Budapest: 10 sights you must experience is written by Lea Rose Nielsen Busch
Your guide to Budapest and the city's sights
The capital of Hungary is known for its beautiful buildings, lively nightlife, wild shopping and of course their Michelin-starred restaurants with exceptionally cheap prices.
The historic city is perfect for a weekend trip, where you can get completely down in gear in one of the thermal baths in Budapest or give it gas in one of the iconic ruin bars with a draft beer for just 3 kroner.
Budapest is full of surprises. What probably surprises the most are the city's buildings - you can spend hours enjoying them. The more you explore the city's hidden spots, the more you fall for the city's charms. Budapest vibrates with an indescribable energy, and there are plenty of recommended sights and experiences. Here they come.
The Ruin Bars of District 7
Budapest is known for the unique 'ruin bars' and lively nightlife in District 7, which is also called Erzsébetváros. Although the ruin bars have become one of the most popular sights in Budapest, their history in the city is relatively short.
The unique bars popped up in the early noughties in abandoned, dilapidated buildings in the historic Jewish Quarter. At first, many were afraid that they would be closed again due to the attractive location of the buildings, but the urban and original bars were allowed to stay, and today they are an iconic part of Budapest.
Szimpla Kert is one of the well-known ruin bearers, and it is a shame to see the length of the queue and the prices there. But Szimpla Kert is worth a visit as it is in my opinion also one of the most beautiful ruin bars in Budapest.
Take a tour of District 7 and experience the atmosphere of the city. Here you can find lots of bars and nightclubs such as Morrisons, Ankert and Telep Bar, where you can get a draft beer for 3 kroner.
In many of the bars you will find a slightly wild room division, where you can sing karaoke at one end and play at the other beer pong. Gozsdu Udvar, which is a cozy pedestrian street inside the city, is clearly also worth a visit for an evening walk.
Budapest and the thermal baths
Budapest is known for the city's many thermal baths, of which the baths in Széchenyi are probably the most well-known and popular - at least among tourists. The Széchenyi Baths are surrounded by beautiful, iconic yellow buildings that make you feel like you're stepping back in time.
The Széchenyi Thermal Baths have become one of the most iconic sights in Budapest, and when you step into the warm waters surrounded by the beautiful historic architecture, you'll understand why. However, the popularity of the famous baths also means that they are very well visited. It is probably the thermal bath in Budapest with the most visitors, so it can quickly get overrun.
The Gellért Baths, which is also one of the big thermal baths in the city, were for me quieter and cleaner and a better choice than the Széchenyi. If you want to escape the large crowds, they are a good alternative to the Széchenyi Baths.
My favorite thermal bath was Rudas. It is significantly smaller than the other two mentioned, but much higher quality. In addition, the Rudas baths are located with a formidable view over the Danube, which winds its way through Budapest. Experience the view from a glass dome on the top floor – a better place with a more beautiful view to enjoy a drink is hard to find.
Michelin experiences for a candy
Budapest is paradise for foodies. You can get great food all over the city and there are plenty of options, whether you want to try classic Hungarian dishes like goulash or something international.
At the popular and traditional Hungarian restaurant Huzar you will have one of the best experiences. The restaurant is located some distance from the inner city, but it is definitely worth a visit. There is always live music in the restaurant, and the place is full of charm - and with people, so remember to book a table.
I was particularly fond of Budapest's many street food markets. 'Karavan' is super cozy, but also touristy. In Karavan I fell for the vegan 'Vegan Garden', which in my opinion is an overlooked gem in Budapest.
At District 7, I discovered the equally vegan Kozmosz Étterem; the friendliest cellar where they serve food that is both cheap and delicious.
If you are ready to try a Michelin restaurant, there is plenty to choose from in Budapest. Borkonyha can definitely be recommended and here you get a great dining experience. For a side dish with seven dishes and a wine menu, we got rid of 900 kroner. It may seem like a half-baked dinner, but it does not approach a Michelin-starred dinner Denmark.
Sjumping in Budapest
If the holiday to Budapest is to be combined with a little shopping, you have come to the right city, because the shopping possibilities are almost endless. There is, of course, Budapest's classic shopping street Váci utca, where you will find brands such as H&M and Zara. The Andrássy út shopping street is for those who want to shop luxury brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
WestEnd City Center is quite a bit cheaper than Budapest's central shopping street. It is probably the best-known shopping center in Budapest and the shopping opportunities are many.
At the weekends, there are also quite a few markets in Budapest, where you can shop for everything from specialties to arts and crafts and clothes.
If you would like to bring Hungarian specialties home in your suitcase, you must make your way past the large market hall – or Central Market Hall, as it is also called. The market hall is just a stone's throw from the Szabadsag bridge on the Pest side, so it's easy to get to. In the Market Hall you will find Budapest's largest selection of Hungarian specialties and plenty of delicious street food.
The most iconic sights in Budapest
There are many different attractions in Budapest, whether you are into historical architecture, beautiful castles and churches, museums or wellness, there is something for every taste. Go for a walk along the Danube and visit some of the city's major tourist attractions, which are located along the water.
Visit the Parliament, the Fisherman's Bastion in Buda Castle and the fortress Cittadella. Cross the river along the iconic chain bridge, which in the mid-1800th century became the first bridge connecting the two districts of Buda and Pest on either side of the Danube.
You can also go on a boat trip on the Danube and see the beautiful city from a completely new side, or enjoy a quiet break from the many attractions in Budapest in the city's green pearl – Margrethe Island.
Budapest is a charming and lively city - there is entertainment for all tastes.
Have a good trip to Budapest!
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You must experience that in Budapest
- Experience Budapest's famous ruin bars in District 7
- Relax in one of the many thermal baths in Budapest
- Take a walk along the Danube and enjoy the beautiful buildings
- Visit the Parliament
- Cross the iconic chain bridge connecting Buda and Pest
- Get a Michelin experience for a treat
- Make your way past Heltepladsen
- See Fisherman's Bastion
- Take the trip up Géllert Hill
- Enjoy the tranquility on Margrethe island
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