Things to Do in Budapest for FREE
Budapest is recognized as one of most fabulous cities in Central Europe, if not the entire world. It is a city that should be in your travel plans when traveling through Europe because of its stunning architecture and turbulent history. With rich history, culture, cuisine, and night life, it’s a place that I have gone out of my way to re-visit on multiple occasions. On most of the trips, I was traveling on a tight budget with little money to spare on attractions.
However, I didn’t feel like I lost out on anything at all. In fact, I think that the free places I’ve grown to be so fond of exude much more character and traditional Hungarian style than most. The city does offer a variety of free walking tours, but I prefer to explore independently and without a guide leading with an umbrella.
Don’t get me wrong: if you have the extra cash to check out the traditional public baths or the amazing ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter, by all means go for it. These places are amazing. Just don’t feel that you can’t experience the best of the city without breaking the bank. Below is a guide for six awesome things to do while visiting the Hungarian capital – for free.
Budapest Free Walking Tours
If you are strapped for time, a walking tour is a great way to see the major sites and hear the stories, and if you are staying a little longer, it will orient you with the city. Free Budapest Tours offers two tour options throughout the day, including the Orientation Tour (from Pest to Buda), which begins at 10.30 a.m. each day, and the Essential Pest Tour, which begins at 2.30 p.m. and covers topics such as faith, violence, and communism.
Over the course of three hours, you’ll see Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Royal Palace, and other sights while learning about Hungarian culture and traditions. The tours are based on a ‘pay what you think it’s worth’ model.
Visit the Citadella
On the Buda (or southern) side of the Danube, just behind Elizabeth Bridge, sits the magnificent Gellért Hill. This is one of the most popular places to visit in the city, as anyone can see it from afar. The hill is massively steep with several trails winding up multiple sides and commencing with a large 360 degree view at the summit. Hiking to the summit takes around 20 to 30 minutes at a “normal” pace, which includes several monuments and viewing points along the way.
Gellért Hill is fairly lush and houses both a waterfall and a cave-style church that is dug into the southeast corner, leaving you feeling like you’ve temporarily left a capital city in exchange for a brief rural adventure. After ascending the hill, you are met with the famous Lady Liberty statue (a woman bearing a palm leaf) on the top. This statue acts as a symbol of the city and can be seen from miles away. Behind her sits an old military bunker used in defensive strategy during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as well as the World Wars.
Old cannons and artillery decorate the grounds as you make the 10 minute walk across the top of the hill toward the northeast corner, where you are met with the single greatest view of Budapest. My favorite time to be atop the Citadella is dusk, just as the sun is fading away and the beautiful lights of the bridge, Parliament, and Buda Castle begin to sparkle.
Take a Riverside Stroll
The Danube runs directly through the city, separating the Buda and Pest sides. By day, you can see the large boats cruising up and down a several mile stretch- I even saw a proper movie being filmed once. Buda Castle and the Citadella sit on one side, while Parliament commands the other, and all that is left in between are marvelous bridges that I could relax on for hours.
Chain Bridge is by far my favorite and it definitely dictates the ambience of the riverfront area with its romantic lighting and stone lion sculptures. The architecture on the north side of the river is also lovely to look at, with its centuries old apartment buildings and quaint cafes. The city is just busy enough to be exciting but also calm enough to really be able to enjoy the view from the center without obnoxious crowds.
Explore Kerepesi Cemetery
A couple of kilometers north of the river, in a not so touristy area of the city, you will find Kerepesi Cemetary. I know what you’re thinking: why would one want to visit a random house of the dead while on holiday? I had skeptical thoughts, too, until the moment I stepped inside.
This cemetery pays homage to the deceased in the most extravagant style I’ve ever seen, and this fact alone makes the trip totally worthwhile. It is one of the largest national pantheons in Europe and is the largest outdoor statue park.
Members of previous royal families, politicians, and famous scholars have their graves adorned with sculptures and memorials the size of small temples, and the craftsmanship that has been put into each detail is impeccable. It feels even eerier on a dim and misty day, if that’s what you’re into.
Spend a few hours in the Castle Hill area
Although the area is named for Buda Castle, my favorite spot in Castle Hill has nothing to do with a castle, per se. Check out Fisherman’s Bastion: home to some of the best views over the Pest side by day and night. It’s free to walk on the ramparts, check out the stunning Matthias Church, and hear some killer buskers, if you’re lucky.
The Square of Holy Trinity, not far from Buda Castle, is also in the Castle district. Its focal point is the Trinity Column, which was built in 1713 to commemorate the end of the plague. The square also contains the old town hall, the lovely Matthias church, and the Hungarian Culture Foundation.
Paying is only required if you go up to the top of the turrets, which really doesn’t enhance the sight anyway. Buda Castle is just around the corner, and you can take a gander through its halls free of charge, as well.
Buda Castle Courtyards
Buda Castle’s courtyards are not only free to visit, but can also be visited at any time (the gates of the courtyards are not closed for the night). There are beautiful statues, fountains, and views of the city. You can occasionally hear street busker performances or even the music of a festival or fair (there are many festivals in the Buda Castle throughout the year with live shows, concerts, and so on). The admission fee to fairs and festivals is usually very low). Unfortunately, admission to the six museums on Buda Castle Hill is not free, but it is very inexpensive. So, if you’re tempted, go ahead and donate a few hundred HUF for the intriguing displays.
Window Shop in The Great Market
If you walk a block north of Liberty Bridge, you will find the Great Market (another gorgeous architectural feature of the city) on your right. The three floor covered market is a historic institution for the city of Budapest, and you can immediately see why moments after entering the building. It is home to a vast array of sounds, smells, and tastes, and you might even get lucky enough to try a few free samples.
Making any purchases always poses a risk for foreigners, but if you find yourself feeling hungry, I highly recommend the langos (pronounced lan-gosh): deep fried dough smothered in sour cream and smoked cheese. It should only put you out a few dollars and the sensation that your taste buds will experience makes the money beyond worth it. Just be sure to go for one of those Danube River strolls after to avoid a stomachache.