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Budapest Culture & history

Our most recommended Budapest Culture & history

Budapest: Széchenyi Spa Full Day with Optional Pálinka Tour

1. Budapest: Széchenyi Spa Full Day with Optional Pálinka Tour

Book your full-day ticket to the Széchenyi Bath in advance and take advantage of complimentary tasting of Hungary's famous spirit "pálinka" on an optional guided tour inside the Pálinka Museum. The Széchenyi Bath is the largest thermal spring bath complex not only in Budapest but in Europe as well. It was built in 1913 in a Neo-baroque style. At the time it opened its baths were private, having separate steam baths for men and women, as well as different public baths for men and women. In 1927, the spa complex was expanded and today it comprises 3 outdoor and 15 indoor pools. After its expansion, the thermal artesian wasn’t adequate to supply the spa, so a new well was drilled. The second thermal spring dates from 1938. Towels and swimsuits are available for purchase only, no rental. Please note that swimsuits that cover the entire body are not permitted. During your visit, blow off some steam at the pools of Széchenyi Spa (built-in 1913.), which is Europe’s largest healing bath with its 15 indoor, and 3 grand outdoor pools. Pools are of varying temperatures, between 18 to 38 °C (64 to 100 °F). The complex covering 6220 square meters (67000 sq ft) also includes saunas and a steam bath. Afterward, discover a hidden gem in the city center to taste some Hungarian pálinka (spirits; non-alcoholic drinks are also available). Differently from whiskey or vodka, pálinka is made exclusively from different sorts of fruits and has an aromatic smell. Inside the Pálinka Museum's interactive exhibits, you will learn about its birth, tradition, and history. That’s why Hungary's Pálinka Act of Parliament exists which regulates and protects the production and quality of palinka.

Budapest: The Great Synagogue Skip the Line Ticket

2. Budapest: The Great Synagogue Skip the Line Ticket

Skip the lines and head straight to the security check with a guide to start your tour of the Great Synagogue. Visit the Heroes’ Temple, the graveyard, and the Jewish Museum. Honor Holocaust victims at the Emanuel Tree in the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park. Take a guided tour to hear about the history and architecture of the largest synagogue in Europe and the second-largest in the world, as well as the fate of the Hungarian Jews before and after WWII.  Then use your ticket to enter the Hungarian Jewish Museum next to the Synagogue. Admire its red and yellow brick facade combining Romantic style with Moorish elements. Learn about the life of the Jewish people in Hungary through everyday objects.  See the famous Emmanuel Memorial Tree in the Synagogue's backyard. Admire this magnificent weeping willow's small metal leaves engraved with a name of a Holocaust victim and plaques honoring non-Jewish rescuers.  Then, finish your visit the graveyard in the backyard of the Heroes’ Temple, the burial site of those who died in the ghetto during WWII.

Budapest: Buda Castle Cave Walking Tour

3. Budapest: Buda Castle Cave Walking Tour

Explore a part of the network of underground tunnels under Castle Hill with your guide. Learn more about the history and role of the cave tunnels and their geology. Admire the natural limestone and the manpower that went into creating this labyrinth cave system. Meet for the cave tour either at Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér) or for the shorter tour option at Dárda Street, where you enter the Buda Castle underground cave system. After a short introduction, you will start your tour and learn about the history of the labyrinth-like of the cave system which once served as wine cellars, bomb shelters, and even a medieval prison. Admire the natural limestone caverns and the 800-year-old man-made cellars in one of the most unique caves of Hungary. The tour is a journey through time during where you will be able to learn a lot about not only the geology of the Buda Castle but also about the combined work of man and nature throughout many centuries.

Budapest: Light Art Museum Admission Ticket

4. Budapest: Light Art Museum Admission Ticket

Step into the modern Light Art Museum to become surrounded by colorful lights and optical illusions. Visit one of Budapest's most unique attractions and browse through a large collection of contemporary artworks. Immerse yourself in a fascinating, interactive, and vibrant space. Discover exciting installations and ground-breaking artworks in a fabulous hall that used to be a popular farmers' market. Come up close with a wide range of contemporary, historically significant, and modern art pieces. Bring the whole family along and be mesmerized by an exquisite selection of light artworks, projection mapping, immersive spaces, and site-specific installations. Snap amazing photos of unique pieces by pioneer light artist László Moholy-Nagy and op-art icon Victor Vasarely.

Budapest: Spanish Guided tour of the Parliament Building

5. Budapest: Spanish Guided tour of the Parliament Building

With our guide in Spanish we will begin our tour at the statue of Ferenc Rákóczi in Kossuth Square, where we will talk about the protagonist to whom it owes its name, as well as being able to enjoy a unique panoramic view of the city. Our local Hungarian guides will reveal the best places to visit and the most relevant curiosities that you cannot miss on your visit to this incredible city. In our external visit we will visit the most important points of the enormous Kossuth Square and its surroundings, making reference to and reliving through our explanations all the historical events that took place in it. You will be shocked! We will visit the art deco Monument to the Hungarian victims of the red terror in Vertanuk tere, and we will be able to see the remains of the bullets of one of the most painful and important events for Hungarian citizens, the so-called Bloody Thursday of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. We will also visit one of the most innovative monuments in the city, the National Unity Monument, and we will tell you why its inauguration did not go unnoticed. We will end our exterior tour enjoying the history and views of the impressive façade decorated with huge columns and statues carved in stone of the Ethnographic Museum, which currently offers different temporary exhibitions. After our foreign visit, we will enter the Hungarian Parliament. On this audio-guided tour of the Budapest Parliament, you will be able to visit the most important rooms of the third largest parliamentary building in the world, which extends from the Chain Bridge to the Margaret Bridge. Once you are inside, you will find the grand Main Staircase, whose impressive decoration does not leave you indifferent: long red carpets, elegant chandeliers and luxuriously gold-plated ornamentation, a truly unique setting! You will also be able to see the Old Upper House, Councils of Deputies, the Hall of the Dome and the Crown Jewels. Do not miss this essential activity on your visit to the Hungarian capital! What will you discover on the tour? - Who was Ferenc Rákóczi? - What are the most important places you should not miss in the city of Budapest? - What is the Monument to the Victims of the Red Terror and what does it represent? - What was Bloody Thursday? - What does the new monument located in front of the Hungarian Parliament mean? - Who designed the Budapest Parliament? - What famous English palace is it inspired by? - What shape is the Upper House? - How many meters long is the building? - How tall is the Hall of the Dome? - Why is the Crown of Saint Stephen not a mere royal jewel?

Budapest: Buda Castle Vampires & Myths Evening Walking Tour

6. Budapest: Buda Castle Vampires & Myths Evening Walking Tour

Away from the crowds of Pest, this informative and educational tour takes you to some of the charming, magical places of the city where Hungarian rulers once toiled deep into the night at the Buda Castle. Hear stories of cruelty and learn the despicable actions of Elizabeth Bathory, the bloody countess. You will also learn how the Romanian prince, Vlad Dracula ended up in the prison of Buda Castle. Join your Gothic-attired guide as they take you on a 2-hour walking tour of the city by night. Learn the history of Old Hungary where, according to legend, "vampires" were born and roamed the streets during this dark period of European history.

Budapest: City Sightseeing Booze Cruise w/ Unlimited Drinks

7. Budapest: City Sightseeing Booze Cruise w/ Unlimited Drinks

Discover the sights of Budapest from the water on this sightseeing cruise. Relax with selected drinks from the open bar as you sail. Admire views of the Bronze Shoes, the Citadella fortress, and the Hungarian National Theater. Board the ship in the heart of the city and embark on a panoramic sightseeing tour of the capital city of Hungary. Cruise past some of the most prestigious hotels of Budapest, the Bronze Shoes, and the House of Parliament. Capture pictures as you go by the Gellért Hill, the Castle District, the Citadella, and the Hungarian National Theatre. Have unlimited access to beverages like house wines, draught beer, champagne (sweet and dry), soft drinks, tea, coffee, and mineral water. Warm up for a night out in Budapest or take the party on board with the option to purchase shots onboard. Finish your tour at your boarding point.

Budapest: St Stephen's Basilica Tour

8. Budapest: St Stephen's Basilica Tour

Explore St. Stephen's Basilica, one of Budapest’s highlights, known for its monumental dome and beautiful Neo-Renaissance architecture. Find a perfect spot to admire the lavishly decorated exterior and discover its history on a guided tour inside the church. Meet your tour guide in front of the ticket office and start your guided tour to explore St. Stephen's Basilica. Discover its rich gold interior, many frescoes, and sculptures made by the renowned artists of the late 19th century. See the Holy Right, the naturally mummified right hand of the first Hungarian king, Saint Stephen, who ruled the country in the 11th century and converted Hungarians to Christianity. Learn about the 1,000-year-old Christian history of this nation. Choose the extended tour option or the private guided tour option to get to the top of the building. Take an elevator to the panoramic terrace around the dome, a lookout point above Budapest. Enjoy a 360-degree view of the whole city.  Climb a few steps inside the Southern Tower and explore the Treasury and Basilica exhibition. See several liturgical objects and artworks, including a replica of the crown worn by the kings of Hungary.  Learn about the history of the building and about Cardinal Mindszenty, the Catholic church leader of the 1950s and 1960s who was tortured and imprisoned by the Communist regime.

Budapest: Classical Music Concerts in St Stephen's Basilica

9. Budapest: Classical Music Concerts in St Stephen's Basilica

Visit St. Stephen's Basilica in the heart of Budapest and delight in an outstanding classical concert. The venue itself is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, but this is not all that will be breathtaking during the evening. Listen to excellent artists performing the best of the best in classical music. Choose from 3 different concerts and 4 different seating categories, depending on your preferences and budget. The program for the concerts, depending on the day, is the following: Requiem: • W. A. Mozart: Requiem in D minor k 626 • I. Introitus - Requiem • II. Kyrie • III. Sequenzia - Dies Irae, Tuba Mirum, Rex Tremendae, Recordare, Confutatis, Lacrimosa • IV. Offertorium - Domine Jesu • V. Sanctus • VI. Benedictus • VII. Agnus Dei • VIII. Communio - Lux Aeterna Organ concert: • J.S. Bach - Toccata, Air • G. F. Handel - Oratorio Messiah, Rejoice • T. Albinoni - Sonata di Chiesa • G. F. Handel - Xerxes, Largo • A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Largo from winter • Ch. Gounod - Ave Maria • C-M Widor - Toccata from the Organ Symphony No. 5 Op. 42 No. 1 • F. Liszt - Ave Maris Stella • T. Albinoni - Adagio • C. Franck - Panis Angelicus • J. Massenet - Thais Meditation • F. Schubert - Ave Maria • W. A. Mozart - Alleluja from Exultant, Jubilate Ave Maria Air Alleluja II: • J.S. Bach - Air • G. F. Handel - Oratorio Messiah, Rejoice • T. Albinoni - Adagio • A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Winter • H. Purcell - Dido and Aeneas, When I am laid in Earth • Ch. Gounod - Ave Maria • G. F. Handel - Xerxes, Largo • F. Schubert - Ave Maria • Vivaldi - Violin Concert G Major • C. Franck - Panis Angelicus • J. Sibelius - Impromptu • J. Massenet - Thais Meditation • W.A. Mozart - Requiem, Lacrimosa, Alleluja from Exultant, Jubilate Ave Maria Air Alleluja II: (25th and 31st of December) • J.S. Bach - Air • G. F. Handel - Oratorio Messiah, Rejoice • T. Albinoni - Sonata di Chiesa • G. F. Handel - Xerxes, Largo • A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Winter • Ch. Gounod - Ave Maria • C-M Widor - Toccata from the Organ Symphony • F.Liszt - Ave Maris Stella • T. Albinoni - Adagio • C. Franck - Panis Angelicus • J. Sibelius - Impromptu • J. Massenet - Thais Meditation • F.Schubert - Ave Maria • W.A. Mozart - Requiem, Lacrimosa, Alleluja from Exultant, Jubilate

Godollo: The Royal Palace of Gödöllő Ticket

10. Godollo: The Royal Palace of Gödöllő Ticket

Travel back in time through three generations of the Grassalkovich family as you pass through the rooms of the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, built in the 18th century. Get a glimpse into the Habsburg Dynasty and all its splendor.  Explore the royal palace as it was when residence to Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz Joseph. See for yourself why it was the couple’s favorite summer residence. The elaborate baroque furnishings, private chambers, and myriad paintings on display promise to take you back to the time of the monarchy. There was also a time in history when the palace had a secret side. Explore this at the end of your tour — it’s up to you to discover the mysteries.

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What people are saying about Budapest

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 7,627 reviews

Beautiful thermal bath - we went an hour after opening which was perfect and not too busy. Highly recommend spending the couple extra dollars for a private changing room to store your things and change in. No need to pay for 2 cabins if you’re okay with sharing a changing room.

Excellent. Friendly, knowledgeable guide, amazing location and a good length of activity for a great price. Thoroughly enjoyable, not for the claustrophobic or those who are scared of the dark!

I learned a lot about Jewish history. The entire experience was amazing, Noémi Csutak did a great effort on this trip and made us unforgettable memories. Highly recommend it

This tour is fantastic! I couldn’t recommend it more. The tour guide was lovely and very passionate which completely made the tour! Would definitely recommend to anyone!

it is a must to do in Budapest. we enjoyed the spa and the view of the place, well organized