Best Hotels and Most Convenient Areas to Stay in Budapest for First-Time Visitors

Budapest is a beautiful city filled with stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious food. While the city is very walkable, we found that staying in a central location made exploring all of the sights much easier. On our first visit to Budapest visiting the Christmas markets, staying in a central location was even more important to minimize our walking time in the cold weather. I’m sharing our recommendations for the best hotels and areas to stay in Budapest for first time visitors. These recommendations are the ones we actually considered for our trip. Keep reading to explore the best places to stay in Budapest and make the most of your first visit!

Budapest Districts

Budapest is a city made up of different neighborhoods, each with a distinct character. The city is divided into two main areas by the Danube River: Buda and Pest. The Buda side is more residential whereas the Pest side is more urban. Although the Buda side boasts architectural gems like Fisherman’s Bastion, I recommend staying in Pest for the most convenience.

On the Pest side, the main districts that are most convenient for tourists are the 5th District (Belváros-Lipótváros), 7th District (Erzsébetváros), and 6th District (Terézváros). The 7th District (Erzsébetváros) is known for its lively nightlife and the Jewish Quarter, filled with ruin bars and trendy cafes. We visited Budapest with friends to see the Christmas markets when we were young and hip, so we stayed in the Jewish Quarter. However, since the Jewish Quarter is where all the bars and restaurants are located, it can be a bit loud.

Now that we are older and like to sleep, we would probably choose to stay in a quieter area. The historic 5th District (Belváros-Lipótváros) is the city center, home to iconic landmarks like the Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica. The 5th District is the most upscale district, where you would stay if you were looking for elegance. The 6th District (Terézváros) near the Opera House is halfway between the river and the Jewish quarter, so it is a great central location and a good compromise between convenience and tranquility. Each neighborhood in Budapest has its own appeal. Once you have narrowed down which district you want to stay in, I’ve listed my favorite hotels and areas to stay in Budapest below to make it easy to choose!

Recommended Hotels in Terézváros (6th District)

Ideally stay nearer to Andrassy Avenue in 6th District to be closer to the main attractions.

Opera Residence ($)

The Opera Residence has studio and 1 bedroom apartments. It is located behind the Opera House and is about a 15 min walk from Vorosmarty square. Having a kitchenette and a little more space is convenient. However, the beds are full size beds so can be on the small side for some.

Hotel Moments Budapest ($$$)

For a hotel stay, the Hotel Moments Budapest is highly rated. It is located on a busy street, so some street facing rooms can be noisy. However, the central location makes it worth it for ease of sightseeing. The rooms are colorfully decorated and bathrooms are nice and modern.

W Budapest ($$$$)

Staying at the W Budapest feels like visiting a stately residence. Each room has a unique, colorful design. The location is perfect for exploring, but the hotel itself is also a beautiful place to relax and enjoy your time.

Recommended Hotels in Erzsébetváros (7th District)

Vagabond Grand’Or ($$)

The Vagabond Grand’Or is a condo hotel, so it is great for those looking for more space. Having a kitchenette is always convenient when traveling. And the courtyard in the middle is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the action!

Mango Apartments ($)

We stayed at the Mango Apartments, which was in a great location for those wanting to be in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. The apartments were super spacious, though basic. However, the rooms can be loud, especially on weekends.

Recommended Hotels in Belváros-Lipótváros (5th District)

Hotel Vision Budapest ($$)

The Hotel Vision Budapest has an amazing location right on the Danube River. Some rooms even have romantic views of the river. The rooms are modern and spacious, and some suites even have a kitchenette.

Aria Hotel Budapest ($$$$)

The Aria Hotel Budapest is the epitome of elegance. The location is amazing, especially if visiting during Christmas since the Christmas markets are right outside. The rooftop bar has amazing views of Budapest. The amenities also make traveling easy – having a buffet breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese are a great way to start and end a busy day of sightseeing!

Now that you have found the perfect place to stay, find the best sights and Christmas markets in Budapest with our itinerary!