Budapest is hosting the World Championship in Athletics during the summer of 2023. It is the biggest event ever arranged in Hungary, and a brand new stadium awaits athletes and the audience. But how can you easily get to the stadium? Can I park my car by the stadium?
We have written a thorough article about the World Championship in Athletics in our Budapest Guide, and there you will find lots of information about the event and also answers to frequently asked questions. We have touched on traveling to the stadium, but in this article, we will give you more in-depth answers.
Can I park my car by the Athletics Stadium?
If you come to Budapest by car to look at the World Athletics Championships, then you probably know that finding a parking lot might be a problem. There is no big parking lot next to the stadium. What should you do then?
There are several options.
1:) Park your car elsewhere and use public transportation.
This is a great option, and it might be the easiest solution. In other words, travel to the city center of Budapest, with tram line number 2 to the end station, and walk to the stadium from there. You can read more about public transportation options later on in this article.
2:) Go shopping in OBI.
There is a OBI store (do it yourself retailer) close to the stadium. This parking lot might get packed during the event, but it might be a solution (OBI will probably not endorse this option, so don’t tell them that we came up with the suggestion). Buy a hammer and some other necessary accessories, leave your car in the parking lot, and walk to the stadium.
3:) Park your car in TESCO
A TESCO store at Soroksari út is very close to the venue. Here you pay for your parking based on the length of your stay. It is very cheap, so it will not cost a fortune, and it might be the best solution for those arriving to Budapest by car for an evening or a daytime event.ű
I want to get to the stadium by taxi!
Things are very easy if you want to use a taxi to get to the stadium. Find a taxi, book a taxi via your hotel or restaurant, and let them drive you to the stadium. There will for sure be many pirate taxies around the stadium, so only use taxies you have ordered yourself, or taxies belonging to an acknowledged company such as Radio Taxi, or you can use the service BOLT.
I want to use public transportation.
Several buses, trams, and trains (HEV) are traveling near the Athletics stadium. The best options for getting to the stadium is by using tram line number 1 or 2 and then leaving the tram at the stop Közvágóhíd. Tram number two travels along the Danube, making it Budapest’s most beautiful tram ride. This is the ideal tram if you live in the city center of Budapest.
Tram number one travels along the big ring in Budapest, making it a great solution if you live nearby this popular ring in Budapest. It starts on the Buda side near the Árpad bridge, and ends up on the Buda side again by the Kelenfoldi railway station (along the way, it travels on the Pest side and stops next to the Athletics stadium).
You can travel with the green train number 7 (HEV) to the stop Müpa – Nemzeti Színház. A public transportation boat will also travel to the Athletics stadium during the World Championship in Athletics.
Can I travel by bike to the stadium?
It is possible to travel by bike to the new Athletics Stadium in Budapest. There are many places for parking your bicycle near the stadium, and there are fairly good bicycle roads leading to the stadium. Of course, the bicycle roads in Budapest cannot be compared to those in cities such as Amsterdam, but they are improving little by little, and it is possible to use a bicycle to get to the stadium.
That’s it. You are now ready to travel to the stadium during the Worl Athletics Championships in Budapest. Do not forget to be early to the stadium, and be prepared for delays during entrance to the stadium and with public transportation (something that might happen when thousands of people travel to the stadium with public transportation simultaneously).
If you have any comments or questions, write them below! If you want to read more about other events, concerts, festivals, and markets in Budapest, take a look at this page.
Budapest is a fantastic city, and it isn’t a coincidence that you found this article. You are looking for information and inspiration because you want to visit Budapest in the future. The enchanting capital of Hungary awaits, but there are a few things you should think through before you arrive. This article will give you tips on six mistakes you should avoid making in Budapest!
There are different ways to define a mistake. Not all the mistakes you make in Budapest are bad, and if you look at an error from the proper perspective, it might make you more prosperous and come home with even more memories. Read on, and you will soon understand what we mean!
Six mistakes to avoid in Budapest.
Are you ready? Here we go!
Don’t be too proud to ask for help and advice.
There are things locals know that you don’t know. What is evident to them may be unclear to you. It is a joy to discover a city on your own, and many find it charming to spend hours trying to find a location only to discover that they could have reached it in 5-10 minutes had they asked the receptionist at the hotel or some other local.
Many tourists love to travel by public transportation from the airport. It is much easier to travel with a taxi, but it feels more authentic to travel the way the locals do. As a result, only some people want the easiest solutions and the fastest ways between A and B.
However, sometimes pride can be too big, and you spend way too much energy and time on something that would have been much easier with some tips and advice from a local. Maybe you plan on using a bus to reach an attraction that you could have reached much easier using a tram or a metro line. Or what if you spend all day trying to reach a shopping mall where you can find a Zara store, only to realize that one was located a few hundred meters from your hotel?
What do we mean? It is often wise to ask locals for advice and help. It is fun to discover a city on your own and make mistakes in the process. You often see much more due to your mistakes, which is one of the most charming experiences during a holiday in Budapest. But be humble enough to realize when enough is enough, and it is time to ask someone for help!
Don’t change money in the shopping street or at the airport!
The local currency in Budapest is HUF, Hungarian Forint. As Hungary joined the European Union in 2004, it was expected that the Euro would be introduced within a few years. We were wrong! We are far into the 2020s, and the Euro is nowhere, at least not as an official currency.
It is possible to pay with Euro in most stores, but you will often pay more than you would using the Hungarian Forint. The exchange rates used by stores are poor, which means that you, as a tourist pay a higher price for the same product if you decide to pay in Euro.
Consequently, it is wise to pay with the HUF whenever possible. How can you get some HUF in your wallet? The easiest is to use an ATM or an exchange office. But if you decide to use an exchange office, do not use those at the airport or in the shopping street Váci utca. The exchange rates there are unfavorable, making you pay much more than elsewhere. A good piece of advice is to compare the prices at 2-3 exchange offices and select the one with the best rates based on what you see. Otherwise, using an ATM is often easy and quick, and you get a good exchange rate.
We should mention that the Hungarian Forint is quite strong at the time of writing. The price of 1 Euro is about 370 Forint. Not all restaurants and cafés have remade their menus to reflect these changes. As a result, you will find a few places in Budapest where they wrote banners and menus during a weak Forint period in which 1 euro equalled 430 Forint. This is interesting because they created a banner that said that a Chimney Cake’s price is 800 HUF or 2 Euro. Back then, you would have paid more for the product if you paid in euros. The banner still says the same, but today 2 euros is only 740 HUF. In other words, you get the product cheaper if you pay in euros.
In other words, look at the exchange rate before you arrive because knowing it will give you an advantage whenever you decide whether to pay with Euro or with Forint.
Only use a taxi whenever needed, and choose your taxi wisely.
Ten years ago, the taxis in Budapest had a terrible reputation. Things have improved, but there are still things you should watch out for whenever you use a taxi in Budapest. But let us also tell you one thing first… you don’t need to use cabs in Budapest frequently. Why is that?
Budapest’s most important sights and attractions are located in the fifth district of Budapest or very close to the district. It is easy to reach this district and area using any of the four metro lines in Budapest and getting off at stops such as Astoria, Kalvin tér, Fövarm ter, Deak Ferenc tér, or Kossuth tér.
Once you are in this area, all other attractions in the area are available within less than 2 kilometers of walking (most are much closer). Here you will find fantastic restaurants, cafés, bars, and of course, popular attractions such as the St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Parliament, the Danube, the most famous bridges, and by walking across the street into the seventh district of Budapest you can see the Great Synagogue and the Hungarian National Museum.
What are we trying to say? The inner city of Budapest is fantastic and if you have some energy in your body, you can easily walk around on foot without using public transportation or taxis.
Two popular areas fall outside this category: the City Park and the Castle area. If you want to visit them, consider using a taxi. But if you visit Budapest, you should travel with the second-oldest subway in Europe! This metro dates back in 1896 and it connects Vörösmarty tér (the end of the shopping street) with the City Park. As a result, you can experience the fantastic metro and see the City Park simultaneously. Isn’t that cool? Not only is it a nicer way to travel to the City Park, it is also cheaper! Do not forget to validate your ticket beforehand; if not, you might make another mistake that the controllers love to punish!
A nice way to go to the castle area is by walking across the Chain Bridge (the oldest bridge between Buda and Pest) and then walk up the hill yourself. It is possible to use the funicular, but it is unnecessarily expensive and you spend more time standing in line than the time of the ride itself.
Once you have reached the castle area, feel free to travel by taxi back to the Pest side. Another option is to walk, or you can use one of the castle buses connecting the castle area with Deak Ferenc tér on the Pest side.
If you decide to use a taxi in Budapest.
You don’t need to use taxies a lot in Budapest. But if you need one, is there anything you need to watch out for?
Generally, it is wise to order a taxi from the hotel you live in or via the restaurant you are in. They have partners who guarantee normal fees on your taxi ride.
Another option is to use the Bolt application. Here you order the taxi yourself and you get an estimated price making it an easy-to-use application with few surprises. The prices are good, making it one of the cheapest taxi options in Budapest.
You should be careful catching cabs on the street just waiting for passengers to come. If you still do, look for one with a big phone number and a brand name on the side of the taxi. If all you can see is a yellow cab with a taxi sign on the roof and nothing else, you should look for another taxi instead.
Take some risks whenever you eat!
It isn’t dangerous to eat and drink in Budapest. Some people believe that the tap water is dangerous in Budapest, but it isn’t. You can drink and enjoy life without worrying. What do we mean then?
It is easy to choose the safe road as you visit a restaurant or buy food at a market in Budapest. The Wiener Schnitzel is fantastic, and so is a good Italian pizza, but we have seen it before and tasted it before. Still, many people end up ordering the safe and well-known instead of taking some risks. It is understandable, especially if you travel with kids, but leave your comfort zone and try something new!
When you return to work after your trip to Budapest, people will immediately ask you: “What was it like? Did you enjoy the city? What did you eat and drink?”
What sounds cooler, if you tell them that you ate a Big Mac in McDonald’s, a pizza in Vapiano, and drank some Coca-Cola next to your meals, or if you tell them that you ate a “hen testicle stew with homemade noodles”, or that you tasted the special Hungarian sausages, some fried goose liver, or maybe a real authentic Hungarian Goulash soup? Then you can tell them about the Hungarian Fruit spirits (Pálinka), followed by a Hungarian liquor named Opium (which contains poppy seeds), or that you have tasted the world-famous sweet white wine from the Tokaj region. There are endless opportunities, but you will only discover them if you leave your comfort zone and dare to order some risky food at restaurants and markets you visit.
Don’t think Budapest goes to bed at 24:00.
It is amazing to accompany people to the airport after some days in Budapest. Some have barely been sleeping, while others say all lights were turned off, and bars and restaurants were closed at 24:00. As a result, they went to bed like everyone else.
What is the difference between the two stories and the two impressions? Haven’t they been to the same city? The answer is that they have all been to Budapest, but if you don’t know where to look, it may feel as if Budapest goes to bed at midnight.
If your goal is to discover Budapest by day and sleep at night, just skip the next part of this article. If you, however, want to experience Budapest by night, the following information is crucial.
While the fifth district of Budapest is the most popular during the daytime, it gets quite quiet and dead after midnight. Would you like the party to go on? Leave the fifth district and enter the seventh district (close to the Great Synagogue). Here you can find some of the best bars in the world, including Budapest’s super-famous ruin bars. The most famous of them all is Szimpla Kert which is located in Kazinczy utca. Walk up and down this neighborhood and you will meet crowds of people walking between bars and nightclubs in an excellent mood.
Now you know where to find the parties after midnight! But remember to get some sleep because Budapest has a lot to offer during the daytime as well!
Plan ahead! Do you have any special desires for your days in Budapest?
During our guided tours, we often share information about exciting programs and activities in Budapest, and we also talk about popular restaurants, cafés, bars, and other places worth visiting in Budapest. Many guests start to discuss which programs they want to try themselves, but often we have to tell them that this restaurant is fully booked for the following days, or that the given program must be booked days ahead.
You can visit the famous thermal baths of Budapest every day without any preliminary booking. The same is true about the New York Confectionary. You might need to stay in line to get your ticket or entrance, but if you are patient, you will get in!
The same is only sometimes true regarding popular restaurants in Budapest. These are often fully booked days ahead, especially during holidays and big events. Suppose you come in the middle of the summer, or during the Formula 1 weekend, or during the Easter holiday, or during the Christmas market season. In that case, restaurants are frequently fully booked days ahead.
Finding a restaurant with a free table in Budapest isn’t hard. Still, suppose you have a burning desire to eat a medieval meal accompanied by belly dancing in Sir Lancelot. In that case, you might find it disappointing to eat a Goulash Soup accompanied by Gypsy music in a traditional Hungarian restaurant instead, as there were no free tables in Sir Lancelot.
Budapest has six restaurants with Michelin stars. Are you eager to dine in one of them? You should reserve your table months in advance. Does it sound amazing to eat your dinner on the Danube while enjoying the spectacular view of Budapest by night? The most popular boats are fully booked days in advance. Once again, if you have a particular desire for your stay in Budapest, don’t make the stupid mistake of not reserving!
Welcome to Budapest!
We have tried to give you some good advice in this article. We hope you have found the information useful. If you have any questions, comments, or further advice, please use the comment field!
Hotel Clark is one of the most luxurious hotels in Budapest, and the rooftop bar (Leo Rooftop Bar) is a part of the success. On the hotel’s top floor, you can sit down and drink a glass of champagne, eat a delightful meal, or drink a cup of coffee while enjoying one of the nicest panoramas in Budapest. Leo Rooftop Bar is extremely popular, meaning you need a reservation to visit the place. There are guards by the elevator taking you to the top floor, so only with a valid reservation can you visit the bar itself.
The bar (Leo Rooftop Bar) and the hotel (Hotel Clark) is at Clark Adam Square, on the Buda side of the Chain Bridge (the most famous bridge in Budapest). It gives a spectacular view of the Margaret Bridge, the Parliament, the Chain Bridge, the Castle, the Gellert Hill, the Elisabeth Bridge, and everything in between.
Leo Rooftop Bar – the menu.
One would expect food and drinks to be expensive at such a place, and compared to similar bars in Budapest, it is expensive. Here you can see a couple of price examples as of May 2023.
1dl of white wine (cheapest version)
2200 HUF
1dl rose (cheapest version)
2500 HUF
1dl sparkling wine (cheapest version)
3000 HUF
Strongbow-Gold (0,33l)
1400 HUF
Classic Lemonade
1950 HUF
Cappuccino
1650 HUF
Caesar Salad with Chicken
5700 HUF
French Fries
2700 HUF
Chocolate Brownie
3200 HUF
Angus Mini Burgers (3 pc)
7200 HUF
Garlic and Chili Prawns (5pc)
6200 HUF
Cottage cheese dumplings for dessert in Leo Rooftop Bar.
Leo Rooftop Bar – the atmosphere.
The place has a fantastic atmosphere as you can see the beautiful city no matter where you look. The design is modern, and even though you sit inside, you can still enjoy the view from all the tables. This isn’t a place for the poor, meaning that you feel surrounded by wealthy people as you enjoy the view and drink your coffee. It is a perfect place for a vorspiel (if you have the money to pay for the drinks) and it is especially popular among tourists coming to enjoy everything Budapest offers.
One interesting effect of the bar is that you wash your hands in the actual bar. What do I mean? You go to the toilet, and you do your thing. Then you leave the toilet and wash your hand in the open space where everyone can see you. In other words, people will notice if you wash your hands, and maybe even worse, if you don’t wash your hands!
Leo Rooftop Bar has space for 80 people at most. It is important to know that the location is frequently used by companies who arrange a luxurious events for their employees. In other words, you shouldn’t be surprised if you cannot book a table here on a dedicated night, even though you try to book months in advance.
Leo Rooftop Bar – What more is there to say?
This is a perfect place for a drink and a good meal with a splendid view. The panorama is beautiful, and it will become even more beautiful as the construction work on the Chain Bridge is finished. Even though it is tempting to look towards the Danube and the bridges all the time, do not forget to look at the Buda Castle as it looks truly magnificent from the terrace of Leo Rooftop Bar.
Have you been to Leo Rooftop Bar in Budapest? How did you like your stay? Write your thoughts below in the comment field.
Are you a person in love with all sorts of cats? Are you dreaming of eating and drinking surrounded by cats, and you don’t mind having a cat jumping onto your lap while sipping a Cappuccino? Cat Café is not worth visiting if you can’t stand the thought of cats, and if you are allergic to cats, you should probably head elsewhere as well. But, if you are a cat lover, is Cat Café in Budapest the ideal place to visit?
Cat Café is in Révay utca in Budapest, next to the famous Andrassy út, and close to the inner city and St. Stephen’s Basilica. On the menu, you can find hot and cold drinks and some snacks. The price level is similar to other cafés, so it is neither cheaper nor more expensive than what you will experience elsewhere. The question, therefore, remains – what’s up with the cats in Cat Café?
You don’t have to spend many seconds in the café before you see the cats. They are walking around like they would in a normal home. There is a basement, a ground floor, and a first floor in the café. The basement is mostly where the cats go to eat and use their toilets and where the rest of the guests also go to the toilet. Besides that, not much action takes place in the basement.
The ground floor has one special room in which there is quite a lot of toys available to the cats, and there are also benches where guests can sit and chat and drink and have a good time.
There are tables and chairs on the first floor, which has a more traditional café look and atmosphere. All in all, the cats are visible and you immediately see and notice that this is a cat café. But, is it worth visiting?
Is it worth visiting Cat Café in Budapest?
It is impossible to answer this 100%. It is, however, important to come to the café with the right expectations. The cats in the café are used to people, and some of them are probably quite tired of all the people coming around throughout the day. As a result, there is no guarantee that you will meet a cat that actually wants to be with you. What do I mean? You cannot be sure that a cat will jump into your lap and let you pet it. It is more likely that the cats will keep their distance, and if you approach them, they will go another way. A worst-case scenario is that a cat might try to bite you (if you are very annoying) or at least make some angry noises.
What is your expectation? The cats are beautiful and they are a joy to look at. If that satisfies you, Cat Café is a place to visit in Budapest. If you come with higher expectations and long for more intimacy with the cats, you might end up disappointed.
What about the quality of the drinks? They are absolutely fine, and will satisfy you in the same way most other cafés in Budapest will.
Cat Café Budapest
Address: Révay utca 3., Budapest Opening times: 10:00 – 21:00
Have you been to Cat Café in Budapest? How did you like it? Do you have any comments or questions? Use the comment field below!
Are you a cryptocurrency fan who wants to drink something strong in Budapest? Or would you like to buy a Sprite before discovering Budapest’s remaining attractions and exciting activities? What is the Bitcoin Bar in Budapest? Where is it? Should you visit the place?
You can find Bitcoin Bar Budapest at Karoly körut 3/c. This is very close to the big Synagogue, making it a central location easy to find. It is a small bar, but with seats both inside and outside. On a nice summer day, you can discuss the latest news about Solana, Avalanche, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin while sipping a cup of coffee outdoors. Or if it sounds more tempting to discuss the latest MEME coins like SHIB while drinking a Hungarian Unicum inside, that is also possible.
It is nice to have a bar named after Bitcoin in Budapest. But does that make it worth visiting?
Let us take a look at the Bitcoin Bar Budapest menu.
Below you can see a picture of the Bitcoin Bar menu.
The strange thing about the bar is that besides the name, there aren’t much on the inside or the outside that makes you think about Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Shouldn’t a BItcoin Bar at least accept payments in different cryptocurrencies? And why don’t they have some more fun with the menu and call it a Satoccino instead of Cappucino or maybe rename the Jägermeister to Lambomeister (while keeping the original title next to it so people will understand what they are about to get)?
Somehow I find the place to be a bit disappointing because I would expect a Bitcoin bar to be all about cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, and it would be a natural place to meet fellow traders and people sharing the same interest. Instead, I feel like you could rename the place to “Stop your Thirst Bar” and it would suit the place perfectly as nothing but the name made me feel like it had anything to do with Bitcoin.
What are your thoughts?
Have you been to Bitcoin Bar Budapest? DId you like it? What are your thoughts? Write a comment below and let me hear from you!
Budapest is a trendy city for producing TV series and movies. Right now, there are several productions in the city, and since celebrities need to eat (just like the rest of us), you can sometimes meet them at all sorts of Budapest restaurants. Last weekend Benedict Cumberbatch decided to enjoy his dinner in Pampas Steakhouse while Adrian Brody celebrated his 50th birthday in Rostenstein Vendeglö.
These are just some examples of popular restaurants among celebrities in Budapest. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities have earlier visited Pampas Steakhouse, while Rosenstein has been visited by TImothée Chalamet, Stellan Skarsgard, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo.
The only question remaining now is where you will eat while in Budapest. We have written lots of articles about different Budapest restaurants, and we have also written a thorough article about the best restaurants for a traditional Hungarian meal in Budapest.
Above you can see a picture of Empanadas, one of the very popular starters in Pampas Steakhouse.
Spring is here, and so is the spring market in Budapest. There are actually two spring markets in Budapest at the moment, one at Vörösmarty Square and one at Városháza Square. We have been to both of them; here you can see some pictures.
The market at Vörösmarty Square opened a few weeks ago and will end later this week. The market at Városháza Square opened a few days ago and will remain open for a few more weeks. You can find exact dates and more information about the spring markets in Budapest on this page.
Pictures from the spring market(s) in Budapest.
As you can see, there are lots of things to eat at the spring markets in Budapest. If you intend to buy beautiful Easter decorations and painted eggs, you will not have a lot to choose from, as the market is much more about eating and drinking, with a few stalls left with products related to spring and Easter.
Would you like to learn more about what you should eat and taste at the spring market? There are lots of similarities between the Easter market and the Christmas market, so read our thorough article about the Christmas markets in Budapest and you will be better prepared.
Budapest is a fantastic city and it has a lot to offer tourists. The city has 22 districts and covers more than 500 km2. As a result, it isn’t always easy to find out where to stay and which hotel/apartment is ideal for you as you visit the Hungarian capital. This article will give you helpful advice about some of the most popular Budapest districts and also come with concrete suggestions based on your needs and the size of your wallet.
We have met many tourists who booked a cheap hotel in Budapest, only to discover that it was located more than 10km outside the city center of Budapest. If you don’t mind spending lots of time traveling by public transportation, or if you rent a car, that is okay. But we do know that it isn’t an ideal situation for most travelers. Where should you book your hotel in Budapest? Let us take a closer look at the best areas.
The best areas to live in as a tourist in Budapest.
If you come to Budapest to discover the city, most people agree that the first, fifth, sixth, and seventh districts are the best. The first district is on the Buda side (near the Castle), while the fifth, sixth, and seventh districts are on Pest. Tourists, in general, spend most of their time at Pest, while Buda is somewhere they go once or twice as they visit the castle area and also Gellert Hill. Based on this, we normally recommend tourists to book a hotel on the Pest side as it saves them time whenever they go shopping, sightseeing, or eating in a restaurant.
District V (Belváros-Lipótváros):
This is the city center and the most popular neighborhood for tourists. It’s home to many of Budapest’s famous landmarks, such as the Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the shopping street Váci utca. This area is bustling with restaurants, cafes, and shops, and it also hosts traditional the famous Christmas markets and spring markets. If you want to live as close to the action as possible, it is worth booking a hotel or an apartment in this district. This area is popular among tourists, but it is quiet at night (meaning this is not where locals go to parties).
Would you like to book a hotel or an apartment in the fifth district of Budapest? Here you have some suggestions.
Hotel Aria: The most expensive and luxurious hotel in Budapest at the moment. It is very central, close to Budapest Eye, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and other famous attractions.
Hotel Zenit: Very close to the Danube and only 150 meters from the shopping street Váci utca. Ideal solution for those who want a cheap and brilliant four-star hotel in Budapest.
City Hotel Pilvax: Is your goal to live close to the shopping street, museums, and attractions, but without paying too much? This three-star hotel might be what you have been looking for.
All these hotels are close to metro stops, bus stops, and tram stops. That makes them ideal for traveling elsewhere in Budapest with public transportation or by taxi whenever that is needed.
District VII (Erzsébetváros):
It is said that Picasso liked to sleep during the day and stay up during the night to paint. Do you feel like Picasso? Would you rather sleep until noon and stay up until early morning? If you are a party creature, the seventh district in Budapest is for you. We should mention that the district is perfect for “normal” people as well, but it is extremely well-suited for those who plan on staying up drinking, dancing, and chatting after midnight.
In the seventh district, you find the famous synagogue in Budapest. This area was earlier a Jewish ghetto. Today it is a vibrant district that never goes to bed. Here tourists can visit some of the best pubs in the world, including Szimpla Kert (the most famous ruin bar in Budapest) and tens of others. Most restaurants close at midnight, but there are bars and clubs remaining open until early morning.
If you want to live here, we can recommend some of the following hotels/apartments:‘
Continental Budapest: A four-star hotel with elegance and luxury. It is a quiet hotel, but very close to attractions, bars, pubs, and restaurants.
Stories Boutique Hotel: It is located in Király utca, a street with lots of restaurants and stores. It is also close to the ruin pubs and bars.
Maverick City Lodge: This is the neighbor of Szimpla Garden, the legendary ruin pub in Budapest. The street is packed with other restaurants, bars, and pubs, making it the best place to stay if you plan on enjoying life to the max while visiting Budapest.
These hotels are also close to tram stops, metro stops, and bus stops. In other words, you can easily travel around Budapest if you decide to reserve a room in any of the mentioned hotels. Even though it is a different district, you can easily walk from any of these hotels to the shopping street (Váci utca) within less than 15 minutes from any of these hotels.
District VI (Terézváros):
The sixth district is located next to both the previously mentioned district, the fifth and the seventh. Just like the seventh district, it is a quite big district, meaning that it parts of it are very close to the city center, while you might end up far away from the city center if you book in the wrong area of the district.
Even though the seventh district is the number one district for nightlife, you will find several awesome ruin bars and pubs also in the sixth district. This is also an area with exclusive shopping along the Andrassy Avenue, the Hungarian State Opera, fancy restaurants, and cool theme restaurants such as Sir Lancelot (medieval), The Magic (Harry Potter), and Pirate Empire. If you visit one of those restaurants you will enjoy more than just the food on the table.
If you want to live in the sixth district we can recommend the following hotels.
Bliss Wellness: A quite cheap hotel with four stars in Budapest. It has an indoor pool and other wellness services available.
Revay Hotel: Are you only in need of a place to stay? This is a cheap three-star hotel with a great location in the sixth district of Budapest.
The hotels mentioned above are centrally located in the sixth district. They are good options, and you can reach the city center within 15-20 minutes of walking from both of them.
District I (Castle District):
Don’t you mind walking across a bridge to reach the city center of Budapest? Would you like to live possibly in a hotel with a view towards the Danube and the Hungarian Parliament? Does it sound nice to live in a neighborhood quiet at night, but bustling with tourists during the day?
The first district in Budapest is the castle district. Here you can find the Buda Castle, the Matthias Church, the Fishermen’s Bastion, and many other beautiful buildings and historical locations. Inside the walls surrounding the area, you will also find many restaurants, souvenir shops, and a grocery store. This area is full of tourists in the middle of the day, but in the evenings, it becomes strangely quiet.
The most famous hotel in this article is the Hilton Hotel which is the immediate neighbor of the Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion. This has a fantastic location with a view towards the Danube that will give you double joy while eating the marvelous breakfast the hotel is offering. There are other hotels within the castle walls as well, but they are just quiet and do not have the same view as the Hilton hotel.
Would you like to live in the castle area? These are some suggestions for you!
Hilton Buda: If you first live in the castle district, do it in a five-star way. Stay in the legendary Hilton hotel and enjoy the view towards the Parliament while eating your breakfast.
Hotel Castle Garden: This hotel is just outside the walls surrounding the castle. It is close to both the castle and the nearest metro station, making it ideal for those who want to live in a peaceful area on the Buda side, but still close to the castle and public transportation.
It is important to remember that people spend most of their time on the Pest side. It is easy to reach the city center on the Pest side using the castle bus. If you decide to walk on foot you should calculate spending 20-30 minutes, depending on your speed and exactly where you decide to live. Walking from Hilton Buda to Váci utca at normal speed with a nice view is fully possible in twenty minutes.
What is the price of a hotel room in Budapest?
Hungary has seen a steep price increase for all services since 2022. As a result, you should calculate spending at least 100 Euro per night for a double room, no matter what time of the year you arrive. You can, of course, find cheaper rooms, but that requires you to compromise either on the location or the quality. If you book a room in any of the hotels or apartments recommend above, you need to calculate at least 100 Euro per night. Some of them are, of course, much more expensive.
Hotel Aria which we mentioned as the best hotel in the fifth district often charges more than 400-500 Euro per night. Hilton Buda which is another exclusive five-star hotel often charges approximately 250 Euro per night for a double room.
It is worth looking around and if you find other hotels in the district you are interested in with better prices, choose one of those instead.
The goal of this article has been to introduce you to the different districts in Budapest where we believe it is ideal to live as a tourist. Based on this you will have an easier job understanding where you want to live, and thus, find a hotel suitable for your wallet and plans.
Should I live in a hotel or an apartment?
This is an essential question and both alternatives have pros and cons. If you travel as a family an apartment often makes it easier to live together at a cheaper cost. It is also great to have the chance to prepare food in the apartment and store food in a fridge. There are many apartments all around Budapest and they often give you more value for your money, especially if you travel with 3 people together or more.
A hotel is a brilliant option if you need a place to sleep, but don’t plan to spend much time in the actual hotel room. Here you can eat your breakfast and you don’t have to worry about anything. Many hotels have additional services such as swimming pools, saunas, taxi services, 24-hour reception, and own restaurants, making it less worrisome than if you have to fix everything yourself.
We hope the information in this article has helped you and given you insight and ideas for where to stay during your trip to Budapest. If you have further comments, questions, or input, please use the comment field below.
Are you coming to Budapest this Easter? Are you wondering whether or not stores, museums, thermal baths, and restaurants are open? What about the river cruises? What should you expect if you come to Budapest for Easter? Will you meet closed doors, or will life be as normal?
First of all, grocery stores, restaurants, thermal baths, and museums are normally open on Sundays. But, Easter is different. Here you can read about the different important Easter days and how they influence opening times in Budapest.
Opening times during Easter in Budapest.
Opening times on Palm Sunday in Budapest.
The first day many people are curious about is Palm Sunday, the day on which Jesus came into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. This is an entirely normal Sunday, meaning grocery stores, museums, thermal baths, restaurants, and other institutions operate with their normal opening times. As a result, almost everything is open and available on this day.
Opening times on Maundy Thursday in Budapest.
Thursday is the day of the Last Supper with Jesus and his disciples. Hungary does not give much attention to this day, meaning that life goes on as normal, giving you the chance to shop in H&M, eat cake in Gerbaud, and enjoy the hot springs in the Gellert bath.
Opening times on Good Friday in Budapest.
Good Friday has been a national holiday in Budapest for some years. As a result, all grocery stores are closed, and so are fashion stores. Luckily for tourists, restaurants and museums remain open on this day, and the same is true about the thermal baths and the boats traveling up and down the river. Cinemas are also open if you want to watch a movie. On the day after, Saturday, business is back to usual, meaning you can once again go to grocery stores and fashion stores.
Opening times on Easter Sunday in Budapest.
Easter Sunday is very identical to Good Friday. In other words, grocery stores and fashion stores are closed. Besides that, most restaurants, thermal baths, river cruises, cinemas, and similar activities operate at full power due to the large number of tourists coming to Budapest to celebrate Easter.
Opening times on Easter Monday in Budapest.
Easter Monday is identical to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. You might find some 24/7 mini grocery stores open here and there, but all the big brands (Aldi, Lidl, Spar, CBA, Tesco, Auchan) are closed. This is not a day for shopping in Zara or Pull&Bear either, but if you are eager to go shopping, you should check out the Easter market which normally is open at the Vörösmarty square every day throughout Easter.
What are normal opening times like in Budapest?
On a normal day, a grocery store opens at 6.00 or 7.00 and remains open until 20.00 or 21.00. Some close earlier on Saturdays and even earlier on Sundays.
On a normal day, a clothes store opens at 10.00 and remains open until 20.00. Many fashion stores close earlier on Sundays.
Thermal baths open at 6.00 or 7.00 and remain open until somewhere between 18.00 and 22.00.
Museums often open at 10.00 and remain open until sometime between 18.00 and 20.00. Some museums are closed on Mondays.
Other programs in Budapest
Would you like to enjoy other programs in Budapest? Take a look at our Budapest calendar to find out what’s going on in Budapest while you visit the city.
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a city full of culture, history, and beauty. But sometimes, getting out of town and exploring the countryside is lovely. Luckily, plenty of day trips from Budapest allow you to do just that. Here you will find several suggestions located less than one hour from Budapest. We have also added information about a couple of cities in Hungary worth visiting, even though they are further away from Budapest.
The easiest way to discover Hungary is by car. You can easily rent a car at the airport or by asking the reception at your hotel for help. Of course, traveling by train or bus is also possible, but discovering Hungary and the vicinity of Budapest is a way more time-consuming activity if you use public transportation.
But what should you see and where should you go if you want to discover and explore the Hungarian countryside?
Places worth visiting in Hungary close to Budapest
Visegrád:
Visegrád is a small town located on the Danube Bend in Hungary, and it’s a popular day trip destination from Budapest. There are plenty of things to do and see in Visegrád, making it an excellent choice for tourists.
Here are some of the top activities and attractions to consider while visiting Visegrád:
Visegrád Castle: The town’s main attraction is the impressive Visegrád Castle, which dates back to the 14th century. The castle is perched high on a hill and offers stunning views of the Danube Bend.
The Royal Palace: Located next to the castle, the Royal Palace was once the residence of Hungarian kings. Today, visitors can explore the palace ruins and learn about its history.
Solomon Tower: This tower is part of the castle complex and offers panoramic views of the Danube Bend and the surrounding countryside.
Hiking: Visegrád is surrounded by beautiful hills and forests and has plenty of hiking trails. The trails range from easy to challenging, and they offer stunning views of the surrounding scenery.
Szentendre:
Szentendre is a picturesque town just a short distance from Budapest, making it a great tourist day trip destination. There are several reasons why Szentendre is a popular choice among tourists:
Charming Architecture: The town’s architecture is a unique blend of Hungarian and Balkan styles, which gives it a distinct look and feel. The colorful buildings, narrow streets, and baroque churches make it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll.
Art Galleries and Museums: Szentendre is known for its thriving art scene, with several galleries and museums scattered throughout the town. The Hungarian Open Air Museum, located just outside of town, is also worth a visit.
Danube Promenade: The town sits on the banks of the Danube River, and the promenade offers a beautiful view of the river and the surrounding countryside. Several cafes and restaurants along the promenade make it a great spot to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Traditional Hungarian Crafts: Szentendre is famous for its traditional Hungarian crafts, including ceramics, embroidery, and leather goods. Visitors can purchase these handmade items at the town’s many shops and market stalls.
Serbian Orthodox Church: The Serbian Orthodox Church, located in the center of town, is a beautiful example of Balkan-style architecture. It also houses a museum with exhibits on the history of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Hungary.
Tata
Would you like to enjoy a magnificent little city between Budapest and Györ? Tata is a pearl primarily known for its lake. If you want a nice walk, this is the perfect place to get one. The walk around the big lake is approximately 7.5km. While enjoying the fresh air, you can see a castle from the 14th century (also used during the recording of the Netflix series The Witcher), an Eszterhazy castle, and much more.
Tata also has a second park with another lake not far from the main lake. This park is also beautiful, making it a perfect solution for those who want a shorter walk but still with magnificent scenery.
Martonvásár
The city might not be the most interesting, but the castle with its beautiful park might catch your interest.
The castle in Martonvásár is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture and is located just a short distance from Budapest. It was built in the early 19th century for Count Antal Grassalkovich, a wealthy Hungarian nobleman. The castle’s interior includes several ornate rooms, including a grand ballroom and a library. Today, the castle is open to the public and serves as a museum, showcasing the life and times of Count Grassalkovich and his family.
Beethoven and the Grassalkovich Castle have an interesting connection many may not be aware of. Count Antal Grassalkovich II, who owned the castle in the early 19th century, greatly admired Beethoven’s music. He even invited Beethoven to visit the castle in 1800, a significant honor for the composer.
Beethoven stayed at the Grassalkovich Castle for several weeks, and during his visit, he composed several pieces of music. One of the most notable pieces he composed during his stay was his Sonata for Piano No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, also known as the “Pathétique” Sonata. This piece is one of Beethoven’s most famous and is considered a masterpiece of the classical period.
If you visit this area, we recommend driving some more kilometers towards the south to visit the city of Velence and bring a swimming suit to swim in the Velence lake (if the weather supports that idea).
Budaörs
Only ten kilometers from the city center in Budapest you find Budaörs. This is considered by many to be a part of Budapest, and it feels like it is in many ways. Here you find stores such as IKEA, Decathlon, Auchan, Jysk, and many others, but it is also a perfect area for hiking and enjoying the fresh air.
There are several tops here worth climbing, and even though they aren’t very high, they will still give you a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction as you reach the top.
You can find some ideas for hiking tours in Budaörs in this article.
Gödöllö
Gödöllö might not be the most interesting destination for a tourist, but it has a fantastic castle that makes it worth the ride anyway. You can travel to Gödöllo using public transportation, something that comes as a big plus (travel with the red metro to Örz Vezér tere and then travel with the HEV from there until the end station called Gödöllö).
The Gödollö Castle is a stunning baroque-style palace located in the town of Gödollö, just a short distance from Budapest. The palace was built in the 18th century and was the summer residence of the Hungarian royal family. It is considered one of Hungary’s most significant cultural and architectural monuments.
The palace’s interior is richly decorated with ornate frescoes, intricate woodcarvings, and stunning chandeliers. Visitors can explore the palace’s many rooms, including the royal apartments, the grand staircase, and the ballroom, one of Europe’s largest.
The palace also includes several beautiful gardens and parks that visitors can explore. For example, the Great Grassalkovich Park, which surrounds the palace, features a stunning fountain, a rose garden, and several walking paths.
Turul bird (Tatabanya)
The Turul bird is a large, mythical bird believed to be the guardian of the Hungarian people. Hungarian folklore often depicts it as a powerful creature that symbolizes strength, freedom, and victory. In Tatabánya, there is a giant statue of the Turul bird located on the Gerecse Mountain, a popular hiking destination for visitors.
Hiking in Tatabánya is popular, with several trails available for all skill levels. The Gerecse Mountain is a favorite among hikers with its stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the Turul bird statue at the top. You can also find the Szelim cave and a big lookout tower close to the statue, making this area ideal for a half-day excursion from Budapest.
Székesfehérvár
Would you like to walk in a city with real stores instead of walking around in the forest somewhere? Székesfehérvár is an actual city with a real city center. It isn’t even close to the size of Budapest, but that gives it more intimacy and a different kind of peace.
Would you like to see even more as you travel to Székesfehérvár? One of the nicest places worth visiting is the so-called Bory castle. This is located a little bit outside the main city center. It is a beautiful castle telling a story about a man madly in love with a woman.
Other cities in Hungary definitely worth a visit.
Are you eager to see and experience even more? Don’t you mind driving more than one hour by car to get to your destination? Here you have even more suggestions.
Eger:
This charming town is located in the north of Hungary and is known for its baroque architecture and historic castle. It’s also famous for its wine, particularly the red blend known as Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood of Eger).
As a visitor to Eger, you should visit the castle and the Szépasszonyvölgy (a valley packed with wine bars). Many people decide to spend a few days in Eger due to the beauty of the city and all the programs available in the area.
Hungary’s largest lake is located just a couple of hours from Budapest, and it’s a popular destination for swimming, boating, and sunbathing in the summertime. In addition, you can walk, run, or bicycle around the entire lake (more than 200km), or you can visit one or more of the cities separately.
The most popular city closest to Budapest is Siófok. Other cities around Lake Balaton are Balatonfüred, Tihany, Keszthely, Heviz, and Balatonlelle.
This small town is home to a Benedictine abbey designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The abbey dates back to the 10th century and is an important cultural and religious center in Hungary.
The town only has a little to offer besides the Benedictine abbey. If you want to combine a Pannonhalma visit with another program, we recommend visiting the city of Györ, which is close to Pannonhalma.
Pécs:
This city in southern Hungary is known for its vibrant art scene and historic architecture. Highlights include the early Christian tombs and the Mosque Church, built during the Ottoman era.
The city center is beautiful, but we can also recommend hiking in the area around the TV tower of Pécs. The city has a delightful zoo and several attractions making it a perfect destination for all kinds of travelers.
If you’re interested in wildlife, head to Hortobágy National Park, which is home to a wide variety of birds and other animals. There are also traditional Hungarian shepherd shows and horse shows in the park.
We hope these suggestions have made planning your trip to Budapest and Hungary easier. Of course, the Hungarian capital has a lot to offer, and you can read about many of the most popular activities and attractions in Budapest here in our Budapest Guide. But if you want to see even more of Hungary, we hope this article has inspired you.
If you have any remaining comments or questions, please write them below.
