People are going to Budapest because it’s cheap and there’s a lot to see. Historic Budapest is split in half, with Buda on the left and Pest on the right. Both sides offer stunning views of the Danube, historic buildings, including eight beautiful bridges, and a great food scene. Surprisingly, you can walk to all of this and more.

Which time of year is best to go to Budapest?

In the summer (June–August), the average temperature in Budapest is a pleasant 20–26°C. In September, they even have what we call an “Indian summer.” Most people visit Budapest in the summer when it is the busiest. There are a lot of fun things going on during these months.

 The Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix is happening, and all of Budapest’s thermal baths and pools are open. There are also many local events, such as the Sziget Festival, the Festival of Folk Arts in Buda Castle, and St. Stephen’s Day, Hungary’s most important national holiday, when huge fireworks will go off over the Danube.

But if you want to be cold and have a good time, December is the best month to go because that’s when the Christmas markets are in Vorosmarty Square.

A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE CITY OF BUDAPEST

The Danube, Heroes Square, and Buda Castle are just a few of the many World Heritage Sites in Budapest. You’ll want to relax with a glass of wine after a day of exploring. There are 22 wine areas in Hungary, which is also good for travelers on a budget because Hungarian wines are much cheaper than wines from other countries.

PLANS FOR ONE DAY IN BUDAPEST

Even if you don’t have much time, this book will help you get the most out of your trip. These are the best places to see and things to do in Budapest in one day.

For brunch, go to the world’s most beautiful café.

The New York cafe in Budapest is the only place you need to go for a truly decadent meal. It was first opened in 1894 and was named the “Most Beautiful Café in the World” in 2011. That’s easy to see—there are lights and marble all over the place. Go there to take pictures and eat some of the best food in the world.

Walk around the city center’s streets.

The city’s heart of Budapest is pretty big, so if you only have one day in the city, you won’t be able to see everything. But there are some streets that you should not miss at all costs. If you missed the New York cafe breakfast, Király Street has many cafe bars, pubs, restaurants, and just nice places to hang out and eat some snacks. Andrássy Street has a lot of high-end clothing stores if you want to do some real shopping. 

The area around Váci Street is another great place to go shopping. The street is only for walking, and there are gift shops and clothing stores all along it. Lastly, don’t miss the Deák Ferenc square. It’s the busiest spot in the city and a great place to watch people and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Enjoy the view from the Danube River

There are beautiful buildings all over Budapest, and it looks great both during the day and at night. The Hungarian parliament building is on the “Pest” side of the river. It was built in 1885 and is the fixed home of the National Assembly. In the evening, it is lit up with beautiful lights.