BudapestCapital
Hungary · Country profile
Budapest is the pairing of two old cities split by the Danube: the hilly, castle-crowned Buda side and the flat, palace-lined Pest side, bound together by a chain of bridges. The Hungarian Parliament, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the castle hill dominate the classic picture, while the Great Synagogue, the neo-renaissance state opera and the ruin bars of the old district layer the city’s many eras. The thermal baths, the Széchenyi and the Gellért, float above the hot springs of the city’s Roman, Turkish and Habsburg past. Across the river the grand boulevards, cafés and markets of Pest keep the energy high. Warm, affordable and endlessly cultural, Budapest rewards slow mornings at the baths and long evenings along the river.
About Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. The city's documented population is around 1,686,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF) and Hungarian is spoken; the dialling code is +36. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
Two Banks of the Danube and a Bathhouse Culture
Budapest is a broad, grand city that splits its personality across the two banks of the Danube. Buda rises in hills, palaces and quiet streets; Pest spreads flat in boulevards, cafés, markets and an energetic nightlife. It is a city to take slowly: the baths, the river cruises, the ruin bars and the long dinners make the days blend into the nights. The whole thing is walkable in stretches, the metro and trams fill the gaps, and the prices are gentle. The scale is big and romantic without feeling rushed, and the highlight of the visit is rarely a single monument but the sum of the river views, the steam rooms and the evenings out.
Thermal Baths, Ruin Bars and Booking the Big Nights
Book the Széchenyi baths and the parliament tours ahead; both sell out in high season, and the baths’ tickets drop in price on weekdays and evenings. The forint is the currency and cards work everywhere, though a little cash helps at the markets. Summer is hot and lively, winter is cold but beautiful, and the thermal baths work in every season. The river cruise is brilliant at dusk, when the bridges and the parliament light up; book a daytime walk on the Buda side instead if the evenings are booked. The metro line under Andrássy Avenue is the city’s most atmospheric ride. Learn a few Hungarian words — "koszonom" goes a long way.
Metro Lines, Riverside Trams and the Hills of the Buda Side
The metro, trams and buses run on one ticket, and a travel card is cheap; the yellow trams along the river are the classic scenic route. The ruin bars of the old Jewish district turned derelict buildings into bohemian pubs — visit one for the atmosphere rather than the drinks menu. The baths have a protocol: hire a cabin, wear a swimsuit, and ceremonially float in the thermal pools. The Great Market Hall is the place for paprika, bread and a friendly smoke of the city’s street food. The Parliament is best seen from the river or the Buda bank. Watch the cobbles, carry water in summer, and know that "hello" is said with a nod and a smile in Hungary.
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- Country
- Hungary
- Population
- 1,686,000
- Coordinates
- 47.4369, 19.2556
- Capital
- Budapest
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Hungarian Forint (HUF)
- Languages
- Hungarian
- Calling code
- +36
- Country code
- HU
Entry requirements for Hungary
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Hungary for tourism.
Getting to Budapest
Airports we list for Budapest:
Frequently asked questions
Is Budapest the capital of Hungary?
Yes — Budapest is the capital of Hungary.
What currency do I need in Budapest?
The local currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Languages spoken in Hungary include Hungarian.
What is the dialling code for Hungary?
The international dialling code for Hungary is +36.
Which airport should I fly into for Budapest?
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is the airport we list for Budapest.
Do I need a visa to visit Hungary?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Hungary visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Budapest? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.