5 Strong Reasons Why You Should Visit Budapest

And everything you need to plan your trip

I visited Budapest in the summer of 2018 and I fell in love with the city so much that a few months later, I moved there.

If you’re afraid the same might happen to you, read no further. But if you’re the adventurous type, welcome! You’re in for a treat.

In the 3.5 years that I lived in Budapest, I hosted many friends and family members and talked with dozens of people who visited the Hungarian capital. One fact is true: every single person loved the city.

If you’re not yet convinced you should put it on your bucket list, below there are 5 reasons that will change your mind.

1. It Won’t Break Your Budget

Budapest can compete with cities like Berlin, Vienna, or Madrid in many aspects. But in this European capital, your money will stretch the most.

Hungary has its own currency, the Hungarian Forint (HUF), so you can take advantage of the exchange rate. These days, trust me, it will be favorable to you.

The HUF has significantly weakened in the last couple of years but especially since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. In fact, the Forint leads the list of currencies that decreased in value because of the war.

This is bad news for Hungarians but great news for tourists. Add the fact that Hungary was already an affordable country, and you can see how attractive it is right now.

Here are some examples of average prices in Budapest:

• Non-fancy meal at a restaurant: $7–$10
• Fancy meal for 1 person: $15
• Beer at a bar: $1.5 — $2.5
• Beer at a supermarket: $0,8
• 7-day travel ticket: $12

2. The Architecture Is Beautiful

Think of Vienna. It’s beautiful, right?

While most people have either heard how magnificent the architecture is in Vienna, the same doesn’t happen for Budapest.

However, the architecture in both cities is very similar. This is because a great part of Budapest’s center was built during the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

But while Austria continued to be a wealthy country, Hungary’s economical power lagged well behind. Therefore, buildings are well preserved in Vienna, but not as much in Budapest. Here, some of them are more run-down, displaying the passage of time and the shortness of money.

But if you ask me, it makes the city more real, raw, and authentic. And beautiful, very beautiful!

3. The Thermal Baths Will Leave You Speechless

Literally speechless. After spending a couple of hours in a pool with water at 38ºC / 100°F, all you will want to do is lay on the couch and sleep.

Thermal baths are a standing tradition in Hungary. Brought into the country by the Turkish, in the 16th century, they are an essential part of Hungarian culture. Locals visit them often, and the tourists usually have them on their itineraries too.

There are 9 thermal baths in Budapest, but the most famous is Széchenyi, with indoor and outdoor pools, and some services such as a beer spa.

But, for a fantastic view over the city while sitting in a hot tub (with a bunch of strangers…) try Rudas.

4. If You Like To Party, It’s Heaven

Budapest is one of Europe’s party capitals. The reason: cheap alcohol + lots of cool bars.

Out of these bars, many are ruin pubs. These are run-down places that emerged from the ruins of ancient buildings and are now one of the most iconic symbols of Budapest.

The locals love a good night out but the party district is often full of tourists. Brides and grooms also usually go to Budapest to host their bachelor parties. Because of all these factors, you can even go out on a weekday and find a great party scene.

If partying is not your thing, you should still visit Szimpla Kert, the original ruin bar, because it’s such a weird and unique place. It is open during the day every day, and on Sunday mornings it hosts a farmers market.

5. Overall, It’s a Great City To Visit

The number of tourists arriving in Hungary has grown in the past decade at a faster pace than Europe’s average. Budapest is, more and more, on the radar of all kinds of tourists and that’s precisely because it has so much to offer.

• The city is big enough to provide lots to do. But it’s also small enough to make you feel like you know your grounds right on the first day.
• The weather gets cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. But if you prefer milder temperatures, spring and autumn are perfect to visit. Plus, it doesn’t rain much — and rain can ruin a trip a lot more than heat or cold.
• It’s a safe city, where you feel comfortable walking alone at night. Numbeo shows a safety index of 65, with the city ranking as “Low” in almost all the crime rates categories.
• The cuisine is interesting (especially if you’re a meat lover) and offers different dishes and snacks . If you visit, try Turo Rudi, you can thank me later.

Takeaway

Are you already searching for flights to Budapest? Great!

To help you make the most out of your trip, I offer a 45-minute online session on Airbnb called “Plan the Perfect Holiday in Budapest”.

During this session, I give you plenty of insider tips! I’ll include what to visit, food to try, restaurant recommendations, and practical information. It’s your one-stop shop to plan this trip.

In the end, you’ll receive a 15-page document with even more tips and comprehensive lists of places to visit.

See you soon to talk about Budapest!

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