Budapest is one of the most up-and-coming destinations currently, and when you’re considering a European city break, the Hungarian capital should certainly be on your shortlist. Packed with history, architecture, and plentiful culture to enjoy, the vibrancy hints at a wonderful blend of old and new.
So, if you’re thinking about checking out this beautiful city, you might be asking yourself, how many days in Budapest is enough?
You don’t want to run out of time, but, three days is considered to be enough. These are going to be an action-packed three days, but this is the general amount of time you will be able to see most of the big sights, as well as having a little time for rest and relaxation at the same time.
Of course, how many days should you spend in Budapest if you’re wanting to really push the boat out? If you want to shop and enjoy the nightlife, then perhaps two more days would give you a safety net, but overall, three days is the general rule of thumb.
If you want to explore Central Europe, you can combine your Budapest trip with Vienna, and Prague to explore more the Czech Republic and Austria. 10 days in Budapest, Prague, and Vienna is one of the best routes to see Central Europe.
The train from Budapest to Vienna take only two to three hours, and you can also take a short train or rent the car to travel from Vienna to Prague.
How many days in Budapest are enough?
It is recommended to stay for at least three to four days to fully experience the city. This will allow you to visit popular Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and St. Stephen’s Basilica, as well as have time to explore many neighborhoods of the city and try some of the local cuisine.
However, it is ultimately up to the individual and their personal preferences and interests as to how long they would like to stay in Budapest.
Is 4 days too long in Budapest?
Four days may be a good amount of time to spend in Budapest to see all of the major sights and take part in a variety of activities. However, if you prefer a more relaxed pace or have fewer activities planned, you may find that four days is too long.
Can you see Budapest in 2 days?
Yes, it is possible to see Budapest in two days but it will require careful planning and prioritization of the city’s many attractions. You may need to choose which landmarks, museums, and neighborhoods to visit based on your interests and the amount of time you have available.
It is also recommended to do some research beforehand and consider purchasing a tour or guide to make the most of your time in the city.
Where to stay in Budapest?
Some of the best areas in Budapest to book your accommodations are Belváros-Lipótváros (District 5), Castle Hill (District 1), District VII, District XIII, and District VI. You can read full detail about districts to stay in Budapest at this article: Best places to stay in Budapest first time.
When I first visited Budapest, I stayed in Downtown area, also call District 5/ Belváros-Lipótváros. This area have plenty of accommodations to choose from. It is also offers easy access to public transportations and major attractions such as the Parliament Building and St Stephens Basilica.
| 💖 Best Area for first Timers: | District 5 (downtown Budapest) |
| 💎 Best luxury hotel: | Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | D8 Hotel |
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, great 5-star hotel, centrally located in the heart of the city, within walking distance from the famous Chain Bridge and Saint Stephen’s Basilica. It is also close to underground and bus stops, making it a great base to access all attractions.
Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace, popular 4-star hotel located in the historical city centre of Pest, easy walk from the river bank of the Danube, Váci utca pedestrian shopping street with lots of cafes and restaurants. Also close to Deak Square, where you can catch 3 metro lines (M1, M2, M3).
D8 Hotel, extremely popular 3-star hotel in central Budapest, easy access to major sights such as Chain Bridge, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Buda Castle, and the State Opera House. It has Good breakfast, paid airport shuttle services, and 24-hour front desk.
How to Spend 3 Days in Budapest Itinerary
Your first day should really be centred around the most famous of Budapest’s sights, Castle Hill. This is a landmark which everyone knows, and to really understand it, you should dedicate a full day to exploring it.
Make sure you take plentiful photos and ask plenty of questions of the guides and staff around the area.
There are some beautiful viewpoints to check out views of the city, but be sure to head to Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Matthias Fountain, as well as the Royal Fountain.
Gellert Baths is a great way to wind down after a long day’s sightseeing, and this is where you can bathe in the mineral rich, therapeutic waters, which will soak away your cares and any aches and pains you may have.
There is plentiful history here again, but this is also where you will get a valuable glimpse into the general way of life for locals.
When you’re exploring how many days in Budapest is enough, it’s definitely important to think about nature as well as architecture, with Margaret Island a quick and easy place to visit, to get maximum views and nature for your buck.
Make sure you visit here day and night, because you’ll find two totally different experiences; day time is calm and relaxed, and night time shows you the lights of the city – a very romantic experience for couples to enjoy!
Margaret Island allows you to walk along the Danube River banks, and there are many attractions here, including a zoo, a beach, a spa, and Sculpture Avenue. Check out the musical fountain, which goes off five times per day, and choreographs water to music.
Another full day in Budapest can be enjoyed by beginning with a view from Gellert Hill, checking out some of the history, and also enjoying Liberty Monument.
You can then easily get over to the other side of the city, the Pest region, where you can check out St Stephen’s Basilica, Andrassy Avenue, which is an important street in history, originating in 1872.
Be sure to visit the opera house, as well as the sombre House of Terror museum, which commemorates the communist history of the country and those whom it affected.
Heroes Square is within a stone’s throw from here also, as well as Millennium Monument. This is certainly a packed day, but it is one which will show you a hugely different side to Budapest.
Day 1 in Budapest Itinerary
The first day you will see famous sights of Budapest on the Buda side and some on the Pest side such as Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Hospital in the Rock, The Chain Bridge, Shoes on the Danube Bank, Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Buda Castle
To reach the Castle district, you can take the funicular on Clark Ádám Square, climbing by stairs, or take the bus at Clark Adám Square.
Start your day with Buda Castle (the Royal Palace) on the west bank of the Danube River. Buda Castle is home to the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
While wandering around the Buda Castle District, you’ll be able to catch sight of the Changing of the Guards ceremony during daytime, it’s held every hour in front of the presidential Sándor Palace.
Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most popular places to visit in Budapest, the northern end of the Castle District.The best spot to take photos is at its stairs and through its arches. Fisherman’s Bastion offers stunning views of the Pest cityscape.
Matthias Church
Located in the front of the Fisherman’s Bastion is the Matthias Church (the Church of Our Lady). This Roman Catholic church is one of the most beautiful churches in Budapest.
Gellert Hill
Gellert Hill is a popular spot for sunset and has a spectacular view while the sun is going down. On the top of the hill, you will find the top attractions such as the Citadel and the Statue of Liberty. You can also find some of the best spots to take photos of the city.
On the way downhill, you can visit Gellert Hill Cave Church, the monument for bishop Gellert, and Gellért Baths.
Central Market Hall
Located on another side of the river of Gellert Hill is the Central market hall. Central Market Hall is near Elizabeth Bridge. It’s a local market with fresh fruit, vegetables. You can enjoy people watching, shopping, taking photos with its pretty Neo-Gothic hall.
Hungarian Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament is another must-see attraction, the most iconic building in Budapest. Inside, you will have a chance to view the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Holy Crown.
The Shoes on the Danube Bank Promenade is the memorial nearby just south of the Hungarian Parliament Building. It displays a collection of metal shoes on the banks, memory of those who were murdered there during World War II.
Simpla Kertz ( a ruin bar)
Simpla Kertz is the most iconic ruin bar in Budapest, once a hidden gem and now popular with tourists. Other ruin bars in Budapest are Durer Kert, Anker’t, and Ellato Kert.
If you want more romance, take a sightseeing river cruise. It will offer different views of the city at night.
Day 2 in Budapest Itinerary
In day 2, we will explore more the Pest Side with attractions like St. Stephen’s Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue, Heroes Square, Museum of Fine Arts, Vajdahunyad Castle, and Széchenyi Thermal Baths.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
The neoclassical cathedral, St. Stephen’s Basilica, is the biggest church in Budapest and one of the top attractions in Budapest. The structure is named in honor of the first king of Hungary, Stephen. It can host 8 500 people at the same time.
Dohány Street Synagogue,
Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as Great Synagogue, is the largest synagogue in Europe. It also housed the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives.
Heroes Square,
Located at the end of Andrássy Avenue, Heroes Square is one of the most photographed sights of Budapest. It is home to the Millennium Memorial. If can combine this square with the City Park (Városliget).
Museum of Fine Arts – situated near Heroes Square. It shows the outstanding collection of foreign works of art.
Vajdahunyad Castle – a romantic castle in the City Park. It hosts several festivals, concerts, and exhibitions of the Hungarian Agricultural Museum. It is a complex consisting of a group of building with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths – the largest thermal baths in Budapest and the largest medicinal bath in Europe. The Hungarian capital is famous for many Baths such as Szechenyi Spa, St. Gellert Spa, Rudas Baths, Király Baths, Veli Bej Baths, Palatinus Baths, Dandár Baths, Lukács Baths.
Day 3 Itinerary: Day trip from Budapest
Popular day trips from Budapest are
- Esztergom
- Eger
- Lake Balaton
- The Danube and Vác
- Gödöllő Palace
- Nagytétény Castle and the Museum of Applied Arts
Check out my virtual tour of the best places to stay in Budapest in this video:
If you are interested in exploring central Europe including Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. check out these post:
- where to stay in Prague
- where to stay in Vienna
- how many days in Prague
- where to Stay in Budapest for Christmas Markets
Is 3 Days In Budapest Enough?
So, how many days should you spend in Budapest? Three days is the recommendation, but if you find you’re trying to pack too much in, you could go at a slower pace. One week is certainly the maximum, but the major perk of the Hungarian capital is that it is quite low in cost, so provided you watch the cash a little, you will manage to enjoy yourself quite well, without having spent a fortune in the process.
Another tip is certainly to make sure you stay somewhere central, to cut down on the amount of time you’re going to be commuting in and out of the centre, where the main transport links to the biggest attractions are all based.