Alongo
Alongo
Start free
Budapest
← Explore

Budapest, Hungary • Europe

Budapest

The Pearl of the Danube - grand riverside architecture, steaming thermal baths and lively ruin bars across two united cities.

#Thermal Baths#Architecture#Ruin Bars#Danube#HistoryCouplesFriendsSolo TravelCultureFoodie
7 Attractions
5 Restaurants
5 Hotels
1 Itineraries

Plan your trip

Start a trip with friends - your saved spots come along.

Quick facts

Best time to visit

April to June and September to October bring mild, pleasant weather and lighter crowds - ideal for sightseeing and the baths. July and August are warm and lively with festivals but busier. Winter is cold, but the steaming thermal baths and glowing Christmas markets make it magical, and prices are at their lowest.

Daily budget
$120
Time zone
GMT+1 (CET)
Language
Hungarian (English in tourist areas)
Currency
HUF (Hungarian Forint (HUF))
Emergency
112
Power
Type C & F · 230V

About Budapest

Budapest is one of Europe's most striking capitals, split by the broad Danube into hilly, historic Buda and flat, grand Pest, and stitched together by a string of magnificent bridges. Its skyline of neo-Gothic parliament, riverside palaces and church spires looks especially spectacular floodlit at night, while beneath the streets bubble the thermal springs that have made this a city of bathhouses for two thousand years. The pleasures here are wonderfully varied. Spend a morning exploring the Castle District and Fishermans Bastion in Buda, an afternoon soaking in the grand Szechenyi thermal baths, and an evening in the famously bohemian ruin bars of the old Jewish Quarter, atmospheric drinking dens improvised inside crumbling buildings. Add hearty goulash, sweet chimney cakes, a strong cafe culture and prices well below Western Europe, and Budapest is hard to beat. Spring and early autumn bring mild, pleasant weather and lighter crowds; summer is warm and lively with festivals; winter is cold but magical, with thermal baths steaming in the snow and glowing Christmas markets. Take a Danube cruise, slow down in the baths, and let the Pearl of the Danube charm you.

Photo Gallery

Budapest gallery 1
Budapest gallery 2
Budapest gallery 3
Budapest gallery 4
Budapest gallery 5

Book your trip to Budapest

Search flights, stays and experiences. Booking through Alongo helps keep our guides free.

Flights

Compare airfares and book

Hotels & Stays

Find the best place to stay

Tours & Activities

Skip-the-line tickets and tours

Some links above are affiliate links. Alongo may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Things to Do in Budapest

7
Hungarian Parliament BuildingHistorical

Hungarian Parliament Building

A breathtaking neo-Gothic riverside parliament, one of the largest in the world, dazzling by day and spectacularly floodlit at night. Tour the opulent interior.

1 hour Tours from HUF 54004.8(180,000)
Buda Castle & Castle HillHistorical

Buda Castle & Castle Hill

A vast hilltop palace and old town above the Danube, with cobbled lanes, the National Gallery and panoramic views across to Pest.

2-3 hours Grounds free (museums extra)4.7(150,000)
Szechenyi Thermal BathsEntertainment

Szechenyi Thermal Baths

The grand neo-Baroque thermal baths in City Park, with steaming outdoor pools where you can soak year-round, even in the snow.

2-3 hours From HUF 95004.6(140,000)
Fishermans BastionHistorical

Fishermans Bastion

A whimsical, fairytale terrace of white turrets and arcades on Castle Hill, offering the most photogenic panorama over the river and Parliament.

45 min Free (upper towers small fee)4.7(120,000)
Szechenyi Chain BridgeHistorical

Szechenyi Chain Bridge

The elegant 19th-century suspension bridge that first linked Buda and Pest, guarded by stone lions and beautifully lit at night.

30 min Free4.7(90,000)
Great Market HallFood

Great Market Hall

Budapest's largest and grandest covered market, a colourful three-storey hall selling paprika, salami, produce and street food like langos.

1-1.5 hours Free entry4.5(80,000)
Ruin Bars (Szimpla Kert)Entertainment

Ruin Bars (Szimpla Kert)

The original and most famous of Budapest's ruin bars, a wonderfully chaotic warren of mismatched furniture and art in a crumbling Jewish Quarter building.

1-2 hours Free entry4.5(70,000)

Where to Eat in Budapest

5
Bors GasztroBar

Bors GasztroBar

Hungarian / Soups $4.6(14,000)

A tiny, fun spot famous for its creative soups and stuffed baguettes named after movies - delicious, filling and very cheap.

Getto Gulyas

Getto Gulyas

Hungarian / Traditional $$4.5(16,000)

A cosy Jewish Quarter favourite serving generous, hearty Hungarian classics like goulash, paprika chicken and stews at fair prices.

Mazel Tov

Mazel Tov

Mediterranean / Israeli $$4.5(18,000)

A beautiful garden ruin bar and restaurant serving fresh Middle Eastern dishes like hummus, falafel and grilled meats under fairy lights.

Great Market Hall Langos

Great Market Hall Langos

Hungarian / Street Food $4.4(12,000)

The upstairs food stalls of the Great Market Hall are the place to try langos - deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese.

New York Cafe

New York Cafe

Cafe / European $$$4.3(22,000)

Often called the most beautiful cafe in the world, a gilded, frescoed palace for coffee, cakes and a memorable, if touristy, splurge.

Where to Stay in Budapest

5
Four Seasons Gresham Palace

Four Seasons Gresham Palace

Luxury $$$$4.8(4,000)

A magnificent Art Nouveau palace by the Chain Bridge, the city's finest hotel, with sumptuous rooms, a spa and Danube views.

Aria Hotel Budapest

Aria Hotel Budapest

Luxury $$$$4.8(2,800)

A music-themed luxury boutique hotel by St Stephens Basilica, famous for its stunning rooftop bar with basilica views and a spa.

Hotel Rum Budapest

Hotel Rum Budapest

Boutique $$4.6(2,500)

A sleek industrial-chic boutique hotel in central Pest, with a popular rooftop bar and a great location near the river and market hall.

Maverick City Lodge

Maverick City Lodge

Mid-Range $$4.5(4,000)

A bright, friendly hostel-hotel hybrid in a grand central building, offering smart private rooms and dorms with great value and location.

Wombat's City Hostel Budapest

Wombat's City Hostel Budapest

Hostel $4.4(4,500)

A lively, well-equipped hostel in the heart of the ruin-bar district, with a bar, good kitchens and private and dorm rooms.

Budapest Itineraries

1
3-day trip

Classic 3 Days in Budapest

easy EUR 250 - 450

A two-city loop through grand Pest and historic Buda, a soak in the thermal baths, the great markets and the famous ruin bars.

View day-by-day plan

Budapest Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$450 - $1,000$450 - $1,000$450 - $1,000
Accommodation$25/night$85/night$280/night
Food$15/day$32/day-
Activities$20/day$20/day$20/day
Local Transport$5/day$5/day$5/day
Daily Average$50$120$340

Local currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)

Budapest Travel FAQ

Everything you need to know before you go: best time to visit, visas, getting around, safety and more.

Start planning free