Top 10 things to do in Budapest

Budapest is a majestic city, split in two by the incredible River Danube. One half, Buda, is a classic mix of medieval architecture and beautiful sights, and the other half, Pest is the more lively modern side. Both parts of the great city prove an excellent place to visit and the city buzzes with excellent things to do and see. The top 10 things to do when you visit the city are as follows.

1. Take a trip to St Stephen’s Basilica. It was built between 1851 and 1905 and is a huge parish church which can accommodate a total of 8500 people. Inside there are beautiful statues as well as a magnificent, 300-foot, neo-Renaissance dome.

2. Take a boat trip. As the River Danube is so striking this is one of the top things to try when you’re in the city- you can sit back on deck with a glass of wine and admire the beautiful sights of the Hungarian capital. You can either go on a public river cruise or rent a private boat, and with a private boat there are often additional extras like a lunch buffet, live body tables and belly dancers.

3. In summer eat at an outdoor café. Since Budapest has a consistently decent climate springtime and summertime are both glorious. The agreeable summer in the city is usually warm, sunny and long. Sit at an outdoor café and relax as you watch Hungarian life go by.

4. Take a ride on the Budapest beer bicycle. This is a great option if you’re looking for something a bit different to do on your trip. The bicycle itself is a huge carriage with 14 seats which allows you and your guests to sit and marvel the beautiful streets and open squares of the city, while drinking beer.

5. Go to the thermal baths. One of the top experiences in Budapest is the thermal baths, which are naturally hot due to the underground geothermal activity. The city is known as The City of Healing Waters because the water in the thermal baths has medicinal qualities. There are also saunas and steam rooms.

6. Embrace the nightlife. Budapest has one of Europe’s best nightlife scenes with each street turning up another hidden gem. Take a trip to Morrison’s Music Pub for some cheesy music underground in the cellar, or head to Liszt Ferenc square which is full of great, busy bars.

7. Go to Faust Wine Cellar. The oldest wine cellar in Budapest provides a traditional, wine-scented atmosphere and an excellent range of drinks. Sit at the quaint tables and taste a selection of first-rate wines.
8. Try the fiery goulash soup. It’s authentic Hungarian food at its very best, their spicy goulash is thoroughly delicious and a must-try if you’re holidaying there. It’s packed with beef, Hungarian paprika and chilli to truly set your mouth on fire.

9. Go to Buda Castle. The castle is huge, towering over the city, and is beautifully built. It was destroyed by a fire in World War II but the 13th-century palace was rebuilt with modern interiors while keeping the hidden walls and medieval structures which stayed hidden over the centuries. The views from the castle are also breathtaking, as well as the Castle’s grounds.

10. Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion. This beautiful bastion features Disney-esque turrets and pointed towers and is perfect for a picture opportunity. It was built during the 19th century for Hungarian Millennium celebrations and you can eat the top of the hill as well while looking over Pest.

That’s the top 10 but there are many other options for things to do in Budapest so no matter what you decide to do you’re sure to have a great time.

This is a guest post written by Gen from StagWeb. Visit their website to book your Budapest stag Weekend.