Prague vs Budapest – Which is better to visit?

Have you ever wondered whether you should visit Prague or Budapest when planning your next vacation. I visited both recently and both cities although beautiful are different in many ways.

If you are retired and have some extra cash you may decide to visit both. I travelled from Prague to Budapest by train. The cost was inexpensive but the ride was a bit long. For me it was well worth it but you may not be able to visit both. 

Prague

The capital of the Czech Republic, or Czechia as it’s also referred to, Prague is always described as like being in fairytale by those who have traveled there.

What makes Prague so fairytale-like in my eyes is the combination of the stunning Vltava river that flows through its core along with the amazing architecture that surrounds it. The bridges over the river, the hundreds of spires on the skyline, the old cobblestone streets, and the gothic buildings all come together to make one beautiful city. 

Budapest

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and is also an architectural delight. The city is split into the east (Pest), and west (Buda) by the beautiful river Danube and are joined by old ancient bridges that connect each side. 

Budapest is known as “The City Of Baths” with over 118 thermal spring bathhouses in the city which are open to the public. You’re never far from a place to have a dip in Budapest so be sure to bring your swimsuit with you, even in winter. 

Budapest is also home to some great architectural sites such as the old palaces and has a rich history too, though quite a scary one. The Nazi invasion of WWII pretty much wiped out the whole of Budapest and thus it had to be rebuilt, hence why a lot of the buildings are new-ish except for the old buildings that did survive. 

Conclusion

Prague and Budapest are very similar in terms of size and inclusivity. Both of the cities are a lot of fun and the people are very welcoming.

During my recent trip to both cities I would say I have some additional observations as follows:

  • Prague is an old fairytale town with regards to the buildings themselves whereas Budapest is relatively new due to having to rebuild after the war.
  • Budapest is home to a lot of spas of which Prague has almost none. 
  • Prague streets are more narrow and darker where stores and their wares seem to literally be in a time capsule from the 50’s. Our location was in the heart of the old city where a large 5 storey mall resided. Luxury and everyday items from across Europe and North America could be found but some local shops definitely had an old world feel with dated objects gracing the windows. Budapest seem to have larger boulevards having more of a European feel. 
  • Street material are not for the faint at heart. What I mean is as people age in particular the material used on roads and sidewalks greatly affect them. Brick roads and small brick sidewalks in Prague gave no relief to modern cement and level walkways. Walking extensively each day, I can say this affected me greatly. It is very easy to sprain your feet so be careful where and how you walk. In Budapest, however, roads and sidewalks were easier to navigate because of the material used. My feet definitely liked the more modern materials used.
  • Pedestrians were rather aggressive in Prague so moving between citizens and the throngs of tourists was a challenge. There was more of an ‘edge’ to locals in Prague. 
  • Prague had more of a soviet feel while Budapest seemed to have a more European feel. The French influence was very evident in cafes and other establishments around the city.