Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is extremely popular among the locals, but even more so among tourists visiting Hungary.
This bustling, big city takes a prominent place on the bucket list of travelers around the world every year, and this is not a coincidence at all. In recent years, Budapest has become one of the most important tourist destinations in Europe, a huge metropolis with plenty of events and cultural and historical attractions.
Here you will surely find something to your liking, be it architecture, painting, hiking, partying, studying or gastronomy. Like other big cities around the world, limousine sightseeing is becoming more and more popular in Budapest among tourists. In the following article, we have collected the ten world-famous tourist attractions – the top 10 things to see in Budapest – that are definitely worth a trip if you are in Budapest.
It’s not a problem if you spend only 1-2 days in the capital of Hungary, these sights can be comfortably covered in one day while traveling on the comfortable leather seat of a limousine.
Top 10 places to visit in Budapest
The following well-known sights are featured in plenty of pictures and articles published in foreign press, but of course, it is a completely different experience to see them up close.
They also offer stunning views during the day, but some are well worth a visit in the evening when city lights are shining bright. Next to the names of the attractions, you will find their Hungarian names to make it easier to identify them on the map.
1. Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út)
Andrássy Avenue is undoubtedly the most beautiful boulevard in Budapest. Its construction expected to last up to five years, and it was one of the main venue of the millennium celebrations of Hungary. In 2002, it became a World Heritage Site. Even then, it was a must-see attraction of the city.
The road was designed by dividing its length of more than 2300 meters into three well-separable parts (Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út-Oktogon, Oktogon-Kodály Körönd, Kodály Körönd-Hősök Tere). It was designed this way because the lower and more ornate buildings are said to prepare the visitor for the tranquility of the City Park after the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Especially in the pre-Christmas, Advent period, it’s worth seeing it in the evening when the city lights are shining. Magical!
2. Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere)
The history of one of the most visited and undeniably the most spacious square began at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, and today it is very popular among photographers and tourists.
It is easily recognizable for its characteristic statues depicting Archangel Gabriel, the seven chieftains of the Hungarians, and many important Hungarian historical figures.
You can also find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier here. If you walk around Heroes’ Square, you may come across delicious snacks. The restaurant here offers wonderful views of the City Park’s Lake and Vajdahunyad Castle. The menu includes everything from traditional Hungarian dishes to light delicacies, and they use premium quality ingredients. The service is extremely attentive and kind, and the restaurant welcomes guests with small children and pets.
3. Citadel (Citadella)
Although it was used for military purposes in the past, the Citadel has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, providing access to the most beautiful views of the capital.
The building complex with the legendary Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous historical monuments on Gellért Hill, which is often called the jewel of Budapest.
The building is 220 meters wide and has a wall height of about 16 meters. Few know that the place, known mainly as a historical monument and lookout, has many protected natural values. A part of the capital’s drinking water supply (80 million liters) is stored in the belly of the mountain, and the reservoir can be visited at certain times.
4. Castle Garden Bazaar (Várkert Bazár)
The buildings of the Castle Garden Bazaar, renovated in 2014, currently host exhibitions, literary and dance events, and many other cultural, music and children’s programs.
It also serves as a popular event venue. But perhaps many do not even think that it was a vibrant cultural spot of the city during the second half of the 20th century. A multifunctional event hall, an underground garage and an escalator have also been built, as well as perhaps the most expensive and most decorative public toilet in Budapest. The Neo-Renaissance style building complex is a characteristic highlight of the Buda panorama.
5. Buda Castle District / Matthias Church (Budai várnegyed / Mátyás-templom)
The Buda Castle District is a World Heritage Site. Its above-ground buildings and cobbled streets are magical, but the cohesive cellar system under the castle, and the caves filled with thermal water are also worth a visit.
The Holy Trinity Square, the Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion are must-see tourist attractions. Under the Buda Castle, in the depths of the castle hill, a 10 km long cave and cellar system meanders, and on the eve of World War II, a shelter and a hospital were established in the deep. For a long time, the Hospital in the Rock was a secret underground object.
Today, the largest exhibition of wax figures in the country presents the history of the Secret Hospital and Nuclear Bunker, the development of military medicine, and the operation of the military hospital. The Gothic-style Matthias Church is the oldest church in Budapest and has been the scene of prominent events of Hungarian history for centuries.
6. Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd)
The construction of the oldest bridge in Budapest was initiated by Count István Széchenyi, its length is 380 m and it is 14.5 m wide. The bridge, built between 1839-49, was the most outstanding technical construction of its time.
During the existence of the Chain Bridge, it became one of the most defining symbols of Budapest, and its photograph is an almost indispensable element of the presentation materials about Budapest or Hungary. It is worth seeing it at night, as it is quite a stunning sight when the city lights are on.
7. Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd)
The Liberty Bridge was the third (and also the shortest) bridge in the city after the Chain Bridge and the Margaret Bridge. Its unmistakable metal structure makes it one of the most unique bridges of Budapest.
In recent years, it has been closed to car traffic during the summer, making it a popular picnic spot. The Great Market Hall on Fővám Square is located at the Pest end, and Gellért Hill rises on the other side of the Danube.
8. Parliament (Parlament)
It is not a coincidence that the building of the Hungarian Parliament is ranked among the most beautiful parliaments in the world. It is built in a neo-Gothic style similar to the Houses of Parliament in London, but also bears Baroque and Renaissance features.
The monumental building – 268 meters long – is a magnificent sight day and night from all sides.
9. Müpa and the National Theatre (MÜPA, Nemzeti színház)
Müpa is the leading cultural institution in Budapest and Hungary. It is characterized by the fact that it is a permanent home for practitioners and lovers of three different branches of art: music, visual and theater.
The exterior of the building is characterized by simple lines, an almost complete absence of decorative elements and huge, continuous glass surfaces. When the city lights are on, it is a fabulous sight, just like the National Theater, “the citadel of culture”.
The square in front of the main entrance of the theater extends like a boat to an artificial water surface, which can be interpreted as an extension of the Danube. Both buildings are home to high quality cultural programs throughout the year.
10. St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István Bazilika)
One of the most beautiful and famous sights of the capital is the St. Stephen’s Basilica that even the locals admire every time they pass by. It offers a wonderful view day and night and its vibrant environment makes it a must-see place in Budapest.
The building is named after the Hungarian founding king, St. Stephen, whose right hand, the Holy Right, is kept here as a relic.
With its height of 96 meters, the building is one of the tallest buildings in the country.