Budapest Travel Guide

What is special about Budapest?

Founded over 1.000 years ago, Budapest is the largest city and capital of Hungary and is often described as the most exciting city in Europe. The city is not one of the largest in size, but it has plenty to offer visitors looking for a weekend or a longer stay.

The city has been attracting tourists from all over the world since 895 AD, and its beauty has attracted some of the most influential figures from all walks of life, including politicians, artists, historians, journalists and socialites. In addition, Budapest is a city that offers tourists stunning views, great food, drinks and authentic culture.

What tourist attractions to visit?

Budapest offers visitors many unique attractions that are hard to find elsewhere. Its unique history, culture, architecture and cuisine surpass many larger European cities, captivating thousands of tourists to explore and enjoy its customs. The city itself is a great destination to visit, whether on vacation or on a business trip.

Budapest’s strategic location attracts tourists from all over the world to have their travel experience in one stop. As the city offers amazing attractions worth visiting, such as Castle Hill & Fishermen’s Bastion, where you can see beautiful views of the city and enjoy an amazing dinner in a top-notch restaurant, or an evening on a boat cruise on the Danube River.

Budapest Parliament

The Budapest Parliament is a building of extreme national importance and one of Hungary's best-known landmarks. The building was opened in 1904 and was designed by Imre Steindl.

Chain Bridge

Opened in 1849, the Széchenyi Bridge was the first bridge to be built over the Danube River, and is the fourth bridge to cross the river in Budapest.

Fisherman's Bastion

The Fisherman’s Bastion is a massive building that served as a fish market for centuries, but has been transformed into one of Budapest’s most popular attractions since its renovation. It is located in the center of Budapest, next to Gresham Palace, behind Heroes’ Square.

Heroes Square

Heroes' Square is a central square in the heart of Budapest where visitors can see some of the city's most historic sculptures, monuments and memorials. The square is popular with tourists who flock to the city for football matches or other sporting events.

Buda Castle

Buda Castle is Budapest’s most important landmark, a World Heritage Site and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. The castle is also an archetypal example of a medieval fortress, and was once home to royalty in the 10th century.

Where to stay in Budapest?

Budapest is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, but it’s not just a place for the average traveler, as it has a very rich and complex history, so visitors should explore some of these aspects and enjoy its vibrant nightlife and culture. Budapest is an incredible city with many great places to stay, but some of them stand out as being better than others, depending on the type of traveler you are.

However, its rich culture is not the only reason why the city has become a popular destination among travelers, as its beauty is one of the most attractive in Europe and the world.

Below, see some of the best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Budapest:

Elizabeth City

The Erzsébetváros district is a popular tourist destination in Hungary, as it is home to world-renowned buildings such as the House of Terror, the Hungarian State Opera and the Millenáris. However, the area was originally called Vigadó, meaning “beacon”, which is a name given to the city’s long-distance signal fires that illuminated the area during Austro-Hungarian rule.

The district has been inhabited since medieval times and has its roots in Turkish times, expanding its population only in the 19th century, when it became home to many industries and businessmen from Galicia and Bukovina.

Belváros-Lipótváros

Belváros-Lipótváros, or simply the city center, is one of the most visited places by tourists in Budapest, as the region is home to many hotels, guesthouses, shopping malls such as GÖDŐ and a number of other attractions.

However, the Belváros-Lipótváros area has a unique and historical significance for the city, as the first residents began to settle here in the 18th century. In 1873, the area was proclaimed a district of Buda under the name “Belváros”, and in 1979 it was renamed to its former name “Lipótváros”. The central area is characterized by its wide streets and colorful buildings that reflect its rich history and long tradition in art and culture.

Teresa town

Terezváros is a vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhood in Budapest, and was the last to be built after a brief interruption due to war and revolution. The area features an interesting mix of architectural styles, and is located in the heart of the city.

However, the area has become a popular tourist destination mainly due to its rich history, convenient access and variety of offerings. The history of Terezváros is like that of many other parts of the city, mostly of tragic losses, first there was the Turkish siege, then there was the great fire of 1871. The death toll would have been staggering had it not been for Charles III, who gave the order for an emergency evacuation and saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

Joseph Varos

Jószefváros is the 8th largest district in Budapest and is home to some interesting attractions, such as the City Park and the Vigadó Concert Hall. It is also home to many cafés, restaurants and galleries along the Danube River, and has a history that dates back to Roman times, when it was known as Isidorfort, which means “The Village of Isis” in Hungarian.

Nowadays, Jószefváros offers many things for tourists to do, in addition to restaurants with delicious cuisine and a wide variety of local drinks and snacks, there are also many museums, such as the Zsolnay Textile Museum or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection House.

Ferencvaros

Ferencváros has been described as one of the most attractive neighborhoods in Budapest, mainly due to its rich history and impressive architecture. However, as part of the city’s green belt, the area is also popular with nature lovers, as it features an abundance of tree-lined streets, parks and fountains.

Ferencváros has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment, shopping and cultural activities, as it has many culinary options to choose from and enjoy. In addition, the economy of Ferencváros is mainly driven by the hospitality industry, which is traditionally one of the most dynamic sectors of the Hungarian economy.