5 Reasons to Travel to Budapest
Budapest is a city that offers something for everyone. Its history is reflected in its architecture and events, its nightlife is loud and edgy, and it’s a place where you can relax after a long day of exploring.
You can explore Roman ruins, Castle Hill and the Jewish District to get a feel for this city’s rich culture. Or you can enjoy a performance at an opera and then dine in one of the city’s historic cafes.
1. The Danube River at Night
A cruise along the Danube River is a must-do when visiting Budapest. With some of the city's most renowned monuments lit up by night, it's an incredible sight to witness.
Take a sightseeing cruise on the legendary blue Danube and sail between the Buda and Pest sides of Budapest to see the Chain Bridge and Elisabeth Bridge, admire the Budapest Parliament Building, take in the beauty of Buda Castle, and circle Margaret Island. Enjoy the sights from a multilingual audio guide while sipping a drink of your choice on this 1-hour evening tour.
This is a wonderful way to spend the night in Budapest, whether you're staying for just a few nights or an entire vacation! You'll be able to soak in the beauty of Budapest's most famous landmarks by night as well as experience the city's vibrant culture and cuisine!
You can choose from a wide range of river cruises when you travel to Budapest. Many offer a variety of amenities including onboard dining, bars, and comfortable cabins. Some even feature balconies and panoramic windows for added views of the river.
If you're looking for a shorter option, you can also opt for a night cruise that takes place during sunset. This is a great option if you've been out all day and want to relax in the warmth of the boat while taking in the beauty of Budapest.
Depending on the time of year you're visiting, there are plenty of opportunities to go on a night cruise in Budapest. Early Autumn is generally considered to be the best time of year for a Danube River cruise as daytime highs are still reasonably warm but the tourist crowds have thinned out and prices are usually much more affordable.
If you're looking for a longer sightseeing tour, you can also book a cruise that includes dinner. This is a fantastic opportunity to sample Hungary's delicious wines while cruising the river and enjoying the company of your friends.
It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of Hungary in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Budapest you can rent a car from 15 euros per day.
2. The Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter is one of the most popular places to visit in Budapest and for good reason. It is a mix of regenerated historic landmarks, thriving nightlife and plenty of cool places to eat.
The neighborhood is also home to the largest synagogue in Budapest and is a great place to learn about Hungary’s past and its Holocaust history. Dohany Street Synagogue is a magnificent building that boasts a stunning array of ornate architectural details, beautiful brickwork and gleaming stained glass windows.
You can also find a number of memorials in the neighborhood that commemorate the victims of the Nazi occupation of Hungary. These memorials are a must-see for anyone visiting Budapest and the Jewish Quarter.
As well as the Dohany Street Synagogue, you can also explore a few other Jewish historical buildings in the area. Kazinczy Street Synagogue is another famous structure in Budapest and it has a fascinating history. This synagogue was built in 1872 and is known as the “Status Quo” Synagogue because many of its members did not follow the Neolog Orthodox movement that had split the Jews into two sectarian groups.
If you’re a foodie, you can find plenty of restaurants in the Jewish Quarter that serve kosher food. For example, you can try Hanna Kosher Restaurant or the fully kosher Mazel Tov.
It’s also worth spending some time in the nearby House of Terror Museum – this is a must-visit for those interested in the city’s history and it has a number of exhibits that will help you understand what happened during the Holocaust.
Finally, you can also wander around the neighborhood to see its many beautiful and interesting street art works. Much like London’s Shoreditch, the Jewish Quarter has seen a lot of gentrification over the years which has led to a burgeoning culture of street art here.
If you’re looking to stay in Budapest, Wombats has recently opened a new hostel in the Jewish Quarter that offers private rooms and dorm beds for a fraction of the price. This is the perfect accommodation option for those who want to experience all that the Jewish Quarter has to offer without breaking the bank.
3. Street Art
Budapest is a city full of urban art, from commissioned murals to clandestine guerrilla paste-ups. Old firewalls become huge canvasses for local and international artists' contemporary graffiti, transforming the streets into a public gallery.
The street art scene started to develop after the city went through hard times, and the artists saw that the bland building facades were a perfect canvas for their creative ideas. They soon became well-known for their colourful artworks.
You’ll find a lot of the best street art in Budapest’s 7th District, which is home to some of the city’s most colourful murals. Artists from groups like Neopaint Works, Szines Varos (Colourful City Group) and others have transformed dull building facades with bright, vibrant pieces.
For example, this 1000-sq-m artwork commemorates one of the most important games in Hungary’s soccer history. It also celebrates Hungary’s self-reliance and the baking of bread, which is a symbol of the country’s spirit of communal living.
Other examples of this kind of commissioned work are found all over the city, from the colourful murals lining the walls of the famous ruin bars to the more abstract pieces dotted around the underground oasis of Szimpla Kert. Even more interesting are the mini-statues that are hiding in plain sight all over the place, each one with a story to tell.
The best way to experience all this is to take a walking tour that visits all the major areas of the city and introduces you to some of its most unique features. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the scenery of the city or explore its cultural highlights, a tour is an easy and affordable way to get to know Budapest.
You can also visit museums that focus on specific themes, such as history or the arts. These include the House of Terror Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Center, both of which are popular with tourists. For those interested in history, you can also visit the Dohany Street Synagogue and the Hungarian Jewish Museum. The former is a beautiful Neoclassical building that is worth exploring, while the latter is a great place to learn about the Nazi occupation of Hungary and the fate of the Jews.
4. Day Trips
When you travel to Budapest, there are endless things to see and do. From cruising the Danube and tasting local craft brews to soaking up the culture in one of the city’s umpteen baths, there is something for everyone.
But if you want to experience more than just the city, it’s a good idea to venture outside the capital for some day trips. The country has some great places to visit just a few hours away from Budapest, so you can explore all that Hungary has to offer.
Taking an adventure out of Budapest is a great way to get a more authentic feel for the city, and there are many fantastic destinations that you can easily reach by public transport. Here are a few of our favorite day trips that will take you to some of the best Hungarian sights:
Just under an hour’s drive from Budapest is Tata, a quaint town that’s known for its numerous lakes and mills. The town is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Lake, which is one of the most important bird habitats in Europe.
Another popular destination from Budapest, Esztergom is a picturesque city that sits along the Danube and connects with Slovakia via a bridge. The basilica here is the largest in Hungary and is a must-see.
From there, head over to the castle that used to be the seat of the Hungarian monarchy. Its interiors have been preserved in beautiful condition and are a must-see for architecture enthusiasts.
The surrounding area has several other interesting sites, including a winery that makes its own brand of Hungarian wines. If you’re a fan of wine, this is a great place to go to sample different types of grapes and learn about the process behind the making of Hungarian wines.
Lastly, Miskolc is an interesting city located in the northeast of Hungary. Its 19th-century houses and narrow alleyways make it a fascinating place to stroll around. You’ll also find a few interesting museums, such as the Otto Herman Museum and the National Theatre of Miskolc.