From dreamy riverside strolls and hilltop castles to thermal baths and grand cafes, Budapest effortlessly blends old-world charm with modern vibrance. Our three-day journey through Hungary’s capital was filled with scenic views, delicious food, and a few travel surprises along the way — including a detour through Vienna!

Whether you’re into history, food, or just soaking in the atmosphere, this guide brings together our personal highlights and tips for making the most of your time in this captivating city.

Overview

Budapest, the Hungarian capital, offers a delightful blend of architecture, history and relaxation. Straddling the Danube River, the city is split into Buda and Pest, each side offering its own charm.

Buda, with its hills and castles, was once the seat of Hungarian kings, while Pest developed as the vibrant commercial and political heart of the country. The two were officially unified in 1873, forming the Budapest we know today.

During our time here, we explored historic landmarks, enjoyed a boat ride around Margaret Island, and soaked in the thermal waters that Budapest is famous for. Whether you’re visiting for a romantic escape, a cultural fix or a scenic city break, Budapest delivers.

Travel to and Around Budapest

Travelling to Budapest

We arrived in Budapest by train as part of our Interrail itinerary around Central and Eastern Europe. Our original plan was to take the night train from Dresden, arriving at 8:30 am the following morning at Budapest Keleti station (main train station).

However, due to unexpected construction works and poor communication from the Hungarian railways, the train departed 1.5 hours earlier than scheduled. This left us scrambling for an alternative and we eventually made our way to Budapest the same night, rerouting through Germany and then Vienna.

Despite the hiccup, train travel remains a scenic and sustainable option for reaching Budapest.

Alternatively, the city is also well connected by flights. Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport offers budget-friendly connections and is located around 40 minutes from the city centre by taxi or public transport, making it a convenient entry point for international travellers.

If you are looking for suitable flight options, make sure to check out the article below with top tips on how to find cheap flights.

Travelling Around Budapest

Once in the city, we mostly walked or used public transport. The metro and tram systems are extensive and affordable, and there are also Budapest Cards available if you plan to use public transport frequently.

We opted for the 48-hour Budapest card, which worked perfectly for our needs — especially when combined with the major attractions we wanted to visit, it really proved to be great value.

We found that most key landmarks were within a reasonable walking distance, particularly around the city centre. Google Maps integrates seamlessly with local public transport, and we had no issues navigating the city.

One thing to note: although Budapest operates largely on an honour system with no turnstiles or gates at tram stops or metro entrances we were checked by undercover inspectors or ‘controllers’ at least twice a day during our three-day stay.

So, definitely make sure you validate your tickets or travel card, it’s not worth the risk!

Another alternative is to use the Budapest Hop On Hop Off bus to get around and see the main attractions, especially if you have limited time in the city.

Where to Stay in Budapest?

We stayed near the city centre at an Airbnb listed flat, not far from Blaha Lujza metro station which made it easy to reach most sights on foot. For a romantic or luxury stay, areas around Andrássy Avenue and the Castle District are ideal. 

If you’re after nightlife and convenience, consider staying in the Jewish Quarter or near Deák Ferenc Square. These neighbourhoods are bustling, well connected, and full of food and drink options.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, we would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Trip.com to get the best rates. Use the widget below to find the best accommodation in Budapest for your specific dates.

Previously, I stood at Leonardo Hotel Budapest which is an affordable hotel in Budapest.

Best Time to Visit Budapest

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal, with mild temperatures and fewer tourists. We visited in mid-April and found the weather perfect for walking, with flowers in bloom and outdoor attractions fully open.

Things to do in Budapest in March are still plenty, but some may prefer to wait until spring fully arrives.

Our Top Things to do in Budapest

We would suggest getting the Budapest Card if you’re planning to do most of the attractions in this itinerary. We believe it to be good value for money for the below combination especially since public transport is bundled in.

Card payments are widely accepted, and we found that we didn’t need any cash. We used our 0% fee cards throughout this trip to make sure we always got the better rates. Read more here about managing your finances when travelling.

1. Buda Castle Hill

The Buda Castle Hill area is one of the most historically rich parts of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has served as the seat of Hungarian kings since the 13th century and has witnessed countless invasions, reconstructions and political shifts.

Perched above the Danube on the Buda side, the hill is home to many of Budapest’s most iconic sites, including Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matthias Church.

Exploring this area feels like stepping into a storybook, where cobbled streets meet grand architecture, and centuries of Hungarian history come to life.

There is a Buda Castle Hop-On Hop-Off Bus that takes you to all the major interest points on Castle Hill itself.

The hop on hop off bus is free for customers with Budapest Card. You can take the first shuttle bus from near the station of the funicular and then proceed with the itinerary.

1.1. Admire the Views from Fisherman’s Bastion

This fairytale-like terrace in the Buda Castle District offers panoramic views of the Parliament and the Danube. We suggest you come here early in the morning as it can get really packed with tourists from 10.30 am or so. 

We chose to get some Kürtőskalács (chimney cakes) and enjoy them from here with this splendid view. For those who don’t know, Chimney Cakes are a Transylvanian twister cake which spread throughout Hungary and other countries.

The neo-Romanesque architecture is a photographer’s dream, especially at sunrise or sunset.

There is also the option buying some tickets from the ticket office where you can go on one of the more frontward bastions however, we’d suggest it might not be worth your money as all bastions offer a good perspective of the city. 

1.2. Step Inside The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle (Matthias Church)

Also known as Matthias Church, this gothic beauty sits right next to Fisherman’s Bastion. Seeing the colourful tiled roof, ornate interior and historical significance made a huge positive impression on us. 

Whilst the exterior is amazing, inside, you’ll simply be captivated, at least we were. We found this church to be one of a kind with stunning paintings and amazing religious artifacts. You can also visit the tower but we found that the castle hill was good enough for us to get great vantage points.

One thing you should do is go upstairs through the so called museum of the church. From there you will get a balcony overseeing the church and can also see the altar area clearly in all its splendour. That was our highlight.

1.3. Wander Around Buda Castle

A short stroll from the church, Buda Castle is home to several museums and offers yet more stunning views. The courtyards are open to the public, and it’s a great spot for soaking in Budapest’s layered history.

Having said this, there are current restoration efforts to bring the Castle back to its somewhat original look in an attempt to boost tourism. The Castle itself was a ruin after World War II and much of it was simply rebuilt from memory and photographs. 

Whilst there are some exhibitions open, don’t imagine that you’ll see any lavish rooms or state rooms.

1.4. Learn more at Budapest History Museum / Castle Museum

Located within the castle complex, the museum covers everything from medieval history to Ottoman rule. If you’re after non touristy things to do in Budapest, this museum is a quieter, more educational option.

Inside, you’ll find a mix of medieval cellars, a few salvaged statues and some reconstructed rooms that give a glimpse into the castle’s past. While it does house some historical artifacts, including items from the royal cellar, overall we found the exhibits a bit underwhelming compared to expectations. 

It’s still worth a stop if you’re already on Castle Hill and have an interest in Hungarian history, but manage expectations — this isn’t a grand palace interior tour.

1.5. Visit St. Stephen’s Hall

Just next to the castle, this recently restored hall showcases Hungary’s royal heritage in great detail. It was less crowded than other nearby attractions and offered a lovely, immersive exhibit.

Like we mentioned before, all of the room was reconstructed from memory. Having said this – it’s an impressive room and unique like no other. 

2. Explore the Hungarian National History Museum

Located on the Pest side of the city, the Hungarian National Museum is housed in a stunning neoclassical building and offers a deep dive into the country’s rich and complex history.

The museum’s permanent exhibitions trace Hungary’s journey from the Roman era through the medieval kingdom, Ottoman occupation, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the 20th century.

Inside, you’ll find archaeological finds, coronation relics, and period furnishings, as well as exhibits highlighting the country’s fight for independence and the communist era. We found the sections covering the 19th-century revolution and 20th-century totalitarian regimes particularly insightful.

The museum is spacious and well-curated, with multilingual information panels making it accessible to non-Hungarian speakers. It’s not only educational but also a peaceful spot to step away from the busier parts of the city, a perfect option for a slower-paced afternoon, especially for those wanting to connect more deeply with Hungarian identity and resilience.

3. Cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge

This iconic bridge links Buda and Pest and offers lovely views of both riverbanks. It’s even more beautiful when lit up at night. We crossed it on multiple occasions and it never got old.

4. Take a Danube River Cruise

As part of the Budapest Card, you get a selection of Danube river cruises to choose from including a day time one or an evening cruise.

We chose the one that goes to Margaret Island with option to stop there. It was a relaxing way to see both sides of the city, complete with audio commentary. 

When boarding you also get a choice of drink to enjoy. Since it was my birthday, we opted for some prosecco even though it was 11am. It must be 5pm somewhere around the world!? Or at least that’s how we argued it in our minds at the time. 

The best thing about the cruise is that you really get some great angle opportunities at taking some photos with the iconic Parliament building. 

Overall, this is a great option if you’re visiting Budapest with kids as it’s fun and low effort.

5. Visit the Hungarian Parliament

We pre-booked our tickets and toured the impressive neo-Gothic building. Make sure to print your tickets beforehand as instructed. Inside we were stunned to see the absolute beauty and style the building has. 

Every part of the building has been carefully designed and crafted to impress any foreign dignitary. The highlight was the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the main staircase.

One word of caution, the guards on duty are very picky about taking photos of the Crown Jewels, we would advise not to test them, they looked pretty serious. 

Tip: Although the price is relatively high, there is a discount for EU citizens, so make sure to take advantage of this.

6. Reflect at Shoes on the Danube Bank

This moving memorial pays tribute to Jews who were executed along the riverbank during WWII. A sombre yet important stop that brings history to life in a very tangible way.

7. Visit Central Market Hall

We stopped by the Central Market Hall for a look around and to pick up some local goodies. We ended up buying a few sweet treats, including a slice of poppy seed cake, which was moist and flavourful, as well as some other traditional Hungarian desserts. 

However, we did find the prices a bit steep compared to standard supermarket pricing. That said, the experience of browsing the market was still worthwhile.

Instead of buying from the market, we shifted our focus to some of the savoury items and ended up buying a few local salamis, which offered better value for money at local supermarkets. 

While the market is understandably tourist-oriented, it’s still a great place to get a feel for local produce. Most vendors focus on meats especially salamis; but you’ll also find a few selling cheeses and even some souvenir stalls tucked in between. 

It’s definitely worth a visit, if not to buy, then to soak in the vibrant atmosphere and architecture.

8. Relax at Széchenyi Thermal Baths

One of Budapest’s signature experiences; Szecheneyi Thermal Baths is ideal for couples looking for things to do in Budapest for couples.

The entry fee grants access to multiple pools, saunas and steam rooms. It’s very popular, but worth it to say you’ve been there. Not sure if a return is warranted.

We’d recommend going early or later in the day to avoid crowds. We also noted that even if you buy a ticket online beforehand, entry is not guaranteed. I.e. the place reaches capacity very quick and you will have to wait for others to leave. Wait times can be 1 hour or more. 

When we arrived there, we got really frustrated given the poor communication and queue management on their behalf. We found one of the entrances which offered special discount for Budapest Card holders and our luck was that there were no more than 10 people waiting.

In all honesty, the entrance had a sign that the entrance was closed however, someone simply tried their luck and it seems that the tills were working after all on that queue. 

Inside however, it’s reputation precedes it but that’s where it all kind of stops. The facilities are a bit worn out and the price simply isn’t justified. Therme Bucharest is a much better spa experience in our opinion. You can find out more about our experience at Széchenyi Thermal Baths here. 

9. Explore St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica is absolutely stunning and a must visit when in Budapest!

Although we didn’t make our way up to the dome, which we hear offers stunning panoramic views over Budapest, we were completely taken aback by the basilica’s sheer scale and beauty.

The interior, adorned with gold leaf and polished marble, instantly reminded us of St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta: opulent, dramatic, and steeped in grandeur.

The atmosphere inside was peaceful yet awe-inspiring, a true testament to Hungary’s religious and architectural heritage. It’s the kind of place that commands silence and reflection the moment you step inside.

10. Discover Hősök tere and City Park

At some point during your visit, you will probably go to Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere), home to Hungary’s national monuments. Right behind it is City Park, a green space perfect for a quiet stroll.

We went on two occasions in the area and got to see the square during the day and in the evening.

Local Foods and Top Restaurants in Budapest

1. Dine in Style at New York Café

New York Café, known for its opulent décor, it’s a little touristy but absolutely worth visiting at least once. We went there for my birthday breakfast and opted for the Italian Breakfast for Two, which turned out to be a wonderful experience. If anything, we suggest you consider going before 9am for breakfast otherwise the queues go round the block.

The portions were generous and beautifully presented, and in our opinion, the Italian Breakfast seemed to be the best and most filling option on the menu, though everything we saw being served looked fantastic.

Adding to the special occasion, the pianist even came over to wish me a happy birthday and invited us to take some photos by the grand piano; a lovely personal touch that really made the morning memorable. We spent around $70.00, and it felt like a treat worth every penny for the experience and ambience.

Having said this, you don’t go there for the food. The waiters know it, you secretly know it, even the chef knows it. This once in a lifetime experience to dine in such a posh place is worth every second you waited on that queue!

2. Have a Traditional Meal at Parasztkonyha Restaurant

On our last evening, we dined at this traditional Hungarian spot, Parasztkonyha Restaurant. The food was hearty, authentic and the ambience warm and inviting.

Whilst it is a very touristy spot – it’s a really good one with decent prices. Hristina had the paprika chicken and I had the goulash beef soup followed by a Debrecen stew.

Everything was amazing, from the paprika chicken which was bursting with flavour to the goulash which had melt-in-the-mouth beef. The Debrecen stew was equally amazing and had a nice paprika taste with a nice hearty tomato based sauce.

To finish we had some dumplings which were very similar to the Romanian ones, usually made in Moldova.

3. Try a Micheline Guide Restaurant – FELIX Kitchen & Bar

FELIX Kitchen & Bar is a splurge-worthy dining experience near the Buda Castle area. We spent around $270, but the quality and presentation were exceptional. As this was my birthday we though this restaurant is ideal for a special night out.

Hristina started off with the crispy calamari and I tried the Vitello tonnato which is cold sliced veal covered with a creamy, mayonnaise-like sauce that has been flavoured with tuna.

The calamari were plentiful and crisp and the vitello tonnato was very different, it almost reminded me of the cold sliced pork liver I had in Beijing.

We both had the FELIX veal piccata since it was a signature dish and it looked appetizing. Combined with the Pinot Noir we had we really enjoyed it and the veal covered in truffle sauce was a delight, every. single. bite. 

As it was my birthday we made some space for their signature baked desert of crème anglaise. Think monkey bread with an unholy amount of butter  and powder sugar – amazing. 

4. Gundel Cafe Patisserie Restaurant

At Gundel, we had the two-course set menu, which offered great value and a lovely introduction to Hungarian cuisine in an elegant setting. Upon arrival, we were served a complimentary starter of smooth and flavourful lard and paprika butter accompanied by fresh bread — simple yet delicious.

For the main course, we both chose the chicken paprika, which was exceptionally tender and full of subtle flavour, served with traditional accompaniments that elevated the dish.

When it came to dessert, I went for the sponge cake with cream — light, airy, and just sweet enough — while Hristina opted for the Hungarian dessert selection. It included several mini portions of classics, with the standout being the Dobos cake: rich, layered, and absolutely delicious.

The atmosphere at Gundel was refined but welcoming, and we appreciated the attentive service throughout our meal. It’s a great place to sample traditional food with a touch of elegance.

5. Try Langos

One of Hungary’s most beloved street foods, Langos is a deep-fried flatbread typically topped with sour cream, cheese, and garlic. We tried a couple of variations — I went for the hearty option with cheese, garlic sour cream, and bits of fried kolbász (a Hungarian sausage), which made it taste like a cheesy chorizo pizza.

Hristina went for the classic version, and it was equally satisfying. While we don’t have a particular vendor to recommend, we found most places offered good quality at fair prices.

6. Indulge in Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács)

Another sweet treat we couldn’t resist was the Chimney Cake. Traditionally cooked over charcoal and rolled in sugar, these cylindrical pastries are soft inside and crisp on the outside. These are very popular at the Romanian Christmas Markets.

We enjoyed the walnut-covered version first and later tried another rolled in cinnamon, both were delicious and perfect as a walking snack. Like with the Langos, you’ll find chimney cakes sold at various stalls around the city, and most are of good standard.

You can also get chimney cakes with ice cream which are a delicious option on a hot day.

7. Pálinka and Wine Tasting at Hungarian Gastrocellar

Included in the Budapest Card, we had a palinka and wine tasting at Hungarian Gastrocellar. This venue combines a museum, bistro, and wine cellar, offering a tasting program that includes pálinkas, wines, and craft beers.

We had a selection of 3 palinkas and 3 types of wine but to be honest, we thought the quality was rather poor and we barely drunk these. So … this wasn’t really to our taste and we would not go back again.

Final Thoughts

Budapest truly has something for everyone. From grand architectural landmarks to poignant historical sites, lively cafes to tranquil spas — we left the city feeling inspired and relaxed.

Whether you’re looking for things to do in Budapest for couples or hoping to explore some non touristy things to do in Budapest, this city ticks many boxes. If you’re planning your own trip, consider splitting your time between Buda and Pest to get the most out of what this captivating city has to offer.

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