Budapest, Hungary, is one of the more affordable European capitals. That might change if the city ends up hosting the 2024 Olympics. The city will be competing with places like Paris and Los Angeles for the honors, but only if a growing group of anti-Olympics activists don’t get their way. Whatever happens seven years from now, Budapest is an extraordinary value right now, and entire-place Airbnb rentals average just $52/night. Here are 10 of our favorites.
1. Tibor’s apartment 2. Viktor’s two-bedroom apartment 3. Noemi’s riverfront apartment 4. Timi and Istvan’s apartment 5. Lovely loft apartment 6. La Coccinella 7. Princess’s Dream 8. D-Mansion 9. Four-bedroom apartment 10. Susanne’s spot
Paste’s Airbnb columnist
Erica Jackson Curran
is a former alt-weekly editor turned moonlight freelancer based in Richmond, Virginia.
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Tibor's apartment may not look super fancy, but it averages $16/night. The centrally located flat has a view of the Budapest Eye, the largest mobile Ferris wheel in Europe, and it's also close to Deák Ferenc Square, St. Stephen's Basilica, and Michelin-starred restaurant Borkonyha Winekitchen. The place sleeps six with a bedroom and two sofa beds, and there's also a full kitchen and a bathroom with a washing machine.
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Located in a tenement house built in 1887 on the lively Pest side of the Danube River, Viktor's two-bedroom apartment is on the first floor with a balcony overlooking the street. Parquet floors, decorative tile in the bathroom, and a mix of modern and antique furnishings give the space an eclectic feel. There are several of the city's famous "ruin bars" nearby, where you can drink cheap beer in a delightfully derelict space.
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Boasting a beautiful view of Budapest's Parliament building over the Danube, Noemi's riverfront apartment oozes old European grandeur. The spacious third-floor flat has two beds as well as a sofa bed and a couch along with a fully equipped kitchen and an updated bathroom. Wi-Fi is included and linens are provided. Public transportation is just a few meters from the apartment.
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Have you always wanted a massive bathtub in your bedroom? If you answered yes, Timi and Istvan's apartment delivers. Besides the multipurpose bedroom with a comfy bed and exposed brick walls, there's a separate bathroom with heated floors, a seating area with a large TV, an iMac computer for checking your email, and a stocked kitchenette. Guests also have access to two free bikes.
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Peter's lovely loft apartment overlooks a "secret garden" in the heart of the city. The main floor has an open concept with a dining area, seating area, a piano, and a small but functional kitchen. The large bed is located in the roomy loft area along with one of two bathrooms. The apartment is in a pedestrian zone near tourist attractions like the thermal baths, cathedrals, and the party zone.
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Kata and Zoli's recently renovated "La Coccinella" studio is located in Budapest's historic fifth quarter. On a quiet street close to all the main attractions—including the Nagycsarnok neogothic market hall, the Gellert baths, and the Hungarian National Museum—the first floor apartment offers a kitchenette with lots of storage space and a modern bathroom.
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Called a "Princess's Dream" by Superhosts Dorka and Levi, this apartment has a cute kitchenette, a living area, and two beds—one downstairs, and one in the cave-like mezzanine with "light curtains". The National Museum is 30 meters away, and one of the city's most famous ruin bars is five minutes from the flat.
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David's two-bedroom "D-Mansion" offers space for six guests with a nice dose of midcentury modern style. Priced under $75/night, the cheery flat has a good-sized kitchen, a dining table for six, and a Bakelite stereo for blasting Europop before heading to your favorite ruin bar. Or if you've got kids, the apartment is family-friendly, with equipment like a crib and high chair provided upon request.
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For even larger groups, check out Edward's four-bedroom apartment. With vaulted ceilings, huge windows, three bathrooms, and a roomy kitchen and living area, there's plenty of room to spread out. It's close to popular sites including the Basilica, Parliament, and the Opera House, plus only three minutes from the train station. Past guests say Edward helped them arrange transport to and from the airport, recommended local places to go, and he even bought one person bubbly on her birthday.
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Susanna's spot is notable for its sheer wackiness—we're not even sure exactly what's happening in the bedroom, but it appears to involve a lot of mirrors. On the main floor, the wallpaper seems to be holographic, while some of the furniture seems reflective as well. If you can handle the glare, the place also offers a full kitchen, a bathroom with a corner tub, and easy accessibility to the party district and plenty of Budapest attractions.