Budapest or Prague or both in Oct?

[Don Parsons]

Hey everyone,

I have some vacation left to burn before Oct 28th so I'm considering going to Budapest or Prague.

Has anyone been to both cities? Is one better than the other in terms of a photographic vacation?

I have a friend in Budapest so that's a plus but I've always wanted to go to Prague.
Just seeing what more experienced travelers feel about this trip.

As always, thanks for you help.

Don

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Both are capitals of countries with history and some architecture build well before USA become to existence. USA and EU are very different thing. Anywhere I been in USA big cities, it is about the same. Anywhere I been in Europe it is different.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Hello Don, I've visited Prague and lived and worked in Hungary and so I may be a bit biased. My two cents: Prague is compact and postcard pretty while Budapest offers a more diverse urban landscape. Other than that, Hungarian wine and food are to die for. Good luck with your decision! Cheers, Peter

 

[ka7197]

Hungarian wine and food are to die for.

Yes, definitely! But so are Czech beer and food. In any case, avoid the restaurants at the tourist hot-spots. Go where the locals go.

 

[kuuan]

Obviously you are not the first to ask this question, surprisingly many search results and interesting answers in a number of sites: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=prague+or+budapest

 

[Rayt]

I have been to both cities recently and there is nothing to choose. Both are great. For street photography I would give the nod to Budapest. For scenics I would choose Prague. Beer - Prague; food - Budapest.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Yep, here is great chance to find real Budweiser on tap in Prague. Which is Czech beer, not yellow substance sold in USA as Bud.

 

[Out to Lunch]

surprisingly many search results and interesting answers in a number of sites: https://www.google.com/search?client...ue+or+budapest

Of which many push commercial blah blah. Cheers, Peter

 

[plummerl]

Having been to both several times, you cannot go wrong with either as a choice! In fact, go to both! Only a short train ride.

 

[Colin Corneau]

If you go to Prague, show your respect to the locals and their history and avoid the "beer tours" or beer walkabouts.
They've devolved into disgusting lout parades and are really ruining life and the urban landscape in Prague.

Honestly if you can do both you'd be happy -- either one is great, depending on your time and logistics.

 

[peterm1]

I have been to Budapest but not Prague. I found it captivating. Although my trip was around 2000 so getting on to 20 years ago and some parts will have changed I nevertheless do expect some areas to be pretty similar. The reason I say this is that I have recently seen a few movies and TV series which were filmed in Budapest with that city representing places like central Europe or Paris in the 1950s or 1960s. It's got that interesting, gritty feel to it which makes for great street shooting. For example the recent British "Maigret" series is filmed there as representing early post war Paris - I recognised some Budapest locales. Parts of the movie Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy were also shot there. If you are of a mind to shoot in black and white. its your place.

I remember vividly when I was there how many buildings still had bullet holes in the stucco from WW2 or the 1956 revolution although they were evidently lived in and when peeping though a window had nice apartments inside. I suppose the communists never saw the point of repairing them cosmetically or perhaps left them as a reminder to the Hungarians to stay in line. But of course by the time I visited buildings had been returned to private ownership and some were being repaired. Never the less I found it a bit like stepping back in time. Despite its cosmetically rough edges I found it captivating and beautiful or perhaps because of this given it was so different to every other city I had visited which were full of glass, chrome and concrete representing the sameness of modern architecture.

I suspect you would not be disappointed by visiting either place. The following are old photo scans.

 

[jpa66]

It's a tough choice to make, but a nice one to have 🙂

I've been to both more than once, and within the last 3 years. Prague is extremely photogenic, and a wonderful city. It has become a bit "touristy", but if your lodging is away from the tourist sites, it should be relatively quiet and calm during the night. You can wander around aimlessly for days (if not weeks). Plenty to see and do. The main thing that I dislike about Prague is the English "fratboys" there for stag parties. NO offense to the English is meant, but I really don't enjoy hearing English language soccer ("football") songs at 2 or 3 AM in the morning...

Budapest is much more laid back, and has just as much to see. The architecture is not as striking as Prague's, but is still magnificent. And, you get the added bonus of going to the baths, which is NOT to be missed! Also, if you are into wine versus beer, there is no contest. As someone said above - the wine in Hungary is top-notch (albeit more expensive than in most other European countries). In addition, there is a patisserie in Budapest that makes macarons better than any I've ever had in Paris - I kid you not.

If I were to choose between the two - I'd go for Budapest if I were going anytime other than the warm months (so that I could go to the baths and enjoy the food/wine multiple times). If not, it'd be a toss-up. They really are both great cities.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Yeah..thats all fine and good...
...but where do you go for Hungarian strudel..?

 

[d__b]

I haven't been to Budapest since I was a kid but I've been to Prague this summer, so I can only speak about Prague:

It is a very beautiful and compact city, where everything is in walking distance. Lots of history wherever you go.

Prague by David B, on Flickr

 

[santino]

Prague is imo more interesting but Budapest usually has the better weather.

 

[peterm1]

Oh bugger it, do them both! Having thought about it I would. You can catch a train (or bus) to move between them. The trip takes about 7 hours I am told. It may be possible to do the trip by water along the Danube. I have not checked but it might be worth finding out provided you are flush with cash.

 

[mothertrucker]

I've been to both, totally agree with Rayt. Hungarian food is probably my favorite in Europe (next to Greek!)

Prague has been better maintained, but that means if you like gritty, Budapest is your place. They're both great and the architecture is amazing.

I have been to both cities recently and there is nothing to choose. Both are great. For street photography I would give the nod to Budapest. For scenics I would choose Prague. Beer - Prague; food - Budapest.

 

[Pherdinand]

how much time do you have? If it's more than a week you can do both. If it's less, i would not split it.

 

[Mute-on]

I found Budapest very real, sincere and approachable. It is also very easy to navigate and very beautiful, in a very unpolished and authentic way. The food is outstanding, period. Architecture is incredible, whether crumbling or immaculately restored.

In comparison, I found Prague somewhat cynical and unwelcoming. The food was nowhere near as good or interesting as Budapest either.

Over I found Budapest more interesting and far more enjoyable. Naturally YMMV!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Freakscene]

Nuns, Prague, September 2009. MP, 50/2 Hexanon, Tri-X, Xtol 1+3.

I lived in Prague 20 years ago, and have spent a lot of time in Budapest. I wouldn't argue with any of the comments above. I'd add though that Prague is vastly more heavily visited by tourists, although you can get away from them by visiting the less obvious parts of the city. Unless you just want a quick flavour test, pick one, spend your time there, and see as much as you can. Ultimately that is likely to be more rewarding than spending a little time in both.

Marty