Budapest could seem like an overwhelming city first, but you’ll quickly realize that it is a collection of neighborhoods that are very well connected. Each one of them has its own character and charm.
Should I stay in Buda or Pest?
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Buda is genteel, laid-back and green, dominated by the beauty of Budapest castle and Fisherman’s Bastion and perfect for couples and families. Pest on the other hand is energetic and vibrant, full of nightlife and buzz.
Budapest is organized into 23 districts stretching across Buda and Pest.
Buda
Both sides have a very different vibe today. Buda is genteel, laid-back and green, dominated by the beauty of Buda Castle with sandcastle-like Fisherman’s Bastion and the Statue of Liberty on the top of Gellert Hill. Perfect for couples or families, Buda is the calm, quiet, shy little brother.
What are the main districts on the Buda side?
- 1st District or Royal District 2nd District
- 3rd District or Óbuda (Old Buda)
- 11th District or Újbuda (New Buda)
Pest
On the other side, Pest is energetic, vibrant and raw, with a dynamic mix of areas that always keeps things lively. Pest is the commercial heart of Budapest, and also the heart of the city’s nightlife and dining scene with the Best restaurants in Budapest. Whichever side you fancy being part of, Danubius Hotels will get you covered with an extensive selection of 3,4 and 5 star Budapest hotels around the city. With best price guarantee you are also ensured you find the best value for your money regardless of your budget.
What are the main districts on the Pest side?
- 5th District or Downtown
- 6th District or Terézváros
- 7th District or Erzsébetváros
- 8th District or Józsefváros
- 9th District or Ferenváros
What district is Margaret Island in?
Margaret Island (Margitsziget) is an island on the Danube located in between Buda and Pest and could be accessed via Margaret (Margit) or Árpád híd. It used to be part of District XIII, but It is now directly administered by the Municipality of Budapest.
Overview of Budapest’s most exciting districts
The Royal District – 1st District
Why should I stay in the Royal District in Budapest?
- Stunning setting and Instagram-envy views with one of a kind architecture
- Peaceful and quiet after the tourist hours
- The best undisturbed evening walks
Why should I not stay in the Royal District in Budapest?
- Not the ideal choice for nightlife lovers
The Royal District is an upscale and charming part of the city. This is where we find Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church proudly towering over the capital. The views from here are some of the most instagrammable ones in the city.
During the day the Castle District is busy with tourists and government workers, however at night, it turns quiet quickly. If you’re looking for buzzing nightlife, you’ll likely to find this district a bit too calm. This is an area to stay for families with young kids, art and history lovers looking for peace and quiet. There is nothing more romantic than taking a walk on the Promenade in the sunshine then enjoy an ice-cold glass of wine in the most historic setting in the city.
If you wish to spoil yourself to a unique luxurious experience Hilton Budapest will do the job the for you. It will take you back to the ages of Kings and Queens right up in the heart of Buda Castle Royal District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The luxurious hotel offers its guests breath-taking panoramic views of the Danube both from their rooms and from their tables in the stylish LÁNG Bistro & Grill Restaurant.
Pro’s and Con’s of staying in this district
Pro’s
Stunning setting and instagram-envy views with one of a kind architecture
Peaceful and quiet after the tourist hours
The best undisturbed evening walks
Con’s
Not the ideal choice for nightlife lovers
Peaceful and slower than other districts
Downtown – 5th District
Why should I stay in the 5th District in Budapest?
- All the downtown buzz
- Great nightlife and close to main attractions
- Excellent variety of cafes and restaurants
Why should I not stay in the 5th District in Budapest?
- Could be too busy for those looking for a peaceful and quiet stay
- Higher price for accommodation
The 5th is a large district running alongside the Danube on the Pest side. It’s home to some of the city’s most popular and most impressive tourist attractions such as the spectacular Hungarian Parliament Building facing the Royal Palace on the opposite side. As are St Stephen’s Basilica, Shoes on the Danube monument as well as the stunning Chain Bridge. If you want to do some shopping while in Budapest, Fashion Street (Deák Ferenc u.) and Váci utca, both in the 5th, are the place to do it. The overall vibe here is upscale and elegant. The gorgeous boulevards and pretty squares feel extremely classy.
Pro’s and Con’s of staying in this district
Pro’s
All the downtown buzz
Great nightlife and close to main attractions
Excellent variety of cafes and restaurants
Con’s
Could be too busy for those looking for a peaceful and quiet stay
Higher price for accommodation
Our hotel recommendation in the 5th District
Hotel Astoria
Another 4-star gem is Hotel Astoria City Center that opened in 1914 as one of
the city’s most elegant hotels, and – over a century later – it stays true to that original character. Guests have always been attracted by its sublime fin-de-siècle architecture and comfortable rooms. And its location: a 10-minute walk from prime attractions like the Hungarian National Museum, the Great Synagogue (the largest in Europe), the Danube promenade and the famous Váci Street.
Hotel Erzsébet City Center
To further tighten the budget there are great
3-star options in the heart of the city such as Hotel Erzsébet. Whether you plan to do some sightseeing, browse
the shops or go out for a special meal, this place is a great starting point.
This modern, atmospheric hotel – occupying a recently pedestrianised street in the city centre – is popular among both business travellers and tourists exploring Budapest. It’s situated in the middle of bustling District 5, which is the capital’s business, commercial and cultural heartland.
Terezvaros – 6th District
Why should I stay in Terézváros in Budapest?
- Best shopping destination for luxury lovers
- Rich cultural life of the capital
- High end cafes and outstanding architecture
Why should I not stay in Terézváros in Budapest?
- Higher price for accommodation
- Busy avenues and continues buzz on the streets
Wishing to stay close to the beating heart of the city centre Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is an ideal choice for everyone who wants to explore the rich cultural life of the capital. The theatres, museums, restaurants and cafés located nearby guarantee that those interested in high-end entertainment will not be bored for a moment. The hotel is located near Western (Nyugati) Railway Station, just a few steps from Andrássy Avenue, and easily accessible by car or public transport.
Pro’s and Con’s of staying in this district
Pro’s
Best shopping destination for luxury lovers
Rich cultural life of the capital
High end cafes and outstanding architecture
Con’s
Higher price for accommodation
Busy avenues and continues buzz on the streets
Erzsebetvaros – 7th District
Why should I stay in Erzsébetváros in Budapest?
- Greatest area for nightlife and fun lovers
- Cool ruin pubs, bars and vibes, young, energetic crowed
- Craft beer and awesome street food
Why should I not stay in Erzsébetváros in Budapest?
- This part of the city never sleeps
- Always busy and loud
- Higher prices
The historic Jewish quarter, Budapest’s 7th District is the ultimate destination for pleasure seekers. In addition to being home to long-time residents and a small Jewish community, today it is Budapest’s nightlife centre. If ruin pubs, food truck pods, craft beer, and hipster coffee sound up right up your street, you’ll fall in love with this district immediately. Stay here if you prefer walking home after you danced away your problems or tried to best wines in town.
Pro’s and Con’s of staying in this district
Pro’s
Greatest area for nightlife and fun lovers
Cool ruin pubs, bars and vibes, young, energetic crowed
Craft beer and awesome street food
Con’s
This part of the city never sleeps
Always busy and loud
Higher prices
Ferencvaros – 9th District
Why should I stay in Ferencváros in Budapest?
- Great attractions such as Palace of Arts, National Theatre
- Best location for long, undisturbed walks alongside the Danube
- Original home of traditional craft beer
Why should I not stay in Ferencváros in Budapest?
- Slightly outside of the city centre
- Further from the main attractions
The 9th is as far south as you’ll get in Budapest, while still feeling relatively central. On its northern edge, it touches the 5th district along the Múzeum Körút, turning into the Palace District at Kálvin Tér. The 9th is home to the Great Market Hall, which sits on its northern border, and is still considered “downtown.” Beyond the Market, the Bálna (the “Whale”) building is a great destination on a nice day. Its terraces offer unobstructed views of the Danube and Gellért Hill, and there’s some good coffee, drinks, and food options. Müpa Budapest (formally known as the Palace of Arts) and the National Theatre, the Holocaust Museum, Trafó Arts Centre and Corvinus University are all to be found in the 9th. There’s also a fair selection of craft-beer bars in the 9th as Budapest’s craft beer trend started here.
Pro’s and Con’s of staying in this district
Pro’s
Great attractions such as Palace of Arts, National Theatre
Best location for long, undisturbed walks alongside the Danube
Original home of traditional craft beer
Con’s
Slightly outside of the city centre
Further from the main attractions
Újlipotvaros – 13th District
Why should I stay in Újlipótváros in Budapest?
- The beautiful Margitsziget is the best location for outdoor and sport lovers
- Best running tracks on the island or alongside the Danube
- Gorgeous views from Margit Bridge to both Parliament building and the Royal Castle
- The city’s best outdoor swimming pools are found on the island
Why should I not stay in Újlipótváros in Budapest?
- Due to its great features and location some part of the district is relatively expensive
The big draw of Budapest’s 13th district is Margitsziget (Margaret Island), a large island-park on the Danube. The island has lovely gardens, a water park and sports pool, a fountain, a mini zoo and a running track all around.
Because Margitsziget is such a huge draw for locals, this part of Budapest is a popular spot to live. Apartments here are snapped up quickly, and it has a pretty, residential vibe.
The inner section of the 13th, known as Újlipótváros, is the main part recommended for tourists. This part runs from Szent István krt. to Hungária körút. The closer to Szent István krt. you are, the more central it is. The area around Jászai Mari tér is very nice and super convenient with tramline 4 and 6 connecting the district to the main parts of the city.
The outer part of the district, known as Angyalföld, has much less to offer tourists. This is a working class district, and is quite far out of the city center for tourism.
Pro’s and Con’s of staying in this district
Pro’s
The beautiful Margitsziget is the best location for outdoor and sport lovers
Best running tracks on the island or alongside the Danube
Gorgeous views from Margit Bridge to both Parliament building and the Royal Castle
The city’s best outdoor swimming pools are found on the island
Con’s
Due to its great features and location some part of the district is relatively expensive
Where you should stay according your taste and interest
If you’re still wondering about Budapest’s best location to stay, here is a quick summary to make it easier for you to choose the ideal location based on your interest:
Budapest I – The Castle District: This district is great for travellers looking for peace, those with young kids who will be in bed early and couples looking for a romantic trip. Staying atop Castle Hill means you’ll have gorgeous views over the city, and can catch them early in the morning and late at night, when most of the tourists have already left. On the downside, this part of Budapest is a bit calmer and slower, so you’ll likely to have trouble finding much to do, other than dining out in nice restaurants.
Budapest V – Belváros: Budapest 5th district is perfect for pretty much everyone. It is the most upscale and beautiful district on the Pest side and with that it does come with a slightly higher price tag than other areas in Pest.
Budapest VI – Terézváros: To the south and west of Budapest 7th District, we find the gorgeous State Opera House, the high-end pedestrianised area along Liszt Ferenc tér, and the junction with Budapest 5th and 7th district at the very central Deák Ferenc Tér. This area is a great option for any type of traveler, but it’s worth checking what the right part of the neighbourhood is based on your own travel style and budget.
Budapest VII – Erzsébetváros: Budapest 7th district is a great option for those who are interested in Budapest’s famous nightlife, especially in the ruin bar scene. While there are plenty of places to stay in the 7th that are quiet, it’s the liveliest district with its buzzing bars and trendy restaurants to enjoy. The area is also the former Budapest ghetto; prior to WWII, there was a large Jewish community in this district making this a great area to stay in Budapest for those interested in Jewish history and heritage.
Budapest IX – Ferencváros: If you want to stay in an area with only a few tourists and lots of locals, consider staying in the inner part of the 9th district, which also happens to be known for all its craft beer bars. This is a great part of the inner city to stay if you are on a tighter budget, or if you’re looking to live like a local in Budapest. Due to its craft beer bars, it’s also a good district for those who enjoy low-key nightlife focused on long, friendly conversations alongside tasty drinks.
Budapest XIII – Újlipótváros and Angyalföld: Another ‘live like a local’ part of the city, the 13th is a great option for young families and couples. As Margaret Island is found in this district, it’s a great place to stay in the summer if you plan on spending lots of time outdoors.
Things to do in Budapest
Budapest welcomes everyone regardless of age, gender, money or relationship status. It will spoil you with its beauty, its wonderful food and wine, long walks and even longer summer nights. There are so many things you could do in the city in any given time, but if you don’t know where to start, here is our article about Fun Things to do in Budapest for Couples, Singles, Stag Do
Budapest city breaks
For a memorable short break, the Hungarian capital is a must-see. Budapest has been on the „Top Ten Cities in the World to see” list for years. No wonder this amazing city in the heart of is a preferred destination for many. Its eclectic architecture, great monuments, buzzling cultural life, great cuisine and world-famous spas will surely capture your heart.
Whether you plan to stay for the weekend or for a midweek break, you will surely find great accommodation at a reasonable price in one of our centrally located hotels in Budapest. Choose one of Danubius Hotels’ great Budapest city break deals!
What districts in Budapest should I avoid?
Budapest is a very safe city so you should not need to avoid any districts. For tourists we highly recommend the above-mentioned districts as these are the most exciting to visit.
How many days should I stay for in Budapest?
You should plan at least 3 days in Budapest to ensure you have enough time to visit the most exciting sites. Don’t know where to start? Here is The Best Itinerary for 3 days in Budapest.
Is it easy to get around in Budapest?
Getting around Budapest is easy and affordable as the city has a great tram, metro and bus network. It is also accessible by foot which is great news for tourists. It is understandable that you want to stay in the best area based on your preferences and sometimes it is difficult to find enough information to decide without any regrets.
Our guide is the only thing you need to make your booking with confidence and make the most out of your stay.
Budapest welcomes everyone regardless of age, gender, money or relationship status. It will spoil you with its beauty, its wonderful food and wine, long walks and even longer summer nights. Wherever you decide to stay, your visit will surely be a one to remember.
