1. Admire the stunning Chain Bridge

Besides the undisputed fact that it was the first permanent bridge that connected the districts of Buda and Pest, it genuinely is an iconic piece of architecture to both Budapest and Hungary.

Back in 1849, when the Chain Bridge opened, it was among the largest in the world and was therefore considered one of the wonders of the world during that time.

Unfortunately, the bridge was unable to cope with the German explosions during the Siege of Budapest in World War II. With great luck, the towers remained unscathed, which eventually initiated a reconstruction of the Chain Bridge in 1949.

Nowadays, it is unlikely to get bored by the captivating bridge. We ourselves crossed it numerous times while switching between Buda and Pest, and were intrigued by the architecture again and again.

2. Walk the Fisherman’s Bastion

Established on the hillside of Budapest is the magnificently designed Fisherman’s Bastion.

With its breathtaking panoramic views over the entire city and its fairytale-like architecture, we quickly realised why it is one of the best-known historical sites in Budapest.

Legend has it that the ornate Fisherman’s Bastion owes its name to a medieval guild of fishermen, who were held responsible for preserving this part of the city.

On the upper terrace, you’ll find seven Hogwarts-like turrets, which symbolise the seven Hungarian tribes that founded contemporary Hungary in 895.

To beat the massive crowds that pass the Fisherman’s Bastion from dusk till dawn, we recommend a visit well before opening time. Going outside the opening hours has one other significant benefit: it grants free access to the bastion’s upper terrace.

3. Marvel at the Mathias Church

One of Budapest’s finest churches is the towering Matthias Church, found directly after the aforementioned Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest’s medieval castle district.

The splendour that characterises the Matthias Church is largely acquired by the beautifully coloured roof tiles and its distinctive geometric patterns.

The florid late Gothic style church holds captivating stories from more than 700 years of history while also housing an impressive ecclesiastical art collection.

The interior of the church is defined by its ornate details and is decorated with fascinating frescoes, including pieces that respectively represent the Renaissance and Ottoman reign.

If you have enough time, we sincerely advise taking a look inside.

4. Visit the Hungarian Parliament Building

Standing tall on the eastern shore of the Danube is the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building, which is often referred to as one of the most attractive government buildings in the world.

Although the Hungarian Assembly still gathers here regularly, the Parliament welcomes visitors who desire to admire the building’s impressive architecture and opulent interior.

The interior of the building is absolutely breathtaking; the ornate Dome Hall, marble-lined Grand Stairway and the Holy Crown of Hungary just to mention a few.

The only way to gain entrance to the Parliament’s elegant interior is by joining a guided tour.

If you’re keen on joining a guided tour, I highly recommend booking your tour well in advance.

For those on a budget or tight schedule, the simple pleasure of roaming around the building is, without a doubt, worthy of your time.

Therefore, we recommend adding it to your schedule of things to do in Budapest.

5. Shoes on the Danube Promenade

For me, travelling is more than simply chasing beautiful destinations. I see it, in fact, as the perfect opportunity to learn, reflect and grow as a human being.

For that reason alone, I cannot emphasise it enough to pay a tribute to Budapest’s most touching monument.

On the banks of the Danube, you’ll find a memorial that reminds you of one of the most tragic events of the 20th-century, what therefore always remain a dark page in the history of mankind.

A trail of cast-iron shoes honours thousands of Jewish people that were forced to take off their shoes, before being executed during world war II.

Despite the cruel history that occurred along the riverbank, the sculptor succeeded in turning it into a serene place where people remember those who lost their lives.

6. St. Stephen’s Basilica

If you ask us, a trip to Budapest simply wouldn’t be complete without bringing a visit to Hungary’s most sacred Catholic church.

The St. Stephen’s Basilica is designed in Neo-Classical-Style and is incredibly impressive through the inside and out.

It is the panoramic view from the church’s central dome, its valuable mosaic artwork and detailed frescoes, that ensures it to be one of the most significant tourist attractions in Budapest.

The church’s central dome reaches a height of 96 metres, which is exactly the same as the Budapest Parliament Building.

The equivalence of these significant buildings symbolizes that worldly, religious, and spiritual thinking, have the same value in Hungary.

This specific height also sets the tone for other buildings in Budapest, as it manifested the rule that buildings cannot be built higher than the aforementioned structures.

7. Taste Middle Eastern flavours at Mazel Tov Budapest

Tucked away in the lively streets of the Jewish Quarter, awaits a serene courtyard that houses possibly the most trendy restaurant in Budapest.

Mazel Tov is an open-hearted Israeli restaurant, that serves creatively composed Middle Eastern fusion dishes, which if you tell us, are incredible yum.

We savoured a rich Yemen style chicken soup, spicy sweet potato wedges with green pesto tahini and a freshly cooked Shakshuka, and were positively surprised by the delicious and characteristic flavours.

Not to mention their smoothly mixed signature cocktail, the ‘Tel-Aviv Nights’, which is by far the most delicate cocktail I have drunk so far.

Although Mazel Tov isn’t the traditional ruin bar you’ll expect in Budapest, it still houses a spirited atmosphere, and if you want to be sure of a table, we genuinely advise making a reservation in advance.

8. Unwind in a thermal bath

Budapest is often referred to as the ‘City of Baths’, which the city owes to the thermal baths that are fueled by approximately 120 natural hot springs.

Budapest’s rich bathing culture dates back as far as the 16th century, which is reflected in both the variety and abundance of mineral-rich thermal baths.

If you’re looking to unwind during your city break, there is no better way than a dip in one of the many mineral-rich thermal baths.

The best baths in Budapest include the Széchenyi, Rudas, Gellert, and Király baths, but there are more spread throughout the city.

9. Walk the Szabadság Híd Bridge

The Szabadság Híd Bridge is the shortest bridge you’ll encounter in the city centre, and despite its size, we think the bridge is just as spectacular as its beloved brother, the Chain Bridge.

The marvellous bridge is designed in Art Nouveau style and was the first bridge that made it possible for trams to cross the Danube.

Present-day it connects two of Budapest’s well-known public squares, which are Gellért tér and Fővám tér. On these squares, you’ll respectively find Gellért Hill and the Great Market Hall.

Make sure you witness the yellow trams slowly crossing the Liberty Bridge – as it might result in one of the most iconic photographs of Budapest.

10. Stroll through the Great Market Hall

The Great Market Hall is a multi-story market that houses more than 100 perfectly aligned market stands, making it the largest indoor market in Budapest.

Even though the market is extremely popular among tourists, it somehow managed to preserve its authentic local atmosphere, which we think is quite charming.

While wandering around the market hall, you’ll notice a wide variety of locally grown produce such as fresh fruit, veggies, meat and traditional Hungarian delicacies – including lángos, Tokaj wines and Hungarian paprika.

On the upper section of the market, they sell handicrafts and typical souvenirs for prices specially designed for tourists, not our favourite part, to be honest.

To us, the Great Market Hall is the perfect place to get a feel for the city and its folk.

11. Marvel at the Szabó Ervin Library

Although much information is published online these days, Budapest luckily still places significant value on its exceptional literature and elegant libraries.

The Szabó Ervin Library is said to be the most impressive library in Budapest, and after wandering among the bookshelves ourselves recently, we are safe to say it’s true.

Before the Baroque building was transformed into Budapest’s largest public library, the building served as a private residence of the aristocratic Wenckheim family.

Since its opening in late 1931, the Szabó Ervin Library has become of significant national importance and has risen to become extremely popular among students, professors and academics.

The metropolitan library is still quite a hidden gem to those who travel to Budapest, and not only literally, but also figuratively.

We, accordingly, had a pretty tough time locating the library’s authentic and well-preserved reading rooms, but once we finally did, we were left mesmerised.

13. Have a coffee at New York Cafe

Budapest is home to the profoundly beloved New York Cafe, which is often considered the most beautiful coffeehouse in the world.

The extraordinary cafe that is designed in neo-Renaissance style is situated within the luxury New York Palace Hotel and occupies almost the entire ground floor.

The historic coffeehouse was once the creative heart of Budapest, and many writers, artists and editors gathered here to work on the most influential newspapers.

Today, the New York Cafe is admired by travellers from all over the world, and during our recent visit, we came to realise why.

Although the prices are relatively high, the cafe itself, with its marble columns, opulent interior and spectacular frescoes, easily lives up to its famous reputation.

It truly felt as if we stepped on a ’60s movie set, and it was a delight to take in the vibe.

14. Take the funicular to the Castle District of Budapest

At the foot of Buda Castle, you’ll encounter a historical cable car that transfers people from Adam Clarke Square to the summit of Budapest’s castle district.

The authentic Funicular is well-preserved and retains most of its original design, which dates back as far as the 19th century.

Despite the fact that the funicular is extremely charming, we personally think that the 3-minute ride is too short to be enjoyed and therefore not worth the money.

Instead, you could take a gentle 10-minute walk that will easily take you to the summit of the castle district.

If you somehow do consider making use of the funicular, the cars run every 5 to 10 minutes.

15. Visit Buda Castle

Buda Castle is an eye-catching 13th-century palace that also happens to house the Hungarian National Gallery, the Castle Museum and the National Library.

If you’re willing to receive a glimpse of Hungary’s rich history, walk among the cobblestone pathways that guide you along various distinct architectural elements that date back from Medieval, Baroque and Modern times.

The sensational panoramic views from the summit, make sure that Buda Castle is one of the best vantage points in the city.

The amazing scene over both the Danube and Pest district is something you should definitely take in, especially during sunset.

16. Walk the Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter is unquestionably the liveliest and most dynamic neighbourhood in Budapest, and it’s still developing at a rapid pace.

The buzzing streets of the Jewish Quarter are home to an intriguing mix of trendy places, which I assure you, will pique your interest.

Situated throughout the entire neighbourhood are artisanal bakeries, trendy cafes, hip restaurants, impressive graffiti murals, and, not to mention, Budapest’s notorious ruin bars.

We still think the charm of wandering through its artistic streets and alleyways was the main reason I fell in love with this exciting part of Budapest.

17. Admire Budapest’s street art scene

With amazing murals popping up on just about every corner, Budapest is rapidly becoming known for its refreshing street art scene.

The Jewish Quarter, in particular, is home to an abundance of creatively designed murals made by local and international graffiti artists.

The great thing about street art is that, as you wander around the city, you might surprisingly notice a wall fully covered by an amazing mural.

19. Visit the Dohany Street Synagogue

The Great Synagogue on Dohany Street is Europe’s largest synagogue and is located directly at the heart of Budapest’s buzzing Jewish Quarter.

Although we’re not religious ourselves, we often admire the extremely detailed architectural aspects of spiritual and sacred buildings, and for that matter, Budapest doesn’t disappoint.

The main facade boasts exquisite brickwork, two exceptional polygonal towers and an elegant stained glass rose window above the entrance.

The synagogue has a mysterious, yet breathtaking interior, which combines Byzantine and Moorish elements, including the sumptuous organ and the impressive Holy Ark.

20. Climb Gellért Hill

It is said to be the most scenic perspective of the city as it reveals the entire skyline of Budapest, including the untamed Danube that separates Buda and Pest.

Perched atop of the 235-metre high hill and visible from multiple parts of the city is the towering Liberty statue.

The statue of a woman holding a palm leaf commemorates those who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, and prosperity of Hungary.

Gellért Hill will definitely add a little extra value to your city break to Budapest, so make sure to climb the steep hill, especially if you have some unplanned time in your travel schedule.

21. Explore Heroes Square

At the stretch of Budapest’s lush city park lies the impressive Heroes’ Square.

The grand square is home to 14 impressive statues that respectively honour the lives of those who were of significant importance throughout the rich history of Hungary.

In the centre of the square, you’ll mark the towering Millennium Monument, a 36-metre high column topped by a golden Archangel Gabriel, displaying the Hungarian crown.

The rich history that is found at Heroes’ Square is enhanced by the creative company of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art.