{"id":985,"date":"2019-11-04T14:26:17","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T14:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/?p=985"},"modified":"2022-12-08T15:50:16","modified_gmt":"2022-12-08T15:50:16","slug":"budapest-or-vienna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/budapest-or-vienna\/","title":{"rendered":"Budapest Or Vienna: Which To Choose For 3-4 Days?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Choosing between Budapest or Vienna for a short stay is not an easy task.  These two cities, both located on the Danube river, are the respective capitals of Austria and Hungary.  Both have impressive historical and cultural sights and a common past, each offers a very different experience to the visitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d5602483.470148929!2d13.602280806625823!3d47.052937276294436!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e3!4m5!1s0x4741c334d1d4cfc9%3A0x400c4290c1e1160!2sBudapest%2C%20Hungary!3m2!1d47.497912!2d19.040235!4m5!1s0x476d079e5136ca9f%3A0xfdc2e58a51a25b46!2sVienna%2C%20Austria!3m2!1d48.208174299999996!2d16.3738189!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1572617366873!5m2!1sen!2sus\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vienna has the magnificence of a former Austro-Hungarian empire capital, while Budapest is a former Soviet state with a very rich history as well and buildings dating back to the 13th century.  Vienna is wealthy and organized for tourism, whereas Budapest offers a more authentic immersion into its local lifestyle and culture<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_62 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-65df44a279cf9\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-65df44a279cf9\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/budapest-or-vienna\/#Budapest_Or_Vienna_what_travelers_say\" title=\"Budapest Or Vienna: what travelers say\">Budapest Or Vienna: what travelers say<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/budapest-or-vienna\/#Budapest_Or_Vienna_transportation\" title=\"Budapest Or Vienna: transportation\">Budapest Or Vienna: transportation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/budapest-or-vienna\/#Budapest_Or_Vienna_vibe_people\" title=\"Budapest Or Vienna: vibe &amp; people\">Budapest Or Vienna: vibe &amp; people<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/budapest-or-vienna\/#Budapest_Or_Vienna_sights_culture\" title=\"Budapest Or Vienna: sights &amp; culture\">Budapest Or Vienna: sights &amp; culture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/budapest-or-vienna\/#Budapest_Or_Vienna_food_nightlife\" title=\"Budapest Or Vienna: food &amp; nightlife\">Budapest Or Vienna: food &amp; nightlife<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/budapest-or-vienna\/#Budapest_Or_Vienna_lodging\" title=\"Budapest Or Vienna: lodging\">Budapest Or Vienna: lodging<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/budapest-or-vienna\/#Budapest_Or_Vienna_day_trips\" title=\"Budapest Or Vienna: day trips\">Budapest Or Vienna: day trips<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budapest_Or_Vienna_what_travelers_say\"><\/span>Budapest Or Vienna: what travelers say<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"418\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/8266587953_c97f0a20f1_c.jpg\" alt=\"Vienna city center\" class=\"wp-image-1023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/8266587953_c97f0a20f1_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/8266587953_c97f0a20f1_c-300x196.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Vienna city center (2)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some highlights of how travelers generally compare Budapest and Vienna:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Vienna is modern, <strong>posh<\/strong>, expensive (being part of the Eurozone), for some even a bit stuffy.  Budapest is <strong>cheaper<\/strong>, <strong>rougher <\/strong>around the edges, and more varied in terms of feel, a mix of elegant and relaxed vibes, including within the downtown area.<\/li><li>As the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Vienna has a plethora of superb architecture, including <strong>Gothic cathedrals<\/strong>, <strong>royal palaces and castles<\/strong>, and great <strong>museums<\/strong>. Some say the city is very much an ode the affluent Hapsburg imperial dynasty.<\/li><li>Vienna is very <strong>well-organized <\/strong>and maintained.  It has been fully renovated after the war. Budapest, on the other, hasn&#8217;t undergone as much renovation. <\/li><li>Vienna has majestic caf\u00e9s and restaurants full of history. It&#8217;s beautiful and elegant and can be compared to London with its monuments and galleries. <\/li><li>Budapest has lots of <strong>outdoor activities <\/strong>(fewer museums) and is a great city for <strong>independent cultural exploration<\/strong>. Vienna, on the other hand, is more <strong>museum-centric<\/strong>, and guarantees visitors an efficient tourist experience with great sights and cultural displays.<\/li><li>Budapest has <strong>lifestyle-type <\/strong>tourism, with its cafe culture and casual, inexpensive music and art happenings. In Vienna, attending a symphony at the Opera House is a unique experience if you can afford it.<\/li><li>Vienna feels <strong>more touristy <\/strong>as the main sights are located in a small area.  Budapest is more decentralized as the main attractions are the neighborhoods, streets, and caf\u00e9s.  There are many areas where you see mostly locals as tourists mainly focus on a few central places.   <\/li><li>While Vienna is grandiose, Budapest has an <strong>oriental feel <\/strong>to it, having been occupied by the Ottomans for over a century.<\/li><li>Being an ex-Soviet country, Budapest has some amount of decay and poverty. It offers lower prices, nice locals, and a special atmosphere. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budapest_Or_Vienna_transportation\"><\/span>Budapest Or Vienna: transportation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33907402581_81708576a7_c.jpg\" alt=\"Budapest tramway\" class=\"wp-image-1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33907402581_81708576a7_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33907402581_81708576a7_c-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Budapest tramway (3)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily travel between Vienna and Budapest by train, a 2.5 to 3 hours ride  &#8211; taking day trips from one to the other is quite frequent. The taxi ride e.g. from St. Stephen&#8217;s (tourist district) to the Westbahnhof train station in Vienna takes about 10 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Budapest is a great city to explore on foot or by subway\/bus\/tram.  There are pleasant tram routes along either river bank which can take you to the most popular hangouts, all fairly close to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Vienna, exploring the many grand castles and numerous museums and galleries may require more travel time in public transport compared to Budapest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budapest_Or_Vienna_vibe_people\"><\/span>Budapest Or Vienna: vibe &amp; people<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"428\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/8267643878_55e6714683_c.jpg\" alt=\"Vienna vibe\" class=\"wp-image-1028\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/8267643878_55e6714683_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/8267643878_55e6714683_c-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption> <em>Vienna vibe (4)<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Budapest has a special vibe to it.  Its architecture is beautiful and <strong>more diverse and unusual <\/strong>compared to Vienna and other classical European cities. It has gorgeous areas like the tree-lined Andrassy Utca and the green Buda Hills.   The best way to enjoy Budapest is to walk around and experience the atmosphere and street life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Budapest has an <strong>exotic feel <\/strong>to it, due to its history behind the Soviet wall and to long-lasting the Ottoman rule over the city.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna&#8217;s First District is relatively <strong>flat and concentrated <\/strong>and as a result, many of the city sights can be seen in a short time by going around the small area.  Vienna has a nice mix of Imperial past and post-war history, providing a rich experience for visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33824154092_fdbec9180f_c.jpg\" alt=\"Budapest vibe\" class=\"wp-image-1026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33824154092_fdbec9180f_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33824154092_fdbec9180f_c-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33824154092_fdbec9180f_c-310x232.jpg 310w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33824154092_fdbec9180f_c-140x105.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Budapest vibe (5)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast to Vienna, travelers tend to quickly feel <strong>immersed <\/strong>in the Budapest culture.  Yet in Budapest, <strong>few people speak English<\/strong> outside the main tourist areas (Vaci street and the Castle area), whereas most locals in Vienna do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Budapest is <strong>affordable <\/strong>and can be fun, but requires a bit of research and exploration. Vienna is much pricier but for the time-constrained traveler, it&#8217;s a sure thing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When attending a show or concert in Budapest, the public around you is primarily Hungarian, while in Vienna you&#8217;ll typically be surrounded by many tourists. Performances generally tend to be more sophisticated in Vienna, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Weatherwise, the best time of year to visit both Budapest and Vienna is late September\/early October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budapest_Or_Vienna_sights_culture\"><\/span>Budapest Or Vienna: sights &amp; culture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/14901121230_bff1ab9d0f_c.jpg\" alt=\"Vienna's  Schoenbrunn Palace\" class=\"wp-image-1030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/14901121230_bff1ab9d0f_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/14901121230_bff1ab9d0f_c-300x139.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Vienna&#8217;s  Schoenbrunn Palace  (6)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna is characterized by its <strong>classic architecture<\/strong>, with many grand buildings with columns and ornate carvings.  Budapest also has a lot of multi-story buildings built in the 1890s, but also many buildings from the <strong>Art Deco <\/strong>style (1920s).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To many travelers, Vienna&#8217;s homogeneous classical architecture gives it a majestic but somewhat monotonous feel.  For example, some travelers prefer Budapest&#8217;s Opera to Vienna&#8217;s main hall because it&#8217;s more &#8220;fun&#8221;, although perhaps not as grandiose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Budapest is also unique for its <strong>scenery along the Danube river<\/strong>. The buildings and avenues have a grandeur that rivals great cities like Paris. The city has an astonishing mix of styles, including very creative designs from the empire years as well as Soviet-era leftovers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Budapest&#8217;s old center is also <strong>more scenic <\/strong>than Vienna&#8217;s as the river divides it in two. The castle in the Buda side &#8211; historically there were 2 cities, Buda and Pest &#8211; is on a hill which results in breathtaking views across the Pest side, with the <strong>Chain Bridge <\/strong>and <strong>Parliament building <\/strong>lit up at night.  For many travelers, the view is the best thing about Budapest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike Vienna, Budapest doesn&#8217;t have that much of a tourist district. Rather, the sights are <strong>spread out <\/strong>and well integrated into the city.  Starting from the Keleti train station, you can take a one-top subway ride, then a tram running along a beautiful street, then onto the <strong>Andrassy ut <\/strong>which has a flavor of France&#8217;s Champs-Elys\u00e9es, all the way to the river and the Buda side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another great itinerary is to ride the tram up one side of the river and down the other, walking across the <strong>Liberty Bridge <\/strong>and the <strong>Chain Bridge <\/strong>(the first permanent bridge linking Buda and Pest) from one side to the other. The 19th-century <strong>Citadella fortress <\/strong>on <strong>Gellert Hill <\/strong>is also worth the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Budapest Parliament building<\/strong>, Europe&#8217;s second-largest after London, is an impressive sight. <strong>Matthias Church <\/strong>and St Stephen&#8217;s Church are worth a visit. <strong>Fisherman&#8217;s Bastion <\/strong>is one of Budapest&#8217;s most popular sights located in the Buda Castle, a neo-romanesque building offering a stunning panorama over the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"457\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33917138581_6796b503d1_c.jpg\" alt=\"Budapest Parliament\" class=\"wp-image-1029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33917138581_6796b503d1_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33917138581_6796b503d1_c-300x214.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Budapest Parliament (7)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/32642287855_ed667fbde3_c.jpg\" alt=\"Buda Castle\" class=\"wp-image-1033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/32642287855_ed667fbde3_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/32642287855_ed667fbde3_c-300x147.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Buda Castle (8)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The 10th and 11th-century <strong>Saint Stephen Basilica <\/strong>and <strong>Matthias Church <\/strong>are also key highlight sights in Budapest. The <strong>Dohany Synagogue<\/strong>&#8216;s Holocaust Memorial courtyard and the Gestopho Museum (House of Terror) are moving testimonies of WWII horrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> The <strong>Museum of Fine Arts <\/strong>on the Heroes&#8217; square is probably the best art gallery in Hungary. The small galleries in Falk Miksa street near the Parliament also has many small galleries worth a visit. The Hungarian National Gallery also offers different lesser-known perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Budapest&#8217;s unique attractions is its historic <strong>mineral baths and waters<\/strong>, such as Szechenyi or Gell\u00e9rt Baths &#8211; travelers who spend a few hours there really enjoy it. On a different note, the <strong>Palace of Arts <\/strong>(www.mupa.hu) offers great concerts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/47856283501_cbd8435f2d_c-1.jpg\" alt=\"Budapest baths\" class=\"wp-image-1043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/47856283501_cbd8435f2d_c-1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/47856283501_cbd8435f2d_c-1-300x204.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Budapest baths (8b)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna is known for its imperial palaces. The <strong>Schoenbrunn Palace <\/strong>is the country&#8217;s most important architectural monument &#8211; and most travelers&#8217; favorite.   This 16th-century Rococo-style summer residence of the Habsburg rulers has nearly 1500 rooms and typically takes most of a day to visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna has great museums, many of which in the <strong>Museums Quarter district<\/strong>. Noteworthy museums include the <strong>Belvedere <\/strong>(in the Upper Palace) and the <strong>Kunsthistoriches Museum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ring Road around the Innere Stadt area has elegant 18th-century buildings including the <strong>Vienna Opera house<\/strong>, the <strong>Hofburg Imperial Palace<\/strong>, which hosts the Sisi Museum, and the Gothic Saint Stephen&#8217;s Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Natural History Museum <\/strong>next to the Hofburg Palace and the Museum of Art History are well worth a visit.  The <strong>Parliament building<\/strong>, <strong>City Hall <\/strong>(Rathaus), the University of Vienna, the Votiv Church, the Volks Gardens, the Burg Theater, are all stunning architectural pieces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>St Charles Square <\/strong>and Church with the two obelisks in front are also very popular tourist sights.  <strong>The Spanish Riding School <\/strong>inside the Hofburg Palace has exhibits showcasing the world-famous Lipizzaner horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budapest_Or_Vienna_food_nightlife\"><\/span>Budapest Or Vienna: food &amp; nightlife<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"378\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/40594757671_8d44326427_c.jpg\" alt=\"Restaurants and nightlife in Vienna\" class=\"wp-image-1039\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/40594757671_8d44326427_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/40594757671_8d44326427_c-300x177.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Restaurants and nightlife in Vienna (9)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to food and nightlife, many travelers feel Budapest has better options compared to Vienna.  Hungarian food is often considered to have more flavor than German food, and Budapest to have more diversity in cuisines and restaurant choices compared to Vienna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna, however, is renowned for its elegant <strong>historic caf\u00e9s and coffeehouses<\/strong>.  Vienna is also known for its fine wines, while Budapest is reputed for its craft beer &#8211; though it also has nice and affordable sweet wines like the Tokaji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next to Vienna&#8217;s Opera House, the Sacre Hotel serves the famous <strong>Chocolate Sacre Torte<\/strong>.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Budapest, the <strong>Klassz Restaurant <\/strong>(and wine shop) on Andr\u00e1ssy Avenue is an elegant hangout with a spacious terrace. If gets too crowded, the nearby Menza on Liszt Ferenc Square is a valid alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ruszwurm <\/strong>is a reputed 200-year old coffee house in Budapest,  the city&#8217;s oldest.  Though very small in size, it&#8217;s said to have been one of Empress Sisi&#8217;s favorite hangouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Vienna,  the <strong>Donaukanal <\/strong>neighborhood is a club hotspot (e.g. Flex), and the <strong>Prater and Praterster areas <\/strong>have some up-and-coming hangouts such as Fluc Caf\u00e9 and Wanne.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Margareten&nbsp;on the edge of the city&#8217;s historic center ring, the 16th <strong>Naschmarkt Pedestrian Market Street <\/strong>is a good place to hang out and try the dozens of food and vintage stalls and restaurants.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna is generally quieter at night and on Sundays, with most places closing very early, including the market and shopping streets. Budapest, on the other hand, is a lively city that doesn&#8217;t close until late. It has active nightlife in areas such as the Jewish quarter, the 5th, 6th and 7th districts, where pubs and clubs stay open late at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budapest_Or_Vienna_lodging\"><\/span>Budapest Or Vienna: lodging<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/5300559593_b5d0c2d8c4_c.jpg\" alt=\"Lodging in Budapest\" class=\"wp-image-1035\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/5300559593_b5d0c2d8c4_c.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/5300559593_b5d0c2d8c4_c-300x203.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Lodging in Budapest (10)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Dining and lodging are generally much more expensive in Vienna than in Budapest.  Also, in either city, when choosing budget accommodation in the summer, you may not have air conditioning in your room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Vienna, travelers often recommend the <strong>Grand Hotel Wien<\/strong> for its great location and excellent service.   The <strong>Konig Von Ungarn<\/strong> (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"KVU (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kvu.at\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\">KVU<\/a>) is also a pleasant hotel in a small street behind the cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Intercontinental <\/strong>is a nice 5-star hotel, though more attractive inside than outside.  Some travelers feel it needs renovation. <strong>The Ritz<\/strong>, around the corner, is considered to offer better service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hotel Austria <\/strong>is another frequent recommendation.  Not as luxurious as the Ritz, it is pleasant with good breakfasts and friendly staff, and is conveniently located for easy access to all places within the &#8220;ring&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Travelers also like the <strong>Kaiserin Elisabeth<\/strong>, a boutique hotel with old-style Viennese elegance near the Stephansdom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> In the Spitterlberg area, another historic neighborhood with a lively nightlife, the <strong>25hours Hotel<\/strong>, <strong>K&amp;K Maria Theresia<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Hotel Altstadt Vienna<\/strong>, and <strong>Hotel ViennArt<\/strong> am Museumsquartier are also good options.  The area is within walking distance of the inner ring, MariahilferStr. (Vienna&#8217;s main shopping avenue), the Naschmarkt,&nbsp;and two subway lines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Budapest, the <strong>K&amp;K Opera <\/strong>is often mentioned by travelers. While it&#8217;s not as luxurious as others, it offers an ideal location.  There are also other decent hotels with good reviews near the K&amp;K. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Gerloczy (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gerloczy.hu\" target=\"_blank\">Gerloczy<\/a> is also a decent option, a nice small boutique hotel very centrally located and with a very good restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For luxury hotels, travelers often recommend include the beautiful <strong>Corinthia<\/strong> or the <strong>Boscolo <\/strong>&#8211; the latter has great history and hosts the New York Place Caf\u00e9, though its location is not the best in Budapest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Four Seasons<\/strong> in Budapest is award-winning but also could have a better location. The 5-star <strong>Ritz Carlton<\/strong>, on the other hand, is very well situated.  The <strong>Marriott <\/strong>offers romantic nights with stunning views on the river and close proximity to the tourist area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Gellert Hotel<\/strong>, located in a gorgeous historic building across Liberty Bridge, is a renowned place known for its thermal baths and stunning views over Gellert Hill.  Many travelers, however, find it disappointing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Travelers often recommend the area around the Andrassy ut.  In that area, you can also find nice apartments with rooftop patios (expensive however).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budapest_Or_Vienna_day_trips\"><\/span>Budapest Or Vienna: day trips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/salzburg.jpg\" alt=\"Vienna day trip - Salzburg\" class=\"wp-image-1037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/salzburg.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/salzburg-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/salzburg-310x232.jpg 310w, https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/salzburg-140x105.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Vienna day trip &#8211; Salzburg (11)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In Vienna, you can explore nice neighborhoods outside of the inner ring such as <strong>Margareten <\/strong>and <strong>Mariahilf<\/strong>, which offer more affordable and varied restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can take a train or hydrofoil ride (on the Danube) to <strong>Bratislava<\/strong>, a charming historical town in neighboring Slovakia with mostly pedestrian streets &#8211; you can easily spend a day there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other day trips from Vienna include <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Salzburg (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/vienna-or-salzburg\/\" target=\"_blank\">Salzburg<\/a> and <strong>Melk <\/strong>(1.5-2 hours from Vienna), both charming small cities. The Melk Abbey is worth a visit. Near Melk, <strong>Wachau Valley <\/strong>is a wine-growing area in the Danube countryside with medieval villages to visit, river cruises, and scenic bike paths. Nearby <strong>Krems<\/strong> is is a UNESCO world heritage site<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From Budapest, a nice day trip is to visit <strong>Holl\u00f3k\u0151<\/strong>, another UNESCO site village worth a visit. Also go see <strong>Tihany<\/strong>, a charming village North of Lake Balaton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">***<br><em>Photo credits:<br><\/em>(1) Featured:  &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/pheen0\/46752971651\/\" target=\"_blank\">Budapest<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/pheen0\/\" target=\"_blank\">PHeen0<\/a> <br>(2)  &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/xiquinho\/8266587953\/\" target=\"_blank\">19000-Vienna<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/xiquinho\/\" target=\"_blank\">xiquinhosilva<\/a> <br>(3) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/yahl\/33907402581\/\" target=\"_blank\">Budapest<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/yahl\/\" target=\"_blank\">Keith Yahl<\/a> <br>(4) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/xiquinho\/8267643878\/\" target=\"_blank\">18430-Vienna<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/xiquinho\/\" target=\"_blank\">xiquinhosilva<\/a> <br>(5) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/127226743@N02\/33824154092\/\" target=\"_blank\">Antik-Baz\u00e1r, Budapest<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/127226743@N02\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dimitris Graffin<\/a> <br>(6) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/kurt-b\/14901121230\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/kurt-b\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kurayba<\/a> <br>(7) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/yahl\/33917138581\/\" target=\"_blank\">Budapest<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/yahl\/\" target=\"_blank\">Keith Yahl<\/a> <br>(8) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/127226743@N02\/32642287855\/\" target=\"_blank\">Buda Castle, Budapest<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/127226743@N02\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dimitris Graffin<\/a> <br>(8b) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/grassrootsgroundswell\/47856283501\/\" target=\"_blank\">Budapest<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/grassrootsgroundswell\/\" target=\"_blank\">grassrootsgroundswell<\/a>  <br>(9) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/pedrosz\/40594757671\/\" target=\"_blank\">Vienna, Austria<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/pedrosz\/\" target=\"_blank\">szeke<\/a> <br>(10) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/16782093@N03\/5300559593\/\" target=\"_blank\">Budapest<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/16782093@N03\/\" target=\"_blank\">Metro Centric<\/a> <br>(11) &#8220;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mdid\/2852804260\/\" target=\"_blank\">Salzburg<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/mdid\/\" target=\"_blank\">mdid<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Choosing between Budapest or Vienna for a short stay is not an easy task. These two cities, both located on the Danube river, are the respective capitals of Austria and Hungary. Both have impressive historical and cultural sights and a common past, each offers a very different experience to the visitor. Vienna has the magnificence [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[21],"tags":[42],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/985"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=985"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/985\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1465,"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/985\/revisions\/1465"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cityorcity.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}