Where to Stay in Budapest 2024

What is now Budapest used to be three different cities; Buda, Pest, and Obuda. So, the city is big and there are plenty of places to stay. But, if you’re visiting you won’t want to stay just anywhere, and looking for where to stay in Budapest can be overwhelming.

Budapest is one of my favorite cities.

I got recommendations from a local before I visited and it really helped!

I’ll share her knowledge and my experience to help you decide where to stay when you visit.

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Where to Stay in Budapest- District 1- Castle District

The castle district was the number one recommendation for where to stay. There are only a few hotels at the top of the hill but it’s worth it if you can find one.

You’ll find many of the things at the top of your Budapest bucket list in this district. You’re steps from Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and Buda Castle.

I loved that I could tour the attractions with others during the day. But, in the evening, it felt like I was in on a secret with the locals.

The monuments are lit up, the streets are quiet, and you feel like you have the city to yourself. It was my favorite time to be out.

Plus, the views of the Hungarian Parliament and other landmarks are spectacular.

The Hilton Budapest is incredible. The views are amazing and the rooms are incredibly comfortable. If you happen to have Hilton points I can highly recommend this hotel. If not, it’s a bit of a splurge but it was nice.

Staying in this part of the city means you’ll have to use public transportation more regularly than you would in other areas. You can walk up the hill but it’s steep.

Buses 16 and 16A run regularly and it never felt like I needed to wait a long time to get up the hill.

There are a few restaurants at the top of the hill but not many. You’ll want to consider eating in other parts of the city.

Where to Stay in Budapest- District 5 – By the water

The other area of the city to consider is staying just across the river near the parliament building. You’re near several of the attractions in a walkable part of the city.

Staying in this district means you can walk to most places and easily connect to others via public transit. This area of Budapest is filled with tourists but it’s also very easy to navigate.

If you’re less interested in views and want to pick a district for convenience this is the area to go for. This part of the city had some of my favorite restaurants.

I almost stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. It’s near so many restaurants!

To stay near the water look at the D8 Hotel.

Where to Stay in Budapest on a Budget

For a budget traveler, Budapest is a great pick! The city itself is affordable and is full of affordable hotels, too.

If you like hostels you’ll find multiple options. But, if you don’t want a hostel and still want an affordable hotel there are lots of options.

The Dormero Hotel gets great reviews, is in an excellent location, and is super affordable.

Where to Splurge in Budapest

There are several splurge options in Budapest.

In Buda, the Hilton I mentioned above is the best option.

The biggest splurges are in the Pest part of the city by the water.

There’s a Ritz Carlton, a 4 Seasons, and an Intercontinental. Each would provide an exceptional experience.

The Anantara New York Palace Budapest is another option worth considering.

Where to Stay in Budapest- Apartment Style

Luckily, most of the apartment-style hotels are also quite affordable and they’re in a good part of the city.

I love that apartment hotels provide options to cook your food or at least eat at your place for breakfast. It makes me feel like I get a little bit of an idea of what it would be like to live in a city.

The Maple Tree Budget Apartments or the Lonyay Street Apartments are a good place to start.

Enjoy Exploring Budapest

Budapest is such a fun city to explore. Enjoy soaking in the baths and exploring beautiful architecture and history.

Whether you have 1 day in Budapest or 4 days in Budapest you’ll love your trip! It’s an amazing city!

Head to Budapest for Christmas markets for a special experience!