The best tip anyone can give a person visiting Budapest is to slower their pace into the rhythm of this rather undemanding city. While you have a lot to see and do here, the essence of Budapest is in that wrong turn which serendipitously takes you to a ruin cafe, when you spend a whole afternoon bathing away your cares in a thermal bath or an evening on river Danube, cruising and listening to a live piano battle.
3 days in Budapest is a comfortable choice that allows for a sedate tour around the city and if you’re adventurous enough, you can throw in a quick day trip too! Here’s how we would spend 3 days in Budapest and you are welcome to take all the inspiration you need from here.
Day 1 - Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest Parliament, Margaret Island, Danube River Cruise
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Dedicate the first 3 hours of Day 1 in the ‘City of Baths’ to Budapest’s most famous thermal bath and spa - Széchenyi Baths. Budapest has over 50 thermal baths and amongst these, Széchenyi Bath and Gellert Bath are the considered the best for many a reasons. However, we personally love Széchenyi and would strongly suggest going to this bath if you have the appetite for just 1 Budapest thermal bath during your trip. You can read our detailed guide on the Baths in Budapest and pick a bath amongst the Top 6 Baths in Budapest that suit your budget and liking.
Széchenyi Bath is the largest medicinal bath in Europe with 15 lavish thermal baths and 3 swimming pools supplied by two thermal springs. A whirlpool of activity, locals are seen playing chess on floating boards even while it is snowing and their Sparties ( spa- parties) every Saturday are amongst the most popular parties in town. Sparties go on till 3 AM and feature film screenings along with dance parties and laser shows.
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How to reach Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Tips :
- Cash in on the availability of online tickets for Széchenyi Baths and purchase your tickets in advance.
- Buying tickets on Headout gives admission to the bath along with a locker + private cabin + free massage. Tickets bought at the counter are inclusive of admission only.
- Going in the morning allows to escape the tourist hordes.
- Carry towel, modest swimming costumes and bathing caps. All 3 are available on rent/ purchase at the Baths, in case you forget to bring in any.
- Children below 14 years of age are not allowed into thermal baths.
- All the pools, spas and baths at Széchenyi are co-ed, hence modest swimming costumes are recommended.
Recommended Experiences
• Széchenyi Spa Skip The line Tickets with Locker
• Széchenyi Spa: 50 Minute VIP Massage for Couples
Plan to stay
2-3 hours
2
After spending a good amount of time lounging in the thermal baths get ready to tour the most iconic structure in Budapest - the Hungarian Parliament. Also, known as the Budapest Parliament, this domed Neo-Gothic structure inspired from the British House of Parliament serves as a vibrant government center and a proud city landmark on the Danube riverfront . The Budapest Parliament is the largest building in Hungary and a guided tour here offers a keen insight into Hungary’s rich political past. Both the interiors and exteriors are beyond impressive and enjoys the distinction of being the third largest assembly building in the world. You can read our detailed blog on the Budapest Parliament here. It briefly delves into the history of the building and talks about all that there is to see and do there.
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How to reach the Budapest Parliament
Tips
- Booking tickets online is highly advisable as there are only a limited quantity available each day and during peak season, they are sold out for days together.
- Guided tours that go on for 50 minutes are available in Hungarian, English, French, Hebrew, German, Russian, Italian and Spanish.
- Photography of the crown and the Dome Hall is prohibited. However, it is allowed in other parts of the building.
- Guided tours can be cancelled in case of parliamentary events, even as late as immediately before admission. Do check the schedule on the website you go on the date of your booking.
Recommended Experiences
• Budapest Parliament Priority Access Guided Tour
• Grand City Tour with Parliament Entry
Plan to stay
2 hours
3
After the baths and parliament tour, your stomach is likely to be rumbling so why not make a trip out of your meal? Go on a Eat Hungary Tour and munch your way through the delectable hungarian delicacies from from street vendors to quirky food trucks and ruin cafes. While you’re devouring langos and turo rudis’ with your mug of local brew , you’ll learn a little about Hungarian traditions and culture from the local guide. The Eat Hungary Tour allows you to experience the food culture of Budapest by tasting 8 different authentic mouthwatering Hungarian dishes while walking through the heart of downtown Pest & Jewish Quarter.
Some of the things you’ll get to try during the food tour are :
• Hungarian cheese specialties
• Selection of Hungarian salamis
• 'Lángos' (fried Hungarian flat bread)
• 'Kolbász & Hurka' (sausages & pickled vegetables)
• 'Túró Rudi' (a chilled chocolate covered dessert)
• 'Kürtőskalács' (a sweet dough pastry covered in sugar)
• 'Flódni' (Jewish-Hungarian cake with 4 different fillings)
• Local Craft Beers
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Tips
- Try not to snack 2 hours prior to the food tour so that you can make the most of the tour.
- The tour starts at 3 PM and goes on for 3 hours approximately, so plan your visits prior and post the tour accordingly.
- This tour includes approximately 3 kms of walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended
Recommended Experiences
Plan to stay
3 hours
4
Cruising River Danube while you’re in Budapest is a taken, but the kind of river cruise makes a huge difference. You can read our detailed guide on Danube River Cruises here and choose from a curation of 6 cruises unique to Budapest and pick the one you find most intriguing. However, we think this particular dinner cruise with an Operetta & Folklore Show is an absolute gem that takes you right into the cultural extravaganza of Budapest. Moreover, seeing river Danube by night, with the twinkling lights and soothing breeze is simply mystifying. During this cruise, you are served a fabulous 4 course Hungarian meal along with beverages of your choice and you can glide by the Danube with an engaging show up front and breathtaking sights lining Danube on your sides. Don't forget to don your dancing shoes on this cruise as you will surely be tempted to groove and dance with the performers!
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How to Reach Danube River
Tips
- If you're looking to sightsee along Danube, you should consider doing a cruise in the late afternoon in order to see the city in day light and at nightfall.
- Only children above 18 years will be served alcohol on the cruises
- 2 other popular day cruises are the Craft Beer Cruise & Pizza and Beer cruise
Recommended Experiences
• Danube River Cruises
Plan to stay
2 hours
Day 2 - Day Trip From Budapest
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On your second day in Budapest, embark on a day trip so that you can have ticked off one more place in Hungary off your bucket list! This is one of the most popular day trips from Budapest as it cover maximum ground yet does not diverge too far from Budapest city centre. The Danube Bend is the scenic stretch of water passing by lush greenery and picturesque villages , 3 of the main villages being Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre. The Danube Bend Tour covers these 3 main villages in a span of 9 hours and takes you through all the important sights and landmarks, allowing you to consume copious amounts of Hungarian heritage and take taste of Hungary outside of Budapest. You can read in detail about the Danube Bend Tour on our detailed blog on the Best Day Trips From Budapest. If the Danube Tour does not interest you as much, you can opt in for any of the other Top recommended day trips.
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How to reach Danube Bend
Tips
- Taking a guided tour for a day trip allows you to cover more ground, enjoy your trip and learn more about the villages. Self guided tours need a lot of planning and travel on public transport will take up more time.
Recommended Experiences
• Day trips from Budapest
Plan to stay
10-15 hours
Day 3 -Walking Tour of Pest , Walking Tour of Buda, Margaret Island
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Day 3 in Budapest is going to involve a lot of walking, so set out with your most comfortable shoes and get prepared to take the city by stride. Start your day with the Pest side of the city which is predominantly set on a flat bourgeois plain and houses some of the key attractions of the city. This tour starts at 10 AM daily and goes on for about 3 hours. Be it a guided tour or self guided tour, make sure to cover the following thoroughfares during your walk through Pest :
- Hungarian Parliament Building
- Shoes on the Danube Bank
- Gresham Palace
- Váci Street
- Dohany Synagogue
- House of Hungarian Art Nouveau
- St. Stephen's Basilica
- Hungarian State Opera House
- Pest Broadway
- Franz Liszt Square
- House of Terror
- Liberty Square
- Budapest Eye
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How to reach Pest
Tips
- The Guided Tour of Pest comes free with the Budapest Card
- If you're interested in spending time inside each of these sights, a self guided tour will work better. Guided Walking Tours does not entail entry into sights.
- If you're not up for walking, a segway tour is a fun way to cover the sights of the city.
- Having the Hop On Hop Off Bus Pass allows will tire you less as you can occasionally hop into the bus when you're legs wear off.
Recommended Experiences
• Guided Walking Tour of Pest
• City Center Segway Tour
• Budapest Card
• Budapest Hop On Hop Off Tour
Plan to stay
3 hours
1
After covering all of Pest, move over to Buda and spend your afternoon strolling along the cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways of the Castle District. This tour starts at 2 PM and though the number of things to see here are much lesser compared to the Pest side of the city, , all of them are famous and important landmarks you should not miss. Make sure you wrap up everything and reach atop Gellert Hill for the sunset. This hill boasts the best views of the city and sunset from up here is simply breathtaking. Here’s a list of all that you must see in Buda :
- Fisherman’s Bastian
- Buda Castle
- Matthias Church
- A ride on the Buda Hill Furnicular
- Heroes’ Square
- Andrássy Avenue
- Gellert Hill
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How to reach Buda
Tips
- The Guided Tour of Buda comes free with the Budapest Card
- If you're interested in spending time inside each of these sights, a self guided tour will work better. Guided Walking Tours does not entail entry into sights.
- If you're not up for walking, a segway tour is a fun way to cover the sights of the city.
- Having the Hop On Hop Off Bus Pass allows will tire you less as you can occasionally hop into the bus when you're legs wear off.
Recommended Experiences
• Guided Walking Tour of Buda
• Castle District Segway Tour
• Budapest Card
• Budapest Hop On Hop Off Tour
Plan to stay
2 hours
3
After all that walking, head over the Margaret Island and rest your legs with scenic views. This teardrop shaped island of green vistas is an emerald facet of Budapest crowned with flowery gardens, acres of century-old oaks, medieval ruins, a beach, a zoo, thermal bath and lots of entertainment. It has a pleasing alchemy of beauty and history giving it a mystical aura making for a perfect retreat. Margaret Island, known as Margit-sziget in Hungarian, it is named after Margit, the beautiful daughter of a 13th-century Hungarian King.
When you go to Margaret Island, make sure you walk the Rose garden and Japanese garden and click pictures are corny and charming as it gets because there is truly no place more beautiful in all of Budapest. Another star attraction is the musical fountain that comes alive 4 times a day and mesmerises everybody who catches sight of it. If you're interested in an aerial view of Margaret Island and river Danube, you can climb upto the top of the Margaret Island’s water tower, a beautiful tower built in Art Nouveau style. A visit to Margaret Island is a great way to conclude your time in Budapest.
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How to Reach Margaret Island
Tips
- The best way to enjoy this island is to pack a picnic, find cosy spot on the greenlands, sit back and relax
- If you’re not up for walking all of the island, you can hire a bike or a cyclo-pousses/bringo carts, golf carts, electric scooters and even funny egg-shaped car to get around. Our favourite is the last option!
- Almost everything on this island has free entry, including the zoo. Only the thermal bath entry is to be paid for.
- If you have a Budapest Hop On Hop Off Pass, you can get down at Margaret Bridge and walk over to the island.
Recommended Experiences
• Budapest Hop On Hop Off Tickets
Plan to stay
2-3 hours
