Stay in Buda or Pest?

I am partial to Pest and I am pretty sure opinions on this forum are not particularly split.

Two nights is only one full day - and maybe 2 parts of days, depending when you arrive and leave. It makes sense to stay close to what you plan to see and do when you have such a short time. You will have to make choices on that and only you know what you will prioritize. No wrong answer.

For a first time visit, staying on the Pest side makes more sense as most of the major attractions are on that side of the Danube.
Budapest is a fascinating place and your return visit will give you the opportunity to stay on the Buda side, which I greatly prefer.

I prefer to stay on the Pest side, and specifically close to the Opera--around Andrassy UT. It's in the center of things, and public transit is readily available.

Buda is a great place to visit, but not so much to stay unless the purpose of the trip is to just hang. Which is good too

Especially with only two nights PEST and stay close to the River I think is a better idea. My recommendation is here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/budapest-2-adults-2-nights

You know there is a third choice; Obuda the overlooked third city that joined with Buda and Pest to form Budapest. But naaaa, way too far away on a two night stay.

I left Budapest yesterday and stayed on Andrassy UT on the Pest side. Perfect location.

We have stayed in Buda twice at the Hotel Victoria and loved it. Ask for a room with a view of the river. We would watch the sunset go down on the Parliament building from the huge window in our room . There is a metro station a short walk from the hotel. You can be in Pest in a few minutes.

Thank you everyone. This is very helpful. I do assume this will be our first exploratary visit and we will return another time for longer.

Pest side. We were just there. There is more to do and see in your short time frame. You can take the tram across the river and up the river to the Funicular on the Buda side early in the day. There you can ride to the top and get some great views and see St. Matthias church--which was really impressive. The tram that takes you across the Danube goes right in front of the Central Market-- a great place to grab lunch.

We stayed in Buda with awesome river views as well as of Pest. But there is much more to see and do in Pest.

We're here now, staying 1/2 blick from the Opera. I'm really happy with this location. It's really convenient to everything on the Pest side.

I am very biased, but I think you nailed the best location in town.