Last Updated on 2 weeks by traveldrafts
Budapest or Prague? When planning a trip to central Europe, this is a question that many people face, and it’s a difficult one to answer. Mostly because you are trying to choose the best of two great things, but also because they are as good as different and cater to different people.
Here you will explore which are the positive and negative aspects of both Prague and Budapest, and we will compare them on these topics:
- General Beauty;
- Things to see and do;
- Unique attractions;
- City Vibe;
- Getting around;
- The people;
- Accommodation;
- Nightlife;
- Food scene;
- Weather;
- Safety;
- Costs;
- Tourists and crowds;
Page Contents
Budapest vs Prague Showdown
General Beauty – Prague vs Budapest
Honestly, both cities are very pretty, with beautiful buildings, wonderful riversides, stunning architecture and so on… We could make it a tie, but I believe that Prague wins this one.
In Prague, the old town is picture perfect and the main square looks like it was created for Instagram with the cute, colorful old houses, the cobbled streets filled, and Gothic and baroque architecture. The Castle district is also wonderful, and the Charles bridge connecting the castle with the old town is simply marvelous. The fact that the whole area is relatively small and easily walkable makes everything cozier and more comfortable.
Budapest, on the other hand, is much more spread out and with some big attractions quite far from each other. However, the city as a whole is also beautiful, with the kind of grand architecture that one expects from imperial cities. Although in a worse state of conservation, Budapest sometimes rivals Paris and Wien.
In hindsight, I would suggest that Budapest is pretty but Prague is just cuter and that’s why it wins this one.
Things to See and Do in Budapest and Prague
As you might expect from two major tourist hubs in the world, there is a lot to do and see in both Prague and Budapest. We will list some of the best things to do and then compare them.
Prague’s historic center is relatively small, but it’s filled with attractions; in fact, the entire town center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some of the best things to do and see in Prague are:
- Prague Castle – Considered the biggest castle in the world, but it isn’t only big, it’s fascinating.
- Old Town Square – the heart and center of the town, with beautiful, colorful, lined buildings, now restaurants, bars, and hotels.
- Medieval Astronomical clock – located in the old city hall in the old town square. It’s interesting, but it’s also been considered one of the most overrated attractions in Europe several times.
- Charles Bridge – the most famous and beautiful bridge in Prague. You have some serious views there.
- Jewish Quarter – home to some of the most beautiful houses in Prague, and with a mind-blowing history. Don’t miss the Jewish cemetery.
- Lenon Wall – Probably one of the most photographed sites in Prague, this famous wall is filled with peace and love messages.
Prague’s main attractions are impressive, right? Let’s explore what Budapest has to offer you to do and see…
- Budapest Parliament – The most iconic building in Budapest and easily one of the most beautiful parliaments in the world. Both the architecture and the location are just perfect.
- Thermal Baths – The thermal baths in Budapest are a real tourist attraction. It’s both pleasing and beautiful. There are two main baths, and either of them is really cool!
- Chain Bridge – the most impressive and famous bridge in Budapest. It’s a pleasure to cross it, enjoying the views of the banks of the Danube.
- Buda Castle – An Imposing castle, which now features the National Gallery. It’s an imposing sight looking from the Pest side.
- Margaret Island – perfect for relaxing for a few hours or maybe exercising.
- Fisherman’s Bastion – Fortification built on Buda’s side, which now holds probably the most beautiful views in the whole town.
- Matthias Church and St. Stephen’s Basilica – both beautiful churches, one in Buda, the other in Pest.
- Budapest has three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the banks of the Danube, Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue.
This is a very close call, so close that we should give it a tie. Though we don’t really like to have ties! It’s very underwhelming… 🙂
So, Prague wins this one if you have one or two days to visit the city, as the main attractions are very close to each other and you can easily see them in two days without using public transportation.
Budapest wins this one if you have more time… Budapest has much more than the main attractions listed above, and they are much more spread out; you’ll need much more time to feel that you know Budapest.
Unique attractions
One of the best things about traveling is the opportunity to visit places that don’t exist anywhere else or experience things that aren’t available in our home country. So, in this Budapest vs Prague debate, who has the most unique attractions?
Budapest has to win this one because of its baths. There are Thermal Baths elsewhere, but in Budapest, they are an institution, and both locals and tourists enjoy them. Széchenyi thermal baths are probably the most famous and worth it, but the Gellért Thermal Baths are a very close contender.
Prague doesn’t really have a strong contender here… The Castle is impressive, but it’s far from unique, and the Medieval Astronomical Clock is very underwhelming…
City Vibe
This is a very subjective item, and it really depends on each person’s expectations and feelings on the days they visited. For us, we felt Budapest was much more than Prague.
Don’t get us wrong, Prague is vibrant and beautiful, with things happening everywhere, people all around, plenty of things to do, and everything you may expect from it. Yet, in Budapest, we feel at home. It has the right amount of culture, beauty, history, and quirkiness.
So, for us, Budapest wins this one.
Getting around Prague and Budapest
Prague wins here, but this one is almost unfair, as you can walk around Prague so easily that you don’t really need public transportation. You can’t really beat the convenience of being able to walk everywhere. Now that I think of this, I don’t think we ever used public transport within Prague…
On the other hand, Budapest has a few attractions that cluster (the castle district, for example), and you can do them together, but others are much further away. The good news is that public transportation in Budapest is excellent! They are very, very cheap, and you can hop on very quickly and easily.
Budapest loses this one, but honestly, it’s one of the best cities to travel around, and it would win against almost every other city in the world.
Prague or Budapest Debate – The people
The locals in a travel destination can make a trip much better or much worse! They are the ones living there and the ones who know everything about it, and being able to have a nice talk can really improve the whole experience.
Our experience suggests that the Czechs are generally more reserved and less outgoing than the Hungarians. In Budapest, we were almost always greeted with smiles; people were helpful and seemed pleased to have you around, which is always lovely.
In Prague, the locals seem less inclined to interact with us. In general, they weren’t rude, but they also weren’t very friendly. This is likely a side effect of having more tourists for a more extended period.
We want to mention one other thing about the locals of both towns, but particularly those from Budapest… They are very easy on the eyes! Both boys and girls are seriously good-looking.
Moving on :), Budapest has to win this one.
Accommodation
In this context, we typically discuss which town offers better hotels, the variety of accommodations, and the range of options available. However, both towns offer an incredible range of accommodations, from luxurious hotels to affordable hostels and Airbnb options.
Despite this, it is advisable to book in advance, as these are two of the most popular towns in Europe, and during peak season, the best options tend to sell out quickly.
When visiting either of the cities, we usually reserve our accommodations through Booking.
This is a tie.
The nightlife of Prague vs Budapest
Both Prague and Budapest are well-known for their vibrant nightlife and offer a plethora of famous things to do after dark. Though we aren’t really wild party people, we believe that you’ll be happy with what either town has to offer in this regard.
Budapest, in particular, is home to its famous ruin bars, which are a trademark of the city. These are old warehouses and factories that have been transformed into hip bars. Prague is renowned for the really wild and even naughty parties.
It is worth mentioning that Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in the world at night. Everything lights up perfectly, creating a dreamy and even romantic environment. Prague is lovely, beautiful, and vibrant, but not as memorable as one might expect.
Budapest wins this one for us, but it really depends on what you are looking for. If you want to party hard, then Prague is the better option.
Prague or Budapest: The Food Debate
This is an important one… at least for us. We are a bit of foodies, and whenever we travel, we need to try everything new we see. What we saw in Budapest was much more tempting than in Prague.
Prague has a vast variety of restaurants that should cater to your needs, but we felt that it lacks signature dishes, traditional meals, or dishes that you’ll remember for a long time. Actually, the only thing that came to mind was the chimney cake, which is sold literally everywhere in Prague. The other things weren’t really that memorable. Goulash is also associated with Prague, but we have never tried it there, and for us, goulash is synonymous with Budapest.
In Budapest, the variety and quality of the food are better. Some of the things you should eat in Budapest are:
- Chicken Paprika – one of the most famous dishes in Hungary – includes tender chicken and generous amounts of paprika.
- Beef Goulash – a soup or stew (depending on who you ask) with slow-cooked meat and lots of paprika.
- Langos – a deep-fried dough that’s the Hungarian take on street food. It’s as delicious as it is unhealthy, but we really recommend you try it.
- Dobos Tarte – chocolate buttercream with thin layers of sponge cake
- Chimney cake – similar to the one in Prague.
For all these reasons, Budapest has to win this one.
Budapest vs Prague Climate
You may be wondering about the climate in each city and whether it can impact your trip… You should be aware that the climates in Budapest and Prague are very similar. Both have hot summers and cold winters, and rainfalls are spread throughout the year, with the rainiest season being summer (particularly June). Also, during summer, the days are much longer than in Winter and can reach 16 hours of daylight.
This is a tie, and it’s not a significant factor when choosing between Budapest and Prague. However, it may be essential to consider the expected weather if you are still undecided about when to visit Prague or Budapest.
Which is safer? Prague or Budapest?
Both Prague and Budapest are relatively safe cities. In fact, the statistics suggest that a tourist must be very unlucky to be involved in a crime, particularly a violent one.
The biggest risk in either city is pickpocketing and scams. These are relatively common in the most touristy areas, and the more people a place has, the more you need to be sharp.
During our trips to both capitals, we have never felt unsafe and tend to walk around everywhere, both during the day and at night. Looking at the statistics, Prague is a bit safer than Budapest and therefore wins this one.
Which is more expensive? Budapest or Prague?
While both towns are relatively inexpensive compared to other European capitals, such as Paris, London, or Berlin, Prague is generally more expensive than Budapest. In fact, Prague’s prices have been steadily increasing in recent years due to tourism and the economic growth of Czechia.
When comparing prices in Budapest and Prague it’s fairly clear that Budapest is cheaper in almost every aspect. Additionally, according to the Backpacker Index, Budapest is the 42nd most affordable city, with a daily cost of $33 per person, while Prague ranks 69th, at $47 per person per day.
Many of the tourist attractions in Budapest and Prague are free or very affordable. However, some must-see attractions, such as the thermal baths in Budapest and Prague Castle, are not. In our experience, it’s still possible to find very affordable meals and hotels in Budapest. In contrast, hotels in Prague are becoming increasingly expensive, but meals remain affordable outside the tourist areas.
So, Budapest wins this one easily, but it’s worth noting that Prague is also affordable.
Which is more crowded? Prague or Budapest
Prague, clearly. During the peak summer season, Prague is very crowded. In fact, I would strongly suggest that you avoid going to Prague in the summer. The town center of Prague is relatively small, and tourists tend to gather in the same places: the Old Square, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle, which only makes things worse.
On the other hand, Budapest also attracts an increasing number of tourists, but it’s still far from Prague’s crowds. It’s also a much broader town, spreading its population across many more locations. The last time we visited Budapest, we already felt that some places, such as the Market, were overly crowded and had become a tourist trap. However, the city as a whole is still lovely, even during peak season.
So, Budapest clearly wins this one. Plus, the timing of your visit is a crucial factor in choosing whether to visit Prague or Budapest. If you have to travel in the Summer, choose Budapest. If you are traveling during the low season, you should be OK with both Budapest and Prague.
So, Budapest or Prague, who’s the winner?
Mathematically, Budapest clearly wins this contest, 7-3 (with three draws). However, this is a much closer call than it may seem, as in many cases, the difference is tiny, and it ultimately depends on what you want and your personal preferences.
By now, you have probably realized that we really like Budapest and we believe it is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, with plenty of things to like and very few downsides. Prague is also a great option, and it would probably win a showdown in 90% of the other cities.
In hindsight, you should choose Budapest over Prague if:
- You are traveling in the Summer.
- Your budget is really tight.
- You are a foodie.
- You enjoy mingling with the locals.
- You want to explore unique peculiarities like the Thermal Baths and the Ruin Bars;
On the other hand, you should choose Prague over Budapest if:
- You want a fairy tale town;
- You only have a couple of days to travel.
- You are looking for a wild nightlife.
- You want to walk everywhere and have everything incredibly accessible;
- You want the most vibrant and bustling city center with thousands of people having fun.
Both cities are generally pretty, inexpensive, and very safe, with plenty of things to do and see. You are bound to have a great time both in Prague and Budapest! After all, there’s a reason (or many) why they are so popular!
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