Budapest is one of those cities everyone seems to like. Hence, as my Eastern European rail trip continued, I caught a train from rainy Bratislava to the overcast Hungarian capital.
I budgeted four days to explore things to do in Budapest, which I'd soon come to find was not nearly enough. The city has history, museums, intrigue, and mineral-rich baths.
If you're heading to Budapest, pack some travel insurance, such as the policies offered by Southern Cross Travel Insurance. They'll ensure you're protected in case of an emergency.
Here are my top ten things to do in Budapest, based on the time of year I visited and the number of days I could afford.
Table of Contents
Budapest Attractions
1. St. Stephen's Basilica
Inaugurated in 1906, St. Stephen's Basilica (also known as Budapest Cathedral) took more than 50 years to complete and can accommodate 8,500 people.
The church takes its name from the first king of Hungary, whose mummified hand is maintained to this day in a glass case near the altar (something I was unaware of until after my visit).
I love gawking at beautiful interiors, so I often hit up large cathedrals, especially when they provide panoramic city views.
There is an elevator available from April 1st to October 31st. In winter, you'll need to climb the 364 stairs to reach the top. The cost of entry is 500 Hungarian Francs (HUF), or about $2.15.
2. Take a Ride on the Budapest Metro
Budapest's metro is the oldest electrified underground system on the European continent, having begun operation in 1896. Only London's metro is older, having opened in 1890.
Line 1 is the original line. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Lines 2 and 3 were opened in the 1970s, and the latest, Line 4, began operation in 2014.
Tickets are cheap, so give your feet a break and check it out as you travel around the city.
3. Heroes' Square
In addition to the metro, Heroes' Square was created in 1896 to mark Hungary's 1,000th anniversary. Staring at the monument in the middle, you'll have the Museum of Fine Arts to your left and the Kunsthalle museum to your right.
Behind the monument is City Park, home to the Széchenyi Baths, one of Europe's largest public baths. Given the time of year I was visiting and the grey skies, taking a public bath wasn't high on my "to-do" list, so I pivoted to the left and headed for the Museum of Fine Arts.
4. Museum of Fine Arts
It just so happened the museum was hosting a major Cézanne exhibit, and impressionism is one of my favorite styles.
But before I walked through the temporary exhibit, I covered the permanent collection, coming across some masterpieces like the earliest copy of The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch. Though heavily damaged, it was still fascinating to see up close.
I'd previously seen the original in Madrid's Prado Museum during my 2007-2009 around-the-world trip. Additional highlights included a colorful Madonna by Raphael and works by Bruegel, Goya, Monet, and Rodin.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets to the permanent exhibits cost 1,600 HUF, or about $6.90.
5. House of Terror Museum
Departing the Museum of Fine Arts into the darkness of my first Hungarian night, I looked at my phone and found I still had time to visit a very different kind of museum.
Housed in the same building used as the headquarters of the Nazi party in Hungary, the House of Terror Museum commemorates the victims of the Nazi and Communist Russian regimes in Hungary.
I did not know Hungary's history during this time. Therefore, it was an eye-opening experience to walk through the exhibits and learn how these two movements terrorized the Hungarians.
After touring the museum (which takes about one and a half hours), the final stop is the basement used as a prison. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people were tortured there, and it's hard to pass through such a space without being affected.
The House of Terror is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is 2,000 HUF, or $8.60.
6. Coffee at Gerbeaud
If you'll stop for coffee anywhere in Budapest, make it Gerbeaud. Located centrally in the city, it is one of the capital's most significant and historic cafés.
Opened in 1858, it was later expanded by the Swiss owner of the same name when he bought it in 1884. Stepping inside is like stepping back in time. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and wood accents and drapes add elegance to the atmosphere. Gerbeaud is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
7. Walk Across the Chain Bridge
Completed in 1849, Budapest's Chain Bridge was considered an engineering marvel at the time. It was the first bridge to cross the Danube River, connecting Buda and Pest, initially two separate and distinct cities.
Crossing the suspension bridge on foot is a popular tourist activity and offers beautiful views. It only takes a few minutes, and there's a dedicated pedestrian walkway.
On the Pest side, you'll almost immediately arrive at the funicular, which can take you up Castle Hill. There's much to explore up there, so much so that it truly deserves a full day or more of your time.
8. Dracula and the Labyrinth of Buda Castle
Beyond the ruins and architecture of Castle Hill, I wanted to see the former prison of Vlad Tepes (aka Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula).
The Labyrinth of Buda Castle is a system of caves running beneath Castle Hill. The network is six miles long, though tourists are limited to walking only a mile of it.
The decorations are cheesy at times, but you do get a feel for how dark and miserable it would've been to be imprisoned there, especially in the 15th century, when the only light would've been from burning torches.
The Labyrinth is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., costing 2,000 HUF or $8.60.
9. Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion
Upon emerging from the caves, I wandered over to the 700-year-old Matthias Church, which takes its name from another former Hungarian king.
It's one of the oldest buildings in Budapest, and I was enamored with the restoration work. The exterior was immaculate, and the tiled rooftop was incredibly colorful.
There's a small fee to enter, but seeing a golden altarpiece surrounded by fine stained glass is worth it. Restoration work was happening inside at the time of my visit.
Behind Matthias Church is the Fishermen's Bastion. Though the structure is only 100 years old, this area was used as far back as medieval times by fishermen who protected this area of the city.
The best reason to walk here is its commanding city views. You'll see clearly across the Danube into the rest of Budapest.
10. Hungary's Parliament Building
From the Fishermen's Bastion, you'll have a direct view of Hungary's Neo-Gothic Parliament building, which is situated along the river. At just over 100 years old, construction was inaugurated on, yes, you guessed it, 1896. Boasting 691 rooms, it's the third-largest parliamentary building in the world.
The following morning, on my way to the train station, I stopped by the Parliament building to take a closer look. A large section was under restoration due to air pollution waging a constant war against the typically white limestone.
As I said, four days were hardly enough to get a feel for Budapest. I missed so much, including the ruin pubs, the nightlife, and the baths, not to mention more museums and historical points of interest. I hope to return in spring someday to get the warm-weather experience.
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Budapest, including the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue, became a World Heritage Site in 2002.
Click here for the complete list of UNESCO sites Dave has visited during his travels.
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