Before leaving for Europe, Budapest was one of the destinations people reacted most strongly to when I shared my itinerary.

“You’re going to love Budapest.”

Almost everyone said some version of it.

At the time, my knowledge of the city was fairly limited. I knew Buda and Pest had once been separate cities divided by the Danube River, and I knew the pronunciation was “Buda-pesht.” That was about it.

After a slightly more subdued experience in Vienna, I was ready for a change in atmosphere—and Budapest delivered almost immediately.

The only disappointing part was how little time I gave myself there. I stayed just two nights with one full day in the city, and it became obvious very quickly that it wasn’t enough. Budapest felt layered in a way that made me want more time: more neighborhoods, more evenings along the river, more long walks, more meals, more opportunities to explore

This guide covers where I stayed, how I spent my time exploring both Buda and Pest, and why Budapest quickly became one of the places where I wanted more time.

Budapest Overview

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, stretches across both sides of the Danube River, with the historic hills of Buda facing the flatter, busier neighborhoods of Pest. Massive bridges, grand boulevards, hilltop viewpoints, thermal baths, and ornate architecture give the city a dramatic scale that somehow still feels approachable.

What surprised me most, though, was how often parts of Budapest reminded me of Paris.

Certain neighborhoods in Pest—especially around the larger boulevards and café-lined side streets—carried a distinctly Parisian energy. The late-19th-century architecture, wrought-iron balconies, outdoor terraces, and slower café culture created a rhythm that felt unexpectedly familiar.

Much like Prague, Budapest quietly becomes far more physical than it initially appears. Pest is relatively flat and easy to navigate, but Buda quickly shifts into steep streets, staircases, and long uphill walks toward viewpoints and castle areas. Between the bridges, hills, and sheer scale of the city, Budapest often involves much more walking than you expect. Thankfully, the views always justified the effort.

Where I Stayed In Budapest: District V / Belváros–Lipótváros

I stayed at Hotel Vision Budapest in Belváros–Lipótváros along the Pest side of the Danube near the Inner City. The location was perfect. The hotel sits near the Elizabeth Bridge, the Danube Promenade, and is within easy walking distance of many major landmarks throughout central Pest

The surrounding neighborhood blended riverfront views, historic apartment buildings, cafés, restaurants, and quieter residential streets. And in the evenings, especially, parts of the area genuinely reminded me of Paris—outdoor terraces filled with people lingering over drinks and dinner. The sidewalks stayed active late into the evening. 

I stayed in a Deluxe Room with Street View, which was spacious, comfortable, and—perhaps most importantly by this point in the trip—had excellent air conditioning with individual temperature control.

After several weeks in Europe, I had learned that the phrase “air conditioning” can mean wildly different things depending on the hotel. Sometimes it means actual climate control. Sometimes it means a fan. And sometimes it means air technically exists but does not appear meaningfully cooled. By this stage of the trip, reliable temperature control had become a surprisingly important contributor to my overall happiness.

St. Stephen’s Basilica & Parliament

From there, I made my way toward St. Stephen's Basilica, one of Budapest’s most recognizable landmarks. The basilica anchors a large pedestrian square surrounded by cafés and outdoor seating that stay lively throughout the day and evening. Like many parts of central Pest, the atmosphere felt energetic without becoming overwhelming.

Not far away sits the Hungarian Parliament Building. What makes Parliament especially impressive is its scale. The building stretches nearly the length of several city blocks, and the level of architectural detail becomes more noticeable the closer you get. At night, when the entire structure is illuminated along the river, it becomes one of the defining images of Budapest.

Budapest Walking Tour & Buda Castle

The next day, I joined a walking tour I booked through Airbnb Experiences. Ironically, there were only three people on the tour, and the other two were also from Chicago.

Our guide, George, took us throughout the city using Budapest’s metro system while sharing the history, culture, and political complexities that shape modern Hungary. It ended up becoming one of the most informative tours of the entire trip.

One highlight was exploring Buda Castle and the surrounding Castle District. Compared to Prague Castle, Buda Castle feels broader, more formal, and more shaped by cycles of destruction and rebuilding. Much of what stands today reflects later reconstruction following wars, fires, and damage from World War II, giving the area a layered yet slightly more austere feel.

What surprised me most was how quiet parts of Castle Hill became once we moved away from the busiest viewpoints. Beyond the major landmarks, the district opens into cobblestone streets, church towers, pastel-colored buildings, hidden courtyards, and quieter residential areas overlooking the river.

At sunset, especially, the views back across the Danube toward Parliament are extraordinary.

Great Market Hall (Central Market Hall)

Great Market Hall—also known as Central Market Hall or Nagyvásárcsarnok—is Budapest’s largest and most famous indoor market. Originally opened in 1897, the market was designed in a Neo-Gothic style with a massive steel structure and a colorful tiled roof that immediately stands out from the surrounding buildings. Inside, the hall feels both historic and highly active, with rows of vendors spread across multiple levels selling everything from paprika, cured meats, produce, and pastries to souvenirs, embroidery, and traditional Hungarian goods.

The ground floor is focused more on food and ingredients, while the upper level includes casual food stalls and smaller souvenir stands. It’s one of the easiest places in Budapest to sample traditional Hungarian foods in a more informal setting, including lángos, sausages, stews, and pastries.

A Danube River Cruise & An Unexpected Reminder

Later that afternoon, I joined a Danube River Cruise. While waiting in the queue to board, an older British couple started chatting with me and ended up inviting me to sit with them, and over the next hour we talked, laughed, and collectively tried to determine where exactly we were supposed to be looking at any given moment.

We were technically supposed to follow an audio app explaining the landmarks as the boat moved quickly down the river, but most of us spent more time trying to figure out whether the app was functioning correctly than actually learning anything. Oddly enough, that became part of the fun. 

What stayed with me afterward had very little to do with the cruise itself.

By this point, I had been solo traveling for several weeks. I loved the independence, the freedom, and the constant movement—but somewhere along the way, I had quietly stopped noticing what I missed.

And during that hour on the river, I realized I missed laughter.

Real, effortless laughter with other people.

That cruise became animportant turning point for me. Up until then, I had intentionally planned much of the trip independently. But afterward, I started booking more walking tours, experiences, and group activities—not just for information, but for connection.

Solo travel teaches independence very quickly. What it sometimes teaches more slowly is how deeply human beings still need each other.

Where I Ate: Gluten-Free Dining in Budapest

Budapest ended up being one of the best cities of the entire trip for gluten-free dining. And the two standout experiences could not have been more different.

Retro Lángos Budapest

One of Budapest’s most popular street food spots is Retro Lángos Budapest, located near St. Stephen’s Basilica. Lángos is one of Hungary’s most iconic foods: deep-fried dough traditionally topped with garlic, sour cream, and cheese. Retro Lángos modernizes the experience slightly with more contemporary variations and a casual, energetic atmosphere that feels very Budapest.

Most importantly for me, they also offer gluten-free versions—something relatively uncommon for such a traditional food. Being able to try a gluten-free version of a classic Hungarian comfort food without heavily modifying the experience felt genuinely special.

Kata PEST

The following evening, I had one of the best meals of my entire trip at Kata PEST, a fully gluten-free and lactose-free restaurant near the Hungarian State Opera House. For travelers with celiac disease, there’s something incredibly relaxing about being able to order freely without constantly calculating risk or worrying about cross-contamination.

The atmosphere felt polished but comfortable, somewhere between a neighborhood bistro and a modern European café.

For dinner, I had:

• honey and walnut roasted beetroot with grilled Camembert

• rosemary-infused roast duck breast with French ratatouille

• chocolate praline cake with raspberry sorbet

• and an outstanding Hungarian Cabernet Franc

It remains one of the most memorable meals of the trip—not just because of the food itself, but because of how easy and relaxed the experience felt.

Múzsa

For cocktails, I highly recommend Múzsa, located inside the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. The cocktails felt less like drinks and more like small pieces of performance art, complete with elaborate presentation, custom glassware, scents, and storytelling from the bartenders. It easily became one of the most memorable cocktail experiences of the trip.

What I’d Do Differently

I would simply stay longer. Budapest felt like a city that deserved at least several additional days—not because I failed to see the major landmarks, but because the city itself felt rewarding to exist inside.

I also would have explored more neighborhoods beyond the central tourist areas and spent additional time in the thermal baths, which somehow never fully made it into my schedule despite being one of Budapest’s defining experiences.

Budapest reminded me how much timing matters in travel. Sometimes a city arrives exactly when you need its energy. And after Vienna, Budapest absolutely did that for me.

Final Thoughts: Budapest, Hungary

Budapest became one of the biggest surprises of my trip. It felt elegant yet approachable, historic yet lively, grand without feeling inaccessible.

The city bears visible layers of history and hardship, yet it also feels deeply alive—especially along the river, in cafés, and throughout Pest’s neighborhoods after dark.

More than anything, Budapest reminded me that travel experiences are shaped as much by human connection as by landmarks.

Sometimes what stays with you most isn’t the building, the viewpoint, or even the city. Sometimes it’s the unexpected conversation on a boat, the shared laughter with strangers, or the realization that independence doesn’t have to mean isolation.