The Hungarian Parliament building is one of the biggest and most lavish political bases in the world. Located in the heart of the city, it dominates the skyline and is a popular stop on many Budapest sightseeing tours.

The unique style focuses on Gothic Revival, with a striking cream exterior and an enormous, red-domed roof making for enviable vacation snaps.

During your guided visit you’ll explore the magnificent Vaulted Hall and Session Room where much of the political action takes place. There are sweeping staircases and stained-glass windows to admire, while the revered Hungarian Crown Jewels add a dash of sparkle.

Buda Castle is the star of the show on many Budapest tours, with both small-group and private experiences available. Some visits have a theme, with myths and vampires featuring heavily, as the Gothic castle district can be quite spooky at night!

Once the stomping ground for Transylvanian royalty and Hungarian rulers, Buda Castle dominates what used to be one of Europe’s most influential kingdoms. Today, you can explore the castle and palace complex, and discover the secrets that the stones have kept under wraps for centuries.

Tours often stop at the beautiful Matthias Church and the famous Vienna Gate too.

Learn about Hungarian Jewish heritage on a walking tour of one of Budapest’s most atmospheric and compact quarters. This district was a ghetto during World War II, and as you stroll along the traditional streets with your guide, you’ll hear tales of residents and heroes who have left their mark here.

You’ll also visit the acclaimed Jewish Museum, take a moment of reflection at the Holocaust Cemetery, and discover the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park.

Most of these excursions include Great Synagogue tickets, giving you entry to the largest synagogue in Europe. It’s both an eye-opener, and a privilege to visit.

If you’re looking for quintessential Budapest tours, a cruise on the Danube River is the answer. You’ll float gently along the water, enjoying front-row seats to some of the city’s top sights.

This most leisurely of adventures passes under the iconic Chain, Liberty, and Elizabeth Bridges, giving you a unique perspective of Buda and Pest. The Houses of Parliament and St. Stephen's Basilica feature on the Pest side of the river, while over on the Buda bank you’ll spot the Vajdahunyad Castle and the thermal Gellért Bath.

Candlelit dinner cruises add a romantic element to evening tours, with live music on board to get you in the groove.

Take the effort out of Budapest tours and hop on an electric bike for a two-wheeled foray into the heart of the town. You’ll enjoy a scenic ride past many of the city’s major sights, stopping for photos and a breather along the way.

Parliament House, the beautiful residences of Andrassy Street, and the iconic Heroes Square all make an appearance, as well as a few lesser-known spots that are popular with locals.

Budapest has several convenient bike lanes to keep you safe, and cycling equipment will be provided. All you need to do is show up and bring a sense of adventure!

After all that sightseeing, you’ll be feeling a little weary, so reward yourself with a rejuvenation session at the historical Széchenyi Spa. The naturally warm waters here have been attracting travelers through the centuries, thanks to the Romans who started the trend.

This is the most famous spa in Budapest, with 15 indoor pools, and three open-air bathing areas. The enormous outdoor thermal pool is the icing on the cake, which is kept nice and toasty even on cold winter days.

It’s a popular spot but skip-the-line tickets will whisk you off to the front of the queue for a stress-free bathing experience.

Guided walking tours are the ultimate way to explore Budapest, as it’s quite a compact city and all the major landmarks are within easy reach. Some excursions focus on a particular theme, with Communism tours, evening mystery walks, and even Virtual Reality adventures all on offer.

Exploring on foot is a great way to orient yourself on arrival in Budapest, and most visits take you to both the Buda and Pest sides of the river.

Free walking tours are popular too, as participants can keep an eye on their spending by simply paying what they feel the experience was worth.

Hop-on hop-off bus excursions are a hassle-free way to explore Budapest, with the routes taking you past all the major touristic sights. Just decide which attractions you want to visit and jump on and off at the corresponding stops.

These Budapest tours are ideal for travelers who want to remain independent while having all transport logistics taken care of. Make sure you bag a seat on the top deck for all the best views as you cruise through the heart of the old town.

Tickets last for 24, 48, or 72 hours, so just pick the one that fits best with your schedule.

When it comes to beer tasting, Budapest really ramps things up a notch compared to other European cities. As well as traditional pub crawls revolving around breweries and bars, there are also beer bus tours, beer river cruises, and even a beer spa experience!

Whichever excursion you sign up for, you’ll discover the secrets of the local craft brews and get to taste plenty of the amber nectar for yourself. Learn about the secret processes behind the scenes and see if you can identify the unique flavors.

Get into the local spirit and engage in traditional Hungarian drinking traditions along the way. Bottoms up!

Escape the heat of the city for a while with a day trip to the beautiful Danube Bend. First up is the historical city of Esztergom which is home to the largest Catholic church in Hungary. The colorful artist’s village of Szentendre is another highlight, thanks to its Baroque architecture and dreamy cobblestone streets.

Hiking tours are also available, where you can drink in panoramic countryside views from the Danube Bend. Volcanic hills and hidden waterfalls combine to show off the beautiful Hungarian countryside at its best.

You’ll be out and about all day, so lunch is included to keep your energy levels topped up.