Hungary · Central Hungary
Budapest travel guide
Thermal baths, ruin bars and a grand river city
Budapest and the Danube at dusk. Photo: Visions of Domino, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Budapest is split by the Danube into hilly Buda, with the Castle District, and lively Pest, with the parliament, ruin bars and grand avenues. At night the bridges and parliament are lit up and river cruises glide past.
The thermal baths are a must: soak outdoors at Széchenyi even in winter. It's excellent value for food, drink and hotels.
What Budapest is known for
- Thermal baths
Széchenyi, Gellért and Rudas.
- The Parliament
A Gothic palace on the river.
- Ruin bars
Bars in abandoned buildings.
- Danube cruises
Best after dark.
Top things to do in Budapest
Where to stay in Budapest
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Best time to visit Budapest
Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. April to June and September to October: warm, sunny and relaxed. December for the Christmas markets.
- Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
- PeakBusiest, highest prices
- QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
Getting there and around
About 2h 15m from London to BUD, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?
The metro, trams and buses are cheap. Tram 2 along the river is a sightseeing ride in itself.
Good to know
- Bring flip-flops and a towel to the baths, or rent them there.
- Pay in forints and avoid street money changers.
- Book a cruise at dusk for the best views.
Budapest FAQ
How many days in Budapest?
Three or four days.
Is Budapest cheap?
Yes, it's one of Europe's best-value capitals.
More places in Hungary
Lake BalatonNature · Transdanubia
EgerWine · Northern Hungary
The Danube BendHistory · Central Hungary
Back to the Hungary travel guide + Add Budapest to your bucket list