Budapest by Locals

Explore One of the World’s Most Romantic City!

Budapest By Locals.com is an independent travel guide created by a local family who have been living in the Hungarian capital for more than 15 years now.

Dubbed often as

  • Paris of the East, or
  • The Pearl of the Danube, Budapest sits at the crossroads of West and East exuding a combination of the modern and the exotic.

Upcoming Programs

sunset in a park early fall

November in Budapest

November, with its crisp air and vibrant autumnal hues, adds an extra layer of magic to the city’s already alluring ambiance. Look forward to the Chrismas Markets towrds the end of the month.

a young woman with balck headphones on skating on the rink on the WestEnd Rooftop Terrace, vintage carousel in the background

December in Budapest

The last month of the year and the first month of the winter season has a lot in store for visitors to Budapest. Winter festivals and Christmas fairs, concerts and other activities..

christmas tree on St stephens square

XMAS/NYE Programs

Exciting programs, festivals, concerts in Budapest during the winter holiday season. Have a great time in our city at Christmas and New Year!

full day szechenyi spa

Budapest Thermal Baths

The warm, healing waters for the nearly 50 Budapest spas, baths and public pools

two people toasting with a glass of rose and white prosecco (only the hands holding the glasses can be seen, with the Parliament in the background

Budapest Dinner Cruises

Many companies offer river tours with dinner and it’s not easy for travellers to decide which one to go on. 

synagogue tour

Jewish Budapest

The Jewish Quarter of Budapest (district VII.) is packed with historic and religious sights including the

Christmas Progrmas -2024

Christmas Dinner Cruise 4 Course Served Dinner + Welcome Prosecco + Piano

Christmas Dinner Cruise

December 24 & 25

Cruise Starts: 19.30

Duration: 3 Hours. – Price: €130

Christmas Cruise with Buffet Dinner + Unlimited: wine/beer/soft drinks

Christmas Cruise on Szechenyi Ship

December 24-25-26

Cruise Starts: 19.00

Duration: 3 Hours – Price: €159

Christmas Organ Concert Basilica

Grand Organ

December 26

Concert Starts: 20.00

 Duration: 70minPrice: From €38

New Year’s Eve Sightseeing Cruise with 1 Drink

illuminated ship before the parliament building on new years eve

December 31

Cruise Starts: 22.00

Duration: 2.5 Hours – Price: €59.9

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Hungarian Gastro Cellar

young ladies around new years eve dinner table

December 31

LIKELY TO SELL OUT!

Program Starts: 19.00

Duration: 5 Hours – Price: €149

NYE Boat Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Snacks

people at the new year"s eve party

December 31

Cruise Starts: 22.00

Duration: 4.5 Hours – Price: €149

Insider Tips on Sights, Things to Do, Hotels, Eating Out

Budapest Royal palace

Travel Basics
Detailed travel information for tourists: flights to Budapest, airport transfer, getting around, basic facts, maps, best time to visit, costs and prices and more.

Accomodation in Budapest

Accommodation in Budapest
Guide to choosing the right accommodation for your visit. Best hotels, apartments, hostels and other budget lodgings by areas.

Budapest night view

Top Tips – Favorite Sights & Activities
Our favourite activities for tourists: cruises on the Danube, wine tasting, and wine tour in Etyek, unique guided tours, concerts, folklore, and gastronomy program

Budapest sightseeing

Things To Do & See
Recommended things to do and see compiled by locals for a fulfilling holiday. Top attractions, popular sightseeing tours, including guided Jewish Heritage Tourshidden sights you don’t want to miss on your holiday.

Taste of Budapest

Taste Budapest
Have a taste of the city during your stay: find the best restaurants and cafes, and discover food specialties in Hungary. Learn about local cuisine, and popular dishes.

Varkert Bazaar

Budapest Events
Month by month events in 2022 and 2023. Festivals, classical and light music concerts, sport events, museum exhibitions all the year round in Budapest.

TOP Programs

Parliament side view

Evening Cruise With Dinner & Music in Budapest

What better way to see all the renowned attractions of Budapest then on a river cruise in the evenin…

front view of the twin-tower Dohany Street Synagogue atsunset in clear autumn day

Jewish Budapest Tours

Budapest’s Jewish heritage looks back to centuries of history and forms an essential part of t…

Christmas fair in City Hall park at night

Christmas Fair in City Hall Park

Date & Time: Nov.24 – Jan. 07 Charming winter festival with craft market, food concerts and ice rink… 

Why Visit Budapest?

Can’t decide whether our city is worth a visit? Browse our pages about the many sights, activities, culinary delights, entertainment, and cultural programs it offers.

My family (husband and two children) is living in Budapest so we know it inside out.

All four of us love different aspects of the city and have his/her own favourite places and activities that we write about on this website.

We also share insider tips on

  • hotels and other accommodation,
  • ow to get around,
  • main and hidden attractions,
  • sightseeing tours,
  • events,
  • where to eat, and
  • shop to help you plan your visit.

With so many things to do and see, planning your vacation can seem a bit overwhelming at first.

That’s why we created this website.

You’ll find all the necessary information about this alluring city, the capital of Hungary on our pages.

Not just the need to know facts you may read about in most guide books, but our version of the city: the good, the bad and the ugly.

We love Budapest with all its charms and downsides that we share with you on our site.

Hungary’s capital is often called the Paris of the East. I wouldn’t compare it to Paris nor any other cities.

Budapest is unique; it has its own distinctive character, and attractions.

History left its traces everywhere. You can see them

  • on her grand buildings,
  • in the cobbled streets of Buda Castle, and
  • on people’s faces.
  • old world charm and modern lifestyle
  • magnificent architecture,
  • grand coffee houses and trendy cafés,
  • a diverse cultural life with superb classical music concerts music in the Opera House and the latest hits in glitzy nightclubs,
  • shiny new shopping malls and little antique shops.

Budapest offers you affordable luxury:

  • fine cuisine,
  • delicious wines,
  • historic thermal baths offering traditional as well as modern wellness treatments at moderate prices,
  • last but not least, it has the Danube with the graceful bridges spanning it.

The river is flowing gracefully, and the two parts, Buda and Pest, welcome it with a warm embrace.

Danube – A Bond Between Two City Parts

Rather than dividing Budapest, the Danube is in full harmony with the two parts offering striking vistas; earning her two other nicknames

  • “The Pearl of Danube”, and
  • the “Queen of the Danube”.

Budapest is not too large and not too small. It has just the right size that makes it a pleasant place to live in, and discover.

You can explore its major sights on foot.

There are plenty of places that are excellent for leisurely walks:

  • the leafy Buda Hills,
  • the historic Castle District, or
  • the idyllic Margaret Island.

The city is also ideal for romantic vacations offering a wide range of good-value hotels from large luxury accommodations to more intimate designer hotels.

To help you plan your travel we compiled a hand-picked list of the best-value hotels based on travellers’ reviews.

That’s Budapest, in the heart of Europe, where East and West meets.

The attractions combined with locals’ legendary hospitality make a trip here a special experience.

Some fall in love with our city at first sight, others become obsessed with her after a thorough acquaintance.

One way or the other, I hope you’ll keep coming back!

Let us be your invisible guides for your perfect vacation!