If you’re wondering what to do in Budapest in 3 Days, we have a 3-day itinerary for you.
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Three Days in Budapest Itinerary – What to Expect
The intriguing mix of culture, art, history, and architecture in Budapest, the Hungarian capital and the Pearl of the Danube, charms its visitors endlessly. It’s one of the best places to visit in Hungary.
We, as a family, loved Budapest and the fact that there’s so much to see and do in Budapest for families. It eventually became one of our favorite cities in Central Europe.
Here’s our take on what to do when you have three days in Budapest!
Related Read: 10 Days in Europe – Amazing Europe Itineraries
A Detailed 3 Days in Budapest Itinerary
While you craft an itinerary for Budapest, don’t forget to check this travel guide to Budapest for the things you need to know as a first-time visitor to the Hungarian capital.
Day 1: Budapest 3 Day Itinerary
Today, we’ll explore the Buda side of Budapest (Buda Castle District). You can reach Castle Hill (Várhegy) by funicular, bus, metro M2, and a scenic walk. You can even take a Castle Shuttle Budapest tour around the Buda Castle District for 6 Euros per adult. You can hop on and off at various attractions.
9 am | Breakfast at Coffee Trad3rs
Start off your day with an amazing breakfast at Coffee Trad3rs. It’s one of the best in the area (Castle Hill). The food, staff, and service – everything is top class.
10 am | Explore Buda Castle
Settled on Castle Hill right above the Danube River, Buda Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is stunningly gorgeous. You can spot it from anywhere in Budapest as it graces the city’s skyline.
The Royal Palace houses the National Széchényi Library, the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum, and many beautiful statues. You can also enjoy panoramic views over the city from its grounds.
12 pm | Fisherman’s Bastion
An absolute Instagram-worthy spot in Budapest, Fisherman’s Bastion with its seven Disneyesque lookout towers (turrets) offers one of the best panoramic views over Budapest.
You can climb all the towers to enjoy the views from different perspectives. It’s super-famous (for a reason, of course) and thus, crowded as hell. You can time your visit around dawn or dusk to get some good crowd-free pics.
1 pm | Matthias Church
Right next to the Fisherman’s Bastion, a striking, visually stunning, and historically significant medieval building with a colorful tiled roof is sure to catch your attention.
That’s Matthias Church! As charming from the inside as it is from the outside, Matthias Church is a must-see.
2 pm | Pastries at Ruszwurm Pastry Shop
A short 4 to 5-minute walk from Matthias Church takes you to Budapest’s oldest existing pastry shop, Ruszwurm Cukraszda. To be more precise, it’s located at Szentháromság Street.
Functioning since 1827, the wife of Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph I, Empress Sisi, remains one of Ruszwurm’s esteemed customers. You must try the Ruszwurm cake (krémes), a classic Hungarian pastry. Couple it with a cup of cappuccino or hot chocolate.
2:30 pm | Stroll the Streets of Castle Hill District
The winding cobbled streets (especially Táncsics Mihály Street) of Castle Hill’s Old Town, dotted with charming townhouses, urge you to wander around.
3 pm | Lunch at Csalogany 26 Etterem
Just outside Castle Hill, Csalogany 26 Etterem is one of the best fine dining restaurants in Budapest. We recommend a 3-course business lunch that offers taste plus value.
Update: Csalogany 26 is permanently closed.
Roma Etelbar and Aranybastya are also great dining options, much like Csalogany26. Each offers delicious meals that make it worth a visit.
4 pm | Climb Gellért Hill
The most beautiful views over Budapest come from here. A short and steep walk with quite a few viewpoints on the way takes you to the top of Gellért Hill. Don’t forget to visit the Gellért Hill Cave Church, located on Gellért Hill.
Other notable Gellért Hill attractions are St Gellért Monument, Citadella, and Budapest’s Statue of Liberty.
6 pm: Chimney Cake at Cafe Molnár’s Kütrőskalács
Head to Váci Street, home to Cafe Molnár’s Kütrőskalács, a one-stop shop that serves authentic Chimney Cakes, a traditional Hungarian sweet treat. You’d love the cinnamon and walnut flavor.
If you love to eat your way around the world, here’s an ultimate guide to the world’s best traditional food.
6:30 pm | Danube River Cruise
A cruise on the Danube River is one of the most beautiful ways to take in all the highlights of Budapest. We recommend booking the sunset cruise so you can witness the city from both perspectives – in daylight (as the cruise starts) as well as all lit up (as the cruise returns)
8 pm: Dinner at Input Kitchen & Bar
Tired? Sightseeing isn’t all fun. It’s time to search for a cozy restaurant where you can dine and relax. We have a cool recommendation for you (because who wants to cruise the streets searching for a nice place to eat after all the sightseeing)
Located on Raday utca, Input Kitchen & Bar, with one of the coziest terraces in Budapest and award-winning hamburgers, is your best bet.
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Day 2: Budapest 3 Day Itinerary
We’ll discover the Pest side of Budapest today. Admire the poster child of Budapest, Chain Bridge from Adam Clark’s Square, and then start walking towards the bridge.
The Pest side is best explored using efficient public transportation (trams, metro, and buses) or hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tours. You can buy a travel card (24-hour, 72-hour, or 7-day) to save money on public transportation.
A hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus tour saves money and the hassle of figuring out public transportation in a new city.
Book the Budapest Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour
8 am | Walk the Chain Bridge
Start your day with a walk across the iconic Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) that takes you to the Pest side. Make sure to take many photographs of Budapest’s most famous landmarks.
8:30 am | Stop by at Shoes on the Danube
Follow the east bank of the River Danube to reach Shoes on the Danube Promenade. Crafted by film director Can Togay and the Hungarian sculptor Gyula Pauer, Shoes on the Danube (a set of bronze shoes) is a moving tribute to about 3,500 Jews executed by the Arrow Cross Party during WWII.
9 am | Breakfast at Biarritz Restaurant and Cafe
About a 10-minute walk from Shoes on the Danube, located next to the Hungarian Parliament, Biarritz Restaurant and Cafe is known for its great customer service, cozy ambiance, and delicious food. A French vibe blends effortlessly with contemporary Hungarian cuisine.
11 am | Hungarian Parliament
It’s time to head to one of the most beautiful parliament buildings in the world, and one of the venues of the 1956 revolution in Budapest, the Hungarian Parliament.
You can admire the beauty from the outside, or book a 45-minute tour (in advance) to see the Parliament of Budapest from the inside. It costs HUF 4000 for non-EU citizens and HUF 2000 for EU citizens. The ticket counter is at gate X.
Book the Budapest Historical Sightseeing Tour
1 pm: Heroes Square
Budapest’s largest and most celebrated square, Heroes Square, with its epochal statue complex, the Millennium Monument, is sure to impress you.
2 pm: Budapest City Park
Take some time to visit Budapest’s largest and most beloved public park, City Park (Városliget) Located behind Heroes Square, the park houses some amazing attractions like Vajdahunyad Castle, the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, and Budapest Zoological and Botanical Gardens (Holnemvolt Park)
2:30 pm: Lunch at Varosliget Cafe & Restaurant
Sample traditional Hungarian cuisine while enjoying the beautiful surroundings at Varosliget Cafe & Restaurant.
4 pm: Széchenyi Thermal Baths
You can’t visit Budapest without experiencing its famous thermal baths. There are quite a few in the city, but Széchenyi is the most celebrated one. It’s recommended to spend an entire evening here for an exhaustive experience.
8 pm: Dinner at Robinson Restaurant
A few minutes on foot from Széchenyi, located right on the Varosligeti Lake, Robinson Restaurant counts Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Copperfield, Sylvester Stallone, Larry Hagman, and Robert Redford among its notable customers. Kids will love their chocolate soufflé.
Must Read: 50+ Best Hidden Gems in Europe
Day 3: Budapest 3 Day Itinerary
Let’s explore more of the Pest side today.
9 am | Breakfast at Szimply
Start your day with a soulful and tummyful breakfast at Szimply. Try their avocado toast. They have a great selection of veggies, vegans, and coffee connoisseurs.
10 am | St. Stephen’s Basilica
It’s a delight to visit St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s largest church, and the tallest building, along with the Hungarian Parliament. The entrance to the church is free.
For gorgeous views over the city, climb the observation deck of the dome. It costs HUF 500.
12 pm | Dohány Street Synagogue
It’s time to soak up the Jewish history and culture at Dohány Street Synagogue, Europe’s largest synagogue. It’s beautiful inside and out.
If time permits, do visit the Jewish Cemetery located right next to the synagogue.
1 pm | Lunch at Great Market Hall
The biggest and oldest market hall in Budapest, the Great Market Hall, is a perfect place to sample Hungarian delicacies. Whatever you eat for lunch, you must try lángos (classic Hungarian fried bread).
After lunch, you can shop for traditional souvenirs.
3 pm | Liberty Bridge
Liberty Bridge (Szabadság Híd Bridge), the shortest bridge in Budapest, is just outside the Great Market Hall. You can walk the bridge or just marvel at it from a distance.
4 pm | Coffee and Cake at New York Cafe
How can you visit Budapest and not visit the most beautiful cafe in the world? The oldest cafe in Budapest is breathtakingly beautiful. Having a cup of coffee with a slice of cake at New York Cafe has a charm of its own.
5 pm | Budapest Eye
Enjoy the evening views over the city from the Budapest Eye. A ride costs 3000 HUF per adult, 1500 HUF per child (2-12 years), 2700 HUF per senior citizen (65+ years), and 7800 HUF for a family (2 adults + 2 kids)
6 pm | Early Dinner at Duran Szendvics
Duran Szendvics is one of the best places to eat near Deák Ferenc Tér. They have a wide selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian sandwiches that are cheap and delicious.
Read More: How to Visit Lake Balaton in Hungary
We sincerely hope our 3-day itinerary in Budapest helps you plan a perfect family trip to Budapest.
Hungary Travel Essentials
Here are the essential resources I personally use and recommend for planning a trip to Hungary.
Visa for India: iVisa works great for applying for a fast e-visa online. Also, OneWayFly is great if you need to show proof of onward travel (flight itinerary) or hotel reservation.
For travel insurance: Heymondo. It’s the most affordable travel insurance with maximum coverage. You get 5% off if you use my link.
For Connectivity: Airalo. It’s the first-ever eSIM global website where you can buy an eSIM at affordable prices and stay connected while traveling.
For booking flights: Skyscanner and WayAway. They are the best flight search and comparison sites that help you find the best and cheapest flight deals. And with the WayAway membership plan, you’ll get cashback for every booking. Plus, with the special promo code “MELODIES”, a 10% discount is activated.
International money transfer & currency exchange: Wise. With competitive exchange rates, fast transfers, and a 9.1/10 rating on TrustPilot, it’s the only service you should use every time you transfer and exchange internationally.
For finding accommodations: Booking.com and Agoda. They are pioneers among hotel booking websites, offering a wide range of properties reviewed by travelers.
For rental car: Discover Cars. It’s the best international car rental platform for all your car rental needs.
For ground transport: Omio, RailEurope, and Bookaway. Best sites for booking bus and train tickets in Hungary.
For tours & day trips: Viator, GetYourGuide, and Klook. They offer the best city tours and day excursions in Hungary.
For guidance on the go, a Lonely Planet Guidebook for Hungary comes in handy.
Recommended Read:
Renting a Car in Europe
Schengen Visa for Europe
How to Plan a Trip to Europe
7 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Hungary
Hungary Itinerary: 7 Days in Hungary
10-Day Central Europe Itinerary
Best Things to do in Budapest
Lake Balaton in Hungary
Save Budapest 3 Day Itinerary to Pinterest
Gorgeous pictures! Budapest looks like a fab city break destination – if only for the thermal baths!
The restaurant Csalogany 26 Etteremis os permanently closed, it must have been very good.
The pandemic has been tough on restaurants. It’s really sad to see Csalogány26 close. It was a gem for offering great dining at such good prices. But there’s a silver lining – the owner is planning a new venture in Csákberény.