Top Things To Do In Budapest

Tailoring each tour 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

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

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

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Local guide showing tourists around Budapest on a historical tour of the city

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

Very nice tour and he took us to a fantastic strudel shop!

April 2024

Judy T
Richard was flexible, informative, and entertaining as he lead eight of us on a 4 hour private tour. We had proposed an ambitious tour through the Jewish Quarters to City Park and back. However, as we approached City Park and began to flag, he adjusted our plan so that instead of walking back to the hotel we took the underground, which he had told use we should experience, back to city center and closer to our Hotel. Our party peppered Richard with questions and discussions about how Budapest compared to other cities, the origins of the Hungarian language and the Ottoman influences on Budapest. As a history teacher Richard kept the conversation going with interesting insights. We had a physicist amongst use who was ecstatic to hear that Edward Teller went to High School nearby and oohed and awed over the plague on the school listing other Noble laureate scientists who attended the school. Richard knew all the names and the history of the school and scientists. As usual with Viator, arranging the tour, communicating with Richard before hand to customize the tour and meeting up with and being dropped off at the hotel went smoothly and easily.

September 2023

Brian M
Richard took us around town as though we were visiting family. He made the history, [people and life of Hungry and Budapest come alive. He was patient with all our questions and genuinely interested in what we wished to learn rather than follow a scripted tour- can see why it is city 'unscripted'. Richard- thank you! You were amazing. Our 13 and 15 year old loved this as well and were touched by your stories and history. We certainly got to feel and experience the heart beat of this amazing city. THANK YOU!

September 2023

Katherine B
What a spectacular way to experience Budapest! Richard was so knowledgable and he was so patient with all our questions. He navigated the tour on what we were interested in and what we were asking questions about. He was interested n what we wanted to learn about the city rather than just giving us a spell. He chatted to us about life, history and behind the scenes peaks of this amazing country of Hungry and city of Budapest. he made it all come alive, its people and culture so we felt a part of it. It was like being shown around town by your older brothers best friend. THANK YOU RICHARD! We had truely an amazing day!

September 2023

Katherine B