Budapest

Ruin-bar nights, thermal baths & Danube panoramas

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Budapest is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle and Szechenyi Thermal Baths. Food lovers should not miss Blind Mice Exchange Pub and Bors GasztroBar. Below you will find 44 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Budapest at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle
Where to stay: District VIII and District V
Local picks: 44 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Budapest

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Budapest: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Budapest? A local guide to the best districts, from central District V to the ruin-bar nightlife…

Local tipsHow Many Days Do You Need in Budapest? A Local’s GuideHow many days do you need in Budapest? A local guide to the ideal trip length, the thermal baths and…

Local tipsA Perfect Sunday in BudapestHow a local spends a slow Sunday in Budapest: thermal baths, a ruin-bar farmers market, island walks and a Danube…

Where to stay in Budapest

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District VII

Mazel Tov

A gorgeous plant-filled ruin-bar restaurant in the Jewish Quarter serving fresh Middle Eastern food (hummus, shakshuka, grilled meats) under fairy lights and a glass roof. Buzzy and beautiful; book for dinner.

★ 4.6

District VI

Menza

A stylish retro-canteen bistro on buzzy Liszt Ferenc square, reworking Hungarian classics (chicken paprikash, schnitzel) in a fun 70s setting with a great terrace. Popular with locals and visitors alike.

★ 4.5

Terézváros

Oktogon Bisztró

★ 4.1

Lipotvaros

Parliament Guided Tour

The only way to see inside the Parliament is a guided tour, taking in the golden staircase, the domed hall and the Holy Crown of Hungary. Tickets sell out, so book ahead, especially for the English tours.

★ 4.7

District VIII

Rosenstein

A warm, family-run restaurant behind Keleti station serving soulful Hungarian and Jewish home cooking, from goose to matzo-ball soup to the famous flodni cake. Old-fashioned in the best way; book ahead.

★ 4.6

Rubik’s cube Mural

The Rubik’s Cube is a simple toy that has entertained millions over years. In Erzsébetváros (7th District of Budapest) you’ll find a tribute to this in the form of a 3D Rubik’s…

Lipotvaros

Shoes on the Danube Bank

A simple, devastating memorial on the river promenade: sixty pairs of iron shoes marking the spot where Jews were shot into the Danube in 1944-45. Quiet, powerful and unmissable; pause here with respect.

★ 4.8

Lipotvaros

St. Stephen’s Basilica

Budapest’s grandest church, holding the mummified right hand of Hungary’s first king. Step into the opulent nave for free, then take the lift or stairs up to the dome for a superb 360-degree panorama over the city.

★ 4.7

Danube

Szechenyi Chain Bridge

The elegant lion-guarded suspension bridge that first joined Buda and Pest in 1849, and still the city’s defining landmark. Walk across for the classic view of Parliament and the castle, especially magical after dark.

★ 4.8

City Park

Szechenyi Thermal Baths

Europe’s largest medicinal bath complex, a butter-yellow neo-baroque palace of steaming outdoor pools (open even in winter), indoor thermal pools and saunas. The quintessential Budapest experience; go early or book a timed ticket.

★ 4.6

Day trip

Szentendre & Danube Bend Day Trip

A relaxed day trip up the scenic Danube Bend to Szentendre, a pretty riverside town of cobbled lanes, Serbian churches, galleries and marzipan, often paired with Visegrad castle or Esztergom basilica.

★ 4.6

District VII (Jewish Quarter)

Szimpla Kert

Táskarádió Eszpresszó (Permanently Closed)

Táskarádió Eszpresszó was one of downtown Budapest’s most charming oddities — a retro espresso bar and café crammed with memorabilia from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Part coffee house, part museum of…

Centre (Pest)

Váci Utca

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Book your trip to Budapest

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Budapest Book tours and experiences

Budapest travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Budapest?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Budapest at a relaxed pace. See our Budapest itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Budapest?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Budapest guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Budapest?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Budapest?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Budapest is worth visiting year-round.

Plan your trip to Budapest

Five decisions most people make next, with what we actually recommend for each.

Where to stay

District VII puts you in the ruin bars and keeps you awake; District V and Buda are calmer.

Tours & experiences worth booking

The ones we would actually book, plus everything else on offer.

Attractions & tickets

Worth pre-booking in high season.

Where to eat

Places locals actually go.

Beyond the centre

Worth the extra tram ride.

Accommodation and tour comparison links are affiliate links - they may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Everything else on this page links to our own guides.

Local impact in Budapest

Places where your spending does something specific. Verified by us, and no affiliate links here.

Nem Adom Fel Cafe & BarThe first cafe in Budapest founded and run by people with disabilities; around 90% of the team.
Nem Adom Fel CafeSocial-enterprise cafe and cultural venue in Jozsefvaros.
Impact Hub BudapestCommunity hub for people building social and environmental projects.