Budapest
when
August 2024
how long
3 days
google maps
click here
highlights
ruins bars • beer bath • chimney cones
jump to
where we stayed • things to do • for the foodies • things to know
where we stayed
Prestige Hotel
📍 Pest side of the city, between the Danube River and St. Stephen’s Basilica
My travel buddy, Shelby, and I absolutely loved our hotel in Budapest. After a long 24 hours of travel (not to mention, landing solo in Budapest at 2am because of a delayed flight on my part and a canceled flight on Shelby’s), walking into the Prestige Hotel felt like the gates of Heaven opened up! I’m being dramatic, but I truly walked into the beautiful lobby and whispered “Thank God.”
We walked everywhere from the hotel except the airport and the thermal baths.
While the Buda side gets the rep for nicer side of the city, we were 100% satisfied staying on the Pest side. The two are easily walkable to and from each other, and we felt safe in the area we stayed in.
I saw lots of Reddit threads suggesting to stay in the Jewish Quarter, but I’m personally glad we didn’t stay there. It’s fun to go there to the Ruins Bars, but staying near the St. Stephens Basilica will put you in a nicer & more walkable location.
Would I stay here again?
Absolutely
things to do
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
This is an absolute must-do in Budapest! The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of the largest and most iconic thermal baths in Budapest, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor pools with natural hot springs. I highly recommend trying the beer bath for an extra fee—a tub filled with warm water, brewer’s yeast, hops, malt, and other beer ingredients that nourish the skin.
To avoid long lines, the best time to visit is early morning on a weekday. Locals like to hang at these baths, so they can get crowded. While you have the option to buy your ticket in advance online, we bought ours on-site the day of no problem
Be sure to wear a swimsuit and water shoes. You might want to bring a pair of water shoes you’re okay with throwing away after (to help save space when traveling…and this experience is a little public pool-esque, so you’ll probably want to throw out your shoes). You can rent a locker there to store your items while you hang out in the pools!
Ruins Bars
The ruin bars in Budapest are a must-visit for their unique blend of artsy décor, vibrant atmosphere, and eclectic mix of locals and travelers. I visited Szimpla Kert—the most well-known ruins bar—and loved its quirky, multi-level spaces filled with funky furniture, street food stalls, and live music. Other great ruin bars to check out include Instant and Fogasház, and it’s best to go in the evening when the atmosphere is at its liveliest.
Be sure to order Fröccs, a popular Hungarian cocktail made with wine and sparkling water. I always recommend trying to (safely) meet some locals or other travelers. We made a few friends from London this night!
Walking Tour
Shelby and I did a free walking tour of the Pest side. It was a good tour, but we wish we would’ve a smaller group. It may have been a particularly large group since we visited in August, but I always prefer a small tour so I can befriend the guide and ask a million questions. However, István was a great guide and knew a ton about the history of Hungary.
Where do I find a tour?
I like to simply Google “Walking tours in {city}” to see if I can find a local tour guide in English with good reviews & a small group size. The Get Your Guide app/website is another great option as well.
Hungarian State Treasury
The Hungarian State Treasury is a beautiful building, but unfortunately, it's currently blocked by construction. For a great view of it—and the rest of the city—head to the Intermezzo Roof Terrace, a rooftop bar with stunning views! Plus, a yummy Aperol Spritz of course.
Shoes on the Danube
This is a powerful and somber memorial honoring the Jewish victims who were executed along the Danube River during World War II. The installation features iron shoes scattered along the promenade, symbolizing those who were forced to remove their shoes (because that’s where people often hid their valuables) before being shot into the Danube. It’s a simple but powerful reminder of Budapest’s tragic history during the Holocaust.
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, with its stunning Neo-Gothic architecture along the banks of the Danube. As the largest building in Hungary, it’s home to the Hungarian Crown Jewels and grand halls filled with intricate details. Whether admiring it from the outside or taking a guided tour inside, it’s a must-visit for history and architecture lovers!
We didn’t take a tour of the inside but heard great things. Purchase tickets in advance for this, as it sells out.
Buda Castle
Buda Castle is a historic palace perched on Castle Hill, offering awesome views of the Danube and the city below. Once home to Hungarian kings, it now houses several museums, including the Hungarian National Gallery, which features an impressive collection of Hungarian art spanning centuries. The castle sits on a steep hill, but you can take the Budavári Sikló (Castle Hill Funicular) for around $10 to reach the top while enjoying a scenic ride.
I didn’t get a great photo of it (as you can tell), so trust that’s it’s pretty in person!
Fisherman’s Bastion & Matthias Church
Fisherman’s Bastion is a fairy-tale-like terrace that offers some of the best panoramic views of Budapest and the Danube. With its white stone towers, intricate arches, and medieval-inspired design, it feels straight out of a storybook and is completely free to visit,.
Right next to it, Matthias Church stands out with its colorful tiled roof and beautiful Gothic architecture. The interior is just as impressive, featuring ornate frescoes, stained glass windows, and a rich history dating back to the 14th century.
The Budapest Eye Ferris Wheel
The Budapest Eye, a giant Ferris wheel in Erzsébet Square, offers a bird’s-eye view of the city from nearly 200 feet up. It’s a great way to see landmarks like St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Danube, especially at sunset or when the city lights up at night. While the ride is short, it’s a fun and easy way to take in Budapest’s skyline. Not to mention, Erzsébet Square is a cute park with food trucks to hang out in.
What We Missed
Christmas Markets
While I visited Budapest in the summer, I’ve heard the Christmas markets are magical, with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and plenty of delicious seasonal treats. The Vörösmarty Square Market is especially famous for its artisan goods, mulled wine, and traditional Hungarian sweets like bejgli and kürtőskalács.
Rudas Night Bath
The Rudas Night Bath offers a special experience with its nighttime thermal baths. I missed this one on my trip, but I’ve heard it’s a fantastic night activity, especially with the stunning views of the city and the Danube from the rooftop.
Hungarian State Opera House
While we were able to peak out heads inside and see the beautiful interior of the building, we didn’t prioritize seeing an opera show. A friend of mine has been, though, and loved it!
Tour of the Hungarian Parliament Building
While we were satisfied just seeing the outside of this Gothic-style building, it’s popular for tourists to do tours of the inside. This is an item you’d want to reserve tickets for online in advance.
Margaret Island
This is a spot locals like to hang out. There are lots of cafes, gardens, and parks.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
While we only saw the outside, inside this Basilica, you’ll find intricate frescoes, grand columns, and Hungary’s most sacred relic—the mummified right hand of St. Stephen, the country’s first king. For a small fee, you can climb to the top or take an elevator for a great view.
for the foodies
I can’t say this will be your best “foodie” trip. There are definteily some great dishes to try, but food will not be the highlight!
To Try
Chimney Cones
Chimney Cones are a traditional Hungarian pastry made from sweet dough, rolled into a spiral shape and baked over an open flame. Once cooked, they’re carmelized with sugar and are often topped with cinnamon or nuts. This was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had! If you’ve been to Prague, you’ll notice the Czech Republic likes to claim these—but rest assured, they originated in Hungary!
Lángos
Lángos is a popular Hungarian street food made from deep-fried dough, typically topped with garlic, sour cream, and cheese. To be honest, I was not a fan; but if you’re the kind of person that doesn’t want to miss out on local cuisine, this is definitely a dish to try.
Fröccs
This is a popular Hungarian cocktail made by mixing wine with sparkling water. You can get it with white or red wine. Be sure to try one of these at the ruins bars!
Spots We Loved
Mazel Tov is a stylish ruins bar-meets-Mediterranean eatery in Budapest, known for its beautiful greenery-filled interior and relaxed atmosphere. Serving delicious dishes like shawarma, hummus, and falafel, it’s a must-visit spot for great food and a cozy, vibrant dining experience. You can walk to the Simple Kert ruins bar from here.
Mazel Tov
Intermezzo Roof Terrace is a rooftop bar that’s the only place where you can get an unobstructed view of the Hungarian Treasury Building, which is now partially blocked by construction. We enjoyed some nice spritzes with a great view!
Intermezzo Roof Terrace
things to know
Weather
Budapest was hot in August. The best time to visit Budapest is in spring (April to June) or fall (September to November) when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded.
Currency
The currency in Budapest is the Hungarian Forint (HUF), and prices are generally lower than in the US. Most places accept credit cards, but it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for small purchases or markets.
Culture
Budapest culture blends historical influences from both Eastern and Western Europe. The locals are friendly but can be more reserved, so (as always) a polite and respectful approach is appreciated, especially in more formal settings.
Transportation
Because our hotel was in a great location, we walked almost everywhere. The few times we couldn’t walk (such as to the thermal baths or airport), we used Bolt, a European equivalent to Uber. It’s much faster & easier to catch a Bolt in Europe than an Uber. Budapest does have a bus system I’ve heard good things about, although we didn’t use it.
Language
Because we stayed in touristy areas, most everyone spoke English. We didn’t have any problems at all with the language barrier.
Outlets
Make sure to pack a Type C plug adapter, as Hungary uses 230V outlets with two round prongs.