Explore the City for Free!
On a budget? Worry none! The best part about Budapest is that there are endless amounts of places and activities to do for free, including some of its most iconic spots.
Ready?
Gellért Hill
While the famous fortress called Citadel is currently under construction, we still suggest you visit the Citadel Lookout, and treat yourself and your camera to some of the best views of the city.
🗺️ If you don't mind some cardio, you can walk there, but it's a long, steep road with many stairs. Take bus 27 from Móricz Zsigmond Körtér to shorten the hike, but still expect a 10-minute uphill walk. There are no amenities due to reconstruction, so come prepared!
If you don’t feel like committing to the hike, you can go to Philosophers Garden. A hidden little gem that not many tourists know about, but boasts beautiful views of the city, and is our favorite spot for some wine with panorama.
🗺️ We’d recommend taking buses 108E, 110, 112, or 8E to “Sánc utca” station to shorten the hike to 5 minutes. Google Maps coverage here isn't perfect, so watch your route.
Margaret Island
This peaceful city oasis should get its own article. It's the perfect spot for locals to enjoy a Sunday stroll or picnic, offering much more beyond that. We suggest visiting a few hours before it gets dark to walk around the island, have a picnic, or check out the zoo, and end at the Musical Fountain.
To list a few, here you can vist: A free Mini zoo, a beautiful Rose garden and a cute little Japanese garden. Our favorite, the Musical Fountain, features a water show with music and lights. It operates daily from 11 am to 9 pm between 04.26 and 10.31, but it's best seen at night.
(There's another less impressive musical fountain on the island's north side. Follow the link, and visit the more exciting one on the south side!)
🗺️ Take tram line 4-6 to Margitsziget/Margithíd and walk in. Inside the island, you can take bus 26, but walking is best!
City Park
This gorgeous park is home to some of Budapest's most iconic attractions, and therefore we’d recommend you take half a day to truly enjoy. You can walk inside the garden of the stunning Vajdahunyad Castle, admire the building of the infamous Széchenyi Spa, walk on the rooftop of the Museum of Ethnography, or simply enjoy the peaceful nature.
Around the park, you can also find the Capital Circus of Budapest, and the Budapest Zoo, both highly recommended. These do, however, require a ticket to enter.
🗺️Best way to get there is Metro line M1, which takes you directly into the park. Its Europe's first underground railway and still boasts the same carriages that Josef Franz, Archduke of Austria, Prince of Hungary rode on during the opening ceremony!
Heroes Square
While you’re already at the city park, you might as well visit one of the main attractions of Budapest:
Located right outside of the city park, stands Heroes square constructed in 1896 for the millennium of the arrival of the Magyars to the Carpathian Basin, which gives home to Hungary today.
To appreciate the monument's history, consider a guided tour. This free walking tour covers the square and more, or you can watch this video for context.
Buda Castle and Castle Hill
This historic hilltop fortress offers not only breathtaking views of the city, but architecture that made it into one of the key landmarks of Budapest. Take at least 2-3 hours to wander around the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fishermen's Bastion on foot.
🗺️ To reach the castle, you can take bus #16 from Széll Kálmán Tér, walk up a long flight of stairs, or take the funicular from the Buda side of the Chain Bridge for about 12€ (round trip). While the funicular offers a unique experience, it’s only 2-3 minutes long, and the views are better from the top anyways.
Be aware that dining, shopping, and services here are expensive!
Tóth Árpád Sétány
Tucked away on the western side of the castle, Tóth Árpád Sétány is a charming pedestrian street that transforms into wonderland each spring as the cherry blossom trees burst into bloom. Must visit if you’re in the castle this time of the year!
Castle Garden Bazaar
Looking to take some gorgeous pictures in Budapest? Located at the bottom of the Buda Castle, Castle Garden Bazaar - designed by one of Europe’s leading architects - is the perfect place to get unique pictures that will make people question whether you're in Hungary, or Italy.
The best time to visit this gem is from spring to early autumn. It’s especially beautiful when the flowers are blooming, or once the leaves are turning red. Besides its architecture, the garden is host to a series of social events in the summer months.
