Prague vs Budapest – Which One to Visit?

Most travelers have to choose Prague vs Budapest for their first visit to Central Eastern Europe. We are talking about two of Europe’s most remarkable cities. The only reason to choose between the two is time constraints. If you have enough time, do yourself a favor and go to both. Both cities are outstandingly beautiful and offer plenty of things to do.

Now, if you must decide between Prague or Budapest, we’ll help you make that decision. We’ve been to both places several times, a couple of times for a month or so. Both cities changed tremendously over the past two decades. Therefore, if you read something about them some time ago, you better forget about it!

Prague or Budapest

Quick Comparison

Let’s take a look at both cities. Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, a country of 10.7 million people. Budapest is the capital of Hungary, where 9.7 million people live. One would expect Prague to be bigger, but it’s the opposite. Budapest is home to some 3.3 million people in its metropolitan area. Prague’s metropolitan area is the home of 2.7 million people.

Prague is far more touristic. Approximately 8 million people visited in 2019. In Budapest, that number stood at close to 5 million. Since Prague is more compact, its tourist area feels packed. In Budapest, you can find yourself surrounded by fewer people. So, does this mean you should visit Budapest? It’s not that simple!

If You Have to Choose

Choosing between two fabulous places is never easy. If you have less than 5 days for your entire trip, you have to choose either Budapest or Prague. Chose Budapest if you cannot stand the crowds. If you love elegant architecture, good food, lively nightlife, and indulging yourself in thermal baths, then Budapest is your place.

Go to Prague if you love architecture. The city hosts some of the best examples of numerous architectural styles and periods. If you love a good beer, then Prague should be your choice. Finally, if you plan to escape the city and visit the surrounding area, Prague perhaps offers more. If you have more than 5 days to spend, visit both cities!

Prague

Prague opened to the world in the 1990s and became an instant sensation. People from all over the world flocked to the city. No wonder, considering its spectacular architecture. From Romanesque and Gothic to Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, and Contemporary Architecture, you’ll find it all here. As if that was not enough, the Czech Capital is the birthplace of Czech Cubism, a unique style that flourished in the early 20^th Century.

Different historical layers blend in perfect harmony in Prague. The big old town extends on both sides of the River Vltava. A castle complex and numerous palaces dot the hill above the old town. There is also another fortress 2 miles (3 km) south of the old town and magnificent views all along the river.

Main Sights

Prague has more impressive sights than Budapest. The city’s most spectacular sight is the Charles Bridge (Karlův Most), which connects the city’s Old and Lesser Towns. The baroque Lesser Town opens up to the magnificent Prague Castle. Together with the Cathedral of St. Vitus and several palaces, museums, and gardens, it is the largest medieval castle in the world.

Most of Prague’s sights are in the so-called Stare Mesto (Old Town), just east of Vltava River. The iconic Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock is in Prague’s main square, Staromestske Namesti. The gothic Powder House and the art nouveau Municipal House are east of the square. North of the Square, we love spending time in Josefov, the former Jewish neighborhood.

Culture

Prague is home to close to 80 museums and galleries, both big and small. The National Museum is the largest in the Czech Republic. It hosts almost 14 million artifacts in the areas of nature, history, arts, music, and librarianship. The main building is a neo-renaissance palace from 1891 that presides over central Wenceslas Square.

We believe Prague offers a better cultural experience than Budapest. The city is famous around the world for its classical music. We always go to the lavish National Theatre, opened in 1883. The Estates Theatre is older and even more impressive. You can also attend concerts at The Spanish Hall and St. John’s Cathedral in Prague Castle.

Outdoor Activities

The city is full of parks and hills to walk about. We love walking about Petrin Gardens for hours admiring the plants. The views from the garden’s tower are epic. Letna Park also offers outstanding views. It’s on top of a hill and has an area dedicated to children. We always spend some time on the islands in the middle of the Vltava River.

There are always crowds in summer, so visiting Prague in winter is a great idea. The nicest Christmas Markets are in the Castle and the Old Town Square. If you like skiing, go to Ski Parka Prague 6. They have everything, including equipment and instructors. Our favorite skate rinks are Na Frantisku close to the river and Tower Ice Park beneath Zizkov TV Tower.

Hotels

Prague is a popular tourist destination with more than 800 hotels. You can find a hotel, guesthouse, or a private room in any size and shape you can think of. One of our favorite hotels in Prague is the Art Deco Imperial Hotel. This lavishly decorated palace has original art deco mosaics and hand-painted tiles.

Another hotel we absolutely love is Hotel CUBE Prague. The slick hotel is at the edge of the old town. Since it’s close to the National Theater, it’s perfect to escape the crowds. If you are looking for private apartments, we highly recommend Gold Art Apartments. Ideally located in the middle of Josefov, they offer fully furnished apartments in a beautiful setting.

Local Cuisine

Though there are restaurants for every taste in Prague, the city is not a culinary Mecca. Let’s be honest, Czech cuisine is not the most famous cuisine in the world. Prague is in Central Europe. Since winters are long and cold, most of its food is heavy with meat and potatoes as regular dishes. On the other hand, Prague is one of the world’s beer capitals.

The lack of delicious local cuisine has prompted local restaurant owners to seek an alternative. That’s why Indian restaurants mushroomed all over the city. Today, there are many first-class Indian restaurants in Prague. The best-rated one is Indian by Nature. It’s got two locations, one in Prague 8 and the other in Prague 6. The best restaurant serving Czech food is Mlynec, close to the Charles Bridge.

Nightlife

We think Prague has a better nightlife than Budapest. No homophobia here! We always go dancing to Roxy, an institution in the city. Swim is another fantastic disco. It’s in a pool! Our favorite LGBT clubs are next to each other: Termax and Termix. For live music, head to Lucerna Music Bar. It’s all about the 80s!

MeetFactory cultural center in a former abattoir holds concerts and parties for all tastes and fancies. For cocktails go to Hemingway. You can try any of its 200 rums! Klub 007 Strahov opened in 1969 and still the best underground bar in Prague. For a fancy night out, go to the UNESCO listed Terasa U Prince. The views and the cocktails will take your breath away.

Moving Around

Prague is a compact city, and most of its sites are relatively close to each other. Therefore, you can walk everywhere. Most of the city is flat, except for the hills west of the river. Biking is a good option, but you should avoid the Old Town and the Lesser Town. In Prague, just like in several other Czech cities, you can use the bike-sharing system called Nextbike.

The city has a fairly good public transport network. The metro is by far the easiest and fastest transportation option. There are currently three lines, which cover most of Prague’s attractions. Additionally, there is an extensive network of buses and trams. Though a bit slower, you get to enjoy the views!

Day Trips

Prague offers more varied and spectacular day trips than Budapest. The city is in the middle of the Czech Republic. Since the country has an extensive transport network, you can be in fantastic places in just a few hours. The most popular day trip close to Prague is the fabulous gothic castle Karlštejn. The 14th-Century castle sits on a majestic hill. It offers incredible hiking.

Kutná Hora is another fabulous place and an easy day trip from Prague. This small town is famous all around the world for its bones chapel. Tourists visit Český Krumlov for its picture-perfect appearance, even though it’s more than 2 hours away. You can even go to the baroque pearl of Dresden (Germany) as a day trip. It’s only two and a half hours away on a train.

What’s Special about Prague

So, it’s clear that Prague is an outstandingly beautiful city worth visiting. But what is it that makes it truly special? We believe it’s the unique Czech Cubism that adorns more than a dozen of Prague’s buildings. The style inspired by Cubism in art only spread in the Czech Republic (mostly in Prague). You’ll recognize it by the broken lines and pyramidal shapes on the façades.

The iconic House of the Black Madonna is the style’s most famous building. The Czech Museum of Cubism is here. Though you can find cubist buildings all around the city, four of the best are close to each other in Vyšehrad. Some buildings belong to the so-called rondo cubism, a version of the original style. The Adria Palace is the most famous one.

Budapest

Budapest is less compact than Prague. Actually, it feels like a double city. Buda on the hill west of the Danube River is mountainous, green, and scarcely populated. Pest, on the east side, is flat, urban, and full of large avenues and monumental squares. The Danube is much bigger than the Vltava, and again there are great views all along.

Architecture-wise, Budapest is equally if not more beautiful than Prague. The only difference is that most of its architecture is from when Budapest was the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867-1918). But that’s not all. Budapest is home to some of Europe’s coolest thermal baths housed in lavish palaces. The city is also known for its unique ruin pubs.

Main Sights

Just like in Prague, Budapest’s Castle stands on top of the hill west of the river. The Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fishermen Bastion are here. Though Budapest’s bridges are much newer than Prague’s, they are equally beautiful. The 19^th-Century Chain Bridge with four lions on two sides is the grandest of them all.

The rest of the major attractions are in Pest. The Basilica of St. Stephen is the city’s main church. The Nearby spectacular neo-gothic Parliament Building is Hungary’s largest building. Close to the main square, we loved visiting the Great Synagogue, Europe’s largest.

Culture

Though Budapest has fewer museums than Prague (close to 60), they don’t lack quality. The Hungarian National Museum is the biggest in Hungary. It centers on national history, art, and archaeology. The museum building is incredible too. We are talking about an 1847 neoclassical palace. Be sure to check their website for temporary exhibits.

The biggest cultural center in Budapest is The Palace of Arts. The contemporary building homes the Bela Bartok National Concert Hall, considered among the best in the world. Vigado Hall in Pest is much older. Liszt and Bartok played here. For opera head to the Budapest Operetta Theatre and the Hungarian State Opera. The Capital Circus is in the City Park.

Outdoor Activities

Budapest offers better opportunities for outdoor activities than Prague. The city is full of wonderful parks. The City Park (Városliget) is our favorite. You can walk rest, admire the architecture and dip in Europe’s biggest thermal spa: Szechenyi. Rudas baths has an outdoor jacuzzi with incredible views. Gellert Baths has a massive outdoor pool. Both are next to Citadella Park, a small hill by the river.

Evidently, Margarita Island is the best place in the city for outdoor activities. It’s got fountains gardens, statues, and outdoor pools. In winter you have to visit the Christmas markets. The biggest takes place in Vorosmarty Square. You can ride one of the trams decorated with Christmas lights. The biggest ice skating ring in Europe is in the City Park.

Hotels

Budapest is a fairly popular tourist destination with close to 300 hotels within its city limits. Though there are fewer hotels than in Prague, these excel in sophistication and price. Budapest is home to some of the most lavish hotels in Europe. Just think of the Gresham Palace, Párisi Udvar, and Matild Palace, three spectacular palaces.

Generally speaking, hotels in Budapest are 20-30% cheaper than in Prague. Thus, they are great value for money. We love Hotel Rum, close to the Central Market. This medium-sized design hotel features elegant rooms and first-class service. If you want to stay in a private apartment, the Lakeside Budapest Residences are a fantastic choice. Set by a small lake in peaceful Buda, it’s a great place to rest after a busy day in the city.

Local Cuisine

Budapest is a better choice if you are into food. Hungarian cuisine does have a name on the international stage. You’ve probably heard of Goulash, a meat stew seasoned with paprika. Perhaps you know Dobos Torte, the famous Hungarian sponge cake. Finally, you are surely familiar with Pálinka, the traditional fruit brandy.

The only two-star Michelin restaurant in Budapest is Onyx. The restaurant is in the same building as the iconic Gerbaud and specializes in traditional Hungarian cuisine with a modern twist. If you are looking for something more casual, we recommend Menza. This café serves unusual food in a kitsch setting.

Nightlife

We are night owls so we love partying in Budapest. Our favorite place to do so is Otkert, near the 4 Seasons Hotel. It’s got an incredible sound system, a terrace, and a restaurant. Another of our favorite places is Durer Kert. You can have a beer with friends in the garden, relax in a hammock, listen to live music, and party at night.

For a totally different experience head to A38, a boat and platform docked in the Danube. It’s got several bars, a dance floor, and a concert stand. Our favorite rooftop bar is 360. Their cocktails are fabulous, and the views over the city unforgettable. If you are in Budapest on a Saturday, you have to go to Sparty in Szechenyi Baths. Unbelievable fun!

Moving Around

Budapest is a big city spread out over an extensive territory. Buda is mountainous, thus ideal for walking. If you are coming from Pest, you can take the funicular to climb the hill. Pest, on the contrary, is completely flat, with wide avenues and bike lanes. Thus it’s perfect for biking. Of course, you can also stroll along its colorful streets. The city’s bike-sharing system is called Mol BUBI.

The extensive network of public transport covers every corner of the city. Four metro lines connect the different sides of Budapest. Four suburban train lines complete the rapid transit network. There are also countless bus, tram, and trolleybus lines. Thus, you can get anywhere in no time. We love taking the Cog-wheel railway to the remote hills of Buda.

Day Trips

Most day trips from Budapest are to lovely Hungarian cities. Except if you are into lakes. Hungary has one big lake. Balaton is also one of its most popular tourist destinations. It takes just over an hour and a half to get to the lake, though you should add an hour if you are heading to the thermal town of Hévíz.

Since it’s only 14 miles (22 km) north of the city, the charming little town of Szentendre is the easiest day trip from Budapest. If you prefer larger cities, Győr and Kecskemét are only an hour away. Both are beautiful mid-sized cities. Our favorite Hungarian city is a bit further away. Pécs, 125 miles (200 km) south of Budapest, is packed with outstanding heritage. Esztergom is another great destination for a day trip.

What’s Special about Budapest

Apart from its colorful secessionist architecture, two things set Budapest apart: thermal baths and ruin pubs. The spa tradition goes back to Roman times. Today, there are a dozen thermal baths in the city, five of them impressive historic buildings. You can relax in three Ottoman baths and two secessionist palaces (Gellert and Széchenyi baths). Amazing, right?

Another thing that has put Budapest on the world map is its unique ruin pubs. These are abandoned buildings in downtown Budapest turned into bars and clubs. Most places started as popular hangouts for locals, but have since become tourist attractions. Even if you are not a party animal, you should visit a few to check their wonderful interiors.

Our opinion

Budapest vs Prague, whichever you choose you won’t go wrong. Both places are outstandingly beautiful and offer just about everything. Prague might be a bit flashier, wowing you from the start. Budapest conquers you slowly. Consequently, we recommend going to Prague if you have a day or two. If you can spend at least three days, go to Budapest.

When it comes to cultural offer, hotels, and the way you move around, both cities come neck and neck. Budapest has slightly better hotels (though they are far fewer) and a much better gastronomical offer. Prague, on the other hand, offers more varied architecture and day trips. Thus, if you are a hotel or restaurant queen go to Budapest. If, on the other hand, you want to base yourself in a city and do several day trips, go to Prague.