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!

Keep in mind that the itinerary I’m presenting below covers three full days, starting the morning after your arrival.

The first day will be dedicated to exploring the most historic and oldest part of the city: Buda. If you’re truly 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 getting the Budapest Card, which you can use throughout your stay in the city and includes discounts of up to 50% on tourist attractions, free admission to the Lukács Thermal Baths, and unlimited public transportation.

Explore Buda Castle

One of the city’s most iconic landmarks isthe Royal Palace, or Buda Castle. For centuries , it served as 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 located on what is known as Castle Hill, a limestone plateau rising about 2.3 kilometers 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 transportation climbs 95 meters in 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.

• Hours: The castle interiors are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• 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, set aside at least 1 hour to see the highlights of each.

Take a break for lunch

After leaving the Buda Castle complex, don’t take the funicular back down; I recommend spending the rest of the day exploring the historic Budapest Castle District and finding a nice place for lunch. You’ll find plenty of options in this area; here are a few recommendations right near the castle:

• Monkey Bistro
• Marvelosa Restaurant
• L19 Bistro
• YBL Bistro

Explore the Labyrinth of Budapest Castle

Around Buda Castle, you’ll find various areas of historical interest; spend the afternoon exploring them to fully experience the best of Budapest’s Castle District.

A small attraction located beneath Castle Hill that the locals have turned into a tourist attraction is the labyrinth. In the past, the passageways served various purposes, but today they offer an intriguing and spine-chilling tour.

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last tour at 6:30 p.m. is conducted by gas lamp.
• 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 colorful ceilings, is just a glimpse of what you’ll find inside. For centuries, this church served as the site of royal coronations in Budapest.

• Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Saturdays only in the morning and Sundays only in the afternoon.
• Admission price: approximately €3.50 for an adult ticket
• Duration of the 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’s the best place to get a complete panoramic view ofBudapest. Just make sure to go up before sunset and get ready to take beautiful photos of the city.

• Hours: Open all day, every day, including holidays.
• Admission: Access to the viewpoint is free; 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 activities 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 night cruise. During this relaxing cruise, you can rest and recharge your energy for the next day.

Below is a list of all the different 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.
• Night cruise on the Danube: this is the same experience as the previous one, but under the moonlight, which, as we’ve mentioned, offers the special touch of seeing Budapest’s monuments all lit up.
• Cruise with dinner and live music: if, in addition to enjoying Budapest at 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 an open bar: while the previous option was great for couples, this one is perfect for a night out with friends. You can choose to start at 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, or 8:00 PM—it’s up to you.

On the second day, you’ll explore the area known as Pest, located on the west bank of the Danube. Compared to the east bank, where ancient buildings date back to the Middle Ages, Pest is more modern yet brimming with stunning architecture, historic monuments, and cultural treasures.

Discover Margaret Island

In the middle of the Danube in Budapest lies a beautiful island used as a park and public space, making it one of the most picturesque 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 several options: you can explore it on foot, by tourist train (which costs approximately €2), in an electric car (approximately €13 per hour), or by bicycle (€3 for 2 hours).

Take a tour of the Parliament Building

Leave Margarita 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 the Margarita Island Bridge, and its impressive exterior façade is one of the masterpieces of Neo-Gothic architecture. The best way to explore the building is definitely through a guided tour of the Budapest Parliament.

• Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tour price: starting at €52
• Tour duration: approximately 4 hours.

Shoe Monument 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 honors the Jewish victims who were murdered by the Nazis on the banks of the Danube between 1944 and 1945, after which their bodies were thrown into the water.

Take a break for lunch

Around the Parliament building, you’ll find the most diverse culinary scene in all of Budapest. Here’s a selection of some places worth checking out:

• Salaam Bombay: an Indian restaurant known for its beautiful wooden tables and soft lighting.
• Élelem Étterem: international and very healthy cuisine 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 bit 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-meter-high interior dome. St. Stephen’s Basilica, along with the Parliament, are the largest structures in the center of Budapest.

Admission 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 splendor, I recommend attending an organ concert—a unique experience, especially if you love classical music.

Explore Váci Utca

From the exit of St. Stephen’s Basilica, a 10-minute walk 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 center, and explore the luxury shops in the area.

Visit the Jewish Synagogue in Budapest

The second-largest synagogue in the world is located in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter. From Vaci Utca, another 10-minute walk will take you right to the entrance of the synagogue, right in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. It is a Moorish-style architectural building with evident Gothic influences.

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 learned a lot. It’s truly worth it.

• Synagogue hours: 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM; closed on Saturdays.
• Admission price: 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 end your second day exploring Budapest is, without a doubt, by checking out its famous Ruin Bars.

Nearly two decades ago, entrepreneurs and visionaries set out to restore old, abandoned buildings and factories in the city center. Over the years, they’ve reinvented these spaces, bringing a fresh concept and a vibrant nightlife scene. A guided tour will take you to the best of Budapest’s Ruin Bars.

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 favored by locals.

Head to the Central Market at dawn

On the morning of your last day in Budapest, get up early to explore the city’s Central Market, which opens every day at 6 a.m. Famous for being one of the locals’ favorite hangouts, the market is busiest on Saturdays, when many people head there to do their major shopping.

During your visit, you can buy travel souvenirs, and if you didn’t have time for breakfast, you’ll find a food court on the second floor.

• Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Mondays when it closes at 5 p.m. and on Saturdays at 3 p.m.
• Admission: free.
• Duration of the visit: as long as you like.

Stroll down Andrássy Avenue

Andrássy Avenue is considered the most beautiful street in Budapest and the one with the richest history. Strolling past the shop windows during Christmas in Budapest is a tourist attraction in itself.

To get there from the Budapest Market, take Tram Line 49 from the 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 intersection. Follow the avenue northwest 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 about 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 beautifully complements the square’s architecture, and the nighttime views of the entire complex illuminated at night are something you won’t want to miss.

Take a break for lunch

near the square

Before continuing your adventure, take a break to eat at one of the many dining spots 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 cuisine in this part of the city.
• Városliget Café: Specializing in local cuisine, the restaurant is located inside Városliget Park with wonderful views of the Castle and the lake.
• Robinson Étterem: located inside the park with beautiful views of the lake, this is a Mediterranean restaurant.
• Café Kara: if you’re in the mood for a drink, Café Kara is the place for you. It’s located on Andrássy Avenue with wonderful views of Heroes’ Square.

After lunch, visit the Széchenyi Thermal Bath

No matter what time of year you visit the capital, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is a unique tourist attraction that you absolutely must not 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: 3 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.

• Hours: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
• Admission price: starting at €37 per person.
• Duration of visit: as long as you like.

Explore Városliget at sunset

After leaving the spa, take a moment to explore Városliget, Budapest’s city park. Wander 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 beautiful photos of Heroes’ Square illuminated by artificial light.