Top things to do in Budapest
Attractions, tours and activities in Budapest
Recommended museums in Budapest
Where to discover culture and the arts in Budapest
Budapest: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Budapest
-
01. Budavár
1 miles from city centre
Not so little Buda. This district is dominated by Budavári Palota, a mammoth medieval palace complex. Zip up Castle Hill on the old-time funicular, and stand atop the castle walls to capture sweeping vistas of the Danube River and Pest beyond it. In the high-class Vár area, hop from upscale bar to classy restaurant like you’re modern-day royalty.
Places to stay from £18 per night
-
02. Rózsadomb
2 miles from city centre
Buda’s “Hill of Roses” is highly affluent. During the Turkish occupation, roses were planted all over these hills. Now it’s home to filmmakers, celebrities, and a new generation of Hungarian movers-and-shakers. Renowned for its open meadows, dense forests and sweeping views of the Danube, it’s also a prime spot for romantic evening walks.
Places to stay from £9 per night
-
05. Belváros - Lipótváros
0.1 miles from city centre
Here’s the recipe for Lipótváros - take a genteel neighbourhood; add a litany of uniform neo-classical buildings, a splash of art deco and voilà! You’ve got the historic heart of Budapest. It’s the centre of the finance industry and government. St. Stephen’s Basilica and Freedom Square are all a stone’s throw from each other.
Places to stay from £6 per night
-
06. Terézváros
0.6 miles from city centre
Learn the “Hungarian Dances”. The WestEnd City Centre is a mad shuffle to rival Brahms’ famous ditties - pram-wielding dads push through the crowds, friends converse loudly in the food hall and fashion fiends dart from shop-to-shop. It’s an upbeat introduction to an area famed for commerce, as well as the green grounds of City Park.
Places to stay from £5 per night
-
07. Erzsébetváros
0.6 miles from city centre
An up-and-coming residential area. The Great Synagogue (Nagy Zsinagóga) attracts crowds by the droves. Yet youth culture is slowly colonising Erzsébetváros, as “ruin bars” – dining areas built between abandoned buildings – increase in popularity. Unless you’re in the mood for crowds, skip the exceedingly hip Szimpla restaurant and dine at low-key Ankert.
Places to stay from £4 per night
-
08. Józsefváros
0.9 miles from city centre
Józsefváros is a canvas for the city’s artistic community. This petit neighbourhood of urban parks and charming squares is dotted with cultural institutes like the National Museum and the Academy of Drama and Film in Budapest. At nightfall, it’s the best place to cut a rug – the Art-Nouveau inspired nightclubs here rank among the best in town.
Places to stay from £9 per night
-
09. Ferencváros
1.2 miles from city centre
Ferencváros’ Palace of Arts is worth a deep-dive. An amalgam of modern and classical design elements, it’s a venue where Hungarian culture is celebrated in play, opera and theatre. See the Palace’s famed pipe organ, or venture to the Great Market Hall for 1001 cuisines – it’s where you’ll see the area’s students and young profs on any given afternoon.
Places to stay from £6 per night
About Budapest
Including tips for the best time to visit Budapest
It’s hard not to fall completely in love with Budapest, a city in which you’re never short on things to do. Take in the eclectic architecture, revitalise your body in the thermal baths, devour bowls of goulash, or party all night at one of its so-called ‘ruin bars’.
The 500-metre wide Danube River splits the city into two halves: Buda and Pest. You can take a boat tour to see the landmark-lined riverbanks up close, or cross one of the eight bridges for a panoramic view. An amble along the Chain Bridge will bring you to the grounds of Buda Castle, a huge baroque-style complex dating back to the 13th century. Walk or take the short funicular ride to the top of Castle Hill, where you’ll be able to spot historic monuments like the Hungarian Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica, a huge domed church that dazzles when illuminated at night.
After all that walking, a dip in one of Budapest’s thermal baths is the perfect way to recharge. Choose between Széchenyi Baths and Géllert Spa – both feature indoor and outdoor pools of varying temperatures, with massage services available.
No trip to the capital of Hungary would be complete without experiencing its lively nightlife and exceptional food. You can find all the best bars and restaurants in District VII, the city’s old Jewish Quarter, where the revelry continues long into the night.
Tonight
From £41 per night
Next weekend
From £61 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.56 |
| Language | Hungarian |
| Average weekend price | £63 per night |
| Average weekday price | £68 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Budapest
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Budapest
-
Aquincum
4.7 miles from city centre
-
Christmas Market at St Stephen's Basilica
0.2 miles from city centre
-
Chain Bridge
0.6 miles from city centre
-
Gellért Thermal Baths
1 miles from city centre
-
Citadella
0.9 miles from city centre
-
Buda Castle
0.7 miles from city centre
-
Szechenyi Thermal Bath
1.9 miles from city centre
-
Dohany Street Synagogue
0.2 miles from city centre
-
St. Stephen's Basilica
0.2 miles from city centre
-
Budapest Sports Arena
2.3 miles from city centre
Budapest reviews
What other travellers say about Budapest
Budapest is an amazing city.
18 April 2024
Budapest is an amazing city. We walked for miles admiring architecture, exploring cafes and restaurants. Food was great. The streets and clean and safe and our experience was wonderful. We samples lots of local dishes, the food is hardy in nature, goulash was so good. Found some great coffee and deserts too. Took the boat ride on the Danube to see the city from the water.
Budapest is an excellent city.
17 April 2024
Budapest is an excellent city. The historical texture and architecture were very good. There are so many places to visit in the city that our feet were blistered and every part of us ached from wandering around trying to see every place. We even had to take painkillers but it was worth it. We learned a lot of new information about Hungarian history and culture. Only the city was a little expensive.
An incredibly beautiful city.
17 April 2024
An incredibly beautiful city. The architecture is impressive. It is worth allocating at least 3 days for a trip to Budapest for its comfortable exploration. I highly recommend сafe Grumpy for breakfast and lunch. Well-developed public transport for quick movement around the city.
Absolutely stunning city, most areas very clean.
17 April 2024
Absolutely stunning city, most areas very clean. The castle hill and parliament areas both well with a visit. There’s a lovely bakery cafe just of the parliament building main square, large choice of delicious looking cakes and pastries and seemed good value for money. Lots of the main sights are fairly close together so if you plan well can manage to get a lot done in a few days. Still some areas we didn’t get to see. Some of the attractions are quite expensive if you want to see inside such as Mathias church and parliament buildings. However, the buildings outside are stunning and you can spend a lot of time in both these areas without having to go inside. If you get a chance to go to one of the classical concerts in Mathis church it’s worth it for the experience but buy the tickets at the booth in front of the church on the day as much cheaper than buying online. Budapest is fairly easy to get around, in the main we walked from place to place. We also used the hop on bus and occasionally the tram and metro as we had pre purchased a transport pass. The castle funicular was a quick way of accessing Castle Hill but you can also get there by bus or even a secret lift that takes you in to the National library.
Budapest is an excellent city, especially for a city break.
16 April 2024
Budapest is an excellent city, especially for a city break. Interesting monuments, history, convenient public transport, and affordable prices. Tasty and diverse cuisine, not only Hungarian. The thermal baths deserve particular attention. Highly recommend!
Budapest is an enchanting city, boasting an array of amazing...
15 April 2024
Budapest is an enchanting city, boasting an array of amazing food that reflects its rich culinary heritage. The people here are wonderfully warm and welcoming, enhancing the overall experience of exploring this beautiful city. From its stunning architecture to the vibrant street life, Budapest offers a delightful blend of tradition and modernity that's hard to resist.
Popular places to stay in Budapest
Stay in some of the best accommodation Budapest has to offer
-
Emerald Downtown Luxury Suites with Hotel services 05. Belváros - Lipótváros, Budapest
From £160 per night
-
Grand Budapest Penthouse 08. Józsefváros, Budapest
From £144 per night
-
Maison Bistro & Hotel 01. Budavár, Budapest
From £109 per night
-
Hotel Moments Budapest 06. Terézváros, Budapest
From £167 per night
-
Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa - The Leading Hotels of the World 08. Józsefváros, Budapest
From £124 per night
-
Other accommodation in Budapest
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Budapest
-
Apartments
From £8 per night
-
Villas
From £59 per night
-
Cabins
From £108 per night
-
Cottages
From £23 per night
-
Serviced Apartments
From £22 per night
-
Holiday Homes
From £23 per night
-
Guest Houses
From £4 per night
-
Hostels
From £5 per night
-
B&Bs
From £12 per night
-
Homestays
From £11 per night
-
Self Catering Accommodation
From £6 per night
