A kids’ guide to Budapest

This children’s travel article, A kids’ guide to Budapest, is for both native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn new vocabulary, and discover fun facts about Budapest. Written by Mark Pulley, a writer and EFL teacher with eight years’ experience.

Introduction to Budapest

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary, a country in Central Europe. It’s a beautiful place full of castles, hot baths, amazing views, and a river that splits the city in two!

Whether you love history, boat tours, architecture, or tasty food, there’s something for everyone in Budapest.

Facts about the city

• Currency: Hungarian Forint (Ft)
• Language: Hungarian
• Flag: red, white and green horizontal stripes
• National animal (Hungary): The Tural (a mythological bird)
• Name for people from Budapest: Budapestians

What is Budapest famous for?

Budapest is famous for its stunning buildings, warm baths, and rich history. One of the most eye-catching sights is the enormous Hungarian Parliament Building, which looks like something from a fairy tale. You’ll also find beautiful places like Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, where you can get amazing views over the city.

The city is built on top of natural hot springs, which means you can go swimming outside in warm water all year round. Yes, even on a snowy day in winter! People have been enjoying these baths for two thousand years! The ancient Romans used to love taking a dip after a long day of marching around.

With its mix of old and new, Budapest is a city where you can explore history, eat tasty food like goulash and chimney cakes, and cruise down the River Danube all in one day.

Cool places to visit

Buda Castle – A huge palace on top of a hill with amazing views over the city. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the top, or you can get there by taking a funicular, a little train that goes up the steep hill!

Parliament Building – It looks like a royal palace and is one of the biggest parliament buildings in the world. At night, it lights up like a castle in a storybook.

Fisherman’s Bastion – Another building that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. It’s close to Buda Castle, so is well worth visiting as part of your trip.

Széchenyi Baths – A giant outdoor swimming pool that’s warm even in winter. It’s heated by natural hot springs, and some people say the water can heal you if you are sick.

Margaret Island – A lush green island in the middle of the river with fountains, a musical water show, and space to run, bike or ride pedal-cars.

What’s on the menu?

Hungarian food is full of flavour. Many dishes were created to keep you warm on the long, cold winter nights! Here are some popular dishes you might see in Budapest:

Goulash – Hungary’s most famous dish! It’s a stew that can be made with meat or beans, vegetables, and a red spice called paprika. It’s usually served with bread or a special type of noodle.

Lángos – A deep-fried flatbread that’s crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. People often eat it with sour cream and cheese – yum!

Dobos torte – A famous chocolate and caramel cake with lots of thin layers. Great for a special treat!

Kürtőskalács (chimney cake) – A sweet, spiral-shaped pastry cooked over a fire, then rolled in sugar, cinnamon, or nuts. It smells amazing.

Fun facts for kids about Budapest

• Budapest is actually two cities joined together! Buda and Pest used to be separate places, split by the River Danube. They became one city in 1873.
• The city is home to the oldest underground railway on the European mainland. It opened in 1896 and is still running today!
• There are over 100 hot springs under the city. That’s why Budapest has so many spa baths — some of them have been around for hundreds of years.
• The famous Hungarian inventor, Ernő Rubik, created the Rubik’s Cube in Budapest! It’s one of the most popular puzzles in the world.

Article vocabulary list

• Capital city – The main city where a country’s government is located
• Castle – A large, strong building, often from the past, where kings or queens lived
• Hot spring – A natural pool of warm water that comes from under the ground
• Parliament – The place where a country’s leaders meet to make laws
• Funicular – A small train that goes up a steep hill
• Flatbread – Bread that is flat and thin
• Pastry – A sweet baked food made from dough
• Underground railway – A train that runs below the ground, also called a subway or metro
• Inventor – Someone who creates new things

Comprehension questions

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