Budapest in 3 days
The Danube splits the city in two: royal Buda with its castle and Fishermen's Bastion, and livelier Pest with its Belle Époque cafés and the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter. Days here mix thermal baths, river views of the lit-up Parliament and goulash that costs little. It has much of Vienna's grandeur at a lower price.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Hungarian Parliamentabout 1 hThe largest building in Hungary, neo-Gothic with a 96-metre dome; inside are the gilded grand staircase and the Holy Crown under guard.
- Afternoon
St Stephen's Basilicaabout 1 hBudapest's largest church, finished in 1905 and 96 metres high, keeps the country's most revered relic: the mummified right hand of King Stephen.
- Evening
Szimpla Kertfree · an eveningThe original ruin bar on Kazinczy Street: a maze of courtyards and rooms furnished with bathtub sofas, a Trabant table and mismatched lights.
Day 2
- Morning
Great Market Hallfree · about 1 h 30An 1897 hall under a Zsolnay tile roof: paprika, sausages and Tokaji wine on the ground floor, lángos stalls and embroidery upstairs.
- Afternoon
Gellért Hillfree · about 1 h 30A 235-metre hill above the Danube, topped by the 1854 Citadel and the Liberty Statue, reached by garden paths from Elisabeth Bridge.
- Late afternoon
Fishermen's Bastionfree · about 45 minSeven white turrets for the seven Magyar tribes, finished in 1902, looking straight across the Danube to the Chain Bridge and Parliament.
Day 3
- Morning
Margaret Islandfree · about 1 hA car-free, 2.5 km park island in the Danube with a running track round its edge, medieval convent ruins and a musical fountain in summer.
- Afternoon
Széchenyi Bathshalf a dayA yellow neo-baroque bathhouse from 1913 with 18 pools; the ritual is sauna, then the 38-degree outdoor pool, where locals play chess.
Where to sleep in Budapest
- Wombat's City Hostel Budapest · €25 a night
- Meininger Budapest Great Market Hall · €35 a night
- Onefam Budapest · €25 a night
- Continental Hotel Budapest · €110 a night
- Hotel Palazzo Zichy · €105 a night
- Hotel Moments Budapest · €115 a night
- Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest · €480 a night
- Aria Hotel Budapest · €290 a night
- Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest · €250 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.