Budapest

Travel Guide
Budapest which includes chateau or palace

Budapest Travel Guide Video

This Eastern European capital city offers beautiful views, interesting buildings from the 1896 celebration of Hungary’s millennium and plenty of history.

The capital of Hungary, Budapest is two cities in one: older Buda on the west and Pest on the east. They are separated by the Danube River, sometimes flowing gently and other times rushing violently. Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue, has been declared an internationally protected World Heritage Site, recognizing the city as one of the world’s outstanding urban landscapes.

The city traces its history to Roman times. See this past on the Buda side at Aquincum, an excavated ancient Roman settlement in the Óbuda district, slightly north of the city center. Buda Castle Quarter lies at the heart of the city. Here you can see the Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom), with its colorful exterior. Buda Castle (Budai var), high on a western hill overlooking the city, lights up at night as the most recognizable part of Budapest’s skyline.

Just a few minutes away on Gellért Hill is another towering structure, the Citadella, which has served as a fortress during several struggles within the city. The Liberty Statue (Szabadság-szobor), also on Gellért Hill, was installed as a celebration of Hungary’s liberation from Nazi occupation during World War II.

Explore the interesting sights near City Park (Varosliget) on the eastern side of the city. Heroes’ Square (Hosok Tere) honors the city’s founders and defenders. Nearby is the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum), while alongside a lake inside the park is the romantic looking Vajdahunyad Castle (Vajdahunyad vára).

For other cultural attractions, visit the Hungarian National Museum (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum), the National Theatre (Nemzeti Színház) and the Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Állami Operaház) on the Pest side. Budapest has been the home of a number of famous sculptors, writers and composers.

Budapest is easy to get around by car or on foot. The western Buda side is hilly, while eastern Pest is flat. The city also has many public transportation options. The subway system, one of Europe’s earliest, is still functional more than 100 years after its construction. There are also numerous bus tours, Danube boat tours, and even bicycle and Segway rentals or tours.

Where to stay in Budapest

Buda Castle showing heritage architecture, a castle and a statue or sculpture

Budapest City Centre

Known for its stunning cathedral, charming cafes, and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Budapest City Centre. Top attractions like Ferenc Deak Square and Budapest Christmas Market are major draws. Catch the metro at Deak Ferenc ter Station or Deák Ferenc tér M Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Budapest City Centre
Budapest featuring a river or creek, a bridge and an administrative buidling

Inner City Budapest

4.5/5(1,149 area reviews)

Inner City Budapest is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Vaci Street and Liberty Bridge. See more of Budapest by jumping on the metro at Ferenciek Square Station or Március 15. tér Tram Stop.

Inner City Budapest
St. Stephen\'s Basilica which includes a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Belváros - Lipótváros

Known for its fantastic nightlife and stunning river views, there's plenty to explore in Belváros - Lipótváros. Check out top attractions like St. Stephen's Basilica and Danube Palace, and jump on the metro at Deak Ferenc ter Station or Vorosmarty Square Station to see more of the city.

Belváros - Lipótváros
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Erzsebetvaros

4/5(461 area reviews)

Travelers love Erzsebetvaros for its luxurious spas, and you can see more of Budapest by jumping on the metro at Wesselényi utca - Erzsébet körút Tram Stop or Király utca / Erzsébet körút Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Kiraly Street and Kazinczy Street Orthodox Synagogue.

Erzsebetvaros
Lipotvaros which includes a monument and a statue or sculpture

Lipotvaros

Known for its stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Lipotvaros. Check out top attractions like Danube Palace and Szechenyi Istvan Square, and jump on the metro at Széchenyi István tér Tram Stop or Kossuth Lajos ter Station to see more of the city.

Lipotvaros
Hungarian State Opera House showing a statue or sculpture

District VI

If you're spending time in District VI, check out sights like House of Terror or Andrássy Út and hop on the metro to see more the city at Vorosmarty Street Station or Oktogon M Tram Stop.

District VI
H2 Hotel Budapest
H2 Hotel Budapest
3 out of 5
Sas u.24., Budapest
The price is ¥14,449 per night from May 12 to May 13
¥14,449
per night
May 12 - May 13
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Budapest. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,198 reviews)
"Great breakfast, staff very helpful and an excellent central location"

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

H2 Hotel Budapest
Corinthia Budapest
Corinthia Budapest
5 out of 5
Erzsebet krt 43-49, Budapest
The price is ¥28,052 per night from May 19 to May 20
¥28,052
per night
May 19 - May 20
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Budapest. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Great property - well located - very well run. Service was very good"

Reviewed on May 4, 2024

Corinthia Budapest
Park Plaza Budapest
Park Plaza Budapest
4 out of 5
Bem Rakpart 16-19, Budapest
The price is ¥19,828 per night from May 26 to May 27
¥19,828
per night
May 26 - May 27
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Budapest. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (998 reviews)
"Very nice hotel in a good location. Very close to public transportation."

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Park Plaza Budapest
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Elisabeth Downtown Apartments by UrbanRent
Elisabeth Downtown Apartments by UrbanRent
3 out of 5
36 Dob u., Budapest
Stay at this aparthotel in Budapest. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (163 reviews)
"Great stay in Budapest. The 2-bed apartment was very spacious and comfortable. It was a home from home. The showers were warm, beds comfortable. The only negative thing was that there was not enough glasses, cups, cutlery and kitchen utensils which made it difficult to use the kitchen as we would ..."

Reviewed on Apr 19, 2024

Elisabeth Downtown Apartments by UrbanRent
7seasons Apartments Budapest
7seasons Apartments Budapest
4 out of 5
Király utca 8, Budapest
Stay at this 4-star boutique aparthotel in Budapest. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,295 reviews)
"Staff very welcoming and friendly. Lovely and clean,spacious, bright and light, newly refurbished, modern decor. W had a one bed apt with sofa bed in lounge. Lovely shower with nice shower gel and lovely coffee machine and Nicole little toaster, 2 dishwasher tablets provided and tea towel with washing ..."

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

7seasons Apartments Budapest
Lord Residence
Lord Residence
3 out of 5
Lovag Street 8, Budapest, Pest
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Budapest. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Hungarian ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (582 reviews)
"Property was presented to a high standard. Only had trouble with operating washing machine , no instructions in english ."

Reviewed on Apr 15, 2024

Lord Residence
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Budapest

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1239
" "5 - Excellent 71.16599655370477%
4 - Good
433
" "4 - Good 24.870763928776565%
3 - Okay
57
" "3 - Okay 3.2739804709936817%
2 - Disappointing
8
" "2 - Disappointing 0.4595060310166571%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 0.22975301550832855%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 26, 2020

We visited Margaret Island, which wasn't on our original itinerary and really enjoyed it. Lunch at the Grand hotel was fantastic and the spa next door was wonderful. The island itself is very picturesque and a nice place to walk and view the city.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 24, 2020

Beautiful city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 14, 2020

It’s beautiful city

5/5 - Excellent

TM
Mar 13, 2020

Underrated city. Was a nice place to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Abby
Mar 10, 2020

I'm going to go back to Budapest as soon as I can!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 10, 2020

Didn’t expect too much, but Budapest stole our hearts and tastebuds. Food was delicious and plentiful, typical home/comfort food. Restaurants and staff spoke good English, even the little ones off the broken path. Fantastic history and buildings.

Cities near Budapest