Top Things To Do In Budapest

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourists enjoying the picturesque views of Budapest from a lookout point

Top things to do in Budapest

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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Wondering what to do in Budapest?

With breathtaking Baroque buildings risen up during the Hungarian capital’s 19th-century “golden age” and elegant boulevards that have inspired the nickname “the Paris of the East”, Budapest is beauty personified. The things to do in Budapest reveal a city that’s an architectural treasure trove in the truest sense. Whether you choose to admire Roman and Renaissance buildings, stroll along the banks of the sparkling Danube, “take the waters” in the city’s abundance of centuries-old hot springs, or experience this living museum’s contemporary attractions (its famous nightlife, boho boroughs, and fantastic food), the things to do in Budapest are a sheer delight.

Meet some of our Budapest local hosts

Agnes

Budapest

Cultural enthusiast and foodie with insider knowledge of Budapest’s rich history and vibrant arts scene.

Maria

Budapest

Richard

Budapest

Art and culture enthusiast with a deep understanding of Budapest's vibrant social scene, and a passion for exploring the city's Pest Centre and bar culture.

Krisztian

Budapest

Friendly and experienced local guide with insider knowledge of Budapest's vibrant nightlife, art scene, and diverse food culture, perfect for those looking to explore the city's dynamic social scene.

Balazs

Budapest

History buff and foodie with insider tips on Budapest’s stunning architecture, lively pubs, and charming coffee houses.

Tangible history

Budapest may be absolutely beautiful, but much of the city’s charm lies in its grit, forged under years of communist rule. Pieces of the city’s turbulent past are starkly visible throughout its streets, adding another layer of complexity and some unexpected things to do in Budapest. This is a place where opulent century-old mansions and cobbled medieval streets exist peacefully alongside “ruin bars” (clubs and drinking holes housed inside the crumbling courtyards of dilapidated pre-war buildings), WWII buildings riddled with bullet holes, and memories of Hungary’s chilling terror regimes.

Tourists browsing a typical food market in Budapest

Hungry for Hungary

There's more to Hungarian food than goulash (although it’s a must-try), and Budapest is the perfect place to try the very best of the country’s cuisine. Many things to do in Budapest revolve around food, so you certainly won’t struggle to find some incredible bites. Try traditional dishes like spreadable bone marrow, dip made with sheep’s milk cheese, and an indulgent dessert of three different flavors of sponge cake. But of all the foodie things to do in Budapest, sampling lángos, the street food staple of fried dough, shredded cheese, and sour cream, might be the most delicious of all.

Tourists enjoying the sunset on a bridge over Danube river in Budapest

Budapest by night

When the sun sets, the list of things to do in Budapest gets even longer. The city is known for having some of the best nightlife in all of Europe – no small feat, but Budapest delivers. From ramshackle ruin bars (an iconic institution) to the sleekest, most sophisticated nightclubs, all types of revelers are rewarded. Whether you fancy a drink at a rooftop bar high up in an Art Nouveau masterpiece, a wild party at a buzzing nightclub, or a drink and pastry at a coffee house that only closes at midnight, the Hungarian capital city is brimming with memorable things to do.

Budapest travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Budapest and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

We loved our experience in Budapest with Lorinc! We wanted to see parts of the city that we would otherwise miss and he took us to the city park, which was mentioned briefly in our Lonely Planet Guide, so we really would not have considered going. Our kids LOVED the playground there, it really is one of the best playgrounds we've ever been to. And Lorinc was super knowledgeable about the history of Budapest and gave us a lot of context which helped us understand the city much better. It was also super interesting to hear him talk about his life there. We were also so surprised that he spoke fluent Japanese, so we had some chats in Japanese too, so that made us connect with him even more. It was so obvious that see that Lorinc loves Budapest and we really enjoyed spending the morning with him. His recommendations for a secret teahouse and the best restaurant we ate at were priceless! If you visit Budpest, make sure to ask for Lorinc.

April 2025

Yunna T
This was a well-led walk through some of Budapest’s lively neighborhoods. Guide Agnes quickly adapted her plans to match up with my interests, making it a very personalized experience. We sampled food, discussed local art, culture and history, and all in a relaxed way. This is a great way to experience a city for the first time.

April 2025

Michael B
I was pleased with how quickly Agnes got acquainted with me so she could craft a unique and personally valuable tour of essential highlights —not just with food but with visual arts, historical background and things unique to Budapest. It was a relaxing and tasty way to experience a lot of the city in a short time.

April 2025

Michael B
In very broad strokes, I had a general understanding of Hungary's history. But, since this was our first visit to Budapest, I wanted a crash course on Hungarian history, culture and politics. Our tour guide Lőrinc was the perfect man for the task. He had checked in with us prior to the tour and knew of our interests. So, he crafted a special tour for us that focused on the ancient, Medieval and modern history of Hungary. Absolutely fascinating! I don't remember the names of the founding tribes or the early kings of Hungary (other than the first Christian King, Saint Stephen), but I can't wait to get home and learn more about Hungary and its people. Thank you Lőrinc for an incredible tour!

April 2025

Javier A