Budapest is one of Europe's most fascinating capitals, ideal for spending a weekend, easy to get around, mainly on foot, and with hidden treasures at every corner! The main thing to know is that the historical centre is divided into two parts: Buda, the upper, older part of the city, and Pest, the lower, more modern part. In both you will find attractions and things to see!
If you are planning a weekend in this destination, which is very cheap compared to other European capitals, you should definitely choose your area carefully! So here are all our tips on where to stay in Budapest!
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
The centre of Budapest is divided into two parts by the Danube: Buda, the older part, and Pest, the more modern and more service-oriented part.
In Buda, the main recommended area is District I Várkerület, which includes many of the main attractions and is a very quiet area at night, suitable for families.
In Pest, on the other hand, there are many interesting districts. The most central is V Lipótváros-Belvaros, which is full of amenities, attractions and evening nightlife, but also has some quieter areas recommended for families.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for the purest nightlife, choose District VII Erzsébetváros, where Budapest's famous ruin pubs are to be found, or District VI Terézváros, scattered along Andrassy Boulevard, full of places to spend the night.
Finally, the best areas to save money are the aforementioned District VII Erzsébetváros and District VIII Józsefváros.
Recommended areas to save money: District VII Erzsébetváros (Pest), District VIII Józsefváros (Pest)
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: District I Várkerület (Buda), District V Lipótváros-Belvaros (Pest)
Recommended areas foryoung people: District VII Erzsébetváros (Pest), District V Lipótváros-Belvaros (Pest), District VI Terézváros (Pest)
Bestaccommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Budapest. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
If you are in Budapest on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com.
Budapest area guide
Apart from the easier distinction of Budapest into the districts of Buda and Pest, divided naturally by the Danube River, the city is divided into 23 districts. The districts can be identified either by Roman numerals (I to XXIII) or by names in Hungarian. Only districts I, II, III, XI, XII and XXII are on the Buda bank, all others are on the opposite bank of Pest.
The best districts are, of course, the most central ones, i.e. those that develop near the Danube and the Chain Bridge, the most famous bridge crossing it. Specifically, we are talking about the districts: I Várkerület and V Lipótváros-Belvaros, the most central; VI Terézváros, which runs along Andrassy Boulevard; VII Erzsébetváros, the hub of the nightlife and where the most famous ruin pubs are to be found; and finally VIII Józsefváros, full of museums, quiet and cheap.
Areas to avoid: the outermost districts, i.e. those outside the districts indicated so far. Besides being remote and without any particular attractions, they are also to be avoided in the evenings.
Buda / District I Várkerület
One of the best districts to stay in if you are looking for proximity to attractions and tranquillity. District I Várkerület is in fact the main district of Buda, where you'll find some of Budapest's most important attractions, such as Buda Castle and Fishermen's Bastion. A short walk away, in District XI, is the Citadel and the city's most beautiful baths, the Gellért Baths.
This is a perfect district for families and those not interested in the nightlife! In fact, if it is very busy and lively during the day, it is very quiet in the evenings, as everyone moves to Pest. There is, however, no shortage of restaurants, shops and services, and from all over the district there is a wonderful view of the Parliament and the Pest bank!
From here, it will also be very easy to move around the city and you can do so easily on foot: to reach Pest, just cross the famous Chain Bridge, which connects the two banks of the Danube. Alternatively, the entire district is served by trams and buses.
Average prices in the district range from around €30.00 for low-cost accommodation to €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Boutique Hotel 600 m from the Fisherman's Bastion. Rooms with private bathroom, restaurant and room service, private parking. Ideal for couples | |
B&B 3 min walk from the castle, with very affordable prices. On-site parking, pets allowed, family room availability (max 4 people). Ideal for couples and families | |
Flat in the city centre with living area, washing machine, equipped kitchen and bathroom with shower. Pets allowed and free WiFi. Up to 4 people | |
5-star hotel next to the Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. Luxurious rooms with all amenities, restaurant, gym, sauna and massage service. Ideal for couples and families |
Pest / District V Lipótváros-Belvaros
District V Lipótváros-Belvaros is probably the best district to stay in in Budapest. Located on the opposite bank of District I, in the Pest area, here you will find some of the city's main sights, such as the Budapest Parliament, St. Stephen's Basilica, the famous Vörösmarty t ér and Erzsébet tér squares (with the Ferris wheel), and is traversed by Váci Utca, the most important street in the Hungarian capital.
It is truly a neighbourhood for everyone! Families are advised to stay in the northernmost area, around the Parliament. On the other hand, if you are looking for movida and fun, look for accommodation in the area between Vörösmarty tér and Váci Utca, which is full of clubs and entertainment and is also within walking distance of the most famous ruin pubs. Those looking for an alternative and not too touristy atmosphere can look for accommodation around Raday Utca street, in the southern part of the district, considered the Soho of Budapest!
Prices are a little higher than average in this district, but you can still find very cheap accommodation, ideal if you are travelling cheap. Moreover, staying here will allow you to get around easily on foot!
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €350.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel located along the famous Váci Utca street. Rooms with bathroom and all facilities, breakfast buffet, 24-hour reception. Parking on site. Ideal for families, couples and small groups (rooms up to 3 people) | |
Hostel with 24-hour reception and free luggage storage. Accessible rooms with lift and possibility of private or shared bathroom. Free WiFi. Ideal for young people | |
B&B in a very central location, 100 m from the Parliament. Rooms with TV, coffee machine, electric kettle and private bathroom. Pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families | |
5-star hotel, one of the most beautiful hotels in Budapest. All 364 rooms offer a view of the Danube. Elegant rooms and suites with all amenities, restaurant and room service, gym. Ideal for couples and families |
Pest / District VI Terézváros
Photo by Andrzej Otrębski. Continuing to discover the best districts to stay in Pest, one of them is definitely District VI Terézváros, known as the theatre district! The landmark is the Budatest Opera House, located along the famous Andrassy Boulevard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site leading from Erzsébet ter to Heroes' Square. Behind the latter is Városliget Park, where the Széchenyi Spa is also located.
This is an area recommended for those who are looking for nightlife and want to be close to the centre. Here, in the initial part of Andrassy Boulevard and in the neighbouring areas of Oktogon Square, you will find many clubs and a lot of liveliness! But you can also stay here as a family, towards the end of Andrassy Boulevard and around Heroes' Square. It is indeed a quiet and elegant area, and you will also be close to the Municipal Zoo and the Botanical Garden.
Staying in this district you can also get around on foot, but the best option is to use the transport: from Heroes' Square the yellow M1 metro goes directly to the centre in just 5 min!
Average prices in the district range from around €30.00 for low-cost accommodation to €450.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel on Heroes Square 50 m from the metro station. Rooms with private bathroom and air conditioning, some overlook the botanical garden. On-site parking. Ideal for families and couples | |
Hostel located on Andrass Avenue, close to the main metro stations. Rooms with both shared and private bathrooms, parking and 24-hour reception. Ideal for young people | |
Entire flat of 75 sqm, max 6 people. Equipped kitchen, living room and 2 bedrooms. Parking on site. Ideal for groups and families | |
Luxurious 4-star hotel housed in a classic 19th-century building. A stone's throw from the city park, Heroes' Square and the thermal baths. Breakfast service, restaurant and car park. Ideal for couples |
Pest / District VII Erzsébetváros
Photo by Jorge Franganillo. Next to District VI Terézváros is District VII Erzsébetváros, Hungary's nightlife district! Here you will find the famous ruin pubs, including the most famous Szimpla Kert. But not only that, part of the district is occupied by the Jewish Quarter, with the Great Synagogue as its landmark!
It is therefore an area recommended for young people and those in search of movida, for those who want to immerse themselves in Hungarian nightlife while remaining close to the historical centre! Absolutely not recommended instead for families or those seeking peace and quiet. Finally, it is also a fairly inexpensive district, where one can find excellent solutions for low-cost travellers.
From here, you can easily walk to the centre, e.g. the Great Synagogue is only a 20-minute walk from the Chain Bridge. Alternatively, the district is served by the M2 red metro.
Average prices in the district range from around €35.00 for low-cost accommodation to €350.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Aparthotel with flats equipped with kitchen, living room and private bathroom. Shared terrace and garden, parking on site. Ideal for couples, families and young people | |
Hostel with 6-, 8- and 10-bed dorms, shared bathrooms. Lobby with computer room, WiFi connection, parking and evening activities. Ideal for young people | |
B&B housed in a historical building. Luggage storage, ironing service and free parking. Ideal for couples | |
5-star hotel with spacious, elegant and fully equipped rooms. Spa and wellness centre, gym, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples and families |
Pest / District VIII Józsefváros
Photo by Civertan. Finally, next to District VI Terézváros we find District VIII Józsefváros, one of the most elegant and peaceful areas of Budapest! Here you will find important museum institutions such as the Hungarian National Museum, as well as the university and several cultural institutes.
It is an ideal area for families and those seeking peace and quiet, without giving up on services and proximity to the historical centre! Moreover, it is a very inexpensive district, ideal for low-cost travellers! It is always best to stay in the part of the district closest to the historical centre, i.e. near the National Museum.
Finally, staying in this district will allow you to walk to the historical centre, as, for example, the National Museum is only a 10-minute walk from Váci Utca. Alternatively, the area is served by the green M4 metro.
Average prices in the district range from around €30.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Residence of stylish, modern flats with fully equipped kitchen. Communal garden and pets allowed. Flats for up to 6 persons. Ideal for families | |
B&B located within walking distance of the National Museum and the Central Market, with rooms equipped with private bathroom and refrigerator. On-site parking. Ideal for couples | |
4-star hotel only a 5-minute walk from Váci Utca. Restaurant and room service, parking on site. Ideal for couples | |
Located next to the National Museum, in a 19th-century neo-Renaissance building. 4-star apartment complex with modern, luxurious interiors and all amenities. Ideal for couples and families |
Countries near Budapest where to stay
Budapest, despite being a capital city, is a perfect city to visit in a weekend and very cheap. As we have seen, there really are accommodations and offers for all travellers, from those travelling with family or friends, to those looking for a Romanesque getaway or those who want to stay up all night! Hostels, 5-star hotels with wonderful views, flats and B&Bs, you really can find everything, even at great prices!
For all these reasons, it is not recommended to stay outside the city, especially outside the districts seen so far, as you would risk wasting precious time travelling and also spending unnecessarily on transport. Even if you arrive in the city by car, many hotels and accommodation have parking facilities.
