Once you arrive close to Vaci utca, whether by metro or on foot, you’d soon realize how crowded Budapest is. Sure, the street is where everything and anything seems to happen at any time of the year but show up in late May to early September and you’d probably feel a bit claustrophobic.

Thankfully, if you need some respite from the crowds, the city is big enough to hide some really nice off the beaten path treasures. Plus, you can always go to some really cool nearby places, too.

Let’s take a look at what you can do in Budapest – and close by – when you don’t feel like tackling any crowds.

Budapest Off the Beaten Path: Aquincum

Shame on me for not even knowing about it until 2011. Since my better half knows how much I love ruins and old historical sites, he suggested to check out Aquincum.

We’ve been twice since and we’ve even danced tango inside the remains of the old amphitheater (n.a. last year, 2018, during our wedding anniversary trip).

Aquincum was an ancient city located on the northeastern border of the Pannonia province, within the Roman Empire. Around 41-54 AD Legio II Adiutrix was stationed here until 89 AD. In 106 AD it became the capital city of the province Pannonia Inferior.

There is a museum on site and recently some old buildings have been renovated so it is possible to get a glimpse of how the Romans lived here.

The site is open from April to September. If you decide to visit during the summer, make sure to wear sunscreen and carry a water bottle with you. Comfy walking shoes are also a must.

It covered a good part of what is now Obuda district. To get to the ruins, hop on H5 from Batthyány tér (on M2, red) (the same line that goes to Szentendre). Because it is located within the metropolitan area, you don’t pay a supplement (if you have a travel card). There are also buses that can take you here. The stop on the HEV is Aquincum.

Budapest Off the Beaten Path: Children’s Railway and Elizabeth Lookout Tower

I’ve bundled these two together because the most scenic way to get to Elizabeth Tower is on the Children’s Railway.

As the name suggests, the trains are operated by children (under adult supervision). The children are orphans and they get to learn how trains work, how to check the tickets, etc as part of an extracurricular activity.

To get to Szechenyi-hegy Station, where the trains depart from, you first need to make your way to Szell Kalman ter (former Moszkva ter) on M2 line. Then hop on tram 59 or 61 to Varosmajor stop. From here, take the Cogwheel Railway all the way to the last stop. Thankfully this part of the journey is included with your travel card. But you have to pay the ticket separately on the Children’s Railway.

Take the train to Janos-kegy and then walk a bit in the woods (on Buda Hill) to Elizabeth Lookout Tower. Climb all the way to the top (it’s free) for some lovely views of the area.

On the way back to the center, you can hop on the Chairlift (Libegő) although I wouldn’t exactly recommend it if you do the trip during the heat of the summer.

Children’s Railway tends to get crowded over the weekends and holidays so make sure to avoid those.

Budapest Off the Beaten Path: Marzipan Museum in Szentendre

Szentendre is a tiny village located close to Budapest and easily reachable by HEV 5 in about an hour (from Batthyány tér stop).

And while you’ll definitely be charmed by its looks and will take a million photos, don’t forget to check out the Szamos Marcipán Múzeum. It is small and charming. It won’t take more than half an hour to see all of it. It will take a lot more to peal yourself off from wanting to buy all the sweets in the downstairs confectionery though.

Everything within the museum is made out of Marzipan. You’ll see famous characters from stories, well-known buildings, musical instruments, and many more objects you probably never thought would be molded in marzipan.
Just walk on the main street and you’ll see a sign pointing to the museum.

Szentendre is a very popular day trip from Budapest so avoid the weekends.

Budapest Off the Beaten Path: Esztergom Basilica

Another quick day trip, this time on a “proper” train: Esztergom.

The city is home to Esztergom Basilica, which happens to be the seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary.

But that’s not really why we went there. The imposing structure happens to be the largest church and the tallest building in Hungary, so views from its tower are magnificent.

From the crypt all the way to the tower, there are 400 stairs (my feet and behind felt every single one of them!). The interior was being renovated when we visited (n.a. 2018) along with the organ. But the crypt, the treasury, and the tower are open for the public to visit.

There’s a bus you can take from the train station to the center and it makes a stop right near the Basilica.

Esztergom is not really on foreigner’s radar so just pay attention to local holidays and especially religious ones. Else, the city doesn’t get busy at all.

Budapest Off the Beaten Path: Eger Castle

Hungary is not a large country and many interesting places are within super easy to reach from Budapest. Such is the case of Eger, as well. Another hour on the train and you are there.

Eger Castle is famous for repelling the Turkish attack in 1552 during the Siege of Eger. It is also very well restored and has a lot of chambers to visit. Plus a 3D experience (in Hungarian, unfortunately) and a wax museum.

The even better part? When you get tired from all the walking, you can try the amazing local wines. Eger is mostly visited by Hungarians so make sure to avoid the local holidays (especially long weekends) if you want to avoid the crowds. But we did end up visiting during a holiday and it wasn’t overwhelming.

Eger is small so it’s easy to just walk from the train station to the castle.

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