More about: Budapest in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more
Ranked among the top 10 most beautiful cities to visit in Europe, Budapest is a destination that will leave you in awe. But I’m sure your first question is what to see and do in Budapest during a three-day trip. Here’s how to plan your itinerary so you can make the most of every second and fully enjoy everything this beautiful city has to offer. Let’s get started!
Please note that the itinerary I’m presenting below covers three full days, starting from the morning after your arrival.
Day 1: Explore the BUDAPEST side of Budapest
The first day will be spent exploring the most historic and oldest part of the city: Buda. If you’re really interested in its history and curiosities, I recommend taking a guided tour of Budapest with a tour guide.
Also, on this first day, I recommend you get hold of the Budapest Card, which you can use throughout your stay in the city and which includes discounts of up to 50% on tourist attractions, free entry to the Lukács Baths and unlimited public transport.
Explore Buda Castle
One of the city’s most iconic landmarks isthe Royal Palace or Buda Castle. For centuries, it was the official residence of the Hungarian royal family, and today it is a majestic complex housing the Museum of History, the Hungarian National Gallery and the National Library. You can spend the morning strolling around the area, and if you’re an art lover, take a tour of at least one of the museums.
The castle is situated on what is known as Castle Hill, a limestone plateau rising some 2.3 kilometres above the city.
The walk up to the Castle takes about 30 minutes, but you also have the option of taking the Buda Castle Funicular. This wonderful mode of transport covers 95 metres in height in a journey of just a few minutes aboard a vehicle that offers a panoramic view of the city. The stop is located right next to the Chain Bridge.
- Opening hours: the castle interiors are open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Admission price: exploring the gardens and areas around the Budapest Castle complex is free; if you wish to visit any of the interiors, the price is approximately €9 per person per visit.
- Duration of the visit: if you take the tour of the museum, gallery and library, allow at least 1 hour to see the highlights of each.
Take a break for lunch
Leaving the Buda Castle complex behind, don’t take the Funicular back down; I recommend spending the rest of the day exploring the historic Budapest Castle District and finding a good place for lunch. There are plenty of options in this area; here are a few recommendations right near the Castle:
Discover the labyrinth at Budapest Castle
Around Buda Castle you’ll find various areas of historical interest; spend the afternoon exploring them to get to know the best of Budapest’s Castle District in depth.
A small attraction located beneath Castle Hill, which the locals have turned into a tourist attraction, is the labyrinth. In the past, the passageways served various purposes, but today it is an intriguing and terrifying journey.
- Opening hours: from 10am to 7pm. The last tour at 6.30pm is conducted by torchlight.
- Admission price: approximately €3
- Duration of the visit: 30 minutes is sufficient.
Visit St. Matthias Church
Located in the Castle District, this is Budapest’s most famous Catholic church and one of its most beautiful; its beautifully ornate Gothic façade, adorned with colourful ceilings, is just a glimpse of what you’ll find inside. For centuries, this church served as the venue for royal coronations in Budapest.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm; Saturdays only in the morning and Sundays only in the afternoon.
- Admission price: approximately €3.50 for an adult ticket
- Duration of visit: 30 to 40 minutes is sufficient.
Head up to the Fisherman’s Bastion to watch the sunset
Next to St Matthias Church is the city’s most important viewpoint: the Fisherman’s Bastion. It is the best place to enjoy a complete panoramic view ofBudapest. Just make sure you go up before sunset and get ready to take some beautiful photos of the city.
- Opening hours: open all day and at all times, including public holidays.
- Entrance fee: access to the viewpoint is free, but you’ll need to pay if you want to go up the towers.
In the evening, take a cruise on the Danube.
This is one of the best things you can do during your stay in the city, as it allows you to see the beautiful monuments from a different perspective, including illuminated ones if you opt for the evening cruise. During this relaxing cruise, you can rest and recharge your batteries for the next day.
Below is the full range of cruises available in the city:
- Standard Danube cruise: this is the most basic option and includes a roughly 70-minute tour of the Danube with an audio guide and drinks.
- Evening cruise on the Danube: this is the same experience as the previous one, but under the moonlight, which, as we’ve already mentioned, has the special touch of allowing you to see Budapest’s monuments illuminated.
- Cruise with dinner and live music: if, as well as enjoying Budapest by night and its illuminated monuments, you want to treat yourself to dinner and a musical atmosphere, this is your best option, a little more special than the previous ones.
- Cruise with pizza and open bar: whilst the previous option was a great choice for couples, this one is ideal for a night out with friends. You can choose whether to start at 4 pm, 6 pm or 8 pm – it’s up to you.
Day 2: Explore the Pest side of Budapest
On the second day, you’ll discover the area known as Pest, located on the west bank of the Danube. Compared to the east bank, where the old buildings date back to the Middle Ages, Pest is more modern yet is also brimming with fabulous architecture, historic monuments and heritage treasures.
Discover Margaret Island
In the middle of the Danube in Budapest lies a beautiful island used as a park and open space, which is one of the most lovely green areas to visit in the city. On the morning of your second day, try to wake up early and get ready to explore Margaret Island.
You have various options: you can explore it on foot, by tourist train (which costs around €2), in an electric car (around €13 per hour) or by bike (€3 for 2 hours).
Take a tour of the Parliament building
Leave Margaret Island behind and head to one of the most beautiful buildings in the Hungarian capital. The majestic Parliament Building, located about a 12-minute walk from Margaret Island Bridge, boasts an impressive exterior façade and is one of the masterpieces of Neo-Gothic architecture. The best way to explore the building is definitely via a guided tour of the Budapest Parliament.
- Opening hours: from 10am to 4pm.
- Tour price: from €52
- Duration of the tour: approximately 4 hours.
The Shoes on the Danube Memorial in Budapest
Just a few minutes from the Parliament building and on the banks of the Danube, you’ll find a small historical monument known as the Shoes on the Danube Bank, which pays tribute to the Jewish victims who, between 1944 and 1945, were murdered by the Nazis on the banks of the Danube and then had their bodies thrown into the water.
Take a break for lunch
Around the Parliament building, you’ll find the most varied selection of restaurants in all of Budapest. Here’s a selection of some places of interest:
- Salaam Bombay: an Indian restaurant characterised by its beautiful wooden tables and soft lighting.
- Élelem Étterem: international and very healthy food with gluten-free options on the menu.
- Budapest Bistro: rated as one of the best Hungarian restaurants in the area. Its garden and terrace are truly beautiful.
- Szamos Café: offers the most fabulous views of the Parliament you could hope for.
Admire St Stephen’s Basilica
Continue your exploration of Pest by venturing a little away from the banks of the Danube to discover the best of the Jewish Quarter and a little further south of the city.
The largest religious building in the city and the country is a 10-minute walk from the Shoes on the Danube Memorial. You can get up close and admire the splendid neoclassical façade or marvel at the 96-metre-high dome inside. St Stephen’s Basilica, alongside the Parliament, is one of the largest buildings in the centre of Budapest.
Entry is free, though donations are welcome, but access to the tower costs approximately €1.50. And if you want to enjoy the Basilica in all its splendour, I recommend attending an organ concert – a unique experience, especially if you like classical music.
Explore Váci Utca
From the exit of St. Stephen’s Basilica, a walk of less than 10 minutes will take you to Váci Utca, the city’s main shopping street. It’s time to stroll down the street, admire the beautiful architecture of the city centre and the luxury shops in the area.
Discover Budapest’s Jewish Synagogue
The second-largest synagogue in the world can be found in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter. From Váci Utca, another 10-minute walk takes you right to the entrance of the synagogue and into the heart of the Jewish Quarter. It is a Moorish-style building where Gothic influences are evident.
To learn all about its history and interesting facts, I really enjoyed taking a guided tour of the Jewish Synagogue in Budapest; I got much more out of the visit and learnt a great deal. It’s really well worth it.
- Synagogue opening hours: 10am to 7.30pm; closed on Saturdays.
- Entrance fee: approximately €8.50 (included in the guided tour).
- Duration of the guided tour: 2 hours and 20 minutes.
In the evening, discover Budapest’s best Ruin Bars
The best way to round off your second day exploring Budapest is, without a doubt, by discovering its famous Ruin Bars.
Almost two decades ago, entrepreneurs and visionaries set about restoring old, abandoned buildings and factories in the city centre. Over the years, they have been reinvented, offering a fresh take on nightlife. A guided tour will take you to the best of Budapest’s Ruin Bars.
Day 3: Explore Andrássy and enjoy the thermal baths
Continue your exciting tour of Budapest by exploring the rest of the area west of the Danube. Today is the day to visit the thermal baths and the markets favoured by locals.
Head to the Central Market at dawn
On the morning of your last day in Budapest, get up very early to explore the city’s Central Market, which opens every day at 6 a.m. Famous for being one of the locals’ favourite places to spend their free time, the market is busiest on Saturdays, when many people head there to do their big shop.
During your visit, you can buy your travel souvenirs and, if you didn’t have time for breakfast, you’ll find a food court on the second floor.
- Opening hours: from 6 am to 6 pm, except on Mondays when it closes at 5 pm and on Saturdays at 3 pm.
- Admission: free.
- Duration of the visit: as long as you like.
Stroll along Andrássy Avenue
Andrássy Avenue is considered the most beautiful street in Budapest and the one with the richest history. Strolling past the shop windows at Christmas in Budapest is a tourist attraction in itself.
To get there from Budapest Market Hall, take tram line 49 from Central Market Hall station. Get off at Deák Ferenc tér M and you’ll be just a 3-minute walk from the Andrássy-Bajcsy-Zsilinszky junction. Follow the avenue north-west to discover one of the city’s most beautiful spots.
Walk to Heroes’ Square
Walking along the avenue from the vicinity of St Stephen’s Basilica to Heroes’ Square will take you approximately 30 minutes on foot. It is one of the city’s most important historical sites and its most iconic square.
In the square, you’ll find one of the city’s best museums: the Museum of Fine Arts. Its neoclassical façade complements the square beautifully, and the night-time views of the entire complex illuminated after dark are something you simply mustn’t miss.
Take a break for lunch
in the vicinity of the square
Before continuing your adventure, take a break for lunch at one of the many eateries you’ll find around the square. Below is a list of some of the most interesting ones, but feel free to explore the area and decide for yourself.
- Paprika Vendéglő: one of the best restaurants serving Hungarian food in this part of the city.
- Városliget Café: specialising in local cuisine, the restaurant is located within Városliget Park with wonderful views of the Castle and the lake.
- Robinson Étterem: situated within the park with lovely views of the lake, this is a Mediterranean restaurant.
- Café Kara: if you fancy a drink, Café Kara is the place for you. It’s on Andrássy Avenue with wonderful views of Heroes’ Square.
After lunch, visit the Széchenyi Thermal Baths
No matter what time of year you visit the capital, a trip to the Széchenyi Thermal Baths is a unique tourist attraction that you simply mustn’t miss. Spend the afternoon of your last day in the city relaxing in the waters to experience one of the most wonderful things Budapest has to offer.
The complex is located right next to Heroes’ Square in Városliget Park. Inside, you’ll find 15 pools: three of them are large outdoor pools ideal for enjoying a summer in Budapest, and the rest are smaller pools that are heated during the winter. The experience is complemented by sauna rooms and massage areas.
- Opening hours: from 6am to 10pm.
- Entry price: from €37 per person.
- Duration of visit: as long as you like.
Explore Városliget at sunset
As you leave the Baths, take a moment to explore Városliget, Budapest’s city park. Lose yourself along its paths to discover other iconic landmarks in the area, such as the local zoo and the beautiful Vajdahunyad Castle. As you leave the park at dusk, don’t forget to take some lovely photos of Heroes’ Square illuminated by the lights.