If you are in Budapest for Erasmus, one of the best things about the city is that you can do a lot without spending much money. There are many beautiful places to visit that are completely free, from viewpoints and parks to historic streets and impressive buildings.
As students, we obviously love finding places where we can spend an afternoon without having to worry about our budget. So, here are 10 of our favourite free places to visit in Budapest.
1. Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion is probably one of the most beautiful places in Budapest. It is located on the Buda side, near Buda Castle, and has amazing views over the Danube and the whole city.
The best part is that most of the area is completely free to visit. There are some upper towers that require a ticket, but you can still get a great view without paying.
We especially like going there around sunset. It can get quite busy, but the view is definitely worth it.
2. Buda Castle
Buda Castle is one of those places you should visit at least once while you are in Budapest.
You can walk around the castle district for free and explore the streets, courtyards and viewpoints. You do not need to enter the museums or exhibitions to enjoy the area.
It is also a nice place to take a walk when you have friends or family visiting you from home.
3. St. Stephen’s Basilica Square
St. Stephen’s Basilica is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. The square in front of it is free to visit and is surrounded by cafés, restaurants and beautiful buildings.
We like coming here in the evening because the area has a really nice atmosphere. It is also very central, so you can easily combine it with a walk around the city centre.
If you want to enter the basilica itself, there may be a fee, but enjoying the square and the outside of the building is free.
4. Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square is another place that you can visit without spending anything.
It is one of the most famous squares in Budapest, with large statues representing important figures from Hungarian history. It is also located next to City Park, so you can easily continue your walk after taking some pictures.
We recommend going during the day and then walking through the park. It is a simple plan for an afternoon when you don’t want to spend money.
5. City Park
City Park, or Városliget, is one of our favourite places to escape the city for a while.
You can walk around the park, sit on the grass and explore the area for free. There are also several interesting buildings and attractions nearby, so you can easily spend a few hours there.
It is especially nice when the weather is good and you just want to buy a coffee from a supermarket and have a little picnic with your Erasmus friends.
6. Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Walking across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is completely free and gives you some great views of Budapest.
The bridge connects Buda and Pest, so it is also a very easy way to combine two parts of the city in one walk.
We like crossing it in the evening when the buildings and the river are illuminated. It is one of those things that feels a bit touristy, but you still end up doing it several times while living here.
7. Gellért Hill and the Citadella area
Gellért Hill is a great place if you want to see Budapest from above without paying for a ticket.
The walk up can be a little tiring, especially if you are not used to Budapest’s hills, but the views over the Danube are really nice.
It is a good option for a sunny afternoon, and you can bring some snacks and sit somewhere along the way. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes!
8. Margaret Island
Margaret Island is located in the middle of the Danube and is another great place to visit for free.
There are large green areas, walking paths and plenty of places where you can sit and relax. It is popular with students, especially when the weather gets warmer.
We sometimes go there just to walk around or have a picnic with friends. It feels very different from the busy city centre.
9. The Great Market Hall Area
The Great Market Hall is a nice place to explore even if you are not planning to buy anything.
Walking around the market itself is free, and it is a fun way to see some traditional Hungarian food and local products.
Afterwards, you can walk along Vámház körút and towards the Danube. If you are trying to save money, just looking around is definitely allowed!
10. The Danube Promenade
Last but not least, one of the easiest and most enjoyable free things to do in Budapest is simply walking along the Danube.
You can see some of the city’s most famous landmarks from the river, including the Parliament, Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge.
We often recommend this when friends visit because you can see a lot of Budapest without spending anything. It is also a perfect place for a walk after dinner or a night out.
Which ones are our favourites?
If you are an Erasmus student and want to explore Budapest without spending money, there are plenty of options.
For the best views, we would choose Fisherman’s Bastion or Gellért Hill.
For a relaxing afternoon, City Park and Margaret Island are great options.
And if you simply want to walk around and see the city, the Danube Promenade and Chain Bridge are perfect.
Our Erasmus tip
You really don’t need a big budget to enjoy Budapest. One of the things we like most about living here is that you can easily make plans with friends without spending a lot of money.
A picnic in the park, a walk along the Danube or watching the sunset from Buda can be just as nice as going to an expensive attraction.
So, if you are on Erasmus here, take advantage of the free things first — your student budget will definitely thank you!
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