Budget €0: Where to go and what to see in Budapest for free

Free tours Budapest / Free tours Budapest

First, let's remind you about free tours - they are available in most European cities and Budapest is no exception. Without a doubt, this is the best way to get to know the city from the inside. No guidebook will tell you what the local guides will tell you.

There are several types of tours to choose from: classic, afternoon and a walk through the Jewish Quarter. You can find the schedule of the tours here, and they usually start from Elisabeth square (Erzsébet tér).

The menu includes a brief history tour, a chance to hear Hungarians' opinions on certain historical events, interesting company and a light, relaxed atmosphere.

Budapest Museums

In Budapest, as in many other cities, you can see some sights for free. As a rule, almost all museums of the Hungarian capital have free admission during the Hungarian national holidays: March 15, August 20 and October 23. And the Ethnographic Museum is also free on January 22, March 5 and 15, May 18, August 20, September 20-21 and October 23.

You can book a hotel in Budapest with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

The permanent exhibition at the Museum of Applied Arts is free of charge on the third Saturday of the month for those under 26 and two parents or close relatives accompanying children under 18.

The Hungarian Museum of Natural Sciences is also open for tourists under 26 on the last Sunday of the month, and the Museum of Modern Art and the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transportation on every first Saturday of the month. The only museum that always remains free is the Museum of Police History.

Bridges in Budapest

Budapest is a cozy and beautiful capital of bridges. To see them in all their glory, take a fascinating tour.

You can start with the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the very first bridge connecting Buda and Pest. This Budapest landmark looks especially impressive in the evening with illumination.

Another bridge - Erzsebet - was built at the junction of the 19th and 20th centuries. By design, it is a chain bridge and at night it also shines spectacularly. On holidays, by the way, it is illuminated with the colors of the national flag.

But the most unusual bridge in Budapest is Margit, the second oldest bridge in the city. It consists of three spans: two of them converge over the cape of the island of the same name at an angle of 150 degrees, and the third leads directly to the island, making it accessible for walks.

Parliament

The most recognizable and certainly the most elegant building in Budapest. A true symbol of the city, and of Hungary in general. Be sure to admire it and take a stroll through the city center!

Gellert Mountain

Need the best shots for Instagram? Climb Mount Gellert and take photos to your heart's content. The hilly Buda, shopping Pest and of course the majestic Danube look fantastic from a height of 140 meters.

Varoshliget Central Park

Varoshliget Central Park is the largest nature reserve in the capital. And if you want peace and quiet, you can head here.

There are small lakes (Vaidahunyad Castle is located on the bank of one of them), cozy alleys, and a saving shade on hot days. By the way, in the park you can also take a look at the curious monument "Time Clock". It is the world's largest hourglass, which was built in honor of Hungary's accession to the European Union. Every December 31, it turns over, symbolizing the beginning of a new year.

Margaret Island

A large, well-maintained park located on an island in the middle of the Danube is the locals' favorite place to walk during the summer months. There are thermal pools, a musical fountain, a summer water park and a mini-zoo, so kids will love it here too.

St. Stephen's Basilica

The largest church in Budapest, noteworthy for its unrivaled architecture and dome, which offers a marvelous view of Buda.