Top five Budapest attractions

Coming to Budapest and wonder what are the most important attractions to see when in town? We have created a list telling you what are the top five Budapest attractions.

The attractions on this list are things to see, which means that we have not included activities and programs. These are buildings and landmarks that you simple need to see, because they are stunning and because if you do not see them, you can not return home claiming to have seen the most important sights in Budapest. So here we go, our top five Budapest attractions.

Top five Budapest attractions

St. Stephens Basilica
We have always been big fans of the St. Stephens Basilica. It has a beautiful exterior and interior. From the square outside the church it is possible to make magnificent pictures, from the dome you can enjoy the best view available on the Pest side, and inside you can enjoy the mixture of prayer, organ music and beautiful paintings, sculptures and much more!

St. Stephens Basilica in Budapest
St. Stephens Basilica is in our eyes the most beautiful church in all of Budapest! Majestic both on the inside and the outside.

Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament might be the most impressive of all buildings in Budapest. It is located by the Danube and it reminds quite a lot about the Parliament in London. As you watch the building from the outside you will be extremely impressed, but do not make the mistake to think that you have seen it once your bus or taxi has driven next to it during daytime. It is when the lights are turned on in the evening it turns into one of the most beautiful buildings Europe has to offer.

The Hungarian Parliament
One of the nicest Parliament buildings in the world can be found in Budapest

Heroes Square
If you want an introduction to the history of Hungary, bring a guide book or a guide with you to the Heroes Square. The square is beautiful both during daytime and nighttime, but be aware of the fact that in the hottest months it is hard to be out on the square for more than 5-10 minutes. The monuments and the statues at the square are delightful, and the two wonderful museums at both sides of the square just gives a plus to it all.

Heroes Square in Budapest
The best place to get an introduction to the history of Hungary, the Heroes Square

Chain Bridge
If you buy a postcard from Budapest, it is very possible that the Chain Bridge is the landmark you will see on it. The bridge is first of all a favorite object to photograph when it is illuminated in the evening, and it is also the oldest bridge connecting Pest with Buda. Beautiful, and almost impossible to miss out on when in Budapest.

Top Five Budapest attractions
The Chain Bridge is one of the most beautiful attractions in Budapest

Castle Hill
The fifth and last attraction on our list of the Top five Budapest attractions is the Castle Hill. We realize that the Castle Hill in fact is a hill and not one attraction, so it is kind of tricky. However, as we write the Castle Hill as an attraction it includes the castle building itself, but also the Matthias Church and the Fishermens Bastion.

Matthias Church in Budapest
The Matthias Church is beautiful, and its location next to the Fishermens Bastion is perfect.

The best route to see these five attractions

If you decide to see all these five attraction on one and the same little trip on your own, then we recommend the following route.

  • Start your tour at the Heroes Square
  • Take the yellow metro or walk your way down the Andrassy avenue to the St. Stephens Basilica
  • Continue towards the Chain Bridge and walk across it
  • Walk on foot or use the funicular to get to the Castle Hill
  • Walk from the Castle towards the Trinity square (Szentharomsag ter)
  • Enjoy the view of the Matthias Church and the Fishermens Bastion
  • Walk to the top of one of the viewing points at the Fishermens Bastion and see the beautiful Parliament from there.

Enjoy your trip and if you have further thoughts and advices, just write a comment!

New Christmas market in Budapest

As of 2011 a new Christmas market has been opened in Budapest. The new market is located in front of Saint Stephens Basilica, and it looks totally amazing. Not so many people have noticed it yet, but hopefully this is the start of a tradition that will turn more and more popular for every single year passing by. Just take a look at the pictures, and head over to the square as soon as possible 🙂

Some pictures from the new Christmas Market

Christmas Market in Budapest
Christmas Market in Budapest
Christmas Market in Budapest
Christmas Market in Budapest
Christmas Market in Budapest
Christmas Market in Budapest
Christmas Market in Budapest
Christmas Market in Budapest


Budapest Easter advices

Easter services in Saint Stephens Basilica
Easter services in Saint Stephens Basilica

Easter is here and larger and smaller groups use this holiday to visit Budapest. We have written a few advices to help you get the most out of your Easter here in Budapest.

1) Our guides still have spare time, so do not hesitate to contact us for a private guided tour
2) The Szechenyi Thermal Bath in the City park is open every day throughout Easter
3) Normal shops are closed Sunday and Monday, but open every other day.
4) Restaurants have normal opening times and our wineprograms are available every day
5) The nicest church in Budapest, Saint Stephens Basilica, has services Friday at 18.00, Saturday at 18.00, Sunday at 10.00, 12.00, 18.00, 19.30 and Monday at 8.00, 10.00, 12.00 and 18.00.

These were just some advices. We hope you found them useful and wish you some great days in Budapest. If you should need any help, just write us an email!

Organ concert in Stephens Basilica

Last year there were organ concerts in St. Anna Church at Batthyány Square every Saturday. In 2010 these concerts have been moved to a fare greater and a much more majestic venue, the Saint Stephens Basilica. This will be a great event for those who would like to hear a great organ, a great singer, in one of Budapests most impressive buildings.

More information and ticket reservation can be done at our “organ concert in Budapest” page. This program can be combined with a dinner cruise at the Danube.

 

Saint Stephens Basilica pictures

Below you can just see some pictures from the Saint Stephens Basilica. You can read more about the church if you press the link, and you can click the pictures for bigger versions of them. More information about attractions in Budapest.

It is quite interesting that I have always thought that the church bell in the Saint Stephens Basilica with the weigth of 9 tonn is extremely big. Only until I recently realized that the church bell in the Stephansdom in Vienna has a total weigth of more than 20 tonn 🙂

St. Stephen’s Basilia Pictures

Saint Stephens Basilica: main room
Saint Stephens Basilica: inside
Saint Stephens Basilica from the outside
Saint Stephens Basilica: on the inside

Just some more Budapest Pictures

Yet another time I just brought my camera as I walked around in Budapest (of course working with tourists), and below you can see some of the Budapest pictures. None of them are extraordinary, but they will still give a little feeling of what Budapest is like for those who have never been around in the capital of Hungary before.

On the pictures you can see the Matthias Church, the Fishermens Bastion, the Hungarian Parliament (all nice Budapest attractions) and the Ferihegy Airport (not so much of an attraction, but probably more people visit the airport than any other Budapest attraction, so its kind of nice to add a picture of the airport as well).

Seven Budapest pictures