When it comes to picking your neighborhood, you’ve got plenty of options depending on what sort of atmosphere you want. Budapest is a city divided (it was originally three cities Buda, Óbuda – also part of Buda and Pest) by the river Danube and spanned at several points by beautiful bridges
Staying in Pest
Pest, the Eastern half of the city, is considered the downtown, and where you’ll find a lot of the liveliest bars, best restaurants, and most interesting sights. The 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th districts tend to be where most people stay and consequently have the most availability, but also the highest prices. Those looking to get ‘off-the-beaten-track’ will be interested in the 8th or 13th districts which are set a little back from the center and retain their original architectural charm.
Staying in Buda
Meanwhile, the Buda side of the city, which includes and surrounds the idyllic Castle District, offers you the chance to enjoy a more local atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle brought by tourists and packed with bars, eateries, and accommodation that suit a more modest budget.
Yes, you’ll need to come back across the river to see most of the city’s sights, but Budapest’s travel network happens to be extensive and well organized. The 11th and 12th districts are the most active, while the 2nd and 3rd districts are nice to walk around, but tend to be residential and a bit deserted at night. Just bear in mind, wherever you end up, you might have to walk up and down a few hills.
Our favorite hotels in the city
There are lots of great hotels in Budapest and we have a dedicated page to all these wonderful properties with detailed information about each hotels. Depending on your budget, you can choose from cheaper boutique hotels to more expensive luxury properties. For a budget option, look into Brody House, Hotel Rum and Hotel Moments, while if you’re looking for more expensive hotels, you’ll love Aria Hotel, the Four Seasons or the Ritz-Carlton. Click here to check out our full list of recommended hotels.