I lived in Budapest for 7 years. There are 4 tourist spots I wouldn’t recommend — and 4 that are worth the hype.

• After living in Budapest for 7 years, I learned a lot about the city’s popular tourist attractions.
• I find the Széchenyi Baths and New York Café too crowded, and think there are better alternatives.
• There are some tourist spots that are worth the cost and crowds, though, like Fisherman’s Bastion.

When I moved to Budapest at 23 years old, I didn’t expect it to become home for the rest of my 20s.

I loved it, though — so much that I even started my own Budapest travel blog and joined the tourism industry once my teaching contract expired.

By the time I left in 2025, I had over seven years of experience showing guests around one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

It’s safe to say that I know how to stack a Budapest itinerary. So, here are four popular tourist spots I wouldn’t recommend, but another four that I believe are worth the hype.

I typically skip the stunning but often crowded Széchenyi Baths.

This Neo-Baroque bath complex is certainly eye-catching, but Széchenyi is often packed with visitors.

I usually tell visitors to instead check out the Rudas Baths, which are just as gorgeous but often less crowded.

These Turkish baths date back to the 16th century, but the complex also includes some newer additions for a modern spa experience — including a rooftop hot tub that provides a stunning panoramic city view.

For a more off-the-beaten-path browsing experience, swap Central Market Hall for Fény Street Market.

Don’t get me wrong: The soaring ceilings and colorful stalls of Budapest’s largest covered market are beautiful. However, the upper levels can quickly become a crowded maze.

For unique souvenirs and authentic food, I’d recommend the glass-roofed Fény Street Market, which is beloved by locals.

I always enjoy browsing stalls of true artisan crafts before grabbing traditional Hungarian food from one of the stalls upstairs.

Unless you specifically want to shop at designer stores, consider passing on Andrássy Avenue.

Budapest’s original grand boulevard, Andrássy Avenue, is now mostly full of pricey restaurants and designer stores.

If you’re planning to do some serious shopping, this street could be great. If not, though, I suggest heading over to the west side of the city to see where Budapestians really spend their leisure time.

There, you’ll find Bartok Béla Avenue, which is full to bursting with colorful bars, cafés, and galleries. Trust me, you’ll get a much closer look at what life in Budapest looks like.

There are several coffeehouses I’d recommend over the New York Café.

Yes, the New York Café bills itself as “the most beautiful café in the world,” and I don’t necessarily disagree. It’s absolutely stunning.

However, every time I visit, I end up waiting in a very long line — and the prices are often more than I’m hoping to spend.

Instead, you may want to consider visiting Central Café or the Gerbeaud Confectionery and Café for a taste of the upscale coffeehouse culture that defined Budapest during the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

On the other hand, I suggest facing the crowds to visit Fisherman’s Bastion.

The creamy white turrets and spires of Fisherman’s Bastion make it look like a castle right out of a fairytale. Even after living in Budapest for seven years, I can admit: there’s really nothing like it.

Crowds are inevitable, but in my opinion, this historic monument — and the view of the city you’ll get from the top — are well worth it.

Try going before sunrise for a bit more space to yourself.

I always recommend visiting the House of Terror Museum.

If you only have time for one museum in Budapest, I’d suggest the House of Terror.

This museum offers an educational look into the darkest chapters of Hungary’s history, including both devastating tales of oppression and violence and inspiring stories of bravery and resistance during the Nazi and Communist occupations of Budapest.

The Museum of Ethnography and Hospital in the Rock are also enriching places to visit, if you have the time.

You shouldn’t skip a sunset cruise on the Danube River.

Budapest only gets prettier at sunset. A Danube river cruise will take you past castles, churches, and other UNESCO World Heritage sites, all in the span of a couple of hours.

There are a ton of different cruises you can book, from classic sightseeing tours to traditional Hungarian dinners to techno party rides, just to name a few.

The Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar can get packed, but it’s still worth a visit.

Budapest’s most famous ruin bar is on tons of tourist lists, and as a result, it can get packed — but it’s something you should see at least once.

The eclectic decor, which has been layered over the decades, makes each room feel different from the last. Exploring the whole complex feels like an adventure.

However, no two ruin bars are the same. If you feel like checking out a spot with a bit more local flair, make time to visit Pótkulcs, A Grund, or Manyi. Egészségedre (cheers) to that!

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