Things to Do in Budapest: One City, Two Banks, Three Perfect Days

Think Buda and Pest are basically the same place? Buda and Pest are different in all the right ways, yet together, they make Budapest feel like a city with two personalities and one very good love story. While one charms you with hills and history, the other pulls you into buzzing streets and late-night adventures. There are plenty of things to do in Budapest, from relaxing in steaming thermal baths to exploring quirky ruin bars and watching the Parliament light up along the Danube.

On the Buda side, Fisherman’s Bastion welcomes you with fairytale arches and golden dawn light that might tempt you to put your camera away and simply stare. Across the river, Pest brings the energy, the cafés, and plenty of reasons to keep wandering. Spent the morning clocking up steps? Head to Széchenyi’s outdoor pools, where clouds of steam rise above the water and doing absolutely nothing suddenly feels like a very sensible plan. When you’re ready to explore again, step into Szimpla Kert, where battered furniture, curious keepsakes, and layered interiors reveal a different chapter of Budapest’s past.

Come evening, watch the Hungarian Parliament glow along the Danube, because apparently, even buildings know how to set the mood. Are you ready to fall for the city yourself? Browse our Europe tour packages and start planning your Hungarian getaway.

Budapest at a Glance

Buda: The Hill Morning

Start your morning on Castle Hill, Budapest’s historic hilltop district, where centuries of Hungarian history unfold along cobbled streets. Begin at Buda Castle, first completed in 1265 as a royal residence and expanded by successive Hungarian kings before suffering damage and reconstruction through the centuries. Next, head to Fisherman’s Bastion, built between 1899 and 1902, whose seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes traditionally associated with Hungary’s founding. 

You can plan to arrive around sunrise to photograph its white-stone arches and the Parliament across the Danube before tour groups gather. Finish at Matthias Church, dating to the 13th century, known for its colourful tiled roof and royal coronations. Allow 2–3 hours for all three stops, then stop at a nearby café or bakery for a taste of a traditional Hungarian breakfast of freshly baked pogácsa or kakaós csiga. 

Pest: The Grand Flat

If Buda feels like stepping into a medieval storybook, Pest is where Budapest puts on its grand-city show. The hills give way to broad boulevards, monumental buildings, elegant cafés, and neighbourhoods that stay lively long after sunset. Here, you can admire the Hungarian Parliament’s elaborate Gothic Revival façade, climb to the dome of St. Stephen’s Basilica, stroll along Andrássy Avenue towards Heroes’ Square, and finish among the Jewish Quarter’s street art, cafés, and famous ruin bars. 

The Thermal-Bath Decision

One of the most unique things to do in Budapest is bathing in naturally heated thermal waters, a tradition dating back centuries to Roman times and later shaped by Ottoman bathing culture. No trip feels quite complete without a soak! Széchenyi Thermal Bath is ideal for first-timers, with steaming outdoor pools and grand yellow architecture. Rudas Thermal Bath offers a more historic experience, featuring an Ottoman-era domed pool and rooftop bathing with city views. You can book Széchenyi or Rudas ahead. But don’t forget to pack swimwear and flip-flops, and allow two to three hours to unwind between sightseeing stops. 

The Budapest Evening

If you enjoy nightlife with a twist, Budapest’s ruin bars might be one of the most eclectic experiences you try in Europe. Back in the early 2000s, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter gave abandoned buildings a second life as ruin bars. Step inside, and you’ll find crumbling walls, forgotten courtyards, and mismatched furniture at every turn. Add quirky artwork, vintage knick-knacks, and colorful lights, and you have a nightlife scene that’s anything but ordinary. 

You can start at Szimpla Kert, where every corner has its own personality. Grab a drink, wander between rooms, and soak up the wonderfully chaotic atmosphere. Unlike polished cocktail lounges, ruin bars celebrate the imperfect, the unexpected, and the wonderfully weird. Arrive early to explore before the crowds roll in. 

And if you’re staying another day, don’t miss a Danube River cruise in Budapest. Watching the illuminated Parliament, Buda Castle, and historic bridges from the water is a magical way to see the city after dark.

Eat Here: Market Hall to Langos

You can’t leave Budapest without trying its paprika-rich comfort food! Start at the Great Market Hall, where you can grab lángos, a crispy fried flatbread topped with garlic, sour cream, and cheese. If you want a proper meal, try gulyás, Hungary’s hearty beef soup, or chicken paprikash served with dumplings. These dishes reflect the country’s long culinary traditions and Central European influences. Got a sweet tooth? Pick up a kürtőskalács (chimney cake), a slice of Dobos torte, or some fruit-filled rétes (strudel). Vegetarian? Look for mushroom dishes, vegetable főzelék, or cheese-topped lángos, but ask about lard and meat stock. Head to the market for snacks or Hungarikum Bisztró for traditional Hungarian meals; try Napfényes for plant-based options.