Discovering Budapest: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to the Heart of Hungary

Hungary’s capital is divided into two distinct parts, from modern, historic Buda on the Danube’s west bank to historic, higgledy-piggledy Pest on the Danube’s east bank. Buda is regarded to be the quieter of the two, with Pest being the city’s lifeblood. Enjoy thermal springs, museums, a castle quarter, and spectacular caves before crossing the river to lively restaurants, nightlife, and the city’s iconic ruin pubs.

So much of Budapest’s allure comes from simply meandering and finding on your own: it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of town. Take a stroll across the twinkling Széchenyi Chain Bridge at night; ride the funicular to Buda Castle’s crenellated parapet; photograph the beautiful St Stephen’s Basilica; or join a festival on Hajógyári Island.

The months of June to August are the busiest for visitors, as the city fills up with backpackers and city breakers. Budapest gets incredibly festive in late fall, but it’s a wonder year-round – give yourself at least three to four days to explore it all.

Best time to visit Budapest

Budapest has so much to offer and so many things to see and do that it is worth visiting at any time of year.

That being said, we believe that the best time to visit Budapest is in the spring, from mid-March to the end of May, or in the fall, from September to October.

Temperatures are pleasantly mild in the spring and fall, and it’s beautiful weather for strolling the city or enjoying a meal or drink outside, but it’s rarely hot or cold enough to be uncomfortable. When the fruit trees, such as the almond trees on Gellért Hill and the plum trees on Castle Hill, are in full bloom, it’s a sight to behold.

The city then displays off its autumnal brown, orange, and yellow hues in the fall, especially up in the Buda Hills. Spring and October are wonderful times to visit Budapest, with perfect weather and nature displaying its beautiful colors.

Visiting during the winter

The popular Christmas markets in Budapest take place from the end of November until the beginning of January, and during this time, the city is often packed with tourists (both foreign and domestic), and hotel prices skyrocket. It’s a gorgeous and atmospheric time to visit Budapest, but it’s also one of the busiest and most expensive.

Temperatures in winter can drop to 14 degrees or below, and it is not uncommon for the Danube to ice over. Winters in recent years, however, have been substantially milder.

Summertime travel

Crowds in Budapest increase dramatically in the middle of August, when the Sziget Music Festival is in full swing, and to a smaller extent, when the Hungarian Grand Prix Formula 1 takes place in July, much as they do during the festive winter holiday period. During each of these occasions, the crowds are dense and the prices are high.

Summers in Budapest are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 95 to 104 degrees in July and August. Summer storms and heavy rain frequently interrupt the sweltering days, so bring a raincoat or umbrella if visiting in the summer.

How much time should you spend in Budapest?

We recommend staying for at least three days, but if you have the time, four days or even a week will allow you to better see the city and have a more meaningful visit.

There’s so much to do in Budapest, and as Hungary’s economic, political, and cultural hub, it’s a fascinating town worth exploring further into and getting to know.

Where to stay

If you’re visiting Budapest for the first time, we recommend staying in central Pest, especially if you want to go out at night. Pest is the busier side of town, and it also has many of the city’s important attractions, so it’s simply more handy for sightseeing than Buda.

This is the city’s core, and it’s ideally positioned for practically all of the attractions you’ll do during your stay. Downtown is bustling at all hours of the day and night, with a variety of eateries, both local and international, and is well-equipped to serve tourists.

If you’re determined to remain in Buda rather than Pest, consider the I District (though not the areas directly adjacent to the castle), the XI District, or the riverfront region of the II District.

The XI and II Districts have become increasingly popular with locals in recent years, and you’ll discover excellent restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and cultural attractions in these areas.

These are residential districts that don’t pander to tourists, so you’ll get a good sense of local life in them. These can be pretty pleasant regions to stay in if you want a quieter, primarily local experience.

How to get around

BKK (Budapest Közlekedési Központ/Budapest Transport Center) operates outstanding public transit in Budapest. Four metro lines service most of the city’s downtown districts as well as parts of the suburbs.

Budapest’s Line 1 is Continental Europe’s oldest subway system and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right.

There are also various tram lines, buses, and trolley buses that run throughout the city (the latter only on the Pest side). Local trains (known as the HÉV) also serve the suburbs and adjacent towns, such as the scenic village of Szentendre, a popular day excursion from Budapest.

Walkability

This is a small, walkable city with many of the major attractions close to one another. You may easily explore Budapest on foot without ever needing to use a cab, bus, or subway.

Using a bicycle to get around

If you want to move around by bike, you may also use the BuBi Bikes bike rental service. Simply download their app and look for their lime green bike-sharing stations where you can pick up and return the bikes.

There are bike docking stations located throughout the city, making this a highly convenient mode of transportation, especially on good days.

What to do in Budapest

Fisherman’s Bastion

Some of the best views in Budapest may be found from the Neo-Romanesque lookout towers housed within the Fisherman’s Bastion. Its seven towers, built between 1895 and 1902, represent the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars, who formed the Hungarian nation in 895CE. The current structure sits where high walls originally protected Buda Castle from enemy invasion; history has it that the building was guarded by the guild of fishermen, hence the name “Bastion.” Consider booking an online tour to fully experience the beauty and history of Fisherman’s Bastion.

Central District V

After you’ve completed exploring Buda Castle, stroll down the hill to the Danube River and cross the famed Chain Bridge to the Pest side. Walk along the river until you reach the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building, and then sit back and admire one of the world’s most beautiful landmarks.

You can next proceed to the stunning and beautiful St. Stephen’s Basilica. Pay the additional entry price and climb the bell tower for spectacular views.

Andrássy Avenue

You may walk along Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s most famous thoroughfare, from St. Stephen’s Basilica, passing by the Hungarian National Opera House and countless other great buildings. Continue along Andrássy until you reach Heroes’ Square, where the Museum of Fine Arts and the Kunsthalle (our primary modern art museum) are located.

Just behind the square lies the vast and magnificent City Park, which is ideal for a stroll and people watching on a nice day.

Széchenyi Thermal Baths

The Széchenyi Baths, located in the center of Budapest City Park, are one of Europe’s largest thermal bath complexes. The spa, which was built in 1913, has three big outdoor pools, ten indoor plunge pools, massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, and even a beer bath. Széchenyi is open all year and popular, not least because of its magnificent Neo-Baroque architecture. It is best experienced with a full-day skip-the-line ticket, which may be bought in advance.

The Heroes’ Square

Head over to Heroes’ Square and City Park for a day of museum hopping, where the Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts and the Kunsthalle face each other on opposite ends of Heroes’ Square.

Both museums are superb, with the Museum of Fine Arts in particular being a stunning structure replete with stunning halls that are works of art in their own right.

Budapest Chocolate Museum

The Chocolate Museum, located on the outskirts of Budapest, provides visitors with a rich history of Hungarian chocolate. Taking a page from Willy Wonka’s playbook, the museum takes visitors on a gourmet journey through the history of chocolate, replete with tasting sessions. Visitors can dip marzipan balls into a chocolate fountain, make their own handcrafted chocolates, and browse the museum’s collection of classic Hungarian paintings. To ensure a slot, visitors are urged to purchase tickets in advance.

St Stephen’s Basilica

Many consider St Stephen’s Basilica to be Budapest’s crown jewel. The world-famous Roman Catholic Basilica, located in the city center, is dedicated for Stephen, the first King of Hungary who reigned from 975 and 1038CE. The Neo-Classical structure, completed in 1905 after 54 years of construction, remains the country’s most important church to this day. This architectural masterpiece is best appreciated when listening to an amazing organ concert within its confines. It has a magnificent interior with intricate murals covering the walls and ceiling.

Vajdahunyad Castle

Vajdahunyad Castle, which was built in 1896 as part of the Millennium Exhibition to mark 1,000 years since the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin, lies majestically within Budapest City Park. The site, which was originally made of wood and cardboard, became so popular that it was rebuilt in stone and brick in 1908. The Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, Europe’s largest agricultural museum, is housed in the castle, which is surrounded by a boating lake in the summer and an ice rink in the winter.