Where to Stay in Budapest for First-Time Visitors

I grew up in Budapest, and if it’s your first time visiting the city, I recommend staying in District V on the Pest side. Pest has so much to offer. Most of the attractions are on the Pest side, and there are also lots of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. In case you want to go over to Buda, you can even just cross across one of the bridges.

Buda is the quieter side of the city, and I think it’s better to stay here if you have already visited Budapest before or if you are looking for a quiet stay. Nevertheless, each area has something to offer, it just depends on what you prefer!

Quick Overview: Best Areas in Budapest

Where to Stay in Budapest Map

Budapest is split into two sides by the River Danube: Buda and Pest. Buda is the wealthier part of the city, and it is more quiet. Pest has most of the attractions, things to do, and has great nightlife.

For staying in Pest, the best areas are District V, VI, and VII. Some of the districts are big, and the best areas within each districts are the ones that fall inside the Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút). Any areas outside the Grand Boulevard is a bit too far, so if it’s your first time in Budapest, it’s better to stay closer to the city center.

As for Buda, I recommend staying in the Castle District (District I). It’s the more upscale part of the city, and is best if you are looking for a quieter stay.

Best Places to Stay in Budapest

District V – Belváros & Lipótváros (Downtown, Pest Side)

District V is downtown Budapest, the most central part of the city. It’s one of the best places to stay in Budapest if it’s your first-time visiting the city as it’s close to many famous attractions. There are also lots of cafes and restaurants in the area.

I love District V because you can walk to the Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica. It’s also just a short walk to the Danube Promenade with awesome views of the river and Buda. You can even walk to the Margaret Island which is a small oasis away from the busy city.

The Váci Shopping Street and the Vörösmarty Square are also located here. The Vörösmarty Square holds one of the biggest Christmas Markets in Budapest in the winter. While, the Váci Shopping Street is the main shopping street in Budapest with lots of brands, including budget and luxury brands.

Practically, you can get to the River Danube from anywhere in District V in a few minutes. Many of the cruises also leave from this area, so if you go on a river cruise in Budapest, the departure point would be nearby.

From the riverbank, you can walk across the Chain Bridge to the Buda side of the city. It’s a pretty nice walk, and whenever I am back home, I always like to go for a walk in this area and cross the bridge over to Buda. After crossing the bridge, it’s just a few minutes up to the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion.

If you don’t want to walk, it’s best to take a taxi using Uber or Bolt. Otherwise, the public transport is also good in Budapest, and District V is well-connected to other areas of the city.

I recommend staying in District V if it’s your first time in Budapest and want to be close to the major attractions in the city. It’s the best place to visit the Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Shoes on the Danube, Margaret Island, or even to walk over to Buda.

Some of the attractions that are further out from the city (Heroes’ Square, Széchenyi Baths) can be reached by taxi or public transport.

District VI – Terézváros (Pest Side)

District VI is also a great place to stay in Budapest for first-timers. I would say the district can be divided into two parts: one is the inner part of the district which is inside the Grand Boulevard (Nagykörút), and another part which is outside the boulevard. It’s important that you stay on the part inside the boulevard.

The inner part of the district is very central, close to the city center and major attractions. There are lots of cafes, restaurants and shops. Major attractions are also in walking distance, such as the St. Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament, Hungarian State Opera, and even the River Danube.

The outer part of the district (outside the boulevard) is more residential. It’s mostly a quiet part of the city with private homes. It’s not known for its restaurant or bar scene, but it can be the perfect place if you are looking for a quiet stay. The outer part of the district is close to attractions like the Heroes’ Square, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, and museums (Museum of Fine Arts, Hall of Arts).

If you stay on the inner side of the District VI, it’s almost like staying in central Budapest in District V. Lots of attractions are in walking distance, so it’s a great place for first-time visitors.

I lived in this inner part of the district for a few months one time, and had the best time. It was close to lots of places and I could just walk almost anywhere in a few minutes. Whenever I had to go to a place further away, I would just take the public transport as it’s well-connected to other areas in the city.

District VII – Jewish Quarter/Erzsébetváros (Pest Side)

Just like District VI, District VII in Budapest also has a part that is inside the Grand Boulevard and another part that’s outside the boulevard. It’s best to stay in the area which is inside the boulevard as it is more central and lively.

District VII is known for its nightlife, and all the bars and restaurants are located in the area inside the boulevard. Budapest is famous for its ruin bars, and they are also located in this area. Many hostels are located here so it’s the best area for budget accommodation and meeting new people. It’s the best area for a night out in the city, so I recommend staying here if you just want to live it up in the city.

The Great Synagogue is also located in District VII, as well as the New York Cafe, which is often referred to as the most beautiful cafe in the world.

The outer part of the district is more a residential area. As it’s a bit further out, you can get more budget-friendly accommodation here. This area is close to the City Park, Heroes’ Square, and museums (Museum of Ethnography, House of Music, Museum of Fine Arts).

The Paprika Restaurant, one of the most popular restaurants serving traditional Hungarian food, is also located here in the far edge of the District VII.

Overall, the inner part of District VII is still very central, and you can walk to the Basilica in around 15 minutes, the Danube bank in around 20 minutes, and the Parliament in around 30 minutes. Public transport is also well-connected in Budapest if you prefer not to walk everywhere.

If I had to stay in District VII, I would definitely book a stay in the inner part of the District (Jewish Quarter) as it is close to lots of amenities. The outer part of the district is more residential and not that central, with less amenities.

The best things to do in the inner part of District VII is to hang out at the ruin bars (Instant, Szimpla Kert), have coffee at the New York Cafe, and visit the Great Synagogue.

District I – Castle District (Buda Side)

The Castle District in Buda is the historic part of Budapest, and it is also the wealthier part of the city. The major attractions located here are the Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matthias Church. I love walking around this place, it’s got cute restaurants and cobblestone streets, making it feel like you went back in time.

It is a quieter part of Budapest, and most of the shops and restaurants close earlier than the ones on the Pest side. So, I recommend staying in the Castle District if you are looking for a more peaceful stay, and not keen on busy nightlife. Also, if you have already visited Budapest before and stayed on the Pest side, then it can be a nice change to stay on the Buda side and experience Budapest from a different perspective.

The Castle District is close to Pest, and you can even walk over the bridge to the Pest side. However, if you are staying in Buda for a couple of days, it might get tiring to have to get over to Pest every day. So, if you want to stay close to all the attractions, it is better to stay on the Pest side, and just go over to Buda for a day once to explore the area.

The Castle District is on a small hill, and you can get epic views of the city. There are also some great hotels with a river view in this area overlooking the Danube and the Parliament.

To be honest, if it was my first time visiting Budapest, I wouldn’t stay on the Buda side. While this part of the city is really charming with its architecture, it’s also less central. I would only stay in the Castle District if I had already visited Budapest before and was looking for a quieter stay. Otherwise, I would book a stay in District V on the Pest side, and just go over to visit Buda for a day.

Other Places to Stay in Budapest

District IX – Ferencváros (Pest side)

District IX is also an option to stay in Budapest. The district is pretty big, and I only recommend staying in the part which is inside the Grand Boulevard. The outer part of the district is far away from the city center and there is not much to do there.

The inner part of the district is close to lots of attractions, but you would have to take the public transport or taxi to get around the city. The inner part is close to the Central Market Hall (biggest market in Budapest), and it is also close to the River Danube. But to get to the Parliament or St. Stephen’s Basilica, you’d have to take the public transport.

In this area, there are also some cool hotels with a river view. Some of the hotels are right by the riverbank, and you get nice views overlooking the river and Buda (including the Buda Castle). I recommend staying at the Intercontinental Hotel for the best views.

Some of the river cruises also depart from this area. So, if you are booking a river cruise, check where it departs from, and you can even stay close to the departure point.

District VIII – Palace District (Pest side)

Staying in District VIII is also an option, but make sure to stay in the area that’s within the Grand Boulevard.

District VIII has had a notorious reputation for being the least safe district in Budapest, but the area close to the city center has undergone major development in the last few years and it is now safe to stay at.

The major attraction in the district is the Hungarian National Museum, but you’d have to take a taxi or public transport to reach other places like the Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square or to go over to Buda.

The least safe area in the district is around Kálvária Square, so don’t book a stay there. It’s been one of the poorest areas in Budapest, with a bad reputation of petty theft. Locals don’t want to live here or walk around this area in daylight, let alone nighttime, so it’s best to avoid.

Budapest Safety Tips

Budapest is generally very safe, including for solo female travelers. The only area I would avoid is Kálvária Square in District VIII, but otherwise all areas are safe, even at night.

I have gone out in Budapest many times, and went back home alone as a woman, and never had any issues. Nevertheless, you should remain cautious as you would anywhere else. Watch out for your valuables in crowded places (bars, public transport), and if you go back to your hotel late night, make sure to stick to well-lit streets.

Still, you never know what may go wrong, and I always like to get travel insurance for my trips. My go-to insurance is SafetyWing. It’s an affordable travel insurance covering emergency medical and dental care, as well as lost luggage and stolen items.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Final Tips on Where to Stay in Budapest for First-Time Visitors

I grew up in Budapest, and considering the neighbourhoods, if it was my first time visiting the city, I would stay in District V. It’s the most central part of Budapest, and you can walk to many of the famous attractions (Parliament, Shoes on the Danube, Basilica), and you can even walk across to Buda. If you want to go to places further away (Heroes’ Square, Széchenyi Thermal Baths), the public transport is easy to use or you can also take a taxi.

Because District V is very central, most of the accommodation is also a bit pricier. If you are looking for better prices, the inner areas of District VI and VII have more options.

For a first visit to Budapest, it’s better to stay on the Pest side, as you can reach the attractions more easily. You can take a taxi or public transport over to the Buda side, and explore that area for a day.