A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Budapest vs. Naples for Food, Backpackers, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Budapest or Naples?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Budapest and Naples can help you decide which place is right for you.

Budapest

Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Naples

Naples is a colorful, fascinating, and historic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Budapest and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Budapest or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Budapest than Naples, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Budapest is more popular for its big city activities and impressive beauty, while Naples is known for its food. Budapest is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Hungarian Parliament Building. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza.

How is Budapest different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Naples and Budapest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Budapest or Naples?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Budapest and Naples.

Many visitors head to Budapest specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Naples can be an interesting and educational experience. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Is the Food Better in Budapest or Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Naples is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Budapest is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Naples has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Budapest may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.

Is Budapest or Naples Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Budapest and Naples.

Many people head to Budapest for the nightlife scene. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Naples has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Budapest or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Budapest and Naples are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Budapest. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.

Many visitors go to Naples to see the historical old town. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Is the Shopping Better in Budapest or Naples?

If you're looking to go shopping, Budapest and Naples both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Budapest is well-known for its shopping. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Budapest or Naples Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Budapest or Naples.

Budapest offers lots of family activities. The city has the typical trampoline parks and playgrounds, but kids will also enjoy the baths and pools around town. Do take note that most of the museums are less hands on than kids prefer.

Naples is a family-friendly place to visit. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Budapest or Naples Better for Couples?

Both Budapest and Naples are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Budapest is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With it's many beautiful neighborhoods, and unique entertainment options including the opera, this is a fun city for couples. The baths and spas also make for a great experience for couples.

Naples is a very popular place to visit for couples. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Budapest or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Budapest is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city is more affordable than many large cities and it has a number of fun hostels to choose from. There's a good backpacker vibe around town with many places to meet and hang out with other travelers.

Naples is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is Budapest or Naples Better for Students?

Budapest is a world-class destination for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Budapest is a great destination for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Is Budapest or Naples Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Budapest is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Budapest can get you around easily. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Naples. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Budapest or Naples a more walkable city?

Budapest is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Budapest on foot is easy. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.

Naples is very walkable. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Budapest Worth Visiting? and Is Naples Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Naples or Budapest?

How long in Budapest or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Budapest and Naples. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Budapest than in Naples. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Budapest, and 1-3 days is enough time in Naples.

Couples should spend more time in Budapest than Naples. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Budapest that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Budapest than Naples if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Budapest.

One day in Budapest or Naples?

Budapest is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Naples offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Budapest or Naples?

Budapest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Naples is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Naples, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Budapest or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Budapest. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Naples is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Budapest or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic big city of Budapest. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Naples is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Budapest and Naples, we can see that Naples is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples than you might in Budapest.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Budapest Expensive? and Is Naples Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Budapest or Naples?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Naples. When comparing the sizes of Budapest and Naples, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Budapest or Naples?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Budapest or Naples in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Budapest as well as Naples. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Budapest this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Naples for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Budapest is around the same temperature as Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in Budapest in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Naples. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In the summer, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Naples. Budapest gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Budapest usually gets more rain in July than Naples. Budapest gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Budapest or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Budapest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Budapest is generally cooler than Naples. Daily temperatures in Budapest average around 12°C (53°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Budapest usually receives less sunshine than Naples during autumn. Budapest gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. In October, Budapest usually receives less rain than Naples. Budapest gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Budapest or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Budapest during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Budapest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Budapest can get quite cold in the winter. Budapest is much colder than Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in Budapest averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Budapest often gets less sunshine than Naples. Budapest gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Budapest usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Budapest or Naples in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Budapest and Naples. Most visitors come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Naples because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Budapest is cooler than Naples. Typically, the spring temperatures in Budapest in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Naples averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Budapest usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during spring. Budapest gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Budapest usually receives less rain than Naples. Budapest gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Budapest