 graffiti walls all around. Enjoy an evening at the Tiergarten in Berlin, popular for the Berlin zoo, open lawns and a beer garden.
Hungarian cuisine is heavily spiced with paprika, which is the local produce of the country. Goulash is a traditional Hungarian dish with vegetables and meat, usually beef. Langos is common in the street-side stalls, and made with deep-fried bread topped with garlic and cheese.
A spiced stew of meat and vegetarbles, Goulash is the ultimate soup of the Hungarians. It is considered to be one of the national dishes of Hungary. Pronounced as “gooyash,” it’s hard to find a restaurant in Hungary that doesn’t serve it.
If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll drool over sponge cake and chimney cake. Local dishes of Hungary are quite unique and a must try while in Budapest.
Berlin is brimming with Bratwurst (or Currywurst) stalls. It is a pork sausage seasoned with ketchup and curry powder, and is the most popular local dish.
Pork knuckles are also a classic to city. You’d find cuisines from across the globe in Berlin as a result of the diversity of population.
Bratwurst is a traditional German dish, adored by meat-lovers. Usually grilled, smoked, or roasted, it is most commonly made from pork. These sausages are way different than hot dogs, and it’s must-try when you visit Germany!
With 22 wine regions, Hungary produces a wide variety of quality wine. 
If you are just looking at trying out something local, go for a glass of the famous Tokaji – a mildly sweet dessert white wine.
 German beer is popular world-wide, and what better that having an opportunity to try it out in their home ground.
Be it craft beers or draught beers, you wouldn’t be disappointed by the drinking scene in Berlin. Especially when you are allowed to carry your favourite drink on the roads while wandering around.
A vineyard around Lake Balaton in Hungary. Hungary has been known for its locally-berwed wine for years. The country has as many as 22 wine regions, and is a treat for wine connoiseurs. If you can’t visit the vineyards, do try one of the many wines.
Ruin bars in Budapest have taken the world by a storm. Hungarians are the first to have introduced ruin bars to the world, and they were a hit instantly.
Dilapidated rooms modified with second-hand furniture is all what ruin bars are about. Cheap drinks and laid-back atmosphere are a highlight. Most of these ruin bars also have a courtyard outside with open-air seating.
Nightlife in Budapest versus Berlin is contrasting, but both have their own charm. Berliners are high on energy and would party hard all night long. The city is host to numerous night clubs and bars with some great music.
Parties in Berlin go on until the wee hours of the morning. There are special night buses on the routes of popular nightclubs that help party-goes get back to their homes safely. One night in Berlin dancing till you drop would be an experience to remember.
Treat yourself with souvenirs, porcelain goods, embroidered clothes or paprika – all that Hungary is famous for as a travel destination. Budapest has several boutique shops selling a variety of things.
The most popular shopping areas in Budapest are Vaci Street, Andrassy Avenue and Fashion Street. If you’re fond of local produce, you must visit the Central Market Hall. It is the biggest and oldest market hall of the city. You are in for a surprise with fresh fruits, vegetables and Hungarian fast food.
The vegetable and fruit markets in Budapest are realy wholesome and fresh. Due to the favourable climate conditions that Hungary is blessed with, Hungary is home to wonderful fruit and vegetable produce that’s an absolute must-try!
Your shopping experience in Berlin wouldn’t be very different than a day at your local shopping mall. Except, you’d get to pick stuff from brands that you might not have heard of from round the world.
The most popular shopping malls in Berlin are KaDeWe, Alexa and Mall of Berlin. If you are a fan of flea markets, you must make it to the Mauerpark Flea Market every Sunday and the shops outside Hackescher Market on Saturdays.
Probably the most important and decision-making factor that will favour Budapest is the budget that you allocate for your trip. As the capital of a country that has its own currency, Budapest is one of the most inexpensive places you can visit.
Three days in Budapest wouldn’t cost you more than 58,500 HUF (15,000 INR or $210 or 185 EUR).
Alternately, Berlin is a city where you’d end up spending more than in Budapest. It is an expensive place to stay and tour. Thus, your budget has to be a little flexible if you pick the latter from Budapest versus Berlin. An ideal three day itinerary in Berlin will cost you anywhere between 78000 HUF – 97000 HUF (i.e 20,000 INR to 25,000 INR or $280 to $350 or 246 EUR to 305 EUR).
What not to Miss in Budapest versus Berlin?
There is no dearth of attractions in Budapest versus Berlin. But each of the two cities has a list of must-do things that would enhance your vacation.
Here are the things that you must not miss out on while choosing Budapest versus Berlin.
A guided tour within the third largest Parliament building of the world will stun visitors with its amazing structure and design.
The largest of all bath houses in Budapest, choose from a wide array of indoor and outdoor temperature-controlled pools to go for a swim.
Popular landmarks of Budapest like the Buda Castle, Hungarian Parliament Building, Szechenyi Bridge are lit up in yellow post sunset and are a treat to the eyes.
Considered as the mecca of ruin bars, it is the first and the most frequented bar in the city.
The illuminated Hungarian Parliament Building post sunset every evening. A magnificent example of architecture, this building is the world’s third largest Parliament building! If you wish to tour this wonder, make sure you book tickets in advance.
Adore the graffiti on the walls of the East Side Gallery, an open-air 1.3 km long fragment of the Berlin Wall.
The glass dome and terrace on the rooftop of the Parliament building are accessible to visitors with guided tours for the public and breath-taking views of the city.
Bar-hop with like-minded people and experience the crazy party scene of Berlin.
The Reichstag Building is built in neo-renaissance style, and is the meeting place of the lower house of Germany’s legislature. In the 21st Century, the Reichstag’s dome was designed in a way to illuminate the chamber with natural light!
Planning a trip is an exciting but challenging task. The decision of which destination makes it to the list usually depends on the attractions and activities that would keep you engaged. But what’s also important is when and how you get there, and where to stay!
Here is a guide to the travel information that’ll help you pick between Budapest versus Berlin. As a traveler, I would recommend having this basic information handy.
The capital city of Hungary, Budapest is just about three hours away from other European capitals such as Vienna, Bratislava, Zagreb and Belgrade. Budapest is well connected by rail with the popular central European cities. If you are to fly in to Budapest, most of the European airlines land at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
Prague is almost midway between Budapest and Berlin. A well-executed itinerary covering Berlin – Prague – Budapest is a great way to uncover the highlights of Central Europe.
The German capital’s location could be a point of contention. While most believe that Germany (and hence Berlin) are a part of Western Europe, some are of the opinion that it geographically falls in Central Europe.
Berlin has two major airports – Berlin Tegel, which caters to most of the international airlines, and Berlin Schoenefeld, for local European flights. The capital city is extremely well connected to all German cities as well as neighbouring countries by Eurail.
Eurail is a sustainable alternative to filght travel, and it doesn’t just stop there. It’s cheap, convenient, and treats its users to wonderful views along the way – something you would miss out on flights. Both Budapest and Berlin can be accessed by train.
Budapest and Berlin are both dominated by European Continental climate, with summers from June to August and winters from December to February.
Winters in Budapest are not very cold, and the temperature rarely drops below freezing point. However, the temperature in Berlin can drop to as low as -10 degrees Celsius in winters. January and February are the coldest months, when you’d find the city covered in a thick white blanket of snow.
Winters in Berlin are extremely cold, and on some days in peak winters, very few people can be spotted on the streets. January and February are the coldest months, and if you are planning to visit in this winter, make sure you come fully prepared.
Summers in Budapest can sometimes be harsh with high temperatures of about 30 degree Celsius and direct overhead sun. Temperature in Berlin during summers averages at about 25 degree Celsius. Moderate rainfall can be expected in Berlin round the year.
The perfect time for your Budapest versus Berlin getaway would be from late