Budapest, Hungary - A Travel Guide
Last Updated: October 3, 2026
NEED THE ESSENTIALS FOR BACKPACKING BUDAPEST NOW?
ABOUT BUDAPEST | SHOULD I GO? | WHAT TO DO | WHERE TO STAY | WHERE TO EAT | WHERE TO PARTY
Heads up: We sometimes work with companies to provide affiliate links and reviews - here's what that means. If it's here, we use it. We don't plug shit for profit.
One Of Europe's Gems
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and can be found straddling the banks of the majestic Danube River which flows through the city’s heart. Located to the north of the country, this stunning city has to be one of Europe’s finest.
Despite there being a settlement, town, and city here for many centuries prior, it was only in November 1873 that Budapest was officially formed from the unification of Buda on the west bank of the river, Pest from the east and Óbuda to the northwest of the river. This unification has since brought prosperity and safety to a city that previously had been a battleground since it was first inhabited.
Whilst now one imaginative and delightful city, there are obvious differences between the three areas, such as the age of the buildings, the history, the architecture, and even the general vibe and feel.
The first settlements in the area are thought to be by the Celts in 1AD, with many historical rulers since, including the Romans, Mongols, Ottomans, and the Austria-Hungarian Empire. Nowadays, there is peace within the city, however, if you look deep enough you can still see some of the scars, especially in Buda and Óbuda, which are the older parts of the city.
Not - My House in Budapest - Unfortunatly
Where do I begin to start with this magnificent city? I instantly fell in love from the second I saw it. The smells, the sounds, the views, the sights, it has it all and more. So much more.
I stayed for 5 days in the city, and can honestly say despite the ups and downs it was one of the best trips of my life. We managed to cram so much into those five days, including a river trip up the Danube, checking out Margaret Island, Buda, and Pest, darting through some of the wonderful restaurants and attractions alike. We also partied hard, particularly during the epic event that is the Sparty (quite literally a party in a spa).
The drinking tour didn’t stop there either, with many old ruin bars and of course the beer bike to be conquered, we ploughed on through until every item was ticked.
One of my finest and fondest memories will always be on the last evening in the city walking up to the Citadella on Gellért Hill, the highest point within the city, and watching the darkness fall and the city lights slowly come on one by one. An absolutely haunting, breathtaking, beautiful sight.
So Should I go there?
Well, the answer is only yes if you enjoy any wonderful scenery, fun-loving people, beautiful cities, attractions, rivers or architecture, vibrant atmospheres, reams of history or partying hard. If you don’t like any of them and would prefer to be sat in your armchair watching a soap, then it’s a no. Not that I think you would be reading this if you were the armchair loving soap watcher. It’s not the TV Times.
It isn’t often a city captivates you instantly but that’s exactly what this city does. It has a natural charm that draws you in. It’s like a good relationship, you say hi on the first meeting, and before you blink 4 years have passed and you’ve fallen in love without realising it.
The unmistakable charisma of the Danube adds a further wow factor and highlights the boundary between the old and new. I highly recommend not only a trip on the river but that you make sure you spend a good amount of time in both Buda and Pest; they both offer different views, history, and surroundings, not to mention a completely different feel, each as exciting and fantastic as the other.
I truly do think you would be crazy to pass on an opportunity to come to this jewel within the crown of Europe. It’s a massive yes, you should go there.
What to do when Backpacking Budapest
As you may have guessed by now, Budapest is one of my favourites, and upon arrival I think you will see why (and hopefully agree!). Whilst here are a number of things to do, the majority of them really just involve wandering around and experiencing the stories held within the architecture, the history and the natural beauty of the river and the hills.
So without further ado and in no particular order, here they are:
Spa Day
Budapest is known for its stunning thermal spas, spa days and pampering, and who doesn’t enjoy that? Even the toughest of the tough enjoy a thermal spring, a sauna or a jacuzzi. The largest and most grand is the one I recommend: the Széchenyi Thermal Bath just off Heroes' Square. This fantastic building is unmissable, it's grand on all levels, with a number of in-and-outdoor heated pools, treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms and much more, it has to be the place to go.
When we talk prices you will see how cheap things are within the city (and even more so how great value the accommodation is, more on that later). Entrance to the Spa costs 6,500HUF (~£18), however, massages, treatments, and other optional extras can be purchased. They can add up quickly so it may be advisable to book just a couple and see how you feel on the day as to if you want to pay any more. It really is the best way to recover from the pace of a city break, or just that stressful period at work. The spa day, then, leads me nicely on to the next must-do item...
The Sparty
This special event is so good, we are going to put it both here and the ‘drinking and partying’ section. Basically, it's a play on words combining both ‘spa' and 'party’, creating the mighty sparty. Yep, you’ve guessed it, it’s a party in the spa! What more could you want?!
These events are very popular within the city and they do sell out very quickly, and having been, that’s not surprising: they are epic. The best thing to do is book online prior to your trip, print the tickets and keep them in your suitcase or bag ready to show at the door.
The sparties are held in two separate locations, during the hotter months it is held at the Széchenyi Bath, and in the colder months at Lukács Bath.
What we had to do was guess how much we would spend on drinks, pay that upfront and the staff will then add that amount to a waterproof wristband. You keep that with you and swipe at the bar when you buy a drink. That way everything can be kept safely in a locker, which your wristband also opens, so don’t lose it. If you have any money left on the band at the end and remember to, you can claim the money back on your way out.
This was one of the best things we have done, drinking ourselves into a drunken mess in our swim gear in a heated outdoor pool dancing and partying like a nightclub, as the tunes and lighting blasted out across this magnificent building.
If you book early enough tickets cost 14,300HUF (~£39), but the nearer the time you will find prices increase. Our best advice to save money, book early and take a towel with you, that way you will not need to hire one. They will charge for them. The other bit of advice, pay a little more for the ticket with two free drinks included, it’s not much of a saving, but saving all the same.
Boat Cruise on the Danube
There are, as usual within the major cities which are split by a large river, many companies offering a number of tours experiencing the city sights from the water. Budapest and the Danube are no different. There are stunning restaurants on the moored boats, there are river tour cruises, lunchtime cruises, evening cruises, private cruises... you get the idea.
From reading a number of our blogs you will see we cannot resist these cruises, they seem to draw us in like black holes. I took the hop-on-hop-off informative river cruise as it stops along the way at all the main attractions, which is great for pictures and seeing all the beauty the city has to offer along the river banks. The ticket also included the bus tour, but the city was small enough to walk the rest. We just didn’t fancy swimming the boat leg of the journey.
As we had done the majority of the sights we just hopped off at Margaret Island and spent the afternoon there. Overall it was a very informative, well put together tour and left on time at all stops. I really enjoyed my time on the tour, even more so when we got to relax in the boiling hot sun up on deck with a refreshing beer. Fantastic.
All of this came to 6,600HUF (£18) per person, which we think is worth every penny.
Beer Bike
A little like the sparty, this could easily have gone in the ‘where to drink and party’ or the ‘what to do’ section of the blog. Whilst the idea of pedalling around a city drinking alcohol might not be on everyone's to-do list, but it was on mine. The beer bike tours have now become very common in a number of cities, however, this was my first attempt.
After the company cancelling on the first day only as we arrived in Heroes Square where you meet your ‘driver’, things didn’t get off to the best start. We got told to come back the following day, which we did, and again no one turned up. Having made a few phone calls, we found that without telling us they had parked just off the main square on another road. We found our bike and driver down at Olof Palme Stny, a road off the northeast of the square.
It was safe to say after all the hassle we weren’t really that bothered anymore, so my advice is to check with the company if they are changing the location, and if the tour is still going ahead. Confirm which building you are meeting at, normally on the main square opposite the Kunsthalle.
We jumped on board anyway and cycled around the city, drowning our livers in as much beer as we could, and it was so much fun, even more so when we were offered to drive down some of the quieter lanes. Our guide was brilliant and made the time we had with them fantastic. Despite all the bother of actually getting the bike, it was all worth it. The tour was great. I couldn’t possibly confirm or deny if we were smashed, and drove the bike past a couple of policeman chilling in their car, waving as we went on by.
The bike costs differ depending on the number of people, do you want a 6 seater or a 10 etc, as well as how much drink you want, and even what day. You can even pay extra for a 'hot barmaid' package (their words, not mine). If you base the cost on the basic package at 18,000HUF for an hour's ride and 18,000HUF for the beer, then 36,00HUF (~£100) should be about right for the bike hire.
Heroes Square
I guess now is a good time to mention Heroes Square. This wonderful square (of sorts) reminds me a little of the St. Peter's Square within the Vatican, as the columns are shaped in a horseshoe to the northeast side of the square. The square holds an important historical meaning, with a number of events taking place since the start of the Hungarian Empire. There are also statues of the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and a large column, and as well as the outdoors grandeur, the square also has several important art museums. The architecture is worth seeing in the square even if you, like us, don’t have too much knowledge on the history of Hungary and those who have statues in their honour.
The House of Terror
The House of Terror is located on the main road in Budapest which leads from Heroes Square to the inner city. On our last morning in the city, we had a bit of time to kill, and it was located within a short walk from our apartment so we thought why not? Well, turns out there's a good reason. Out of the 5 of us that entered, only one thought it was ok, the rest of us were left disappointed. There was some very grumpy, almost aggressive staff on the door and that feeling of ‘Why are we here then?’ continued.
For me, this was the one disappointment in the city and it is not somewhere I'd recommend you go at all. It really shouldn’t be called a 'House of Terror', more a factual small museum about the second world war. It is almost glamorizing what the Nazis did in the war with that name, like a big SS theme park. Having been to a number of concentration camps and Anne Frank's House, it felt in poor taste.
Tickets cost 3000HUF (~£8), not worth it just due to the rudeness of the staff, let alone the rest of it. There are much better things to do in the city.
Gellért Hill and the Citadella
Gellért Hill can be located to the south of Buda Castle on the west of the River as you cross Elisabeth Bridge. With a number of stunning pieces of architecture built into the cliffs, such as the Gerard of Csanád Monument and the Rock Chapel, it really is a wonderful sight. If you dare (and you should dare) climb these steep pathways you will be greeted by the masterpiece of the hill in the Citadella, which stands proudly on the summit and watches over the city.
Built into the outer wall of the Citadella are a few food huts and small shops selling touristy items. As mentioned, one of the best things to do is climb the path just prior to darkness falling over the city and wait for the beautiful lights to slowly start glowing across the city. It was amazing, like a slow and beautiful firework display, just without the loud bang, and longer-lasting lights.
Not only that but you will have more than 180-degree views of the city with the Citadella to your back. You really will be wowed by its beauty.
The Citadella itself was built in 1851 as a fortress to watch over the city, protecting and judging those who lived below. It has played a number of roles over the years as a surveillance tower, bunker, air defence and many more. After reading about it we didn’t bother going in, the views wouldn't have got any better by the sounds of it.
Hungarian Parliament Building
This building has to be one of the most impressive, imposing and outrageously lavish I have seen. Its beauty shines out over the city, reflecting back off the Danube. Again, whilst delightful during the day the building comes alive during the hours of darkness, as it lights up sparkling like the true diamond that it is.
Opened in 1904 after 19 years of construction, this building was and still is the tallest within the city and the largest building within the country. It currently seats the National Assembly, but also attracts tourists from around the world. We never went inside, as we felt the beauty was on the outside within the building. You can, however, purchase tickets to take tours around the jewels that await within. Ticket prices differ for EU or non-EU members, EU members will pay 2,400HUF (~£6) and non-EU members will pay 6,000HUF (~£16) which is far too expensive for us, and also seems just discriminatory. It feels exploitative and unnecessary, especially when the outside has to be the main event of this building.
Shoes on the Danube Bank
On the eastern banks of the Danube, just south of the parliament buildings, you will find a number of shoes that line the river's edge. There were revealed to the public in 2005 and act as a memorial to the 3,500 people who were murdered in the city during World War 2 for simply being Jewish, Romani Gypsies, or another minority faith or belief. These people were told to remove their shoes and then were shot dead into the river, where some bodies floated out of the city, and others sank before they got too far.
It is a simple but effective memorial and a timely reminder that things like this should never happen again, and that good will always outdo evil in the long term.
Buda Castle
Buda Castle stands on the west bank of the Danube, to the north of Gellért Hill, and is truly remarkable. Whilst the site on top of Castle Hill has been a residential palace for kings and queens since 1247, the building has also served as a fortress multiple times in its long and chequered history. It has been completely rebuilt over the years on a number of occasions, due to wars, fires and many other incidents.
Nowadays the castle is the home to the Hungarian National Gallery and The Budapest History Museum, whilst Castle Hill also encompasses the castle district, churches, and a number of museums.
This grand building is a show stopper, with breathtaking architecture and detail everywhere you look. Again, it is at night when the lights come up that you get to see its true splendour.
Budapest Castle Hill Funicular
Located on the roundabout on the western side of the Szechenyi Chain Bridge you will find this spectacular funicular railway that takes passengers from the ground up the steep embankment to the Buda Castle. Whilst we didn’t personally take it, we watched a few cars go past as we took the path that zigzagged alongside it.
Tickets for this little trip cost 1,200HUF (~£3) up and if you wanted the return ticket then it will set you back 1,800HUF (~£5). Having walked in the heat of the midday sun, it might be a good idea to get the cars up but walk back. It really did look like fun.
Margaret Island
Margaret Island lies in the middle of the Danube River, with the Árpád Bridge linking it to both Buda and Pest on its northern point, and the Margit Bridge taking the southern tip. This island is a wonderful, peaceful open park with a copious amount of green space, sports areas, children’s play areas, cafes and old religious ruins.
If you have time in the city to relax this is the place to come, it is a beautiful place to be and somewhere you can relax without being disturbed.
The Architecture
The city has some of the finest architecture I have ever seen, a little like Rome. Some of the buildings are so imposing and impressive we often just stood and stared at them, walking around the perimeter on occasions. This is something I really suggest you take the time to do on your travels if you don't already, particularly here. It’s not always running around the main attractions, its sometimes about standing in the streets, looking down, looking up and looking around. We don’t do that enough.
Obvious places like Buda Castle and Hungarian Parliament Building aside, there are so many other wonderful, inspiring things around the city to see, such as the Opera House and the Basilica. They are too many to name-check individually, but also a quick mention goes to the Széchenyi Thermal Bath building, and some of the bridges that span the Danube.
Where to Stay Whilst Backpacking Budapest
Being (in my opinion) one of the finest cities in Europe, there are several amazing places to stay all over the city. Budapest has all types of accommodation, and all the usual suspects like hostels, hotels, and our ever-faithful favourite, the good ol' Airbnb.
Again, where you stay will completely depend on your budget, where within the city you want to stay or what levels of comfort you are expecting. What we can tell you is that prices are very good within the city, and a lot of accommodation is cheaper here in than in the majority of Europe. So shop well and you will find some bargains.
Our apartment was from the wonderful Airbnb. We stayed on Wesselényi U, which is one of the main streets that runs through the heart of Pest (the east bank) side of the city, just outside the main semi-circular route that is Teréz krt.
Our apartment was epic, very secure, clean, tidy and had everything we could have possibly wanted. It only took us 25 minutes to walk at most (even when we were hungover or drunk) to get to the river. The link here will take you straight to the block where our apartment was; there are a few to choose between.
Alternatively, click the Airbnb link to find the other amazing offers throughout the city. The best part was it only cost us 8,070HUF (£22) per night each, which is unbelievable value for money in Europe.
Where to Eat When Backpacking Budapest
There are so many beautiful and wonderful restaurants, bars and pubs in the city, all serving food from across the world. I absolutely love eastern European foods, so it was something I was excited to try and get stuck into, and the city didn’t disappoint. We managed to eat at a few locations around the city, even though we did cook back at the apartment a lot too.
Today we will start with the most beautiful restaurant in the city, and I don't think there are many that will disagree with that title, so…
The New York Palace Café is located on the corner of Dohány u and Erzsébet krt, and is said to be the most beautiful café in the world. Well, I have been to a number of cafés on my travels, and this café (or restaurant to you and I) is the most wonderful to date. Its stunning Italian Renaissance design is remarkable. Everywhere you look there is gold shining at you from all angles, the craftsmanship, dedication, and design that has gone into the interior is second to none.
The experience doesn’t finish there either; the staff are incredible, always there when you need them, and not when you don’t. They are helpful, happy and add to the experience of the restaurant. The ambience is also lifted by the grand piano and the expert pianist in front of it. All this and you haven’t had your food yet.
And the food is delightful: the cakes, the soups, and the goulash are heavenly. There is nothing that should stop you from coming here for food, even if you just have a small cake and a coffee to recuperate from the vibrant city waiting outside.
Well, that’s a little lie, there is one small issue: all this brilliance comes at a cost. It is undeniably expensive, especially for Budapest. However, it’s a one-off and I reckon worth every bit of the money you end up paying for the experience and the setting. Now brace yourself: a coffee and a cake will set you back around 6,000HUF (£16).
Next on my hunt for the most delicious food in the city comes just off of the Fovam Ter, a square on the east side of the Danube. There you will find the large and grand Market Hall, and within the hall, there are a number of food places. Now avoid them, and go to the local food stalls that line the pathways that meander through the building around the farmers market.
To be honest, I couldn’t tell you which stall I ate at, and probably couldn’t find it again. There are so many, and all had fresh produce and delicious foods, and enchanting smells radiating to lure you in. I again had the goulash and found a table to eat within the complex. It was amazing, and you could taste the quality and freshness.
I really encourage coming here, even if you don’t eat anything; it really is a cool place and the prices are so cheap! Search around first, otherwise, you will suffer from food envy; don't just buy the first amazing dish you find, there are lots of options so choose wisely! Seating is the only issue within the large building as it gets extremely busy.
The last night in the city started off with possibly the best meal of the trip, and that was at Belvárosi Lugas Vendéglő which is opposite St. Stephen's Basilica. I had the most amazing starter of goulash (again. What can I say, gotta support the home team), followed by a mouthwatering main course of rice with ratatouille, all washed down with a few beers.
I can't let you leave the city without trying out this stunning restaurant. You will probably have to book but it really is worth it. Everything was great about this restaurant: the look, the feel, the staff, and the food. Everything just clicked here to make for a brilliant evening, and not one of us had a negative word to say. Our two courses and a couple of beers came to about 5000HUF (£13) each, which was amazing, especially considering the food standards were beyond special.
Another of my favourite places to eat in the city is located on Andrássy út called Restaurant Barri Jueu kantin. Although the outside seemed to be called Cantine, it is the same restaurant. We managed to get a seat outside the front of the restaurant, amongst the few tables that lined the street. Again, we couldn’t resist a nice cold beer and the goulash for starters. It was phenomenal, and I mean really, really good. To top things off, what followed was just even better, the main course of chicken and butter noodles, and a dessert of cherry strudel. I was in food heaven, and to be honest, was so full and bloated it was uncomfortable, but I didn’t care. It was that good I could've had another round, even if I had exploded.
The décor and settings within the restaurant were really good too, a nice rustic feel and wonderful staff made for a pleasant atmosphere and a lovely meal. I have to recommend eating here and would happily come back as even the prices were great at 5500HUF for a beer and three beautiful courses.
Where to Drink and Party when Backpacking Budapest
There are a vast number of places to drink in the city, and whilst we had a couple of beers or a nice glass of wine or two at the restaurants mentioned in the ‘where to eat’ section we did venture further afield and had a few in a couple of bars and clubs as well.
I'll start off though with a quick catch-up on a couple of places previously mentioned in the ‘what to do’ section, as they also fit nicely into getting drunk.
The first of which is the Sparty, which to all intents and purposes is a club on a crazy scale. Whilst it might not be as grand in size, it outdoes every single club I've ever been to. I mean, is it not a dream to go clubbing but all the people of your preferred gender are in swimwear?
I won't explain too much more as you have probably read about it above but, its crazy, its wild, its madness but it, more importantly, is one hell of a great night out.
Secondly, we are going to give another quick mention to the beer bike. Between the 5 of us and within an hour and a half tour, we were expected to get through 20 litres of beer, which is over 35 pints. If that doesn’t scream laughter, fun, drunken hijinks and then a prodigious hangover I don’t really know what does.
It is a great way of seeing the sights of the city as well as having a really good laugh with your mates. I highly recommend this and for further details just check the section above on ‘what to do’. The only issue for the tour is that beer has to go somewhere, and it's hard to find a toilet.
Avid readers know by now if a city has an Ice Bar, best believe we will be giving it a go. We made time, and a couple of us who had survived the day drinks and evening meal piled on in.
Located two streets east of the river, very close to Elisabeth Bridge, this small bar, unfortunately, didn’t have the appeal the others have. It was very small and had nothing really to offer, which was a real shame. We had our drinks and left fairly quickly. It had no atmosphere, and no real appeal once inside. It was a fairly rubbish experience, but an experience all the same, and yet another ice bar ticked off the list. Maybe this is one to miss though, grab a drink elsewhere.
So next is a place we should have mentioned by now but haven’t, probably because there is so much in the city already to do. Városliget (City Park) is a large open green space, with lots of trees and sporting areas, and a number of lakes. The park also joins to Heroes Square and the Széchenyi Thermal Bath.
Tucked within the beautiful scenery and tranquillity you will find a number of cafés and bars, and I loved them. Yes, they don’t have the massive appeal of the city bars, the pomp or the arrogance, but they have the peace, the open space, the greenery and wonderful staff.
On a couple of occasions, we headed down to the park and relaxed with a couple of beers, and it was wonderful. I can't recommend them enough, you just have to go and enjoy a relaxing drink in the sun surrounded by calmness and serenity.
Lastly, (I know it’s been a long blog, so thanks for getting to this point) is the famous ruin bars. A quick filler for those of you who are asking "What the hell are ruin bars?": the short story is the owners have found abandoned buildings in the city, normally around the Jewish quarter, and created a bar. They are a little bit artsy, carefree, hipster-type bars with lots of artwork, spray paints, and very old, often handmade furniture.
So yeah, they are cool, hipster, almost secret bars. The idea is you only know about them because someone told you about them. It's all a little like the film The Beach, but in this case, it’s a bar, not an island, and there are no aggrieved cannabis farmers shooting inquisitive American tourist (at least that we witnessed). The city has a number of them, and we love them. They are the only club-type buildings you’ll find us when we are in the city.
A couple of our favourite in the city were Anker't romkocsma, the largest of the group called Instant, and the factory of all factories called Fogas Ház és Kert. You will find loads if you ask around, but on a weekend these three are buzzing and will get you right royally smashed.
They are great for those who don’t like clubbing but want more than a bar. They are perfect for an atmosphere without drunken idiots who want to get drunk, take drugs and start fights.
What You'll Need to Blend In
There really isn't anything that will make you blend in here, everyone you meet is different and no two people are wearing or doing the same. You blend in by being you. It's weird, we can't even take the piss in this section.
