Budapest bucketlist:
What attractions are near the Great Market Hall?
Walking to Buda
Create your own photo for Instagram with Freedom Bridge then cross the bridge to Gellért Square. Meanwhile, admire the University of Technology the beautiful colourful Zsolnay pots on top of the building. Refresh yourself at the foot of the bridge in Buda Source : crystal clear water, then walk up to the Gellért Hill to the front terrace, where you can take a picture-perfect panorama.
Freedom Bridge
The Freedom Bridge is the third bridge in Budapest, opened in 1896. It was named after Franz Joseph, the first ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This is the oldest bridge structure that has survived in its original state. The centre of the bridge was blown up in the Second World War, but it was not completely destroyed, so it was restored to its almost unchanged form a year after the war, when it was renamed the Freedom Bridge.
It was renovated in 1986 and painted the green colour that is still visible today. The bridge has been restored to its former glory: the historic coats of arms and the Holy Crown. After the recent renovation, all the original decorative elements were restored, including the ornate balustrade of the central arch.
Budapest University of Technology
The Budapest University of Technology is one of the oldest higher education institutions in Budapest. Since its foundation in 1782, it has been known to many as the University of Technology. The huge main building on the banks of the Danube was designed by Alajos Hauszmann and is one of the most distinctive architectural features of the Buda side. Interestingly, Samu Pecz, the architect of the Great Market Hall, who was also a professor at the University of Technology, was involved in the construction of several buildings on the campus.
The red-brick building, with a castle-like appearance from the Art Nouveau quay, has an ornate roof with Zsolnay pots - just like the roof of the Great Market Hall. From the Pest side, the magnificence of the design is best seen.
Source well
Looking around the square named after Bishop Gellért, you can see the Gellért Hotel, the Fountain House, the Chapel of the Rock on Gellért Hill and the University of Technology. In the central part of the square is the Fountain House ornamental fountain with its Zsolnay drinking fountain.
The names of Budapest's eight thermal baths are engraved on its eight stone pulleys. The building symbolises the spa town character of the capital, with many thermal springs on the Buda side. Clean drinking water flows through the eight spouts.
Gellért Hill
The 235-metre-high hill (which is actually just a hill) has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, partly because of the panoramic views of the Citadel at the top and the two banks of the Danube. It takes its name from Bishop St Gellért, who, according to legend, was pushed into a barrel from the rocky Danube side of the hill by participants in a pagan revolt.
Gellért Hill is one of Budapest's most popular tourist destinations. No wonder, as there are many interesting sights to see here: the Citadel, the Statue of Liberty overlooking the city, the rock church, the statue of Gellért and the waterfall.
On foot to the city centre
A short walk and you'll see the building that is one of the most important historical symbols for all Hungarians: the National Museum. Come and sit in the Museum Garden for a while. Keep walking and you'll soon reach Europe's largest synagogue. Inside you should also take a look at the unique interior. Then turn into Wesselényi street, a shocking experience in the Emanuel memorial tree. From there you will see the Budapest Eye Ferris wheel. After a wonderful panorama, a few minutes walk from the most famous Catholic church of Budapest, the St Stephen's Basilica.
National Museum
The largest institution of its kind in Hungary, it owes its existence to Count Ferenc Széchényi, who donated his private collection for the benefit of the country. The National Museum presents the history of the Hungarians from the conquest of Hungary to the present day. With almost 8,000 square metres of archaeological, historical and ethnographic artefacts, you can learn about important moments in Hungarian culture and history in real depth. Crown jewels preserved here since the Millennium were later exhibited in the Parliament building.
A significant date in the history of the museum is 15 March 1848, when Sándor Petőfi, one of the most famous Hungarian poets, recited the National Song while standing on the stairs. This triggered the revolutionary events that soon led to the greatest Hungarian war of independence.
Synagogue on Dohány Street
After New York, Budapest is the second largest synagogue in the world and the largest in Europe. It was built in the former Jewish quarter of Budapest. The three-nave hall church has more than 3,000 seats. The two huge domed towers, the tall windows, the imposing niches and the beautiful high altar are famous throughout Europe.
The synagogue also houses the Hungarian Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Memorial Park and the Church of Heroes.
Emanuel memorial tree
The Church of the Heroes opens from Wesselényi Street. The Holocaust memorial in the courtyard, shaped like a sad booklet, is a memorial to the Hungarian Jews deported in World War II. The survivors inscribed the names of their relatives on the metal leaves.
Budapest Eye Ferris wheel
You can admire the sights of the capital from 65 metres above the ground on the Budapest Ferris wheel, which is open every day of the year until late at night. From the Ferris wheel you can see all the sights of the city in full panorama. It's a particularly magical sight at night, when the lights of Budapest illuminate the city.
St Stephen's Basilica
St Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in Budapest. The building is named after St. Stephen, the Hungarian king who founded the state, whose right hand - the Holy Right - is kept as a relic in the Treasury.
In the Basilica you can hear 6 bells, including the largest bell in Hungary. The church also regularly hosts concerts and cultural events. It is home to one of the largest organs in Europe.
In addition to the stunning interior of the Basilica, the panoramic terrace on top of the church offers a 360-degree panoramic view. The height of the dome of the church is 96 metres - similar to the height of the Parliament - a special number for Hungarians, as it commemorates the conquest of Hungary in 896.
Travelling on tram 2
However you plan to spend your free time in Budapest, it's worth taking a couple of free hours to wander along the Danube. Budapest's Tramway 2 is not only one of the busiest lines in the city, but also a spectacular route. Running along the banks of the Danube, it touches some of the capital's most iconic sites. Vigado, the Danube embankment, the Gresham Palace, a Lánchidat, a Hungarian Academy of Sciences. And at the next bend you have arrived at Kossuth Square, the Parliament.
It's worth knowing that the Danube scenery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tram 2
Tram 2 is one of the most beautiful sightseeing tours in Budapest. It runs along the banks of the Danube on the Pest side, so you can enjoy the stunning views of Buda and Pest at the same time. You will discover many tourist attractions, historical monuments, cultural centres and charming places.
It's no coincidence that National Geographic has chosen it as one of the 10 most beautiful tram lines in the world!
Vigadó
Standing on the banks of the Danube, the Pesti Vigadó has been a key player in Hungarian cultural life since the 19th century. The Pesti Vigadó opened its doors in 1865 and from then on it was the central venue of Budapest's social life: it hosted balls, concerts, celebrations and various social events. The greatest Hungarian and international composers of the 19th and 20th centuries have all performed at the Pesti Vigadó, including Liszt, Wagner, Brahms, Debussy, Kodály and Bartók.
Guided tours of the building are also available: beautiful interiors and a cosy atmosphere await you. On the 6th floor of the building, a Panorama Terrace has been created to offer you an amazing view. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the Buda Castle, the Fisherman's Bastion and the Citadel.
Gresham Palace
Opposite the Chain Bridge, on Széchenyi Square, you'll find one of Budapest's most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, the Gresham Palace. In its almost 120 years of history, the building has seen a lot of action: it has served as an office building and a centre of social life, but it has also been home to luxury apartments, a tourist office and a restaurant. It is now home to the Four Seasons Hotel in Budapest.
The Gresham Palace was the work of some of the greatest Hungarian artists of the 20th century, with beautiful stained glass windows, mosaics, ceramic tiles, wrought iron elements and fabulous sculptures.Reconstructed between 2001 and 2004 to the original plans, you can see the building in its original state if you stop for a coffee.
Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the oldest and one of the most famous bridges in Budapest: the first permanent Danube bridge in the Hungarian capital. It was designed by Count István Széchenyi, the "greatest Hungarian" and former Minister of Transport. The Chain Bridge symbolized the connection between East and West, development and progress. In its time, it was the longest bridge in the world.
The World Heritage-listed Chain Bridge has been renovated again in recent years: its structural and monumental reconstruction was completed in August 2023.
Eventrend tip: Can you take a break? Stop by the Chain Bridge Spoon restaurant boat watch, and fall in love with Budapest!
Hungarian Academy of Sciences
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is not only an iconic building in Budapest, but also the centre of Hungarian scientific life. Standing on Széchenyi Square, at the Pest end of the Chain Bridge, it has been the home of science since the 19th century: the greatest Hungarian scientists have turned their heads within its walls over the past two centuries. The founder of the institution was the same Count István Széchenyi, who came up with the idea of the Chain Bridge. The building also houses the country's largest scientific library, with more than 2 million books.
In 2025, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences will welcome its 200th anniversary in a renewed building.
Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament building, the Parliament House on the banks of the Danube, is an iconic building of Budapest's World Heritage, the home of the legislature and the guardian of the Hungarian Holy Crown. The Hungarian Parliament currently meets here.
Imre Steindl was inspired by the Palace of Westminster in London, which is richly decorated inside and out. It stretches 268 m along the Danube, its dome 96 m high, a reminder of the conquest of 896.
The Parliament is open daily. During the 45-minute walk, you can admire the grand staircase, the impressive Dome Hall and get an up-close view of the Hungarian Holy Crown, among other things.
Eventrend tip: After your walk around the Parliament, would you like to sit on the panoramic terrace with a glass of drink and a delicious Hungarian cuisine? Stop by the Chef's Table for deli-café-bakery!
Shoes on the Danube
One of the greatest figures of Hungarian poetry is Attila József, whose statue can be found next to the Parliament. Take a walk down to the banks of the Danube and stop at the touching Shoes on the Danube Jewish Monument.
The 60 pairs of cast-iron shoes for men, women and children recall the time when the Arrow Cross Party seized power in Hungary in a coup d'état in the final months of the Second World War. The Jews who were rounded up were often lined up on the banks of the Danube and shot into the icy river. Those awaiting execution were given a final order to remove their shoes. The members of the firing squad would then collect the shoes and sell them or wear them themselves.
Hungarian