Where is the best location to stay in Budapest?
By Carles Barcelo. Updated October 27, 2023
Nestled on the picturesque Danube river, Budapest is easy to fall in love with. Made up of three historic towns and known as the city of spas, Budapest boasts hundreds of natural hot springs due to the region’s unique geology. When you’ve finished pampering yourself, you can take in the sweeping views across the Danube and see some stunning Art Nouveau, baroque, and neoclassical architecture. Try tasty Hungarian dishes and fresh produce at local markets. As night falls, you can enjoy novelty bars that have sprung up in derelict buildings around the city, known as “ruin bars”.
The best area to stay in Budapest is the inner-city area, known as District V. In this area, you’ll be within easy walking distance of some major sights, such as Chain Bridge, the stunning Parliament building and the beautiful St Stephen’s Basilica. There are plenty of boutiques and souvenir shops and a good selection of restaurants. From there, you can easily walk across the bridge to the castle district, where you’ll find other popular monuments. Transport links in District V are good, with several metro stops and the Budapest-Nyugati train station, which links to cities throughout Hungary.
Staying in the central districts within this city will allow you to make the most of your time in Budapest. It guarantees easy and convenient access to everything from tourist sights to shopping and restaurants to various facilities and public transport. District V is at the heart of the action with many attractions within easy reach, which makes it a hugely popular choice amongst visitors to the city.
If you are a big fan of culture, this is the perfect place to stay in Budapest, as it is considered the cultural hub of the city. You can see the equivalent of Paris’ Champs-Elysées, Andrassy Utca, which leads to the Liszt Music Academy and the State Opera House. You can also find many charming outdoor cafes and bars along Nagymezo Utca, ideal if you want to relax with a drink and watch the world go by.
District VII is known as the old Jewish Quarter and is a great place to discover some history as well as take in the diverse architecture, from historic synagogues to vibrant tenement buildings. Although it went through tragic times in the past, this district has now become a lively and charming area. It is home to the Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe and amongst the largest in the world. You will also find a variety of other historic attractions in the area, including the Jewish Museum, a tribute to the history of the area.
When you stay in District VIII, you’ll find yourself in an area that combines the arts, architecture and music. This diverse district is a popular choice amongst visitors who want to enjoy being close to the city centre but not right in the middle of the hustle and bustle. He you will find the Palace Neighbourhood, where many aristocratic families used to live. Many of these palaces have now been converted into hotels, universities and a range of other institutions.
District IX, with his unique atmosphere, is a good choice to stay in Budapest. It is part of the city centre, and so perfect for public transport (metro, tramway, bus). The streets are full of bars, cafes, street food stalls and restaurants, ideal for hungry visitors and gastronomy fans alike. Raday Street is one of the most famous in Budapest for eating: it is literally lined with restaurants, both Hungarian and international, and boasts the Michelin-starred Costes. If you visit or stay in District IX, you should check out the Great Market, a must for every serious visitor.
Although District XI is located in calm and peaceful Buda, there are many opportunities for entertainment in this neighbourhood. In the last decade, District XI has developed and now offers plenty of cafes, bars and art galleries around the Bartók Béla Boulevard. From the city centre, you can easily reach the district by tramway or metro (M4). Immediately by one of the area’s metro stations, you can stroll around Bikas Park, an ideal venue for a walk, a picnic or a rest on one of its benches. It has a playground for children, a running track, an outdoor gym for a workout, a basketball court, and a football pitch. Feneketlen Lake (the name means “bottomless lake”), not far from Kosztolanyi Dezso Square, is another beautiful place with a jogging track and outdoor fitness machines.
Situated in a historic part of the city, in the old town of Buda, District I (often called Castle District) is a perfect choice if you are looking for a peaceful stay with amazing views over the Danube and the east side of the city. The nights are extremely quiet and offer wonderful romantic walks on Castle Hill. This is an area best discovered on foot. Driving through the narrow labyrinthine streets of Castle District is a challenge, even for the locals. Fortunately, public transport networks are well-built Castle District is accessible from the city centre by bus or funicular railway. The district is bulges with buildings, all part of the city’s architectural and historic heritage. Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Matthias Church and the district’s museums are all worth a visit.
Some way from the city centre, District XII is situated on the west side of Budapest, in Buda. It consists of large green areas covering the hills. If you want to spend a holiday outside of the busy centre, District XII might be an excellent choice for you. Despite the fact that there is no metro in this area, you can move around everywhere by bus. One of the most popular hiking destination in Budapest, Normafa lies within this district.
Despite District III’s location far from the city centre, you might consider visiting in the summer. Every August, the district hosts one of Europe’s largest music festivals, the Sziget Festival, on Obudai-Sziget, a large island on the Danube.
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