Best Things to do in Budapest with Kids and Teens

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Are you planning a trip to Budapest with your family? Budapest is one of the safest and best European cities to visit with kids and teens. From castles to markets to thermal baths, there’s something for everyone in this capital city. Here are some of the best things to do in Budapest in 3 days. And if you want your kids to learn about the city before going, check out this Budapest travel guide for kids.

Things to know when visiting Budapest with kids

• If you purchase a single trip tram ticket, make sure to validate it on board (look for the machines) or you will face a hefty fine.
• We didn’t take out any cash, every single store, restaurant and vendor accepted tap to pay so we used Apple Pay all over the city without any issues.
• Bring a reusable bag for groceries and souvenirs. Stores charge for them and I find that our Baggu reusable bags are so much sturdier and easier to carry, I always have one in my purse!
• If AMEX is your card of choice, make sure you have a backup option. My AMEX gold was declined half the time here because they don’t accept it, more than anywhere else we have been.
• Bolt was cheap and super quick here (cars arrived in under 2 minutes), so it’s another option for getting around. We loved just walking and then getting Bolt back to the hotel when we got tired.
• Thermal baths are popular however many do not allow kids below a certain age so check before you visit!

Where to stay in Budapest with kids

Budapest has many family friendly hotels and rentals. We wanted to use points and be in the center of town, so we chose the Courtyard Budapest City Center. The location was excellent and walking distance to many of the attractions we wanted to see. Across the street were multiple tram stops and lots of restaurants and supermarkets within a 2 block radius, making it one of the best hotels in Budapest for families.

Here are some other family friendly hotel and apartment rental options around the city:

What to do in Budapest with kids and teens

Budapest has something for every member of your family. We loved just walking around the city and seeing the beautiful architecture. Here are some things to do in Budapest with your kids.

Visit Central Market Hall

In the center of town is this bustling indoor market. Keep in mind that if you are visiting in the summer months during hot days, it’s really hot inside as there is no ac or air flow. We came in July and got lucky with a breeze and temps in the low 70s but I’ve heard that it’s absolutely miserable when their summer temps reach the high 80s.

There are tons of vendors at this market selling everything from souvenirs to produce to food. It’s a great place to walk around and sample some of the popular Hungarian dishes. This definitely tops our list of kid and teen friendly Budapest attractions!

Váci Street

One of the most popular pedestrian shopping streets, this street starts directly in front of the market hall so you can walk here after exploring the market. There are lots of stores and restaurants here and it’s just a really cute street to explore. This is one of the best things to do in Budapest with kids and teens.

Shoes on the Danube Bank

The shoes on the Danube Bank was created as a memorial to the Hungarian Jews in 2005 by film director Can Togay. Along the edge of the Danube River, you’ll see 60 pairs of iron shoes, men’s, women’s, and children’s, scattered as if their owners had just stepped out of them.

They’re embedded in the pavement right where victims were executed and their bodies pushed into the river in 1944-1945 by members of the Arrow Cross Party.

Before the victims were shot, they were ordered to remove their shoes. At the time, shoes were a valuable commodity, and the killers often took them for themselves or to sell. This is such an important part of history and not to be missed when visiting Budapest.

Ride the Castle Hill Funicular to Buda Castle

One of the best things to do in Budapest with kids and teens is visit Buda Castle. The funicular is a fun way to get to the top, offering beautiful views of the city below.

Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica

The largest church in Budapest and a major historical landmark, St. Stephen’s Basilica is definitely a site you have to visit! The church is located in the center of the city, making it easily accessible while you are walking around and exploring.

Visit a thermal bath

Thermal baths are very popular in Budapest and there are many to choose from. The mineral water is said to offer healing properties and some are even family friendly. While this wasn’t on our list of things to do in Budapest with kids, I know many love them. Be sure to read the rules about kids as not all of them allow them.

Where to eat in Budapest with kids and teens

Budapest is home to many different restaurants offering everything from traditional Hungarian fare to Mexican food, sushi and everything in between. No matter what your family’s palate is, you’re certain to find something for everyone in Budapest. Here are some family friendly restaurants in Budapest.

Goulash Museum Budapest

So not really a museum, but a Hungarian restaurant. We came her on our first day since it was walkable from our hotel. This restaurant serves the typical Hungarian dishes and we loved our meals here. I got the Hungarian goulash and my daughter got pasta. Great place to visit if you want an introduction to Hungarian food!

Kisharang Étkezde

If you only eat at once place in Budapest, make it this one! The word étkezde refers to mom and pop type of restaurants that serve cheaper, more traditional Hungarian dishes. There used to be many of these in the city but they are definitely dwindling. This was one of the best meals we had in Budapest. Keep in mind that this restaurant is super popular and not very big so you’ll most likely have to wait for a table.

We tried the raspberry soup, their in house made raspberry soda, chicken paprikash and schnitzel and all were delicious. This is one of the best kid friendly restaurants in Budapest.

Molnár’s lángos

One of the most popular street foods in Budapest is lángos, a deep fried flat bread topped with toppings of your choice. A local told us to try them here so we did and it was delicious! We chose the smoked cheese and it was really good.

Travis’ Tenders

So not exactly Hungarian food, but if your kids like chicken tenders this is the place to go! This is very similar to Raising Cane’s in the US (right down to the toast and coleslaw), though the taste of the sauce and tenders was a bit different. If your kids are asking for chicken tenders, this Budapest family friendly restaurant is a must visit!

Cinnahaven

Looking for dessert in Budapest? Check out Cinnahaven! Their cinnamon rolls are so soft and gooey and served warm. This was walking distance from our hotel and definitely didn’t disappoint! This is one of the best desserts in Budapest.

Royal Guard Restaurant & Cafe

Located by Buda Castle, this was actually a really good find! My daughter was hungry so we stopped in. She had the schnitzel, which she loved, and I had ice cream since I didn’t want food. The prices are also very reasonable. I was expecting much higher given the location!

Sirap brunch & more

If you are looking for a brunch restaurant in Budapest, this is the best one! We wished we discovered it earlier on our trip so that we could have visited multiple times. We were drawn in by their teddy bear drinks, which are super cute. My daughter had the raspberry matcha and I had the coffee version. But we also ordered food (savory French toast and avocado toast) and it was delicious. Definitely one of our favorite restaurants in Budapest and one of the most instagrammable Budapest restaurants, which is imporatant if you have teens!

As you can see, there is a lot to do in Budapest with kids and teens. We only had 3 days and were out and about pretty much all day doing things and eating yummy food. Want to read this later? Pin one of the images below.