My husband and I have 2 free tix and 3 full days (outside of travel) for a quick adventure, but we don’t have much time to plan (must use in October). We are considering Amsterdam or Budapest. Which would you choose and why?

In each city, can you recommend an area to stay (or even a hotel)? Hotspots and things not to miss? We will want to hit sightseeing hot spots yet just enjoy the culture/food/drink/scenery. We generally look for 4* type accommodations. We don’t need uber fancy, just clean and in a safe area. Thanks so much for your opinions!

Well can you fly direct to both cities? that would be a big factor to me. IMO Amsterdam has more to do - could easily fill more than 3 days. If you decide for that city - I'd suggest you stay in the "canal ring", a bit away from the frenzied area around the train station but still quite convenient. Pre book entrance to main sights like Anne Frank House, Van Gogh and such. Budapest may be a good idea for a 3 day visit - we loved the baths, the art deco facades, an evening cruise along the river. I'd probably save Amsterdam for a longer visit.

I disagree that there is more to do in Amsterdam! I have been to Budapest several times and would be happy to go back, while once was enough for Amsterdam (but everyone is different). There are a lot more tourists in Budapest than when I first went in 2004, but from what I read here Amsterdam is now absolutely packed.

I always stay on the Pest side in Budapest. The last couple of trips I stayed in a lovely little apartment, but if I wanted a chain hotel it would be the Marriott, which has an excellent location on the river. Of course, if I had the money I would stay at the Four Seasons.

Any guide book (or the destinations tab here ) will list the top sights, or go here for my posts: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/?s=Budapest

I also think there is more to do in Budapest than in Amsterdam. But as sue1 indicated - it may be a single flight to Amsterdam for you and 2 flights to Budapest. I would give the flight schedule some consideration if you only have 3 days.


Don't miss the terror museum in Budapest. Rick Steves has an excellent guide book for Budapest. IMO, it is the only worthwhile guide book he publishes.



Stu Dudley

who can say that there is more to do in one city or the other - depends on interests - can't go wrong with either one.

I would be happy to return to either. For you to decide, I'd recommend you look at photos on line and decide what kind of environment you want. For charming, picturesque, quaint, strolling, relaxing, etc, go for Amsterdam. If you want a real city with tons of history and lots of territory to cover, warts and all, go for Budapest. Our first trip there was 4 nights in 2015, and we returned a year later for 9 more nights.

Amsterdam is a real city outside the relatively small tourist-infested center.

IMO, either could be wonderful -- but you don't tell us anything about your interests, so I find it hard to comment.

And just to be contrary, I don't like either city and would be looking at how easy it was to get out of them and get somewhere else.

Really depends on your interests. We went to a lot of museums in Amsterdam and more physical locations in Budapest. I wrote trip reports for each city - might give you an idea of what to expect though it largely depends on what you would choose to do.

Amsterdam: http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...th-africa.html

Budapest: http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2017/...d-amusing.html

Both are awesome cities, personally I prefer Budapest as its just not as much as a tourist trap and much cheaper

I'll just add my caveat about biking in Amsterdam. Don't do it if you're not experienced in handling heavy bike traffic.

This is what it is like in practice:


Now imagine you're there on your bike.

And pay attention to bikers when you are a pedestrian because they won't and don't care if they run into you. I got a lot of angry glares, which made at the end an unpleasant experience. I know I should ay more attention but you are there looking at everything and bikers come and yell at you. They own the palce. I will wait before going back because of this and the coffee shop, that hurt my prodound aversion to anything remotely connected to drugs.
So Budapest for me, but a very biased choice obviously !

So, don't get stoned and stand in the bike path, would be my advice.