Traveler's Review:

I was definitely spoiled by Budapest.

Both cities, Budapest and Prague, have two hills on the west bank of a river with much of the city lying on the east bank. Castles sit atop both main hills in each city. Prague castle itself clobbers Buda castle as far as things to see (Buda castle only houses two museums inside, but is still enjoyable from the outside [see Budapest photos]). With that said, Prague’s castle made me feel like I was in Disneyland or on a Hollywood set. It still held my interest, but I have the feeling Prague castle rivals Cinderella’s as far as annual summer visitors. The tourists were already swarming, and it was only the beginning of May.

Buda castle plus Fishermen’s Bastion on Buda Hill are enough to edge by Prague castle on my book. The views of Budapest from the Citadel atop its second hill easily beat Prague’s second hill, which is mostly green with either wooded trails or an open park. I’m sure it would be an excellent place to relax if I was a Prague resident, but the views from the top, while pretty, can’t compare with Budapest. And while I would say the average building is prettier in Prague than in Budapest, Budapest is beautiful still.

Prague is Budapest with many, many, many more annoying tourists while lacking Budapest’s Turkish baths.