Places to visit in Budapest: get to know 7 unforgettable walking tours in Budapest, one of the cheapest and most beautiful capitals of Europe
Melissa Freitas from @maladememorias, went to the hungarian capital and told us her experience, selecting some of the best places to visit in Budapest. Check it out!
Budapest is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The place that was once the scenery of many massacres and had a sad history of persecution during World War II stands out today with its charming architecture and remarkable history. A very curious fact about the hungarian capital is that it is cut by the Danube river, that separates the city into two sides: Buddha and Pest, but each one has unique and striking characteristics.
The two sides have very unusual contrasts, where beautiful architecture sometimes share space with very old buildings that seem to have stopped in time, like some train stations.
Visit Hot Spring
Visiting a hot spring is one of the best things to do in Budapest, because there are more than 30 options to choose. Visiting the city without going to any Hot Spring is the same as going to Paris and not visiting the Eiffel Tower.
The most famous in Budapest is Széchnyi, which is also Europe\’s largest thermal water spa, the place is huge and it deserves at least 3 hours of your attention. There are several outdoor and indoor pools as well as saunas, so take your time. But bring your own towels and personal hygiene items to save money, so you don’t have to rent them there.
Go to The Buda Castle and See One of The Best Views of Budapest
It’s possible to see the majestic Buddha Castle, also known as the royal palace that used to be home to several hungarian kings, from far away. Nowadays, Buda Castle houses the Széchényi Library, the History Museum of Budapest and the Hungarian National Gallery.
Besides being wonderful by itself, the castle also offers one of the best views of Budapest, making it even more impressive, combining history, architecture and amazing views. It is one of the essential walking tours in Budapest.
How to get to the Buda Castle?
- The cheapest way to get to the Buda Castle is walking through the path.
- Going up to the funicular Budavari Sikló. This is the coolest option, the route is a little fast, but it has a beautiful view. Is costs around 1200 guilders per trip, and you still have to buy a return ticket.
See The Great Hungarian Parliament Up Close
The famous parliament of Budapest, better yet, the National Assembly of Hungary, is an iconic monument and the main tourist attraction of the city. What few people know is that more than 190 members of the Hungarian Parliament work within this building, not counting the staff, totaling more than 800 people.
Among the things to do in Budapest, you should try to see the parliament from different angles. The best views are from the Buda Castle, Fisherman\’s Bastion, Chain Bridge or even in front of it. Another tip is to pass by during the night, because the lights of the Parliament make the city glow.
If you have any free time, I recommend taking the guided tour through the parliament, just go to the official website to schedule it beforehand. The tour lasts about 40 minutes and costs around 17 euros for non-EU residents.
Cross The Chain Bridge
Another thing to do in Budapest is to walk across the Chain Bridge. The bridge goes through the Danube river and connects Buda and Pest. While it was being constructed, It was once considered one of the wonders of the world. As well as the beauty of the bridge itself, the views from up there are magnificent.
Meet The Fisherman\’s Bastion
Halászbástya, also known as Fisherman\’s Bastion is one of the monuments that I liked the most in Budapest. It was built between 1895 and 1902 and was a tribute to the seven Magyar tribes that were responsible for founding Hungary in the year 896. The monument is set on the hill of Buda Castle, as well as Matthias Church, and has one of the most beautiful views of the city for tourists and locals who pass by.
Shoes on The Danube River
Another of the best places to visit in Budapest is beside the Danube River near the European Parliament, where you will come across about 60 pairs of iron shoes. They represent the Jews who were murdered during the winter of 1944 and 1945, when the hungarian nazi party put them on a line and shoot everyone.
This simple gesture created by the filmmaker Can Togay and carved by Gyula Pauer carries the sad past of the country, influenced by Nazi ideals. I confess that it is difficult to hold in tears there and people leave flowers and candles in the monument until today, as a way of honoring the lives that were lost there.
Enjoy The Wonderful Gothic Architecture Of Matthias Church
Matthias Church is a catholic church that was built in the Gothic style in the second half of the XIVth century, and stands in front of the Fisherman\’s Bastion. Like many other constructions in Budapest, the Matthias Church is imposing and grandiose and is worth a stop to enjoy the view. These are only few of the best places to visit in Budapest, but the hungarian capital has much more to offer, it would take at least 3 full days to get a good sense of the city. Enjoy that it is much cheaper than other european capitals and put it in your next destination list.