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Steal this perfect 3 day Budapest itinerary for first timers that covers all the top gems of the city.
If you’re planning a long weekend in Budapest, I can tell you from personal experience that three days feels like the perfect amount of time to see and do a lot in this gorgeous (and very accessible) Eastern European city. My husband and I spent a winter holiday here and we covered a LOT of ground in a short period.
Yes, you could stay for longer and really sink your teeth in, but you’ll be surprised at how much ground you can cover in just three days and what a good sense of the city and its culture you’ll be able to get.
This itinerary is ideal for first timers who want to experience the highlights that Budapest is famous for along with some lesser-known gems, as it covers a little mix of everything. In this 3-day itinerary, I’ve included top historical sites, foodie spots, the city’s famous thermal baths, and top places for design-lovers that you can’t miss on your trip.
Read on for my three days in Budapest itinerary including a helpful Google Map at the bottom of the post to help you visualize your route!
Short on time? Here’s my 3 day Budapest Itinerary at a Glance:
Where to Stay
- Anantara New York Palace, for the best stay in the Jewish Quarter.
- Florin Apart Hotel, for the best budget stay in Budapest.
- Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, for the best luxury stay right on the Danube River.
Best Things to Do:
- Buy a City Pass to cut down on costs at all attractions
- Walking tour of the city
- Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise
- Thermal bath soak at Széchenyi Thermal Spa
Day 1: Explore the Pest Side of Budapest
- St. Stephen’s Basilica and coffee at Párisi Passage Restaurant
- Explore Central Market Hall and Ervin Szabó Library
- Rooftop Drinks at the Duchess Rooftop Bar
- Michelin star dinner at Essência
Day 2: Explore the Buda Side of the City
- Morning coffee at Zërgë Coffeeshop followed by Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church
- Relax at the Gellért Thermal Bath
- Rooftop bar lunch over the city
- Walk the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and Shoes on the Danube
- Romantic Danube River Cruise
Day 3: Explore the Jewish Quarter
- Brunch at New York Cafe
- Walk the Jewish Quarter, stopping into thrift stores
- Karavan Street Food for lunch
- Go for a sunset soak at Széchenyi Baths
- Local Hungarian dinner in the Jewish Quarter before exploring the Ruin Bars
Budapest Itinerary: 3 Perfect Days in the City
Helpful Tips for Your Trip to Budapest
How to Get to Budapest
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the city’s major airport where you can catch flights to and from most major European cities. There aren’t currently any direct flights between Budapest and the US, so expect a layover if you’re traveling from the states. However, that is set to change in summer 2026 as American Airlines will be operating the first direct flight from the states to Budapest launching out of Philadelphia.
Many people choose to explore Budapest as a larger European itinerary. And if you’re already in Europe, you can easily get a train into Budapest as well through the Hungarian Railways website. Budapest has especially strong rail connections from cities like Munich, Prague and Vienna.
For the most budget-friendly option from other European cities to Budapest, consider a bus like FlixBus which offers routes to Budapest.
Best Way to Get Around Budapest
Budapest is a very walkable city and they have a great public transit system including subway, trams, and buses. I’d say there’s no need to rent a car unless you’re looking to venture outside the city.
When we visited, Uber wasn’t available but it is now back in the city in partnership with Fotaxi. There’s also a great ride-sharing app called Bolt that’s easy to use and affordable, which is what we used daily during our trip.
Best Time of Year to Visit Budapest
What makes Budapest so incredible is that all seasons have something to offer and you can enjoy Budapest any time of year.
Peak travel season in Budapest is from May through September. If you’re looking for warm spring/summer vibes with plentiful options for outdoor activities, this is your best bet but know that it comes with more crowds and higher prices.
If you’ve never been to the Christmas markets in Europe though, visiting Budapest during the holidays is a truly unforgettable experience. To visit during the best part of Christmas market season, head to Budapest in late November or early December. We visited right around Christmas and dealt with a lot of holiday closures, though we still had an unforgettable time.
If you’re traveling on a budget, visiting in the off season (November – March, except for during the Christmas markets) will give you lower prices and smaller crowds.
How Much Time Do You Need in Budapest?
As this itinerary suggests, three full days in Budapest is a great amount of time to explore all the highlights of the city. Of course, when possible I always love a slower travel experience where I can really get a deep dive of a place. However, that’s not necessary here if you don’t have the time.
Additional Guides to Help You Plan Your Trip
Want even more helpful travel info for Budapest? Don’t miss my guides to the best things to do in Budapest in winter (though many of these are great any time of year!), and my complete guide to Budapest’s thermal baths!
Where to Stay in Budapest
For our trip to Budapest we decided to stay at the gorgeous Anantara New York Palace which is the perfect amount of old world European charm and glamour. It’s also connected to the city’s famous New York Cafe. So we got the bonus of eating there for breakfast each morning—and the breakfast buffet is out of this world.
If you want to be in the hip and walkable Jewish Quarter, then I can’t recommend this hotel enough. However, here are a few more recs for your stay.
Best Budapest hotels by the Danube River:
Best Budapest Hotels in the Jewish Quarter:
Best Budapest Budget Hotels:
Best Things to do in Budapest, Hungary
So let’s get into the best things to do in Budapest. I’ve organized this itinerary by area of the city to help you cut down on public transport and make the most efficient use of your time as you explore.
Day 1: Explore the Pest Side of the City
Budapest is broken up into two sides—the “Pest” side being East of the Danube River and the “Buda” side being on the West. On your first day in Budapest, we’ll be exploring the “Pest” side of the city, hugging closely to the Danube River.
Morning: Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica and Coffee at Párisi Passage Restaurant
You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the beauty and history of St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s largest church. The architecture is truly breathtaking and if you’re up for the challenge, you can take the 364 steps up to the dome for a panoramic view of the city.
The church is free to enter. But if you want to head up to the dome, there’s a small fee of about $6 USD. Keep in mind that the church opens weekdays and Saturdays at 9 AM, but if you plan on visiting on a Sunday you’ll have to move this activity to later in the day as Sunday hours are limited from 1 PM – 5 PM.
If you’re visiting during the Christmas season, the church is even more magical, surrounded by Christmas markets and a massive lit-up tree to celebrate the festivities.
After exploring one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, you’ll head to one of the most beautifully designed buildings in Budapest, Párisi Passage Restaurant. It’s located in the Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, which was built in the Parisian arcade style and stands out for its combination of Arabic, Moorish and Gothic architecture.
We stopped by here in winter to get a respite from the cold and it was the perfect little resting place. I’d recommend stopping in for a coffee and pastry or staying for breakfast or lunch. If afternoon tea is more your speed, they also offer that daily from 2 PM- 5 PM.
Afternoon: Central Market Hall and Ervin Szabó Library
Sampling the local cuisine is always one of the most fun parts of traveling to a new country and Central Market Hall (also referred to as Great Market Hall) is the perfect place to do so in Budapest. You can try tons of local food and Hungarian specialties here like goulash, chicken paprikash, and lángos. And considering that it’s Budapest’s largest and oldest market, there are a lot of options to choose from.
If you’re planning on doing any cooking at your accommodation, this is also a great place to pick up groceries, produce, or even souvenirs to gift to friends. Pro tip: Pick up some paprika, Hungary’s favorite spice, to bring home with you!
Our next afternoon stop is another one for the design lovers—enter, Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library. Housed in the neo-baroque style Wenckheim Palace, this 19th-century architectural gem feels straight out of a historical fiction fairytale.
If you’re visiting Budapest on a rainy day or in the winter months, the library is an especially worthy a stop, but any time of year is a great time to stop in for a photo and take in the stunning architecture or retreat with a good book (ps—bring your own unless you can read Hungarian)!
Evening: Drinks at Duchess Rooftop Bar and Michelin Star Dinner
You can’t visit Budapest without getting a higher vantage point of the city, and a rooftop bar is an ideal way to do just that. The Duchess Rooftop Bar located inside the stunning Matild Palace hotel is in a central part of Pest and has A+ views, beautiful design, and a high-end cocktail and bar bites menu. Make a reservation to ensure you get a good spot!
Now for the best part to end your first day in Budapest with a bang—a Michelin-rated dinner. In every destination I go to, I usually try to book at least one standout dinner. And on this trip we scoured the Michelin site to find something that piqued our interest…but wouldn’t break the bank.
Essência Restaurant ended up being our pick, and for how reasonable it was (we each spent around $250 for a tasting menu with wine pairings), it was some of the best value I’ve had at a Michelin star restaurant. It’s honestly a meal we still talk about.
The restaurant is run by a husband and wife team (one Hungarian, one Portuguese), so the menu reflects the flavors of both cultures. The whole dinner, my husband and I kept looking at each other with that “oh my freaking gawd” face with each new dish they brought out. Trust me, you won’t regret this one, but make sure to book a table in advance.
Day 2: Check Out the Buda Side of the City
On day two, you’ll be starting your morning on the “Buda” side of Budapest, which sits on the opposite side of the Danube River. And then make your way back over to the “Pest” side via a walk across the iconic Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
Morning: Zërgë Coffeeshop, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church
Budapest has no shortage of old cafes with grand architecture. But if you’re looking for a cozy little spot with hipster vibes, Zërgë Coffeeshop is it. They have great coffee and bagels here with vegan options and teas for non-coffee drinkers.
After fueling up, you’ll head to Fisherman’s Bastion, which has hands down one of the best viewpoints in the city so don’t miss it.
It’s open all hours of the day, but my advice would be to go early in the morning to beat the crowds. We were there as the sun was rising and there were already people lined up to take photos (in winter!). For my photographer friends, I’d recommend bringing a few different lenses as there are a lot of fun angles to shoot.
Don’t miss visiting Matthias Church (also known as The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle) while you’re there. It is right next door and is the oldest church in the city.
Afternoon: Relax at Gellért Thermal Bath, Rooftop Bar for Lunch, and Explore the Shoes on the Danube
Update: Gellert Spa will be closed for renovations from October 1, 2025 until 2028. You can swap in Rudas Thermal Bath into this itinerary which has a panoramic rooftop with views of the Danube River.
No visit to Budapest is complete without a visit to one of the city’s famous thermal baths. And aside from getting a little lost in the maze of locker rooms and various baths here, we really enjoyed our experience at Gellért Thermal Bath.
The design is stunning, and it’s a super relaxing way to rest your feet after lots of walking or warm up on a cold or rainy day. Don’t forget to pack your bathing suit, a towel, and some flip flops or else they will upcharge you for all of it. Check out my guide for even more helpful tips for visiting Budapest’s thermal baths.
If you want to skip the lines to the bath, I recommend booking your tickets in advance here.
Once you’ve had a proper soak, another rooftop bar is in order. I only learned about Leo Rooftop Bar from some sleuthing on social media, but it turns out it has one of the best views overlooking the Danube and some of the city’s most famous landmarks like Chain Bridge and the Hungarian Parliament Building.
Expect fun cocktails here, small plates, and jaw dropping views of the Budapest skyline. Lunch is a great time to visit, but if you prefer seeing the sunset over the city or Budapest’s landmarks light up at night, this is a great spot to come back to in the evening as well.
Next, get your walking shoes ready because you’re going to take a stroll over the iconic suspension bridge that connects the two banks of the Danube. Széchenyi Chain Bridge is one of the most beloved and iconic landmarks in Budapest and it’s definitely worth walking it.
Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you’ll turn left alongside the waterfront until you come across Shoes on the Danube Bank, just south of the Parliament Building. This riverfront memorial was created to remember the thousands of Jews who were brutally murdered in Budapest during WWII. And it’s a very moving sculptural piece that consists of 60 pairs of iron shoes scattered along the riverbank.
Evening: Book a Romantic Dinner Cruise on the River
To cap off the day, you’ll stick alongside the river to hop on a romantic dinner cruise where you can watch the city light up as day turns into night. It might feel a little touristy, but it’s 100% worth going on an evening river cruise on the Danube. In my opinion, Budapest is truly one of the most beautiful cities at night and there’s no better way to take it in than from the river.
This Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise is two and a half hours long and is one of the top-rated dinner cruises in the city. Guests enjoy a 4-course meal while local musicians serenade you. If you’re traveling with your significant other, you can’t miss this as it’s one of the romantic things to do in Budapest.
Day 3: Highlights of the Jewish Quarter
On day three (the final day of this itinerary), we’ll explore around the historical Jewish Quarter, which is the hippest part of Budapest. Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants, trendy shops, and the best nightlife scene.
Morning: Brunch at New York Café
They call themselves the “Most Beautiful Café in the World” and well…I actually think they might be right. Located in the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel (which is where we stayed and I cannot say enough good things about it), New York Café is in a gorgeous, historic building and it’s the perfect spot for brunch.
Trust me, you will feel like royalty dining here, with its opulent surroundings and live band featuring violinists and a pianist serenading you.
There’s pretty much always a line around the block to get in. So if arriving early or waiting in long lines isn’t your thing, TwentySix is another great brunch spot that you’ll love if you’re obsessed with plants like I am. The whole place feels like a jungle!
Afternoon: Stroll the Jewish Quarter and Grab Lunch at Street Food Karavan
The Jewish Quarter is one of the most vibrant and fashionable neighborhoods in Budapest, and it’s also an important part of Budapest history as there are roughly 100,000 Jews living in the country, many of which reside in Budapest. Give yourself a little extra time to explore and get lost while you’re bopping around from place to place because there are a lot of hidden gems to explore!
How do you even know you’re in the Jewish Quarter? This neighborhood is located in the inner part of District 7. It’s loosely bordered by Király utca to the north, Erzsébet körút, Dohány utca, and Károly körút. There is some really amazing street art here, cozy cafés, great shops, and bars and restaurants galore.
If you’re into vintage shopping in other countries then you’ll definitely want to scope out some spots in the Jewish Quarter, as it is known for being one of the more fashionable areas of the city. Szputnyik shop and Nostalgia Bazaar are a couple fun ones to check out.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Street Food Karavan, a fun street food court where you can grab a quick bite for lunch from one of the many food trucks there. I highly recommend trying the Chicken Paprikash or the Langos from Goulash Station.
Evening: Sunset Soak at Széchenyi Baths, Hungarian Dinner and Explore Famous Ruin Bars
This is probably the most popular bath in Budapest and the one you’ve likely seen all over social. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is giant with over 20 baths, saunas, and steam rooms to enjoy.
I recommend going in the afternoon close to sunset so you can take in the sunset views while you’re soaking away a long day of walking in the thermal waters. If you have extra time, don’t miss stopping at Heroes Square beforehand which is just around the corner.
To ensure swift entry and avoid lines, book your tickets ahead of time here.
For dinner, we found this cozy restaurant on our first night in Budapest and had some lovely traditional Hungarian dishes.
As far as Jewish Quarter restaurants go, Barack és Szilva was way better than Mazel Tov in my opinion, which seems to be on everyone’s best restaurant list, but we found the food there underwhelming and the service poor for how long we waited to get in.
After dinner if you still have energy, you’ll want to check out Budapest’s famous ruin bars. They are a highlight of the nightlife scene in the city (and unlike any other bar you’ve been to) and a creative way to make use of some of the abandoned and dilapidated buildings after WWII.
Budapest’s ruin bars are super funky with a lot of eclectic art, graffiti, and thrifted furniture. Szimpla Kert is the most famous ruin bar, and it’s definitely worth checking out. Mazel Tov is fun too and people seem to love the food in general. Although it wasn’t necessarily our favorite spot. I would go here for drinks rather than food.
Luckily, many of Budapest’s ruin bars are clustered in the same neighborhood, making it easy to hop between them to make a night of it.
Additional Things to do in Budapest if You Have More Time
- Hungarian National Gallery – A museum in Buda Castle spanning many genres of important art in Hungary.
- Gellert Hill – A popular viewpoint in Budapest that offers some of the top panoramic views of the city.
- Budapest City Park (Városliget) – This historic city park is home to Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi thermal baths, and they turn the lake into an ice rink in the winter time.
- Opera House – The city’s historic opera house. Book a guided tour here.
- Parliament Building – The seat of the National Assembly of Hungary. Grab your entry ticket here.
- Light Art Museum – If it rains at all during your visit, I highly recommend checking out this interactive and unique museum that’s one of the first of its kind in the world to celebrate light as an art form.
- Christmas Markets – If you’re visiting in winter, don’t miss a visit to the city’s epic Christmas markets.
Budapest Itinerary Map
I hope this Budapest travel itinerary helps you plan your trip to this beautiful European city! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.
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