Perfect 3 Day Budapest Itinerary
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Budapest has to be one of my all time favourite European city breaks and I’ve loved my trips there so much that I’ve visited the city four times over the past decade.
Split by the Danube River, the city offers two distinct sides – Buda, with its historic hills and royal palaces, and Pest, which has some fantastic nightlife, delicious restaurants and grand architecture. It is a city with so much to do, you’ll find yourself wanting to revisit again and again.
If you are planning a short visit, the following itinerary will help you experience the very best this city has to offer. In this Budapest itinerary, I’ll take you through everything I did on my recent 3 day trip to the city including must-see sights and restaurant recommendations!
Disclaimer: my visit to Budapest was a press trip with Jet2 Holidays who offer budget friendly city breaks.
Table of Contents
Flying to Budapest
We booked our flights to Budapest with Jet2, who offer flights from Manchester Airport as well as many other UK airports such as Birmingham, Newcastle and Leeds Bradford. The flight time to Budapest from Manchester is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Where I stayed in Budapest
I stayed at Hotel Vision Budapest – a modern and stylish hotel located right on the riverbank near the Elizabeth Bridge .
The location was perfect with neighbourhoods such as the Jewish Quarter located a 20 minute walk away, and popular attractions such as the Central Market an eight minute walk away. There is also a with a tram stop right outside.
The hotel included an excellent buffet breakfast, plus an on-site tapas restaurant. Other hotel facilities include a 24-hour lounge bar and sauna. The rooms were super comfy and had nespresso coffee machines.
Google Map for Hotel Vision Budapest >
You can check out other Budapest hotels with Jet2holidays here >
Budapest Itinerary day 1
Morning
Start your first full day in Budapest with a morning visit to the ‘Buda’ side of the city (Budapest is divided into two parts – ‘Buda’ and ‘Pest’).
St Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion
Then spectacular buildings of Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion are located at the top of Buda Castle hill and have incredible views of the River Danube and the Pest side of the city.
To get here you can hop onto the fully restored historic Castle Funicular Railway (which departs from the Buda end of the Chain Bridge) or take a short walk up the hill (free!).
This is a very popular area with tourists so my tip would be to arrive before 8.30am for an almost empty area – perfect for photography.
Google Map for Fisherman’s Bastion >
St Stephen’s Hall
I also recommend a visit to the stunning St Stephen’s Hall located in Buda Castle which re-opened in 2021. It was destroyed during world war 2 and has been meticulously restored using original plans, photographs and traditional techniques.
I recommend you book your timed ticket online in advance because capacity is limited.
Google Map for St Stephen’s Hall >
Late Lunch
Head to IDA Bistro for a late lunch, just a short walk away from the grounds of Buda Castle. This restaurant has a menu that focuses on Austro-Hungarian classics including tafelspitz, goulash soup and schnitzel.
The interior of the restaurant was designed by a famous interior designer András Hitka, and features historic architecture blended with modern touches.
I ordered a Hungarian comfort dish – a creamy chicken paprikash with egg dumplings, paired with a cucumber salad and sour cream side dish.
Early evening – sunset cruise along the Danube
After lunch enjoy a stroll along the river or visit a coffee shop, before boarding a sunset river cruise along the Danube!
We boarded a 60 minute cruise that came with a glass of bubbles. The views of the gorgeous Hungarian Parliament and other iconic buildings in the golden hour light were absolutely magical.
Check out Get Your Guide for Budapest cruises >
Dinner – Time Out Market Budapest
For a laid back dinner, head over to one of Budapest’s brand new foodie spots – the Time Out Market.
I was dining as part of a large group, so we purchased several dishes and desserts from various stalls to share and the food quality really exceeded my expectations! We ordered dishes such as lamb kebab, meat and cheese platters and polenta fries with truffle, plus some super tasty desserts.
The cocktails from the bar were also amazing and I’d highly recommend the Ferdinand Bridge drink with vodka, passion fruit and coriander!
Google Map for Time Out Market Budapest >
Nightcap – The Duchess rooftop bar
From Time Out Market it is a 20 minute walk or a short taxi ride to the Duchess rooftop bar where you can end the night in style with cocktails in an elegant setting.
This high-end bar is perched atop the Matild Palace hotel and has spectacular views of the city!
Budapest Itinerary day 2
Early Morning – View of the city from St. Stephen’s Basilica
Start your second day of your Budapest itinerary by exploring the ‘Pest’ side of the city!
After breakfast at your hotel, head to St. Stephen’s Basilica – the largest church in Budapest which is decorated in a Neo-classicist style.
You can take the elevator up to the roof for a great view of the city. Admission is free but it’s customary to pay 200 HUF (€1) donation.
Google Map for St. Stephen’s Basilica >
Mid Morning – coffee and cake at Cafe Gerbeaud
From St. Stephen’s Basilica take a short minute walk to the grand Cafe Gerbeaud for a coffee and cake break.
The cafe has been around since 1870, and the name “Gerbeaud” has became synonymous with high-quality cake in Hungary. Try one of their signature cakes – the Gerbeaud slice or dobos torte.
Google Map for Cafe Gerbeaud >
Late Morning – a stroll around the Jewish Quarter
From the cafe take a short stroll to the nearby Jewish Quarter. This neighbourhood was once run down having been damaged and neglected after World War II. However in recent years since the emergence of the ruin bar scene in the early 00’s, the area has become a fun and lively place to visit.
Whilst in the area, check out the street art, Gozsdu Weekend Market for nice souvenirs, and also The Great Synagogue (the largest in Europe) .
If you happen to be visiting on a Sunday, the Szimpla Kert ruin bar has a farmers market that runs from 9am until 2pm.
Lunch – TATI Farm to Table restaurant
For lunch check out Tati – a restaurant recognised by the Michelin Guide that offers farm-to-table modern Hungarian cuisine.
Their own farm outside the city supplies most of the produce, as well as other local Hungarian small producers.
Our group tried a delicious sharing board of local meats and cheeses, plus I ordered a hearty roasted mangalica neck with shepherd’s noodles as a main dish. Both the service and food at Tati were excellent and I’d definitely add this restaurant to my next Budapest itinerary!
Afternoon – Tour of the Hungarian State Opera
From Tati restaurant you can walk for 15 minutes to the breathtakingly beautiful neo-renaissance Hungarian State Opera building.
We joined a guided 1 hour tour and visited areas such as the grand foyer, staircase, auditorium (when possible), plus learnt about the history. At the end of the tour we also enjoyed a fantastic short live performance by soloists of the opera on the grand staircase.
English tours run daily at 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm, and costs around 9,000 HUF depending on the date. Online booking in advance is advisable.
Google Map for the Hungarian State Opera >
Late afternoon – enjoy strudel at Strudel House Budapest
After being on your feet for a hour on the tour, have a nice sit down with some coffee and strudel!
The Strudel House Budapest is located a 10 minute walk away from the opera house and serves sweet and savoury traditional Hungarian strudel.
We tried a cottage cheese and an apple version, but there are many flavours to try from including sour cherry, plum, apricot and poppy seed.
Google Map for Strudel House >
Dinner – BIBO
Head to the hotel for a rest, then walk or take a taxi to BIBO, a casual-luxury restaurant with a menu that fuses fusion Spanish and Hungarian flavours .
The interior vibe is elegant and atmospheric, and there is a rooftop terrace with amazing city views!
I was super fortunate to experience their tasting menu in the private dining room where we enjoyed a 7 course menu paired with local wines. The service and food quality were outstanding and dish highlights included the beef tenderloin with green pepper sauce, plus the roasted octopus.
Night cap – Szimpla Kert
Before heading back to your hotel, end the night with a drink at a ruin bar.
Ruin bars are now a firm part of Budapest’s nightlife and drinking scene, with Szimpla Kert being the original and still the best!
At the start of the millennium, ramshackle bars started to pop up in old abandoned buildings in the Jewish Quarter. The owners of the bars usually didn’t have enough money to furnish and decorate them properly so they were filled with lots of old furniture found at flea markets – hence the name ‘Ruin Bar’ was born!
Budapest Itinerary day 3
Early Morning – visit Central Market Hall
Start the final day of your 3 day Budapest itinerary with a wander around the grand Central Market Hall.
This large and spectacular indoor market was recently named ‘Europe’s best Market’ by CNN.
Spanning over 3 floors, you’ll find several stalls selling local produce such as fruit and veg, cured meats, paprika, Tokaj wines, crafts and souvenirs and Hungarian street food snacks such as Goulash and Langos.
Please note Central Market Hall closes on Sunday.
Google Map for Central Market >
Mid Morning – stroll around City Park
Head over to Budapest’s City Park for a stroll – a large historic park that is one of Budapest’s most beloved green spaces.
There are several places to visit in the park including:
Museum of Ethnography / Liget Budapest Project – launched in 2013 and described as “Europe’s largest cultural urban development project with a cultural content”.
House of Music Hungary – another recent project added to City Park, this stunning building with a a curvy and reflective glass facade celebrates the country’s musical heritage through immersive exhibits, interactive displays, and world-class acoustics.
Heroes Square – a monument-filled plaza showcasing Hungary’s thousand-year history, that serves as the grand gateway into City Park.
Vajdahunyad Castle – a complex that blends Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanesque architectural styles, amid a picturesque lakeside setting.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths – one of Europe’s largest thermal bath complexes (which I will explain a bit more about later).
Lunch at Gundel Restaurant
Located within the city park (next to the zoo), Gundel is an iconic and historic restaurant that is recognised as part of Hungary’s gastronomic heritage for its contribution to Hungarian cuisine – the Gundel family created nearly 140 Hungarian dishes!
It has also hosted many important people and celebrities over the years including Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth II.
The menu blends classic Hungarian dishes with French techniques and their signature dish are Gundel pancakes – filled with a walnut and chocolate filling, then flambéed with rum and served with a rich chocolate sauce.
Google Map for Gundel Restaurant >
Afternoon
Take a dip in Széchenyi Thermal Bath
End your 3 day Budapest itinerary with a relaxing session at Széchenyi Thermal Bath.
Budapest in Hungary sits on top of over 100 natural thermal springs and is officially known as the ‘city of spas’. The waters are known for their therapeutic effects, so many locals use them to ease their aches and pains. Visiting one of these spas during a city break to Budapest is an absolute must do!
There are several baths located in the city but the most popular one with both locals and tourists is Széchenyi – a large and stunning Neo-baroque building with several outdoor and indoor pools.
Book a Skip the Queue Széchenyi Spa Full-Day Entrance Pass
Alternatively head to the luxury Mandala Spa for a quieter and more intimate spa experience.
They offer over 50 types of massages and treatments, plus a set of water areas including a ‘dead-sea salt’ floating pool, a warm water pool, cold plunge pool, plus Jacuzzi, steam cabin, sauna and relaxation areas with cocktail/snack bar.
Did you enjoy our 3 day Budapest itinerary? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media.
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