Budapest
Hungary
Overview
The Pearl of the Danube straddles a great river, pairing hilltop Buda's castle and thermal baths with flat Pest's ruin bars, grand cafes, and Art Nouveau splendor.
Cost of Travel
Daily budget guide for Budapest — what you can expect to spend per person including accommodation, meals, transport, and activities.
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Approximate costs in USD based on today's exchange rates.
Explore Budapest
Hungarian Parliament Building
Landmark Gothic Revival–style edifice with lavishly decorated rooms, plus a visitors' center.
The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle
A 13th-century church named for King Matthias, who married here, with an ecclesiastical art museum.
Heroes' Square
Part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, with statues of the leaders of 7 tribes who founded Hungary.
City Park
Large park with a palm house, concert venues & museums, in addition to tree-filled paths & lawns.
St. Stephen's Basilica
Vast cupola-topped Roman Catholic place of worship, built from 1851 to 1905, with regular concerts.
Buda Castle & Fisherman's Bastion
Palatial venue for the Hungarian National Gallery plus displays from Gothic altars to sculpture.
Where to Stay
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace
A stunning Art Nouveau palace on the Danube with views of the Chain Bridge and Buda Castle, featuring one of Budapest's best spas.
Brody House
An eclectic artists' hotel in the Palace District with individually themed rooms, rotating art exhibitions, and a bohemian atmosphere.
Where to Eat
Onyx
Hungarian Contemporary
A two-Michelin-star restaurant reimagining traditional Hungarian cuisine with seasonal ingredients and artful presentations.
Great Market Hall (Nagyvasarcsarnok)
Hungarian
Budapest's grand 19th-century covered market, where the ground floor sells produce and the upper level serves langos, goulash, and chimney cake.
Travel Tips
- Visit at least one thermal bath — Szechenyi or Gellert are the most famous
- Ruin bar crawl in the Jewish Quarter is a quintessential Budapest night out
- Try goulash, langos (fried dough), and chimney cake (kurtoskalacs)
- Walk across the Chain Bridge at night for the illuminated Parliament Building
- The Parliament building tour is excellent — book online for English sessions
- Budapest is one of Europe's best-value capital cities — eat and drink affordably
Getting There & Around
Budapest's metro, trams, and buses are operated by BKK. Metro Line 4 is fully accessible. Trams are mostly low-floor. The Buda Castle Funicular is accessible. Uber/Bolt operate here. The city is divided by the Danube — Pest side is flat and walkable. BKK day passes offer unlimited travel.
Book & Reserve
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