Buda and Pest were two separate cities until 1873, and they still behave that way. Buda is the hilly, quieter, castle side. Pest is flat, loud and where you will actually spend your evenings. Everything on this page is chosen with that split in mind, from the thermal bath worth the entry fee to the ruin bar that is more than a stag-do stop.
How to use this guide: the tabs at the top move you between itineraries, places to see, restaurants, hotels, experiences and day trips. On any tab, open the map for a much clearer picture of where things sit and how Budapest works across the Danube, Buda on one bank and Pest on the other. On your phone, tap Get the App (or add this page to your home screen) so the whole guide is one tap away. Short on time? Jump to the ⚡ Quick Facts below.
This complete Budapest travel guide covers getting around by metro, tram and on foot, the cheapest travel pass, airport transfers, which thermal baths are worth it, the ruin bars locals still drink in, Danube cruises, and the money-saving tips most first-timers pick up too late. Whether you are here for Széchenyi, a night in the Jewish Quarter, or three days across Buda and Pest, bookmark this page before you book your flight.
Budapest is the capital of Hungary, home to around 1.7 million people, and it sits on more than 120 natural hot springs, which is why bathing here is a civic habit rather than a spa treat. The Danube splits the city in two: Buda climbs the hills on the west bank with the castle and the old streets, while Pest spreads flat to the east with the parliament, the grand boulevards and most of the nightlife. The two halves were separate cities until they merged in 1873.
Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, the sections below cover how to get around, where to stay on each side of the river, where to eat beyond the tourist strips, and how to plan your days so the baths, the views and the ruin bars all fit.
Loading Vitor Travel Itineraries…