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?
I’ve stayed on both sides of the river, so here’s my honest take.
The short answer: choose Pest if you want to be in the thick of things, close to most of the sights on your Budapest itinerary. Choose Buda for quieter surroundings, castle views and a more residential feel. Both sides give you easy access to the city, but Budapest is more walkable from Pest.
I have a favourite (spoiler: it’s Buda), but the best area for you depends entirely on what you’re after. Read on.
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Where to Stay in Budapest at a Glance
| 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 |
Where to Stay in Buda
What Buda has going for it
It’s on the doorstep of Castle Hill
This is Budapest’s historic heart, home to the Fishermen’s Bastion, Buda Castle and Matthias Church, one of my favourite churches in Europe. It’s also where you’ll find the Budapest History Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery. Good news for those who want the Géllert Baths experience: they’re on this side of the river too.
The views are exceptional
Buda is where you come for panoramic views of Budapest, including those iconic shots from Géllert Hill and Fishermen’s Bastion. And you don’t need to trek up Castle Hill for unforgettable views; just walking along the riverbank will do the trick.
It’s peaceful after dark
After the museums and churches close for the evening, Buda settles into a quiet, non-touristy rhythm. I loved that about it. You’ll still find restaurants within easy reach of most hotels, but don’t expect a buzzing nightlife scene.
Think twice about Buda 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 the Parliament Building from my bedroom window. As well as its great location, my room was spacious and the staff were super friendly.
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.
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.
Where to Stay in Pest
What Pest has going for it
Most of Budapest’s big attractions are here
As lovely and iconic as the Castle District is, many of Budapest’s tourist attractions are on the Pest side. These include St. Stephen’s Basilica, the unmissable Dohány Street Synagogue, the Hungarian Parliament Building and the UNESCO-listed Andrássy Avenue, the city’s main shopping boulevard.
The city is walkable from here
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.
The nightlife scene is unbeatable
Budapest is famous for its ruin bars, and the best of them are in Pest’s Jewish Quarter. If you want to be at the centre of it all, this is your side of the river.
The food scene is excellent
In keeping with Pest’s lively and cosmopolitan vibe, there are more restaurants than you can shake a stick at.
Think twice about Pest if you want …
Where to stay in Pest
TG Hotel Suites Budapest – I stayed in this large and stylish apartment here on my most recent trip. It was a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Basilica and on the doorstep of several restaurants and cafes. Great value for the location.
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 a hammam.
Asbóth Taylor Apartment – If you are looking for self-catering accommodation close to Budapest’s Jewish Quarter and ruin bars, one of these apartments could be for you. They are huge and have well-equipped kitchens with a washing machine and dryer.
So, Is It Better to Stay in Buda or Pest?
It depends on what kind of trip you’re after.
As a solo traveller in my 50s, I prioritise a decent night’s sleep over a late-night bar crawl, so Buda suits me perfectly. It felt safer at night, the neighbourhood was calm, and the riverside setting is hard to beat.
That said, I had the bad luck of staying in Pest on a weekend, when the city is at its liveliest (think Stag Party Central). The noise outside my window continued until 5 am.
But if you’d asked my 25-year-old self where she’d want to stay? Pest, without question. She’d have been one of those late-night revellers.
Planning your Budapest trip? My two-day Budapest itinerary covers the highlights on both sides of the river. I visited Budapest as part of an Interrail trip through Central and Eastern Europe. If you’re planning something similar, you might also find my guides to one day in Bratislava and spending Christmas in Vienna useful.
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.