A city rich in history and filled with incredible architecture and delicious food, Budapest is the perfect destination for a quick city break. It’s also a very popular stop on river cruises because the Danube, a major waterway in Eastern Europe, runs directly through it.
Part of what makes Budapest such an interesting place to visit is that so many of the events that make up its history took place very recently; the communist rule over Hungary only actually ended less than 40 years ago.
It was originally two cities divided by the Danube, Buda on the west side and Pest on the east, joined in 1873 and became Budapest. Jaw-droppingly beautiful architecture lines the river on both sides.
Buda is the classier and more residential side, it is covered in hills and has the best views in the city. It’s also home to the castle district where you’ll find Buda Castle, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and much more.
The Pest side of the city is much flatter and is known for its buzzing nightlife. This is where you’ll find a lot of the hostels and many of Budapest’s top attractions. There are also a ton of options for dining!
When to Visit
Budapest is beautiful all year round so it really depends on what you are looking to get out of your visit. In my opinion, spring and fall are the best times of year to visit Europe in general. The crowds don’t compare to the summer months, and the weather will be nice but not too hot and not too cold.
Peak season in Budapest is June-August because of the warm but mild temperatures averaging below 30 degrees celsius. This means larger crowds which creates higher pricing.
Winter can be quite cold, but if you want to experience some Christmas markets along with a small number of other tourists, then this would be the perfect time for you.
Know Before You Go
The official language: Hungarian
Currency: Hungarian Forint. 500 HUF is equal to about $2 CAD
Plugs: the standard plugs in Hungary are type C and F, the voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz.
Safety: Hungary is a relatively safe country overall. Apart from pickpocketing being common on public transportation- it is in most European countries- you shouldn’t have to worry much if you travel smart.
Top Attractions to See
St Stephen’s Basilica
Named after the first king of Hungary. It is the largest church and the tallest building in Budapest equal in height to the Hungarian Parliament building- other buildings in the city aren’t allowed to be built taller than the basilica.
Entry is free, but a 200 HUF donation is suggested at the door. The central dome has a 600 HUF fee to go up as well but the views are said to be amazing – the best on the Pest side of the river. I didn’t have time to go inside, we were just passing by on a walking tour.
The square and street in front of the basilica are full of little restaurants, cafes and shops. Sometimes classical concerts are held inside the basilica and out in the square in front as well.
Heroes Square
One of the major squares in Budapest, this square is a tribute to Hungary’s national identity, the central feature being the millennium memorial. It is surrounded by several museums and can be reached by walking up Andrássy Avenue.
Great Market Hall
Also known as Central Market Hall, it was built in 1867 and is the oldest and largest indoor market in Hungary. It has the look of an old train station, with three levels filled with local foods, spices, and souvenirs. The exterior is covered in the same colourful tiles as Matthias Church.
Hungarian Parliament Building
One of the largest parliament buildings in the world and one of the oldest in Europe. It is home to hundreds of parliament offices; the building is open for tours daily in many different languages.
The Neo-gothic architecture is amazing to see up close but is just as beautiful to view from the other side of the river. It’s especially incredible to see at night when it’s lit up.
The Baths
Budapest is called the “city of spas” for a reason! It sits on top of over 100 natural thermal springs. The water is known for its therapeutic and healing effects. There are many different baths to visit throughout the city, but the three most popular for both locals and tourists to visit are Szechenyi, Gellert and Rudas.
“One thing that hasn’t changed through the years is the Hungarian affection for taking the waters — marinating in thermal spas. A tradition going back to the Romans, continued by the Ottomans, and something that survived through two wars and communism. And they do it in style.”
Anthony Bourdain
Szechenyi is Europe’s largest thermal spa and the oldest in Budapest, dating back to 1913. It’s home to 15 indoor and 3 outdoor pools. This is the one that our group went to. I didn’t think I would be a fan of the thermal spas, but it was surprisingly very calming and was quite possibly one of my favourite things that we did in Budapest.
Gellert is an Art Nouveau thermal spa and hotel at the bottom of Gellert hill in Buda. They opened just over 100 years ago in 1918, with outdoor pools added later on. They have 10 pools in total, of various temperatures and sizes.
Fisherman’s Bastion
Located on Castle Hill and has some of the best views of the Danube and Pest side of the city. It was built in 1905 as a viewing platform and is one of the most beautiful sights to see in Budapest.
It’s free to explore, except for the upper level – you have to pay a small fee to go up. I decided not to, the views were amazing enough from the lower levels.
Buda Castle
This UNESCO heritage site sits at the top of Castle Hill. It used to be a royal palace and is now home to the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, and the Hungarian National Library.
Ruin Bars
Exactly what they sound like, ruin bars are bars built in the ruins of abandoned buildings.
Szimpla Kert is the oldest and most popular; a once derelict space that is now filled with works of art made from junk. Each room has a different theme and a different kind of bar. They even have maps near the entrance to help you navigate since it’s so big!
Where to Stay
Wombats Hostel Budapest $
Wombats is right in the heart of downtown. Tons of free inclusions: a free welcome drink for all guests, free WiFi throughout the entire hostel, free city guidebooks, free luggage storage, free lockers in every room, free food in the guest kitchen and free towels and linen! Also has a bar on site.
Hotel Budapest $$
A 15 story circular tower hotel with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding areas. Hotel Budapest is located at the foot of the Buda hills, near the castle district. It’s about a 25 minute walk to the riverfront, and there’s a tram stop right across the road.
We had the breakfast buffet included as we were travelling as a group, but lower rates without breakfast are available as well.
Intercontinental Budapest $$$
Right on the Danube Promenade, the Intercontinental is very close to the famous Chain Bridge and the Hungarian Parliament Building. It has dazzling direct views of Buda Castle.
Getting around
Public transportation in Budapest is very cheap. You can purchase tickets from kiosks. Make sure to buy a ticket every time as there are often people checking tickets when you get on and off, and they’ll give you a fine if you don’t have a validated ticket!
