A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Budapest 2023
A Budapest visit should be among the topmost things to do for avid travellers worldwide, as this fantastic scenic destination is Eastern Europe’s most mesmerising one to explore. Budapest is perched on a panoramic stretch of the Danube River and is the capital of Hungary, replete with gorgeous architectural marvels, cultural attractions, delicious cuisine, and a range of other unmissable things. Also, its youthful population is ever-ready to hit the trendiest nightspots at the end of the day. So, when you arrive here, travel Budapest in style like the locals!
Couples travelling in Budapest can traverse its fairytale-like castles and take complete advantage of its one-of-a-kind spa culture. A nighttime stroll along the picturesque Széchenyi Chain Bridge is an absolute must to fully enjoy the romance in the air. Budapest visiting is also a breath of fresh air for budget backpackers hoping to get away from the typical western Europe vibe. Invariably, travel to Budapest can be among the most exciting things wanderlusts can ever do.
Budapest travel inevitably fulfils diverse desires arising out of wanderlust, ensuring travellers to this scenic destination find everything they come looking for - whether romance, history, culture, or cuisine! Our comprehensive travel guide Budapest can help you make the most of your holiday.
An Overview: Budapest at a Glance
Budapest’s emergence from behind the Iron Curtain has catapulted it to one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Eastern Europe. In fact, the name Budapest comes from two prominent halves of this scenic city, Buda and Pest. These sit snugly on either side of the breathtaking Danube River, each offering a variety of attractions to explore that can easily fit into a 4 day Budapest itinerary.
A Budapest travel guide will tell you that Pest is commonly more frequently-visited as it is the livelier of the two. It is home to a myriad of vivid nightclubs, popular restaurants, and other exciting things to discover. It can get a bit crowded to explore when visiting during peak tourist months. In contrast, Buda is a less-crowded spot, as it offers calm and serenity to visitors. It is the perfect offbeat getaway in Europe, offering a tranquil holiday to those hoping to distance themselves from the hustle and bustle of typical tourist spots.
Travelling to Budapest city from the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is pretty hassle-free. You can take a bus or book a taxi. Alternatively, you can opt for car rentals as part of your all inclusive holiday to Budapest.
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Budapest Travel Advice and Tips
Is Budapest safe?
Knowing the most basic to the most complex travel advice for visiting Budapest is the key to making or breaking your holiday experience. “Is Budapest safe” is among the standard queries travellers have when it comes to an extensive guide to Budapest. Thankfully, Budapest is an extremely safe region to explore in Europe, and even solo female travellers can have a great time discovering its prominent and hidden attractions. Additionally, carefully noting sound travel advice Budapest travellers have to offer can help.
However, a common tip for travelling to Budapest is that it is prudent to carry as few valuables as you can when traversing the city streets. Also, when using public transport, take extra care to keep your bag safely in your hand and within view at all times. Finally, it is advisable to book taxis instead of hailing one spontaneously, as it can help avoid inflated fares. This is an important part of any Budapest guide book.
Transport within Budapest
Travelling in Budapest can be a breeze if you know how to use the convenient public transport network. Options include trolley buses, metro, trams, and buses. Additionally, tourists have the option to take the HÉV railway if they desire to move towards the city outskirts. This is also a good way to reach the Fogaskereku if you happen to be in Buda hills. Many prefer riverboats and the ferry service, as it brings an incredible opportunity to see panoramic views of Budapest from the water.
Travel restrictions in Budapest
One of the most prudent travelling to Budapest tips is to keep track of the latest travelling restrictions and news. It can help you avoid packing things that are unallowed, ensuring your trip is hassle-free and fun. Getting travel insurance that covers COVID-19 is advisable, as it adds another layer of protection to the holiday deal.
Popular Attractions in Budapest
No Budapest travel guide is complete without a mention of at least some of the most sought-after things to do and see here. It can make your travel in Budapest easier, as it enables you to plan ahead and create a flexible itinerary covering as many fantastic attractions in Budapest as possible. For instance, how many days do you need in Budapest? Well, that depends on what you wish to see. You can create a Budapest 5 day itinerary or less depending on the things you wish to experience here. Popular ones to consider include the following:
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Szechenyi Thermal Bath:
Experiencing this phenomenon is a must when you travel to Budapest. These baths offer a unique opportunity to tourists and locals alike, enabling them to soak in mineral-rich waters. These waters arrive faster at the surface than at other places as the earth's crust is incredibly thin in Hungary. A quick dip in one of the 15 indoor pools or the 3 outdoor ones can help you relax and unwind after a hectic day of sightseeing on your Budapest visit. You can also enjoy a sauna, steam room, and massages here.
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Parliament Building:
Famed for being the third largest one worldwide, the Budapest Parliament is certainly a majestic sight to behold and an integral part of any Budapest city guide. The dramatic 100-year-old structure is incredibly grand and incorporates Baroque, Renaissance, and Neo-Gothic styles. A 45-minute guided tour can help visitors learn about the structure in a language native to them, such as Spanish, Italian, and English, to be exact.
Danube River Cruise:
A night time cruise on the famous Danube River allows you to enjoy watching panoramic city sites lit in all their glory. Several boat tours book cruises that allow guests to party while taking in breathtaking city views. You also have the option to take the cruise without a party option, especially if you prefer a quiet time while traversing the pristine river waters.
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Margaret Island:
A Budapest visit is incomplete until you see this stunning attraction. It is situated between Buda and Pest on the resplendent Danube River, and is linked on both sides by the famous Margaret Bridge. Since the island is not that extensive, you can easily traverse it on foot. Popular things to see here include the iconic Japanese garden, the Olympic swimming pool, and a stunning water tower. You will also find a couple of trendy bars and a thermal bath on the island.
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St. Stephen’s Basilica:
If you love catholic churches and neoclassical architecture, a visit to the mesmerising St. Stephen's Basilica is a must. Propped up on a massive, tall dome, it is Budapest's largest church and located a quick walk away from the popular Hungarian State Opera House. The inside of the church is strewn with mind-numbing artwork and shimmering marble. Its most stunning attraction is by far the mummified hand of Stephen King, who many are unaware was the first king of Hungary.
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Vajdahunyad Castle:
Travelling in Budapest can quickly become one of the most exciting adventures ever if you include places like the Vajdahunyad Castle in your itinerary. It is located alongside the lake in City Park, was famously built using wood and cardboard originally to celebrate a thousand years of Hungary. The now brick-and-stone structure is a replica of its Transylvania counterpart and has distinct beauty, making it one of the most photographed places in Budapest.
Iron shoes on the Budapest promenade:
A unique and sombre sight to behold on your Budapest travel is around 60 pairs of iron shoes strewn along the Danube promenade. These were valuables that belonged to the Jews executed here during World War II, who were made to take them off before being shot dead. Many Budapest visitors leave flowers in and around the shoes as a mark of respect, honouring the memory of the innocent lives that were taken.
Hungarian National Gallery:
A must mention in any Budapest travel guide, you will find this majestic place snugly sitting within a part of the famed Buda Castle, home to over 6,000 paintings, 2,100 sculptures, and 5,000 prints. Sketching enthusiasts will also live exploring the 11,000 drawings housed here. Many of the masterpieces date back to the 1800s, categorised into various sections like Egyptian art, modern or contemporary collection, ancient paintings, and graphics.
Underground caves:
Those travelling to Budapest with the singular desire to see something unique will love discovering the majestic 200-plus underground caves in the region. The complex stretches for around 75 miles, broadening the options considerably. Pálvölgyi and Szemlohegyi are two of the most sought-after ones to traverse on a Budapest visit. Meanwhile, there is a cave church located within Gellért Hill that will leave history and cultural buffs awestruck. It is arguably the most intriguing site you will find on any Budapest guide!
Food and Drink in Budapest: What to do in Budapest
What to eat in Budapest
Any reliable Budapest tourist guide will tell you how popular the local cuisine is, and why tasting popular delicacies is an absolute must when travelling in Budapest. Head over to the Great Market Hall to sample some of the tastiest Budapest food on your all inclusive holiday. Goulash is among the most delicious and must-try local traditional dishes. Although it is technically a soup, it is usually served as a stew in many Budapest places to eat. Langos is another popular delicacy to try, which is a deep-fried dough served with delicious cheese and sour cream.
Popular Budapest desserts
Never miss dessert after a meal is among the best Budapest tips for travellers traversing this scenic European destination for the first time. Café Gerbeaud that dates back to the 1850s is the place to be if you have an incorrigible sweet tooth. The dark chocolate-based konyakos meggy is a good one to begin with, while the delicious yeast cake zserbo szelet can help you round up your dessert craving.
What to drink in Budapest
One of the best travelling to Budapest tips for foodies is to try palinka, Hungary's national drink. It is a unique and potent fruit brandy that incorporates a range of delectable flavours, such as sour cherry (a Hungary favourite), pear, blueberry, apple, and honey. Budapest is also famous for its wine, especially the sweet Tokaj wine. You can also try its considerable collection of cheap local beers. The herb-based unicum is a more apt choice for those who keep away from hard drinks. Typically served post meals, it is believed to have medicinal properties that aid digestion and overall well-being. Taking a walk after a meal and a drink can also help you enjoy dining in Budapest to its fullest.
Nightlife in Budapest
Budapest is among the wildest places for experiencing a fun nightlife in Europe, as any Budapest travel guide will tell you. Invariably, hitting the Ruin pubs and bars is one of the best travel tips Budapest can offer first-timers. As the name implies, these are bars and clubs built right into abandoned or dilapidated structures - or ruins. These one-of-a-kind places occupy crucial places in any Budapest tourism guide.
A dependable travel guide to Budapest will tell you that these buildings are actually Jewish properties left unattended after World War II. As time passed by, several squatters overtook these buildings and started living in them. Consequently, many of these were turned into underground pubs and bars that remain open well into the night. Szimpla Kert is one such popular establishment you can visit. It used to be an old factory, which now categorically marks the beginning of ruin pubs with its contrasting decor.
Budapest Shopping
Your Budapest travel will be unsatisfactory until you purchase a few souvenirs from famed shops in the region. Váci Street in Pest is inarguably the most famous shopping place in Budapest. You will find brands ranging from Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger to Hugo Boss here. If mall shopping is what you seek on your Budapest visit, then the WestEnd City Center is the biggest one you can explore in Hungary.
The Great Hall Market is the go-to place when you visit Budapest to seek out fresh produce, desserts, fruits, and meat. You can buy souvenirs on the upper floors at affordable rates. One of the most prudent travelling to Budapest tips when it comes to shopping is to know the local rates and have your currency converted before you explore store-lined streets. While some restaurants and bars accept Euros and cards, others might require only the local currency - Hungarian Forint (HUF).
Best Budapest Hotels
Where to stay in Budapest
When travelling in Budapest for the first time, picking the right place to stay can be a tricky thing for many novice tourists. Typically, Buda is less crowded but costlier, so most travellers pick places that offer more economical options. These include Városliget and Pest, each home to fantastic accommodations and attractions in their vicinity. You can pick a holiday deal keeping these in mind, allowing you to enjoy a quick walk to trendy and famous sites right from the hotel premises.
Top Budapest hotels
Booking rooms at places like the 4-star Soho Boutique Hotel in Budapest is among the best travelling to Budapest tips you’ll ever come across. The boutique accommodation sits comfortably in the heart of the city and is within walking distance of the famous Danube River. Guests will find plenty of shops, restaurants, transport options, and bars in the vicinity of the hotel. It also offers a babysitting service to make the stay more comfortable for families with young ones on a holiday to Budapest.
The Green Hotel Budapest is a bed-and-breakfast option that couples find economical. It is located near the Aréna Plaza Shopping Mall and the Hungexpo Fair Center. Amenities include a safe, pub, restaurant, cafe, and Wi-Fi, besides room service. Alternatively, the Royal Park Boutique Hotel is approximately a 10-minute-walk away from the trendy Andrassy Ut Boulevard, offering soundproof rooms and free wired internet. Its strategic location directly across from the Keleti Train Station makes it a popular choice among holidayers and business travellers alike.
Best Time to Visit Budapest
Travelling in Budapest can quickly become hectic if you pick the wrong time to visit. If you are seeking shoulder season holidays to Budapest, then the months from March to May and September to November are best. The climate is fantastic around this time, enabling you to enjoy traversing popular attractions without worrying about wading through large throngs of tourists. That being said, you might find Budapest hotels booking up quickly at this time, as many will invariably pick these months to explore this panoramic Eastern European destination.
To avoid this, you can travel to Budapest around the hotter months of June to August. Since the crowds will be fewer at this time, you will have a lot more time and space to discover popular and hidden Budapest attractions at your pace. If you visit in August, you can be a part of the renowned Sziget Festival, held for about a week. All said and done, you can refer to our Budapest travel guide and visit Budapest any time of the year, since this scenic region has a lot to offer in various months and seasons.
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