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...
Fast Track Entrance to Gellert Spa with Optional Massage
Duration:
4 hours
- 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.
Compare Ticket Prices:
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.
Compare Ticket Prices:
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...
Castle District Tour
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:
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...
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
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...
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
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...
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
Compare Ticket Prices:
Ticket for all exhibitions | Ludwig Museum
Duration:
1 to 3 hou
- The Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art aims at being:
professional in researching, collecting, presenting, mediating and propagating contemporary art, open-minded towards new ideas and perspectives, multi-colored in terms of the exhibited artists and artworks, the hosting of events and activities, as well as in terms of the...read more
Budapest Evening Sightseeing Cruise
Duration:
1 hour
- The cruise departs from Budapest's Szent Istavan Park and heads out down the Danube River for an hour.
- It's the best way to admire the cities architecture from a distance, monuments from a different angle and to relax as you float down stream.
- This evening cruise also allows you to admire the city lit up at night.
Compare Ticket Prices:
3 course Dinner Cruise with Piano Battle Show
Duration:
3 hours
- This is a dinner cruise through Budapest along Danube River.
- The cruise entails a four course dinner prepared by a chef onboard.
- You will enjoy exceptional music played by two pianists competing against each other.
- You will enjoy welcome drinks on the trip as well as a panoramic view of the illuminated
Compare Ticket Prices:
From Budapest: Danube Bend Day Trip including Lunch
Duration:
10 hours
- A pleasant day cruise along the Danube River through the Danube Bend to the neighboring country of Slovakia.
- During the tour, travelers visit Visegrad, Szentendre and Esztergom, each settlement charming in its own way.
- Among other things, travelers will see the largest Catholic church in Hungary, Baroque architecture and the
Compare Ticket Prices:
Candlelit Dinner Cruise by Legenda City Cruises, Budapest
Duration:
2 hours 30
- This is a 2.5 hours cruise at Danube River with live music, dinner, and an opportunity to view the illuminated Budapest monuments and landmarks at night.
- A chance to view attractive sites on both sides of the shore from the comfort of your seat as you lie back relaxing and enjoying a savory beverage.
- Explore a smooth
Compare Ticket Prices:
Hungarian gourmet dinner and cruising by Rupichef
Duration:
150 to 180
- It is an exclusive vintage restaurant ship, where you live the Hungarian culinary culture experience in an elite environment and setup in Budapest.
- It is a 150 to 180 minutes cruise in the heart of Budapest with scrumptious food being served on board under the guidance of an award winning chef, Laszlo Ruprecht.
- It is not only
Compare Ticket Prices:
Budapest Market Hall Tour and Cooking Class
Duration:
4 hours
- With this tour, plunge into the Central Market Hall with a guide, and then head to a kitchen where a cooking instructor provides the hands-on know-how required to prepare a traditional three-course Hungarian feast.
- Combine a tour of the Central Market Hall with several-hours-long cooking classes.
