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Best Things to do in Budapest (2026)

Some of the best experiences in Budapest have more to do with everyday life than with monuments. Soaking in the outdoor pools of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath in City Park is a highlight in any season; go on a weekday morning for the calmest visit and bring your own towel and slippers. Note that children under 14 are no longer admitted to Széchenyi without a medical certificate, so families may prefer another bath.

The Great Market Hall is the place for paprika, salami and a lángos lunch, and it is best early in the morning from Monday to Saturday. For views, walk up Gellért Hill to the Citadella, which reopened in 2026 with a park, terraces and an exhibition on Hungarian independence; sunset is the classic time. Margaret Island offers green space, a running track and a musical fountain between the bridges, and it is ideal for a slow afternoon. In the evening, see a performance or join a guided tour at the Hungarian State Opera House on Andrássy út, one of the finest opera houses of the 19th century.

5 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 things to do in Budapest

  1. Széchenyi Thermal Bath Thermal bath, City Park (Városliget)A Neo-Baroque thermal bath complex in City Park, opened in 1913, with outdoor pools fed by hot springs that stay open all year.
  2. Great Market Hall Indoor food market, Belváros (Fővám tér)Budapest's largest and oldest indoor market, opened in 1897 beside Liberty Bridge, selling paprika, sausages, pickles and Hungarian street food.
  3. Gellért Hill and the Citadella Hilltop viewpoint and fortress, GellérthegyA 235-metre hill above the Danube topped by the Citadella fortress, which reopened in 2026 with a park, viewing terraces and a history exhibition.