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The Hungarian Parliament Building on the Danube at dusk, Budapest

No. 60 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Budapest

Hungary

The 'Pearl of the Danube': thermal baths, grand riverside architecture, ruin bars and coffee houses.

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Photo: Pierre Blaché, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Budapest is No. 60 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Hungary's capital is divided by the Danube into hilly Buda and flat Pest, and the riverbanks, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city is famous for its thermal baths, its grand 19th-century architecture and its lively nightlife, including the 'ruin bars' in old courtyards of the Jewish Quarter.

The outdoor pools of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest
The outdoor pools of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest. Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0, source

Best time to go

April to June and September to October bring pleasant weather for walking and river cruises.

Summer is hot and busy. Winter is cold, but the outdoor thermal pools and Christmas markets are at their best.

Top sights

  • 1

    Hungarian Parliament Building

    The vast Gothic Revival building on the Danube; guided tours show the grand staircase and the Holy Crown.

  • 2

    Buda Castle

    The palace complex on Castle Hill houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.

  • 3

    Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church

    Fairy-tale terraces and a colourful tiled church with views over the river.

  • 4

    Széchenyi Thermal Bath

    One of Europe's largest spa complexes, with steaming outdoor pools in City Park.

  • 5

    St Stephen's Basilica

    The great domed church, with a panorama terrace around the dome.

  • 6

    Great Market Hall

    The central market, with paprika, salami and food stalls.

  • 7

    Danube cruise

    Evening boat trips pass the illuminated Parliament, Chain Bridge and Castle Hill.

Getting there

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is about 16 km south-east of the centre. The 100E airport express bus runs to Deák Ferenc tér.

Trains from Vienna and other European cities arrive at Keleti station.

Getting around

BKK runs the metro, trams and buses. The M1 line, opened in 1896, is the oldest metro line in continental Europe, and tram 2 runs along the Pest riverbank.

The centre is walkable, though Castle Hill is a climb; a funicular runs up from the Chain Bridge.

Practical tips

Currency
Hungarian forint (HUF); the euro is not the official currency. Cards are widely accepted. Pay in forints if a card machine offers a currency conversion.
Language
Hungarian. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Safety
Budapest is generally safe; watch for pickpockets on public transport and check bills in bars and restaurants. The emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
Hungary is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records non-EU travellers' entries and exits at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow. Check the official EU site travel-europe.europa.eu and your own government's travel advice before you go.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.

Official information: Budapest Info (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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