When you think about Budapest, you probably conjure images of thermal baths, spicy food, and a strict language. All of these are true, but Hungary’s capital offers a lot more than just those. The biggest city in the country is home to incredible architecture, exciting museums, and lovely places to spend time outdoors.

Visit fisherman’s bastion

Wandering around Fisherman’s Bastion is like walking into a fairy tale. 7 turrets are rising above the terrace, giving it a medieval feeling. Among the archways, you’ll be rewarded with great views of the Danube River, the nearby Margaret Island, and the rest of the city. While here, you can also visit the nearby Buda Castle and Matthias Church. It’s by far one of the best things to do in Budapest.

Wake up with a shot of Pálinka

Pálinka is a Hungarian fruit brandy made from fruits found in the region like peach, plum, or sour cherry. You can take it like a shot, or if you’re enjoying an expensive pálinka, do as the Hungarians do and sip. It is common to start a meal with a shot of this. The older generation likes to start their day with a shot or cure a hangover or minor illnesses. But a word of warning; this stuff is potent!

Tour the parliament building

If the weather is not very good, you can hide inside the parliament. Well, at least, for the guided tour duration (the only way you can enter the building)! Imposing from the outside, the building looks a lot smaller once you get inside. As part of the tour, you get to see the Royal Crown.

Some of the best museums in Budapest

With such a detailed history, it’s no wonder that Budapest has so many museums to offer. For a broad scope of the city’s history, try the Budapest History Museum or the Hungarian National Museum.

Visitors can learn more about the Soviet occupation at the House of Terror. It’s a dramatic walk-through museum that also enables tourists to view the gulags or at Memento Park–an open-air museum showcasing sculptures and statues from the communist period. As well as these classic historical museums, Budapest has its share of unusual museums.

The best thermal baths in Budapest

One of the unique aspects of Budapest is its abundance of thermal water. Spending time in the thermal water is one of the most popular activities for Hungarians and tourists alike. Baths can be found all over the city, and they are the perfect place to relax and unwind.

By far, the most famous of the baths in Budapest are the iconic Szechenyi thermal baths. Situated in the city park, this is the bath that is pictured in all the travel guides. From both the outside and inside, Szechenyi is a decadent sight to behold. It is an enormous bath in the city, with 11 indoor thermal pools, immersion pools, and swimming pools.

So, do you have any plans to go to Budapest after the pandemic is over?