5 Reasons Budapest Is So Popular in 2025!

5 Reasons Budapest Is So Popular in 2025!

Welcome to Budapest — a city rich in history and 
charm, quickly gaining global recognition as a must-see destination. Travel + Leisure named 
Budapest one of the 50 Best Places to Travel this year, calling it “Rooted in the past, yet 
emerging as a modern world-class destination.” Let’s find out what got this 
Eastern European capital on the list and why you should consider it 
for your next International getaway! Budapest is actually two cities — Buda and Pest 
— joined across the Danube River. Together, they form Hungary’s capital, 
with approximately 1.7 million residents in the city and over 3 
million in the metropolitan area. It’s a member of the European 
Union and the Schengen Zone, which makes border crossings easy, though you’ll 
be using the Hungarian Forint here — not the Euro. Hungarian is the local language, 
but in central Budapest, you’ll find English menus and 
plenty of English speakers. Budapest has had its share of travel fame. 
In the early 1900s, it was nicknamed the “Paris of the East” thanks to its elegant 
boulevards, cafés, and grand architecture. After the fall of communism in 1989, it quickly 
became a hub for backpackers and budget travelers. In the 2010s, the rise of budget airlines 
like Wizz Air and Ryanair made Budapest a go-to weekend break for Europeans. Travelers came 
for the thermal baths, ruin pubs, and cheap eats. And now, in the 2020s, Budapest is moving beyond 
“budget” — with Michelin-starred dining, boutique hotels, and sleek spas putting it back on the 
map as a destination for all types of travelers. If it’s your first visit, these 
are the must-see highlights: • Hungarian Parliament Building is an icon 
of Budapest, sitting right on the banks of the Danube. It was completed in 1904, and it’s one 
of the largest parliament buildings in the world. Known for its Neo-Gothic spires and a massive 
central dome, it’s even more spectacular when lit up at night. Tours are available in English, 
and inside you’ll see the Hungarian Crown Jewels. • Buda Castle & Fisherman’s Bastion. Perched 
on Castle Hill, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers sweeping views of the city., The 
castle houses the Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest History Museum. Just nearby is 
Fisherman’s Bastion, a fairy-tale terrace of turrets and arches that overlooks the Danube 
— perfect for photos, especially at sunrise. • Chain Bridge & Danube River Cruises. The Chain 
Bridge was the first permanent bridge connecting Buda and Pest, completed in 1849. Today, it’s 
a pedestrian-friendly landmark that lights up beautifully at night. A river cruise is one 
of the best ways to see Budapest’s skyline, especially when Parliament, Buda Castle, 
and the bridges are illuminated. • Thermal Baths (Széchenyi, Gellért, Rudas). 
Budapest sits on over 120 natural thermal springs. Széchenyi is the most famous — a sprawling 
outdoor bath complex with steaming pools, popular year-round. Gellért Bath is known 
for its Art Nouveau architecture and mosaics. Rudas Bath dates back to the 16th century Ottoman 
period and offers rooftop pools with city views. And here’s what’s new and evolving in the city: • Food & Dining
Budapest now boasts seven Michelin-starred restaurants, with Stand, 
Costes, and Babel leading the way. The city has also become a hub for contemporary Hungarian 
cuisine, blending tradition with innovation. • Nightlife Evolution
Budapest’s ruin pubs — like the famous Szimpla Kert — made global headlines 
in the 2010s. Today, many are upgrading with curated cocktails, art spaces, and live music 
venues, making them more than just party stops. • Hotels & Spas
A wave of new boutique hotels has opened in renovated historic buildings. 
Luxury spa hotels are blending the city’s thermal traditions with modern wellness 
trends, appealing to upscale travelers. • Transit & Infrastructure
The M1 Metro line — the first subway in continental Europe — remains in 
use and has recently undergone renovation. Public transit is clean, cheap, and 
easy to navigate with English signage on most routes. New trams and eco-buses are 
being rolled out to modernize the system. Budapest suits just about every traveler: • Families will love the 
parks, zoo, and river cruises. • Couples get romance with Danube 
views, candlelit spas, and wine tours. • Backpackers still enjoy the 
hostels, ruin pubs, and affordability. • Luxury travelers can indulge in 
Michelin dining and boutique hotels. Ordering food is straightforward — most 
central restaurants have English menus, and apps like Wolt make delivery easy. When it comes to taxis, it’s 
best to use apps like Bolt or Főtaxi rather than hailing one on 
the street to avoid overcharging. So why pick Budapest over, say, Paris or Vienna? 
One, it’s more affordable, offering great value for food, hotels, and attractions. It has a 
thermal spa culture you won’t find anywhere else on this scale. It’s compact and walkable, 
so you can see a lot without long commutes. And it has a balance of old-world architecture 
and modern reinvention that feels unique. Of course, no city is perfect. 
Summer peak season in Budapest can mean crowded baths and attractions. 
English kind of disappears outside the tourist areas. Flights from the U.S. are 
less frequent than to Western Europe. And using the Forint instead of the Euro 
adds a layer of currency conversion. If you time your visit right, Budapest 
is home to some incredible events: • The Sziget Festival in August, one 
of Europe’s biggest music festivals. • The Budapest Wine Festival in September.
• Christmas Markets that rival Vienna’s, starting late November.
• And the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix in July. For nightlife seekers, Budapest is also famous for its “sparties” — spa parties with 
DJs, lasers, and thermal waters. Before we wrap up, I put together some 
rapid-fire tips for first-time travelers: • Best time to visit: Spring or Fall 
for milder weather and fewer crowds. • Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF).

• Airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International (BUD), about 30 minutes from downtown.

• Public transport: Metro, trams, and buses are cheap and reliable — grab a Budapest Card.

• Taxis: Use Bolt or Főtaxi app, don’t hail from the street.

• Language: Hungarian is tough, but English works fine in central areas.

Budapest 
is a city of contrasts — history and modernity, luxury and budget, relaxation and energy. Whether you’re a family, a couple, a 
solo traveler, or even a luxury seeker, Budapest has something for you. And right now, it’s not just a hidden gem anymore — it’s 
a destination the world is rediscovering. So — will Budapest make your 
travel list this year? Let us know in the comments what you’d want to see most. If you liked this video, hit the 
LIKE button and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more travel inspiration, 
tips, tricks, reviews, and more! I’m Kelly, your trusted Vacation 
Agent, wishing you Safe Travels!

#Budapest #TravelGuide #Hungary2025
Budapest, Hungary’s capital, was recently named one of Travel + Leisure’s 50 Best Places to Visit. It is a city that blends old-world charm with modern flair, featuring grand architecture, thermal baths, Michelin-starred restaurants, and a price tag that’s more affordable than most European capitals.

In this video, we’ll cover:
✅ A quick history and demographics of Budapest
✅ Top attractions—from Parliament and Buda Castle to thermal baths
✅ New upgrades and trends: dining, nightlife, boutique hotels
✅ Advantages and disadvantages compared to other European cities
✅ Upcoming festivals and events you won’t want to miss
✅ Quick tips for first-time visitors: currency, transport, food, taxis & more

Whether you’re traveling on a budget, with family, or looking for a romantic getaway, Budapest has something for everyone.

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