Budapest
Budapest is wildly underpriced for how beautiful it is. You're looking at one of Europe's most stunning cities — the Parliament building lit up at night along the Danube is genuinely jaw-dropping — and a proper meal with wine costs €8–12. The city is two halves: hilly Buda with the castle and views, flat Pest with the nightlife and ruin bars. Get a day pass for the thermal baths (Széchenyi is the famous one, about 6,500 HUF) and just soak for hours. Public transit is excellent — a 72-hour travel card costs around 5,500 HUF and covers metro, trams, and buses.
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Budapest travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Budapest?
3 to 4 days is perfect. Day 1: Buda side — Castle District, Fisherman's Bastion (go early for photos without crowds), walk across Chain Bridge at sunset. Day 2: Pest side — Parliament (outside is honestly more impressive than inside), St. Stephen's Basilica (climb to the top, €2), walk down Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square. Day 3: Széchenyi Baths in the morning (bring flip-flops and a towel), Great Market Hall, ruin bar crawl at night starting with Szimpla Kert. Day 4: Margaret Island for a chill morning, then whatever you missed.
Which thermal baths should I visit in Budapest?
Széchenyi is the most famous — it's huge, bright yellow, and photogenic with steam rising off the outdoor pools. Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds. Gellért is more elegant and art nouveau, with a beautiful indoor pool, but pricier and more touristy. Rudas is the locals' favorite — smaller, less crowded, and the rooftop pool has incredible views of the Danube. On weekends Rudas has co-ed rooftop night sessions which are amazing. Budget tip: Széchenyi and Gellért are about 6,500–8,000 HUF, Rudas around 4,500 HUF. Bring your own towel to save on rental fees.
Is Budapest safe for tourists?
Very safe overall — it's one of the safer capital cities in Europe. The main thing to watch for is taxi scams: always use Bolt or the Budapest Taxi app rather than hailing cabs on the street, especially near tourist spots and train stations. Pickpockets operate on tram line 2 (the scenic one along the Danube) and in crowded markets. The ruin bar district can get rowdy late at night on weekends, but it's more noisy than dangerous. Buda side is quieter at night. One local scam to know: avoid any bar where pretty women 'randomly' invite you in — you'll get a bill for hundreds of euros.