Budapest is such a beautiful city! I have always heard wonderful things, but was surprised at how much more I liked it than I anticipated. I consolidated family-friendly tips on exploring Budapest with toddlers.
Best Activities to Explore Budapest with Toddlers
Transportation/Car seat Requirements in Budapest:
We primarily walked or took taxi cabs or Ubers in the city. Car seats are not required, so it is at the digression of the parents. On our last day, we wanted to take rent a car for a day trip, so we rented a car from the airport and drove the 4.5. hour one way drive to Lake Bled, Slovenia, and returned the car two days later. For more information on our day trip to Lake Bled, visit my full blog post here.
Where to stay in Budapest
We are a Marriott Family, so after searching a few Marriott options, this Courtyard was the most cost-effective out of our favorite options. It was clean, comfortable, and the location was walking friendly to sites in Pest and a taxi drive away from Buda. We were pleased with the overall experience here!
What to do in Budapest
We loved strolling around Budapest! The city is broken into two sides, Buda and Pest. With our kids, we tend to move at a slower pace, and simply enjoyed strolling the main sites, eating good food, and enjoying the vibe.
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Explore the Buda Castle District
Located on the Castle Hill, the Buda Castle District is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers a fascinating glimpse into Budapest’s history. Explore the medieval streets, visit the impressive Buda Castle, and enjoy panoramic views of the city from Fisherman’s Bastion. For a few euros, our son held a dove and it made his day! It was so much fun to see his face having this new experience – with an incredibly stunning background!
2. Visit the Hungarian Parliament Building in Pest
One of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, the Hungarian Parliament Building is a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture. You can take a guided tour to explore the grand interior, admire the ornate decorations, and learn about Hungary’s history and government. We ended up simply perusing the outside grounds of the parliament and letting the kids run around the front – and for our kids ages, it was just enough for us.
3. Take boat ride on Danube River
The boat ride on Danube River was a very pleasant experience for us and our kids. Going around Golden Hour was great, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the juices they were offered. We were able to view the beautiful architecture of the buildings and take in the atmosphere.
Where to eat in Budapest
We were uncertain if our kids would eat items on traditional Hungarian menus, so we went to cuisines that we have tried and tested beforehand – and each places I list below are our favorite food spots in Budapest we would absolutely go back to with our toddlers!
| Type | Name + Link | Comments |
| Breakfast | London Coffee Society | Shashuka for adults and baked beans for the kids were a winner |
| Cafe | New York Cafe | This has been voted the most beautiful cafe in the world. The food is average and expensive; but the ambiance of the restaurant is worth visiting! |
| Dinner | Terzo Cerchio | We loved the margherita pizza and pesto gnocchi |
| Dinner | Bamba Marha | The burgers were good; our kids loved the sweet potato fries |
| Dinner/Lunch | Biang Bisztro – oktogon | Beef and fried noodles were great |
| Snack/Dessert | Anjuna Ice Pops | We made multiple visits here for the Acai Tropical Bowl and Pistachio Ice Pop with Milk Chocolate |
We had an incredible few days in Budapest – it is probably my favorite Eastern European city! The activities were not necessarily child-focused, and yet the kids had a blast running around and exploring with us. This is one of the cities that I would love to go back to visit.
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