1.
Visit the Parliament of Budapest
No trip to the capital of Hungary is complete without visiting
the Parliament of Budapest. Did you know it’s the second largest
in Europe, second only to the Parliament of Bucharest? The building,
which stretches along the banks of the Danube River, is one of the
country’s most recognizable monuments.
The building was intended to represent authority and power after
Hungary’s independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It dates
back to the 19th century and fuses different architectural styles, such
as Neo-Gothic, Neo-Baroque, and Neo-Romanesque. It truly stands
out, both for its exquisite interiors and its façade—it never fails to
wow! To admire it in all of its glory, we recommend booking a
Danube River cruise. Our favorite time to admire the Parliament
building is in the evening when its golden lighting reflects on the river.
See it for yourself by joining our Danube evening cruise.
If you want to explore the must-see sights in one day, this guided
tour of Budapest and the Parliament is the best option for a
thorough introduction to the city.
2. See the Shoes on the Danube Bank
Less than a 10-minute walk from the Parliament, you’ll find one of
Budapest’s most powerful monuments: the sculptural ensemble titled
‘Shoes on the Danube Bank’. This group of bronze shoes, made in
2005, is a tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.
The shoes reflect a tragic event that took place at the end of the
Second World War when fascist Hungarian militia shot hundreds of
Jews by the river. Before committing this massacre, they forced them
to take off their shoes so they could steal them for their personal use
or sell them. The memorial is a stark reminder of the horrors of the
past.
If you’d like to learn more about the city’s history, we recommend
joining one of our free tours in Budapest. On these tours, you’ll get
to learn about the communist and imperial eras, as well as the city’s
mysteries and legends.
3. Stroll Along the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
While at the Danube River, you’re sure to spot the Széchenyi Chain
Bridge, an impressive construction that joins the districts of Buda
and Pest. Did you know that the city’s name is the fusion of these two
districts? They used to be independent until their annexation around
1873. The Chain Bridge marks a before and after. Before, the only way
to cross the Danube was by boat.
You can cross the bridge on foot, by public transport, in a private
vehicle, or on board the Big Bus or the Budapest City Sightseeing
bus. As beautiful as the bridge is during the day, we recommend
checking it out at night when it lights up with golden lights. Trust us,
it’s a true spectacle!
4. Marvel at St. Stephen’s Basilica
If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss in Budapest, it’s a visit to St.
Stephen’s Basilica. Dedicated to the patron saint of Hungary, this
basilica will take your breath away. Did you know that it was only built
between 1851 and 1905?
Fun fact: it stands at 314 feet tall (96 meters), which happens to be
the same height as the Parliament. These two iconic buildings are the
tallest in Budapest. As a matter of fact, it’s against the law to build a
taller building in the historic center! Inside the basilica, you’ll find
works by some of the best Hungarian artists. As well as that, the
church is home to the mummified right hand of Saint Stephen!
To visit this shrine, we recommend booking your ticket to St.
Stephen’s Basilica online. This way, you’ll avoid the queues at the
church’s ticket offices, and you’ll be able to go straight in. You can
also extend your visit by going to the top of the building, where
incredible panoramic views await. If you’d like to visit in a more
unique way, you can attend a concert in St. Stephen’s Basilica.
What better way to feel the basilica’s atmosphere?
5. Spend an Evening at the Hungarian State Opera House
The Hungarian State Opera House is home to one of Europe’s
largest stages. However, it was actually designed to be the eternal
second. Franz Joseph I of Austria, who funded it, explicitly requested
that it be smaller than the Vienna State Opera. He wanted to clearly
show the primacy of the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Nevertheless, the story goes that during the inauguration, he said “I
asked that it should not be bigger than the Vienna Opera, but I forgot
to say that it should not be prettier.” You can be the judge of it
yourself when you visit!
Access to the foyer of this temple of the arts is completely free and
well worth it. From here you can admire the beautiful decoration and
the flirtatious staircases. However, if you have enough time, we highly
recommend taking a guided tour of the Budapest Opera House.
It even includes a short musical performance!
