By sasta holiday Hungary was honestly never one of those places I dreamed about or rushed to put on my bucket list. It was more like, “Okay, maybe someday.” But when I finally went, it surprised me in the best way possible. There’s something really soft and comforting about it – calm streets, old romantic corners, a bit of mystery here and there, and shockingly, it’s still kind of affordable compared to the rest of Europe (which feels like a miracle now).
And Budapest… wow. It hits you slowly but deeply. One minute you’re wandering through castle-like buildings feeling like you fell into a fairytale, and the next you’re in this artsy, youthful neighborhood with ruin bars, street art, and this messy-but-fun energy. It’s a city with two personalities, but both feel good in their own way.
Budapest – A City You’ll Think About Long After You Leave
Budapest kind of sneaks up on you. You arrive thinking, “Okay cool, another pretty European city,” and then suddenly you’re standing by the Danube like… wait, why does this place feel so special?
The way Buda and Pest face each other across the river feels almost like two friends with opposite personalities – one calm and wise, the other loud and full of ideas – and somehow you fit right in between them.
What You Honestly Shouldn’t Miss (like, genuinely)
- Fisherman’s Bastion – I swear this place feels unreal. You stand there at sunrise thinking, “How is this even real life?” It’s quiet, soft, and kind of emotional if you’re a sunrise person.
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath – It’s touristy, sure, but once you’re in that warm water staring at this giant yellow building while an old guy plays chess in the pool… you get why everyone comes.
- Hungarian Parliament Building – No photo prepares you for how huge and dramatic this place looks at night. I actually stopped walking for a second because it was that pretty.
- Gellért Hill – Everyone says “worth the climb,” and yeah… they’re right. You’ll be sweaty, you’ll question your life choices halfway up, and then the view hits you like a reward.
- Heroes’ Square & Andrássy Avenue – It feels like Budapest suddenly decided to show off. Big, grand, cinematic – you’ll take like 50 photos without meaning to.
- Danube River Cruise – This surprised me the most. It’s super cheap, weirdly peaceful, and watching both sides of the city light up from the water just makes you fall in love with Budapest a little bit more.
Nightlife (Safe & Fun for Solo Women)
Budapest’s nightlife is legendary but doesn’t feel unsafe.
Head to…
- Szimpla Kert – the original ruin bar
- Instant-Fogas – multiple dance floors
- A38 Ship – concerts on a floating ship
Stick to the central districts (V, VI, VII) and you’ll be fine.
Hungary’s Hidden Beauty
Hungary becomes even more charming once you step outside the capital.
Eger
A small baroque town famous for its wine.
- Valley of the Beautiful Women – dozens of wine cellars
- Eger Castle – historical and scenic
- Thermal baths – yes, more hot springs
Lake Balaton
Hungary’s “sea.”
- Great for swimming, sailing, sunbathing
- Tihany Peninsula – lavender fields + lake views
- Keszthely – stunning Festetics Palace
Pécs
Sunny Mediterranean vibes in the south.
- Street cafés, colorful houses, art galleries
- Roman ruins + beautiful early Christian tombs
Hollókő
A tiny UNESCO village where locals still dress in traditional clothing on festivals.
Feels like stepping into another century.
Miskolc-Tapolca
Thermal baths inside a real cave – something you won’t find anywhere else.
Safety for Solo Female Travelers
Hungary is one of Europe’s safer destinations.
- Public transport is reliable
- Walking alone in tourist areas is generally fine
- Locals are used to tourists, especially in Budapest
Avoid:
- Empty metro stations late at night
- The nightclub “promoters” who try to drag tourists into overpriced bars
- Unlicensed taxis (always use Bolt or Fotaxi)
Budget Guide – How Much Does Hungary Cost?
Hungary is one of Europe’s BEST value destinations.
Daily budget for backpackers:
₹2,500-₹4,000 including food + hostel + transport.
Hostels:
₹800-₹1,500/night
Street food:
₹250-₹500
Thermal baths:
₹1,600-₹2,900
Transport (within cities):
₹150-₹300
Food You Simply Have to Try
Hungarian food is hearty, warm, and perfect after long walking days.
- Goulash – beef soup with paprika
- Lángos – fried dough with sour cream + cheese
- Chimney cake – sweet spiral pastry
- Paprikash – creamy chicken dish
- Dobos cake – Classic Hungarian dessert
Vegetarian options: surprisingly easy to find in Budapest.
Best Time to Visit
April–June – perfect weather, blue skies, fewer crowds
Sept–Oct – golden autumn, wine festivals
December – Christmas markets & thermal baths (magical)
Avoid July-August if you don’t like heat + crowds.
Sample 7-Day Hungary Itinerary
Day 1-3: Budapest
Day 4: Day trip to Eger or Szentendre
Day 5-6: Lake Balaton (Tihany + Keszthely)
Day 7: Pécs or Hollókő village
To roam in this place connect with Sasta Holiday because they made my holiday so amazing like never before.
Go freely and thank me later. I’m waiting for your feedback.
Are you willing to visit any of these?
Thailand
Indonesia
Mexico
Georgia
Morocco