Matthias Church

The Matthias Church with its colorful roof of glazed tiles, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest. The construction of this Gothic-style church went on for two centuries. It is so great, that even when the Turks captured the city in the 16th century they did not destroy it, but only painted over the frescoes. According to the legend, one of the walls of the church collapsed during an artillery bombardment in an attempt to recapture Buda from the Turks. Consequently, praying Turks were confronted with a statue of the Holy Mary, whose appearance undermined their spirit so badly, that the city surrendered on that very day.

Please note that the entrance to the church is paid. Get directions.

St Stephen's Basilica

The colossal St Stephen’s Basilica is the third largest church in Hungary. Its dome reaches 96 meters, and can be climbed via 364 stairs (or the elevator…) for a beautiful panoramic view over Budapest. The impressive church was dedicated to Saint Stephen, the first King of Hungary, who played a large role in the Christianization of Hungarians and the unification of the Magyar tribes.

Beloved by visitors are also the concerts here, which require a valid ticket. Other than that, the church can be visited for free. Check out the official website for more visitor info. Get directions.

Great Market Hall

Your visit to the Great Market Hall is a three-in-one event. Here you can admire the beautiful architectural design of this grand hall, taste gastronomic Hungarian specialties like the spicy Kolbász salami, and look for cool souvenirs like Hungarian paprika – the spice which arrived in Budapest with the Turks, and nowadays is a must for preparing traditional Hungarian dishes. Get directions.

Széchenyi Chain Bridge

The Chain Bridge was the first bridge of Hungary spanning the Danube. It connected Buda and Pest in 1849, at the initiative of Count István Széchenyi who invested considerable funds and energy in the project. The 380-metre bridge with two towers and massive metal chains supporting the roadway, was an impressive piece of engineering at that time. Get directions.

Great Synagogue / Dohány Street Synagogue

The Great Synagogue is the second largest synagogue in the world and the largest in Europe. The famous Viennese architect Ludwig Förster built it in 1859 in the Moorish style.

The synagogue is located in the famous Jewish quarter of Pest, where a large number of Orthodox Jews reside, carefully preserving their traditions for many centuries. The 'Tree of Life' in the courtyard of the synagogue was designed by Imre Varga – it commemorates the 600,000 Hungarian Jews killed in WWII. Get directions.

Fisherman's Bastion

Despite its name, the Fisherman's Bastion you see here never carried the function of a defensive structure. The place used to be a square inside the walls of the fortress, where local fishermen were allowed to sell their catch. In exchange, the fisherman's guild pledged to protect these city walls in case of a military threat.

The main catch nowadays, is the magnificent view from the Fisherman's Bastion. The entire territory is free of charge, but in order to ascend to the upper balconies you need to buy a ticket of around € 4. Get directions.

Citadella / Liberty Statue

After the Habsburgs managed to suppress the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, they decided to build this Citadel on top of Gellért Hill. With 60 cannons pointed at the city, the main purpose of this stronghold was to scare the citizens of Budapest to prevent new uprisings.

The Liberty Statue was placed later on top of the Citadel. The woman with the palm leaf above her head commemorates the liberation of Budapest by Soviet troops in WWII.

But most importantly, climb this hill for the best views over Budapest! Get directions.

Hungarian Parliament Building

Seven years after the unification of Buda, Pest and Óbuda, the National Assembly decided to build the magnificent Parliament building, to emphasize the sovereign right of the Hungarian nation.

The building is not only valuable in architectural sense, but also of great historical importance. Head for the Domed Hall and find the more than a thousand-years-old Holy Crown of Hungary.

Despite its governmental function, the building is open to the public every day (for a fee of about 8 euros). On the official website, you can find detailed information about tours and tickets. Get directions.

Shoes by the Danube

Travelers visiting Budapest for the first time can be surprised to see a few dozen pairs of shoes on the Danube embankment. Men's and women's shoes and even children's shoes made from cast iron, are a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. The shoes recall the event of Jews being shot here on the riverbank. Before the execution they were asked to take off their shoes. With their bodies falling into the Danube, the shoes represent all that's left... Get directions.

Hungarian State Opera House

The Hungarian State Opera House is considered one of the most beautiful buildings of Budapest, as designed by the talented architect Miklós Ybl. The building is richly decorated with sculptures, bas-reliefs, stucco and paintings. The staircase inside is decorated with works of painters like Mór Than, Károly Lotz and Bertalan Székely.

The Opera Hall has the shape of a horseshoe, and is considered among the finest in the world in terms of acoustics. Check out the official website for the program and ticket info. Get directions.

Main Square / Fő Tér

Fő Tér is the central square of Óbuda, one of the three towns that made up Budapest. A bit hidden behind flat buildings and flyovers, Fő Tér is typically not included in tourists' tours.

The calm and picturesque square is surrounded by 18th century baroque architecture. It is a place to find the atmosphere of a village, with some nice restaurants and terraces, and also a surprisingly rich history. Get directions.

Gellért Hill Cave Church / Saint Ivan's Cave

According to the legend the monk Ivan settled in this cave, where he practiced healing with the help of local mud and thermal water – nowadays these waters are filling the Gellért Baths. Later, the monk was canonized and the cave was named in his honor. The extraordinary cave church that you can see here now officially opened in 1926, as a monastery of the Pauline Order.

Please note that the entrance is to be found on the slope of Gellért Hill. The entrance fee includes an audio guide. Get directions.

Heroes' Square / Hősök tere

Heroes' Square is a spacious square laid out in 1896, for the thousandth anniversary of the state foundation of Hungary. The central element of the square is a 36-metre Corinthian column, with on top Archangel Gabriel holding St István's crown. On both sides of the column you can see curved colonnades, decorated with statues of prominent Hungarians, and crowned by four large statues symbolizing War, Peace, Labour and prosperity, and Knowledge and glory. Can you tell them apart? Get directions.

Metro Line M1

Not all the metro lines in Budapest are going to give you a similar experience. In sharp contrast with some of the brand-new stations, is Metro Line 1 which runs from Vörösmarty Square, the shopping heart of Budapest, to the City Park. Opened in 1896, this is the oldest metro line of continental Europe, and fortunately not much has changed here.

Have a ride in the charming carriages, and step off amidst classical wooden interior. Beware, that for our standards, everything goes pretty quick here. Before you even realize you've missed this little sprinter! Get directions.

The Roman Amphitheatre

The Roman Amphitheatre (Hu) is one of the main remains of the ancient Roman city of Aquincum. This ellipse-shaped military amphitheatre was built in the middle of the 2nd century AD. It was used for gladiator fights and battles with wild animals, providing seating for around 12,000 spectators – making it one of the largest amphitheatres built by the Romans outside of Italy. Unfortunately the theatre got heavily damaged during the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, but the thickness of some remaining walls give an idea of its once great size. The place is free to enter. Get directions.

Váci Street

Váci Street is the main pedestrian street of Budapest, running parallel to the Danube, only some 200 meters away from it. The northern side of this street is the hallmark of Budapest’s high life, with shops everywhere, interspersed with restaurants. Towards the south end of Váci Street, restaurants and cafés take over. All along the street there's nice historical architecture, with at places exceptional mansions. Get directions.

Church of St Anna

The Church of St Anna (Hu) is known as one of the most beautiful baroque buildings of Budapest, easily identifiable by two magnificent green baroque spires which can be seen from afar.

The construction by Kristóf Hamon (Hu) began in 1740, but wasn't finished before 1805, well after the architect's death. The High Altar, already completed in 1773, is considered one of the most beautiful works of Károly Bebo. Get directions.

Andrássy Avenue

Andrássy Avenue is the main ceremonial avenue of Budapest. The wide and tree-lined street which is flanked by some impressive mansions, is included as UNESCO World Heritage. For its elegance, it is even called the 'Champs-Élysées' of Budapest. Its real name comes from Gyula Andrássy, a former Prime Minister of Hungary, who proposed building this avenue. Get directions.

The Children's Railway

The Children's Railway runs from Hűvösvölgy to Széchenyi Hill and is an excellent way to move yourself on a relaxed pace through the green hills around Buda. As the name suggests, this railway is being operated by children, though supervised by adults.

The train departs next to station Hűvösvölgy, which can be reached by regular public transport, like the tram. The regular ticket price for a return trip is about € 5. For experiencing the charm of a real steam train, an extra euro is charged by the children. Check the official website for timetables and further details. Get directions.

Liberty Bridge

The Liberty Bridge was designed in the end of the 19th century by János Feketeházy, who created a structure with elegant metal spans that resembles the Eiffel Tower. The gothic turrets on the bridge are decorated with statues of the Turul bird – a common character in Hungarian myths who are considered to be heralds of gods.

With an impressive 333 meters in length, the Liberty Bridge is still the shortest bridge spanning the Danube in Budapest. Get directions.

Margaret Island Water Tower

Margaret Island is a green oasis in the middle of the Danube. Above it rises the old Water Tower, which previously supplied the territory of the park with thermal water. Nowadays it is a monument of architecture, built in the magnificent Art Nouveau style and invariably attracting tourists and photographers.

The tower can be climbed daily, to enjoy nice panoramic views over the city. The entrance fee is about € 5. Get directions.

Church of St Mary Magdalene / Buda Tower

Above the colorful roofs of Buda Castle shines the tower of the Church of St Mary Magdalene (Hu). Only when you come closer, you realize that there is no actual church next to the tower – what remained, is low stonework outlining the contours of the disappeared church. The tower is the only thing left of the church that was built in 1274 in the Gothic style.

The good news is that the 170 steps to the top can still be climbed, every day! Tickets can be purchased at the Museum of Military History next to the tower. Get directions.

New York Palace

The most impressive building on Erzsébet Boulevard, is the New York Palace. It was built in 1894 to become the office of an American insurance company. The building is richly decorated, on the outside with sculptures of Károly Senyei (Hu), and inside with a lavishly gilded Neo-Baroque interior.

Nowadays you can find a hotel, a restaurant and a spa here, but most notably, the New York Café – a unique place to have a coffee, but beware of the high prices here. Get directions.

Tomb of Gül Baba

The Tomb of Gül Baba is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims. Along with the Turkish soldiers who invaded Budapest in the 16th century, came the dervish Jafer, nicknamed Gül Baba ('Father of Roses'). He only spent a couple of weeks in the city before he died.

In 1543 this mausoleum was built over his grave, surrounded by a beautiful rose garden. Today, the mausoleum is integrated into a brand-new religious complex, atop a beautifully gardened hill. Get directions.

Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden

The Budapest Zoo and Botanical garden were opened on 9 August 1866, which means that it belongs to the oldest zoo parks in the world. Through the long history, the zoo experienced quite some shocks but did not cease to exist, not even when it was nearly destroyed after WWII.

In addition to the 3,500 species of plants and 900 species of animals from all the continents, you can also admire Secession architecture here, like for instance the main entrance and the Elephant house.

The zoo is open every day! Get directions.

Nyugati Pályaudvar / Station Nyugati

Opened in 1877, Nyugati Station is Budapest's oldest station. The colossal terminal building was designed by August de Serres, famous from the Eiffel Company. A special Royal Waiting Room was constructed for Emperor Franz Joseph, who ruled over Hungary those days. Nowadays Nyugati is one of the three main railway stations in the city, serving trains heading West and North. Get directions.

Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music

The Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music is the main conservatory of Hungary, founded on November 14, 1875. In the early days, it was located in Franz Liszt's own house. In the 20th century, it moved into this majestic three-story building with Liszt calmly sitting above the entrance.

Today, in addition to study, the academy offers guided tours and, of course, magnificent concerts. Check out the official website to see what's on. Get directions.

Servite Church St Anna

The Servite Church (Hu) was erected in 1732, in honor of Saint Anne. This beautiful small baroque church belongs to the Catholic Order of the Servites. Large parts of the church had to be rebuilt after damages suffered during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. The facade of the church is enriched with statues of saints, whereas Saint Anne can be found on the main altar inside. Get directions.

Fiume Road Graveyard / Kerepesi Cemetery

Kerepesi Cemetery is the main Hungarian necropolis and one of the most notorious sights of Budapest. It started as a small quiet churchyard, but after the ban on burying within the precincts, it grew rapidly to become the most prestigious place for eternal rest.

In addition to single graves and family crypts, the huge park of funerary art contains also some memorial complexes, commemorating for instance the Soviet liberators of Hungary or the victims of the anti-communist uprising of 1956. Get directions.

Hungarian Academy of Sciences

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most prestigious scientific institution in the country. It was founded on November 3, 1825, on the initiative of one of the greatest Hungarians, Count István Széchenyi. What strikes visitors of Budapest most, is its beautiful Neo-Renaissance building from 1864. The statues on top of the facade represent the traditional disciplines of knowledge: history, law, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy and sciences. Can you tell them apart?

See the official website for more background. Get directions.

Keleti Pályaudvar / Station Budapest-Keleti

Budapest Keleti Pályaudvar is the main international railway station of Budapest. The station is named after the eastern (Keleti) direction of Transylvania and the Balkans.

Constructed in Eclectic style in 1884, it was one of the most modern in Europe at the time – today the time has come for some renovation works on the outside. The facade of the building is decorated with sculptures of James Watt, the creator of the Watt steam engine, and George Stephenson, the inventor of the steam locomotive. Inside you can see frescoes of Károly Lotz, a famous Hungarian painter. Get directions.

Liberty Square

Liberty Square is a spacious central square in a stately part of Budapest. It was the place where Hungary's first independent Prime Minister Batthyány was executed in 1849. Since 1926 an eternal flame burns here, to honour all those executed during the uprising.

Everywhere around the square you look, you will see majestic architecture. Two impressive pieces by Ignác Alpár can be found right opposite each other, the Exchange Palace and the Hungarian National Bank. Get directions.

Egyetemi Templom / University Church

In 1742 monks of the Pauline Order built one of the most picturesque baroque temples of Budapest, the University Church (Hu). On the tall facade which is decorated with columns, you can see sculptural images of Saints Paul and Anthony, and in between them, the Pauline Order emblem. Many items originally made by the Pauline monks have been preserved, like the pulpit on the right side of the church, the confession room and the balustrade of the organ loft. Get directions.

National Theatre

The National Theatre is the main drama theatre of Budapest, founded in 1837. Unlike the national theatres in many other countries, often centuries long located in beautiful old buildings, the Hungarian Theatre has experienced quite some relocations. This modern theatre building is covered in a maritime theme, with in front the bow of a ship, surrounded by an artificial pond.

Visit the official website for ticket info. Get directions.

Sándor Palace / Alexander Palace

The Sándor Palace is the official residence of the President of Hungary. It was built in 1805 by the famous Hungarian architect Mihály Pollack. The richness of the palace is in its interior: tapestries and paintings on the walls, a staircase with wide gilded railings, and crystal chandeliers.

Please note that you can get inside only occasionally, on weekends during the summer months. Yet you can see the process of changing the guard every hour from 9-17h on any given day. Get directions.

Tropicarium / Oceanarium

The Tropicarium mimics life in the tropics aside a rich underwater world. Birds of paradise, alligators resting on the banks of pools, monkeys jumping on the vines, beautiful tropical flowers, and parrots hiding among the lush green. These and many other inhabitants of the planet are waiting for you in the largest oceanarium of Eastern Europe every day.

See the official website for more visitor info. Get directions.

Vigadó Concert Hall

Vigadó is the second largest concert hall in Budapest, built in 1865 on the site of the Ballroom that burnt down during the anti-Habsburg uprising. The magnificent facade is decorated with statues and busts of dancers, monarchs and other prominent figures of Hungary. The central lobby is notable for frescoes by Mór Than and Károly Lotz. Vigadó has hosted stars like Ferenc Liszt, Richard Wagner and Johannes Brahms.

Check out the official website for ticket info. Get directions.

Puskás Aréna

The Puskás Aréna is the brand-new stadium of the Hungarian national football team, built in 2019. It replaces the former Ferenc Puskás Stadium, which stood there for 70 years. The new football temple has a capacity of 68,000, and is due to host several games of the Euro 2020 – which actually takes place in 2021, due to the global pandemic.

You can find the Puskás Aréna at walking distance from the metro station Puskás Ferenc Stadion, which is on metro line M2. Get directions to the stadium.

Óbuda Synagogue

The Óbuda Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the city, built in 1820, replacing an older one (1737). Óbuda was the place where Jews settled, after being denied to live in Buda at that time. It was Countess Zichy who invited them here, to live on their own lands. From here, Óbuda grew into the largest Jewish community of Hungary. The synagogue was built in the French Empire style, with Secession style ornaments added to the facade in the 20th century. Get directions.