Is Budapest Worth Visiting? 8 Reasons to Visit

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Last Updated on October 6, 2025 by sydabroad

Is Budapest worth visiting? Read more to find out!

Okay, short answer — yes. Budapest is well worth visiting. I spent over 4 months traveling around Europe (you can read more about my trip here), and a large part of this trip was spent in Eastern Europe, which quickly became one of my favorite regions on this side of the world. 

Eastern Europe is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes, charming old towns, delicious cuisines, and fascinating history. From exploring the gorgeous streets of Kraków to sipping on beers (that are cheaper than water) in Prague, there’s so much to experience and explore in Eastern Europe. I know it can be hard choosing just a few cities to explore, but I very much recommend making sure Budapest is on that list! 

Budapest is known for its vibrant nightlife, rich culture, and gorgeous panoramic viewpoints (you can’t miss the view of the Parliament building from the water). There is so much to do here, like visit the Thermal baths, stunning castles, vibey ruin bars, and more. I also love how affordable this city is. 

Anyway, in this guide, I’m sharing some things you should know before visiting and why you should move Budapest up on your bucket list! If you are planning a trip to Budapest, check out my guide here with all of the best things to do in Budapest! Alright, let’s get into it.  

Traveling around Europe? Check out the perfect backpacking Europe packing list for female travelers here! ✈️

Looking for more Eastern Europe guides?

• How to Spend 1 Day in Prague, Czech Republic
• Is Bratislava Worth Visiting? + 1 Day Itinerary
• 16 Best Things to Do in Budapest, Hungary
• Where to Stay in Budapest For First Time Travelers

Is Budapest worth visiting? 

Yes! Known for its historic charm, famous thermal baths, and views from the Danube, Budapest is a city that every type of traveler can enjoy. Whether you’re looking for culture, history, or fun, you can find all of this and more in Budapest. And because Budapest is one of the more affordable cities to visit in Europe, you don’t have to break the bank to plan the perfect trip. 

I personally loved the city’s architecture, Hungarian cuisine (you have to try paprika chicken!), the thermal baths, and the local markets. Budapest was a city that I had wanted to visit for SO long, and it surely did not disappoint. 

History of Budapest 

Did you know that Budapest is actually split between two cities? Buda is on the west side, which is hilly, historic, and has the most amazing viewpoints. On the other side of the river is Pest, known for its nightlife, shopping scene, and many cafes, and for being the more lively of the two cities. 

Budapest’s history dates back thousands of years, when the Romans first settled the area for its thermal springs. The towns of Buda and Pest flourished under the Austro-Hungarian Empire until being damaged during World War II and decades of soviet rule. 

In 1989, Budapest became the vibrant capital of Hungary. And today, the city blends its layered history with a lively modern energy. 

8  Reasons to Visit Budapest, Hungary 

1. Budapest is Affordable 

I already touched on this earlier in the guide, but I love how affordable Budapest is. If you are a budget traveler, expect to spend €15 to €35 on hostels, around €20 to €30 on food and drinks, and anywhere from ~free~ to €30 on activities. 

For those with a more boutique travel style, budget up to €130 per night on accommodation, €40 on food, and up to €50 on activities. And if you are a luxury traveler, the sky is really the limit. If you’re doing luxury in Budapest, it is a much more affordable stay than luxury in cities like Paris or London.

If you are visiting Prague, make sure to check out my city guide to Prague here! 🇨🇿

2. The History and Architecture

Another amazing reason to visit Budapest is for the city’s gorgeous architecture and history. You can explore medieval castles, Roman ruins, and Art Nouveau buildings. The old streets are filled with historic cafes, hidden courtyards, and elegant facades, which makes walking through Budapest feel like you’re stepping back in time. 

You can take a walking tour to learn about more of Budapest’s history, and I love these because I always get the best local recs from my guide. 

This is a three-hour walking tour of both Buda and Pest. You’ll learn about the past, present, and future of Budapest with a local guide. This is a great way to get a feel for the city! Book your walking tour in Budapest here. 🇭🇺

3. Rich Culture and Fun Festivals 

Something unique about Budapest is the vibrant music and art scene. You’ll find ballets, underground jazz bars, operas, and more. There are iconic literary cafes like the famous New York Cafe and Café Gerbeaud, where you can enjoy a coffee or a sweet treat. 

You can also learn more about this city’s vibrant culture and rich history at the Hungarian National Museum. If you visit during the Spring or Summer, there are all sorts of festivals and events like the Budapest Wine Festival, Budapest Spring Festival, and, of course, the cozy Christmas Markets during the Winter.

Read more about planning a solo trip here!🌍

4. Hungarian Cuisine

Budapest is also worth visiting for the food scene. Visit local markets like the Great Market Hall to pick up wines, spices, veggies, local cheeses, and more. You can try hearty Hungarian dishes like goulash, lángoes, and chicken paprikash. And don’t forget to pick up a chimney cake for dessert!  

5. Day trips and accessibility 

Hungary shares borders with Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia, making it easy to get from country to country. From Budapest, you can easily reach major cities such as Kraków, Bratislava, Belgrade, and Vienna. 

Because it’s so central, I think this is another great reason to visit Budapest. I took a train from Vienna to Budapest, and then from Budapest to Krakow. The trains are fast, affordable, and efficient. Although I’d avoid peak summer months because it’s HOT and busy. 

A few popular day trips from Budapest include Szentendre, a charming riverside town, and Eger, a historic city famous for its castle, thermal baths, and wine region. If you want to visit another country, you can even take the train to Vienna, which is only 2.5 hours away. 

Read more about the best things to do in Vienna, Austria here! 🇦🇹

6. The Thermal baths and spas 

You can’t visit Budapest without experiencing one of its many thermal baths. Budapest is often called the “City of Spas” because of the natural hot springs flowing beneath it. 

There are so many different options, but I loved visiting the Széchenyi Baths, which are the most popular, and for a good reason. This is the largest thermal spring bath complex in Budapest and is rich in history and Hungarian culture. The spa was built in 1913 in an eye-catching Neo-Baroque style, which just adds to the appeal of this place.

There are cold pools, hot pools, saunas, salt rooms, and more. You can easily spend a day here enjoying a massage, all the pools and saunas, and there’s even a little spot to grab snacks and drinks by the pool outside.  

Book your ticket to Széchenyi Spa here! This ticket will give you access to the spa for an entire day — this includes 3 outdoor pools and 15 indoor pools. This ticket does not include a massage; you will need to book this separately on their website.

7. Pretty views 

Budapest has some insanely beautiful views. You can’t miss the Parliament lit up at night or the view from Fishman’s Bastion. 

I absolutely loved this tour! It’s incredibly affordable and you’ll see the most amazing view of the Parliament building. This sightseeing cruise includes a welcome drink and a view of some of the most iconic sites in Budapest, including Buda Castle, Várkert Bazár, bridges, and more. Book this perfect river cruise in Budapest here! 🥂

8. Nightlife in Budapest 

Budapest is known to have some of the best nightlife in Europe. The city is famous for its ruin bars, which are eclectic drinking spots built inside abandoned buildings and courtyards.

Szimpla Kert is the most famous ruin bar in Budapest, but there are so many to explore. Aside from these unique spots in the city, there are countless pubs, rooftop bars, and cute wine bars to explore. 

FAQ | Is Budapest Worth Visiting? 

Is Budapest a good place to visit? 

Yes! It’s beautiful, easy to get around, safe, and filled with so much history. Is Budapest worth visiting? 100%! 

Read my Budapest travel guide here! 🇭🇺

Why is Budapest worth visiting? 

There are so many reasons why Budapest is worth visiting! The thermal spas, bar scene, castles, river cruises, history, pretty architecture, and culture are just a few reasons why this gorgeous city deserves a spot on your bucket list. 

How many days do I need in Budapest?

I suggest spending at least three days in Budapest. This will be enough time to visit the highlights and get a feel for the city. Of course, you can’t do it all in just three days, but you can cover a lot. Especially since Budapest is pretty walkable and the public transportation is great.  

Is Budapest or Prague better? 

Okay, to be honest, both cities are incredible. Prague and Budapest are gorgeous cities with cobblestone streets, old towns straight out of a fairytale, and cozy cafes. I will say Prague is more compact, making it more walkable, and many people say that Prague’s nightlife may be slightly better than Budapest’s. However, you can’t go wrong with visiting either

Read all about visiting Prague here!

Is Budapest safe? 

Budapest is a very safe city. As a female traveler, I never once felt unsafe in the city. Obviously, use common sense and don’t leave your bags unattended to avoid pickpockets. 

Looking for a place to stay in Budapest? Browse the top-rated hotels and hostels here! 🏠

Is Budapest expensive? 

Compared to most major European cities, Budapest is very affordable! If you’re looking to enjoy nice dinners, quaint cafes, spa experiences, and nightlife, you’ll pay a fraction of the price in Budapest compared to places like Paris, Rome, or London. 

Best time to visit Budapest? 

This really depends on what type of traveler you are. Budapest is an amazing city to visit year-round. If you are looking for warmer weather and fewer crowds, August and September are great times to visit. 

The holidays are a magical time in Budapest if you want to enjoy the Christmas markets. However, it will be quite cold, so make sure to pack layers. Late spring is also a great time to visit before it gets into the busy summer season, so April and May are wonderful times for a trip to Budapest.  

Discover the best neighborhoods and hotels in Budapest here! 🏠

So, is Budapest worth visiting? Yes! I highly recommend adding Budapest to your bucket list, and make sure to check out my other Eastern European guides when planning your trip. If you have any questions about visiting Budapest, comment below or DM me on Instagram.

Recommended Tours in Budapest

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