Where to Stay in Budapest: Best Areas & Hotels
I was born and raised in Budapest, and I am probably biased, but I always found Budapest to be one of the best cities in Europe. It is beautiful and there are so many cool things to do!
When deciding where to stay in Budapest, you should consider your preferences, whether you want to stay in an area close to historic landmarks, bars, or if you are looking for a quiet place away from the crowds.
Some of the best areas to stay in Budapest are Districts 5, 6, and 7 on the Pest side and District 1 on the Buda side. These areas are safe for travelers, centrally located, close to famous landmarks, and have many restaurants and bars.
The 3 Best Hotels in Budapest
📍 Best Budget Hotel: Maverick Budapest Soho
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Three Corners Downtown Hotel
📍 Best Luxury Hotel: Matild Palace
Where to Stay in Budapest: Buda or Pest?
The River Danube flows through Budapest and splits the city into two parts: Buda and Pest. It is an age-old battle among Budapest residents on which side is better: Buda or Pest?
Buda is the more upscale part of the city. The Castle District is located here with the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion. It is a quiet, beautiful part of the city, but it doesn’t have a nightlife like Pest.
The downtown area of Pest is full of famous attractions, restaurants, bars, and things to do. Downtown Pest is a great place if you want to stay close to historic landmarks and also enjoy the nightlife of the city.
The public transport in Budapest is extensive, well-connected and safe, so even if you stay in Buda, you can easily get to the Pest side.
Map of Best Districts to Stay in Budapest
The best districts to stay in Budapest are District 5 (Downtown/Belváros), District 6 (Terézváros), and District 7 (Erzsébetváros) on the Pest side, and District 1 (Buda Castle Hill) on the Buda side.
If I was visiting Budapest, I would book a place in District 5. It is close to the Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, bars, restaurants, and you can also walk across the Chain Bridge and then up to the Buda Castle District.
Best Areas to Stay in Budapest (+ Hotels)
District 5: Belváros (Downtown) & Lipótváros
- Best for: first-time visitors, walking distance to main attractions, next to River Danube, option to walk across to Buda
District 5 in Budapest is simply the best place to stay in Budapest! It is located right in the city center, next to the River Danube, and there are many famous attractions in the area.
District 5 is safe and it is a great area to stay to be in close walking distance of many historic attractions. It is right next to the River Danube which a great place for walks and to see the sunset.
The most famous places in Budapest’s District 5 are the Parliament, Shoes on the Danube, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Erzsébet Square (with the Ferris Wheel), Deák Ferenc shopping street, and the Vörösmarty Square (hosts events on holidays, such as Christmas markets).
From District 5, you can also walk across to Buda and visit places such as the Buda Castle or Fisherman’s Bastion. Don’t worry, in case you get tired, the public transport in Budapest is safe and reliable.
You can also find many restaurants, cafes and bars in District 5, so overall, this district has all the amenities to make it a perfect stay in Budapest!
Best Hotels in District 5, Budapest:
✅ Best Budget Hotel: Maverick Downtown
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel: Three Corners Downtown Hotel
✅ Best High-End Hotel: Matild Palace
District 6: Terézváros
- Best for: mix of both lively city center and a more quiet, residential area.
District 6 is called Terézváros and it is also a great option when looking for a place to stay in Budapest.
District 6 can be divided into two parts: one which is in the city center and has a lot of bars and restaurants, and another part which is more residential.
The area in District 6 in the city center is up to Teréz körüt (boulevard), which is pretty central and has many bars and restaurants. It has famous places like the State Opera, House of Terror, and Nagymező street which is known for its many bars.
The other part of District 6 is from Teréz Boulevard to Heroes Square, and it is a more residential area. It is still pretty close to the city center and you can take the Metro Line 1 (yellow line) to get you to the city center.
If you stay in the more residential area of District 6, it is great if you are looking for a quieter place to stay. It is also close to the Heroes Square, City Park and the Széchenyi Thermal Bath.
The residential area of District 6 is great for families looking for a relaxed stay, but still close to the city center. While the inner part of District 6 is great if you want to be close to the bars.
Best Hotels in District 6, Budapest:
✅ Best Budget Hotel: Avenue Hostel
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Moments Budapest
✅ Best High-End Hotel: W Budapest
District 1: Buda Castle District
- Best for: travelers looking for a relaxed stay, away from nightlife
District 1 is the posh, wealthier part of Budapest, and is known for historic places such as the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion.
While the tourist attractions can get busy during the day, in general, it is quieter in the evenings. You can still find many restaurants and some pubs in the area, but it is not the place for a pub crawl.
Nevertheless, District 1 is a beautiful place to stay in Budapest. It is a great choice for families, travelers who have been to Budapest before, and travelers who are looking for a more relaxed holiday.
District 1 is still central, and if you are up for a walk, you can even walk across the Chain Bridge to Pest. It is located right next to the River Danube and it is great to walk along the river.
You also get one of the most beautiful views of the Parliament from the Buda side. Go to Batthyány Square, from where you have the best views of the Parliament, great views both day and evening!
Best Hotels in District 1, Budapest:
District 1 is a posh area in Budapest, so it has mostly high-end hotels (no budget hostels).
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel: Maison Bistro and Hotel
✅ Best High-End Hotel: Hilton Budapest
District 7: Erzsébetváros
- Best for: nightlife, restaurants
District 7 is called Erzsébetváros and it is a great place for nightlife and restaurants! District 7 can be split into two parts which have slightly different amenities.
The part of District 7 which is closer to the city center is the Jewish Quarter. It is a fun place to be with many ruin bars, cafes, restaurants and vintage shops. You can also find the Great Synagogue here, which is the biggest synagogue in Europe.
The other part of District 7 which is a bit further out from the city center is more residential. There are still many restaurants and bars in the area but the further out you go, the more residential it gets.
When choosing where to stay in District 7, it is up to you whether you want to be close to nightlife or in a quieter place.
The part of District 7 which is furthest from the city center is close to the City Park and the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, that are great places to relax and recharge.
Best Hotels in District 7, Budapest:
✅ Best Budget Hotel: Maverick Budapest Soho
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Memories Budapest
✅ Best High-End Hotel: Anantara New York Palace
Other Areas to Stay in Budapest
District 13: Újlipótváros
Újlipótváros in District 13 is a cool place to stay if you are looking for a place in a more relaxed, less touristy part of Budapest. It is right next to the River Danube, close to the Margaret Island and the Parliament.
It is more residential but still has many nice restaurants. The great thing is that it is not too far from the city center and can be reached quickly and easily by public transport or taxi.
Újlipótváros is a good option if you want to stay in a place which is more of a local area, not full of tourists, but still has many amenities for a nice stay in Budapest.
District 8: Palace District
District 8 is generally considered as the least safe neighbourhood in Budapest. Nevertheless, the district has undergone a lot of development in recent years and the areas near the city center are safe.
The Palace District (“Palotanegyed” in Hungarian) of District 8 is in the city center of Budapest and has always been a safe and good place to stay.
The Palace District is centrally located and is in walking distance to places such as the Central Market Hall, Jewish Quarter (including the Great Synagogue, and ruin bars), or you can even walk across to Buda.
The public transport in Budapest is well-connected and taking the trams, metro or bus is a good option to get around faster.
The places in District 8 that are far from the city center (around Kálvária Square) are the areas best to avoid as those are still considered unsafe.
Safety Tips for Visiting Budapest
Budapest is a safe city, even for solo female travelers. I have always felt safe in Budapest but you should remain cautious. The most common crime in Budapest is pickpocketing, so look after your valuables, especially in crowded places.
Even though Budapest is safe, you never know what might go wrong. Whenever I go on a trip, I always get travel insurance to be on the safe side.
My go-to travel medical insurance is SafetyWing, they offer affordable insurance and you can purchase it even after you have already started your trip.
SafetyWing’s Essential Plan is perfect if you are visiting Budapest for a few days. They cover emergency medical treatment, lost luggage, travel delays and more! If you plan to stay in Budapest long-term, its Complete Plan is the best option as it covers routine care as well.
FAQs: Where to Stay in Budapest
Which is the best part of Budapest to stay in?
The best part of Budapest to stay in is the District 5 as it the most centrally located, have lots of amenities, and is in walking distance of the most famous landmarks in Budapest.
Where to stay in Budapest for first time visitors?
For first-time visitors in Budapest, the best place to stay is District 5 which the most central, downtown area in the city. It has everything from restaurants, cafes, and is in close walking distance to the most famous attractions.
Where to stay in Budapest for nightlife?
The best place to stay in Budapest for nightlife is District 5, and the inner city parts of Districts 6 and 7. These areas have many pubs, bars, ruin bars and restaurants which make staying in these areas a great night out.
What is the best place to stay in Budapest for a stag do?
The best place to stay in Budapest for a stag do is the inner city part of District 7, including the area in and around the Jewish Quarter. The inner city part of District 7 has many bars, clubs and restaurants, so it is a great place for stag dos and night outs in general. Some of the famous ruin bars are also located here, such as Szimpla Kert and Instant.
Where to stay in Budapest near the airport?
For hotels at the Budapest Airport, I recommend the Ibis Styles or TRIBES hotels. They are right by the airport, maximum 5 minutes’ walk away, and offer comfortable rooms.
If you have a long layover, I recommend staying at the Hotel Stáció. It has a swimming pool, spa, massage, jacuzzi and sauna – the best airport hotel to rejuvenate!
My Final Tips on Where to Stay in Budapest
Overall, the best areas to stay in Budapest are Districts 5, 6, and 7 on the Pest side and District 1 in Buda. These areas are safe for travelers, located centrally, close to famous attractions, restaurants, and bars.
When deciding where to stay in Budapest, you should consider your preferences, whether you want to stay in an area close to historic attractions, bars and pubs, or in a peaceful, quiet area.
For first-time visitors, I recommend staying in District 5 which is the most central, downtown area in Budapest. It has everything from historic attractions to restaurants, and from cafes to bars.
For families or travelers looking for a quieter holiday, I recommend staying near the Buda Castle in District 1. It is still central, has beautiful landmarks but the evenings are more peaceful than the busy Pest downtown.
To make a hotel booking, online hotel booking sites work well in Budapest, and I recommend Booking.com as one of the best sites for booking accommodation.
➡️ Book the Three Corners Downtown Hotel: comfy hotel located in Downtown Budapest close to the major attractions. It also has a sauna and fitness center, so perfect for a relaxing holiday!
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