Best Indoor Activities in Budapest – Museums, Caving & More
So you came to Budapest to see the gorgeous architecture, culture and (let’s be honest) party a little bit. Now, however, it’s raining, you’re wearing 6 layers, and left all hopes of taking instagrammable pictures.
We feel you, it’s annoying… Luckily, we’re here to turn that around!
So grab your coat, and let’s dive into some of the city’s most exciting bad-weather-friendly spots!
Museums
If the weather is “my umbrella flips inside-out” kinda bad, museums will be your best option to spend a whole day!
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The Hungarian National Museum, the largest museum in Hungary, showcasing the country’s rich history, art, and cultural heritage housed in a stunning neo-classical building.
Located at Heroes’ Square, The Museum of Fine Arts showcases an impressive collection of European art, including works by masters such as Raphael, Rembrandt, and El Greco.
Located in the very building where victims were interrogated, imprisoned, and tortured during Hungary's fascist and communist regimes, the House of Terror offers an immersive and sobering insight into the country’s 20th-century history. A truly shocking experience!
If you want an extensive list of all museums, this guide will be your friend!
Looking for a museum that’s fun and interactive? The Pinball Museum is a venue with over 160 machines - from pinball, to arcade video cabinets, and more - dating back a century. The best part? You can actually play all of them! It is super fun even if you aren’t a pinball fan! Even CNN and BBC wrote about it!
It can get really busy, so book your tickets in advance here!
“The Most Beautiful Café in the World”
Looking for a stylish escape? The New York Café - famously called the "most beautiful café in the world," has a stunning interior unlike any other. They are currently running a special late-night (till 4 a.m.) opening between December 13th to January 6th to celebrate their 130th birthday!
Alternatively, visit the Parisi Passage, a restaurant you might have even seen in the movie “Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy”!
The Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker
The Hospital in the Rock is chilling, eerie, educational and super unique. Carved into the caves under the Buda Castle, it served as a secret hospital and nuclear bunker during WWII, but changed into a museum once peaceful times have come.
Attending a tour there takes you through the tunnels and gives you a glimpse into what life was like during wartime in Hungary.
Caving Adventure
So you had your fair share of culture and food already, and are now looking for a true adventure? The Szemlő-hegyi and Pálvölgyi Cave in Budapest are Hungary’s longest cave systems and provide a natural labyrinth of crystals, cave corals, and mesmerizing stalactites with a temperature of about 11°C all year round!
They can only be visited as part of a tour, but don’t worry, we got you a discount!
Use code “BUDAPESTIAN” for 10% off at checkout!
For the adventurous: A guided adventure to discover what true caving feels like as you climb and crawl beneath the city.
For a more relaxed experience: If you prefer to admire the beauty and learn about our largest cave system at a comfortable pace, this walking tour is the perfect choice.
Ice Skating
Is it really winter if you haven’t gone ice skating? We don’t think so!
The City Park Ice Rink - right next to Heroes Square - is the spot everyone in Budapest thinks of when December comes around. It is the best overall if you want to spend a a longer time skating, eating, and sometimes even partying!
Guided Culinary Tour
Go beyond a simple meal, and join the immersive experience of a market visit topped by a hands-on, family-style cooking class, and tasting of Hungarian spirits! It’s the perfect way to discover authentic flavors, learn about the country’s food heritage, and enjoy a delicious adventure no matter the weather!
Book now using code “BUDAPESTIAN” for 10% off and learn about Hungarian cuisine and culture in an engaging way!
Light-Art Experiences
Looking for something magical to do in Budapest? Check out these immersive light and art experiences!
The Cinema Mystica universe is a realm of light, sound, and art—a sensory journey that takes you through 16 unique media installations. For those with kids, Ikono can also be a really fun experience! You’ll get to interact with art in a super fun, hands-on way. Alternatively, meet The Smurfs at the Garden of Lights an interactive lights exhibit bringing Smurfs to lights with 85000+ led lights. Perfect for updating your instagram!:)
Budapest Tropicarium
If you like animals and nature as much as we do, the Tropicarium is the perfect escape on a gloomy day! Known as the "Zoo of the Tropics," it’s home to an incredible variety of exotic animals, from colorful fish and reptiles to birds and even sharks swimming overhead in a massive underwater tunnel. Our favorite is the touch pool, where you can interact with friendly stingrays. It’s a fun, educational, and weather-proof destination!
Light Tram
Brighten up your day with a ride on Budapest’s magical Light Tram! Each winter, a few trams of Budapest are covered in thousands of bright LED lights, bringing the Christmas spirit to life.
Light Tram #2, running along the river, is a fun and super cheap way to see Budapest’s main sights in a whole new light—literally! Don’t forget your camera; this is one of the city’s most Instagrammable experiences.
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