As a self-respecting expat in Hungary, or visitor here, it’s worth taking a look at the key facts, stories and legends surrounding such attractions – not least to gain a better appreciation of the stunning capital and country while you’re here.

You can then share these insights whenever friends and family come to town. Visitors are bound to ask you for a tour of the city and they’ll be full of questions, so our aim with this series is to give you an ample set of handy answers – plus some fascinating facts.

Top attractions are described below for your interest and reference – click any headline for a convenient guide to key landmarks in the Hungarian capital and around the.

1. Fishermen’s Bastion
This Castle Hill confection was created as part of a series of developments to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian State.

Fishermen’s Bastion has a lower terrace, which is free, while an upper one requires paid admission. Both provide stunning views over the Danube.

2. St Stephen’s BasilicaThe grandeur and captivating interior of St Stephen’s Basilica make it one of the capital’s top attractions.

Created to equal the height of the Hungarian Parliament, its reach of 96 metres chiming with the Magyar Millennial celebrations of 1896, the Basilica can be scaled by elevator for top views from the dome.

3. Margaret IslandBudapest’s prime recreation zone stretches out between Buda and Pest, accessible from Margaret Bridge.

Couples (and wedding photographers) will love the musical fountain, while the kids will enjoy the petting zoo on Margaret Island.

4. Matthias Church
Also known as the Church of the Assumption of Buda Castle, this distinctive landmark dates back to the time of Hungary’s first king, St Stephen, at the start of the previous millennium.

A 19th-century Gothic makeover added the signature spire and gingerbread roof. Stepping inside reveals a stunning interior with an ethereal atmosphere - follow the link for all you never knew and more about Matthias Church in Budapest.

5. Memento Park
Created as an open-air museum for the main statues that dominated Budapest in the Communist era, this out-of-town attraction has since expanded its remit to encompass an exhibition room and a small cinema.

All items are authentic but for Stalin’s boots, recreated to illustrate their giant size. Around 40,000 people visit Memento Park every year.

6. Children's Railway

The former Pioneer’s Railway, mainly staffed by kids, complements its charm with gorgeous views of the surrounding Buda hills.

Can be combined with a ride back down by Cogwheel Railway to take in some of the loveliest scenery the city has to offer, here's all you need to know about the Children's Railway in Budapest.

7. City Park
Budapest’s other main recreation zone is where you find the Széchenyi Baths, Zoo and City Circus, along with more recent openings such as the House of Hungarian Music and the Museum of Ethnography.

Two boating lakes and a skating rink complete the picture. Budapest's City Park also provides a picturesque backstop to Heroes’ Square and Andrássy út.

8. Opera House
A Habsburg jewel on the showcase boulevard of Andrássy út, Budapest’s Opera House has just undergone a major renovation and now sparkles when you visit for a concert.

The Opera House staff offer guided tours in English that allow expats to explore its hidden corners and learn about its rich history.

9. Kolodko Statues

Sculptor Mihály Kolodko has created a series of tiny statuettes around town whose backstories often echo a revered area of Hungary’s shared culture.

Keep a keen eye out for the diver by the New York Café, a Rubik’s Cube by the Danube, and you’ll find Kermit the Frog near the American Embassy on Szabadság tér.

10. Top Spas in Budapest
Budapest wouldn’t be Budapest without its spas, the ornate Széchenyi in City Park, the panoramic Rudas by Elizabeth Bridge and the Gellért attached to the hotel of the same name.

Each is a historic sight and a leisure retreat in one.  This handy Spas Guide covering them all starts with a few tips before you take the plunge.

11. Garden of Philosophers
Set on a pretty incline of Gellért Hill overlooking the Danube, Garden of Philosophers comprises the five figures sculptor Nándor Wagner considered essential for human beings to begin to understand each other: Abraham, Jesus, Buddha, Laozi and Akhenate.

This special garden is both a wonderful excuse for a healthy stroll up Gellért Hill and a laudable attempt on the part of the artist to promote global understanding.

12. Statues in Budapest with Fascinating Backstories

Poets, composers and statesmen proudly stand around Budapest, their likenesses centrepiecing the city’s main squares and boulevards.

But what about the more unusual figures, the statues whose stories have you wondering how and why they got there?

13. Hungarian Parliament Building

Of all the impressive landmarks in Budapest, few make as immediate an impact as the local Parliament, set on a graceful curve on the banks of the Danube.

In our continuing series of stories behind the main landmarks in Budapest, come with us to explore the place Hungarians call Országház.

14. The Budapest Chairlift 

Not all landmarks in Budapest are buildings to admire. We also suggest to ride the panoramic chairlift, Libegő to Hungarians.

As well as providing panoramic views over leafy Buda, this allows you access to the Elizabeth Lookout Tower, the highest point in Budapest, and a landmark in its own right.

15. Hungarian National Museum in Budapest

Predating Budapest’s many landmarks unveiled in the later 1800s, the Hungarian National Museum was built in the ten years before the Uprising of 1848 – in fact, it is indelibly linked to those momentous events.

In our continuing series proving the backstories to Budapest’s great landmarks, we look at this former seat of government, now housing a comprehensive display showing the history of Hungary, as well as several fascinating temporary exhibitions all year round.

16. Beautiful Bridges of Budapest
The capital of Hungary is divided by the Danube, with hilly Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east.

Seven bridges that span the river, connecting the two sides of the city and notable architectural sights in their own right. You see here we focus on the bridges of Budapest and explain what makes them so special.

17. Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest
Buda Castle houses three main institutions, the main one of which is the Hungarian National Gallery - the Magyar Nemzeti Galéria to locals.

After coming under the umbrella of the Museum of Fine Arts a decade or so ago, it expanded the range of its domestic collection and began to offer all kinds of guided tours, including some in English.

18. Budapest Zoo

The capital's zoo is one of the oldest of its kind. Set at the edge of City Park, it regularly announces the arrival of new-borns and stages special events all year round.

Budapest Zoo is both an enjoyable day out for the family, with feeding times clearly posted, as well as an architectural curiosity, making it unique among its counterparts elsewhere in Europe.

19. Top 7 Viewpoints in Budapest

Budapest’s legendary beauty is often best admired from above, and so here we take a good look at seven of the best spots with amazing views of the Hungarian capital.

As you can see, the city offers a great variety of outstanding vantage points, from the dome of the Basilica to the hilltop take-off point for the local paragliding fraternity.

20. Free Attractions in Budapest


As the song says, the best things in life are free. And this is just as true in Budapest, where there are plenty of free options for folks on a budget. Many museums, parks, and landmarks can be enjoyed without spending a single forint, here’s a look at seven choices around this beautiful city – while most of these are free things to do in Budapest, a very affordable options is also included.

Words by Peterjon Cresswell for Xpatloop.com
Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com