Budapest, the vibrant heart and capital city of Hungary, is a place where history, culture, and stunning architecture come together to create an unforgettable travel destination. Add to that the world famous thermal baths, and Budapest is certainly a city that should be on everyone’s radar to visit at least once.
Whether you’re drawn to bustling markets, relaxing thermal baths, or lively café culture, Budapest promises a city break full of experiences. And here are just a selection of photos to inspire a visit to the Hungarian capital.
Why visit Budapest?
Sitting on the Danube River, Budapest offers a picturesque blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. From its iconic landmarks like the Hungarian Parliament Building and the historic Buda Castle to its charming streets lined with Art Nouveau wonders, the city is a photographer’s dream.
Throw in delicious food and really affordable prices – compared to Europe at least – and you’ve got a city break that you can fully indulge in, guilt free.
Architecture
I know, I know, every city has ‘architecture’, what makes Budapest so special? Walking along the streets of Budapest you can’t help but just admire the gorgeous, historic buildings that you pass. It’s one of the great things about exploring such old European cities, and Budapest has some absolutely stunning buildings to check out! The obvious ones are the Hungarian Parliament and the city’s cathedral, but also just standard buildings as you walk down the street are pretty to see.
Danube River
The River Danube runs through the middle of Budapest. It runs from the its source in the Black Forest area of Southern Germany, passing through 12 countries (including Hungary) before reaching the Black Sea. It’s the second longest river in Europe, and an absolute hub of life.
Due to the length and number of countries it passes through, the Danube is one of the oldest trade routes in Europe. These days it is still used for trade, but there are also a number of river cruises that use the river to transport visitors between countries and cities in luxury. These include stops in Budapest, and it’s a common sight to see the river cruise boats lined up along the shore, waiting for people to return from a day of sightseeing before moving on to the next city.
Aside from the importance in trade, a crazy length and everything it brings to Budapest, the river is also a really lovely place to wander along or enjoy a river tour. From it, you can see a number of sights that Budapest is famous for, including the Hungarian Parliament building, Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, all worth adding on to a sightseeing list.
Buda and Pest
Modern day Budapest is one city, but it got its name from the two settlements that sat either side of the river. Buda is the settlement and area on the hillier side of the river, while Pest is the flatter side where the majority of the city is these days.
While we’re on the topic of the name, if you’re not sure how to pronounce Budapest it’s like ‘Boo-da-pest’ in English, or ‘Boo-da-pesh-t’ in Hungarian.
Thermal baths
One thing Budapest is known for worldwide are the thermal baths. While there’s the big one all tourists try to visit – Széchenyi Thermal Bath – there are actually a number across the city. Due to Széchenyi’s popularity it’s often crowded, but there are plenty of other thermal baths to check out in the city.
You can expect to find a number of different pools in the complex for whichever one you visit, often with different temperatures and surroundings. Some of the thermal baths offer riverside views, slides or wave pools. Definitely a must do when in Budapest!
History
With many, many books written on Budapest’s history, I couldn’t even begin to touch on it here. However, the city dates back to pre-Roman times and has seen more than its fair share of wars and battles in its time. The age of the city and battle history can still be seen across the city, from the historic buildings that still stand to the hollowed out marks in the walls of building behind the Hungarian Parliament from gunshots there.
There are nods to the city’s history as you walk around, one notably on the riverbank of the Danube. As you walk along, you’ll see over 50 pairs of iron shoes on the edge of the walkway. These are a memorial to people murdered during WWII who were made to take off their shoes before being shot into the river. The mix of shoes from adults, men, women, children, really highlights the atrocities that took place here.
Food & drink
Hungary isn’t a country that often takes a spotlight on the world cuisine map, but Budapest is a treasure trove of great food and even better range of cuisines to tuck into. As with all great capital cities, you’ll find a vast number of places offering the typical Hungarian hits such as goulash, langos and potato dishes. But if you take a wander around the city, you’ll also find a lot of international restaurants.
For a fun crossover of food and shopping, Budapest markets have you covered. There are a handful across the city, but the biggest and best has to be Central Market Hall. It’s conveniently located in the middle of the city centre, and has a great selection of market stalls across two floors, offering souvenirs, crafts, groceries and even ready to eat food.
Don’t be fooled into thinking food is Budapest’s focus though. Nightlife in Budapest is a huge draw for many to the city, and you’ll find a mix of sophisticated bars offering drinks al fresco – gorgeous for the Budapest summers – as well as quiet bars hidden away in the side streets. If you’ve not heard of the Ruins bars yet, you’re missing out! A collection of bars in a once abandoned building, the ruins bars are a real hodge podge collection decked out in graffiti, offering a really unique, fun night out.
These are just a small collection of photos to inspire you to visit this gorgeous city. If you’re still wondering why visit Budapest, then the best way to answer that question is to take my approach – book a flight and enjoy a weekend in the gorgeous city!
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