Budapest Holidays & City Breaks

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Budapest weekends & short breaks

Blending tradition, history and entertainment hotspots, holidays in Budapest are a feast for the senses. Marvel at the city’s architecture, enjoy its natural treasures or party at one of its numerous ruin bars.

Straddling the Danube River, Budapest is made up of three separate cities. Buda and Obuda on the west side of the river and Pest on the east. Considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Europe, Budapest has three areas with UNESCO World Heritage status: the Buda Castle district, the banks of the Danube River and the scenic Andrassy Avenue.

Natural thermal baths in Budapest

Often referred to as the City of Spas, Budapest is home to over 115 thermal springs, which supply the city with around 70 million litres of water each day. The most famous of Budapest’s medical baths are the Gellert Baths and the Szechenyi Baths, both of which offer opulent surroundings, thermal pools, as well as steam and massage rooms.

Overview
Things to do
Places to stay

Why book Budapest holidays

Explore the city

Check out the gorgeous Buda Castle, next to the Danube River

Famous square

Visit the iconic Heroes' Square which commemorates leaders of those who founded the country

Fine dining scene

Sample traditional Hungarian cuisine in the capital's best restaurants

Popular with couples

Walk the Chain Bridge in the evenings for extra added romance

Art & culture

Go to the opera or watch an enthralling ballet show

Cultural hotspot not to miss

The city's thermal baths are a must-try experience

Cheap Budapest Holidays

Your guide to Budapest holidays

Out & About

Top 5 things to do in Budapest

Looking for a mix of breathtaking architecture, rich history and spectacular vistas. You will find them on holidays in Budapest.

The most iconic landmark of Budapest, the Buda Castle towers over the city from its perch on Castle Hill. Dating back to the 13th century, the UNESCO World Heritage Site houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
After a busy afternoon of sightseeing, take a stroll around Budapest’s City Park. The area is home to the opulent Vajdahunyad Castle and one of the world’s biggest sand timers.
Walk across the Szechenyi Chain Bridge that connects the Buda and Pest banks of the Danube River. Dating back to 1849, the bridge is not only architecturally interesting but offers lovely views of the city.
The Neo-Classical Stephen’s Basilica is Budapest’s largest and most important church. The highlights here include a 96-meter-high dome and a glass case with the mummified hand of the church’s patron saint and former King of Hungary, St Stephen.
Take in the stunning panoramas of the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill. The Neo-Romanesque terraces were constructed between 1895 and 1902 to commemorate 1,000 years of the Hungarian state.

Nature in Budapest

After a busy day of sightseeing, check out Budapest’s pockets of greenery for a well-deserved dose of nature.

Scattered around the Buda side of the city, the Buda Hills are criss-crossed with numerous hiking trails and biking paths. Take a relaxing stroll in the woods or marvel at the panoramas of the city below.
Nestled between Buda and Pest on the Danube River, the 1.5-mile Margaret Island provides a tranquil getaway in the middle of Budapest. Explore the rose garden, check out the musical fountain or visit the residents of the island’s small zoo.
Running along the Pest side of the Danube River, the promenade is a great vantage point from which to admire Europe’s longest river and the major landmarks on the Buda side of the city.
There are over 200 caves under Budapest, each with fascinating geological formations. The most beautiful and challenging cave to visit is Palvolgyi.

Food & Drink

Food and drink in Budapest

From trendy restaurants to shopping for produce at the local markets, holidays in Budapest have your taste buds well and truly covered.

Those with a sweet tooth should make a beeline for the Szamos Chocolate Museum. Learn about chocolate production before tasting the factory’s range of treats.
Sample some of Hungary’s finest wines at the Faust Wine Cellar underneath the Buda Castle. Don’t leave without trying palinka, a traditional Hungarian fruit liqueur.
For a Michelin-star experience, reserve a table at Babel. The venue serves modern Transilvanian cuisine, including dishes such as quail with wild garlic, mushroom and apricot seeds.
Stock up on fresh produce and local handicrafts at the Great Market Hall. Housed in an 1897 neo-Gothic building, the market is a great place to try traditional Hungarian treats.
With a 200-year history, Ruszwurm Confectionery is the oldest patisserie in the city. The atmospheric store serves cakes, pastries, ice cream and iced drinks.

Traditional dishes to try in Budapest

Flavourful, heavy on the meat and sometimes spicy, Hungarian cuisine is surprisingly tasty. As such, holidays in Budapest wouldn’t be complete without trying some of the city’s traditional dishes.

Hungary’s national dish, goulash is a cross between a stew and a soup. The hearty dish is usually made with beef, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, paprika and peppers.
Hungarians love Kolbasz, or sausages. As such, it’s little surprise that they are served at all times of the day, including breakfast, and come in a huge range of flavours.
Delicious and heavy on the calories, langos is a deep-fried flat bread in a variety of toppings. Try bolognese sauce, garlic sauce, cheese, sour cream, or herbs and salt.
First served in 1885, dobos torte, or drummer cake, comes with five to seven sponge layers sweetened with chocolate buttercream. The cake is usually topped with caramelised sugar and coated in ground nuts.
Halaszle, or fisherman’s soup, is usually made with river fish and hot paprika. The most popular variety of the bright red soup comes with four types of fish, such as carp, perch, catfish and pike.

We love

Nightlife in Budapest

From bars set up in derelict buildings to swanky rooftop cocktail lounges, Budapest abounds in trendy nightlife options.

Grab a stool at one of Budapest’s numerous ruin bars in the city’s abandoned buildings. If in doubt, Szimpla Kert is a good choice. It is the city’s original ruin bar, and hosts live music, flea markets and film screenings.
If you’re not yet sure about the direction of your night, the Jewish Quarter is a good place to start your night. The edgy area is full of trendy bars, restaurants and cafes.
Why not grab a beer or a coffee at one of the city’s communist-era bars/cafes. Dating back to 1968, Ibolya Espresso features orange plexiglass lamps and red faux leather sofa chairs to put you in that yesteryear mood.
A38 is a bar, concert hall and a restaurant rolled into one. Located on an old Ukrainian ship docked on the Danube River, the venue has been a favourite with locals and tourists for the past 15 years. For 360-degree views of the city, head to the aptly-named 360 Bar. Perched on the eighth floor, the bar offers a huge range of craft beers, wine and cocktails.

Budapest family holidays

With a huge range of family-friendly attractions, Budapest is a wonderful holiday destination for both adults and children.

Take your family on a journey to the not-so-distant past at the Pinball Museum. Located in a Budapest basement, the museum features around 150 pinball machines and vintage arcade games.
Hop on the funicular railway at Adam Clark Square for a fun-filled journey up Buda Castle Hill. Having opened to the public in 1870, the cable car is the second oldest in the world.
One of the oldest zoos in the world, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden dates back to 1866. The facility is home to over 1,000 animal species and features historic Art Nouveau buildings.
The entire family is bound to enjoy the vintage locomotives and trains at the Hungarian Railway Museum. For a first-hand experience, little steps can hop onboard the children’s railway or operate a steam engine simulator.
The family-friendly Labyrinth Caves lie 16 meters under the Castle District. The spacious corridors feature a variety of exhibits, including monuments from the Renaissance and Gothic eras.

Culture

History and culture in Budapest

From ornate buildings to relics of the city’s communist and fascist past, Budapest’s culture and history are bound to make an impression.

The Shoes on the Danube Bank is a monument to commemorate the 3,500 civilians murdered by fascists in the city during the Second World War. The sculpture consists of a trail of 60 pairs of iron shoes to represent the victims who were shot in this area.
Constructed between 1854 and 1859, the Moorish Revival-style Dohany Street Synagogue is the second largest synagogue in Europe. The structure houses the Hungarian Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Tree of Life Memorial.
Come face-to-face with some of the most well-known communist leaders, including Marx, Lenin and Engels at the Momento Park. The open-air museum features 42 statues from the country’s communist era.
Catch a performance at the Hungarian State Opera House. Dating back to 1884, the opulent Neo-Renaissance structure features a three-tonne chandelier, and sculptures and paintings by leading Hungarian artists.
For a taste of local culture, see a Hungarian folk show at the Danube Palace. The colourful dance performances are backed by a folk orchestra and traditional Hungarian instruments, such as the cimbalom.

Museums and art galleries in Budapest

Budapest’s museums and art galleries are as numerous as they are varied. Don’t leave the city without finding out more about its fascinating history and edgy art scene.

Spend your holidays in Budapest learning about Hungary’s communist and fascist regimes at the House of Terror. Once the site of the headquarters of the secret police, the museum gives visitors the opportunity to see the former interrogation area in the basement.
Immerse yourself in the world of the blind at the Invisible Exhibition. Led by blind guides, the tour takes you through real life situations, such as crossing the road or visiting a supermarket, all in complete darkness.
For a peek into Hungary’s contemporary art scene, visit Kisterem. The gallery hosts a changing line-up of shows by recognised up-and-coming and established Hungarian artists.
With thousands of exhibits, the Hungarian National Museum offers a great overview of the country’s rich history. The museum is housed in a striking Neoclassical building, which is surrounded by a lush garden.
Discover Aquincum, an Roman settlement that once stood in this area, at the Aquincum Museum and Ruin Garden. Check out numerous Roman relics before strolling amid the ancient ruins.

What our local experts say

Why we love Budapest

Budapest city breaks are truly something to fall in love with. This majestic city has so much to offer its visitors from stunning architecture, outdoor thermal baths and a wonderfully unique nightlife. Walk around Budapest, discover its amazing sights and you’ll want to come back again. If you haven ...

Top 8 cheap holiday destinations for couples

Want a romantic holiday on a budget? Feel like bask on a stunning beach somewhere hot? Or fancy exploring a new city with your partner? Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered! You don’t need to break the bank to enjoy an unforgettable holiday for two ...

Local guide: 48 hours in Budapest

Gorgeous Budapest sits proudly astride the great Danube River. It’s a city of two halves: Buda, on the west bank, is the ancient heart of the city, crowned by the enchanting castle district. Pest, on the east bank, has the elegant Andrassy Ut avenue, the iconic Parliament building, and ...

Budapest weather

Jan

2°C

Avg. Dry Days 15

Feb

5°C

Avg. Dry Days 13

Mar

11°C

Avg. Dry Days 17

Apr

18°C

Avg. Dry Days 17

Nov

10°C

Avg. Dry Days 19

Dec

3°C

Avg. Dry Days 17

Your Budapest questions answered

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For the most comfortable weather, visit Budapest in spring from March to May and autumn from September to November.

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Prices last checked at 08:56 12 April 2021

Budapest Holidays & City Breaks

Budapest weekends & short breaks

Natural thermal baths in Budapest

Why book Budapest holidays

Explore the city

Famous square

Fine dining scene

Popular with couples

Art & culture

Cultural hotspot not to miss

Cheap Budapest Holidays

Couples holidays

Bed & breakfast holidays

Room only holidays

Most popular Budapest hotels

Arcadia Hotel Budapest

Royal Park Boutique Hotel

Continental Hotel Budapest

Fortuna Boat Hotel and Restaurant

Soho Boutique Hotel

Hotel Rum Budapest

Marmara Hotel Budapest

Hotel Clark Budapest- Adults Only

Your guide to Budapest holidays

Top 5 things to do in Budapest

Nature in Budapest

What our local experts say

Why we love Budapest

Top 8 cheap holiday destinations for couples

Local guide: 48 hours in Budapest

Budapest weather

Your Budapest questions answered

Top Budapest hotels

5 Star Hotels

4 Star Hotels

3 Star Hotels

2 Star Hotels

1 Star Hotels

What our customers say