Here’s our pick of the best free things to do in Budapest, from the city’s highest peak to its underground art scene.
01
from 10
Scan the impressive city skyline
Direction
Budapest, Erzsébet lookout road, 1121 HungaryGet directions
For the best views of the city, head to Janos-Hegy, the highest hill in Budapest, at 527 meters. At the top of the hill, the Elizabeth Lookout Tower offers free entry and breathtaking panoramas that will take your breath away (if climbing the 134 steps you don’t). It is said that on a clear day the views extend to the peaks of the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. The historic tower was built in the early 1900s and is named after Empress Elisabeth, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I.
02
from 10
Join a free walking tour with a local
Direction
Budapest, Szent György tér 2, 1014 HungaryGet directions
Telephone
+36 1 458 3000
Web
Visit the website
Take advantage of a free walking tour of the city and mark top sights with a Budapest local. The popular Free Budapest Tour runs twice a day (10:30 am and 2:30 pm) and is a great introduction to the city. You’ll explore Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Royal Palace, and more over the course of three hours, gaining helpful insights and advice on Hungarian culture and traditions. Tours operate on a “pay what you pay for” basis.
03
from 10
Discover the street art scene of Budapest
Direction
Budapest, Idall Antall József rkp. , 1054 HungaryGet directions
Hit the streets to see some of the best outdoor art in the city. ‘Shoes on the Danube’ is an emotional tribute to the victims (mainly Hungarian Jews) shot into the river by fascists during WWII. The sculpture features 60 pairs of cast iron shoes on the riverside near Kossuth Square. Head to the Jewish Quarter to see colorful murals and street art by renowned artists like Space Invader, or head to Filatorigat, Budapest’s only legal graffiti wall where you’ll see works by emerging creatives.
04
from 10
See the best museums in Budapest for free
Direction
Budapest, Dózsa György út 41, 1146 HungaryGet directions
Telephone
+36 1 469 7100
Web
Visit the website
Several of the major museums in Budapest open their doors for free on Hungarian national holidays (March 15; August 20; October 23). Consider planning a trip to coincide with these dates to take advantage of free entry to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Hungarian National Museum, and the Hungarian Agricultural Museum.
05
from 10
Explore the old buildings of the city
On the 100th day of the year, the annual Budapest100 event opens the door to the city’s centuries-old buildings, many of which are normally not open to the public. More than 50 buildings can be explored, including residential houses, schools, museums and offices, and free guided tours in English and Hungarian take place regularly over the weekend (you will need to pre-register for tickets as the number is limited in each tour).
06
from 10
Visit the neoclassical cathedral of Budapest
Direction
Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 HungaryGet directions
Dedicated to the first king of Hungary, St. Stephen’s Basilica is a gigantic neoclassical cathedral that took more than half a century to build. Admission is free, but there is a charge to access the dome to enjoy stunning views of the city and it is customary (but not essential) to make a donation at the entrance.
07
from 10
Listen to free music at the Palacio de las Artes
Direction
Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1, 1095 HungaryGet directions
Telephone
+36 1 555 3000
Web
Visit the website
On August 20 each year, crowds gather outside Budapest’s contemporary concert hall for free jazz concerts in celebration of St. Stephen’s Day, a Hungarian national holiday. This popular event takes place in Mupa, which together with the Festival Theater and the Ludwig Museum, is part of a cultural complex in a former industrial quarter. Many of the concerts are held outside in Banner Square and you can also enjoy jam sessions indoors. The event runs from 5pm to 11pm and culminates with a large fireworks display throughout the city.
08
from 10
Explore medieval ruins in the middle of the Danube
Direction
Budapest, Margaret Island, 1138 HungaryGet directions
Escape to Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube for a leisurely stroll through the lush park. Between Arpad Bridge and Margit Bridge, this car-free island is a former royal game reserve and features a Japanese garden, medieval ruins, a music fountain, and a thermal spa.
09
from 10
Enjoy a free music festival in the center of Budapest
The annual Budapest Belvarosi festival is a 3-day celebration of live music in the city’s 5th district. Enjoy pop, folk, rock and jazz concerts on various stages between the basilica and the Hungarian parliament. This family event takes place in late May / early June and features movie screenings, dance performances, and a number of activities for children.
10
from 10
Hungarian food display in the central market
Direction
Budapest, Vámház krt. 1-3, 1093 HungaryGet directions
Telephone
+36 1 366 3300
Web
Visit the website
The Central Market is a vast three-story neo-Gothic building filled with stalls selling classic Hungarian food such as kifli (croissant-shaped bread), lángos (a flat savory donut topped with garlic, sour cream and cheese), kolbász (smoked sausage) and körözött (a paprika-flavored paste , best layered thickly on top of kifli). Some of the stalls offer free samples.
