Budapest Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Budapest, Hungary)



Picture of the River DanubeIf serious sightseeing is on your agenda during your Hungarian holiday, then do consider purchasing a 'Budapest Card' (Kártya). Not only will this give you free entry to many leading tourist attractions and museums, but the Budapest Card will also provide sizable discounts for official sightseeing tours, public transport and can even be used at some restaurants,

Many tourists choose to participate in one of the regular guided walking tours around the city of Budapest. Different routes are available, taking in the attractions around the Inner City area of Pest (Belvarós), along the Pest Embankment, and within the Buda Castle District, where a number of World Heritage Sites reside. Another way to experience the area's innumerable tourist attractions from a distance is to take a ride on a public tram, to enjoy a train trip out of the city, or to take a leisurely river cruise along the Danube.


Picture of cruise boats on the River Danube

River Danube / Boat Trips and River Cruises

Address: Budapest, HU-1052, Hungary, HU
Famous all over Europe and winding its way through the very heart of downtown Budapest and dividing the city, the River Danube has long been responsible for much of this city's status and wealth. Today, the Danube is particularly popular with tourists, who enjoy one of the many sightseeing river cruises on offer. Cruising along the River Danube is the perfect way to see many of the city's most imposing waterfront attractions and there are many different boats and cruises to choose from, generally departing from the Vigado Ter and at other points along the Danube Promenade, on the Pest side of the city.
Open hours: seasonal variations, most cruises operate daily between 09:00 and 16:00, generally lasting around one hour or longer
Admission: charge

Photo of roller coaster at Vidam Park (Amusement Park)

Vidam Park (Amusement Park)

Address: Allatkerti Korut 14-16, Vidam Park, Budapest, HU-1146, Hungary, HU
Tel: +36 01 343 9810
Visitors spending a day at the Vidam Amusement Park are virtually guaranteed an enjoyable and memorable day out, featuring a host of different fairground rides and one of Europe's most historic and longest wooden roller coasters. Viam Park is also home to a glorious Victorian-style carousel (körhinta) with hand-painted horses, miniature racing cars, dodgems, an exciting sky drop tower, big wheel (óriáskerék), and plenty of tame rides for the younger ones.
Open hours: April to October, daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts for children and families

Photo of the Castle Hill

Buda Castle Labyrinth (Castle Hill Tunnels)

Address: Uri Utca 9, Budapest, HU-1014, Hungary, HU
Tel: +36 01 489 3281
Hidden within Castle Hill itself is a true labyrinth of tunnels, which stretch for many miles. This fascinating network comprises a number of enormous rooms, which have been used for everything from bomb shelters to storage facilities. Offering a great way to cool down on a hot day, guided tours are available, although many stretches of the Castle Hill Tunnels can be explored on your own, so don't forget to bring a torch.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 - 19:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Budapest Zoo (Zoological Gardens) picture

Budapest Zoo / Zoological Gardens

Address: Varosliget, Allatkerti Korut 6-12, Budapest, HU-1146, Hungary, HU
Tel: +36 01 273 4900
Enjoying a parkland setting, Budapest Zoo is one of the city's leading tourist attractions and is particularly popular with families holidaying in this part of Hungary. The entrance to the zoo is close to Heroes Square and is hard to miss, consisting of a tall gateway, flanked either side by giant stone elephants. In total some 2,000 animals live in themed enclosures, which include a large African Savannah, complete with giraffes, elephants and rhinos. This is actually one of the world's oldest zoos and was first established in the 1860s, as a private collection of animals. Budapest Zoo has become famous for its rather eye-catching Elephant House, which is close to the Palm Tree House and features oriental-style domes covered in turquoise Zsolnay ceramic tiles.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Distant picture of the popular chairlift rides

Chairlift Rides

Address: Zugligeti Utca 93, Budapest, HU-1121, Hungary, HU
For some of the best views of the city and some truly superb photo opportunities, consider taking a ride on one of the popular chairlifts. Starting from the very top of the Janos Hill (János Hegy), the Budapest chairlifts transport passengers slowly down into the very heart of the city, on the Zugligeti Utca. Alternatively, you can ride the chairlifts to the top of the hill and pay a visit to the nearby Lookout Tower (Erzsébet Kilátó), which you can climb for just a small charge.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts available

View of the Cog-Wheel Railway

Cog-Wheel Railway

Address: Szilagyi Erzsebet Fasor, Budapest, HU-1028, Hungary, HU
A pleasant way for tourists to sightsee and enjoy a variety of different scenery and attractions is to take a ride on the city's historic cog-wheel train. This railway opened in the 1870s, using a toothed railway line to safely climb steep gradients and powered by steam. Now electrically powered and stretching for around 3.7 km / 2.3 miles, the cog-wheel railway climbs both Svab Hill and Szechenyi Hill, before reaching a green recreational space offering good picnicking facilities and excellent vantage points.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Photo of the Budavari Siklo (Castle Hill Funicular Railway)

Budavári Sikló (Castle Hill Funicular Railway)

Address: Clark Adan Ter, Buda Royal Castle, Budapest, HU-1013, Hungary, HU
Connecting Adam Clark Square, next to the River Danube, the Budapest Funicular Railway has been used to climb the steep Castle Hill to reach Buda Castle itself since opening in 1870. Crossed by two separate pedestrian footbridges, the Castle Hill Funicular Railway features two carriages, which pass each other as they travel up and down this steep slope, holding up to 24 passengers for each brief journey. The railway line is almost 100 metres / 328 feet in length and climbs to a height of 51 metres / 167 feet.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts available

Hungarian State Opera House picture

Hungarian State Opera House

Address: Andrassy Utca 22, Budapest, HU-1061, Hungary, HU
Tel: +36 01 353 0170
A very ornate and important neo-Renaissance style building located within the Terézváros area of the Pest's District VI, the Hungarian State Opera House opened in September of 1884 and is considered locally to be nothing short of a masterpiece in architecture. The arching auditorium can accommodate an audience of just over 1,250 people and is known for its exceptional acoustics, which are regarded amongst Europe's very best. Home to the Hungarian National Ballet, guided tours are available most afternoons and explain more about the history of the Opera House and its many performances.
Open hours: box office, daily - 10:00 to 17:00, performance times vary
Admission: charge, discounts available

Planetarium

Address: Nepliget, Budapest, HU-1101, Hungary, HU
Tel: +36 01 265 0725
The popular planetarium is filled with attractions and its beautiful night sky projections are not to be missed, coming complete with interesting commentary about the solar system and the many star constellations that hover about us. Especially notable are its evening laser shows, which are always accompanied by lively music and usually attract quite a crowd.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts for children