Budapest

View of Hungarian Parliament Building at sunset with yachts on the Danube

Photo Credit: Immortal Shots

The capital and largest city in Hungary, Budapest is a favorite European destination for millions of tourists each year. Once the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this cosmopolitan city and UNESCO World Heritage site has plenty of historical and cultural landmarks to explore.

The prominent Chain Bridge, built in 1849, connected the former villages of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest, separated by the glistening Danube, and led to the establishment of today’s Budapest. Despite extensive destruction to the city during World War II, major efforts to restore historic castles and build new hotels led to an influx of tourists in the decades that followed. Visitors will marvel at the stunning architectural beauty of Budapest’s many cathedrals, basilicas, and synagogues. Climb to the top of famed St. Stephen’s Basilica in Pest to find a spectacular panoramic view of the city, or visit Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue on the continent and a paradigm of Moorish Revival architecture.

A cruise down the mighty Danube will provide ample sightseeing opportunities for many of the city’s most famous attractions. Find the striking Buda Castle, crafted in a Baroque style and once home to Hungarian royalty, in the “Castle District” of Castle Hill and old-town Budapest, not to mention a host of galleries, museums, and the Hungarian National Library. The Hungarian Parliament building, resembling the Neo-Gothic architectural style of London’s Parliament building, lies across the Danube from Buda Castle. Here, guests can visit the crown jewels and regalia of Hungary’s royalty and take guided tours of the building’s many halls. Even the ruins of Budapest have become exciting tourist attractions, including one of many “ruin bars,” Szimpla Kert, which doubles as a flea market and nighttime music bar. Lovers of theater and the arts will appreciate tours of the opulent Hungarian Opera House or authentic folk dancing shows at Danube Palace Theater.

Learn More About Budapest

View of Buda Castle entrance and grounds

Photo Credit: Waldo Miguez

Buda Castle

Sitting atop Castle Hill, the original Buda Castle was primarily built between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries for Hungarian royalty. Many conflicts in the following centuries laid waste to this castle and its successive restorations, the latest iteration restored after battles waged between the Germans and Soviets in World War II. Nevertheless, this Baroque-style palace has persisted, and today’s Buda Castle is one of the most important monuments which give Budapest its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ruins of the original castle still remain in the city’s Castle District, while the monolithic Buda Castle continues to be a popular stop for guided educational tours.

View of Chain Bridge, lion statues, and Danube at night

Photo Credit: hince

Chain Bridge

Closing the divide between the Buda and Pest embankments flanking the Danube River, Budapest's Chain Bridge is the city's original and most recognizable bridge. Two regal lion statues welcome those who traverse the bridge, which offers a spectacular view of Buda Castle and provides easy access to many popular tourist attractions throughout the city center.

View of parliament building, city, and Danube

Photo Credit: Mircea Iancu

Hungarian Parliament Building

Hues of gold and red paint the magnificent Hungarian Parliament building, adorned with intricate Gothic-style spires and a prominent central dome. Constructed in the late nineteenth-century, the Parliament building exemplifies the superb architectural and ornate beauty that can be found throughout Budapest. While the Parliament building hosts active sessions of the National Assembly, it is accessible to the public for guided tours during select hours.

View of St. Stephens Basilica at night

Photo Credit: Immortal Shots

St. Stephen's Basilica

The eminent St. Stephen’s Basilica sits in the center of bustling Budapest and is the city’s largest basilica. The namesake of King Stephen, the first ruler of Hungary, St. Stephen’s Basilica showcases a variety of architectural and cultural treasures, including a relic of St. Stephen himself. Be sure to explore the basilica’s dome for an impressive and expansive view of the city below. Visit the Hall of Knights for a chance to see new art exhibitions and listen to a melodic organ performance.

Getting Around

The best ways of navigating Budapest are walking and public transit. Taxis and rideshare services also operate here.

Upon walking around Budapest, visitors will find that they can easily walk between the city's must-see sights.

The mass transit system, BKK, runs trains, buses, trams and more. Purchase tickets at newspaper stands or a metro station and validate them immediately upon boarding.

View of Christmas Market near St. Stephen's Basilica

Photo Credit: Krisztian Tabori

Advent Christmas Fair

Budapest’s annual Advent Christmas Fair takes place steps from St. Stephen’s Basilica every winter season. A canopy of twinkling lights hovers over the marketplace, which offers authentic cuisine and holiday goods for sale. The lighting of traditional Advent candles occurs each Sunday during the Fair.