Things to do in Budapest – And things to do in Budapest with Kids! – Wander Pulse

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a beautiful city with a long history and unique culture. For kid-specific ideas, scroll to the second section below! Here are some unique things to see and do in Budapest:

Soak in the thermal baths: Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, and the most famous of them all is the Gellért Baths. You can relax in the warm thermal waters and enjoy the stunning Art Nouveau architecture. The other thermal baths include Rudas Baths, Széchenyi Baths, Lukács Baths, and the newer option called the Thermal Beer Spa.
Take a stroll along the Danube Promenade: The Danube Promenade offers stunning views of Buda Castle and the Parliament building, and is a great place to take a stroll and enjoy the fresh air.
Visit Buda Castle: Buda Castle, located on the Buda side of the Danube, is a historical castle and palace complex that dates back to the 13th century. It houses several museums and galleries, and offers panoramic views of the city. This tour is a great option.
Explore Fisherman’s Bastion: Fisherman’s Bastion is a fairy-tale like terrace located on the Buda side of the Danube, offering breathtaking views of the city. This walking tour is SO much fun.
Walk across the Chain Bridge: The Chain Bridge is one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, and walking across it provides stunning views of the Danube and Buda Castle.
Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica: St. Stephen’s Basilica is one of the largest and most important churches in Budapest, and its dome offers panoramic views of the city.
Explore the Hungarian Parliament Building: The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of the largest parliament buildings in the world and a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture.
Enjoy a traditional Hungarian meal: Hungarian cuisine is famous for dishes such as goulash, chimney cake and Hungarian wine, and trying these local dishes is a must while in Budapest.
Take a night cruise on the Danube: A night cruise on the Danube provides a unique view of the city and its famous landmarks lit up at night.
Visit the Great Market Hall: The Great Market Hall is a historic indoor market in the heart of Budapest, offering a unique shopping experience and a chance to try local Hungarian specialties. Join this awesome food and market tour to try all kinds of delicious specialties.
Check out local wines and wineries: Check out the amazing regional wines that you can only get in Hungary. A wine tour is a great option and we particularly enjoyed this one.

Things to do in Budapest with Kids

Budapest, Hungary is a wonderful city for families with children. Here are some fun activities you can do with your kids:

Visit the Hungarian Parliament Building – The Parliament building is one of the most iconic landmarks in Budapest and offers guided tours for families.
A TukTuk tour is fantastic and takes you to many of these sights listed here.
Explore the Buda Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion – These two landmarks offer stunning views of the city and are great places to explore with kids. This Van Tour is fantastic because you can see many sights but less walking for kids.
Visit the Hungarian State Opera House – If your kids are interested in classical music or opera, this is a great place to visit. There are often family-friendly performances and tours available.
Take a boat ride on the Danube River – A boat ride is a great way to see the city from a different perspective and is a fun activity for kids. We loved this dinner cruise with music and traditional dance performance.
Visit the Hungarian Natural History Museum – This museum is a great place to learn about science, nature and history, and has interactive exhibitions that are perfect for kids.
Have fun at a thermal bath – Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, and there are several family-friendly options such as the Gellért Baths and Rudas Baths.
Visit the Budapest Zoo – The Budapest Zoo is a great place to take kids and learn about animals from all over the world.
Take a stroll through City Park – This is a great place to relax and have fun with kids, and there are several attractions within the park, including a children’s railway and an amusement park.
Check out one of many fantastic playgrounds and slide parks: we particularly like Hajógyári Island‘s playground and slide area and the Gellérthegyi playground with slides. These parks both have shaded areas and hillside slides that kids LOVE and I have not seen in many other countries.