There is a lot to discover in Budapest at any time of the year! #culture, sightseeing, historical thermal baths, hip #ruinbars and much more - the Hungarian capital, also known as the "Paris of the East", is in no way inferior to its competitors when it comes to city trips!

About a fifth of the country's population lives in #budapest, which is considered the cultural, political and economic centre of Hungary. The Danube divides the city into the younger Buda and the older Pest district. Both districts were united in 1873 to form one city, and both districts boast wide avenues, beautiful stately buildings and cosy cafés.

General facts about Budapest

Currency

Although #hungary is a member state of the EU, the Hungarian Forint (HUF) is the currency of Hungary. In many tourist shops and restaurants you can also pay in euros, but you should not rely on this. You will get your change back in Forint.

Our tip: Change your money in one of the many small exchange offices in the whole city like Northline Change or Exclusive Change. 

Transport

You can explore the city on foot, but in the course of several days this could be a bit too much. Fortunately, Budapest is very well connected by public transport. Especially the trams and metros run frequently, even every three minutes during the day. 

As Budapest is a tourist city, the classic hop-on-hop-off bus is also a good option to get to the main sights.

Our tip: It is best to get the Budapest Card at the beginning or before your trip and use all public transport for free. The price also includes two city tours, reduced or even free admission to various museums or, for example, the Lukács Bath. The Budapest Card is available from only 22€, depending on its period of validity. 

Best time to travel to Budapest

How much time you should plan for a visit to Budapest depends of course always on what you have in mind. You should plan at least three to four days to explore the city's most beautiful sights. 

Budapest is a city you can visit at any time of the year. The snow-covered Budapest clearly has something magical about it. The famous thermal baths are also worth a visit, especially in the cold season. But if you are a bit sensitive to the cold, we recommend the months April to September. During the summer months, however, it can get very crowded. It's worth getting up early to see public sights like the Fishermen's Bastion and the city park.

Our tip: In Budapest you can take part in a variety of city tours, boat trips or excursions. Take a look at the many activities you can book directly in Lambus and spend an unforgettable stay in Budapest.

Highlights in Buda

Castle Palace

The castle palace towers above the city as the highest building - and also as its largest structure. The magnificent palace is used today for representative events of the Hungarian government and houses the National Gallery as well as the Historical Museum. Around the palace you will find numerous statues, towers and the Habsburg stairs.

Fishermen's Bastion

The Fishermen's Bastion rises imposingly and at the same time playfully on the castle hill. It was built between 1899 and 1905, during the same period as the parliament building. For us the Fishermen's Bastion is one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest. From the complex you have a great view over the Pest district, but also the corridors, arcades and towers of the Fishermen's Bastion itself are worth a visit. For a small entrance fee you can also visit the upper towers.

Labyrinth

Inside the castle hill there is an underground cave system which can be visited in part. The labyrinth is one of the most popular attractions in the castle quarter.

Géllertbad

Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, the most famous being the Géllert Spa in Buda and the Széchenyi Spa (more on this below) in Pest. The #géllertbath offers twelve different pools with different water temperatures and compositions. The main pool under the glass dome is really impressive, but it is also worth discovering the other pools, decorated with beautiful blue mosaics. Besides the pools there are steam baths and saunas, some of which have separate ladies' and gents' areas. The sauna in the outdoor area can be used by everyone.

From #gellerthill you also have a great view of the city and can see the Citadel and the Statue of Liberty.

Matthias Church

Just like the Fishermen's Bastion, the Matthias Church was built by Frigyes Schulek. Attention Sissi fans: The coronation ceremony of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth took place in this church on the castle hill in June 1867.

Highlights in Pest

St. Stephen's Basilica

You will notice that there are several churches in the Hungarian capital. However, none is as beautiful and opulent as St. Stephen's Basilica. The basilica already looks stunning from the outside, the entrance is free. In the interior, the mosaic covered dome of the church is specially impressive.

For a small fee you can also climb the stairs to the tower and enjoy the fantastic view over the city. In the basilica there are also regular concerts such as live organ performances that you can attend!

Great Market Hall

The large market hall in Pest is characterised by a multitude of different impressions and smells. Here you can buy fruit, vegetables and an authentic Hungarian lunch. You will also be able to buy some souvenirs here.

Regardless of whether you want to buy something or not, it is worth taking a walk through the hustle and bustle.

Parliament

The Hungarian Parliament is also the landmark of Budapest and, by the way, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. With a length of 268 meters, a 96 meter high dome and almost 700 rooms, it is also one of the largest buildings in Budapest. The Hungarian architect Imre Steindl found inspiration at the Palace of Westminster. You can admire the beautiful building from the outside, the best way to do this is from the opposite bank or from the castle hill. A guided tour of the interior of the Parliament is also worthwhile. You can learn a lot about its history, including its role in shaping the country as you see it today.

Ruin bars

The Jewish quarter is worth a visit in itself. You'll also find the Ruin bars here. The furnishings of these bars are exclusively made up of used and colourful objects. The Ruin Bars were created in abandoned buildings while maintaining the charm of the old buildings. 

One of the most famous Ruin Bars is Szimpla Kert. In the evening it gets really crowded here. Live music, cheap drinks and the cool atmosphere attract a lot of people. But there are many other Ruins bars in the area, like Mika Kert or Csendes Létterem. So if you find that you have to wait in line for meters, you can easily find an alternative.

Heroes' Square, City Park and Széchenyi Spa

The Heroes' Square with the adjacent City Park offers a wonderful walk. The square is located directly on Andrássy Avenue, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and commemorates various prominent personalities of Hungarian history. 

In the town park there is the Vajdahunyad Castle with its agricultural museum and a small lake. In the northern part of the park you will also find the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the most famous spa in the city and the largest in Europe! The spa has 21 different pools, which turn into a big pool party every Saturday at the Sparty Bath Party.