This guide provides key facts about Budapest, along with a sample itinerary, an interactive map, and links to my destination guides, to help you plan your trip.
Budapest is a city that endured the horrors of World War II, followed by decades of oppressive Communist rule. Many of its buildings and bridges were destroyed during those years, but the spirit of the Hungarian people endured. Through their strength and resiliency, Budapest has risen from the ashes and today is a cosmopolitan city filled with stately museums and music halls, thriving markets, and beautiful parks.
Inspiration
What made me choose Budapest? Truth be told, I had never considered visiting Budapest. When planning for my 1st trip to Europe, my interest in visiting Prague led me to a tour that included both Prague and Budapest. I am beyond grateful that I signed up for that tour because Budapest completely stole my heart!! It was an incredible city with so much to offer: captivating history, beautiful parks, excellent museums, delicious cuisine, and, of course, the majestic Danube River.
Travel Style
My trip to Budapest was a mix of solo travel and a tour group. The tour I selected was Rick Steves’ Best of Prague & Budapest in 8 Days Tour, given the company’s excellent reputation and the appealing itinerary. The tour arrived in Budapest on a Thursday afternoon and offered 2 days of activities. I stayed an extra day to visit places not included in the tour.
Itinerary
S – Solo Adventures T- Tour Activities
Thursday ~ The group arrived in Budapest late in the afternoon and, after checking in at the hotel, took a walking tour of the city and had a welcome dinner (T).
Friday ~ This was a long day with a lot of activities. The day started with a tour of Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion (T), followed by a Hungarian cooking class at Chef Parade(T). In the afternoon, the group visited Central Market Hall for a quick tour, but I stayed afterwards to browse the stalls and buy a few souvenirs and gifts (T/S). That evening was the VERY memorable Danube River Cruise (T)!!!
Saturday ~ The final day of the tour started with a visit to the Hungarian State Opera House and Heroes’ Square, followed by a stroll through Városliget (City Park) (T). That afternoon, I visited the House of Terror Museum (S). In the evening, there was a farewell dinner, and then, a few tourmates and I decided to go to the world-famous Ruin Pubs!
Sunday ~ I packed my final day in Budapest, and of the trip, with activities. I started the morning by exploring the Hungarian National Gallery, followed by a stop at the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. In the afternoon, I participated in a walking tour of the Jewish Quarters, then visited St. Stephen’s Basilica (S).
Monday ~ I had an early start today, heading to the airport at 3:30 AM. The hotel arranged a private transfer for a fellow tourmate and me.
Excited about Budapest and ready to book a trip? Explore these destination guides, which provide information on what to expect, admission discounts, accessibility details, and more. ⬇️
General Information
Itinerary Ideas
Lodging Guide
Dining Guide
Transportation Guide
Sites and Experiences
Hungarian State Opera House
Hungarian National Gallery
St. Stephen’s Basilica
Heroes’ Square
Matthias Church & Fisherman’s Bastion
Városliget (Budapest’s City Park)
Central Market Hall
House of Terror Museum
Jewish Quarters (Dohany Synagogue, Weeping Willow Tree of Life Holocaust Memorial, Rumbach Synagogue, Carl Lutz Memorial)
Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial
Danube River Cruise with Legenda City Cruises
Chef Parade (Cooking School)
Interactive Travel Map
Fellow adventurers, here is a great map you can use to plan your trip to Budapest! I created this map while planning my own trip and added the restaurants I visited afterward.
Check out this travel guide to learn how to create your own My Maps for your next trip.
Click on each icon to get more information such as address, phone number, and website for each site. You can also select the option to view the site in Google Maps.
| Light Green ~ Museums | Magenta ~ Jewish Quarter | Red ~ Restaurants |
| Purple ~ Historical Sites | Dark Green ~ City Park | Light Blue – Chef Parade |
| Gray ~ Historical Church | Orange ~ City Squares | Blue ~ Hotel |
Key Facts
Language: Hungarian is the primary language spoken in Budapest. Unlike other cities such as Prague, Munich, and Vienna, I found fewer people spoke English in Budapest. I did come across a few people who did not speak English but spoke Spanish, so being bilingual and fluent in Spanish proved helpful in Budapest. Google Translate is definitely a great tool to help you communicate when in Hungary!
Weather: In Budapest, the spring and fall seasons provide the best weather for visiting the city. The summer season is generally hot with a good chance of rain. Winter can get cold with a likely chance of snow, especially in January and February. I was in Budapest from the end of May through the start of June, and temperatures during the day ranged from the upper 70s (F) to the mid-80s (F). Evenings were cooler and breezier, and a light cardigan was sufficient to keep you warm.
Transportation: Budapest is a large city where many of its must-see sites are not located close to each other, which means travelers need to rely on public transportation or taxis to navigate the city. Fortunately, the public transit system is reliable and efficient. I took the buses and metro plenty of times during my three-and-a-half-day visit and had no issues getting around. In Budapest, Uber operates under a partnership with Főtaxi.
Visit my post on Budapest’s Public Transportation to learn more about the city’s public transit options and passes.
Currency: The Hungarian Forint (Ft) is the main currency in Budapest, but some places also accept Euros. I ordered cash via Bank of America before the trip, but ATMs are available throughout Budapest. Credit cards are accepted in most locations, but I recommend having cash when visiting the Central Market Hall. I came across a few vendors who did not accept credit cards.
It is recommended that travelers solely use ATMs associated with Hungarian banks, as 3rd party ATMs may not be secure.
Safety: Now to an important topic everyone has in mind – safety. Is Budapest a safe city? Yes! I felt completely safe walking around Budapest and taking public transportation during my solo adventures. The night a few of us went to the Ruin Pubs, an area with numerous bars, we all felt safe, even when walking back to the hotel late in the evening. Based on my experience, I highly recommend Budapest to fellow solo female travelers.
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