With a few days free around Easter and the feeling that it was time for a little trip, my best friend and I decided on Budapest and it turned out to be a fantastic choice. We spent four full days in the Hungarian capital and honestly felt it was the perfect amount of time. Long enough to really get a feel for the city and see a lot, but short enough to keep that exciting city break energy throughout.

Budapest is one of those places that wins you over very quickly. It’s beautiful, clean, lively and full of character, but without feeling too stressful or overwhelming. There’s always something going on, cafés and restaurants are busy, people are out enjoying themselves, and yet it still feels relaxed enough to properly enjoy at your own pace. One noticeable point though, there are a lot of stag and hen dos about from various European countries. Other than that, the city is also incredibly photogenic, with grand buildings, bridges crossing the Danube and lovely viewpoints spread throughout.

What makes Budapest especially interesting is that it’s made up of two very different sides: Buda and Pest. Buda feels more elegant, historic and calm, with hills, castle views and many of the classic sights. Pest, on the other hand, is where you’ll find more of the restaurants, nightlife, shopping streets and everyday city buzz. Together, they create a city that has a little bit of everything. It’s also worth noting that while Budapest maybe wasn’t quite as cheap as expected beforehand, it’s still a very affordable city break compared to many other European destinations and offers great value for money overall. Most places accept card payment too. We didn’t really need cash during our stay, apart from one small stall where it would have been handy, so generally Budapest felt very convenient in that sense.

Here’s a little overview of what we got up to, what I’d recommend, and some useful tips for when you’re planning a trip there yourself.

• When to go
• Getting there and getting around
• Accommodation
• Buda and the Castle District
• City Park and Heroes’ Square
• Pest, Parliament and the Danube
• Thermal Baths
• Food and Drink

When to go

We travelled to Budapest at the beginning of April around the Easter holidays this year and honestly found it to be a great time to go. The weather was fantastic during our stay, which made all the walking, sightseeing and outdoor cafés even better. Spring and early autumn would probably be my top recommendations overall. Temperatures are usually pleasant, the city feels lively, and it’s a comfortable time to explore without the extremes of summer heat or winter cold. Summer is of course popular too, while winter can be lovely if you enjoy festive markets and a cosy city vibe.
My main advice would simply be to keep an eye on the weather forecast. Even cooler temperatures shouldn’t be a reason not to go. Layering up is easy enough, but constant rain would take away from a lot of what makes the city special, as many of the best sights are outdoors.

Getting there and getting around

Budapest is a really easy city break destination to reach, whether by plane, train or car. It’s definitely worth comparing prices and travel times beforehand, as there can be some very good options depending on where you’re travelling from. We drove there, although our trip started with a little drama when the car broke down near the end of the journey. In the end, we simply took the train for the final stretch, which was cheap, easy and surprisingly stress-free. Not quite the start we planned, but it all worked out well in the end, and we picked the car up from the mechanic on the way home, so all’s well that ends well. If driving, it’s definitely worth checking parking options at or near your accommodation beforehand, as street parking can be a little awkward depending on the area.

Once in the city, I’d really recommend exploring mainly on foot. Budapest is very walkable if you plan your days sensibly and group sights that are near each other. We did a lot of walking and found it one of the best ways to enjoy the city properly. The metro is also excellent, very cheap and easy to use if your feet need a break or you’re crossing the city.

accommodation

Budapest has lots of accommodation options, which is always a nice bonus when planning a trip. There are stylish hotels, budget-friendly stays and plenty of apartments or Airbnbs depending on what kind of trip you want. Airbnbs can be especially good value if you’re staying for a few days and like having a bit more space or the option of making food yourself. Hotels are definitely worth checking too though, as there are often some great offers and some really lovely options throughout the city. I’d recommend look for somewhere central on the Pest side for convenience, restaurants and nightlife, but staying in Buda would suit anyone wanting something a little quieter and calmer.

Buda and the Castle District

Buda was probably the side of the city that felt prettier and a little more polished overall. It’s cleaner, greener and has a more elegant atmosphere, which makes sense when you learn more about the city’s history. It also feels slightly calmer than Pest and is home to many of the classic postcard sights. The Castle District is an absolute must.

Buda Castle itself is very impressive from the outside, although you don’t simply tour it as a castle in the traditional sense. It contains museums, and we chose to visit the Hungarian National Museum there. I’d highly recommend doing this quite early in your trip, as Budapest has a fascinating and sometimes complex history, and it helps give context to everything else you see afterwards. The museum itself is a little chaotic in places, but in a way that somehow adds to the charm. You also get to see castle ruins, interesting rooms and the beautifully reconstructed St Stephen’s Hall, which was a lovely surprise. In short, the national museum is certainly a highlight.

Not far away is Fisherman’s Bastion, one of Budapest’s most famous landmarks. The views over the Danube and Parliament are fantastic, and the whole area has a slightly fairytale feel to it. Matthias Church is right nearby too and adds even more beauty to an already stunning part of the city.
The Castle Gardens are also nice to walk through. They’re not necessarily a huge highlight on their own, but they’re free, peaceful and worth seeing while you’re already exploring the area.

City Park and Heroes’ Square

City Park was another area we really enjoyed and it offers quite a different feel to the Castle District. It’s more open, more relaxed and a lovely place to spend part of a sunny day. Heroes’ Square is grand and impressive, with huge statues and monuments that celebrate Hungarian history. From there, the park itself is great to wander through, especially in spring when everything feels fresh and lively.

We were lucky enough to visit while an Easter festival was taking place there, which gave the whole area an even nicer atmosphere. There were stalls, traditional food, decorations and people simply enjoying the sunshine. It felt very cheerful and welcoming.

Vajdahunyad Castle is also located in the City Park area and is absolutely worth seeing. Even if you don’t go into the museums inside, the outside alone is beautiful and well worth the visit. With its towers, archways, little bridges and the pond surrounding parts of it, the whole area has a lovely fairytale-like atmosphere. It’s one of those places that feels peaceful and picturesque at the same time and is great for a slower wander through the park.

Pest, Parliament and the Danube

Buda feels elegant and historic, Pest feels energetic and social. This is where you’ll find more restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and that everyday city buzz. It’s lively without being overwhelming, which I really liked. There’s something to be said for simply wandering, stopping in cafés, browsing shops and taking in the atmosphere.

The Parliament building is one of the city’s standout sights and absolutely worth seeing, even if you don’t go inside. It’s incredibly beautiful and one of those landmarks that somehow looks impressive from every angle. Walking along the Danube in the evening was another real highlight. As the sun begins to set and the buildings light up, the city becomes even more beautiful. For nightlife, the ruin bar area is a great place to head in the evening. There’s lots to choose from, a fun atmosphere and plenty of restaurants nearby too. Gellért Hill is also worth adding to your plans if you have time. It’s a fairly easy walk up and rewards you with lovely panoramic views across Budapest. It can be a little crowded, but still definitely worth it.

thermal baths

A trip to Budapest would feel incomplete without trying one of the famous and traditional thermal baths. We chose Rudas Baths and I’m very glad we did. The Turkish bath area genuinely feels like stepping back in time. Of course, there are modern additions now, but it still feels very authentic and full of history. You can really imagine the past while sitting there, which made the whole experience far more special than simply going to a modern spa. There’s also a rooftop pool with a nice view, but if I’m honest, the historic Turkish bath section was the real highlight and much more of a must-do in my opinion.

food and drink

Budapest is a great city for eating casually while exploring. There are cafés, bakeries, markets and restaurants all over the place, so it’s easy to stop whenever something catches your eye. One thing you absolutely have to try is chimney cake and lángos. There are lots of touristy versions around, so it’s worth finding a good one. We went to Pichler and it was so cute, delicious and great value for money. Another highlight was the lángos at the easter market — fresh, filling and really tasty. It was also very reasonably priced and exactly the kind of thing you hope to find while travelling. In general, I’d say the food scene was better than expected and still affordable, even if Budapest overall wasn’t quite as cheap as I’d imagined beforehand.

Budapest was a brilliant city break and somewhere I’d definitely recommend to anyone looking for a few days away in Europe. It has history, nightlife, great food, lovely views and plenty to do, all while still feeling manageable and easy to enjoy. Four full days felt ideal for us. We saw so much, never felt rushed, and still had time to properly enjoy cafés, walks and the atmosphere of the city rather than simply ticking off sights. What I liked most about Budapest was how balanced it felt. Beautiful but not pretentious, lively but not chaotic, historic but still modern and fun. It’s one of those cities that suits lots of different types of travellers and leaves you thinking you’d be happy to go back.

If you’re interested in some Top 10’s, travel and packing tips or more information on different destinations, then check out some of my other Meg’s Places articles and stay tuned for more! In case your questions aren’t answered here, or you have any comments or personal experiences you’d like to share, don’t be afraid to get in touch, comment and let me know.  If you’re interested in Google Maps lists, feel free to message me on Instagram.

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