10 Bucket list places to visit in Budapest
Are you planning to visit the Hungarian capital during winter? Let us help you, and check out what are the best places to visit during your stay in Budapest!
Budapest can offer a lot to its visitors and residents during the winter period as well. Apart from these winter activities, we collected some of the greatest sights of the city, that you must add to your bucketlist when visiting the Hungarian capital.
Margaret Island
Margaret Island is located at the northern part of the city and can be easily reached with public transportation or on foot as well. Surrounded by the river Danube, you’ll be granted with a peaceful environment. There are numerous sights on the island, and you can also choose between many activities.
Nonetheless, you can enjoy the panoramic scenery from the Margaret Bridge as the river Danube divides the city.
City Park (Városliget)
The City Park is one of the largest open space within the center of Budapest, what locals love visiting. Even though it is situated closely to the busy center, the park serves as a perfect getaway from the crowded city life.
Within the parks area, you can spot many sights of the city, such as the Széchenyi Termal Bath, the Vajdahunyad Castle and the Budapest Zoo as well. However one of the main reason why locals love visiting this park at winter is because of the City Park Ice Rink. The lake, which can be found here usually transforms into an ice rink – giving you a truly unique experience since this open-air rink has stunning views of the Vajdahunyad Castle and the Heroes Square.
Liberty Bridge
Buda and Pest are connected together by many bridges across the river Danube. Liberty Bridge is probably one of the most beautiful out of all that you definitely have to check out. This architectural masterpiece was built at the end of the 19th century and got heavily destroyed during the World War II. Luckily the bridge got rebuilt by its original plans, featuring an art nouveau design and many details.
Buda Castle and its area
The building of Buda Castle dates back to the 13th century and it served as a royal palace for centuries. The castle got major damages during the World War II. as well, and it was rebuilt in a different way, resulting a rather simplified look. The Buda Castle and its area can be a perfect place to wonder around and get mesmerized by the scenery of the city.
The building is currently housing the Hungarian National Gallery, which can not be missed out from your travel plans!
Heroes Square
Heroes Square is one of the largest squares of Budapest, showcasing some of the most important Hungarian leaders. The square is surrounded by the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art, so if you’re a museum lover, this is the place where you should go first!
Gellért Hill
Gellért Hill is another great place that locals and visitors equally love. Thanks to its height and closeness to the river Danube, the hill serves as a panoramic viewpoint, from where you can perfectly see the whole city. Walking up to the top might seems hard, but trust us, it is definitely worth it! The top can be reached by many ways as the hill has several path leading to the Citadella. No matter if you visit the hill during daytime or at night, we are sure that you will fall in love with the view from there.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica is one of the largest church in Budapest, the dome of which can be seen from afar. With a height of 96 meters (same height as the Parliament building), this cathedral deserves its place within this list. The St. Stephen’s Basilica currently hosts one of the best Christmas market in the city, of which you can read more HERE
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Thanks to its geographical features, Budapest is rich with thermal water simmering, and locals have been enjoying the advantages of it for thousands of years. Many thermal baths can be found in Budapest – positioning this city to the first place in the world by the number of available thermal baths, located in its area -, however one of the most wonderful one is the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, located at the City Park. With numerous pools and many other treatment services, this place can be an ideal program for you during the cold days of winter.
Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church
The unique look of the Fisherman’s Bastion definitely deserves the second place at this list. Located closely to the Buda Castle in the 1st district of Budapest, this postcard-like sight will definitely blow your mind! The current building was built in the 19th century and it got added to the city’s World Heritage Sites at 1987. With its countless unique perspectives and lookout terraces, you absolutely cannot miss this place!
Hungarian Parliament Building
Probably many of you already knew which place will get the leading position in this article. Undoubtedly it is the Hungarian Parliament Building: locals love it, visitors admire it and it’s really easy to understand why. The Parliament building is located at the riverside of the Danube, making it really easy to spot it from anywhere in the city. It’s worth mentioning, that you can also visit the interior of the Parliament building, however purchasing the tickets for it in advance is required.
