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
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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 £19 per night
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 £24 per night
This weekend
From £107 per night
Next weekend
From £79 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.57 |
| Language | Hungarian |
| Average weekend price | £66 per night |
| Average weekday price | £72 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Budapest
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Budapest
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Aquincum
4.7 miles from city centre
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Christmas Market at St Stephen's Basilica
0.2 miles from city centre
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Chain Bridge
0.6 miles from city centre
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Gellért Thermal Baths
1 miles from city centre
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Citadella
0.9 miles from city centre
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Buda Castle
0.7 miles from city centre
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Szechenyi Thermal Bath
1.9 miles from city centre
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Dohany Street Synagogue
0.2 miles from city centre
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St. Stephen's Basilica
0.2 miles from city centre
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Budapest Sports Arena
2.3 miles from city centre
Budapest reviews
What other travellers say about Budapest
I love Budapest, I think I could live here and never get...
28 April 2024
I love Budapest, I think I could live here and never get bored. I might have been here around 15 times and I am still amazed every time I come to this place. The beauty, opulence, affordability, museums, bars, food, culture and ease of transport all make this place just perfect.
Would highly recommend the private organ recital in St.
28 April 2024
Would highly recommend the private organ recital in St.Stephens Basilica. I will never forget it. We had no bad experience on this break and as adults over a certain age were delighted that all public transport was free!!! We made good use of it too. The river cruise at night was stunning, take you buds and hear all the info available. Loved eating upstairs in the great market. Yummy. My advice before travel, watch lots of utube or Getmytickets videos. They are very true and helpful. Will have to return to do the Spas or springs. We did Hero Square and Park and were not disappointed
The city was great and easy to get around on foot.
27 April 2024
The city was great and easy to get around on foot. The ruin bars were cool and we enjoyed the thermal spa. It was a very clean city and everyone was very friendly and all spoke English. As the weather wasn’t great we didn’t do a few things we wanted to so would definitely like to return.
So many nice architecture!
26 April 2024
So many nice architecture!! Everywhere you look, it is beautiful. Shopping: mainly the big familiar stores are there. Prices: not cheap, regular European prices. Watch out: when you pay by card: choose HUF, not Euro or other valuta. When you are at a restaurant they already charge service costs, no big tip needed.
Favorite spots were the markets, Lehel Piac, and Central...
26 April 2024
Favorite spots were the markets, Lehel Piac, and Central Market. Ate at all the restaurants on Nagymezo street. Chinese, burger, Hungarian, Italian, Easy to get around, with bus, metro, or rails. Jimmy Choo, Ralph Loren, Gucci, all On Andrasy Street. Opera at end of street!
Worth visiting, and visiting again, and then again, and more.
24 April 2024
Worth visiting, and visiting again, and then again, and more. So many great places to see, plenty of great things to do. Furthermore, food is amazing! Too bad some restaurants are fully booked months ahead, but no worries, still you can find easily some great ones worth visiting.
Popular places to stay in Budapest
Stay in some of the best accommodation Budapest has to offer
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Emerald Downtown Luxury Suites with Hotel services 05. Belváros - Lipótváros, Budapest
From £168 per night
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Maison Bistro & Hotel 01. Budavár, Budapest
From £133 per night
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Grand Budapest Penthouse 08. Józsefváros, Budapest
From £152 per night
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Hotel Moments Budapest 06. Terézváros, Budapest
From £151 per night
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Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa - The Leading Hotels of the World 08. Józsefváros, Budapest
From £183 per night
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Other accommodation in Budapest
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Budapest
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Apartments
From £8 per night
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Villas
From £59 per night
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Cabins
From £108 per night
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Cottages
From £23 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From £22 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £23 per night
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Guest Houses
From £4 per night
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Hostels
From £5 per night
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B&Bs
From £12 per night
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Homestays
From £13 per night
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £6 per night
