Where to Stay in Budapest: Best Areas

Who it suits: First visit, two or three nights: the Parliament, the Basilica, Váci Street and the Danube bank are all on foot, and the M1, M2 and M3 metro lines meet at Deák Ferenc tér. In return it is the priciest district in the city.

Best for: First visit, short stay

Metro: M1, M2, M3 Deák Ferenc tér; M2 Kossuth tér

Things to do: Hungarian Parliament Building , St. Stephen's Basilica and the Dome Terrace , Shoes on the Danube Bank , Chain Bridge , Váci Street , Vörösmarty Square , Párisi Udvar , Danube River Cruise from Vigadó Square , River Ride 

Where we ate: Molnár's , Café Gerbeaud , Trattoria Pomo D'Oro 

Watch in the video · 24:30  the moment we toured the Parliament

Who it suits: You want to walk into the centre in 10 to 15 minutes without paying District V prices: Andrássy Avenue and the Opera are here, and the yellow M1 metro runs under the avenue to Heroes' Square and the Széchenyi Baths.

Best for: Good value, close to the centre

Metro: M1 Opera and Oktogon

Things to do: Hungarian State Opera House , Andrássy Avenue , The M1 Metro ; M1 with a few stops: Heroes' Square (Hősök tere) , City Park and Vajdahunyad Castle , Széchenyi Thermal Baths , House of Music Hungary 

Where we ate: Twentysix 

Watch in the video · 34:15  our evening at the Opera

Who it suits: You want the widest choice of food within walking distance of the centre: the Jewish Quarter, Gozsdu Udvar and most of the streets we ate on are here. We stayed in this district too, on Király utca. The streets are busy in the evening, so if you sleep lightly pick a room facing the courtyard rather than the street.

Best for: Food lovers; where we stayed

Metro: M2 Astoria and Blaha Lujza tér

Things to do: Dohány Street Synagogue and the Jewish Quarter , Gozsdu Udvar 

Where we ate: New York Café , Karaván , Smashy Burger , Our First Lángos Stop , Stika 

Watch in the video · 26:26  the Dohány Synagogue and the Jewish Quarter

Who it suits: You are staying longer and want a quiet residential area, perhaps an apartment with a kitchen: it lies north of the Parliament, right opposite Margaret Island. Booking lists it as Angyalföld. You reach most sights by tram or the M3 metro.

Best for: Longer stays, families

Metro: M3 Nyugati and Lehel tér; tram 4 and 6

Things to do: Margaret Island 

Watch in the video · 23:44  our walk on Margaret Island

Who it suits: You are staying for the view: Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church are on your doorstep, and you can see them early before the crowds. Booking lists the area as Budavár. The streets are steep and cobbled and most evenings you will go down to Pest to eat, so for a first visit the Pest side is easier.

Best for: The view, a quiet evening

Metro: No metro on Castle Hill; funicular and buses

Things to do: Buda Castle and the Hungarian National Gallery , Fisherman's Bastion , Matthias Church , Castle Hill Funicular (Budavári Sikló) 

Watch in the video · 18:05  the view from Fisherman's Bastion