Looking for the best cheap and free things to do in Budapest? I am from Budapest, and here are the 10 best budget-friendly activities in Hungary’s capital!
Budapest is a charming city famous for its architecture. The River Danube splits the city into two parts: Buda and Pest. It is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe, and there are many things to do in the city!
A great thing about Budapest is that most attractions are free, and you only have to pay a fee to enter the buildings.
10 Cheap and Free Things to Do in Budapest
The best free things to do in Budapest include visiting famous attractions like the Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Heroes Square, and St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Some of Budapest’s best cheap things to do include going on a budget boat cruise, chilling in a non-touristy thermal bath, visiting the Central Market Hall, and having Sunday brunch at the Szimpla Kert’s Farmers Market.
Budapest is also a walkable city, and many must-see sites are nearby. Thus, Budapest is great for exploring on foot!
1. See the Hungarian Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament is one of the must-see attractions in Budapest. The Parliament is located right by the River Danube and is famous for its beautiful architecture.
It is excellent as it is entirely free to walk around the Parliament. It is possible to go up close and take lovely photos. There is only a fee if you want to enter the building and tour the Parliament.
I found the best place to see the Parliament is from the other side of the Danube, on the Buda side. Make sure to go to the Danube Promenade at Batthyány Square for the best views of the Parliament.
The Parliament is worth visiting both during the day and in the evening. I love the view of the Parliament in the evenings as you can see it with lights on.
If you decide to go on a tour of Parliament, the ticket costs between HUF 3,200-15,000 ($8-40 USD) depending on the ticket type. The ticket price varies for students, families, and EEA and non-EEA citizens.
Attractions near the Parliament worth visiting: St. Stephen’s Basilica, Shoes on the Danube (memorial).
2. Explore the Castle District in Buda
Buda is the more upscale part of Budapest, and it has some of the city’s most beautiful and historic buildings.
The Castle District has many famous attractions, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and the Buda Castle.
Walking around the attractions in the Castle District is free, although there is a fee if you want to enter the museums inside the Buda Castle or go up the top viewpoint of the Fisherman’s Bastion.
The Fisherman’s Bastion can get busy during the day, so visiting it in the early morning is best to avoid the crowds. Some people go to the Fisherman’s Bastion to see the sunrise; it is a great place to get a nice view of Budapest.
The Buda Castle is a short walk from the Fisherman’s Bastion. The Buda Castle is free to walk around. However, it also houses some museums that have an entry fee. The museums inside the Buda Castle are the National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and the Museum of History.
3. Go on a River Danube Cruise
Going on a River Danube cruise is one of Budapest’s top things to do. The boat cruise is a great way to see the city or to celebrate a special occasion.
Budapest doesn’t offer free river cruises, but some offer affordable prices ($7.50 USD). Some cruises include dinner and traditional Hungarian music and dance, although these are more expensive.
I found a Budapest river cruise is worth it, and while it is not free, it is one of the activities worth paying a bit. The best time to go is to see the historic buildings decorated with lights in the evening.
The cruises run all year round, but the best time for a cruise is in the summer when the weather is warm. The boats also have indoor areas in case it is cold outside. It is good to take an extra jumper for the cruise as it can get windy if you go on the outer decks of the boat.
4. Shop at the Central Market Hall
The Central Market Hall is a traditional Hungarian market in the city center of Budapest. The market is big and spread across two floors.
It has food stalls on the ground floor selling Hungarian delicacies, and restaurants and souvenir shops are on the second floor.
Many Hungarians shop at the Central Market Hall, which is a great place to see a local market in Budapest. It has become touristy over the years but is still worth visiting.
They sell many Hungarian delicacies at the market, such as cured meat, pickles, and spices. Thus, it is a good place to get traditional Hungarian souvenirs, such as salami, drinks (Tokaji wine, pálinka), or paprika powder.
5. Go on a Day Trip to Szentendre
Szentendre is a charming town 20 km north of Budapest. It is an excellent option for a day trip; however, it can also be visited for a half-day trip if you are short on time.
Szentendre is famous for its beautiful architecture, cobblestone streets, museums, and galleries. It is located next to the Danube River, with a footpath along the river where you can walk.
Visiting Szentendre in the Spring and Summer when the weather is good is excellent. There are many outdoor cafes and restaurants where it is nice to enjoy the good weather.
Apart from the summer months, I recommend visiting Szentendre in the winter as it has a Christmas atmosphere with food stalls selling mulled wine and chimney cake.
It is affordable to visit Szentendre as there is direct public transport from Budapest to Szentendre. The HÉV train leaves from Batthyany Square in Budapest, taking around 40 minutes to get to Szentendre.
The public transport in Budapest is safe and affordable; thus, it is a good way to get around Budapest or go on day trips.
6. Check out the Heroes’ Square
The Heroes’ Square is a historic monument in central Budapest and showcases statues of Hungarian leaders who played an important role in the foundation of Hungary.
Visiting the Heroes’ Square is free, although it can get crowded, so I recommend going early in the morning to avoid big crowds.
What is excellent about Heroes Square is that it is also next to other amenities, such as City Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Hall of Arts, and the Museum of Ethnography.
The museums’ buildings next to the Heroes’ Square are pretty impressive. When I am short on time, I find walking around the square and taking in all the sights is also great.
7. Walk Along the River Danube
Whenever I visit my home in Budapest, I am amazed by the beautiful views of the historic buildings along the River Danube.
Budapest is a walkable city, and many attractions are close together; thus, it is a great place to explore on foot.
A walking tour in Budapest is a great way to see the city and learn about the history and culture of Hungary. The best thing is that there are also free walking tours!
Some of the most famous attractions along the River Danube are the Parliament and the Shoes on the Danube on the Pest side.
In addition, there is also a nice view of historic buildings on the Buda side, such as the Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Matthias Church.
Sometimes it can be tiring to do a lot of walking; in that case, my advice is to get on the Tram 2. Tram 2 starts from the Parliament building and goes along the Danube River, which has a good city view. It is an affordable and relaxing way to see Budapest.
8. Chill in the Thermal Baths
Budapest is known for its thermal baths, and one of the best things to do in the city is to chill in the baths.
Some thermal baths can be very touristy and pricey; however, there are thermal baths in Budapest that offer more affordable prices.
The less touristy baths in Budapest, such as Lukács Thermal Baths, Veli Bej Thermal Baths, and Dandár Thermal Baths, are visited mainly by locals and cost half the price as the touristy baths (Széchenyi Baths, Gellért Baths).
The thermal baths in Budapest are open all year round and have warm and cold water baths.
The thermal baths are lovely in the winter, and you can warm up in the baths. It can even snow in Budapest in the winter, and I remember it was pretty magical to see snowfall in Budapest while chilling in the outdoor warm water baths.
9. Stroll Through a City Park
Relaxing and having a picnic in a park is the best when the weather is good in Budapest. The weather starts to get pleasant for outdoor activities in Budapest in April, and the warm weather lasts until September.
Some of the best parks in Budapest are the City Park, Margaret Island, and the Gellért Hill. Hanging out in the park is a great way to take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a bit of nature.
The City Park has a small lake where you can go boating in the summer, and the lake is turned into an ice-skating rink in the winter. City Park is one of the most popular places for ice skating in Budapest, and even if you are like me and not a pro ice skater, it is a great place to give it a go.
10. Visit the Farmer’s Market
Budapest has some unique bars called “ruins bars.” Ruin bars have colorful decorations and a unique atmosphere. They have furniture like bathtubs for seats and items hanging from the ceiling.
One of the best ruin bars in Budapest is Szimpla Kert. It is a fun place for a night out, but they also have a Farmers Market on Sundays.
The Farmers’ Market at Szimpla Kert runs from 9 am – 2 pm every Sunday, and they sell delicious food such as pastry, sausages, cheese, chutney, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
I love the atmosphere here, and it is a great place to have brunch or try Hungarian food. There is usually also a live band playing, and I can easily spend a couple of hours at the Szimpla Kert Farmer’s Market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free museums in Budapest? No, most of the museums in Budapest have an entry fee. Only small museums and galleries have free exhibitions, such as the Money Museum and the Várfok Gallery. Most museums have free entry on national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October), although it gets hectic on those days.
Is Budapest cheap to eat and drink? It depends. Touristy places in Budapest tend to be expensive, whereas restaurants in non-touristy places have lower prices. Generally, Budapest is considered an affordable destination. Budapest will seem cheap in comparison if you get paid in currencies like EUR, USD, or GBP.
Is Buda Castle free? Yes, the Buda Castle is free to walk around. However, you must pay an entry fee to visit the museums inside.
Affordable Activities in Budapest, Hungary
In conclusion, Budapest is a charming city and an affordable European destination. Even if you are visiting Budapest on a budget, there are many free and cheap things to do in the city!
The best free things to do in Budapest include visiting must-see sites like the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes Square, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, and St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Some of the best cheap things to do in Budapest include chilling in a non-touristy thermal bath, going on a budget boat cruise, shopping at the Central Market Hall, and visiting the Farmers’ Market at the Szimpla Kert Ruin bar.
Kris Pardi
Travel Blogger
Kris is the founder of Travelling Mandala, a travel blog focusing on travel in Asia and Europe. Having lived in different countries for the past 15 years, Travelling Mandala’s mission is to help travellers plan their trips, provide travel itineraries and advice.
