Budapest Travel guide
They call Budapest the Paris of the East and we certainly think it lives up to its reputation. It has wide boulevards and it has so much beautiful architecture, but it has much more grit and edge thanks to its years under communist rule. Walking its streets you can quickly tell that Budapest is a dynamic city.
One thing that makes Budapest so dynamic is its mix of Western and Eastern Europe. The city is still transitioning, so more and more young Hungarians are breathing new and youthful life into this great city. It’s still a little rough around the edges but that just adds to its charm.
Some facts and figures:
Officially Founded In: As Aquincum in 41 AD; Hungary established in 896 AD; three towns merged to form Budapest in 1873.
Language: Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, German is the official minority language, and English is the 3rd most spoken language & widely understood in tourist areas.
Currency: Forint (noted as HUF or FT), 1 US Dollar = 277 HUF or 1 British pound = 413 HUF
Suggested Length of Stay: 3 to 4 Full Days.
Overview and Brief History
The capital of Hungary and a vibrant metropolis with very strong medieval routes. From it’s founding in 896 A.D. the area was originally three parts split by the Danube River; Pest to the west, Buda to the east, and Óbuda to the North. In the 1873, these three cities joined forces to create the Hungarian capital of Budapest, but the effects of war since then make it a miracle the city still exists at all.
Best time to visit
Like the UK, Budapest has four distinct seasons. This includes very cold winters and often incredibly hot summers. In July and August, temperatures are, on average, 21°C but can reach the high 20s. During winter you can experience temperatures in minus figures.
The best time to visit this capital city is from March to May and September to November when temperatures are pleasant but you can explore without the crowds and the heat.
You may also like to visit for the Christmas markets, which run from the beginning of November to the start of January. Make sure you wrap up warm and visit the thermal baths, during these colder days they will be absolutely blissful.
Click here to see our dedicated “Best Time To Visit page”
Getting around Berlin
Budapest has a good network of trams, buses, and subways. They’re all affordable but be sure you always validate your ticket because they do check tickets often (you don’t want to get fined — which is £30 – £60 or $39 – $78).
Download the SmartCity Public Transportation app for your smartphone as it gives you offline maps/routes for all the public trans in Budapest.
Single Ticket: 350 HUF ($1.30 or £0.85 / €1)
Book of 10 Single Tickets: 3,000 HUF ($11 or £7 / €9)
Unlimited Day Pass: 1,650 HUF ($6.15 or £4 / €5)
Train Ticket Between Airport and City: 400 HUF ($1.50 or £1 / €1.20)
Things to see and do
Danube Promenade & Memorial Shoes
The banks of the Danube river are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site so you should spend some time visiting the Danube Promenade. It’s also a great place to see many of Budapest’s best sights.
Just a short walk from the Parliament, you’ll notice the Shoes on the Danube. These abandoned shoes honor the Jews that were killed during World War II. The victims were ordered to take off their shoes, right before they were shot at the edge of the Danube, so that the bodies could be carried away by the river, leaving the only “valuable” thing – the shoes – behind on the bank. A rather tragic story, the Shoes on the Danube Bank is one of the many memorials throughout Europe to honour the lives of millions that died during World War II.
Cost – FREE
Visit the House of Terror
It’s shocking how many hardships the people of Hungary went through during the fascist and communist regimes in the 20-century. Visit the House of Terror to learn about the nation’s relationships to Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union and how local Hungarians had to live and survive under these distressful times. The exhibition found in the basement is especially daunting as it showcases how victims used to be jailed and executed.
Price: 3000 HUF (9€ /$10/ £7)
Hours: Everyday except Monday, 10am-6pm
Visit the website for more information – here
Visit the Parliament Building
This 100-year-old parliament is both impressive in size as it’s the third largest Parliament building in the world but also in beauty. This grand building combines elements of Neo-Gothic architecture, Renaissance and Baroque characteristics. Above the Parliament is 96 metres tall and can be seen by almost every angle in the city.
To enter you must join a guided tour that is offered in many languages, such as English, Italian, and more, but it is highly recommended to book your spot in advance as it is one of the most popular tourist spot in the city.
Price: EEA citizents: 3500 HUF (10.6€/ $11.7 / £8.50) for non EEA its 6700 HUF (20.3€/ $22.4 / £16.20)
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8am-6pm
Tickets and more information can be found here
Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica
Located on the Pest side of Budapest, St. Stephen’s Basilica is a Roman Catholic basilica named after Stephen, the first King of Hungary (c 975-1038), whose right hand is still housed inside. Interestingly enough, St. Stephen’s Basilica stands tall at 96 meters high, just like the Parliament of Budapest to signify that the church and state are equal. The number 96 refers to the nation’s millennium, 1896 and the conquest of the later Kingdom of Hungary in 896.
Make sure you head up for gorgeous 360 degree views.
Price: A donation of 200 HUF (0.60€/ $0.67 / £0.50) to enter the Church and another 500 HUF (1.5€ / £1.20 / $1.70) to reach the tower. Elevator is also available.
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-1pm, Sunday: 1pm-5pm
Visit the Central Market Hall
The Central Market Hall is the largest and oldest indoor market in Budapest, home to endless vendors of fruits and vegetables, along with street food, and other restaurants to try from. Although most vendors will overcharge to tourists, it is still worth visiting to observe such a grand and impressive building.
The Central Market Hall is especially majestic during the golden hour, where the light shines through its big windows.
Hours: Mondays: 6am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday: 6am-6pm, Saturday: 6am-3pm, Sunday: closed
Relax at the Szechenyi Baths
The Szechenyi Thermal Baths are one of the largest baths in Europe, and a favorite among locals and tourists. Due to the earth’s crust being at its thinnest in Hungary, water rich in minerals reaches the surface at an easier and faster rate. After a day of sightseeing, reward yourself with a relaxing dip in the Szechenyi Baths. I personally recommend visiting the Baths in the evening after 7 pm to avoid the large waves of tourists during the morning and afternoon hours. After 7 pm there is also a slight discount.
For our in-depth guide to the baths click here
Price: Depends on the time and day.
Hours: everyday 6am to 10pm
Purchase your tickets below:
Visit Heroes’ Square & City Park
Heroes’ Square is one of the biggest squares in Budapest known for its iconic statue complex featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars and other important national leaders, as well as the Memorial Stone of Heroes. Heroes’ Square is located at the end of Andrássy Avenue and at the beginning of City Park. After admiring the square and admiring the Hungarian leaders stroll through the park where you’ll find a castle, an ice-skating rink, a zoo, the Szechenyi Baths and more.
Visit the Budapest Zoo
The Budapest Zoo is the oldest zoo in Hungary, and one of the oldest in Europe. With over a thousand animal species, the Budapest Zoo is a fun visit for both kids and adults. Make sure to dedicate a few hours here as there are so many animals to see!
Price: 3,300HUF (10€ or £8 / $12)
Hours & Tickets: For updated hours and tickets check here.
Explore Fisherman’s Bastion
One of our favourites, Fisherman’s Bastion is perhaps one of the most astonishing and remarkable landmarks in Budapest. Featuring 7 towers, the Fisherman’s Bastion is free to wander through any day between October 16thand March 15th, while the upper towers requires a small fee during the peak tourist season. To fully enjoy the views and impressive architecture of the Fisherman’s Bastion come visit it during the sunrise hours where you’ll have the whole structure to yourselves.
For an in-depth look at the bastion click here
Hours: 9am-11pm
Entry is FREE unless you want to walk on the wall (Best photos cannot be taken on the wall)
Explore Buda Castle
Heading over to the Buda side of the city, the Buda Castle is home to the Budapest History Museum and the National Gallery. If you are on a tight budget you can also just walk around the castle’s premises since it covers such a big piece of the Buda.
Budapest History museum
Price: 2400 HUF (7.3€ / $8 / £6)
Hours: Tues- Sunday: 10am – 6pm
National Gallery
Price: 3200 HUF (9.7€ / $10.7 / £8)
Hours: Tues- Sunday: 10am – 6pm
Visit Matthias Church
Right next to the Fisherman’s Bastion is Mattias Church one of the finest and most unique churches in the country. As you can see from our pictures below, it is pretty breathtaking.
There is an entrance fee to enter, so if you’re on a short budget you can opt to visit St. Stephen’s Basilica instead.
Price: HUF 1800 (5.45€/ $6 / £4.50)
Hours: Monday- Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-1pm; Sunday 1pm-5pm
Other noteworthy things to do and see
Take a look at our Caving Under Budapest page or our other favourites for a more in-depth look:
- Visit Vorosmarty Ter Square and Vaci Utca Street
- Head up to the Citadella
- Take a river cruise on the Danube (Great for photos)
- Stroll through Andrássy Avenue
- Visit Hungarian State Opera
- Visit Budapest University Library
- Enter the Budapest Cave Church
- Take the M1 metro line (oldest metro line in Budapest, third in the world)
- Walk over the Szechenyi Chain bridge
- Visit the Garden of Philosophy
- Wander through the Jewish Quarter
Where to eat and drink
Café Kör – Traditional Hungarian tavern in the city center
Hungarikum Bisztró – Cozy traditional tavern; get there early or book a table because it tends to get packed
Két Szerecsen – Brunch spot near the Jewish Qt.
TöLTő– sausage place; street food
Street Food Karavan – Street food market in the Gewish quarter near the ruin bars full of food trucks
Bors GasztroBár– Delicious soups and paninis ranging from 2-4€ each
Meatology – Burger place right across St. Stephen’s Basilica
Home of Franziska – Breakfast and brunch spot on the Buda side; opens 7:30 am
Pozsonyi Kisvendéglő – A personal favorite, this restaurant is as local as it gets
Bars in Budapest:
Szimpla Kert – most famous ruin bar in Budapest; if you only have time for one bar, than this is the one!
For Sale Pub – Cozy pub with live music; try their goulash soup and thank us later!
360 Bar – Igloo style bar on a rooftop
Mika Tivador Mulato – Ruin bar with garden and indoor bar
Csendes Vintage Bar –Laidback and retro ruin bar
Mazel Tov – Bar/restaurant in the Jewish Qt. with a garden
Coffee Shops in Budapest:
New York Café – Elegant, Parisian style cafe; there is usually a long wait
Ruszwurm Bakery – Oldest café in Budapest; famous for their traditional Hungarian cake called Dobos Torte
Kontakt Coffee – Coined as one of the best cafes in Budapest; their coffee doesn’t disappoint
My Little Melbourne – Simple yet cozy coffee shop in the Jewish quarter
Artizán Bakery – Perfect for breakfast or lunch, this bakery/cafe has it all
Espresso Embassy – Right in the center of the city, their coffee and desserts are phenomenon
9BAR – A hidden gem, their fresh croissants are like no other and the service is exceptional
Where to stay
The city of Budapest is split into two halves, the Buda side and the Pest side, with the Danube River lying right between the two.
On the Buda side you’ll find the Budapest Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and old restaurants and cafes dating back to the royal times.
The Pest side is where St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Parliament, the Szechenyi Baths, and many more monuments and attractions are found. In addition, the nightlife scene, restaurants that stay open till late and the shopping district are also found on the Pest side. To enjoy Budapest restaurant and nightlife scene as well as to be able to walk to most attractions, it’s best to stay on the Pest side.
Budapest Card vs. Budapest Travel Card
If you are planning on staying in Budapest for a few days than its worthwhile to look into buying either the Budapest Card or the Budapest Travel Card. Although they sound very similar there are a few differences between the two. If you are interested in visiting many museums, having discounts to thermal baths and restaurants than the Budapest Card is for you.
To buy your card or learn more about the discounts check out their official website here.
If you are only interested in a discount on public transportation (buses, metros, trams) than the Budapest Travel Card is the right choice for you. You can buy either a 24 hour pass, a 72 hour, or a one week pass.
Get your Budapest card here:
Getting to and from
To get to Budapest city center from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) you can take a bus, taxi or private transfer.
The airport express bus 100E is the cheapest way to reach the city. It departs from the airport every 10-20 minutes and the ride is about 35 minutes and goes all the way to Deák Ferenc Tér metro station. You will need to buy a special ticket for the 100E bus line that costs 900HUF (2.7€/ $3 / £2.50) from the airport. Other types of tickets or passes are not accepted.
You can also take the 200E bus line from the airport that goes to Nagyvárad tér metro station to take the connecting M3 metro line into the city. You can also take a taxi from the Budapest Airport to the city center, although it’s not recommended, because taxi drivers tend to overprice and rip tourists off.
Lastly, you can take a private transfer from the airport to the city using Welcome Pickups, an international private transfer company found in over 100 cities worldwide. Book a private pick-up here:
Book Tours and Purchase Tickets
Final Thoughts
I really hope you enjoyed reading this Budapest Travel Guide!
There is something about Budapest that makes it truly special, with its romantic charm and fairytale-like castle. Whether it is the fact that it’s still underrated when it comes to tourism or that it’s a romantic city at heart, one thing is certain about Budapest and that is, that it’s a city you will not regret visiting. Budapest is an inexpensive option for those that do not want to compromise style, history and culture from their trip.
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We loved Budapest! Absolute gem! Make sure it’s on your list.
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