Things to do in Budapest
Budapest straddles the Danube where hilly Buda meets flat Pest, a UNESCO World Heritage riverscape. The neo-Gothic Parliament, Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge, Fisherman's Bastion and the grand thermal baths sit within an easy walk or short tram ride of the city's concert halls and churches.
Our editors' pick of the ten sights to build a first visit around — with an evening concert to close the day:
Hungarian Parliament Building
The vast neo-Gothic Parliament on the Pest bank of the Danube is the largest building in Hungary and one of Europe's most photographed. Completed in 1904, its 691 rooms, central dome and riverfront facade are floodlit at night. Guided tours take in the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the grand staircase; book ahead, as tour slots sell out quickly in high season.
Buda Castle
The historic royal palace crowns Castle Hill above the Danube, rebuilt many times since the 13th century. Today it houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. The surrounding Castle District, with its cobbled streets and viewpoints, is reached on foot, by bus, or by the funicular from the Chain Bridge — a short walk from several concert venues.
Fisherman's Bastion
The fairytale white terraces and turrets of Fisherman's Bastion, built between 1895 and 1902, offer the finest panorama over the Danube and the Parliament on the far bank. The seven towers represent the Magyar tribes that founded Hungary. It sits directly beside Matthias Church, a frequent concert venue, making an early-evening visit an ideal prelude to a performance.
St. Stephen's Basilica
Budapest's largest church, completed in 1905, is named for Hungary's first king, whose mummified right hand is kept in a reliquary here. The neoclassical dome rises 96 metres — matching the Parliament — and a lift or stairs reach the observation terrace. The basilica's exceptional acoustics make it one of the city's most sought-after venues for organ and choral concerts.
Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge, opened in 1849, was the first permanent crossing of the Danube in Budapest and remains its most elegant. Its stone lions and iron chains are a defining image of the city, especially when lit at night. A walk across links the concert halls of Pest with the Castle District in Buda in about ten minutes.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
The grand neo-Baroque Széchenyi Baths, opened in 1913, are among the largest thermal bath complexes in Europe, fed by natural hot springs. Its ochre-yellow buildings surround outdoor pools where locals play chess in the steam year-round. Set in the leafy City Park, the baths are an ideal afternoon before an evening concert.
Hungarian State Opera House
One of Europe's finest opera houses, opened in 1884 on grand Andrássy Avenue, with a lavish neo-Renaissance interior of gold, marble and frescoes. Its acoustics rank among the best in the world. Beyond its own opera and ballet programme, the building itself is a highlight — guided tours run daily when no rehearsal is in progress.
Andrássy Avenue and Heroes' Square
The elegant tree-lined Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage boulevard, runs from the city centre to the monumental Heroes' Square with its colonnade of Hungarian leaders. Beneath it runs the Millennium Underground, continental Europe's oldest metro line. The avenue links the Opera House, the Liszt Academy and several concert venues.
Matthias Church
The richly decorated Matthias Church, with its diamond-patterned tiled roof and soaring Gothic tower, has crowned kings and hosted royal weddings for over 700 years. Its colourful interior of frescoes and stained glass is unlike any other church in the city. It is one of Budapest's most atmospheric concert venues, particularly for organ and sacred-music programmes.
Great Market Hall
The vast three-storey Great Market Hall, opened in 1897 at the Pest end of the Liberty Bridge, is the city's largest and oldest indoor market. Under its Zsolnay-tiled roof, stalls sell paprika, salami, lángos and Tokaji wine. It is the best place to sample Hungarian flavours before dinner and an evening concert nearby.