How to Explore Budapest on a Budget
For many years, Budapest is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe. Not only does the Hungarian capital has a wonderful infrastructure, but the number of prominent destinations there is truly immense. Although some of these popular sites require visitors to pay a respective fee, you can be totally sure that anyone can explore Budapest on a budget and have an unforgettable time without spending tons of money. To be as helpful as possible, we’ve prepared a list containing some activities and attractions that require little to no spending on your end.
Why Is Budapest Worth Visiting?
Before we jump into the main topic for today, which is “How to explore Budapest on a budget”, we’d like to point out a few key reasons why the city is certainly worth visiting. First and foremost, it’s an incredibly beautiful destination with numerous museums, monuments, cathedrals, and other mesmerizing sites. Once you find yourself in the Central European city, you’ll find it hard to let go.
What’s more, the city of Budapest is quite big, which means you’ll certainly escape the trap of boredom. All tourists will have access to various shops, restaurants, and parks. If you wish to explore Budapest on a budget, though, you’ll have to be a bit more careful with your choices. In the following sections, we’ll list the best activities that will keep your amusement levels high and your pockets full.
Exploring Budapest on a Budget: Best Tips and Tricks
Exploring Budapest is possible even if you don’t have much money. The city has splendid destinations that are free of charge, and the prices, as a whole, are not that high. In addition, the city has myriads of beautiful sites located in easy-to-reach locations, which means you can certainly see most of them while walking. During your on-foot-trip, you’ll catch sight of numerous glorious churches, enormous squares, lovely parks, and lots of street art. In addition, you’ll get to taste some traditional meals at the Great Market Hall.
Free Walking Tours
Budapest is a city offering a number of free walking tours for anyone who wishes to find out more about the city and get a better idea of the potential destinations. There are several companies providing such services, so you’ll have the opportunity to research which one will be the best option for you. Nevertheless, regardless of your preference, you’ll most certainly find out curious details about the city and its history.
You’ll get familiar with the most notable sites in Budapest and where to find them. Of course, the guides will also give further information about the top-rated entertainment places in the capital. As some of you know, the nightlife in Budapest is not a mirage, and there are hundreds of bars to choose from.
Heroes Square
The Heroes Square is one of the most prominent sites in the city. The major square features The Seven Chieftains of the Magyars, which were the leaders of the Hungarians during the times of the Byzantine Empire. In the area, there are several other prominent monuments and buildings, such as:
- The Museum of Fine Arts
- Palace of Art
- The Memorial Stone of Heroes
- Millennium Monument
The Millennium Monument is, in fact, the building that features The Seven Chieftains of the Magyars, and it consists of two colonnades. On each colonnade, there are nine glorious statues. They all represent different things. For instance, the statue of a man who holds a snake represents War, and the statue of a woman holding a palm frond represents Peace. You’ll most likely spend no less than two hours examining each of the spectacular statues at the square.
The Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall opened in 1897 and is the largest indoor market in the city. It was built because back in the days, the supply of food to the city was not quite simple, and people believed that market halls would certainly be beneficial. The spectacular market hall went through a massive renovation in 1991 because most of it was damaged due to World War II.
In 1997, the market re-opened, and today it’s one of the most favored tourist attractions. The building has three floors, and on each one of them, you’ll find something that will grab your interest. The stalls on the ground floor sell pastries, meat, traditional spices, and various desserts. On the second floor, you’ll find thousands of souvenirs. And lastly, the basement is packed with vegetable and fruit stalls and several butcher shops.
The Great Market Hall is a superb site for those of you who want to explore Budapest on a budget. Not only will you be able to taste some traditional Hungarian dishes, but you’ll also leave the place with bags filled up to the top. Many people love visiting the spot because the variety of products is endless, and the prices are absolutely reasonable. A lot of stalls owners offer free bites of fresh foods or meals to the clients.
Elisabeth Bridge
The Elisabeth Bridge is one of the newest additions to Budapest’s attractions. It connects Buda and Pest across the Danube and is named after Elisabeth of Bavaria. Its location offers a breathtaking view that is even more spectacular at sunset. Be sure to charge your phone or camera beforehand because the photos you can take will certainly be qualified for framed photographs.
Final Thoughts
We hope we’ve managed to prove that exploring Budapest without spending tons of money is achievable. If you follow our tips given above, you’ll certainly find out more about the city. The capital of Hungary is so enchanting that even a simple walk in the park will fill you up with positivity and will give you some unforgettable memories. When it comes to traveling, money is not the most crucial factor – if you’re creative enough, you’ll definitely find budget-friendly ways to learn more about a particular city.
