Budapest in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

If you have three full days to enjoy Budapest, congratulations! That's enough time to see the most important sights in the city, and here's how to do it.
Budapest in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

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More about: Budapest in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

Considered one of the top 10 most beautiful cities to visit in Europe, Budapest is a destination that will leave you amazed. But your first question is probably what to see and do in Budapest during a three-day trip. Here's how to organise your itinerary to make the most of every second and enjoy everything this beautiful city has to offer. Let's get started!

Please note that the itinerary below is for three full days, starting from the morning after your arrival.

Day 1: Explore the BUDDHA side of Budapest

Aerial view of Buda Castle| ©alex.ch
Aerial view of Buda Castle| ©alex.ch

The first day will be dedicated to discovering the most historic and ancient part of the city: Buda. If you are 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 that you get 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 admission to the Lukács Thermal Baths and unlimited public transport.

Book a guided tour of Budapest

Explore Buda Castle

One of the city's most iconic symbols isthe Royal Palace or Buda Castle. For centuries, it was the official residence of the royal family in Hungary , and today it is a majestic complex that houses the History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery and the National Library. You can spend the morning walking around the area, and if you like art , take a tour of at least one of the museums.

The castle is located on what is known as Castle Hill, a limestone plateau that rises about 2.3 kilometres above the city.

The walk to the castle takes about 30 minutes, but you also have the option of taking the Buda Castle Funicular. This wonderful means of transport travels 95 metres in height in 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 interior of the Castle is 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 want 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 most important things in each one.

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Take a break for lunch

Leaving the Buda Castle complex behind, don't take the funicular back. I recommend spending the rest of the day exploring the historic Castle District of Budapest and looking for a good place to have lunch. There are many options in this area. Here are a few recommendations right near the castle:

Discover the labyrinth of Budapest Castle

Inside the Buda Labyrinth| ©Camilo D
Inside the Buda Labyrinth| ©Camilo D

Around Buda Castle you will find various areas of historical interest; spend the afternoon exploring them to get to know the best of Budapest's Castle District.

A small attraction located below Castle Hill, which the locals have turned into a tourist attraction, is the labyrinth. In the past, the passageways served different purposes, but today it is an intriguing and terrifying tour.

  • Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last tour at 6.30 p.m. is done with a gas lamp in hand.
  • Entrance fee: approximately £3
  • Duration of the visit: 30 minutes is sufficient.

Book a bike tour of Budapest

Visit the Matthias Church of Our Lady

The Castle District is home to Budapest's most famous Catholic church and one of the most beautiful. Its beautifully ornate Gothic façade and colourful ceilings are just a glimpse of what you'll find inside. For centuries, this church was the site of royal coronations in Budapest.

  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays only in the morning and Sundays only in the afternoon.
  • Entrance fee: approximately £3.50 for an adult ticket
  • Duration of the visit: 30 to 40 minutes is sufficient.

Climb up to the Fisherman's Bastion to watch the sunset

Next to the Church of St. Matthias is the city's most important viewpoint: the Fisherman's Bastion. It is the best place to get a panoramic view ofBudapest. Be sure to go up before sunset and get ready to take beautiful photos of the city.

  • Opening hours: open all day, every day, including public holidays.
  • Entrance fee: access to the viewpoint is free, but you will have to pay if you want to access the towers.

Book a guided tour of Budapest

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, even illuminated if you opt for the night tour. During the relaxing trip, you can rest and recharge your batteries for the next day.

Below is a list of all the different cruises available in the city:

  • Simple cruise on the Danube: this is the most basic option and includes a 70-minute tour of the Danube with an audio guide and drinks.
  • Danube night cruise: this is the same experience as the previous one, but in the moonlight, which, as we have already mentioned, has the special touch of allowing you to see the monuments of Budapest illuminated.
  • 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 open bar: if the previous option was great for couples, this one is ideal for friends. You can choose whether you prefer to start at 4pm, 6pm or 8pm, it's up to you.

Book a cruise on the Danube

Day 2: Explore the PEST area of Budapest

Sunny day at the Parliament| ©Henning Klokkeråsen
Sunny day at the Parliament| ©Henning Klokkeråsen

On the second day, you will discover the area known as Pest, located on the west side of the Danube. Compared to the east bank, whose ancient buildings date back to the Middle Ages, Pest is more modern yet full of fabulous architecture, historical monuments and heritage treasures.

Discover Margaret Island

Halfway across the Danube in Budapest is a beautiful island used as a park and one of the most beautiful green spaces 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, on the tourist train, which costs approximately £2, in an electric car for approximately £13 per hour, or by bicycle, which costs £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, with its impressive exterior façade, is one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture. The best way to see the building is definitely through a guided tour of the Budapest Parliament.

  • Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Price of the tour: from £52
  • Duration of the tour: approximately 4 hours.

Book a guided tour of the Budapest Parliament

Shoe Monument in Budapest

A few minutes from the Parliament building and on the banks of the Danube, you will find a small historical monument known as the Shoes Monument, which honours the Jewish victims who were murdered by the Nazis between 1944 and 1945 on the banks of the Danube and then thrown into the water.

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Take a break for lunch

Around the Parliament, you will find the most varied gastronomic offer in all of Budapest. Here is a selection of some places of interest:

  • Salaam Bombay: 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

St. Stephen's Basilica| ©Jose A.
St. Stephen's Basilica| ©Jose A.

Continue your exploration of Pest by moving away from the banks of the Danube to discover the best of the Jewish Quarter and a little more of the 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, together with the Parliament, are the largest buildings in the centre of Budapest.

Admission is free, although 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.

Book tickets for the Basilica concert

Walk along Vaci Utca

From St. Stephen's Basilica, a 10-minute walk will take you to Vaci Utca, the most important shopping street in the city. Take a stroll down the street and admire the beautiful architecture of the city centre and the luxurious shops in the area.

Discover the Jewish Synagogue of Budapest

The second largest synagogue in the world can be found in Budapest's Jewish Quarter. From Vaci Utca, another 10-minute walk will take you right to the entrance of the temple and into the heart of the Jewish quarter. It is a Moorish-style building with 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 enjoyed the tour much more and learned a lot. It's really worth it.

  • Synagogue opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.; closed on Saturdays.
  • Entrance fee: approximately £7.50 (included in the guided tour).
  • Duration of the guided tour: 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Book a guided tour of the Budapest Synagogue

Discover the best ruin bars in Budapest at night

The best way to end your second day of exploring Budapest is, without a doubt, by discovering its famous ruin bars.

Almost two decades ago, merchants and visionaries set out to rescue old buildings and abandoned factories in the city centre. Over the years, they have been reinvented, giving them a fresh concept and a nightlife vibe. A guided tour will take you to the best ones in Budapest.

Book a tour of the ruin bars

Day 3: Explore Andrássy and enjoy the thermal baths

Lukács Baths| ©annefrompau
Lukács Baths| ©annefrompau

Continue your exciting tour of Budapest by discovering the rest of the western side of the Danube. This is the day to visit the baths and markets favoured by the 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' favourite leisure areas, the market is busiest on Saturdays, when many people go there to do their major shopping.

During your visit, you can buy souvenirs and, if you didn't have time for breakfast, there is a food court on the second floor.

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

Book a guided tour of Budapest

Walk along Andrássy Avenue

Andrássy Avenue is considered the most beautiful street in Budapest and the one with the most historical significance. Strolling past the shop windows at Christmas time 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 will be just a 3-minute walk from the Andrássy-Bajcsy-Zsilinszky intersection. Follow the avenue northwest to find one of the most beautiful spots in the city.

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 most important historical sites and the most emblematic square in the city.

In the square, you will find one of the city's best museums: the Museum of Fine Arts. Its neoclassical façade beautifully complements the square as a whole, and the night-time views of the entire complex illuminated at night are not to be missed.

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Take a break for lunch

in the vicinity of the square

Visiting Városliget Café| ©YvonneK
Visiting Városliget Café| ©YvonneK

Before continuing your adventure, take a break to eat at one of the many places to eat around the Plaza. 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 Hungarian restaurants you can try in this part of the city.
  • Városliget Café: specialising in local cuisine, this restaurant is located inside Városliget Park with wonderful views of the castles and the lake.
  • Robinson Étterem: located inside the park with beautiful views of the lake, this is a Mediterranean restaurant.
  • Café Kara: if you fancy a drink, Café Kara is the place for you. It is located on Andrássy Avenue with wonderful views of Heroes' Square.

After lunch, visit the Széchenyi Spa

No matter what time of year you visit the capital, the Széchenyi Thermal Baths are a unique tourist attraction that you should not miss under any circumstances. Spend the afternoon of your last day in the city relaxing in the waters and experiencing one of the most wonderful things Budapest has to offer.

The complex is located right next to Heroes' Square in Városliget Park. Inside, you will 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 saunas and massage rooms.

  • Opening hours: from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Admission: from £37 per person.
  • Duration of visit: as long as you like.

Book tickets to the Széchenyi Thermal Baths

Explore Városliget at sunset

After leaving the baths, take a moment to explore Városliget, Budapest's city park. Lose yourself in its paths to find other iconic buildings in the area, such as the 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.

Book a guided tour of Budapest

Reviews from other travellers

4.7
· 3251 Reviews
  • M
    M.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Wonderful night, unfortunately I took it on the last day in Budapest. Next time I will take it at the beginning and at the end!
  • K
    K.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Thank you so much to the guide for making this night so spectacular! I travel alone and sometimes as a woman it is a bit difficult to know what to expect but he made me feel safe all the time.
  • V
    V.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    We were given welcome shots at each bar and the short drinks were very well prepared. The guide was great and we had a great time.
  • R
    R.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    We were very comfortable in the bars and had an amazing time. One of the best experiences during my tour in Europe.
  • T
    T.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Perfect choice for young and old, all the bars were very good, it felt like they had set aside a space just for us.