Budapest vs Prague: What are the 8 key differences

When you’re thinking about Budapest vs Prague for your next European adventure, why miss out on one or the other? We’ve got multi-centre city breaks that take in both of these captivating cities.

While there are many similarities between the two, such as beautiful rivers, famous bridges, castles steeped in centuries of history and eye-catching architecture, there’s also so much that sets them apart. 

Keep reading to learn more about eight of the main differences between the capitals of Hungary and the Czech Republic when it comes to enjoying a memorable holiday

Thermal baths 

Sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Spas’, Budapest is renowned for its thermal baths. The largest of these is Széchenyi Thermal Baths, which has 15 indoor pools and three outdoor pools. It’s been a mainstay of Budapest since 1913 and is popular with locals and tourists alike. 

Budapest has over 100 thermal springs and several baths throughout the city, so if you’ve never enjoyed this experience before, there’s no better place to do it. If you’d prefer a quiet and relaxing time, it pays to go to the more popular baths early in the morning, or you could seek out one of the smaller venues, such as Lukács Baths. 

Seeing the sights 

While both cities have a stunning variety of sights to visit, Prague’s main attractions are packed more closely together. This is ideal if you’re on a short city break and want to see as much as possible on foot during your stay. In Budapest, you might have to do a bit more travelling around to cover all the places you’d like to visit. 

The range of architectural styles is also greater in Prague, so if you’re a lover of old buildings and history, you’ll find more of what you’re looking for in the Czech Republic’s capital as opposed to Hungary’s. 

Money matters 

Budapest is home to approximately 50% more people than Prague but has less than half the number of hotels. Because Budapest attracts fewer tourists every year, the good news is the accommodation tends to be cheaper than in Prague.

The most popular parts of Prague are also typically more expensive for eating out and shopping than you’ll find in Budapest. If you’re happy to venture a bit further out from the centre, you’ll definitely pay less without compromising on quality.

Budapest vs Prague: Brewing History

Beer is, of course, widely available in both cities, but Prague’s brewing history goes back over 1,000 years to the Břevnov Monastery in 993. In contrast, it wasn’t until the 1840s that commercial brewing really started to take off in Budapest. 

Prague’s obsession with beer makes it a popular place for stag parties and group holidays to spend time savouring the variety of traditional local brews in the city’s Old Town pubs. While Budapest may not have the brewing backstory of Prague, it’s more than making a name for itself in craft brewing circles. It’s also home to many ‘ruin pubs’, which are located in old buildings with eclectic interiors and great stories to tell. 

Going underground 

Another key difference between Budapest and Prague is that you can go below in Budapest. For example, Pálvölgyi Cave has a 500-metre section open to tourists where you can see stone formations, crystals, stalactites and more. Be prepared for the cooler temperature of around 11 degrees Celsius if you visit in the summer months. Tours last about an hour, so even if you’re only in the city for a couple of days, it’s worth booking for a unique experience. 

Is romance in the air? 

Prague is often mentioned when people are discussing or voting for the prettiest cities in the world. With so many beautiful buildings and cobbled streets close together, it undoubtedly has a hint of romance that, in our opinion, Budapest can’t quite match. Prague is particularly stunning in the winter when there’s been a light snowfall. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you can enjoy a nice relaxing river cruise with dinner in both cities. The best way to decide which city is the most romantic is to book one of our city breaks that include both places and compare them for yourself. 

What’s on the menu? 

There are definitely similarities when it comes to cuisine in each city, with dishes such as beef goulash and dumplings being a firm favourite. You can also savour many international dishes in Prague and Budapest, but in our view, Budapest has a broader range to choose from, as well as more Michelin-starred restaurants. 

The street food on offer differs, too. Sausage with bread and mustard is a staple in Prague, while Budapest is renowned for its warming soups and stews, which are perfect when the weather’s colder. 

When to go

The climate doesn’t differ hugely between Budapest and Prague, no matter the time of year. Generally speaking, they both enjoy warm summers and cold winters. However, because Prague attracts more annual tourists and many of its sights are close together, you may want to avoid visiting in the peak months of July and August. 

Budapest’s popularity as a holiday destination is growing, so it will be busy in the summer, but because attractions are spread over a wider area, it typically won’t feel as crowded. 

Both places host Christmas markets, so December is another popular time for city breaks from the UK. If you’d prefer a warmer break, we’d recommend visiting these two dazzling destinations in May, June or September 

We definitely wouldn’t like to choose an overall favourite between Budapest and Prague because both cities have so much going for them. We’ve covered many highlights here and in our blog on the best photography spots in Prague and Budapest.