10 Essential Things to Do on a Budapest Vacation

 Of all the Eastern European capitals, Budapest might boast the most culture. It was the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for nearly half a century and has long been considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. However, a Budapest vacation often gets overlooked in favour of its Western European counterparts like Paris and Rome. This needs to stop.

Not only is Budapest cheaper than other cities in Europe, but it’s also overlooked in terms of tourism, meaning you’re less likely to jockey for space alongside other travellers (although it’s by no means an off-the-beaten-path destination). It’s also home to a lot of historical and cultural wonders, so much so that you might have a hard time winnowing down your activity options once you visit, on a trip to Hungary.

From gorgeous churches to terrifying museums to one of the largest parliament buildings in the world, and a surplus of natural hot springs, a Budapest vacation has a lot to entice travellers. Drawing on the multitude of options awaiting globetrotters lucky enough to head to Budapest, we’ve put together the following 10 essential things to do in Budapest.

Visit the Hungarian Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament Building is the largest building in the country and the third-largest parliament building in the world. Beyond its size, the building is a marvellous work of architecture. The Neo-Gothic style is all spires and intricate trims, as if the building were the result of a marriage between a Venetian mansion and a Gothic cathedral like Cologne Cathedral. You can tour the building to see the parliamentary halls and admire the frescoes painted along the ceiling above the ornamental stairs. The best views of the building are at sundown, when it lights up and brilliantly illuminates the Danube River. It’s certainly a sight to behold.

Admire Relics at St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica is likely the best known building in Budapest after the Hungarian Parliament Building. It was named after the first king of Hungary and is the third-largest church in the country. It’s also one of the tallest buildings in Budapest, sitting nearly 100m high. You’ll notice restored frescoes along the ceiling when you enter the church, as well as the enormous sanctuary that can accommodate multiple thousands of people. The church’s chief attraction is the right hand of St. Stephen, which remains in a gilded box in the church and is the country’s main relic. If you’re not one for relics, you can head to the top of the cupola by stairs or elevator to take advantage of the church’s height, and enjoy views of the city.
Soak in Szechenyi Baths and Gellert Baths

In terms of geography, Budapest is known for two things: hills and hot springs. The city is built on an extensive series of natural hot springs, making it one of the best places in Europe to relax in warm waters. While there are plenty of places to take advantage of the springs and warm your well-travelled body, two hot springs reign supreme – Szechenyi Baths and Gellert Baths. Szechenyi is more popular as its massive outdoor pool and mixed gender policy attracts locals and globetrotters alike. Gellert Baths splits up the genders, but has ornate Turkish design and a gorgeous central pool within its hotel structure. You can’t go wrong with either bath, although be aware that things can get hot in these springs. I remember a dry sauna at Gellert that went up to 70°C, which is pretty hot, to put it mildly.

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