally being completed in 1905. The delay is explained by the dome collapsing in 1868, meaning work had to start again from scratch.
The basilica has a rich musical life...
Skip the Line: Chocolate Museum Visit and Tasting Ticket
Duration:
2 hours
- A tour of the Chocolate Museum and a chocolate lesson from an expert guide
- A chance for visitors to sample some of the finest chocolates in Europe and make their own chocolates.
- For adult visitors, tastings of Palinka, a domestic liqueur, and a dessert wine.
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Gellért Hill
This 235-metre-high hill is one of the best places to get panoramic views of the city. It makes for an invigorating walk, although public transport is also available, and there are several interesting features on the hill.
It is named after St Gerard, a bishop who was said to have been rolled down the hill in a barrel to his death during the Pagan Rebellion of 1046. A bronze statue of the saint can be seen near the Elizabeth...
Lonely Planet Experiences: Buda Castle Tour Including Ticket to Matthias Church
Duration:
3 hours
- Historical overview of the Buda Castle District with a guided private walk.
- Guided tour through one of the most beautiful and symbolic places in Budapest, the Royal Palace which sits on a hilltop overlooking the beauty of Danube River.
- Tour exploring part of Budapest's UNESCO world heritage site.
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Margaret Island
This island in the Danube is a restful place to spend an afternoon with its beautiful wooded landscapes and ruins of churches. It is named after St Margaret who lived in the island’s Dominican convent.
Today there are a wealth of activities on offer, including a 5 kilometre running track around the island’s perimeter and the Palatinus water park, and bikes are available for hire. There are also tennis courts and an athletics...
Skip the Line: Budapest Pinball Museum Admission Ticket
Duration:
10 hours
- Entrance to Budapest's famous Pinball Machine Museum.
- It's Europe's biggest interactive museum and is listed as the No. 1 museum in Budapest on Tripadvisor.
- The museum is also of historical importance as it houses the worlds very first pinball with flippers and the largest pinball machine in the world.
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Walk Across Chain Bridge
This iconic bridge physically and symbolically links Buda and Pest, on the western and eastern sides of the River Danube. It was opened in 1849 after a nine-year construction period and was the first permanent bridge in Budapest.
There are many interesting features of the bridge including the stone lions which resemble those in Trafalgar Square, London, although they were built earlier. The bridge makes for a beautiful sight at night...
Haunted By History: Buda Castle Walk with Cake and Mathias Church
Duration:
180 to 200
- We made this tour for those, who are interested in architecture, history, hungarian cakes and amazing stories from the past and present life of the Buda Castle...read more
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Walking Tour
There are a range of companies offering free tours of Budapest. For this article let’s look at one of the most acclaimed, Free Budapest Tours. They actually offer three different tours at different times of day: the Orientation Tour at 10.30am, giving you an overview of the twin cities, including Danube Promenade (link), Chain Bridge (link), Clark Adam Square, Royal Palace (exterior), President’s Palace and the Castle Quarter.
If...
Private Sissi Castle Tour
Duration:
4 hours
- Follow the footprints of Sissi and explore the Gödöll? Palace, the former summer residence of Queen Elisabeth and Francis Joseph. The walls tell you the secret stories of her life… Come and listen it. Visit the beautiful Baroque Palace in Gödöll?!
After only a 30-minute drive from Budapest we arrive to the former summer residence of...read more
Skip the Line: Budapest Pinball Museum Admission Ticket
Duration:
10 hours
- Entrance to Budapest's famous Pinball Machine Museum.
- It's Europe's biggest interactive museum and is listed as the No. 1 museum in Budapest on Tripadvisor.
- The museum is also of historical importance as it houses the worlds very first pinball with flippers and the largest pinball machine in the world.
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Haunted By History: Buda Castle Walk with Cake and Mathias Church
Duration:
180 to 200
- We made this tour for those, who are interested in architecture, history, hungarian cakes and amazing stories from the past and present life of the Buda Castle...read more
Compare Ticket Prices:
Private Sissi Castle Tour
Duration:
4 hours
- Follow the footprints of Sissi and explore the Gödöll? Palace, the former summer residence of Queen Elisabeth and Francis Joseph. The walls tell you the secret stories of her life… Come and listen it. Visit the beautiful Baroque Palace in Gödöll?!
After only a 30-minute drive from Budapest we arrive to the former summer residence of...read more
Skip the Line: Entrance Ticket plus 10 rides
Duration:
15 to 30 m
- Tickets are valid per person!
Children between 3 and 8 must be accompanied by an adult or a child aged 8+.
For safety reasons children under 3 are not allowed to ride.
Children between 3 and 8 may only ride in the company of an adult or a child aged 8+.
Upon purchasing a ticket you agree to the terms and conditions posted on the...read more
Skip the Line: Memento Park Entrance Ticket
Duration:
45 to 150
- Gigantic monuments of Communist Dictatorship. Removed statues from the streets of Budapest with great photo opportunities of Lenin, soviet Red Army soldiers, and many more communist...read more
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Tickets to the Széchenyi spa
Duration:
5 hours
- thermal water & beatiful architecture & relaxing time
Széchenyi is very local & absolutely international in the same time
you'll find international backpackers, business people sitting next to old age locals. both having an amazing...read more
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Visegrad Castle and Szentendre by the Danube private tour
Duration:
8 hours
- Discover the pretty landscapes of the Danube Bend not far from Budapest on this private tour. This is the most scenic stretch of the Danube River with Visegrad fortress being the centre of this tour with breathtaking views. As an optional extra you can go bob sleighing nearby. After soaking up the panorama your driver will take you to the...read more
