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Budapest with Kids

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Budapest With Kids

Budapest with kids might be the most underrated family trip in Europe, and I do not think it will stay a secret for long. It is flat, walkable, easy to get around, and packed with the kind of things that keep both kids and parents happy on the same day. Here is what worked for our family, from the thermal baths to where to stay.

Budapest is possibly one of the most overlooked capital cities in Europe, but I don’t think that will be the case for much longer.  While most people dream of bucket list European vacations, the same old cities always make the top of the list; Paris, London, Rome, Madrid, Vienna, Berlin and probably even Prague.  If you are thinking about where to go in Europe, I implore you to consider travel to Budapest.

Budapest parliament building next to the Danube River

Made up of two cities, Buda and Pest, lining the picturesque Danube river, Budapest is chock-full of UNESCO recognized sites.  Some of the best architecture we have seen in Europe has been here in Budapest, which is heavily influenced by neo-gothic style.  The transportation system is incredibly easy to navigate, well designed and well maintained.  National Geographic even listed the #2 tram ride in Budapest one of the most scenic in the world.  For the most part, it is pretty flat making it very walkable as well.

The food is really good, from hearty goulash soup to Parisian style pastries.  There is also a very big cafe culture here, so if you are into sipping coffee, or working remotely from a cute coffee shop, Budapest is a good place to be.  You can grab delicious street fare from the Central Market Hall or treat your self to an affordable prix fixe lunch at Stand25 Bisztró.  Read all about the delicious treats this city has to offer on our Budapest Eats page.

The city felt more diverse than many European cities, which we love, and the affordability is fabulous.  Could you get more for your dollar in Ecuador or Malaysia?  Yes, but as far as European destinations, I believe it to be one of the more affordable capitols, at least in our experience.  From accommodations to food cost, and many free things to see and do, this is a great choice if you are on a budget!

View of the Danube from a funicular.

We had such a fun time exploring Budapest.  There was so much to do, we barely even scratched the surface and we were there for a week!  The kids stayed entertained while mom got to check out all the architecture and take lots and lots of pictures.  From Thermal baths to the circus, riding a funicular to visiting the Houdini Museum, the diversity of activities makes for happy travelers regardless of individual interests.  For inspiration on things to do on your visit, explore our Budapest See & Do page.

We love traveling to new places above all else but on occasion there is a place we love so much we find ourselves contemplating on when to squeeze in a second visit.  Budapest is one of those destinations for us.  In fact, I would seriously consider living there.  Sure it would be great to live in the Saint Germaine Arrondissement of Paris, but it is nowhere near affordable.  I think Budapest has a lot going for it, and should not be underestimated as a primary destination desire of travelers.

If you are traveling with kids, backpacking through Europe or newly retired, put travel to Budapest at the top of your list.  I don’t think you will regret it!

Our family in the Heroes Square, Budapest, Hungary.

Is Budapest Good With Kids?

Short answer: yes. Budapest is one of the easier European capitals to travel with children. The city is flat and walkable, the public transport is clean and simple to figure out on day one, and there is a real mix of activities that work across ages. You can spend the morning soaking in a thermal bath and the afternoon at the circus, and everyone leaves happy.

Getting Around Budapest With Kids

The metro, trams and buses are stroller friendly and cheap. Trams 2 and 19 hug the Danube and double as a scenic tour that little ones love from the window. Most of the big sights sit close together on the Pest side, so you are rarely far from a bathroom, a snack, or a bench when small legs give out. For the practical stuff, see our Budapest tips and essentials.

Planning Your Budapest With Kids Trip

We spent a full week here and barely scratched the surface, so give yourself more time than you think you need. Base yourself on the Pest side in an apartment with a little space and a washing machine, then build each day around one big activity plus plenty of downtime. If you want it mapped out, we shared our full Budapest family itinerary, along with our picks for where to stay in Budapest.

Budapest Gallery

One of the girls descending a white marble staircase in a bright arcaded courtyard in Budapest
Dad and one of the girls inside a Houdini prop safe at the House of Houdini in Budapest
One of the girls beside the metal weeping willow memorial in the Dohany Street Synagogue gardens
A kurtos kalacs, the spiraled Hungarian pastry rolled in cinnamon sugar
The Hungarian Parliament lit up above the Danube at blue hour
One of the girls with a milkshake and treats at the New York Cafe in Budapest
One of the girls striking a silly pose beside the Danube at sunset with Buda Castle behind her
A langos, Hungarian fried bread with sour cream and grated cheese, from the Central Market Hall
The painted arches and gilded galleries inside the Dohany Street Synagogue in Budapest
Crowds along the Danube watching the National Day air show in front of the Hungarian Parliament
One of the girls helping the magician on stage at the House of Houdini in Budapest
The girls sharing a tire swing in a shady Budapest playground
One of the girls biting into a rose shaped ice cream cone in Budapest
Two funicular carriages passing on the track up Castle Hill in Budapest
National Day fireworks bursting over the Danube and the lit up city of Budapest
The family in front of the carved cathedral door at Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest
A slice of cream cake from Ruszwurm Confectionery in Budapest
The Danube and the Hungarian Parliament seen from the Buda side on a hazy afternoon
The gilded columns, chandeliers and velvet booths of the New York Cafe in Budapest
The Hungarian Parliament floodlit gold above the Danube at night
The family under the entrance sign of the House of Houdini in Budapest
The tiled roof and carved spire of Matthias Church on Castle Hill in Budapest
A plated bistro course of seared meat with a pale sauce and edible flowers in Budapest
One of the girls laughing on the marble steps of a white arcaded courtyard in Budapest
The girls sitting together on an orange bench against a stone wall in Budapest
Matthias Church and its diamond patterned tile roof seen from the square on Castle Hill
One of the girls walking across Liberty Bridge in Budapest beneath the Hungarian flag
The steel roof and market stalls of the Central Market Hall in Budapest seen from the gallery
One of the girls sipping a latte beside a pastry at a Budapest cafe
One of the girls at the foot of a long Budapest metro escalator while Dad brings the stroller down
The white turrets of Fisherman's Bastion floodlit at night in Budapest
One of the girls spinning on a playground pole in a leafy Budapest park
One of the girls waiting to catch the number 2 tram in Budapest
The colored Zsolnay tile roof and brick facade of the Central Market Hall in Budapest
A helicopter flying past the Hungarian Parliament during the National Day air show
One of the girls leaning over a whole margherita pizza in Budapest
A yellow tram running along the Danube embankment with Buda Castle across the water
One of the girls licking whipped cream from a cup of chocolate gelato in Budapest
The dome and bell towers of St Stephen's Basilica in Budapest
The girls at a table with a white turret of Fisherman's Bastion rising behind them
National Day fireworks over the Danube with the Hungarian Parliament lit gold below
Dad holding the youngest aboard an open sided train carriage in Budapest
View of the Danube from a funicular.
Vintage Harry Houdini posters and a display case inside the House of Houdini in Budapest
A military helicopter banking over the Hungarian Parliament during the National Day air show
One of the girls at the railing watching the sunrise over the Danube from Liberty Bridge
A quiet Budapest park with lawns, flowerbeds and a curving gravel path
One of the girls walking down a Budapest side street past parked cars
The colorful tile roof of Matthias Church in Budapest
One of the girls stepping into an old wooden funicular car in Budapest
A slice of tomato and cheese tart beside a hot chocolate on a Budapest cafe table
Dad holding the youngest beside a friend in a shaded stone arcade in Budapest
The youngest with ice cream all over her face, eating a cone on Dad's lap in Budapest
The Millennium Monument column and bronze chieftains at Heroes Square in Budapest
One of the girls watching the ducks on a pond in a Budapest park
The youngest in an embroidered Hungarian blouse on Dad's lap at a Budapest cafe
The terrace of Fisherman's Bastion with the statue of Saint Stephen on horseback
Gilded lamps and a Star of David medallion inside the Dohany Street Synagogue
The red bench seats inside an open sided train carriage in Budapest
The striped brick towers and rose window of the Dohany Street Synagogue in Budapest
Dad pushing the stroller past the arched doors of a grand Budapest building
Matthias Church floodlit at night with its patterned tile roof glowing
A dessert of poached plums with ice cream and edible flowers at a Budapest restaurant
One of the girls licking cream from a spoon over a cappuccino at a Budapest cafe
One of the girls sitting on a bollard in front of Matthias Church in Budapest
One of the girls watching the sunrise over the Danube from the railing of Liberty Bridge
Hungarian pasta with curd cheese, sour cream and crisp bacon on a white plate
One of the girls walking through the tiled entrance hall of a Budapest apartment building
A terrine with toast points and a glass of dessert wine at a Budapest restaurant
One of the girls on the grand gilded staircase of the New York Cafe in Budapest
An open faced sandwich with salad on a tray at a Budapest lunch counter
Buda Castle above the Danube at sunset with river boats moored below
Dad and the girls taking a break on the steps of the Citadella in Budapest
One of the girls with a tall milkshake and pastries at the New York Cafe in Budapest
Buda Castle at sunset above the Danube with a river cruise boat passing
The mosaic dome inside the Szechenyi bath house in Budapest
The Liberty Statue holding a palm frond above the Citadella on Gellert Hill
The Hungarian Parliament seen from a passing tram in Budapest
One of the girls pulling a face over a brunch tray in Budapest
Shoppers among the stalls of the Central Market Hall in Budapest seen from above
One of the girls standing alone under a vast floodlit stone arch in Budapest at night
A tartlet, meringue and chocolate mousse dessert plate at a Budapest cafe
One of the girls on a Budapest tram platform as a yellow tram pulls in
One of the girls in a shaded Budapest playground with slides and climbing frames
Vajdahunyad Castle across the boating lake in the City Park in Budapest
Dad and the girls posing with the view from the Citadella in Budapest
One of the girls in front of the bronze Hungarian chieftains at the base of the Heroes Square column
One of the girls laughing at a red checked table in a Budapest restaurant
The youngest eating a rose shaped ice cream cone in Budapest
The girls on the platform of a small Budapest train station
The striped brick and Moorish arches of a synagogue in the old Jewish quarter of Budapest
The Hungarian Parliament glowing gold across the dark Danube at night
One of the girls posing with the view over the Danube from Fisherman's Bastion
A family selfie on a lookout above the Danube in Budapest
Our family in the Heroes Square, Budapest, Hungary.
The family at an outdoor restaurant table in Budapest beside a chalkboard menu
The Buda skyline at sunset with Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion above the Danube
The east side of Budapest and the Danube seen from the Citadella on Gellert Hill
One of the girls running up the grand staircase of the New York Cafe in Budapest
Old wooden funicular carriages inside the funicular station in Budapest
Valerie, Dawson, Viona and Kaida of Little Eyes Big World on a safari truck in Kenya

Build your kids
a free Trip Kit

Heading to Budapest? Before you go, build your kids their own free Trip Kit: a printable explorer passport, a countdown to takeoff and a scavenger hunt matched to their ages. It’s the exact kit our girls travel with!

Build your kit

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