The grey-green waters of the mighty River Danube dissect Budapest into two distinct districts: Buda and Pest. But is it better to stay in Buda or Pest?
In the interests of research, I stayed on both sides of the river during my most recent visit to Hungary’s capital and I am excited to share my first-hand experiences.
In a nutshell, pick Pest if you want to be in the thick of things; Buda offers a more tranquil stay. Both sides of the river offer easy access to the city’s top attractions but the city is more walkable from Pest.
I have my favourite side of Budapest (psst! … it’s Buda) but what is right for me may not be the best choice for you. Get the lowdown on where to stay in Budapest in this guide where I weigh up the pros and cons of Buda vs Pest.
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Buda and Pest: The Two Sides of Budapest
In 1873, Buda and Pest were united with a smaller third city, Óbuda, to form Budapest.
Buda, its Old Town, is on the river’s west bank. Pest is to the east and is the city’s vibrant 19th-century commercial centre with the landmark State Parliament building and wide boulevards.
Staying in Buda vs Pest in a Nutshell
| BUDA | PEST |
|---|---|
| – Close to Budapest’s historic heart – Fabulous city views – Tranquil and residential | – Close to many of Budapest’s tourist attractions – In the heart of the city’s nightlife – Wide choice of restaurants and bars |
| Where to stay – Park Plaza Hotel – Monastery Boutique Hotel – Boutique Hotel Victoria | Where to stay – TG Hotel Suites Budapest – Dorothea Hotel – Asbóth Taylor Apartment |
Staying in Buda
Why You Should Stay in Buda
It’s on the doorstep of Castle Hill
This district is Budapest’s historic heart and home to the Fishermen’s Bastion, Buda Castle and Matthias Church, one of my favourite churches in Europe. As the location of some of Budapest’s best museums, including the Budapest History Museum and Hungarian National Gallery, it’s perfect for culture vultures.
This is also the right side of town for soaking in the thermal waters of the famous Géllert Baths.
You’ll be treated to some of the best views of Budapest
This is where you come for panoramic views of Budapest, including those iconic shots from Géllert Hill and Fishermen’s Bastion. And you don’t have to climb up Castle Hill for unforgettable views; just walking along the riverbank will do the trick.
It’s a quiet and largely residential district
I loved the tranquil and non-touristy feel of Buda after the museums and churches of Castle Hill shut their doors for the night. That said, you shouldn’t struggle to find somewhere to eat within walking distance of your hotel.
Think twice if you want …
Where to stay in Buda
Park Plaza Hotel
I would stay at this Radisson hotel again purely for the unforgettable view of the river and Parliament Building from my bedroom window. As well as its great location, my room was spacious and the staff were super friendly.
>>> CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY HERE
Monastery Boutique Hotel
Other travellers have highly rated this gorgeous 4-star hotel. Like the Park Plaza Hotel, it’s in a superb location, one block from the river.
>>> CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY HERE
Boutique Hotel Victoria
This hotel is another fabulous choice and sits at the foot of Buda Castle. Rooms have those river views to die for.
>>> CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY HERE
Staying in Pest
Why You Should Stay in Pest
To be close to many of Budapest’s tourist attractions
As lovely and as popular as the Castle District is, many of Budapest’s tourist attractions are on the Pest side of the city. These attractions include St. Stephen’s Basilica, the unmissable Dohány Street Synagogue, the Hungarian Parliament Building and many more.
Shopaholics won’t be disappointed either. Pest is the location of the UNESCO-listed Andrassy Utca, the city’s prime shopping location.
Most places should be walkable
As many of Budapest’s star attractions are concentrated in a small area of Pest, you should be able to see most of the city on foot. For more far-flung places, Budapest’s user-friendly public transport system is easy to use.
It’s in the heart of the city’s nightlife
Stay in Pest if you want to experience Budapest’s legendary nightlife. This includes the city’s famous ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter.
Wide choice of restaurants
In keeping with Pest’s lively and cosmopolitan vibe, there are more restaurants than you can shake a stick at.
Think twice if you want …
Where to stay in Pest
TG Hotel Suites Budapest
I stayed in this large and stylish apartment. It was a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Basilica, on the doorstep of several restaurants and cafes.
>>> CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY HERE
Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection
This 5-star hotel, close to the Hungarian National Museum and Parliament Building, has attracted stellar reviews. It offers a range of elegant rooms and suites and offers a hammam.
>>> CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY HERE
Asbóth Taylor Apartment
If you are looking for self-catering accommodation close to Budapest’s Jewish Quarter and ruins bars, one of these apartments could be for you. They are huge and have well-equipped kitchens with a washing machine and dryer.
>>> CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY HERE
Is It Better to Stay in Buda or Pest?
In choosing where to stay in Budapest, it is horses for courses.
As a midlife solo traveller, I value safety and a decent night’s sleep over bar crawling. I preferred staying in Buda for these reasons.
As a more residential area, Buda felt safer at night and my riverside neighbourhood was calm and pretty.
I had the misfortune of staying in Pest at the weekend when the city is at its liveliest (think Stag Party Central). Raucous behaviour on the streets outside my window continued until 5 am.
But if I asked my 25-year-old self if she wanted to stay in Buda or Pest, she would have plumped for Pest. She would have been one of those late-night revellers.
Thank you for reading about where to stay in Budapest
I hope this helps you decide if Buda or Pest is right for you. Whichever side of the Danube you choose, have a fabulous time in this beautiful city.
I last visited Budapest as a solo traveller on an Interrail trip through Central and Eastern Europe. If you have found this review useful and need help with planning where to go next, take a look at my other articles:
AUSTRIA: Discover where Mozart lived and worked in Salzburg and plan a Christmas vacation in Vienna. Have the best day in Feldkirch, one of Austria’s hidden gems, and take a day trip to Liechtenstein, exploring Vaduz.
CZECHIA (CZECH REPUBLIC): Be inspired by my Brno itineraries and take a day trip to the South Moravia vineyards.
SLOVAKIA: Find out how to spend a day in Bratislava and why you should visit Slovakia’s capital. Discover what to do in Košice, and spend one day in Bardejov, a UNESCO gem.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.