The Ultimate 3 Day Budapest Itinerary - The Best Things to do in Budapest

Hungary’s capital, Budapest, is a popular destination that draws tourists from all over the world, and with good reason.

In Budapest you will find rich culture, underground caves, amazing spa facilities, world-famous Ruin bars, gorgeous Parliament buildings, and a wide variety of amazing food.

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If you are planning a visit to Budapest, look no further than this 3 day itinerary, packed with the best Budapest has to offer.

Where to Stay in Budapest
Best Time to Visit Budapest
How many days do you need in Budapest
Matthias Church
Fisherman’s Bastion
Buda Castle
Gellert Hill
Stephen’s Basilica
Heroes Square
Museum of Fine Arts
Vajdahunyad Castle
Central Market Hall
Hungarian Parliament
Lake Balaton
Esztergom
Ruin Bars
Preparing for your Trip to Budapest
Where to Stay in Budapest

Where to Stay in Budapest

No matter what your taste in luxury might be, from campsites to 5-star hotels, Budapest has the perfect place for you to rest your head at the end of the day.

Luxury – The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest has an incredible and view and enjoys an incomparable location in front of the Chain Bridge. This hotel offering luxury units, an infinity-edge pool, a fitness room as well as a restaurant and bar.

Book your stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest here.

Mid-range – Lanchid 19 Design Hotel is the perfect mid-price range accommodation to stay in in the heart of Budapest. With everything, you need within walking distance and the most spectacular bathtub views. You can also enjoy some of the delicious Hungarian food that is served in the restaurant here.

Book your stay at the Lanchid 19 Design Hotel here.

Budget – If you are visiting Budapest on a budget and are looking for somewhere central to stay, Centric Lifestyle Apartments is a great option. There is free wifi in this spacious apartment as well as an excellent city view.

Book your stay at the Centric Lifestyle Apartments here.

If you are more into the hostel scene when you travel, there are an unbelievable number of funky, cheap, and social hostels spread through the country. Browse the full range of hostels that Split has to offer and book your stay right here.

Best Time To Visit Budapest

Choosing the right time to visit Budapest can play an important role in planning your trip.

An ideal time to visit Budapest to make the most of the pleasant weather and fewer crowds is from March to May and September to November. These months will provide a more comfortable temperature for exploring.

However, If you are looking to visit one of the many festivals held in Budapest, such as the famous Sziget Festival, then July or August is when you should go.

In contrast, winters in Budapest are cold and grey, with temperatures averaging between 1° and 4°. It does make for a most idyllic winter setting though; Budapest is widely regarded as having one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

How Many Days Do You Need In Budapest

This city is bisected into Buda and Pest by the River Danube.

Buda is charming, classy, and somewhat calmer with museums, castles, and gorgeous homes that compliment the cobbled streets. Pest is undoubtedly the busier of the two areas, home to some of the finest shops, restaurants and ruin bars in the city.

To explore Budapest, 3 days will be enough to see the main attractions and experience the culture of this beautiful city.

Day 1

On your first day in Budapest, you can start your adventure with a visit to the following:

Matthias Church

Established in 1015 by the first king of Budapest, Matthias Church is certainly striking. Its outer structure is beautiful, given a more distinct character thanks to the later addition of the orange roof during 19th century restorations.

Once you step inside, you might feel as if you have entered another world. You are greeted by glamorous vaulted ceilings and a museum boasting religious relics, and replicas of the Hungarian crown jewels.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Fishermen’s Bastion is undoubtedly a favourite spot with tourists in Budapest. A picture-perfect site, the Fisherman’s Bastion is located near the northern end of the Castle District and offers visitors a wonderful panoramic view of the city.

Part of its charm is the beautifully decorated terrace, with turrets and archways that could be straight out of a fairytale.

Buda Castle

Buda Castle is a spectacular sight to see, undoubtedly one of Budapest’s most magnificent buildings . This royal castle is spread across a significant area known as the “Castle District”.

Though this castle no longer has any connection with the royal family, it still gives out a royal vibe with its many fountains, gardens, and cobbled-stoned paths. Today, the castle hosts the Hungarian National Gallery and The Budapest History Museum, attracting huge footfall. The former exhibits Hungarian art from the last two centuries whereas the latter displays the city’s long and fascinating history.

Gellert Hill

Located on the same side of the River Danube, Gellert Hill is south if you are coming from Buda Castle. Sitting on the top of the hill is a historic citadel. The hill is also a good spot to enjoy the sunset.

As you come down the hill, you’ll notice a group of caves and amongst them is Gellert Hill Cave Church. The church was constructed around the 1920s by a group of Pauline monks. It is believed that they were inspired by similar rock constructions during a pilgrimage in Lourdes, France.

Day 2

Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica holds a special place in the history of Budapest, it is dedicated to the first king of Hungary- Stephen I. He was also one of the country’s most popular saints.

In the basilica’s reliquary, you can see St. Stephen’s mummified right hand! Also, make sure to go to the highest viewpoint in the city by climbing the basilica’s dome.

Inside, there is an organ concert that creates the perfect soundtrack for admiring the internal beauty of Budapest’s biggest church.

Heroes Square

Considered a major landmark, Heroes Square, or Hősök tere, is one of the city’s largest squares. It’s famous for its symbolic collection of monuments.

Constructed in 1896 in honour of the thousandth anniversary of the Hungarian state, the statutes tell a story. The centre piece of the square is the millennium monument, with the archangel Gabriel holding the Holy Crown of Hungary’s first king- St. Stephen I.

Surrounding it at the base are the seven chieftains of the Magyars on horseback, representing the 7 tribes who established the Principality of Hungary in 1896. On either side of the column are two grand colonnades with several other important figures from the country’s history.

Museum of Fine Arts

Situated on the side of Heroes Square, the Museum of Fine Arts is one of Budapest’s renowned spots. The real appeal of the museum is its exceptional and extraordinary collection of foreign art.

Inside the museum, an entire floor is dedicated to the Old Masters and the works of Spanish, Flemish and Italian painters. Apart from paintings, the museum also houses a lot of sculptures and artefacts from classical Greece, the Romans, and the Etruscans.

In addition, there is an Egyptian collection at the museum that includes ornate sarcophagi and mummy portraits.

Vajdahunyad Castle

Walking around Vajdahunyad Castle, it feels like you could be in a Harry Potter set! This gorgeous building is surrounded by a serene lake and the green foliage of City Park. It’s hard to believe the castle was only built in 1896, aesthetically it looks much older.

One of the most captivating locations in Budapest, this castle is also home to the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture. This wonderful castle was created for the Hungarian millennium festivities.

Day 3

Central Market Hall

Immerse yourself into the local life of Budapest by visiting central market hall. Opposite Gellert Hill and the bank of the Danube, the hall is Budapest’s largest market.

Inside, you’ll find a broad range of items, fresh produce, and souvenirs across its two floors, all on sale!

The gorgeous neo-gothic interior gives a nod to its presence over the centuries.

Hungarian Parliament

One of the city’s highly recognised landmarks, the Hungarian Parliament is a wonder to be seen. With the extravagant Neo-Gothic style and enormous size, its the third-largest parliament building in the world.

Laying along the Danube river, the parliament is home to some of Budapest’s greatest treasures, like the Holy Crown and jewels.

Lake Balaton

A little outside of Budapest is the largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Balaton. Here you can find a great selection of resort towns, historical towns, villages, and vineyards.

Balatonfüred is undoubtedly one of the major attractions for visitors coming from Budapest. This spa town is situated on the northern shore of the lake and is known for thermal spas and avenues, lined with old-styled villas.

Esztergom

Another spectacular location and one of the oldest cities in Hungary, Esztergom holds a significant place in Hungary’s history. There was a time when this city was considered the capital but it is now one of the smaller cities. Still a gem, you will come across plenty of A-Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical buildings while exploring the city, like those in Széchényi Square for example.

The gigantic Esztergom Basilica is found here. It is the largest church and the tallest building in Hungary. Esztergom Castle is also a tourist favourite. Built-in the 11th century, the castle has survived various fortifications. The former royal palace has a museum and a chapel where you can see some spectacular frescoes dating back to the 12th century.

Ruin Bars

Found in the old and abandoned buildings of Budapest, ruin bars are local favourites. These signature bars each have a different character. Try one (or many) of these bars during your stay and enjoy some quality time in these Hungarian gems.

Budapest Thermal Baths

If you have time during your Budapest itinerary, we would really recommend trying out one of the thermal baths in Budapest.

There are many options for thermal baths in Budapest, we have visited the Lukacs and Szechenyi baths.

The Lukacs is located on the Buda side of the river and is one of the smaller baths in the city. There is a lazy river, hot and cold pools, jacuzzi and even a freezing cold plunge pool.

The Szechenyi Thermal Baths are the most popular baths in Budapest and are located on the Pest side of the river in the centre of the City Park. There are 3 large outdoor pools as well as many indoor pools of varying temperatures and a sauna and steam room. The gorgeous grand architecture of these baths brings many visitors to the Szechenyi Baths every year.

How to Prepare for Your Visit to Budapest

Before you set off on your trip to Budapest, there are a number of things you will need to organise to ensure a smooth and successful trip. These include where to stay in Budapest, what to pack for your trip to Hungary, and what is the best travel insurance for your trip. All of these will be discussed in the following section.

What is the Best Travel Insurance for Budapest

I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.

To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.

Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!

What Should You Pack for Budapest?

What you need to pack for Budapest will rely highly on when you make your trip to Hungary. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and rainy days. During the Summer, you are pretty much guaranteed nice weather with temperatures ranging from 20-35 oC. The hottest months are July and August, so these will be the most popular for a Summer holiday.

During the Winter months in Budapest, the weather can go as low as freezing, so make sure you wrap up warm if you are coming between October and April. If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip,check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.

When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Hungary is very strong, especially during the summer months. Apply a lot of creams regularly to prevent a nasty burn from ruining your trip. We use this specific sunscreen to protect us as it is not as oily and irritating as other sunscreens.

Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Budapest, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.

You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.

Photography Equipment

Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera

Microphone – Shure VP83 Condenser Shotgun Microphone

Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8

Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8

Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod

Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod

Action Camera – GoPro Hero 9 Black and Insta 360 One RS

Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 2

Camera Bag – Lowepro Flipside 300 AW and The Nest by Tropicfeel

Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp

Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive

SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD

Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socket