Budapest - what should we book in advance and any other need-to-know tips?

[TranquilWater]

We’ll be there for 4 days, with dd 13, we want to do a mix of historic and fun, so eg. castles, but maybe an immersive art experience or the selfie museum too. I’m also wondering if the Budapest card is worth it, which sites are best for booking an evening river cruise (Get your guide pops up everywhere, but is it the best one?). Also, has anyone been there on the national holiday of 23 October before, and what’s open on that day?

About a week before we travelled I booked a visit to the Hungarian parliament building, everything else I turned up and paid on arrival. Looking at the website today the parliament visits seems sold out for days, so you can't leave it too last minute. Some sites shut on a Monday, not sure whether that impacts you. We didn't go in the Baths, not sure if you need to book, our youngest was 5 at the time and he likes a cool shower he wouldn't have dealt with the heat.

Margaret island was really lovely, especially the fountains so leave time for them

I didn't book anything far in advance. We went early on the morning were wanted to go to the Parliament and got our tickets for that day. We went adventure caving - did book that probably a couple of days in advance - all loved it & to the circus - booked the night before. Oh and there was a pinball museum that we bought a day ticket for but you can come and go throughout the day - great fun! Went for an hour or so in the morning, went out to the circus and then after went back to the pinball museum for the evening.

Initially, we took others advice and walked most places but by day 3 realised you could get a group day ticket for buses / trams etc for about £10 for the day for all of us. Used Budapest Go App to get around - super easy. We bought our tickets for the parliament and then walked along the Danube to see the 'Shoes on the Danube'.

Atr street food mostly as it was delicious.

Have fun! We can't wait to go back

Is th

Thanks everyone, I’ve now downloaded the Budapest Go app and am looking up the other tips.

If you want to go in the cathedral I would advise online booking the day before as there were no online slots available in the actual day that didn't have an upsell and we ended up in a long queue at the ticket office.