Accommodation in Budapest
Accommodation in Budapest is not the cheapest if you are trying to be very close to the city center, let’s say by walk distance. But if you already nailed how the public transportation system works during your travel planning then you will have no problem looking for a budget friendly place to stay at since there are many options. I found a chill guesthouse from Airbnb, a bit outside of the city center but still very efficient for traveling around the city with ease.
Also since I was in Budapest mainly for the Sziget Festival I only needed a place to sleep,shower and then head right out again to either the city for sightseeing or to the festival zone.
Another important information is that Sziget Festival usually takes places between 7-13 August therefore be quick before those dates come closer otherwise it will be really hard for you to find good accommodation options in Budapest.
Sightseeing in Budapest
When I was planning my Budapest trip I found places suggested for sightseeing mainly in the city center area and I was truly blessed with those places when I visited them but what I didn’t know was the fact that Budapest is not squeezed into one city center like some other European countries.
What I truly felt while traveling in Budapest was that whichever station you get off at you feel like you just came to a new city with different looks. I have been to roughly more than 7-8 stations combined with both subway and tram, wherever I got off I could find places to eat, stroll around and enjoy the vibes of the city in different ways.
Of course I would still suggest you to visit the main recommended places in Budapest for sightseeing but also don’t hesitate to go out for adventures on random stations around the city center to discover way more than just a regular suggestion list.
Transportation in Budapest
During my stay in Budapest I was lucky enough to find a cheap accommodation with a bus stop right in front of it so when it came to transportation it was a quite effortless experience for me. The bus took me near the bridge and if I needed to cross the bridge for the places on the other side of the river I would just use the underground station which the bus leaves you right next to it.
Also for going to the Sziget Festival zone (Obuda Island) I was using the same underground metro station but another train which was used only for bringing people back and forth to the festival zone. The working hours of that specific train was extended so that travelers who were coming back to the city center at late hours could benefit from the train rides.
Easy to say that the only walking I did in my Budapest trip was mostly in the Obuda Island during the festival and besides that the transportation system was a lifesaver to travel around the city.
Don’t forget to buy tickets per rides or you can also buy travel passes for how long you are staying. I bought 3 day pass from the app Budapest GO which made the transportation more beneficial for me in terms of cost.
Nightlife in Budapest
Even if you don’t know anything about Budapest’s nightlife you could still guess how crazy and wild it is by just checking pictures of the city at night time. You see lights and bright colors on most places like parliament building, bridges and many more.
Safe to say that Budapest is a city that doesn’t die even at late hours. You have so many options to choose from at different areas that will guarantee you to have some fun without going back to your place with disappointment.
Also with Budapest hosting the Sziget Festival for many years until now I got to experience this year(2024) how they like having fun and entertainment full of music until the first lights of the early hours greeting you to a new day.
Some of the spots I have visited in Budapest:
Hungarian Parliament Building
This building of pure architectural masterwork will probably get your eyes on it every time you pass by whether if it’s during the day of sightseeing or at especially at night with it’s bright lights when you are heading to your dinner/bar destination.
The exterior is amazing but from what I have heard also the interior is fascinating. Unfortunately I didn’t know I had to book a ticket from way before since there are sessions throughout the day for you to visit inside of the building.
So make sure to book your online tour ticket before you even come to Budapest if you wanna visit inside of the building as well.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
My experience about this spot is a bit funny because before I traveled to Budapest I saved this location on my “places to visit in Budapest” list while I was in planning step.
On the second day of my travel, between my sightseeing spots I decided to chill on a bench before I continued and somehow ended up on one of the benches right in front of this very building without knowing anything yet. I was there for almost half an hour and on the last minute I realized that this was the St. Stephen’s Basilica itself.
Unfortunately I had to keep moving to not get distracted from my sightseeing plan therefore I ended up only seeing the exterior and missing the opportunity to visit the interior.
Rudas Thermal Bath
Budapest is filled with many thermal baths and honestly my main intention was to try Széchenyi Thermal Bath because I read online that it turns into a open air nightclub during Friday and Saturday nights so I loved the idea of sitting in a thermal pool while vibing to some music and sipping your cocktails, a unique experience for sure.
That intention died quickly when I saw the prices, since my main aim is to make my travels budget friendly as much as possible I had to skip it for now and pick Rudas Thermal Bath instead which was more economic and with a small rooftop thermal tub which serves you a great panoramic view of Budapest with all of it’s eye gazing lights.
The rooftop thermal pool is usually a bit too crowded to find a spot inside but if you buy the night ticket for Rudas you will be able to hang around until 2 am therefore as the time moves on the rooftop thermal tub tends to get emptier and definitely worth a visit for a unique experience.
Wasabi Running Sushi & Wok Restaurant
I’m a freak for some good sushi and while I was planning my trip to Budapest I saw this restaurant with the concept of running sushi which I never experienced before.
The place usually asks for a reservation but luckily I got to find a table with waiting around 15 minutes.
It was a very unique and tasty experience and I definitely recommend this spot if you also like sushi or Asian food in general since they have other meals on the running band too.
Fisherman’s Bastion
One of the most famous spots to visit if you are in Budapest for the panoramic views all over the city you are able to get from here.
The building itself has a nice exterior but have it in mind that if you want to enjoy the cafes/restaurant there it’s not so budget friendly for the views you get which makes sense.
Also you have the chance to climb the towers to take even better pictures and a better view but again you will have to pay a fee for that also.
Szimpla Kert
Szimpla Kert might be one of the most interesting spot I have visited so far. From the pictures online I thought it was just this small cafe/bar with a chaotic interior but once I entered inside in real life I was amazed by this place.
Think of it as a Narnia World opening to many more things as you go further in the building, some parts are open air and some parts are closed.
It was very crowded that night when I visited even though it was a weekday, I hardly found myself a stool to chill on while I sipped my cocktail and got to listen to a guy perform his DJ skills with his dog sitting right next to him.
Overall it was a dream-like experience because of how surreal the whole interior and ambiance was once I got in but I definitely recommend for you to give a chance if you have time. Certain spots inside also turn into a club with DJ performances as the late hours arrive.
Light Art Museum
I didn’t have enough free time to visit many museums so I had to pick one and I decided to try the Light Art Museum in Budapest.
Since I’m into bright colors and light shows I thought this could be an entertaining experience and it didn’t disappoint me for sure.
There are many interactive art projects inside which you can interact with and have a fun experience all together.
One thing I should warn you about is the small cinema room which says “You have to be +18 to enter inside” on the outside of the door. If you wanna experience a fewer dream-like moment then make sure to go in and get hypnotized (or traumatized) by what’s playing inside.
City Squash Club
Of course a trip is never complete if I don’t be active while I travel.
While I was doing the planning for my Budapest trip I saw this Squash Club 10 minutes by walk distance from my accommodation so I thought it would be nice and refreshing to start the day early with some sports activity before a long day of sightseeing and music festival ahead.
It was a nice and clean facility and the workers there were very kind with their communication.
If you rent some rackets they end up gifting you the squash ball you played with and what’s a better souvenir to bring back home than that right.
