How To Spend A Weekend In Budapest – Local Gems & Touristy Spots

UPDATED FEB 2020. Budapest is one of the quieter cities in Europe with a lot to offer. The range of thermal baths were the first things to catch my attention. I’m a real water baby so I appreciate any time that I can get in the water! I was quick to realize though, that it is a city with a lot more than just thermal baths to soak in. Here’s my guide on how to spend a weekend in Budapest with a mix of touristy spots and local gems. I hope it can help you plan your relaxing trip to this underrated European city.

How To Spend A Weekend In Budapest – Local Gems & Touristy Spots

Visit Kiraly Baths

This was my favorite thermal bath experience. It looks like nothing more than an old building on the outside, but inside is one of three medieval Turkish bathhouses in Budapest with an octagonal pool under a domed high ceiling.

It was like something out of a movie.

This is a local experience and you cannot take any photos inside the baths which made the experience more authentic. If you just want the touristy selfie for your Instagram then I definitely recommend Szechenyi Baths, but if you want a quieter experience, try Kiraly.

For more information: Kiraly Baths Website

Travel Tip: Take Hungarian cash – the towel deposit must be paid in cash. If you have a backpack, just bring a towel from your hotel to save a little money.

Kiraly Baths

Experience a Thermal Beer Spa

This was the one thing that surprised me quite a bit. I have to say that my first instinct of the Thermal Beer Spa was that it might be a touristy gimmick (and I was also a tad skeptical about soaking in a yeast bath).

Doubts aside, I booked a visit anyway and ended up having a fantastic time.

You book a 45-minute session where you get to soak in a wooden tub of thermal waters and beer ingredients. You also get a beer tap next to you so you can drink as much beer as you want while you soak.

The ticket also includes a day pass to the Szechenyi Baths so you can also soak in the popular pools afterward.

For more information, here’s my full review of the thermal beer spa in Budapest.

Travel Tip: Book in advance to make sure you get a spot and book an early session if you can!

Beer spa preparations

Visit the Shoes On The Danube memorial

This is one of the most moving memorials I have seen.

Sixty pairs of old-fashioned shoes of different sizes line the bank facing the river. It looks as if they had been left there to rust after the owners took a swim. What they represent is actually a far more dark story.

Between 1944-45 many people were lined up on the bank, stripped naked, and shot so that their bodies would fall into the river to drift away. Family members still visit the site to leave candles and flowers which makes the monument even more real and moving. If you’re thinking about how to spend a weekend in Budapest, don’t miss this.

Travel Tip: This memorial is in between the Chain Bridge and the Parlament Building so you could do those three in the same outing.

Tourist hotspot – visit Fishermans Bastion

To be honest, I didn’t really like the Fisherman’s Bastion. Maybe I visited on a wrong day but it was just so crowded.

Trying to explore and enjoy the view in between having selfie sticks shoved in your face and having to stop every couple of seconds so you don’t get in the way of everyone’s photos ruined the experience for me.

I’ve added it to the list though because, despite the crowded, touristy nature, it does have a wonderful view of the city and the fairytale-like turrets are cool to see. It’s one of those places that’s worth seeing, despite the crowds, and deserves a place on the how to spend a weekend in Budapest list.

You can pay to walk up to the top of the turrets, perhaps this will mean a less crowded experience, but the view is also nice from the free areas.

For more information: Fisherman’s Bastion website

Travel Tip: Go in the morning if you can to avoid the crowds.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Challenge yourself at the Invisible Exhibition

This one challenged me. A lot.

For one, I don’t like small spaces at all. Secondly, I’m very much a self-reliant type of person.

Going into the Invisible Exhibition and having my sight taken away definitely made me uncomfortable. I personally think that a key in life is going towards things that challenge you so I knew I had to do this. In my opinion, it is a must do.

The tour is designed to give you a taste of what it is like to be blind. You walk through a series of rooms in complete darkness while being led by a visually impaired guide who explains the rooms. The guide gives insight to life with vision impairment and guides you on which steps to take next.

I’ve never been more grateful for my sight and excuse the pun, but it was truly an eye-opening experience.

For more information: Invisible Exhibition website

Travel Tip: You need to book this ahead of time to get a tour in the language you speak.

Invisible Exhibition

Learn history at the House of Terror Museum

This is one of the most popular museums in Budapest. Though, full disclosure, I didn’t visit it. I used to never add things that I didn’t personally go to, but as my blog grows I don’t want to skip suggestions just because I didn’t have the budget or time to visit.

I was on a stricter budget on this trip and chose the Thermal Beer Spa over this museum. But, if I had the money, I definitely would’ve taken a look here which is why I am sharing it.

The museum is in the renovated former Nazi and Soviet Union’s Communist headquarters. It teaches about the haunting and dark phases of history by sharing the stories of people who lived through these times, artifacts and even the basement prison cells.

For more information: House of Terror Museum

Relax at your hotel

You’re getting the tips on how to spend a weekend in Budapest, but where should you stay? I recommend somewhere relaxing. After all of your time walking around to see these sights, it’s nice to have a relaxing place to go at the end of the day.

Both of them had a wellness area which allowed for a lot of relaxation in the evenings. The jacuzzi at Hotel Parlament is pretty hard to beat!

For more information: Check out my full Budapest hotel reviews

Visit a local market

The Central Market Hall is the more popular market in Budapest.

I also recommend taking a stroll to visit a more local market like the Downtown Market in Hold Street. Here you will be able to get a nice lunch from one of the food stalls or pick up some authentic goods to take home like jams, oils, or spices.

See the iconic Parliament Building

This is one of the most iconic sights of Budapest and is the third-largest Parliament building.

Whether you take a tour or simply admire it from the outside, it is a must-see while you are visiting.

The tours only have limited tickets available each day and entry is only available when the National Assembly is not in session. Make sure to check with the visitor center before you visit if you are planning to do a tour.

If you walk across the bridge to the opposite side of the river and look back at the Parliament building there is a nice view and the whole area is very pretty (and peaceful) at sunrise.

For more information: Visitor Center Information

Visit a Cat Cafe or Cat Pub

If you’d like a cuteness break during your visit, waltz on over to the Cat Cafe.

In this purr-fect place, you can enjoy a nice CAT-puccino, a snack and watch the furry felines take their naps. You may only need about half an hour or so, but it’s very relaxing to be around the lazing kitties.

Give them a little pat (you just can’t pick them up), and they will just sleep or wander around as they please. There is also a Cat Pub though I didn’t visit that one.

More information: Cat Cafe Facebook Page

Take an evening river cruise

I took a one-hour long river cruise on my first night in Budapest and it was a really nice way to end the day.

I went on the cocktail and cruise boat ride, which was fantastic. The only downside for me was that it was an unguided cruise. I would’ve preferred to listen to someone talk about what we were seeing but that’s just me.

Otherwise, it was a relaxing experience with gorgeous nighttime views.

More information: Hajoznijo website

Travel Tip: Make sure to arrive early to get a good seat on the top deck of the boat.

See the Chain Bridge (and other bridges)

The Danube River divides Buda and Pest, which were separate cities at one point. The river hosts a range of bridges to allow you to hop between the two.

The Chain Bridge is the most famous of the bridges in Budapest. The large lion sculptures and love locks that have been left along the 380-meter long bridge are a drawcard for travelers.

You can also walk along the other bridges in Budapest – the Margaret Bridge is another elaborate one.

Interesting fact: Almost the entire bridge – everything except the main pillars, had been destroyed by German troops during WWII and was rebuilt after the war.

Go to a Ruin Pub

I had read that visiting a Ruin Pub was a must-do in Budapest, but I have to admit that I didn’t actually go to one.

Pubs and bars aren’t really an enjoyable activity for a solo female traveler, especially a married one. The hassle can get old pretty fast so I choose to avoid them.

If you’re traveling with friends then definitely go and check out the Ruin Pub scene and enjoy a beer, or two!

For more information: Guide to Ruin Pubs in Budapest

I hope this guide on how to spend a weekend in Budapest can help you plan your trip.

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