Budapest

Ruin-bar nights, thermal baths & Danube panoramas

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Budapest is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle and Szechenyi Thermal Baths. Food lovers should not miss Blind Mice Exchange Pub and Bors GasztroBar. Below you will find 44 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Budapest at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle
Where to stay: District VIII and District V
Local picks: 44 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Budapest

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Budapest: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Budapest? A local guide to the best districts, from central District V to the ruin-bar nightlife…

Local tipsHow Many Days Do You Need in Budapest? A Local’s GuideHow many days do you need in Budapest? A local guide to the ideal trip length, the thermal baths and…

Local tipsA Perfect Sunday in BudapestHow a local spends a slow Sunday in Budapest: thermal baths, a ruin-bar farmers market, island walks and a Danube…

Where to stay in Budapest

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District VI

Blind Mice Exchange Pub

A gimmicky-in-the-best-way bar where drink prices rise and fall like a stock ticker on the screen – buy low, drink well. Rooms upon rooms mean a proper dancefloor plus quieter corners, and the calendar is full of themed nights, from costume parties to karaoke.

★ 4.1

District VII

Bors GasztroBar

A tiny, wildly popular hole-in-the-wall on Kazinczy street doing inventive soups and stuffed baguettes at pocket-money prices. A local go-to in the ruin-bar quarter; there is almost always a queue, and it is worth it.

★ 4.6

District VII

Frici Papa

A no-frills, dirt-cheap canteen on Kiraly utca ladling out big plates of Hungarian classics, schnitzel, stews, stuffed cabbage, to students, workers and thrifty travellers. Order at the counter and dig in.

★ 4.3

District VII

Getto Gulyas

A friendly District VII spot dedicated to Hungarian comfort classics, above all the stews: goulash, porkolt and paprikas, plus game dishes and good local wine. Hearty, unpretentious and a reliable taste of the real thing.

★ 4.5

District VII

Kadar Etkezde

A legendary old-Pest lunch canteen on Klauzal ter, recently reopened after years away, with shared tables, soda siphons and honest home-style Hungarian cooking. Cash, lunchtime only, and full of regulars.

★ 4.6

District II

Marxim

A cheerfully kitsch, communist-themed pizzeria in Buda, walls plastered with Soviet iconography and pizzas named for the old regime (the Gulag, Anarchismo). Cheap, fun and a Budapest institution with students.

★ 4.2

District VII

Mazel Tov

A gorgeous plant-filled ruin-bar restaurant in the Jewish Quarter serving fresh Middle Eastern food (hummus, shakshuka, grilled meats) under fairy lights and a glass roof. Buzzy and beautiful; book for dinner.

★ 4.5

District VI

Menza

A stylish retro-canteen bistro on buzzy Liszt Ferenc square, reworking Hungarian classics (chicken paprikash, schnitzel) in a fun 70s setting with a great terrace. Popular with locals and visitors alike.

★ 4.4

Terézváros

Oktogon Bisztró

District VIII

Rosenstein

A warm, family-run restaurant behind Keleti station serving soulful Hungarian and Jewish home cooking, from goose to matzo-ball soup to the famous flodni cake. Old-fashioned in the best way; book ahead.

★ 4.6

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Budapest travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Budapest?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Budapest at a relaxed pace. See our Budapest itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Budapest?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Budapest guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Budapest?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Budapest?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Budapest is worth visiting year-round.