Are you heading to Hungary and wondering how to spend 3 days in Budapest? Perfect! I have an itinerary for your first time so you can get a taste of what the city has to offer through its most famous sights to delicious food.
Budapest was the first stop on a trip that I took a few years back that also included Vienna and Prague. I used trains to navigate between the three cities and had a great experience. Since then, many people that I know have taken my itinerary to plan this exact trip with success.
Table of Contents
Arriving in Budapest
Budapest airport is incredibly well connected to the entire city. Located at the arrivals level between the two terminals you will find the bus stops. Check the airport’s official site for complete information about which routes to take and where to buy tickets.
With nearly 100 trains running each day you can also opt for taking the train into Budapest.
I suggest purchasing a 72-hour Budapest Travel Card, with this you can travel unlimited times with select routes within Budapest. The ticket can be purchased in advance and costs HUF 4150 (approximately 12 EUR).
Travel Tips for Budapest
Here are some great tips to help with planning your Budapest adventure.
- Hungarian Forint (HUF) is the official currency of Hungary.
- Many places, such as museums, are closed on Mondays
- Leaving a tip at the table is rude, tell the server how much you want to pay – including the 10% tip
- Learn a few phrases in Hungarian before going
Budapest is much more spread out than you anticipate. I have done a lot of traveling and to this day I still remember how badly my feet ached after my first day in the city. Other travelers have expressed a similar sentiment so take things slow and don’t be afraid of public transportation.
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3 Day Itinerary for Budapest
Before 1873, Budapest was actually three cities; Buda, Pest, and Óbuda. While today it is still Budapest, the western side of the Danube river is called Buda and the eastern side, Pest. With nearly 2 million people in this capital city, it is the perfect size for a weekend break.
This itinerary breaks down the city into three sections, one for each day. The first day for sightseeing Buda, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Hungary, the second day in Pest exploring the Jewish District and ruin pubs, and the final day at the city park, Városliget.
Day 1: Sightseeing in Buda
Clearly, there are many ways to spend your day and this itinerary is meant as a guide for those wandering on their own. Another option, which I would also recommend is to begin your first day with a free walking tour. I suggest this because it will give you a primer of the history and culture and you can get some great recommendations (especially for food) from the guides.
If you are skipping the tour and following this guide then you can start your day off with a healthy breakfast in a beautiful space at Franziska (29 Iskola utca). Then head over to Fisherman’s Bastion.
Fisherman’s Bastion was built between 1844 and 1851 to commemorate the seven chieftains of the Hungarians. These are seven tribes of Hungarians who founded the country in 895. There are seven towers, one for each.
Some parts of the Fisherman’s Bastion are free to enter, but to climb the highest towers for incredible views you must buy a ticket. The entrance costs HUF 1000 (~3.40 EUR).
Matthias Church was first built in the 11th century and has since been extensively restored after the destruction at the hands of the Ottomans and during WWII. The church has a timeline of kings’ coronations, weddings, wartime strategizing, and other political events.
This section of Buda, also containing Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church is part of the Castle District. About a 15-minute walk from here you will find Buda Castle. It is here that you will find the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, and National Széchényi Library. The perfect combination to immerse yourself in Hungarian art and history.
Now that you have spent the morning learning about Hungary now it is time to eat! Check out this great article about what to eat in Budapest from the 2foodtrippers.
After a nice meal now is the perfect time (unless it is the middle of summer), to take a walk up to the Citadella. Built in 1851, the Citadella is a fortress that was initially used against the Hungarians by the Austrian Empire. The fortress is closed to the public indefinitely as of 2019, but what remains is a great viewpoint of Budapest.
After all of the walking and exploring the best way to unwind is to do as the Hungarians and enjoy a soak in some thermal baths. Just at the bottom of the Citadella, there are two choices; Gellért Thermal Bath or Rudas Baths. The prices are subject to change throughout the year but a typical entrance ticket is around 17 EUR.
A great option because it includes dinner is this 3-course meal with wine, views of the Danube, and access to the sauna and pools at Rudas Baths.
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