Top Things to Do on a Solo Trip to Budapest

Buda Castle

Perched on a hill in Buda, choose to make your way up by foot, or hop on the convenient funicular for a fun ride up the hill. Wander around the magnificent grounds, with lovely gardens, and a view overlooking the Danube river.  Inside the castle, you’ll also find the Budapest Historical Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery.

Váci Street

Take a stroll through Budapest’s main pedestrian street. This lively promenade is lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops. A fantastic spot for those traveling alone to experience the vibrant atmosphere, admire the storefront displays, and shop.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Széchenyi Chain Bridge

One of the major landmarks in the city, this chain bridge was built in 1840, connecting the Eastern and Western sides of the city. Enjoy a walk across this intricate bridge, or admire it at night when it is lit up with vibrant lights.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Margaret Island

Situated right in between Buda and Pest, Margaret Island is easily accessibly via the Margaret Bridge. It’s a perfect spot for solo travelers looking for a peaceful retreat in the city. Stroll through the pedestrian pathways, rent a bike, admire the gardens, or visit the lively musical fountain. 

What to Eat 

Central Market Hall

Don’t miss the Central Market Hall, the massive market with food vendors, fresh produce, handmade crafts, and gifts. This lively market offers plenty of delicacies such as traditional Hungarian dishes (such as Goulash), paprika gift sets, cheese and smoked meats.

Food markets are an amazing spot for when you’re traveling by yourself and wish to sample a variety of foods in a casual atmosphere, and the Central Market Hall is no exception. 

Lángos

A popular Hungarian street food, Langos is a fried dough with various toppings such as cheese, sour cream, bacon, and peppers. Grab a fresh bite at the popular Retro Langos, with an array of toppings to choose from.

Chimney Cakes

Stop by Molnár’s kürtőskalács to try the best chimney cakes in the city! The traditional pastry is served fresh, with a variety of delicious toppings to choose from, including cinnamon, walnut, and almond. Enjoy the tasty treat as is, or add ice cream!

Best Places to Stay in Budapest

The city of Budapest is divided by the Danube River. You can’t go wrong staying on either side, as both both Buda and Pest provide accessibility to various top attractions. However, the Eastern side of Pest is where most of the action is, especially for evening entertainment and nightlife. Buda on the other hand, offers a bit of a quieter atmosphere once the sun sets. 

Either way, it’s convenient to get from one side to the other, via the underground metro, or by walking across the various bridges. There’s quite a few options to consider when visiting Budapest alone.

Buda 

Buda offers a more relaxing vibe, and provides close proximity to popular landmarks such as Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion. Also situated on Buda, are four spectacular thermal baths including Gellert Thermal Bath and Rudas Bath.

District 1: This is the most central district in Buda, and home to the elegant Castle Hill, with cobblestone streets and spectacular historic monuments. District 1 also includes a variety of cozy neighborhoods and shops to explore.

Pest

In Pest, you’ll come across busier streets and a larger selection of restaurants, cafes, and shops. In central Pest, there’s also plenty of nightlife. Solo travelers staying in Pest will have easy access to top attractions such as the Hungarian Parliament building, the massive Szechenyi thermal bath, and Central Market Hall. 

District 5: This is the central district of Budapest, where all the action is. The area is easy to navigate and great for solo travelers looking to be close to major attractions, bars and restaurants. 

District 6: District 6 is a lively area, with a cultural flare. It features the Hungarian State Opera, as well as Andrassy Avenue, a tree-lined boulevard with wide streets, historic buildings, and cafes.