Hungary

14 Best Activities For Kids While Exploring Budapest

While Budapest sports a strong party crowd, it also offers lots of fun for families with children.  The picturesque Danube River divides a city into two parts, Buda and Pest.  Both sides of the town provide wonderful places to explore with kids, and you’ll delight in the historic beauty.  We love Budapest!

How To Get Around Budapest With Kids

Public transportation in Budapest is easy to use and inexpensive. The city is relatively large and requires too much walking for little kids.  

Using Uber works wonderfully, and the drivers are friendly.

Consider getting a Budapest Card or a Budapest Card Plus! The Budapest Card Plus offers lots of freebies, such as:

• 40+ services included in the BUDAPEST CARD product range
• Free airport transfer
• A cruise on the Danube
• Free admission to Matthias Church
• A ride on the Buda Castle Funicular Railway
• A chimney cake from Molnár’s

Best Things To Do In Budapest With Kids

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1. Budapest Ferris Wheel 

The Budapest Eye is best at sunset and is in the middle of the city in Erzsébet Square.  We didn’t plan to go at sunset, but I was glad we did!  The cotton-candy skies over the fairy-tale architecture of Budapest were memorable.

2. Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus 

This isn’t our favorite way to see the city, but sometimes it’s nice to sit for a while after lots of city walking.  I did like the audio guide we could listen to on the bus.  Be sure to ask if you’ll need to switch buses on your route, as we had to do that several times.  It is an excellent way to cross the river besides using public transportation. Check this one for a hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

3. Margaret Island and Thermal Pools 

Budapest’s thermal pools are famed worldwide.  Many are not child-friendly due to age restrictions or optional clothing rules.

Thankfully, a beautiful, child-friendly option exists on Margaret Island, the Palatinus Baths. You can read about our visit here. Margaret Island also gives a full day of fun exploring the island, its playgrounds, and many more.

4. Budapest Market Hall

Chris and I loved this market on our first visit without kids. We found excellent leather luggage, various food to try, and other souvenirs.  Kids will also enjoy exploring the market.  Pay attention to opening hours.

5. Gozsdu Court Street Vendors

We stayed at a hotel right in Godzu Court.  While I wouldn’t recommend our hotel, this city area is fun.  It turns into an adult playground late at night, but street vendors are set up during the day, and there are lots of fun restaurants to enjoy.

6. Tour The Parliament Building

The most stunning building in the world (in our opinion) also offers tours inside!  It’s a bit boring for the kids, but you get to see the Crown Jewels (under guard) and the rooms that have defined the history of Budapest.

7. The New York Café

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We snuck off for a quick date night in the “most beautiful café in the world.”  Thankfully, grandma and grandpa were in Budapest with us. This café is lovely and genuinely stunning, and the food was good.  It would be fun during the day with kids too!

8. Fisherman’s Bastion 

One of the top sights to see in Budapest is the Fisherman’s Bastion, which was once a lookout tower and boasts incredible city views.  You’ll find fun vendors and room to explore for the kids.  Going into the old castle is a good option.

9. Aqua World Water Park

Take a one-hour ride to this fun water park resort. Open year-round, with 11 giant slides, adventure pools, and a kid’s club, this water park resort is worth a visit!

10. Vajdahunyad Castle

It’s one of the most romantic castles in Budapest and is known to be the Cinderella castle of Budapest. This gem is undoubtedly gorgeous and sits next to a lake and ice skating rink in the winter.  You can visit it side by side with the Budapest Zoo.

11. Budapest Children’s Railway

Not just your typical ride! This 11.2 kilometers long railway is one of Budapest’s most unique attractions. It has a system just like any other railway, with lookout towers, ticket offices, diesel locomotives, and signals. All of these are run by elementary-age children! Sounds interesting, right?! Don’t miss this experience.

12. Funicular in Buda Castle District

Located at the Buda end of the chain bridge, navigating by the Buda Hill Funicular is an excellent and cheaper way to save your legs from walking, especially when you want to get up to Buda Castle Hill from the river level on Adam Clarke square. The ride will take just a few minutes but will surely give you beautiful views of the River Danube, Fisherman’s Bastion, and even of Margaret Island. Our kids loved the ride!

13. Hungarian Railway Museum

Steam locomotives, wagons of former luxury trains, models, and more await you at the Hungarian Railway Museum. Kids can drive an actual diesel locomotive, enjoy model trains, and try a handcart. 

14. Sir Lancelot’s Restaurant

Have some dinner in this lively Medieval-themed restaurant and savor their roast meat. KiIl the time while waiting for your food to be served with games, plus costumed staff & sword fights that can surely entertain you. Kids will love dinner here! 

Best Food to Eat In Budapest With Kids

We thoroughly enjoyed eating our way through Budapest.  Some of our favorites are: 

✔️ Chimney cake (with ice cream!).  Don’t miss this famous and delicious treat. 

The pastry is made from sweet yeast dough wrapped around a wooden cylinder and then baked over an open flame, giving it a cylindrical shape with a hollow center. As the dough bakes, it puffs up and forms a spiral pattern on the outside.

After baking, the chimney cake is typically coated with various toppings, such as cinnamon sugar, chopped nuts, chocolate, or coconut flakes. You can fill these with Nutella, cream, or ice cream.  Better yet, a combo of all three!

✔️ Goulash.  This stew usually comes with meat and potatoes, a Hungarian classic that is hearty and filling.

✔️ Spaetzle and Paprika Chicken.  One of my favorite meals in Budapest!  The spaetzle is like pasta paired with gravy; it’s delicious!

✔️ Schnitzel.  I can’t get enough schnitzel!  Breaded meats (usually veal, but can also be pork or chicken) fried crispy.

Best Places To Stay In Budapest With Kids

• Corinthia Budapest – located in Budapest’s city center and entertainment district. This hotel is a few minutes away from Budapest Eye and Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden. If you’re up for shopping, you can visit Kiraly Street and Hunyadi Ter. Traveling with kids? Consider Hungarian Natural History Museum and Mystique Room. 

• InterContinental Budapest, an IHG Hotel – provides a terrace, shopping on-site, and a hair salon. Close to Budapest Christmas Market and Szechenyi Chain Bridge. You can have some me-time and treat yourself to hydrotherapy, body treatment, or a massage at the onsite spa.

• Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest – offers a hot stone massage, facial, and aromatherapy at Kempinski The Spa. Here you can visit the nearby St. Stephen’s Basilica and Parliament Building.

Other Tours To Try In Budapest With Kids

There are many other things to try in Budapest when exploring this beautiful place with kids. Here are some suggestions; note the age requirements in some of the guided tours:

• Learn to make our favorite chimney cakes with Hungarian Chimney Cake Workshop.

• Buda Castle Cave Walking Tour. Get to know more about the history of the Buda Castle District by exploring the underground. See the unique geology of the caverns.

• Don’t just pass along, but make that experience become a reality by having a picnic with local food & ride on the Children’s Railway. Kids (and adults) will surely love this!

What To Pack When Traveling To Budapest With Kids

When traveling to Budapest with kids, here are some things to consider packing:

1. Comfortable walking shoes: Budapest is a city with many attractions requiring a lot of walking, so it’s important to bring comfortable shoes for kids and adults.
2. Weather-appropriate clothing: Make sure to pack clothes suitable for the season you are traveling in, as Budapest can experience both hot summers and cold winters.
3. Sunscreen and hats: If you are visiting during the summer months, it’s important to protect your family’s skin from the sun. Bring sunscreen and hats to keep everyone safe.
4. Swimsuit: Bring along everyone’s swimsuit if you plan to visit one of the famous thermal baths in Budapest with kids.
5. Snacks and water bottles: Keep your kids fueled and hydrated throughout the day.
6. Entertainment: Keep your kids entertained during travel time by bringing games, books, or electronic devices.
7. Universal adapter: Budapest uses the standard European Type F electrical plug, so be sure to pack a universal adapter to keep all your devices charged.
8. First-aid kit: Bring a small first-aid kit with band-aids, pain relievers, and any necessary medication in case of emergency.
9. Language translation app: If you don’t speak Hungarian, a language translation app can be helpful for communicating with locals and navigating around the city.
10. Camera: Don’t forget to capture all the fun memories with your family by bringing a camera or smartphone with a good camera.

I’d love to know how your vacation in Budapest goes! Share them in the comments.

Xoxo,

Leslie

Additional Reading

Visiting Germany’s Largest Amusement and Water Park With Kids: Europa-Park Tips

Day Trip From Salzburg To Lake Königssee and Berchtesgaden Salt Mines, Germany With Kids

13 Fantastic Things to Do In Bergen, Norway With Kids