Our local Budapest editor Adri has come up with a list of the top 10 free things to do in her city. It’s such a well-thought-out and alluring list that you simply won’t be able to resist following it…

1. Climb Gellért Hill for a panoramic view of the city

Located on the Buda side, Gellért Hill stretches 235-metres into the sky and offers spectacular views of the whole city, whether you visit during the day or at night. Start your journey from Gellért Hotel (Gellért Szálló) – it will take about 10–15 minutes to reach the top depending on your pace. At the peak you’ll find the Citadella and the Liberty Statue. Even though it might feel incredibly touristy to take photos of the view, don’t hesitate to snap away, especially at sunrise, sunset and at night – you’ll be grateful later. If you don’t really want to walk up the hill, public transport is also available. Check the official website for more details.

Photo credit: Markus Kolletzky

2. Have a picnic by the fountain on Margaret Island

This island can easily be reached by tram number 4 or 6 (stop: Margit-sziget). As these tramlines are amongst the most popular, they run regularly: every 2–3 minutes during the day and every 5–10 minutes at night. The island itself has a nice background story. Once called the “Island of Rabbits”, it has since been renamed after Saint Margaret (the daughter of King Béla IV). If you come here in summer, be prepared for crowds of people sitting on the grass, drinking beer, laughing and talking loudly, though it’s a bit less popular during the colder months. Also, if you’re a passionate runner, the island is surrounded by a running path that spans 5.3 kilometres.

Photo credit: Francisco Antunes

3. See some history at the Jewish shoe memorial

On the banks of the Danube near Parliament and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences you’ll find a memorial dedicated to Jews shot into the river during World War II. To find it either walk along Zoltán Street towards the Danube or walk along the banks of the river from the Chain Bridge towards Parliament. It’s best to read about it in advance as it attracts a lot of people so you probably won’t have much time or room to linger.

Photo credit: Dennis Jarvis

4. Sit on the stairs of St. Stephen’s Basilica

It’s best to do this in the evening or at night as the church and the square itself can be quite busy during the day. Even if you don’t feel like sitting on the stairs, it’s worth checking out this masterpiece of humankind. Adri’s favourite route to the cathedral starts at the Chain Bridge and continues along Zrínyi Street – a busy street with a lovely atmosphere that’s lined with various restaurants and cafés, and past the CEU (Central European University). As you get closer to the basilica you’ll be completely enchanted by its architecture. It’s one of those places that you can’t help but stare at every time you pass by, even if you’ve seen it thousands of times. Now imagine how enthralling it must be on first sight.

Photo credit: TheCameraGirls

5. Stroll through Gozsdu Courtyard

Everything here is free as long as you just look and don’t touch. The courtyard itself is a fascinating place to visit and walk through, but as soon as you wish to eat or drink something at one of the cafés or restaurants, be prepared to spend. They say that in summer it’s like a festival within the city walls, which makes sense because most of the flats in this area are owned by foreigners who otherwise don’t spend much time here. The district is located between Király Street, Dob Street and Holló Street, so you can’t get lost if you start from any of these streets. It’s better to start from from Király Street because you don’t really get the same WOW feeling from Dob street, but of course it’s up to you!

Photo credit: gouba.hu

6. Get romantic at the Tomb of Gül Baba & Rose Garden

Built above the grave of Gül Baba in the 1540s, this tomb continues to be an active and beloved place where Muslim businessmen come to pray. As it’s surrounded by the Rose Garden, it has became a popular spot for relaxing walks and romantic getaways. It’s located on the so-called Rózsadomb (rose hill), which is one of the richest neighbourhoods in Budapest. Entrance to the gardens and tomb is free, although you’ll need to book an appointment in advance to actually enter the tomb. The best time to visit is between 10 am–6 pm. The security staff are very nice too so no need to be taken aback when you see men in uniform.

Photo credit: muppetspanker

7. Discover the main street of Budapest city centre

Built in 2010 as part of the “Heart of Budapest” project (and as a political catch), this isn’t just any old street. It’s a complex of squares and streets that sprawls across the city centre. Don’t worry if you get distracted and don’t walk the entire length of the main street, but keep in mind there are some key spots you shouldn’t miss. You can see the Szabó Ervin Library at Kálvin Square, the best and largest library network in the city. To get here, take metro line 3, or tram 47 or 49. With cool statues and students passing by, University Square (Egyetem tér) offers a chilled out atmosphere. With a newly built “adventure fountain” that squirts water at passers by, Liberty Square (Szabadság tér) is also a lot of fun. You can easily get to the Parliament and the Jewish shoe memorial from here.

Photo credit: Eduardo Fonseca Arraes

8. Think meaningful thoughts at Heroes’ Square

Surely you must have heard of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Heroes’ Square, one of the most famous squares in Europe as the Hungarians like to think. As it’s home to the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Gallery, Széchenyi Baths and City Park, time spent here is never wasted. More importantly though, it’s one of those special places with a perfect vibe for thinking about the little things and what really matters in life. Come here early in the morning to catch the sunrise and to enjoy the peace and quiet, and then return in the evening to discover the busy and crazy side of the square.

Photo credit: Salvatore Gerace

9. Cross the bridges of Budapest

Not only is Budapest the official capital of Hungary, it’s also the capital of bridges. As the city is split by the Danube into two parts (Buda and Pest), this makes total sense, so why even bring it up? The goal here is to turn your perspective around and ask you to think of bridges as platforms. Just start from Buda and walk to Pest, and then walk back until you’ve seen all the bridges. Oh, and don’t forget to look around and admire your surroundings. The ones that definitely should not be missed include Petőfi Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge – each of them has an interesting story to tell.

Photo credit: Wilfredorrh

10. Join a Free Walking Tour

A free walking tour is always a must when visiting a foreign city, after all it’s the best and cheapest way to get a good overview of the city. This operator is especially cool because they offer a few alternative free tours besides the general one. Altogether there are four different free tours: The Original, The Afternoon, The Communist and The Jewish District walks. You can read more about the tours on their website. Even though the tours are free, tips are always appreciated, especially when you’re satisfied with the service you received.

Photo credit: Mathias Apitz

Adrienn Thury-Bajai (Adri) is not originally from Budapest, though she has lived here for the past four years. She studies Marketing Communications and in her spare time she enjoys playing volleyball, reading and obviously, travelling. She’s also fascinated by fashion, art and anything that seems interesting really. In the coming years she pictures herself doing an internship in Mexico, completing masters degree in Denmark, and working for a smart and sexy ad agency.