This post covers the top things to do in Budapest in May (updated for 2020), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.
TOP EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO MAY
This post covers some of the best things you can do in Budapest in May, including free, family-friendly, as well as nighttime events and activities. See our full post on things to do in Budapest (any time of the year).
One of the best free events of the entire year, the annual Budapest100 weekend takes place on May 9 & 10, 2020.
During the weekend, the public has free access to 100 architecturally notable buildings in Budapest such as residential houses, mansions, villas, secret gardens, and rooftop balconies.
Most of these places cannot be seen at any other time if the year. There will be guided tours and various activities, some held in English.
You do not need to sign up for the event, though the most popular buildings require registration as visiting slots may fill up fast.
See the Budapest100 website for a list and description of the open buildings. The schedule is usually released in mid-April.
Tip: As the buildings are located throughout the city, you may find that a hop on hop off bus is a convenient way to move between the places you want to visit.
2) Rosalia Wine Festival
The weekend of May 15-17, 2020 is the Rosalia Wine Festival. This free festival showcases Hungarian wines other than its most famous wine, Tokay.
The festival is held in beautiful City Park. With a picnic-like atmosphere, this is a pleasant way to spend time in the city’s most popular park while tasting all kinds of wines.
While there is no entrance fee, you will have to pay for your wine. Read more about the festival here.
If you are going to the festival, you can spend additional time enjoying City Park, detailed just below.
3) Relax in City Park
City Park (Városliget) is one of Budapest’s most popular parks. It is huge, covering 1.2-square-km (302 acres) filled with green lawns, a giant pond, historic sites, museums, and the famous Széchenyi Bath complex.
In the park, you can rent a rowboat and head out on the massive pond. You can also visit Hero’s Square and the Millennium Monument.
Attractions within or just near the park include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Transport Museum, and the Zoo (the latter two are ideal for children).
This annual fine food festival runs from May 21-24, 2020 in Millenáris Park. Much more than a food fest, this is gastronomy at its best.
Some of the acclaimed chefs and restaurants in the region will be serving authentic Hungarian fare, plated and presented beautifully.
This event is family-friendly as there are children’s’ programs scheduled. Find more information about this fantastic event from the Gourmet Festival website.
6) Save Money With a Tourist Pass
If you’re planning to visit multiple locations or enjoy a variety of activities in Budapest, using a tourist pass could save you a lot of money on general admission prices.
Depending on which pass you choose and how you use it, you could save 20% – 50% off or more on the following:
In 2020, this annual cultural festival celebrating the heritage of Szeklerland, a region of Transylvania, is on May 8-10th in Millenáris Park.
This former Hungarian territory is in the heart of Transylvania in Romania. It has a unique cultural heritage that retains its Hungarian roots. You can experience that culture at this festive event.
At this festival, there will be traditional music, arts & crafts, dance, and more. Try Szekler cuisine like kürtőskalács (chimney cake), regional beers and wines, homemade jams, honey, and herbal teas.
If you can’t make any of the food-related events above, but still want to try traditional Hungarian foods, a food tour might be just the thing you need!
Food walking tours are an excellent way to learn about the city while sampling delicious local food.
If you want to see some notable sights as well as enjoying food, try this Budapest food walking tour, which also visits the Dohany Street Synagogue and Central Market.
9) Budapest Beer Week
This annual festival takes place between May 18 – May 24, 2020. Trying out new beers couldn’t be easier!
For one fixed price you get an unlimited tasting session, opportunity to meet the brewers and entry to an after-party.
May Day (May 1) is a national holiday, and Budapestians take advantage of the day off from work to attend local free concerts and festivals throughout the city.
The most popular event is the Taban Festival in Taban Park.
There is music for people of all ages, and the atmosphere is light and easy.
Do as the locals do and sit on the grass for some free entertainment.
12) Giro d’Italia Cycling Race
The Giro d’Italia is one of cycling’s three big races, along with the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. In 2020, the race kicks off in Budapest on May 9.
Cyclists will compete in Stage 1 of the 3-week race with a short 9 km ride in Budapest. Tens of thousands of spectators will line the streets to watch.
See the Giro d’Italia website to find more information about the route and spectator viewing locations.
If you feel inspired by watching all those wheels turning, you can go for a bike ride yourself in Budapest. This well-regarded 2-hour small-group bike tour is very affordable and has rave reviews.
This post covers the top things to do in Budapest in April (updated for 2020), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.
Let Free Tours by Foot help you plan your trip to Budapest. Our local experts have written everything you need to know about what to do and see in Budapest.
If you just don’t know where to start, visit our main post.
This post provides details about each tourist pass in Budapest, including information about how to use them, how much money you can save, and even advice on which pass will best fit your needs.
There are a few different passes you can use to save money on a variety of popular attractions and activities. If you’re planning to visit multiple locations or take more than one tour, these services are definitely worth consideration.
Here are a few of the most popular things to see and do with these tourist attraction discount passes:
This post covers each of the Hop-on Hop-off bus tours in Budapest, including details about tour routes, landmarks you’ll see along the way, prices and opportunities to save money on tickets.
TIP: A free walking tours of Budapest are a budget-friendly way to see even more of the city than what you will see on a bus tour.
PROS AND CONS
In this section, we will cover a few factors you may want to consider before taking a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour.
If you’re trying to decide whether or not this tour will fit your needs and meet your expectations, take a look at our list of pros and cons.
PROS
Here are just a few of the things you might love about taking a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour in Budapest, including some of the reasons that these are ultimately positive features.
Excellent Overview of the City
Whether you’re short on time or you just want to learn some general details about Budapest, a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour is a great way to become familiar with the city.
Explore at Your Own Pace
While the tours themselves typically last between 1-2 hours, your ticket is good for days at a time, giving you the opportunity to jump off and explore various landmarks at your own speed.
Get Around the City
Since Hop-on Hop-off bus tours stop at most of the popular landmarks you will likely want to see, you can use this service as a way to travel between locations.
CONS
Although most people will be able to find at least one good reason to take a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, there are a few negatives you should consider first.
No Guaranteed Seat
While fully guided bus tours and other outings in Budapest will allow you to pay for a seat by the window, seats on these buses are first come, first serve. During busy periods of the year, you might only have standing room.
Not Very Extensive
If you’re looking for more than just a basic overview of the city, you won’t necessarily get it from a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour. These services typically only offer a few details about each of the locations you’ll see on the trip.
Inefficient Tour
Anyone short on time won’t be able to take advantage of the ability to hop on or off at your leisure and take an entire day to explore the city at their own pace.
For a more efficient option, consider a guided walking tour, bike tour, segway tour and more.
NOTE: Night bus tours don’t allow you to hop off, so they can be a pretty efficient alternative.
This is one of the most popular bus tour companies in the world, and they offer one of the best Hop-on Hop-off services in Budapest.
There are a total of 21 stops spread across two routes including locations like Buda Castle, the Szechenyi Baths, Lukacs Baths, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament and more.
The tour is available via pre-recorded commentary in these languages: Hungarian, English, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Greek, and Hebrew.
Tickets are available for 1-3 days, and each ticket type includes at least one additional activity for free, making them similar to a discount combo package!
If you buy tickets and decide not to take the tour, there’s no need to worry – you can return them for a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
You can also save money on tickets by taking advantage of a combo package which we will cover in greater detail in our deals and discounts section.
Tour Routes
The main route offered by Big Bus Tours is their red line, and it includes almost every stop (20 out of 21) in the city.
The included commentary provides a general overview of Budapest and it takes 1 ½ hours to complete.
The second route is their blue line, and it focuses entirely on the citadel and Buda Castle.
There are only 3 stops on this tour, but it’s a great option if you want to learn more about this specific area of the city – and it takes just 30 minutes.
Like their competitors, this company is also well known for providing outstanding bus tours all over the world including Budapest.
There are a total of 21 stops spread across 2 routes, including popular locations like St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square, the Citadel, Buda Castle, Great Market Hall and more.
The included audio commentary is available in these 16 languages: Hungarian, English, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian.
Tickets are available for 1-3 days and each ticket option includes extra activities and attractions for free, almost like a tourist pass or combo deal.
Even if you decide not to take the tour after purchasing tickets, you can still return them up to 24 hours before the service begins for a full refund.
This bus tour is included with at least one tourist pass, allowing you to save some money on admission. We’ll cover this and other savings opportunities in our deals and discounts section.
Tour Routes
The longest route offered by City Sightseeing is their red line that includes 21 stops. The audio commentary provided includes basic information about Budapest.
It takes about 1 ½ hours to complete the route.
Alternatively, you can also take the yellow route which includes 10 stops throughout the city including some not found on the other service such as Corvin Plaza and Corinthia Hotel.
Each of the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour companies in Budapest also offers night tours which cover some of the most notable sites after the sun goes down.
While you can’t jump off and on the bus at your leisure on these tours, they are an ideal option if you’re short on time or you want to see popular landmarks lit up after dark.
In addition to their daily Hop-on Hop-off service, this company also offers a bus tour after dark which covers a lot of the most notable sites in the city.
The main difference to keep in mind is that their night tour does not include the option to jump off the bus and explore at your leisure.
Instead, this is a closed circuit trip that takes roughly an hour to complete.
While on this night tour you can expect to see landmarks such as the Chain Bridge, St. Stephen’s Basilica and Heroes’ Square all lit up at night.
The audio commentary provided is available in the same languages as their daily Hop-on Hop-off bus tours.
Admission can be purchased individually, but they are also included with Deluxe 3-Day tickets.
This company also provides night bus tours in Budapest which allow you to experience the best landmarks in the city after the sun goes down.
One thing that sets this service apart from its competitors is that it lasts for almost 2 full hours, so it’s twice as long.
City Sightseeing’s night tour follows the same route as their red line and it includes a variety of sites such as the Citadel, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Chain Bridge and more.
The only difference between this and their main daily tour is that it takes place at night and you can’t jump off to explore the city at your leisure.
Audio commentary is provided in the same languages as their daily Hop-on Hop-off bus tours.
Admission is included with both their 2 and 3-day tickets, but it can also be purchased individually.
Even if you’re not sure you want to take this tour, you can purchase tickets without fear and return them up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Some tourist passes include discounts on the 2 and 3-day Hop-on Hop-off bus tours from City Sightseeing which cover the cost of this night tour. Check our deals and discounts section for more details.
Much like their competitors, this tour also begins and ends at St. Stephen’s Basilica and covers dozens of notable sites on both sides of the Danube River.
Some of the best Hop-on Hop-off bus tours are included either at a discount or at no extra cost with both major Budapest tourist attraction discount passes, like the Budapest Card.
If you’re planning to visit multiple locations or enjoy a variety of activities while in this city, using a tourist pass could save you a lot of money on general admission prices.
Depending on which pass you choose and how you use it, you could save 20% – 50% off or more on the following services:
This post covers the top things to do in Budapest in March (updated for 2020), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.
Be sure to read our master post on things to do in Budapest for even more ideas.
March is a great time to visit Budapest. While the weather is still a bit cold, but it’s warming up and there’s plenty to do inside as well. We’ve made a list below of the top 10 things to do in Budapest in March, with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for you to enjoy.
1. Celebrate March 15
March 15th is an important national holiday in Hungary. It is the anniversary of the beginning of the 1848 Revolution against the Habsburg oppression.
There will be events all over the city, and you will see citizens wearing cockades (ribbons with the national colors of red, white, and green). There will be official celebrations at the Hungarian National Museum, where Hungarian revolutionaries, led by Sándor Petőfi, held a mass demonstration on the first day of the revolution in 1848.
You can view the Hungarian Holy Crown and the Crown Jewels for free at the Hungarian Parliament. There will also be free museums, dances and concerts around the city, and more. Be aware, banks and shops are closed that day.
2. Go to a Concert
See Santana play at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna in Budapest on March 19th. Get your tickets here. Other performances taking place in Budapest in March include:
A great part of travel is the food you get to experience! A great way to try new cuisine is to partake in restaurant week. A number of places will have set menus for a set price, which usually makes it more affordable and lets you try places you might have originally thought out of your budget. Restaurant Week is a great reason to get adventurous and try a (or a few!) new restaurants.
We recommend reserving a table beforehand since a lot of places fill up ahead of time.
This festival is dedicated to all things fish! Mingle with locals at this festival, where you can sample a number of fish dishes, including the hot and spicy Fisherman’s soup.
The event takes place in Heroes’ Square and will feature a cooking contest, wine/palinka tastings, live music, and a program for kids. To learn more, click here.
For more free things to do in Budapest in March, check out our free section below.
5. Warm up in a Bath House
Budapest is well known for its bathhouses, even nicknamed “City of Spas”. They’re great places to enjoy a soak and warm up on a cold day! There are a number of bathhouses around the city, and each one caters to different tastes and ailments you might have. The most popular ones are:
Most bathhouse entry fees range from $10-$30 depending on the place and when you go.
6. Take a Walking Tour!
There’s no better way to explore a new city than on foot! Explore the history and stories of Budapest on a free walking tour. You’ll have expert locals guides showing you around and teaching you things the guidebooks can’t tell you. They are great for all ages!
Do you prefer your food gothic black? That’s the theme of this food festival- black colored food!
As weird as it sounds, there will be a whole variety of foods in the color, from black ice cream to gluten-free and vegan foods as well. It also falls on international French Macaron Day, so expect some dark macarons to taste.
This food festival has been touring internationally, starting in Berlin and making its way to Tel Aviv and Helsinki before a stop in Brooklyn, NY, and now it’s landed in Budapest! Come out and try some strange new foods- you might be surprised!
Tickets are €6 and can be purchased in advance here.
8. See the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 22, 2020
Dress in green and come out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Budapest!
The parade is free for the whole family and starts at the Erzsébet tér at 3pm (15:00). There will be an after-party at the Akvárium Klub.
Budapest is taking a stand in photography with this photo festival. It’s goal? “To create Budapest to be the ‘City of Photography’.”
For this, the festival will feature a city-wide exhibition series representing contemporary and classic values and local and international artists. There will be lectures, workshops, museum educational events, and more!
To see a full list of the program and featured artists, click here.
10. Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts
Built between 1900-1906, the Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts is in Heroes’ Square and has over 100,000 pieces of art.
The art collection is made up of international art and is showcased in 6 departments: Egyptian, Antique, Old Sculpture Gallery, Old Master Paintings Gallery, Modern Collection, and Graphics Collection.
Nighttime is a great time for exploring Budapest. With bars and after-dark activities, there’s plenty to do around the city once the sun does down.
Below are a few things to do in Budapest in March at night.
Enjoy the Night Life
There are a number of great bars and clubs to enjoy in Budapest.
Szimpla Kert is a kooky-atmosphere multi-level pub with a number of concerts every week.
With two courtyards and eight bars, Instant is the biggest ruin bar in Budapest.
If you want a great view of the city, check out the 360 Bar, which features cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Gellért Hill If the cold doesn’t bother you, we recommend seeing the sunset from Gellért Hill. There’s a beautiful Garden of Philosophy on top, a peaceful place to see the sun go down. If you’re more of an early riser, you can also catch the sunset from there. It’s a beautiful view of the city!
Late Night Bath Party
We mentioned some popular bathhouses to visit in the top 10 section above, but we want to highlight a cool thing that goes on in the Szechenyi Baths after dark on the weekends- bath parties! Starting in February and going through March, you can come out to enjoy the bathhouse after dark. It will feature electronic music, drinks, laser lights, and more. They are a great place to warm up hang out after dark and take place from 10:30pm-3am.
Walk Along a Bridge
If you want a great view of the city, walk along the Széchenyi Chain Bridge connecting Buda and Pest. The view of the Danube is incredible at night and offers great photo opportunities of the city.
Go to the Opera
The Hungarian State Opera in Budapest is well known for its opera and ballet shows. This month’s program includes a number of Italian operas with English and Hungarian subtitles but also productions for younger audience members, like baby sing-alongs great for families.
Currently, the opera house is closed until 2021 but they are doing productions in the Erkel Theater. Different venue, same great experience! To learn more and get your ticket, click here.
Budapest has plenty of free things to do! A lot of the items we’ve listed in other sections like seeing the sunset from Gellért Hill are completely free to do!
Here are a few more free activities to do in Budapest in March.
Visit Central Market Hall
This indoor market is a great place to explore on a chilly day. At over 100,000 square feet, Central Market is Budapest’s most expansive indoor market and is a great place to shop for food and souvenirs. Shop meats, vegetables, desserts, and wines, and be sure to grab some paprika to take home!
They are open every day except Sunday.
Visit Heroes’ Square
An iconic landmark in Budapest, Heroes’ Square (Hősök Tere) is a must-see when visiting the city. It features the Millenial Monument, which includes a 36-meter column on which is a statue of the angel Gabriel. Around it are statues of notable men who made their mark on Hungarian history.
This is one of the most photographed places in Budapest!
Explore the Fisherman’s Bastion
For one of the best views in the city, check out the Fisherman’s Bastion. It features Neo-Romanesque lookout terraces and is located right across the river from the Parlament Building, so you’ll get a great view of that as well as the rest of the city. It’s free to visit, but if you want to explore the upper towers there is a charge.
Visit the Buda Castle Gardens
Buda Castle is a great place to stop on your visit to Budapest. While there is an entrance cost, you can explore the grounds and gardens for free! Although the garden is not in bloom this time of year, reviews from people who have visited in the winter say that the garden is a peaceful and impressive place to explore and relax in.
Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica
St Stephen’s Basilica (Szt Istvan Bazilika) is one of the top attractions to see in Budapest. The most notable feature inside is the mummified right hand of the first Hungarian king, St Stephen (Istvan).
The basilica has beautiful architecture and is knows for its incredible organ concerts. You can go up into the dome and get an amazing view f the city.
Entering the basilica is free, and you can get tickets for tours for extra. To learn more, click here.
Budapest is super family-friendly! There are so many things to do, there is sure to be something to fit everyone’s tastes.
A few activities we’ve listed above are also kid-friendly, like attending the St. Patrick’s Day parade, so be sure to read through the other sections for more ideas.
Visit the Zoo
The Budapest Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world, opened in 1866. It has over a thousand species and welcomes over a million visitors every year.
The weather in March is warming up, and the zoo is a great way to go out and explore with kids on a warmer day.
The zoo is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday & Sunday 9am-5:30pm. Tickets are 3300 HUF for adults and 2200 HUF for children.
Visit the Parliament Building
The Parliament Building is an iconic landmark in Budapest. It’s impressive from the outside and beautiful inside. March is the perfect month to take a tour of it! Included with the purchase of a ticket is a 50-minute guided tour of the building. Children under 6 years can visit for free, just be sure to email them beforehand.
The Budapest Puppet Theatre is one of the largest puppet Theatres in Central Europe and has been around since 1947. The puppet theater is a great experience for children and adults alike, with performances written by Hungarian and foreign writers as well.
You will enjoy an incredible display of puppets and beautiful music for both folk story-type shows and more contemporary productions.
The Csodák Palotája, or Palace of Miracles, is a really cool, interactive museum that gets kids of all ages to participate in experiments! Their mission is to get kids to learn about the world and science in fun, relatable ways. There are themed exhibits each month so there’s something new to see no matter when you come. This is a great indoor activity to enjoy on a chilly March day!
This post covers the top things to do in Budapest in February (updated for 2020), including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.
Be sure to read our master post on things to do in Budapest for even more ideas.
February is a great time to visit Budapest. While the weather is still a bit cold, there’s plenty to do inside as well. We’ve made a list below of the top 10 things to do in Budapest in February, with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for you to enjoy.
1. Tour the Parliament Building
The Parliament Building is an iconic landmark in Budapest. It’s impressive from the outside and beautiful inside. February is the perfect month to take a tour of it! Included with the purchase of a ticket is a 50-minute guided tour of the building. Children under 6 years can visit for free, just be sure to email them beforehand.
Hungary is a country known for the art of folk dancing, and this performance is an incredible showcase of the country’s talent. This 1.5 hour performance (with intermission) at the Duna Palota Theater showcases the Danube Folk Ensemble, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, and Rajkó Folk Ensemble, 3 of the most highly regarded and professional Hungarian folk troupes.
The performance starts at 8pm, and you can learn more here.
If you want to see more traditional Hungarian dancing, check out the Budapest Dance Festival in the kids’ section below.
4. Mangalica Festival
Feb. 7-9, 2020
This food festival celebrates the Mangalica, a unique pig breed indigenous to Hungary. The festival takes place at the Szabadság tér near the Parliament in the city center. There will be plenty of food to taste, like Mangalica meat and sausage, but also other vendors with things like artisan cheese, honey, bread, and alcoholic drinks. This festival is free to attend and there will be free samples at a lot of the booths as well.
For more free things to do in Budapest in February, check out our free section below.
5. Warm up in a Bath House
Budapest is well known for its bathhouses, even nicknamed “City of Spas”. They’re great places to enjoy a soak and warm up on a cold day! There are a number of bathhouses around the city, and each one caters to different tastes and ailments you might have. The most popular ones are:
Most bathhouse entry fees range from $10-$30 depending on the place and when you go.
6. Take a Walking Tour!
There’s no better way to explore a new city than on foot! Explore the history and stories of Budapest on a free walking tour. You’ll have expert locals guides showing you around and teaching you things the guidebooks can’t tell you. They are great for all ages!
Not sure what to do for Valentine’s Day? Try a romantic dinner cruise or wine tasting experience!
See the sights illuminated at night on this 2-hour cruise on the Danube with live music. The wine tasting includes samples of 7 Hungarian wines, while the dinner option is a buffet with vegetarian options as well.
This exhibit lets your senses awaken as you participate in activities in total darkness. For the “invisible” experience, choose from an Italian dinner, a wine tasting, and a team-building exercise. Make your way through each experience with just touch, sounds, and scent. Tours come in a variety of languages!
If this sounds intriguing, check out more and book your experience here.
9. Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica
St Stephen’s Basilica (Szt Istvan Bazilika) is one of the top attractions to see in Budapest. The most notable feature inside is the mummified right hand of the first Hungarian king, St Stephen (Istvan).
The basilica has beautiful architecture and is knows for its incredible organ concerts. You can go up into the dome and get an amazing view f the city.
Entering the basilica is free, and you can get tickets for tours for extra. To learn more, click here.
10. Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts
Built between 1900-1906, the Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts is in Heroes’ Square and has over 100,000 pieces of art.
The art collection is made up of international art and is showcased in 6 departments: Egyptian, Antique, Old Sculpture Gallery, Old Master Paintings Gallery, Modern Collection, and Graphics Collection.
Nighttime is a great time for exploring Budapest. With bars and after-dark activities, there’s plenty to do around the city once the sun does down.
Below are a few things to do in Budapest in February at night.
Enjoy the Night Life
There are a number of great bars and clubs to enjoy in Budapest.
Szimpla Kert is a kooky-atmosphere multi-level pub with a number of concerts every week.
With two courtyards and eight bars, Instant is the biggest ruin bar in Budapest.
If you want a great view of the city, check out the 360 Bar, which features cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Gellért Hill If the cold doesn’t bother you, we recommend seeing the sunset from Gellért Hill. There’s a beautiful Garden of Philosophy on top, a peaceful place to see the sun go down. If you’re more of an early riser, you can also catch the sunset from there. It’s a beautiful view of the city!
Walk Along a Bridge
If you want a great view of the city, walk along the Széchenyi Chain Bridge connecting Buda and Pest. The view of the Danube is incredible at night and offers great photo opportunities of the city.
Go to the Opera
The Hungarian State Opera in Budapest is well known for its opera and ballet shows. This month’s program includes a number of Italian operas with English and Hungarian subtitles but also productions for younger audience members, like baby sing-alongs great for families.
Currently, the opera house is closed until 2021 but they are doing productions in the Erkel Theater. Different venue, same great experience! To learn more and get your ticket, click here.
Budapest has plenty of free things to do! A lot of the items we’ve listed in other sections like seeing the sunset from Gellért Hill are completely free to do!
Here are a few more free activities to do in Budapest in February.
Visit Central Market Hall
This indoor market is a great place to explore on a chilly day. At over 100,000 square feet, Central Market is Budapest’s most expansive indoor market and is a great place to shop for food and souvenirs. Shop meats, vegetables, desserts, and wines, and be sure to grab some paprika to take home!
They are open every day except Sunday.
Visit Heroes’ Square
An iconic landmark in Budapest, Heroes’ Square (Hősök Tere) is a must-see when visiting the city. It features the Millenial Monument, which includes a 36-meter column on which is a statue of the angel Gabriel. Around it are statues of notable men who made their mark on Hungarian history.
This is one of the most photographed places in Budapest!
Explore the Fisherman’s Bastion
For one of the best views in the city, check out the Fisherman’s Bastion. It features Neo-Romanesque lookout terraces and is located right across the river from the Parlament Building, so you’ll get a great view of that as well as the rest of the city. It’s free to visit, but if you want to explore the upper towers there is a charge.
Visit the Buda Castle Gardens
Buda Castle is a great place to stop on your visit to Budapest. While there is an entrance cost, you can explore the grounds and gardens for free! Although the garden is not in bloom this time of year, reviews from people who have visited in the winter say that the garden is a peaceful and impressive place to explore and relax in.
Budapest is super family-friendly! There are so many things to do, there is sure to be something to fit everyone’s tastes.
A few activities we’ve listed above are also kid-friendly, like the Mangalica festival, so be sure to read through the other sections for more ideas.
Bear Carnival in the Zoo
Feb. 1-3, 2020
Taking place at the Zoo and Botanical Garden is Hungary’s version of Groundhog’s Day, but with a bear and its shadow- will it see it? This special carnival will celebrate bears, with plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy. Programs take place at the Varázshegy/Magic Hill between 10am -3pm (15:00) each day. There will be mask making, face painting, and storytelling. There’s also a special animal show each day of the event!
Admission: 200 HUF for kids under 14 years if they arrive in bear costume or bring a toy bear.
Go Ice Skating
Two great places to go ice staking in Budapest are:
Ice Skating Rink in City Park – recently refurbished for a great experience.
Rinks will stay open until the end of February, so you have time to check out both!
Visit the Puppet Theater
The Budapest Puppet Theatre is one of the largest puppet Theatres in Central Europe and has been around since 1947. The puppet theater is a great experience for children and adults alike, with performances written by Hungarian and foreign writers as well.
You will enjoy an incredible display of puppets and beautiful music for both folk story-type shows and more contemporary productions.
The Budapest Dance Festival is an annual festival that features an array of dance, including folk, contemporary, and ballet. Local and international dance companies will be putting on performances in venues all around the city. Whether your a dance enthusiast or simply curious, this festival is a great way to immerse yourself in the dance scene.
The Csodák Palotája, or Palace of Miracles, is a really cool, interactive museum that gets kids of all ages to participate in experiments! Their mission is to get kids to learn about the world and science in fun, relatable ways. There are themed exhibits each month so there’s something new to see no matter when you come. This is a great indoor activity to enjoy on a cold February day!
This post covers 25 top things to do in Budapest and includes nighttime, free, as well as family-friendly events and activities.
1. Ride the Funicular
The most enjoyable way to reach Buda Castle is by riding the funicular tram, one of Budapest’s top attractions.
You can’t beat the views overlooking the Danube, the Chain Bridge, and the Pest side of the city as you glide up the mountain.
The funicular was opened in 1870, rebuilt after being bombed in World War II, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tickets cost HUF 1,200 ($4) one-way, and HUF 1,800 ($6) for a return, less for children.
Visit their website for information on opening times.
2. Stand atop Buda Castle
Buda Castle sits atop a plateau that overlooks the Danube. Various palaces and royal residences have existed on this site since 1247.
Today the Castle is home to the Budapest History Museum, the National Szechenyi Library, and the Hungarian National Gallery.
It is also part of a complex of buildings that includes Fisherman’s Bastion, Mattias Church, The Hospital In the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum and the Houdini Museum.
Underneath the castle is what is known as the Labyrinth, made up of tunnels and caves used over the years by the inhabitants of the castle as everything from a shelter, a hiding place, storage, a prison, a harem, and more.
Changing of the guard takes place every hour. On the last Saturday of the month, the changing of the guard is accompanied by music.
The grounds and courtyards of Buda Castle are free to enter. Those with the Budapest Cardget free entrance to two of the museums on site. Various free walking tours offer a tour through the Buda Castle grounds. Private tourscan be had as well.
3. Climb Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion, part of the Buda Castle complex, sits atop Castle hill, giving it one of the best views of the city.
It was built in the early 1900s to celebrate the birthday of the Hungarian state and had to be restored after being badly damaged in WWII.
The 7 turrets of this Disney-like building are said to represent the 7 Hungarian tribes who settled the area in 895.
Open every day, the price for entrance is HUF 1000 ($3.33) for adults and HUF 400 ($1.33) for students. A discount is given if you have the Budapest Card.
There’s also a well-reviewed fine dining restaurant, Halaszbastya, on-site, that, as expected, has amazing views of the city.
Chain bridge is the oldest of the 8 bridges that connect the Buda and Pest sides of the city and the best known.
The full name, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, is after Count István Széchenyi. He vowed to push for the building of the bridge after being stuck on the Pest side of the Danube for a week during bad weather.
The Pontoon boat that usually ferried folks each way could not run and he missed his father’s funeral.
Cross this gorgeous bridge, one protected by stone lions on each end, day or night, by foot or by bus. The same buses that cross the bridge, numbers 16 and 105, take you to Buda Castle.
If you’re looking for the “love padlocks” found on so many bridges, they’ve been removed.
Learn more about the Chain Bridge here and others, such as the Liberty and Széchenyi bridges, here.
5. Soak in the Széchenyi Spa Baths
Budapest’s thermal springs and the stunning architecture of the pools built above them make them a must-experience on any trip to Budapest.
It’s said that the pools have the power to heal, helping everything from arthritis to respiratory disorders.
Szechenyi is one of the most impressive. This bath is located in City Park and includes 18 different pools, both indoors and outdoors. There are also massages, mud-baths, saunas, restaurants and more.
The baths are open from 6:00 am to 22:00 (10 pm).
To bypass lines for this busy place, consider a skip the line admission ticket. There are also some discounts to be had with the Budapest Card.
Note that there is separate pricing for lockers and cabins (lockers are for storing your belongings and cabins are for both changing and storing your belongings).
6. Take in a concert at Papp László Budapest Sportaréna
Known locally as just Arena, this well organized and popular sports and music venue is easy to get to by bus, taxi or the metro. It has the capacity to hold up to 12,500 people.
The Arena pulls all of the big international music acts, such as Lady Gaga, Metallica, and Harry Styles, along with hockey, boxing, operas, the circus and more.
Tickets can be found online here and an arena seating map found here.
7. Indulge in delicious foods at Great Market Hall
This largest and oldest covered market in Europe is just five minutes’ walk from the city center. It’s popular with both locals and tourists.
This is the place to try all of the best that Hungary has to offer food-wise (lángos, paprika, Hungarian spaetzle, pickles, cheese, soups and more.)
Visit the ATM ahead of time as most vendors only accept cash.
The market is closed on Sundays. Hours and information can be foundhere, and a listing of monthly cultural events can be found here.
8. Glide along the Danube during an Evening Sightseeing Cruise
Float past Budapest’s floodlit landmarks on an evening cruise, with Parliament on one side, Buda Castle on the other, and much more.
Shorter tours offer a drink with your cruise, this cheap tour for example, while longer ones provide a meal by candlelight with live music, such as this one. There are also day tours and other options.
9. Climb to the top of St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s, is a stunning basilica located in the center of Budapest. It’s the third-largest church in Hungary and one of its most important.
Guests often remark on the majesty of the neo-classical building’s interior, with sculptures created using over 50 types of marble, along with relics, paintings, and stained glass.
A real treat is found when you climb the 364 spiral steps to the cupola. Here you’ll find one of the best viewing spots in Budapest, with the city laid out in all directions.
Outside the Basilica, during the winter, is one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe.
Entry is free, although a donation is suggested. For a guided tour of the site, visit here.
10. Parliament House
This stunning and massive Gothic-revival building sits on the edge of the Danube, on the Pest side of the river.
It has 691 rooms, miles of ornate staircases, hundreds of sculptures, and wood carvings and paintings as far as the eye can see. There is also a Treasury, holding priceless liturgical items.
Known to be very busy with long queues, it’s best to get your tickets in advance.
For a guided tour, one that leads you through its various halls and stops along the way to see the crown jewels, click here. Mass times can be found here.
11. Take in the splendor of the Dohany Street Synagogue
The largest synagogue in Europe, and second-largest in the worst, resides in this Moorish Revival styled and ornate building erected in the 1850s.
It is also home to the Jewish Museum, as well as the Heroes Temple, the Jewish Cemetary, and the Raul Wallenberg Memorial Park, honoring those who fell or were murdered during two world wars.
Entry is HUF 5,000 ($16.67) for adults, with reduced rates for students and children. It is also discounted 10% if you have the Budapest Card.
Visit the bottom of the page here for opening times, events info, and for tickets. Dress code: men cannot enter without a hat or cap; one with be received with a ticket at the entrance. Shoulders and legs must be covered.
12. Stand in Silence at the Shoes on the Danube Bank
The memorial was created to honor those Hungarian Jews killed by members of the Arrow Cross Party police between 1944 and 1945.
As many as 20,000 people were taken from the Jewish ghetto and executed along the banks of the River Danube, just after they were forced to remove their shoes.
These 60 pairs of rusted iron shoes represent the men, women, and children who were massacred and sit in testament to this devastating loss.
The moving exhibit can be found along the edge of the Danube Promenade near Zoltan street. Click here to find the location on a map.
13. Ramble around Margaret Island
Formed when three islands were merged into one, Margaret Island sits in the center of the Danube. It was named after St. Margit of Hungary, daughter of King Béla IV.
The island exists now as a recreational area but was once home of various churches and nunneries, the ruins of which can still be seen.
There are various modes of transportation for rent on the island, including bicycles, electric scooters, golf carts, and odd-looking little cars.
Food can also be found at various restaurants on the island in addition to swimming pools and thermal baths, a Rose Garden, a Japanese Garden, a musical fountain, and an Art Nouveau style water tower (which can be climbed).
Learn more about the history of Margaret Island here.
14. Pub Crawl through Ruins
Ruin bars are those built in the old abandoned spaces of the VII quarter in Budapest, buildings that were left to decay after WWII,
They started out on the gritty side, but now run the gamut from elegant to artsy.
One of the best ways to hit more than one ruin bar in an evening is to join a pub crawl. This tour will not only get you in the door VIP but will provide free shots and drinks all night.
For more information and to take the ultimate pub crawl, visit here.
15. Attend the Hungarian State Opera House
Currently undergoing a $30 million renovation including refining of her already impressive acoustics is the Hungarian State Opera House
This neo-renaissance style building was opened in 1894 and was at one point under the direction of Gustav Mahler. It stands as one of the grandest buildings in Budapest.
Tours are still going out and are available in a number of languages. Visit here for opening hours, event times, and ticket information.
16. Visit Heroes Square
This large square at the end of Andrássy Avenue was built to commemorate the 1,000-year-old history of the Magyars, the clans who established the principality of Hungary. It’s a beautiful spot to visit, day or night.
The statues representing the leaders of those 7 tribes stand below a column topped with a statue of Archangel Gabriel.
Other statues represent important figures in Hungary’s history, including various Kings, saints, fighters, and learned men.
The square sits between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Halls of Art (Kunsthalle), both of which have free entry if you’ve purchased the Budapest Card and are looking for other things to do in the area.
For a list of events in Budapest, some of which take place on the square, visit here.
17. Go on a Food Walking Tour
One of the best ways to know a city is to try its local dishes. This is something completely enjoyable in Budapest as the city is loaded with delicious foods.
A food tour, such as this one, which also visits a ruin bar and the Dohany Street Synagogue and Central Market, is one way to sample a great cross-section of local delicacies.
Harry Houdini, the world’s most well-known magicians, was born to a Jewish family in Budapest.
After immigrating to America with his family, where they lived in uncertainty and in great poverty, Houdini spent years building his repertoire. He would eventually become one of the most famous men in the world.
This small museum, built by a Hungarian escape artist named Merlini, celebrates the life of Houdini.
It houses authentic memorabilia such as his straight-jackets, handcuffs, letters, and more, and includes a 15-minute live magic show.
The price of tickets runs about $10 for adults and just over $6.50 for children. The museum lies within Buda Castle grounds and a five-minute walk from the Hospital in the Rock.
If you have the Budapest Card, other buildings in the complex are free.
19. Pick through the Esceri Flea Market
The first Ecseri market or piac came to be in the early 1800s, moving again and again until it finally set up in a hall built for it in 2014.
You can find just anything from trash to treasures in this, one of central Europe’s largest flea markets.
The market lies a bit outside the city center but is easily reached on public transport. Vendors speak English so be prepared to haggle.
Bring cash only. For more tips and an idea of a good time to visit, look here. For information on how to get to Esceri, visit here.
20. View the finest of artworks at the Hungarian National Gallery
This well-reviewed museum, established in 1957, represents 500 years of Hungarian fine art.
Spread across four wings and floors of Buda Castle, the museum includes paintings, sculptures, and stonework. It includes both permanent and temporary exhibits, such as the recent one with works by Frida Kahlo.
For an unbeatable panoramic view of Budapest, scale the museum’s dome. You’ll need more than one visit to see it all.
Guided tours can be had in various languages though they need to be requested a week ahead of time. If you purchased the Budapest Card, entrance to the permanent exhibits is free.
21. Stroll up Andrassy Avenue
This elegant boulevard and World Heritage Site is often referred to as the Champs-Élysées of Budapest. It was built to connect City Park & Heroes Square to the north and the City Center to the south.
The buildings lining the street represent some of Budapest’s grandest architecture and were originally designed as single-family homes by the same architect.
Today, cafes, restaurants, cultural buildings, luxury stores, and apartments dot each side of the street.
At only a mile and a half long it is easily walkable. Some hop-on-hop-off bus tours head up the avenue around Heroes Square (trips which are discounted with the Budapest Card), and the Millennium Underground Railway, the first subway line in Europe, also runs north and south along Andrassy Avenue.
22. Head Underground with a Caving Tour
Under your feet in Budapest are a series of caves, formed by the same thermal springs that feed the cities spas.
There are at least 200 of these natural caves in the hills of Buda, including the Labyrinth under Buda Castle.
If you want to step out and try something a bit more adventuresome tour-wise, consider joining a caving tour. Guides lead a small group on multi-hour tours through the caves and tunnels underground.
Guests say you should be in reasonable shape and not severely claustrophobic. Wear good shoes!
23. Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Budapest Zoo, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary is home to over 9000 animals.
You can easily spend a full day here visiting sloths, pandas, and other furry and not-so-furry creatures.
There are activities as well to keep children including the feeding of giraffes and a seal show.
If architecture is your passion, you might enjoy the Art Nouveau design of some of its buildings, particularly the main entrance and the elephant house.
Adult Tickets are 3,300 HUF ($11). Children’s Tickets are 2,200 HUF ($7.30). And Family tickets (2 adults, 1 child) are 8000 HUF ($25.50).
Plan your visit by visiting thezoo’s website. A map of the zoo can be found and downloaded here.
24. 3D Gallery
If you are looking for more unusual things to do in Budapest, you might stop by the 3D Gallery.
Here you become part of the art by posing next to paintings of various activities.
Selfies are encouraged, although staff is there to help snap pictures with your phone so everyone can be in the shot.
The Gallery is located off of the south end of Andrassy Avenue. Tickets can be purchased individually here or as a family group here.
25. Children’s Railway
If you’re looking for activities to do with your children, they might find a ride on the Children’s railway keeps their interest.
This railway line runs through the scenic Buda hills, stopping are various recreational spots.
The most interesting aspect of this railway though is the fact that it’s run by children aged 10-14 (although under the supervision of adults).
Consider riding the Cogwheel railway, a tram that opened in 1874 and is both a cheap and interesting way to get to the site of the train.
Tickets are 700 HUF ($2.35) for adults and 350 HUF ($1.15) for children one-way. A timetable can be found here.
These walking tours are called ‘free tours’ but are commonly understood to run on a ‘name-your-own-price’ model or what’s called a ‘tips-only-basis’.
There is no cost to take a tour, and sometimes no booking is even required. After taking the tour, you get to decide how much you thought it was worth or what you could afford, even nothing.
According to reviews on Google and TripAdvisor, past participants seem to leave between €5-€15 per adult.
And while free walking tours are generally limited to a city centre, in Budapest there are free themed-tours, such as those focused on communism or the city’s Jewish Quarter.
Many people are drawn to these tours because they are convenient, affordable, and entertaining. Their popularity, however, also means that group sizes can get quite large.
If you want to ensure a smaller group setting to give you more time to interact with your tour guide, we suggest checking out paid small group tours.
Alternatively, you could try one of the available self-guided tours, which are completely free.
There are a few companies offering pay-what-you-wish tours in Budapest. We list them in the order that we find their online ratings to score.
TIP:If you are considering purchasing a hop-on-hop-off ticket while in Budapest, do note that both Big Bus as well as CitySightseeing both offer free walking tours with each ticket (no pay-what-you-wish).
Likewise, if you are considering purchasing the Budapest Card, then note that it too includes free walking tours (no pay-what-you-wish).
Trip to Budapest
Trip to Budapest provides English and Spanish-speaking visitors with entertaining tours in Budapest.
A daily 2.5-hour tour will take you through the city’s – and Hungary’s – history as well as the current culture and attractions.
They also offer a free tour that covers the city’s history of communism as well as a tour of the Jewish Quarter.
The company has also paid tours to specific locations and with themes such as food or street art on a weekly basis.
Generation Tours
Generation Tours offers 90-minute walks through Budapest with native tour guides.
The paid offers start from €24 for private and custom tours, as well as set tours with a theme – such as food tours and architectural walks to attract the foodies and architecture loving tourists.
Original Europe Tours
Original Europe Tours in Budapest focuses on taking tourists “off the beaten path.” experiences that move away from mass tourism.
The 2.5-hour tours run twice a day and focus on creating connections between the participants in the group and with the city. It also provides paid tours with a specific theme on a weekly basis.
It’s easy to customize your own experience and be in charge of your explorations through Budapest with a self-guided or audio tour.
Start when you want, and take as much or little time as you can – it’s up to you.
Budapest by Locals
This blog offers multiple tips on what to see and do in Budapest, including this walking tour itinerary.
The walking tour comes with an interactive map on their site and has several route options, including downtown, Buda Castle, and other specific neighborhoods.
Art and History Audio Guide
Thisfree audio guide takes you through the streets of Budapest to find street art, memorials, sculptures, and landmarks that are important to today’s culture.
If you’re interested in listening to a guide – but have the ability to pause and investigate some stops further – this audio tour is a good way to go.
