Things to do alone in budapest: your solo female travel guide

Never have I met a city so intent on creating beauty out of her scars as Budapest. It is a place where an ancient church razed by foreign invaders gives rise to an intricately mosaiced wedding cake of a cathedral, where lively beer gardens sprawl amongst the wreckage of bombed-out World War II ruins and the artfully placed personal items of its citizens on sidewalks create makeshift memorials to Hungarian Holocaust victims. Along with all of the intrigue come some very important questions. Is Budapest safe for solo female travellers? What are the best things to do alone in Budapest? Brace yourselves for my solo female travel guide to Budapest! 

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why go to budapest as a solo female traveler?

Budapest has been terrorized by the  Nazi invasion and smothered by the Soviet occupation, but her proud, rebellious spirit never broken. Budapest thrives with a vibrant present without trying to ignore or shake off her turbulent past.

I chose Budapest as my destination for my spring travel break in part because Prague really whet my appetite for more Eastern European travel. Budapest also has that laid-back, unassuming, artsy Eastern European feel. There’s lots of things to do alone in Budapest for a solo female traveler too!

While walking down the streets of Budapest I just can’t shake the feeling that the whole city was designed as some sort of paean to all that is beautiful about the human spirit. It’s not hard to see why Hungarians are such a proud people.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

I’ve organized this solo female travel guide to Budapest into sections. Read it all or skip straight to the parts you need most! 

DAY: The best things to do alone in Budapest during the day, including day trips!

STAY: The best hotels in Budapest to stay in as a solo female traveler.

NIGHT: The best things to do alone in Budapest at night as a solo female traveler.

BITE: The best restaurants and cafes to visit as a solo female traveler in Budapest, including vegan options and solo friendly dining!

NUTS AND BOLTS

INTERACTIVE MAP

I made you a little interactive map with all of the places listed in this guide. Click on the pins to learn more about each destination including directions, opening times, phone number, web address, contact info, reviews, and more. Enjoy!

IS BUDAPEST SAFE FOR SOLO FEMALE TRAVELLERS?

I felt very safe in Budapest as a solo female traveler. Based on the experience of other solo female travelers to Budapest, Budapest ranks a 4.1 out of 5 in terms of feeling safe. The crime index in Budapest is ranked as low to moderate in most areas.

I did feel the need to keep my wits about me after dark, making sure I stayed in high traffic, well-lit areas and taking care to know my way home at the end of the evening. This is best practice everywhere though!

GETTING AROUND in Budapest as a solo female traveler

Budapest is home to the first underground subway line in the world, and should you choose to get around via public transport you’ll find it’s as cheap and plentiful as it is charmingly retro. 

There are subway, bus and tram connections to just about anywhere you wish to go on either side of the river. However, Budapest is so compact and easy to get around on foot that I didn’t find myself using public transport very much unless I was tired or the weather was bad.

travel cards for budapest public transit

Budapest’s public transit system is called the BKK

Buy a 24-hour Budapest travel card.

Buy a 72-hour Budapest travel card.

Download the BKK public transit App for Budapest

I always find that downloading a day ticket is a good value as a solo female traveler. That way I know that no matter what happens, I always have a way home.

getting from budapest airport to the city center

You can take the Airport Express bus from the airport to the city center. The journey is about 40 minutes.

DAY

My favorite things to do alone in Budapest during the daytime!

Budapest is split by the Danube River into two distinct quarters, the Pest and the Buda. You’ll want to explore both of these areas thoroughly as both are rich with sights and history.

begin your day in the pest

visit the great synagogue (Dohány street synagogue)

True to its name, Great synagogue is the largest Jewish house of worship in the world outside of New York City. Come for the soaring and intricate eastern architecture, and linger for the Garden of the Just, part Holocaust Memorial, part art installation.

You can choose a self-guided tour of the synagogue or you can learn more about its rich history by booking a Budapest Jewish Heritage tour with a synagogue ticket included.

go vintage shopping in the jewish quarter

Budapest’s lively Jewish quarter is packed with eclectic shops and cute cafes. If you’ve been a reader of this blog for a while, you know I’m gaga about vintage shopping. If you are too, spending an afternoon pawing through thrift shops in the Jewish quarter is an amazing thing to do alone in Budapest!

experience the haus of terror!

Haus of Terror is a paranoia-inducing journey through the Soviet occupation of Hungary, housed in the former secret police headquarters. As fascinating and immersive as it is terrifying, I lingered in this museum for hours!

visit hungarian parliament

Stunning and imposing, taking a stroll around the grounds of the Hungarian Parliament Building is a worthwhile thing to do alone in Budapest.

You can also deeper with a tour of the inside of the Hungarian parliament which includes an audio guide!

splash around in a thermal bath

Bathe with the Budapest natives in this Victorian labyrinth of pools and steam rooms. Kick around in the outdoor heated pool too!

Budapest is known for its many public thermal baths. Stunning and historic, visiting one is kind of like going for a swim in a museum. I chose to visit Szechenyi Thermal Bath which was kind of a massive paradise! This was truly one of my highlights of my solo female travel to Budapest.

A spa day is an amazing thing to do alone in Budapest as a solo female traveler! You can even book a full spa day and spirit tasting!

cross the chain bridge to the buda

This historic bridge spans the Danube, linking the Pest and Buda neighbourhood. Strolling across the Chain Bridge with your camera is a wonderful thing to do alone in Budapest.

When you’ve crossed the river, make sure you take the adorable funicular up to explore Buda Castle!

fisherman’s bastion

Iconic for a reason, this 19th-century architectural wonder with sweeping views of the city, is a do not miss thing to do alone in Budapest for a solo female traveler! Stroll along the ramparts taking in the views of the Danube, stop and take a selfie and revel in a few ‘pinch’me’I’m’in-Budapest’ moments!

matthias church/ /buda castle

Located on the Pest side of the Danube, Matthias Church is not far from Fisherman’s Bastion. Being inside made me feel like I was rolled up in a magic carpet. This is a do not miss for architecture lovers.

stay

When it comes to hotels for solo female travelers in Budapest, this city has a little of everything from ecclective vintage charm to bougie spas and luxury. Here are my top 3 picks of places to stay alone in Edinburgh.

baltazár boutique hotel

This castle district gem is packed with character, from its individually decorated rooms featuring vintage furniture to it’s elegant bistro boasting Hungarian wines, this place is worth a look.

Location: Budapest, Országház utca 31.

corinthia budapest

The original Grand Budapest Hotel, if the wedding cake building facade doesn’t get you, the stunning art nouveau style pool will. If you’re looking to splash out (pun intended) this is a great place to stay as a solo female traveler in Budapest.

Location: Budapest, Erzsébet körút 43-49

meininger hotel great market Hall

This smart, brightly decorated and budget friendly is adjacent to the Great Market Hall and convenient to other attractions too! This would be my top pick for a solo female traveler to Budapest on a budget!

Location: Budapest, 2 Csarnok ter

night

Budapest is a great city for nightlife and this holds true as a solo female traveller. There’s loads of things to do alone at night in Budapest, ranging from cozy ruin pubs to muscial performances! Let’s check it out!

go to a ruin pub

There’s nothing more Budapest than going to a ruin pub. Typically housed in abandoned buildings that have been artisitcally brough back to life, they’re a great thing to do alone in Budapest! These hip, unassuming, vibey places offer a great chance to sample Hungarian beer, mix with the locals or just people-watch. Here’s a directory of the best ruin pubs in Budapest.

discover klezmer music

Klezmer is traditional Askenazi Jewish folk music originating from Eastern Europe. Budapest does a wonderful job of keeping this rich art form alive. Going to a Klezmer concert is one of my fondest memories of my trip to Hungary and an amazing thing to do alone at night in Budapest.

I experienced dinner and a Klezmer concert at the legendary Spinoza Cafe.

go on a night tour

Another great thing to do alone at night in Budapest is a night tour. Budapest will offer a little bit of everything from a Buda Castle Vampires and Myths tour to a nightime sigtseeing cruise on the Danube!

bite

What’s travel without some good eats? Budapest offers a range of food, from tranditional Hungarian cuisine to vegan and vegetarian fare.

Note for veggies: Just like they do about Prague, people will tell you before you go to Hungary that it’s impossible to find vegetarian food. And just like when I was in Prague, I found that to be untrue of Budapest as well. There’s veggie food everywhere if you open your eyes, and the cuisine seems to be broadening out beyond fried cheese. (Not that there’s anything wrong with fried cheese!)

the best vegetarian & vegan restaurants in Budapest

Vegan Garden: Decorated like a huge indoor garden, this is one of Budapest’s best-known vegan eateries.

Location: 1061 Budapest, Király u. 8-10.

Vegazzi Specialty Pizzeria: You know how I feel about pizza! This vegan pizza joint is a do not miss for pizza lovers!

Location: 1066 Budapest Jókai utca 7

 Napfényes Vegán Étterem: A vegan take on traditional Hungarian food!

Location: 1053 Budapest, Curia u. 2.

food markets in Budapest

Budapest has many markets offering everything from street food to handmade goods. This is a great place to sample the local spirit, Palinka, a traditional Hungarian liqueur, often served warm. Just be warned as my hostess told me, “One you’re having a good night, two you’re on the floor.”

The Great Market Hall is the oldest indoor market in Budapest.

Eating at a market is a great thing to do alone in Budapest because it’s a casual setting where you can sample different foods and don’t need to fret about eating alone!

have a coffee!

Budapest has great coffee culture! Grab a coffee at one of Budapest’s many fine coffeehouses and drink in the atmosphere of Andrassy ut, a grand thoroughfare known as Budapsest’s Champs-Elysees. Bonus, Andrassy Ut ends in Heroe’s Square, home to City Park, the Zoo, several art museums and of course, the cities largest thermal bath.

famous coffee houses in budapest:

New York Cafe: Known as Budapest’s most spectacular, with an opulent interior that must be seen to be believed. (Warning, this place is expensive, and can often be crowded!)

Location: 1073 Budapest Erzsébet krt. 9-11

Cafe Gerbeaud: Come for the coffee, stay for the sumptuous selection of Hungarian Swiss pastries!

Location: 1051 BUDAPEST VÖRÖSMARTY SQUARE 7-8.

try traditional hungarian food

Haute Hungarian cuisine at Pest Buda or Paprika. Pest Buda has an excellent wait staff and a perfect Castle Hill location, Paprika wins for atmosphere.

the deal on budapest for solo female travelers

Budapest is chock full of charm, mystery and drama, but with a dose of humor that will make you feel at home. Budapest is safe for solo female travelers, and it it is without a doubt, high on my list of must see cities in Europe!

get ready for your trip to Budapest

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