Dreaming of your next city break? Look no further than a weekend in Budapest! Hungary’s capital city is widely known as a cheap getaway, but it deserves a lot more credit than that.
Spend a weekend away in Budapest, and you’ll be met with dramatic architecture, revitalising thermal baths, rich history and laid-back nightlife. This 3 day Budapest itinerary will guide you through exactly how to spend your time so you can experience the best of Budapest without even having to think about it.
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Is a weekend in Budapest enough?
Yes, you can spend a weekend in Budapest and see all of the main sights! You’ll want to take a long weekend and spend at least 3 days in Budapest, as with only 2 days, you’ll struggle to fit in all the top attractions.
Even with 3 days, this itinerary is pretty packed, with several activities every day and a lot of steps! If you’d prefer a more laid-back trip, you could easily extend it with a day or two more in Budapest.
How to plan a weekend in Budapest
Get the most out of your time in Budapest by doing some pre-trip planning! It pays to think about when to visit, transport and accommodation – and luckily for you, I’ve detailed all my recommendations below.
When is the best time to visit Budapest?
For me, Budapest is a shoulder-season city, meaning the best times to visit are from April to June and September to October. Usually, shoulder seasons are best to avoid peak crowds, but in Budapest, you have the added benefit of catching the best weather conditions. In the spring and autumn, you’ll enjoy bright days and warmer weather – avoiding the balmy summers and bitter winters.
However, for some, Budapest is a popular winter destination thanks to the city’s Christmas markets. You could visit in late November or December to enjoy the festive spirit here – just make sure you wrap up warm!
How to get to Budapest
Budapest has an international airport with direct connections to most European countries. Plus, many low cost airlines operate here, meaning you’ll often find very cheap flights – great news for budget travellers!
The airport is also well-connected to the city. You can jump on the direct airport bus, which only costs a few euros, to reach the centre in 40 minutes.
If you’re interrailing or visiting Budapest from a neighbouring country, there are also decent train and bus links. Hungary is a large country and train and bus journeys will tend to be very long, so bear this in mind.
How to get around in Budapest
You’ll find that Budapest is a very walkable city – it’s relatively small, easy to navigate and pleasant to walk around in. However, the city also has a well-connected public transport system, with several metro and tram lines.
Where to stay in Budapest
Budapest is an affordable city, and there are accommodation options for everyone’s budget and taste. During my weekend trip to Budapest, I stayed at Queen’s Court Hotel & Residence and absolutely loved it! It was quiet and peaceful, with spacious rooms and a kitchenette. The pool and sauna were an added bonus that I made good use of.
Check out the top activities in Budapest
Your 3 day Budapest itinerary
Between the thermal baths, ruin bars, cool architecture and historic sites, you’re going to love Budapest and everything it has to offer. Here is your 3 day Budapest itinerary:
Day 1: Exploring the charms of Buda
Budapest is split into two ‘halves’ by the Danube river. Buda, on the west side, is steeped in history and culture and is where you’ll spend most of your first day.
Day 1 Highlights
To begin your day, make your way to Buda, crossing the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Dating back to 1849, 6he impressive structure was the first permanent bridge to cross the Danube and link the Buda and Pest sides of Budapest. You’ll want to cross on foot to take in the impressive architecture and river views.
From here, head to Fisherman’s Bastion – a hilltop fortress with scenic views over Budapest. This is one of the most popular spots in Budapest, and it’s not hard to see why. The turrets, sweeping archways and hidden corners are fairytale-esque and make Fisherman’s Bastion one of the best photo spots in Budapest. You’ll also see Matthias church next to Fisherman’s Bastion, with its unique rooftop tiles.
Your next stop for the day is Buda Castle. A former royal residence with a turbulent history (including being destroyed twice), the grand castle complex is now home to several museums. Take some time to explore the grounds, and then I’d recommend a visit to the Budapest Castle Museum, where you can learn about the history of Buda Castle and the wider city.
Make your way back towards the riverbank from Buda Castle, passing Várkert Bazár, where you’ll want to stop for a few photos of the cool architecture. Grab some lunch at MITZI or Bartók before heading to Gellért Baths to spend the afternoon. The Art Nouveau style makes this one of the most beautiful thermal baths to visit in Budapest. You can enjoy a number of different baths, plus an outdoor pool during the summer months, sauna and steam room.
When evening rolls around, head to dinner at Mazel Tov (top tip: you’ll want to book this a week or two in advance). In the heart of Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, this secret garden restaurant offers up Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean fusion in the most beautiful surroundings.
To end the first day of this Budapest itinerary, it’s time to see the city’s highlights from the Danube on a river cruise. At night, the city lights up, and you can see Budapest’s eye-catching skyline in a unique way. On one side of the river, you’ll see Buda with the attractions you visited today. Take a look the other way and see Pest, with a glimpse of what’s to come tomorrow. Make sure you spot the Hungarian Parliament Building – it’s the most beautiful of the lot.
Day 2: City highlights in Pest
Ready for another action-packed day? Day 2 of this Budapest itinerary takes you around Pest, the city’s lively centre.
Day 2 Highlights
Start your day by fueling up with breakfast. Try Aran Bakery for a quick coffee and pastry or Fekete if you’d prefer a sit-down brunch. Then, take some time to explore the streets of Pest. You’ll want to wander around the Jewish Quarter to see the Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe, and then spot St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Hungarian State Opera.
End your walking tour at the Hungarian Parliament and take some time to explore. You can opt to take a guided tour of the Parliament if you want to delve deeper into Hungary’s political history. Or, simply walk around the outside of the remarkable neo-Gothic building and take in its grandeur.
After this, head south along the river, admiring the Buda skyline as you go. You’ll soon come across the Shoes on the Danube Bank sculpture, a somber but poignant monument honouring over 3000 Jews who were killed during WW2.
Follow the river as far as Liberty Bridge, another of Budapest’s iconic river crossings, where you might see the classic yellow trams. Pop into Central Market Hall to see the oldest and largest indoor market hall in Budapest, and then refresh with a drink at the For Sale Pub. This unique spot offers you some paper with your drink, so you can write a note and stick it to the walls (or the roof!). The whole place is covered with notepaper, and it’s fun to read the different notes and spot visitors from around the world.
Spend a few hours exploring the Hungarian National Museum and take a tour through Hungary’s complete history – from as early as 400,000 BC to the present day. Make sure you admire the building itself and its neoclassical architecture as you make your way around the space.
This evening, you’ll experience one of Budapest’s best urban phenomena – the ruin bars. These bars have been salvaged from derelict buildings and warehouses, and in them, owners have created eclectic spaces to relax and enjoy a drink. Szimpla Kert is the largest, oldest, and most famous of Budapest’s ruin bars, but there are plenty to discover. You can also try some Hungarian street food for dinner – at Karavan (next to Szimpla Kert), grab a Lángos, either traditional or in burger form!
Day 3: Városliget & Széchenyi thermal baths
Day 3 Highlights
Get an early start today and grab breakfast in the centre before jumping on the M1 metro line to Széchenyi fürdő, where you’ll find the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. At the baths, you can enjoy no less than 18 different pools, with both indoor and outdoor options, plus many saunas and steam rooms – so you’ll want to block out several hours to take advantage of everything.
After a morning in the baths, it’s time to explore the rest of Városliget. Start at Vajdahunyad Castle, one of the most fascinating buildings in Budapest. The castle was built in the late 1800s to showcase Hungary’s architecture, featuring Renaissance, Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic styles all within one building. You can also see the castle’s entrance gate and chapel.
As you make your way around the park, you’ll see the Memorial to the 1956 Revolution and Heroes’ Square. You can then spend the rest of the afternoon in one of the park’s two museums. If fine art is your thing, head to Szépművészeti Múzeum, where you’ll find works from the Old Masters and Egyptians, Hungarian art, and much more. Or, if you prefer something more modern, you’ll want to visit Műcsarnok to see Hungarian and international contemporary art.
Head back to the centre to enjoy your final evening. As your 3 days in Budapest come to a close, why not sample some more Hungarian cuisine, revisit your favourite ruin bar, or soak up the nighttime atmosphere?
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