Hidden Gems in Budapest
This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a commission at no additional cost to you.
Unearth the hidden gems of Budapest and experience unique, must-see attractions beyond the usual tourist paths. Dive into the city’s most captivating secrets and local favorites. Perfect for adventurers and culture enthusiasts!
It is no secret that Budapest is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Splendorous buildings, impressive architecture, old-world charm, and a quirky attitude make the Hungarian capital a place well deserving of its nickname, “The Queen of the Danube.”
Budapest is world-famous for its alternative culture, underground caves, thermal baths, and somewhat eccentric ruin bars.
The city’s rich history goes many years back from its formation about 150 years ago. At that time, the two settlements on either side of the Danube River united to form one city that still preserves both identities.
The sober royal city of Buda blended with the thriving commercial district of Pest, resulting in a charming, lively, and somewhat nostalgic place.
While Budapest’s landmarks are almost mandatory stops for visitors due to their importance to the city’s history, especially the first time around, there is another side to the city that goes beyond the touristy spots.
If you’re looking to explore beyond the marvelous Buda Castle, Parliament Building, and Fisherman’s Bastion, keep reading, as here is a list of some of the hidden gems in Budapest that are well-deserving of a spot in your itinerary.
Discover Budapest’s Hidden Gems: Explore the City’s Best-Kept Secrets
#1 Memento Park
Sitting in the southern suburbs of Budapest, enclosed behind a brick wall, you’ll find a strange display of statues.
Memento Park is a discreet museum park where reminders of the city’s past are almost hidden. You’ll find stoic statues of Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, and other important communist leaders, as well as a giant pair of Stalin’s boots.
Whether you’re a history buff or just a seeker of the weird and the vintage, this place is guaranteed to have you covered.
If you’re wondering how the statues and busts of communist personalities got there, the explanation is easy. When the communist regime fell in 1991, the statues were removed from downtown Budapest and taken out of sight to Memento Park.
Hungarians are not prone to simply destroy reminders of their past, whether they are fond of it or not. This strange park museum is a great example to illustrate this Hungarian idiosyncrasy.
#2 St. Stephen’s Basilica Overlook
Although St. Stephen’s Basilica is definitely not an off-the-beaten-path highlight in Budapest, as it is one of the most famous attractions in the city and the tallest building in town, not too many people make it to the overlook set on the ceiling.
Named in honor of Stephen, the first King of Hungary (c 975–1038), whose right hand is preserved in the reliquary, St. Stephen’s is impressive inside and out.
Marble and fine glass encompass beautiful paintings and statues, all topped by a huge dome. If you’re up to it, climbing the 300 steps up the staircase is well worth the effort. You’ll not only be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking vistas of Budapest and the Danube River, but you’ll also get to witness some of the inner workings of the church itself.
#3 Budapest Pinball Museum
One of Budapest’s most beloved hidden gems is the Pinball Museum, an interactive museum that houses an amazing collection of retro pinball machines and arcade games. Boasting 130 well-maintained machines, this is the largest pinball museum in Europe.
Founded by its present owner Balázs Pálfi, who opened up shop with his own modest collection, the museum has become quite famous among pinball machine fans all over the world.
The unique collection includes a Bagatelle from the 1880s, a table hockey game from 1920, and the legendary Humpty Dumpty, the first pinball machine with flippers ever. The best part is that the museum is also a gaming center, so you’re welcome to play to your heart’s content during your visit.
#4 Szabo Ervin Library
Like most libraries in Europe, the Szabo Ervin Library is absolutely stunning, with beautiful details and decorations everywhere you turn.
What makes this one quite special is the fact that it harbors a mansion’s luxurious staterooms within its walls! Originally built as a neo-baroque mansion for Hungarian Aristocrat Frases Wenckheim in the late 1700s, the building and grounds were purchased by the Budapest city council in 1931.
They, in turn, decided it was a good place to house a library while preserving some of the rooms in their original state for public viewing. Be prepared to see a big display of gold and white, together with extravagant ceilings, elaborate chandeliers, a winding staircase, and plush furniture.
#5 The Beer Spa
Have you ever imagined yourself literally soaking in a tub of beer? Well, you can actually do it in Budapest!
Located inside the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths, the Beer Spa is a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing. You don’t have to enter the Széchenyi Thermal Baths to access the Beer Bath, as they have their own entrance, but they are also worth visiting at some point during your stay in the Hungarian capital if you have the time.
Once inside the Beer Spa, you can soak in a wooden tub filled with thermal waters and beer ingredients – malt, hops, yeast, and beer salt. They’ll do wonders for your skin and aching muscles!
The cherry on the cake is that you’ll have a beer tap handy, so you can drink as much beer as you wish while soaking your pampered self.
#6 Gellert Hill Cave Church
Built inside Gellert Hill as part of the cavern system that runs below the city, the Gellert Hill Cave Church is a modest underground, just like the name implies.
Even though it doesn’t boast the splendor of most churches in Budapest, it has a tremendous historical significance, as it served as a refuge at different times throughout the city’s complicated history.
The cave itself is said to have been inhabited by St. Ivan, a hermit monk famous for healing people with thermal waters. Today, it belongs to Pauline Monks, who are more than willing to show off the sculptures and share the history of the place.
#7 Red Ruin
Ruin bars or pubs have become part of the culture in Budapest over the last few years, and no visit to the city would be complete without hanging out at one or several of them.
Simply put, they are bars that were set up inside buildings in various states of decay or plainright destruction, mainly in the Jewish District. Today, ruin bars are an important part of Budapest’s nightlife scene.
The most famous one is pioneer Szimpla Kert, who started the whole trend, but there are many of them, each with its own style and quirky decorations.
Red Ruin is one of the most incredible ruin pubs in Budapest. Lit by bright red lights, it is communist-themed with a comical twist. Cartoons depicting Marx, Lenin, and Stalin partying and other kitsch decorations make it a unique place for hanging out and a cool photo-op (although American Senator McCarthy would have a fit!).
#8 Zugliget Chairlift
The Zugliget Chairlift offers an exciting experience and splendid panoramic vistas of Budapest.
Although the chairlift is a pretty common mode of transportation for Budapest residents in the Buda Hills, it is a great way to get to the Elizabeth lookout on János Hill, the highest point in the city. Take a relaxing 15-minute ride up while you enjoy spectacular views of the city, the Danube, and the surrounding forest.
#9 The Cat Museum Budapest
Close to the Arany János Street metro station, you’ll find one of the cutest museums ever. The Cat Museum Budapest houses eight cuddly cats who are more than happy to welcome visitors and are not shy about showing their friendly personalities.
The two floors are all about cats, with the walls displaying paintings of cats in typical poses or around iconic Budapest spots. You’ll also see versions of classic paintings with a kitty twist! Some of these portraits are on sale, as well as tons of souvenirs.
#10 Margaret Island
Margaret Island is a fantastic island on the Danube River, in the heart of Budapest.
The island offers an incredible opportunity to relax and enjoy many attractions, so many that you can almost consider it a mini travel destination in and of itself.
You can access the island from Margaret Bridge in the south, which is where most tourists enter, or the lesser known Árpád Bridge in the north. Regardless of where you choose to go in front, you’re in for a day of relaxation and fun.
Margaret Island offers something for every type of traveler. Fantastic attractions include beautiful park grounds, the ruins of an old Dominican monastery, and a Japanese garden complete with oriental plants and a waterfall.
Moreover, you’ll also get to see the Artists’ Promenade, with statues and sculptures of Hungarian artists displayed. If you’re looking to try one of Budapest’s famous baths, Palatinus Bath boasts swimming pools with slides for water fun and wellness baths fed by thermal springs.
Have you ever been to any of these hidden gems in Budapest? If not, which one are you most excited to visit first?