Are you on a city trip to Budapest? There are plenty of attractions to see in this wonderful city.
If you want to see all the highlights of Budapest in a short time, the Budapest bike tour along the highlights is perfect for you! During this tour, our enthusiastic guide will take you past all the attractions you can’t miss.
Our guide is very knowledgeable and can tell you everything about Budapest’s history and culture. They’ll also show you the lesser-known spots of the city and give you tips for the rest of your stay.
The great thing about this tour is that you can cycle through the city and see much more than on foot. It’s a fun and active way to discover Budapest and you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful experience.
Book this tour if you definitely want to see the highlights and most famous Budapest attractions and learn more about this beautiful city!
Buy your tickets online in advance
Travel prepared and get your tickets for the best Budapest attractions directly online. Want to see as much as possible? Then choose the Budapest City Pass
When you purchase the Budapest Pass you get the following:
- A 2-hour Danube sightseeing cruise including a welcome drink.
- Access to the Széchenyi Spa, use of a cabin or locker, a tour of the Palinka Museum, and a palinka tasting or a non-alcoholic drink of your choice at the Palinka Museum.
- A POPGuide City Audio Guide App with more than 100 attractions, including high-quality images, descriptions and audio commentary from local experts, as well as offline interactive digital maps and navigation
If you’d prefer to visit a different attraction, click here.
To give you a clear picture of what to expect—and what you can’t miss—we’ve put together our favorite Budapest attractions!
Buda Castle
The city is a merger of 2 smaller cities, Buda and Pest. The former has a famous castle. You can’t miss it—the building complex towers above everything else. The castle consists of a collection of buildings, each more impressive than the last.
The first stone was laid shortly after the Mongol invasion in 1241. Much of what was built then still stands today, although a lot has been added over time.
During the Mongol invasion, a large part of the city of Pest was destroyed. This was reason enough for the king at the time to transform a large part of Buda into a castle. Large walls were built around the complex to protect the population from invasions.
Today, you can walk around as a tourist and enjoy the architecture and the various museums located in the castle. The view from the castle ramparts is also definitely worth seeing.
The Hungarian Parliament Building
Another stately building on the banks of the Danube, the Hungarian Parliament Building certainly stands out. Construction began at the end of the 19th century and took almost 20 years, but it was definitely worth the wait. Inside the building there’s also a library with no fewer than 400,000 books. Even today, the Hungarian Parliament still sits here and you’ll regularly find world leaders visiting on state visits.
Only a limited number of people are allowed to visit the Hungarian Parliament each day, so if you want to take the tour, it’s smart to order your tickets online now. That way you’ll avoid a long queue and ensure you have a spot.
- The Parliament Building is open to the public. The price depends on your nationality. A tour costs an adult from the European Union 3500 HUF, or 10 EUR.
- If you’re with someone who isn’t from the EU, this adult pays 6700 HUF, 20 EUR.
- Children under 6 are admitted free, regardless of their origin.
The Parliament Building is just as impressive inside as it is outside. The Golden Staircase and the interior of the building are truly beautiful to see. Additionally, the guide is very knowledgeable and knows fun and interesting facts about the building.
Fisherman’s Bastion
A visit to Budapest is not complete without seeing the Fisherman’s Bastion. This structure is a popular attraction thanks to its beautiful views. It is located on Castle Hill and offers a stunning view over the city and the Danube River. You can also see the previously mentioned Parliament Building and several other Budapest attractions from here.
The Fisherman’s Bastion is built in neo-Romanesque style and consists of several towers and walkways. It was built in the 19th century as part of the renovation of the Castle District. The name comes from the fishermen who lived in this neighborhood and sold their goods at the Budapest market.
If you want to visit the Fisherman’s Bastion, it’s best to go in the morning to avoid the crowds. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset and take beautiful photos. So don’t forget to bring your camera and enjoy the view and atmosphere of this magnificent place.
Matthias Church
Just coming from the Fisherman’s Bastion? Then the next highlight is Matthias Church, which is located on the other side of the square. This church has a rich history and is very impressive inside. It’s also nice to walk through the different walkways of the Fisherman’s Bastion and enjoy the view.
The church was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and is named after King Matthias Corvinus. The church has undergone various renovations over the centuries, which means the original structure is no longer visible.
Inside the church there are several information boards with all the important details. Would you like to know more? An informative tour with a guide can be arranged here, where you’ll be guided through the entire church within an hour.
- Book tickets online to visit Matthias Church
Széchenyi Baths
In the middle of the Hungarian capital you’ll find the Széchenyi Baths. This spa, the largest in Europe, dates back to the 19th century. The water used in the baths comes from a man-made spring at a depth of 970 meters.
The water temperature is above 70 degrees. Because the bathhouse became so popular in the 1930s, a second, even deeper spring was drilled.
There are now also 3 outdoor pools where the water is between 26 and 38 degrees. The water is said to have healing properties, which is why there are numerous activities in the baths including physiotherapy and gymnastics. The spa is located in Városliget city park and is open daily from 06:00 to 22:00. You can easily buy a ticket online for the Széchenyi Baths.
- Buy your tickets here in advance without having to wait in line
Chain Bridge
This 330-meter-long bridge is officially called the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. The bridge, like the spa baths, is named after István Széchenyi. He was an influential count who commissioned the construction of the bridge. The bridge was just one of many structures that the Greatest Hungarian, as István is also known, had built in Budapest.
Attractions such as the bridge, the baths, but also factories and roads are all thanks to this man.
The bridge almost never helped anyone cross. Even before construction was complete, an uprising took place by Hungarians against the Austrians. The plan was to blow up the bridge as soon as the Austrians approached. Fortunately, this never happened, but a century later the bridge was blown up during World War II. Reconstruction began immediately after the war, and in 1949 the Chain Bridge reconnected Buda with Pest.
Heroes’ Square
At the end of the important street, Andrássy Avenue, lies one of the most popular Budapest attractions, Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere in Hungarian).
In 1896, Hungary celebrated its 1000th anniversary, and for this reason the residents of the capital built a monument on Heroes’ Square, the Millennium Monument. By the time the monument was finished, the country was actually already 1026 years old. It’s a colonnade in the shape of a semicircle with an enormous column in the center. On top of the monument you’ll find the Archangel Gabriel. Around him stand statues of famous Hungarians.
Behind Heroes’ Square you’ll find Városliget park with the Széchenyi Baths.
Great Synagogue
The name says it all, this synagogue is actually the largest synagogue in Europe and has room for more than 5000 people. It was designed by German architect Ludwig Förster, who designed the building in Moorish style. In 1996, the entire building was completely renovated by Estée Lauder, whose ancestors were of Jewish and Hungarian descent and who wanted to contribute to the Jewish heritage in Budapest.
If you’d like to visit, keep in mind that opening hours often vary due to Shabbat. The synagogue is always closed on Saturdays.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
In the heart of Pest, not far from the popular shopping street Váci Utca, stands a grand basilica built at the beginning of the last century and named after St. Stephen, whose right hand is preserved as a relic inside. The construction of the basilica took many years, as the dome collapsed before the building was even completed.
The central dome stands 96 metres high and is a true eye-catcher. The building regularly serves as a venue for events including classical concerts. The acoustics in this largest church in Hungary are truly excellent.
The House of Terror Museum
Hungary has a bloody history, with the most recent atrocities being those committed by the Nazis and Communists during the twentieth century. At the Terror Háza Múzeum, or House of Terror Museum, you can learn all about these horrors. In the basement of the building, for example, you can still view the cells and torture chambers.
The Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall is a popular tourist attraction, a true Budapest attraction you won’t want to miss. It’s the largest indoor market in the city and you’ll find a wealth of lovely stalls selling meats, vegetables and typical Hungarian products. Bring a large shopping bag and indulge yourself in this enormous market in the centre of Budapest.
Cycling in Budapest
Now that you know what attractions Budapest has to offer, it’s a matter of working out how to see them all in a short time. Fortunately, the solution is obvious.
With our Budapest bike tour of the highlights, you’ll see all of Budapest’s attractions in just a few hours. Our enthusiastic guide will also tell you everything about these landmarks, so it’s highly recommended!
Map overview of Budapest attractions
Below is a handy map of Budapest. This way you can quickly discover all the special places you can visit and see at a glance where all the attractions are. If you click on it, you can go directly to Google Maps and see all the details.