Pulsing with history, packed with excitement and brimming with flavour - soak it all up in Budapest.

Discover local in Budapest

Buda Castle is a spectacular 13th-century palace atop Castle Hill and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s no surprise the construction of this massive castle took a while. The building of the Gothic-style Buda Castle started in the mid-14th century and lasted almost until the end of the 15th century. Over the years, several monarchs extended and decorated the buildings. If you want to explore the castle and surroundings, you have several options, like a walking tour, private tour, bus tour or Segway tour. We like to just wander around by ourselves and visit the several attractions at our own pace because there is a lot to see! Visit the Hungarian National Gallery for instance, or the Castle Museum and National Széchenyi Library. There’s no better place to get your culture fix!

One-stop-shop Buda Castle

And that’s for a reason. The church is full of the most astonishing 19th-century frescoes, vestments and liturgical decorations that make you gasp. Everywhere is something to see. Besides the ancient art, you can also visit the tomb of Béla III, king of Hungary and Croatia between 1172 and 1196 or attend a service. Keep an eye on the church’s calendar, because they invite foreign church choirs and ensembles regularly, who give concerts in the historic building. For many decades, they touch the visitors of Matthias Church through the power of church music. The mostly classical music repertoire of the performing ensembles includes both spirituals and contemporary church music pieces.

Visit Matthias Church

Literally dive into the history of Budapest as you enter the baths and spa. Here you swim among the grandeur of a sprawling 20th-century Turkish building. If you want to experience the Szechenyi Spa Baths to the fullest, visit the saunas as well and end your day with a luxurious spa treatment and relaxing massage. It will definitely make you unwind and forget the bustling city. Do you actually love the hustle and bustle and care little about unwinding? Then visit the baths somewhere from December to February as the spa changes into a unique club when the night falls. The Sparty’s, as they are called, are famous throughout Europe and the brainchild of a famed Hungarian party producer. These night-time raves offer unlimited alcohol, live electronic music, and an anything-goes atmosphere in the water.

Relax at the Szechenyi Spa Baths

Climb the ornate turrets and peep at boats bobbing lazily down the Danube river before popping into one of the city’s most famous patisseries, the 200-year-old Ruszwurm. From the terraces and towers you can see the Danube, Margaret Island and the eastern part of Budapest. For those who want to relax there is a comfortable café. The present-day towers and decorative fortification of Fisherman’s Bastion were built in the 19th century to serve as a lookout tower for the best panoramic views in Budapest. The structure was protected by the guild of the fishermen during the Middle Ages, hence the name. You can visit the balconies for free, the top turrets require a small fee, but it is worth climbing up. The towers of the Bastion are also part of the Buda Castle tours, so you can enjoy all of the area en experience the place to the fullest.

Wonderful views from Fisherman’s Bastion

If you want to visit the Parliament Building you have to book a guided tour, since it is the only way to get inside. The seat of the current government houses more than paperwork, officials and meeting rooms. The 691-room building is famed for its Gothic Revival architecture, ornate statues and gorgeous paintings. In the halls, you can take a look at the royal insignia, statues of Hungarian rulers and golden ornaments. We especially love the Lounge, decorated with Europe’s largest hand-knotted carpet and statues evoking old Hungarian ethnic groups and trades. These precious figurines were made at the Zsolnay porcelain factory in Pécs, which is an outstanding player in the history of the Hungarian industry, having won many world exhibition awards. The tours are guided by multilingual professionals who will accompany you throughout a roughly 50-minute, experience-packed journey.

Discover the Hungarian Parliament Building

Once up, a magnificent view over the Danube river and the Pest side of Budapest unfolds from Castle Hill. This lively area breathes history and is stuffed with interesting cafes, stores and museums. The most prominent building is the Royal Castle, the seat of the former Hungarian rulers, and now housing the Hungarian National Library and several museums. The Hungarian National Gallery is worth a visit, showing collections dating back as far as the 10th century. After your visit to the Royal Castle, we suggest you to just wander around the area. Winding cobbled streets and leafy promenades will lead you past Baroque cottages, Habsburg monuments and cafes such as the early 19th-century Ruszwurm where you can enjoy a classical Hungarian pastry, originally made from cooked egg cream with vanilla mixed with egg white. However, the Ruszwurm pastry is not mellowed with egg white but with whipped cream. Mjum!

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