Hotels in Budapest

Budapest: Thermal Baths, Baroque Hills, and the Danube Divide

Budapest straddles the Danube River, with hilly Buda on the west bank and flat Pest on the east. The two halves united in 1873, forming Hungary's capital of 1.7 million people. Castle Hill in Buda rises 60 metres above the river and holds Buda Castle, first built in the 13th century and now home to the Hungarian National Gallery. Across the river, Pest holds the Hungarian Parliament Building (completed 1904), one of Europe's largest legislative structures at 268 metres long. The Széchenyi Chain Bridge, opened 1849, remains the most-photographed crossing of the nine bridges linking the two banks.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster in District V (Belváros-Lipótváros), within walking distance of the Parliament and the Great Market Hall on Fővám tér. District VII, the former Jewish Quarter anchored by the Dohány Street Synagogue (Europe's largest, seating 3,000), draws budget and mid-range travellers to its ruin-bar streets. District I on Castle Hill offers quieter, higher-priced stays with river views.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Metro lines M1, M2, M3, and M4 cover the city; a 24-hour transit pass costs around 2,500 HUF.
• Thermal baths: Széchenyi (City Park) and Gellért (Buda bank) are the largest; book timed entry online to avoid queues.
• Currency: Hungary uses the Hungarian Forint (HUF), not euros; card acceptance is wide but carry some cash for markets.
• Airport access: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport sits 16 km southeast of the centre; the 100E bus runs direct to Deák Ferenc tér in about 35 minutes.