What is Budapest Famous For? 5 Things You Can’t Miss

What is Budapest Famous For?

Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe – and I am not just saying that because it’s my hometown!

The city center of Budapest is simply magical with the River Danube flowing through the city. Once you walk along the riverbank and get to see the view, you can see the beautiful architecture and major attractions such as the Parliament building, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Buda Castle.

So, with the epic views, Budapest is mainly famous for its architecture and views along the Danube!

Apart from the views, the city has lots of thermal baths and is also known as the ‘City of Spas’. Chilling and relaxing in the baths is a must-do, and should be on your itinerary even if you just visit Budapest for 2-3 days.

If you are less into history and more into partying, Budapest also has a pretty fun nightlife. There are lots of bars in the city center, and the prices are more affordable in comparison to Western Europe.

Top 5 Things Budapest is Famous For

THERMAL BATHS

Visiting the thermal baths in Budapest is a must for both visitors and locals. There are over 123 natural hot springs underneath Budapest, which has got the city to develop the thermal baths.

Due to the high number of thermal baths in Budapest, the city is also referred to as the ‘City of Thermal Baths’ and ‘City of Spas’.

The two most popular thermal baths are Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Gellért Thermal Bath. Both can get a bit crowded due to their popularity, but it is a fun and relaxing experience to chill in the baths for a few hours.

For some less touristy baths, check out the Rudas Bath, Lukács Baths, Veli Bej Baths, or Dandár Baths. They are slightly smaller, with fewer pools, however, they are less touristy, and you get more of a local vibe. They are also more affordable, so if you don’t want to pay too much, these baths are the perfect options!

Don’t forget to pack a towel, flip-flops, and a swimsuit for the thermal baths – it is not possible to rent them at the baths. The only thing you may be able to buy at the baths are towels but they tend to be more expensive then in regular shops.

If you are looking for a very unique experience, there is even a thermal bath in a cave in Miskolctapolca which is perfect for a day trip from Budapest!

BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE

One of the things I love the most about Budapest is its beautiful architecture. The city is split into two parts (Buda and Pest) by the River Danube, and you get the most epic views of the city from the riverbank.

The most iconic buildings in Budapest are the Parliament, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, and Matthias Church – famous buildings that you can see as you walk along the Danube.

My travel tip for Budapest is to go on a stroll along the River Danube around sunset, as that’s the best time to see the famous buildings. Once the lights turn on in the evening, you get even better views as you can see the city with the lights on.

There are a few famous buildings and landmarks you won’t be able to see from the riverbank (Heroes’ Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica), but are totally worth checking out and should not be missed on a trip to Budapest.

Budapest is a walkable city, and if you go to the Parliament building, from there you can walk down along the river and see other famous sites on the Buda side of the city (Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion). On this route, you get the best views overlooking Buda.

To get the best views of the Parliament, you have to go over to the Buda side. Go to Batthyány Square (it is also a metro stop), and from here you get to see the Parliament from across the river. It is my favourite spot for the Parliament.

RIVER DANUBE & CRUISES

The River Danube flows through Budapest, and it makes the city look even more magical! The section of the Danube in Budapest is pretty wide, so it is more majestic than it is in Vienna.

The scenery along the river is beautiful, you get to see famous buildings, the Buda hills, and historic bridges that connect Buda and Pest.

It is worth to take a stroll along the river, but if you feel tired, you can also go on a short river cruise in Budapest.

The river cruises are around 1-3 hours, and there are different packages. You can go on a simple cruise with a welcome drink, or you can book a trip that includes unlimited drinks, dinner or Hungarian dance and music.

Some river cruises even cruise along various countries: the route Prague – Vienna – Budapest tend to be a popular one, and can take around 10 days for the whole cruise.

NIGHTLIFE & RUIN BARS

Budapest is known for its nightlife and lots of travellers come to Budapest for a weekend to explore and party.

Although the prices have increased in Budapest in recent years, it still remains as one of the more affordable destinations in Europe. The lower prices coupled with the nightlife has made Budapest a popular place for stag-dos and bachelorette parties in Europe.

The best place for bars is the District 7, the area closest to the city center around the Jewish Quarter.  But you can find lots of bars all around central Budapest including District 5 and 6.

Budapest has some unique bars that stand out in design within Europe: the ruin bars! Ruin bars are these funky bars with a colourful, vintage design.

The ruin bars were set up in old, abandoned buildings in District 7, and they have now grown into somewhat of an establishment of quirky vibes. Some of the bars have bathtubs for chairs, and furniture hanging down from the ceiling. Two of the must-visit ruins bars in Budapest are Szimpla and Instant!

Budapest is safe, so even if you go out at night, you should be fine. However, you should always remain cautious and take precautions like you would in any other place. The most common crime in Budapest is theft, so watch out for your valuables in bars and public transport.

TASTY HUNGARIAN FOOD

If there is one Hungarian dish that is well-known all over the world is the Goulash! Whenever I am abroad and tell people I am from Hungary, the most usual response I get is either about Hungarian football in the ‘50s or the mention of Goulash soup.

I admit the Goulash soup is great but there is so much more to Hungarian cuisine than just the goulash. I have always liked to try new dishes while travelling to new places, and I believe that trying new food also lets us understand more about the local culture.

So, if you are visiting Budapest, make sure to try as many Hungarian dishes as possible. Dishes with meat are very popular in Hungary, but in recent years, you can find more and more restaurants with vegan and vegetarian dishes.

Some of the best Hungarian dishes I recommend you to try (apart from goulash) are: pörkölt (beef stew), stuffed cabbage, chicken paprikash, hortobágyi pancake (savoury pancakes), lángos (deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese), and chimney cake (sweet dessert).

In Hungary, we don’t use as many spices as, for example, in India. The main spices we use is salt, pepper and paprika. Paprika is one of the traditional spices being used in Hungary, and you can buy small packets of it at markets in Budapest that also serve as a nice gift to take back home.

Some of my favourite restaurants for Hungarian food in Budapest:

• Gettó Gulyás
• Paprika Vendéglő
• Rosenstein
• Retró Lángos