As the sister city to Prague, Budapest is quickly on the rise as a “Must” Travel destination for central European(ers). So during my recent trip to the city, I made sure to jot down notes for later assembly into a guide, so our readers can enjoy their potential trip to the max. So without further ado, and in no particular order, we may begin with the age-old question. 

Where to stay. 

Depending on your interests the ideal district to stay in will vary, although, I will go out on a limb and say the “Pest” side of the city is likely the better option. Aside from a romantic getaway where sightseeing is a top priority, and nights are rounded out by candle-lit dinners, Buda seems more for an older wealthier crowd. Full of old buildings and Castles, it is a sightseer’s dream, but if you coming from Prague, I doubt you will see anything too outside of the ordinary, it is indeed called the “Sister City” for a reason. 

For our stay, we were in the 7th District, surrounded by student bars and crowded clubs, the nightlife here was definitely a plus. Our 3 bedroom Air-Bnb broke down to be about 400czk a night per person, for 6 people. The exact listing can be found here. 

Now that a general idea of where to stay is established we can move on to the “Hits” in terms of where to go and what to do.

Fishermans Bastion

Begining on the Buda side of the river, the Fishermans Bastion and the suronding area is definitely a must for sightseeing. Constructed in a Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque architectural style, the views here offer a nice place to snap some photos like the ones above. 

Parlament Building

Staying on the Buda side, you’re in for a leisurely 23-minute walk to the Hungarian Parliament Building. One of staff our writers aptly described it as “a building so beuatiful you can almost forget it houses one of the EU’s worst ‘Democracies’.”

As someone who’s not super into sightseeing, my Buda adventure wrapped up with these two stops. But I’d like to give a shout-out to the Szechenyi Furdo Thermal Baths and Hosok Tere, or Hero’s Square. After all that wandering, you’ll definitely want a break and a good meal. For that, I’d recommend heading over to the Pest side and checking out…

Karavan

Teeming with vitality, Karavan caters to all palates. My personal choice was the langos burger, and I can genuinely say it was the trip’s culinary highlight, even if it might have subtracted a few minutes from my life expectancy. While a visit is absolutely rewarding, it’s worth noting that Karavan leans towards the pricier side, particularly when it comes to beverages. So, if you’re gearing up for a late night on the town, it’s a good idea to find your drinks at a different spot. Now, with a satisfied stomach, two exceptional student bars within walking distance spring to mind.

Lampas

With reasonable prices, amateur live events, and open mic nights, paying a visit to Lampas is definitely worth a shot. There’s a strong chance you’ll step into a lively and youthful atmosphere. Although it’s worth mentioning, that this bar wraps up quite early, around 11:30 or 12:00. So, if you’re up for more and feeling adventurous, a quick walk to the next spot on our list is in order.

Klub Vittula

Featuring sticky tables, unbelievably cheap drinks, and walls covered in graffiti, Vittula is definitely not the spot for those seeking a mild experience. While it might not suit everyone’s taste, if you’re up for an adventure and intrigued by diving into the vibrant student scene in Budapest, it’s definitely worth checking out. Despite its club label, don’t expect any house music at Vittula. And if you’re in search of a more conventional “club experience,” just take a stroll down the road to…

Simpla Kert

While a bit on the pricey and touristy side, Simpla offers a lively atmosphere. Spread across multiple floors, each with its own unique bars and music genres, Simpla stands as a haven for tourists. All things considered, it’s a great spot for groups aiming to socialize and explore the city. Just remember that if you’re after an “authentic” Hungarian experience – whatever that’s supposed to mean – this might not be the ideal place.

For now, that wraps up our top recommendations. Keep in mind that this article will be periodically updated, so if you’re planning an upcoming trip to the city, consider bookmarking this page and checking back later.

And before you leave, let’s explore some genuine pitfalls you should avoid, as well as a few excellent alternatives.

When it comes to food, “Langos” stands as a quintessential Hungarian dish to try. With many places advertising it, it’s only logical that not all will live up to the hype. So, before you settle down for a meal, it’s wise to double-check reviews. And whatever you do, make sure you avoid stepping foot inside of…

Drum Cafe Langosh & Gulash Bar

It’s astonishing that this place even has a 4-star rating. The ambiance was uncomfortably humid and sticky, with small chairs and cramped stools lining the interior. The optimist in me clung to the hope that the prominent “Authentic” banner would hold true. Alas, I should have heeded my instincts and avoided it. The langos I ordered was drenched in low-quality oil, undercooked, and soggy. The beer arrived warm, and the dishes lacked any semblance of flavor.

I’m not one to frequently send food back, but my langos with sausage contained an entire sausage that tasted like it had just been pulled out of a plastic package from the depths of a forgotten mini-market fridge. (No disrespect to mini markets, but when I’m paying for a meal, I don’t expect anything worse than what I can find during my own grocery shopping trips.)

Tereza Mexican Resturant

Tereza pricing lands at approximately 250 CZK for 2 tacos and about 60-80 CZK for a beer or water. With a “Burrito Bowl” costing around 300 CZK. Thus leading me to think that honestly, this place is So-Cal not only in terms of price but also style considering you’d be shelling out or asking for extras just to get a proper burrito!

Albeit, I could be a bit biased since it has received positive reviews. Although I doubt im alone when I say that I don’t quite warm up to what appeared to be Mexican cuisine that’s both overpriced and underwhelming. Particularly when considering the cuisine’s rich working-class history.

So Instead of heading shelling out for a bite at Tereza, consider taking a 3 minute walk around the corner to Pizzica for some legit focaccia pizza and italian beers, all of which were very affordable. (Pictured Below)

Let’s Go

Charges approximately 500 HUF or 31 CZK for a single game token. While this might have already discouraged some, it’s also worth mentioning that a significant portion of the games aren’t even functional. This is regrettable because they do possess some rare machines, such as Taiko no Tatsujin. Moreover, even the games that do work, like DDR, lack enabled sound, rendering them unplayable. It’s definitely best to steer clear of Let’s Go.

Thus If you’re in the mood for a quality nerdy experience, consider taking a 7-minute stroll and giving In Game Bar a try. They offer thematic drinks and an array of fantastic retro consoles. (Check out the picture below for a glimpse.)

And thus, our Budapest guide comes to a conclusion – at least for now. Hopefully, we’ve managed to offer you a concise and straightforward set of recommendations for your upcoming journey. Remember that this article will be regularly updated, so before you depart, consider revisiting for some fresh additions.