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Per person in euros: cheapest direct return flight for 2 to 4 nights. Select a month for flight times, hotels and things to do.

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Discover Budapest

Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest
Fisherman's Bastion
Széchenyi thermal bath, Budapest
Széchenyi thermal bath

City guide

About Budapest

Budapest is bisected by the broad curve of the Danube river: hilly Buda crowned with royal palaces and cobbled bastions on the west bank, and flat Pest with monumental boulevards and energetic cultural life on the east.

The Hungarian capital effortlessly balances imperial architecture with grassroots creativity. You can unwind in centuries-old thermal baths, marvel at the illuminated neo-Gothic Parliament from the river, and sip local craft beer in atmospheric ruin bars built into the courtyards of the old Jewish Quarter.

Best time to go
May through September brings warm sunshine and vibrant outdoor cafe life along the Danube. July and August can reach 28 to 30°C. Autumn brings golden foliage across Castle Hill, while December offers steaming outdoor baths and fairy-tale Christmas markets.
From the airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is 16 kilometres southeast of the city. The 100E Airport Express bus runs directly to Deák Ferenc tér in central Pest in 35 to 40 minutes. Official licensed Főtaxi cabs to the centre cost approximately 30 euros.
Getting around
Public transport is clean, frequent, and easy to navigate. Metro Line M1 is mainland Europe's oldest subway and retains its charming 1896 tiled stations. Tram line 2 hugs the Danube embankment and ranks among the world's most scenic tram rides. A 24-hour or 72-hour pass via the BudapestGO mobile app is very convenient.

What to see in Budapest

  • Hungarian Parliament BuildingThe monumental neo-Gothic landmark rising from the Pest riverbank, featuring hundreds of spires, vaulted state rooms, and the historic Holy Crown of Hungary.
  • Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias ChurchA fairy-tale neo-Romanesque lookout atop Castle Hill with decorative turrets and sweeping panoramic views across the Danube and the Chain Bridge.
  • Széchenyi Thermal BathsOne of Europe's grandest medicinal spa complexes, set within a vast yellow neo-baroque palace in City Park with hot outdoor pools open year-round.
  • St. Stephen's BasilicaBudapest's grandest church, dedicated to Hungary's founding monarch. Climb or ride the lift to the dome cupola for 360-degree views over Pest.

Neighbourhoods

  • Jewish Quarter (Erzsébetváros)The historic district surrounding the Great Synagogue, celebrated for inventive street food passages, murals, and eclectic ruin bars like Szimpla Kert.
  • Castle District (Várkerület)The peaceful medieval citadel perched on Buda Hill, lined with pastel baroque facades, stone archways, and royal palace courtyards.
  • Palace DistrictAn elegant 19th-century quarter behind the National Museum, filled with grand aristocratic residences, student cafes, and quiet bookshops.

Food and drink

Warm up with a steaming bowl of traditional goulash soup (gulyásleves) flavored with paprika and caraway, or tender chicken paprikash served with small nokedli dumplings. Grab a freshly fried lángos flatbread slathered with garlic oil, sour cream, and grated cheese from a market stall, and finish with a cinnamon-dusted chimney cake (kürtőskalács).

Questions about Budapest

What should you pack for visiting Budapest thermal baths?

Bring your own swimwear, flip-flops, and a towel to avoid rental fees. A swimming cap is required if you plan to swim laps in the dedicated swimming pools.

Which side of Budapest is better to stay on?

Pest is generally preferable for first-time visitors because most restaurants, ruin bars, shops, and transport connections are on that side. Buda is quieter, hillier, and more residential.

Month by month breakdown

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