Budapest
Getting Around
Driving
Public Transport
Taxi
Walking
Not to miss
Thermal Baths
The Gellért hill and the Citadel
'Ruin' Pubs
City Card
The Budapest Card is available for one, two or three days and entitles you to free public transport travel, free entry to 8 museums and St Lukács Bath. It also gives discounts at over 70 attractions, events, tours and restaurants. Cards can be bought at tourist information offices, hotels and manned Metro ticket booths. You can buy your Budapest city card here.
Attractions and Museums
Hungary has a fascinating cultural heritage which is reflected in its architecture and people. Visitors to Budapest in particular are treated to ruins and religious buildings dating back hundreds of years, with a fascinating mix of different cultural influences they display the development of Hungary’s character as it is today. Due to Hungary’s nomadic history, fine arts developed in strong interaction with European art, and although they always reflected European tendencies, they have retained a strong character of their own. Budapest is a cultural hotpot brimming with museums and galleries, throughout the year public events pop up all over the city. Many popular attractions are pleasantly affordable or free, meaning backpacker budgets will stretch even further. Bear in mind that many museums are closed on Mondays.
Budapest Great Synagogue
The Dohány Street Synagogue, down the street from Deák Ferenc tér is Europe’s largest synagogue and the world’s second-largest. The synagogue is home to the Memorial of the Hungarian Jewish Martyrs, remembering 400,000 Hungarian Jews that were murdered by the Nazis, it’s a weeping willow with silver leaves which bear the names of victims.
Museum of Fine Arts
This museum’s sensationally vast collection is made up of international art mainly European, its home to over 100,000 pieces spanning many periods making up one of Europe’s most significant art collections. Located in Heroes Square, the Museum of Fine Arts offers audio guides and is a must for art enthusiasts. Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm Closed on Mondays (except on bank holidays when the museum will usually be closed the following work day) Adult tickets to see the permanent exhibitions are 1 800 HUF or Free if you have a Budapest Card.
The Museum of Military History
The museum exhibits military objects and documents either of Hungarian origin or relating to the military history of Hungary. The exhibition “Thirteen Days about the 1956 Revolution” is well worth viewing. Opening hours: April 1st to September 30th: Tuesday – Sunday 10 am to 6 pm October 1st to March 31st: Tuesday – Sunday: 10 am to 4 pm Ticket Prices: Adult: HUF 800 Child & Senior: HUF 400
Hungarian National Museum
Founded in 1802 by the philanthropist Count Ferenc Széchenyi, the National Museum is home to a stunning collection of Hungarian art and historic artefacts, including regions no longer within Hungary’s current borders. Displaying the Holy Crown of Hungary, the national museum is well worth a visit to discover Hungary’s full rich history. Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Ticket prices can be found here.
St Stephen's Basilica
At 96 metres its equal hight to the parliament and well worth a visit for stunning panoramic views of Budapest, great for photos! The basilica also houses Hungary’s most sacred treasure, St. Stephen’s mummified right hand, the Szent Jobb or Holy Right Hand. Opening hours: From 9am – 5pm everyday. Please not the cupola is only open between 1st April and 31st October. Ticket prices: 1 600 HUF for an adult (without going up the cupola: 1 100 HUF)
The Budapest History Museum
The museum presents the 2000-year old history of the capital. The fascinating collection of artefacts and historical documents traces the city’s and the castle’s history via three distinct exhibitions. In summertime visitors can walk in the reconstructed mediaeval gardens, climb on the top of the castle walls and up the panoramic Buzogány Tower. Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10 am to 6 pm Closed on Mondays. Details of ticket prices can be found here.
Hungarian National Gallery
Located in Buda Castle, displaying works from the 10th century to present day including architectural remains, sculptures, carvings and paintings. All there is to know about Hungarian art can be found here, audio guides are available in many languages. Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closing time of the ticket offices: 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays. You can find details of ticket prices here.
Memento Park
The open air museum of Communist statues is little bit out the centre, accessible by bus from Deák Square. In 1989 the Communist regime fell leaving many Communist statues and monuments scattered throughout Hungary, they were hastily demolished and left here. Made famous by the Goldeneye movie, Memento Park or Statue Park is unique cold war collection you won’t find anywhere else.
Museum of Ethnography
One of Europe’s largest specialist museums with around 139,000 Hungarian and 53,000 international art objects. The ornate interior served as Hungary’s Supreme Court until 1975. The exhibition includes a variety of temporary exhibitions of artwork, photography, clothing and jewellery. Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm Entrance fees: Adult: HUF 1,000 Child & senior: HUF 500
Live Music
Sziget festival
A.K.A mini Glastonbury is held in August on Óbudai Sziget (Óbuda Island), it’s now one of the best known festivals in Europe, offering an array of cultural, culinary and musical events. Weathers usually nice and camping is definitely recommend for the full experience, prices/tickets can be found on their site.
Budapest Spring Festival
During the last two weeks of March each year Budapest is host to one of the largest cultural festivals in Europe. Most acts are varieties of classical music, opera and performing arts around 200 events take place in 50 venues in all, giving the whole city a buzz.
Accommodation
Accommodation or more specifically hotels in Budapest are absolute bargains, good standard double rooms in prime locations sell for what you’d expect a hostel bed in Europe would cost. The hostels are cheaper but not by much so Budapest is a good city to spend a little more to get a lot.
When looking for accommodation sites like TripAdvisor and Booking.com can really be your best friend. Put your dates into TripAdvisor and you can search by price as well as seeing the ratings, helping you pick the best value for money. Use Booking.com to search 500,000+ hotels in more than 200 countries worldwide. We can recommend Corvin Point Hostel for central but well priced accommodation with private and dorm rooms available.