Location: Budapest
Top Things to do in Budapest
What to do and see in Budapest, Central Hungary: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Over 15 million gallons of water bubble daily into Budapest's 118 springs and boreholes. The city of spas offers an astounding array of baths, from the sparkling Gellert Baths to the vast 1913 neo-baroque Szechenyi Spa to Rudas Spa, a dramatic 16th-century Turkish pool with original Ottoman architecture. The "Queen of the Danube" is also steeped in history, culture and natural beauty. Get your camera ready for the Roman ruins of the Aquincum Museum, Heroes' Square and Statue Park, and the 300-foot dome of St. Stephen's Basilica.
Restaurants in Budapest
1. Faust Wine Cellar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,055 reviews
Be our guest in our authentic Faust Wine Cellar under the Dominican Cloister - the part of the UNESCO World Heritage! We are offering about 80 sorts of Hungarian wines and 30 sorts of "Pálinka". During the week we are organizing special wine and "Pálinka" tastings guided by our sommelier!
Reviewed By hannamventures - Droitwich, United Kingdom
Tucked away inside the Hilton hotel right in the heart of the Buda history this place is an amazing experience to step away from the business of tourist attractions and take a seat in a gorgeous cellar and really get to know Hungary through the wines. We did the nine Hungarian wine flight, the gentleman running the cellar is fantastic and talked us through each wine and taught me how to air the wine properly. We left feeling very warm, very merry. Thank you!
2. Koller Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 263 reviews
Located in the historic Castle District of Budapest, we are working since 1953 as the oldest private fine art gallery in Hungary. Our three storey atelier-house & beautiful sculpture garden welcomes our visitors and customers with a homely and warm atmosphere. We show works of the best modern and contemporary Hungarian painters, sculptors and etchers. We advise our guests in fluent English, German, French and Italian.
Reviewed By yaacovc2016
A very good place to see contemporary art.the gallery is very friendly and prices are very good. The garden is lovely.
3. Budapest Pinball Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,342 reviews
Hungary's first and Europe's largest continuously operating interactive pinball exhibition with unlimited trial of more than 130 pinball machines.
Reviewed By BigOxRy - Cumbria, United Kingdom
I went for my 30th to Budapest. My mate wanted to visit here. I was dubious and I was so wrong. Absolutely fantastic, wide range of games, great fun! Couldn’t recommend it enough!
4. 3d Gallery Budapest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,486 reviews
Create your unit composition based your own idea! The setting is given be a part of this miracle! For all age group, adults and for all! Here everyone will find their vision, because you are the inspiration and art it self. The gallery being interactive enables you to touch any paintings (freely), get active in composing your pictures. Don't forget to bring along your smartphone or camera and take pictures so that you would never forget this fantastic experience! Remember we are constantly changing the content of the Gallery, it is always worth dropping by. VERY FUNNY, AMAZING AND CRAZY!!!
Reviewed By Bullimore99
Me and my partner went here and had the best time it was such a funny experience. For the price of the ticket it is great value for money you get a printed photo per person to keep. We was only in there for 45 mins to an hour but would recommend as a little stop off
5. Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,675 reviews
This magnificent new-Renaissance style structure, completed in 1884 and modeled after the Vienna Opera House, is home to both the State Opera and the State Ballet.
Reviewed By ZakPetersen - London, United Kingdom
Wonderful building and interior with great acoustic and superb performance by every member of the orchestra, opera singers, and dancers, stunning costumes, and choreography, what a wonderful evening!
6. Hungarian Parliament Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41,454 reviews
The domed neo-Gothic structre was inspired by the British House of Parliament and serves as both a vibrant government center and a proud city landmark on the banks of the Danube.
Reviewed By shooshana - Los Angeles, United States
This is the third largest Parliament building in the world, Budapest is an amazing city with great people, I recommend the Hop on and Hop off tour bus, make sure you purchase the boat ride included, I’m in awe❤️
7. Matthias Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,285 reviews
Used over the centuries as a coronation church for the Hungarian kings, the slender and graceful architecture of this beautiful church dominates the main square of the Castle area.
Reviewed By Moonamuslim
A very nice church on the Buda side at the Fisherman's Bastion. Worthwhile and full of history. Easy to reach, either on foot, by taxi, or by bus (bus line 16; Szentháromság tér stop). You also have a great view from the Pest side on the banks of the Danube. Visit this place once during the day and once at night. Worth it The Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) - officially: the Church of the Great Blessed Virgin of the Buda Castle (Budavári Nagyboldogasszony templom) - on the castle hill of the Fisherman's Bastion is a must when visiting Budapest. The facade and roof of the church, which is predominantly Gothic in style, are beautiful. The roof decorated with colorful glazed roof tiles is unique. Inside the church there are decorative paintings, magnificent frescoes and stucco decorations, as well as wonderful stained glass windows. The interior is created in a mixture of Gothic style and Art Nouveau. The neo-Gothic main altar of the Matthias Church is adorned with dark gold. However, the story that belongs to this wonderful church is also fascinating, sometimes sad at the same time. First built in the 13th century in the Romanesque style, the basilica was then converted into a church in the Gothic style. Under the Ottoman rule, all the sanctuaries were destroyed and the church converted into a mosque. After the almost complete destruction, the church was built in baroque style. Later it served as the coronation church for Franz and Sisi, the Hungarian royal couple. Before it was badly damaged again in the Second World War. You have to go there, when visit one of the most beautiful cities of Europe!
8. St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21,920 reviews
Built between 1851 and 1905, this large parish church accommodates 8,500 people and features a magnificent 300-foot, neo-Renaissance dome.
Reviewed By H2943DObrucec - Krakow, Poland
All I can say is it's well worth a visit, beautiful building with stunning views from the Look out as well as the stunning views inside.All they ask is a small donation as you enter.
9. Danube Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
The Danube Palace was built between 1883 and 1885, in a splendid Neo-Baroque style according to the plans of Vilmos Freund. At that time it was known as the casino of Lipotvaros - but not in the term of gambling, but an aristocratic club for entertainment. From its built till the Second World War the Palace served as a place of culture, supported many young artists, and even Bartok, Kodaly, Dvorak played in its first-class concert hall. Since 1951 the building was carrying out the cultural programs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.Nowadays the beautiful halls and rooms of the Danube Palace are hosting cultural, social and gala events like weddings and Folklore performances.
Reviewed By Deb04101 - Portland, United States
This is a small theatre that regularly presents concerts of traditional Hungarian folk music and dance. I was concerned that it might turn out to be a schmaltzy tourist event, but both dancers and musicians were top-notch, and I could hardly sit still in my seat. The violinist in particular was excellent. If you'd like to see some of the roots of Hungary's contribution to world music, this high-energy performance will definitely entertain you.
10. Budapest Operetta Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 578 reviews
This theater maintains the traditions of the great Viennese operettas since 1898.
Reviewed By sjlm
The operetta was Emmerich Kalman's The Gypsy Princess. We don't understand Hungarian but it didn't matter. There's the guy, the girl, the war, the parents who don't like her--not too hard to get the gist of it. There was a full orchestra, large cast, excellent singers. The theater is beautiful. It was sold out on a weekday evening in May. The audience was really into it--rhythmic clapping with uptempo numbers. No one left early; they stayed through several curtain calls, applauding with gusto. I got tickets online before leaving the US for the first row of a center box. The tickets were about $40! During the intermission, the usher beckoned us to the foyer behind our seats where they served us beautiful hors d'oeuvres and champagne. Thoroughly enjoyable and made us feel a little less like merely tourists. If yu want refreshments at the theater, you have to pay with forints.
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