Why go to Budapest
Budapest is two cities facing each other across the Danube: hilly, quiet Buda and flat, busy Pest. Add a grand 19th-century streetscape that looks pricier than it is, hot water bubbling up under the pavement, and a food scene built on paprika and sour cream. It also works as a cheap flight destination, because Hungary still uses the forint, so your euros, pounds or dollars go further than in Vienna or Prague.
It is also a city for people who like to wander. You can cross a bridge at dusk, soak in a 100-year-old bath, and eat well for the price of a sandwich back home.
What to see in Budapest
- Hungarian Parliament. The neo-Gothic giant on the Pest bank is best photographed from across the river, ideally at night. Inside tours sell out in high season, so book ahead.
- Buda Castle District. Cobbled lanes, the Royal Palace (home to the National Gallery) and the Funicular up from the Chain Bridge. Go early, before the tour groups.
- Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. The white turrets are more fairytale than fortress, with the best panorama over Pest. The church next door has a striking tiled roof.
- Chain Bridge. Walk it at sunset, then keep going to the Buda side for the Danube views.
- Széchenyi Baths. The famous yellow neo-baroque complex in City Park. Outdoor pools steam in winter, which is the best time to be there.
- Gellért Hill and the Citadella. A short, steep climb rewards you with the widest view in town. Sunset is the busiest hour; mid-morning is calmer.
- Great Market Hall. A huge iron-and-tile hall on Fővám körút. Ground floor for paprika and salami, upstairs for lángos and stews.
- St Stephen's Basilica. Climb to the dome for a 360-degree look at the city.
- Dohány Street Synagogue. The largest in Europe, at the heart of the old Jewish Quarter. Serious, moving and worth the time.
- Shoes on the Danube Bank. Sixty pairs of iron shoes near the Parliament, a quiet memorial that stays with you.
Things to do
Start with the baths. Széchenyi is the classic, Gellért is the Art Nouveau showpiece, and Rudas has a Turkish-era dome and a rooftop pool with a river view. Bring flip-flops and a towel to save on rentals.
Then do the ruin bars. Szimpla Kert, in the old Jewish Quarter, was the first and is still the best known. Go on a weekday afternoon if you want to actually see the odd furniture and courtyards. After dark it is packed.
Take a walk along Andrássy út, the tree-lined boulevard to Heroes' Square, and stop at the House of Terror if you want to understand the 20th century here. Rent a bike or walk the length of Margaret Island, a car-free park in the middle of the Danube. A river cruise is touristy, but the evening ones with the lit-up Parliament are decent value.
How many days and a suggested route
Three days is the sweet spot. Two will do if you skip the museums; four lets you add a day trip to Szentendre or the Danube Bend.
Day 1, Buda: Castle District in the morning, Fisherman's Bastion, lunch on the hill, then Gellért Hill and a late-afternoon soak at Rudas or Gellért.
Day 2, Pest: Parliament, the Shoes on the Danube, St Stephen's Basilica, lunch at the Great Market Hall, the Dohány Street Synagogue and an evening in the Jewish Quarter.
Day 3, City Park: Andrássy út on foot, Heroes' Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, then a long morning or afternoon at Széchenyi Baths. Leave Margaret Island for the last evening.
When to go
April to June and September to October are the best months: mild days, terraces open, no real heat. July and August can pass 30°C, and the baths are crowded. August also means the Sziget Festival on an island in the Danube, which pushes prices up.
Winter is cold, often around freezing, with grey skies. But the Christmas markets at Vörösmarty tér and by St Stephen's Basilica are lovely, and sitting in a hot outdoor pool while snow falls is something you will remember. Flights and hotels tend to be cheapest from November to March, apart from the Christmas weeks.
Where to stay
- District V (Belváros-Lipótváros): central and walkable, close to the Parliament and the river. Pricier, but you can walk everywhere.
- District VII (Jewish Quarter): the nightlife area, full of bars and street food. Great for the evenings, loud for light sleepers.
- District VI (Terézváros): around Andrássy út and the Opera House. A calmer, more elegant base with good restaurants.
- Buda, Castle District and Gellért area: quieter, with views and the baths close by, but fewer places to eat late.
As a rough guide, hostel dorms cost about €15 to €30 a night, solid mid-range hotels €70 to €120, and top-end riverside places €150 and up.
What to eat and where
Hungarian food is hearty, so pace yourself. Start with gulyás, which is a soup here, not a thick stew, and chicken paprikash with small dumplings (nokedli). Try lángos, deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese. It is not subtle, but it is the best snack in town. Túrós csusza, pasta with cottage cheese and bacon, is the comfort dish locals actually order.
For dessert, go for kürtőskalács (chimney cake) from a street stall, or a slice of Dobos torta at Café Gerbeaud on Vörösmarty tér. The New York Café is stunning but very touristy; have a coffee, not a meal. For wine, ask for a Tokaji, and for something stronger, try pálinka.
The Great Market Hall's upper floor is fine for a quick lunch, though locals head to the smaller neighbourhood places for better prices. In the Jewish Quarter, Karavan on Kazinczy utca is a courtyard of food trucks and a decent late-night option. Note that many restaurants add a 10 to 15 percent service charge to the bill, so check before tipping again.
Getting from the airport and getting around
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is about 16 km from the centre. The 100E bus runs direct to Deák Ferenc tér in about 35 to 40 minutes and costs a few euros. Alternatively, the 200E goes to the Kőbánya-Kispest metro stop. The official airport taxi service has a fixed fare to the centre, roughly €25 to €30, and ride-hailing apps like Bolt are usually cheaper.
Once in town, the centre is walkable. The metro has four lines (M1 to M4); the little yellow M1 is the oldest on the continent apart from London's and dates from 1896. Tram 2 runs along the Pest riverbank and is a scenic ride in itself, and trams 4 and 6 loop the Grand Boulevard. The BudapestGO app sells tickets, and 24-hour and 72-hour travel cards are good value. Validate paper tickets, because inspectors check.
Rough daily budget
- Budget: around €40 to €60 (dorm bed, street food, public transport).
- Mid-range: around €90 to €130 (a private hotel room, restaurant meals, one bath or museum).
- Comfortable: €200 or more (a riverside hotel, fine dining, tours).
Széchenyi entry is roughly €25 to €30, and a Parliament tour is cheaper for EU citizens. A pint of beer in a local bar is often €2 to €3. Always pay in forints; euro exchange booths near tourist spots give poor rates.
FAQs
Is Budapest safe for tourists?
Yes, generally. Watch for pickpockets on trams and in crowded bars, and for overcharging taxis hailed on the street.
Do I need euros or forints?
Forints (HUF). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but a little cash helps for markets and small cafés.
Is three days enough?
Yes, for the main sights and a bath. A fourth day lets you slow down or add Szentendre.
Which thermal bath is best?
Széchenyi for the experience, Gellért for the architecture, Rudas for the view. If you only have time for one, pick Széchenyi.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes, Budapest tap water is safe and tastes fine.
Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Guide updated 21 Oct 2026