How to Spend THREE DAYS in Budapest, Hungary: 3-Day Itinerary

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Planning a short trip to Budapest? You’re in the right place! 

Hungary’s capital is one of Europe’s most enchanting cities, where grand architecture, thermal baths, and hearty food come together in the most inviting way. With just three days, you’ll have enough time to explore both Buda and Pest, from castle-topped hills to riverside promenades. 

Since we’re repeat visitors, we’ll take you through iconic sights, guided tours, and a few local favorites that made us fall in love with the city. Expect a mix of history, food, and relaxation, with plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere. Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Itinerary Overview

Budapest is a city that manages to feel impressive and inviting at the same time! The Danube divides the city into two, with the castle-dotted hills of Buda on one side and the lively boulevards of Pest on the other. Stunning architecture, historic cafés, and riverside promenades give the city its charm, while centuries of history are never far from view.

Getting around is straightforward thanks to a reliable public transit system. Four easy-to-use Metro lines, along with buses, trams, and trolleys, make it simple to reach every corner of the city. Many of the highlights are close together, too, so you’ll find yourself walking between sights and soaking up the atmosphere as you go.

Day 1: Start your Budapest adventure with a guided walking city tour that covers iconic landmarks like Buda Castle, then spend the afternoon exploring museums before ending with a scenic Danube dinner cruise.

Day 2: Dive into local flavors on a Budapest food tour, stroll along the Danube past powerful memorials, and wind down with a soak at the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

Day 3: Head into the countryside for an Etyek tour with lunch, then return to the city for a final evening in Budapest’s unique ruin bars.

Day 1

Breakfast – Cafe Brunch Budapest

There’s no better way to ease into your first day in Budapest than with a relaxed breakfast at Cafe Brunch Budapest. This welcoming café has the kind of menu that works for every appetite, from flaky croissants and fresh pastries to hearty eggs and toast. If you’re looking for something lighter, their smoothies and fresh juices are a great option to kick-start the morning. 

The café opens early, at 7 or 8 am, and it’s only a five-minute walk from the starting point of your city walking tour. That means you can enjoy breakfast at your own pace without rushing, and still be perfectly positioned to join the tour right on time.

Morning – Discover the top city sights with a guide

After breakfast, it’s just a short stroll to the meeting point in front of the Hungarian State Opera House for this Budapest city walking tour, and trust us, this is the best way to dive straight into the city. Running from 9 am to 1 pm, it provides a fantastic introduction to both Buda and Pest, making it the perfect activity for your first day.

The itinerary is well-rounded, so you’ll cover many of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks without feeling rushed. Our guide made the morning both fun and insightful, weaving together stories of Budapest’s past with the character of each side of the river.

On the Pest side, we visited St. Stephen’s Basilica, admired Heroes’ Square, wandered through the City Park, and even stopped for a quick peek at the famous Széchenyi Baths. One of the highlights was a coffee and pastry break at the Strudel House, which felt like a sweet little bonus in the middle of the tour.

Crossing into Buda, we explored the historic castle district, including Buda Castle itself, which is one of the city’s must-see sights. The tour wrapped up at Fisherman’s Bastion, where the views over the Danube and Parliament are simply breathtaking. Just note that admission inside Fisherman’s Bastion isn’t included, so if you’d like to go in and wander further, plan to spend a little extra time here before moving on with your afternoon.

In our opinion, this tour is one of the best ways to see Budapest on foot. The small group size meant we could easily hear our guide and ask questions, and the pacing felt just right. If you’re short on time but want to see the highlights in a meaningful way, this tour ticks all the boxes!

Book this top-rated walking tour here with free cancellation!

Lunch – Hunyadi Lakásbisztró és Kézműves Söröző

Once you’ve finished exploring Fisherman’s Bastion, and maybe even popped inside if you’d like to take a closer look at its fairytale towers, it’s time for lunch. Just a short two-minute walk away, you’ll find Hunyadi Lakásbisztró és Kézműves Söröző, a cozy bistro serving hearty Hungarian dishes alongside local craft beers.

It opens daily at noon, so the timing works out perfectly after your morning tour. This is a great spot to try traditional favorites like goulash or chicken paprikash in a laid-back setting. The atmosphere feels local and welcoming, which makes it a nice change of pace after sightseeing.

Afternoon – Budapest History Museum and Hungarian National Gallery

The morning tour gave you a glimpse of Buda Castle, but the castle grounds deserve more time! Just a 10-minute walk from Fisherman’s Bastion, you’ll find two of Budapest’s most important cultural institutions: the Budapest History Museum and the Hungarian National Gallery. Spending the afternoon here lets you dive deeper into the city’s past and its rich artistic traditions.

Budapest History Museum

Plan on about 1 to 1.5 hours to explore the Budapest History Museum, which traces Budapest’s story from ancient times through the Middle Ages and beyond. Highlights include archaeological finds, medieval stone carvings, and exhibits that bring the city’s layered history to life. Tickets cost around €10 (3,800 HUF).

One of the most fascinating parts of the museum is its location within Buda Castle itself. As you move through the exhibits, you’ll also pass through reconstructed castle halls and preserved cellars, giving you the chance to literally walk through layers of history. It feels like a behind-the-scenes look at the city’s evolution.

Hungarian National Gallery

If you still have a little energy, continue with a visit to the National Gallery, housed in the former Royal Palace. The collection spans centuries of Hungarian art, from medieval and Renaissance works to bold modernist pieces. It can easily take another 1 to 2 hours to see the highlights. Admission is about €13 (5,400 HUF), and keep in mind it’s closed on Mondays.

The gallery also offers sweeping views over the city from its terrace, so be sure to step outside between exhibits. We found it to be a great way to pause and take in the scenery before diving back into the paintings and sculptures. The building itself is as much a highlight as the collection inside, with its grand staircases and spacious galleries.

Evening – Enjoy a Danube River dinner cruise

After a full day of sightseeing, head back to your hotel to freshen up before making your way to the Pest side of the river for this Danube River Dinner Cruise. The cruise departs at 7 pm and lasts until 9 pm, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to arrive and check in.

This experience combines everything you could want in a Budapest evening—incredible views, delicious food, local wine, and traditional culture. Seeing the city illuminated from the water is breathtaking, especially landmarks like the Chain Bridge and the Parliament building, which is easily one of the most beautiful in the world.

Dinner is a highlight in itself, with the option of either a buffet or a plated multi-course meal with wine tasting. We chose the five-course plated dinner, and it didn’t disappoint—from a hearty goulash to Hungarian strudel for dessert, every bite felt like a celebration of local flavors. The wine tasting was equally memorable, with five different varieties that gave us a much better appreciation of Hungary’s underrated wine scene.

To top it all off, the evening includes live folk music and dancing. Watching traditional Hungarian performers while gliding along the Danube was the perfect way to end the night. It felt like a full cultural immersion wrapped up in a single, unforgettable experience. And if you still need convincing, scroll through THOUSANDS of five-star reviews here to see why this tour ranks among the best!

Book this top-rated Danube River Dinner Cruise here!

Day 2

Morning – Taste your way through the city on a food tour

Skip breakfast today, because from 10 am to 1 pm, you’ll be diving straight into Budapest’s culinary scene on this secret food tour. The meeting point is near the State Opera House, the same as yesterday’s tour, making it an easy place to start your morning.

We found this food tour to be the perfect way to sample a wide range of Hungarian specialties in just a few hours. Our guide led us to four different restaurants and cafés, where we tried everything from steaming bowls of goulash to crisp strudel and lángos, a delicious fried flatbread topped with cheese. Each stop came with generous tastings, and we even got to pair the food with local wines, which made it feel like a true feast.

As we walked between tastings, we also passed some of Budapest’s most beautiful landmarks, including St. Stephen’s Basilica and Liberty Square. It made the tour feel like a mix of sightseeing and dining, and we left not only full but also with a better sense of the city’s layout. The recommendations our guide shared were another bonus. They really came in handy for the rest of our trip.

This small-group tour has such a friendly vibe, but if you’re traveling with family or friends, there’s also a private option. Either way, it’s one of the tastiest introductions you can get in Budapest!

Check availability and book this food tour in advance here!

Afternoon – Walk along the Danube

After a morning of incredible food, it’s time to slow down (and walk it off!) with a stroll along the Danube. We first paused for a coffee at Espresso Embassy, a modern café known for its excellent brews, before heading toward the river. The promenade here is one of the best places in the city for a leisurely stroll, with wide paths and postcard-perfect views of the skyline. Walking past the Chain Bridge and watching boats glide by is a highlight in itself.

This stretch of the river also holds a moving reminder of Budapest’s past. The Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial marks the site of a mass execution during World War II, with iron shoes lined up along the water’s edge to honor the victims. It’s a simple yet powerful place to pause and reflect.

If you’re particularly interested in history and architecture, you can also take this time to tour the Hungarian Parliament Building. Tickets cost around €33 (13,000 HUF) for a 45-minute guided visit, and tours are very popular, so it’s best to book in advance here. Whether you choose the riverside walk or step inside Parliament, this afternoon offers a perfect balance to the morning’s flavors.

Late afternoon/Evening – Soak in unique thermal baths

After your riverside walk, it’s time to shift gears and relax, and what better way than with a visit to a beer spa and the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths? We booked this for 3 pm so we could settle in for the rest of the afternoon, and it turned out to be such a fun and unique experience.

The beer spa begins with a 45-minute soak in thermal water infused with hops, yeast, and malt. You can drink as much as you like while you soak, and the ingredients are said to have great benefits for your skin (some even rinse their hair in it for extra shine). 

It definitely felt more like a party experience than a calming spa visit, which makes it perfect for groups of friends or anyone looking for something a little different. We still had a great time just the two of us, and even ended up chatting with other travelers while we soaked.

After the spa, you can continue your visit with full access to the Széchenyi baths, one of Budapest’s top attractions. We spent a few more hours hopping between the outdoor pools and steaming indoor baths, and it was the ideal way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. Plan on anywhere from 1 to 3 or even 4 hours here, depending on your energy.

Do allow extra time to find the entrance, as it can be a bit tricky, and you don’t want it to cut into your soak. From the Parliament area, it’s about 25 minutes by metro or a 10-minute drive. Once you’re inside, though, it’s all about relaxation and fun.

Book this popular beer spa and bath combo here!

Dinner – Menza

After soaking in the baths, plan on wrapping up around 7 pm and heading out for dinner at Menza, one of Budapest’s most beloved restaurants. Located in the lively Liszt Ferenc Square, Menza is known for its retro-inspired interiors and buzzing atmosphere, which make it just as fun as it is delicious.

This is the perfect place to try traditional Hungarian dishes with a modern twist. The goulash here is a standout, rich, flavorful, and served in a way that feels both comforting and classic. Pair it with a local wine or beer, and you’ll have a meal that feels like the ultimate reward after a full day of exploring. Reservations are highly recommended, and it’s just an easy 11-minute metro ride from the baths.

Day 3

Breakfast – Vinyl & Wood

Fuel up for your final day in Budapest with a hearty breakfast at VINYL & WOOD, a trendy café that blends good food with a cozy, creative vibe. The menu leans toward generous plates, from stacked sandwiches to sweet pastries and fresh coffee, so it’s easy to find something filling before the morning’s wine tour. 

We recommend grabbing a bigger breakfast than usual, since you’ll be sipping your way through vineyards later in the day. The café opens at 8 am and is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from the tour’s meeting point, which makes it an ideal stop before setting off. With its relaxed atmosphere and tasty options, it’s the perfect spot to ease into a day of wine tasting.

Morning – Go wine tasting

After breakfast, it’s time to head out of the city and into the countryside for this Etyek Wine Country tour, running from 10 am to 2 pm and including lunch. Just 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Budapest, this half-day trip is a wonderful way to experience Hungary’s lesser-known but thriving wine region.

Vineyards might not be the first thing you picture when you think of Hungary, but this tour will definitely change that! The area is known for its crisp white and sparkling wines, thanks to its cool climate and limestone soil, and we found them to be some of the most refreshing wines we tried on our trip.

Exploring the rolling countryside and passing through small villages was a highlight in itself. Our guide was fantastic, introducing us to three welcoming wineries where we had generous tastings, cellar tours, and even the chance to sample wine straight from the cask. The personal connections between the guide and winery owners made the whole experience feel warm and authentic.

To balance all those tastings, we also sat down to a hearty Hungarian lunch, which, of course, was paired with even more wine. By the time the tour wrapped up, we felt like we’d experienced one of Hungary’s hidden treasures. And clearly we aren’t the only ones—check out over 1,200 five-star reviews here that echo our experience!

Secure your spot on this Etyek wine tour here!

Related Read: Want even more ideas for your trip? Check out our complete guide to the best things to do in Budapest here for extra activities and hidden gems to add to your trip.

Afternoon – Your Choice!

Once the tour drops you back in the city, you’ll have a few hours to shape your afternoon as you like. We recommend heading to your hotel first to freshen up and recharge before setting out again.

If you’re in the mood for a relaxed wander, make your way to Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s grand boulevard lined with elegant shops, cafés, and historic buildings. It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs, admire the architecture, or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere.

For something a little more thought-provoking, consider visiting the House of Terror Museum, dedicated to the Nazi and Soviet occupations of Hungary. It’s only a 10-minute walk from the Opera House (the main drop-off point for your tour), and admission is around €10 (4,000 HUF). The museum is open until 6 pm, making it a convenient option for the late afternoon.

Dinner – Mazel Tov

For your final dinner in Budapest, head to Mazel Tov, a stylish Middle Eastern restaurant set inside one of the city’s famous “ruin bars.” After World War II, much of the Old Jewish Quarter was abandoned, and many buildings sat in disrepair for decades. In the early 2000s, creative locals transformed these spaces into eclectic bars and restaurants, sparking a trend that has become a defining part of Budapest’s nightlife.

Mazel Tov is one of the most popular spots in the area, known not only for its unique setting but also for its delicious food. The menu features fresh takes on Middle Eastern classics like hummus, falafel, and grilled meats, all served in a vibrant, plant-filled space that feels both relaxed and energetic. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy a meal while experiencing the atmosphere of the ruin bar scene.

Evening – Hit the ruin bars!

Cap off your final night in Budapest with a visit to Szimpla Kert, the city’s very first ruin bar and still its most iconic. With its mismatched furniture, quirky décor, and buzzing atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to raise a glass and toast the end of your trip.

For a true local touch, order a shot of pálinka, Hungary’s traditional fruit brandy, which comes in flavors ranging from plum to apricot. If that feels a bit strong, Szimpla also has plenty of Hungarian wines and craft beers to choose from.

If you’re up for exploring more, the surrounding neighborhood is packed with other ruin bars, each with its own personality. You can make a mini bar-hop of it, or simply settle in at Szimpla for the evening. Either way, it’s a memorable and fitting farewell to Budapest.

Where to Stay in Budapest, Hungary

When choosing a place to stay in a city as large as Budapest, it can easily become overwhelming! Luckily, there are heaps of good options in hotels and areas. The city is well-connected via public transit, so it’s easy to get around no matter where you end up staying. Here are my top three recommendations for a luxury, mid-range, and budget stay:

Luxury – $$$

Aria Hotel Budapest is a luxury hotel with an eclectic music-themed design. The rooms are exquisite and vary in options, so you can choose one that fits you perfectly. I love the rooftop bar with views of Budapest, and you can enjoy the spa with pools and hammams. This hotel is located in downtown Budapest, near St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Opera House.

Prices start around €350 and can surpass €1,000, depending on which room you choose. Check out all the options and book this stay on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

Radisson Blu Béke Hotel is perfect for those looking for a nice place to stay at a moderate price point. Located in the downtown area, it’s very close to Nyugati Train Station and other popular neighborhoods. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and the staff is friendly, taking care of everything you’ll need! The quality is high for how well-priced this hotel is.

Rooms start at €100 and can reach €400 if you choose a luxury suite. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.

Budget – $

Dean’s Home Budapest is a great budget hotel; it’s comfortable, trendy, and very clean. You can book a double, a superior queen, or a superior double, and most stay under €100 all year. There’s a lovely garden and terrace to enjoy, and an on-site gym. It’s in a good location, walkable to top sights, and close to the metro.

Check availability and reserve a room on Booking.com.

For more options, check out all the hotels in Budapest here.

Renting a Car in Europe

Exploring Europe by car is a fantastic way to uncover hidden gems—think charming villages, scenic countryside, and off-the-beaten-path spots that trains and buses might miss. Driving here is generally straightforward, but it’s good to be prepared for some regional quirks.

We always use Discover Cars to book our rentals and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find automatic cars (which can be tricky in Europe!), and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.

Tips for Renting a Car in Europe

• Know the local rules: Most countries drive on the right, except the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta. Road signs and driving laws can vary, so do a quick check before you go.
• Practice defensive driving: In parts of Europe, especially in the south, driving can feel fast-paced and a little unpredictable. Make sure you stay alert and keep a safe following distance.
• Insurance is essential: I highly recommend adding full coverage insurance to your rental. Whether it’s a parking lot ding or a chipped windshield on a mountain road, full protection gives you peace of mind. Plus, it’s super affordable through Discover Cars!
• Pick the right vehicle: Most rentals in Europe are manual, and automatic cars are limited, so book early if that’s what you need. A compact car is also ideal for narrow roads and tight parking. On Discover Cars, you can easily filter for everything you need.
• Watch for restricted zones: Many cities have low-emission or restricted traffic zones. Driving into these without a permit can result in fines, so always check local rules if you’re heading into a city center.
• Be prepared for border crossings: While crossing borders is usually easy within the Schengen Zone, some rental companies require you to declare your travel plans in advance. Always check with Discover Cars if you’re planning to drive into another country.

What You Need to Rent a Car in Europe

• A valid driver’s license from your home country.
• If you’re from outside the EU, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended—and in some countries, it’s legally required.
• A credit card in the driver’s name is typically needed for the security deposit.
• Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old. If you’re under 25, expect a young driver surcharge—and in some countries, the minimum age may be higher.

Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring Europe on your own terms!

Thanks for reading!

There’s so much to experience in Budapest, but hopefully, this 3-day itinerary has helped you plan your trip! We followed this exact plan on our last visit and thought it struck the perfect balance between iconic sights, unique tours, and local favorites. It’s a city that keeps us coming back, and we think you’ll see why once you’re there.

If your adventure doesn’t stop in Budapest (lucky you!), make sure to check out our other Europe blogs here for more inspiration. We’ve shared detailed itineraries, travel tips, and favorite experiences across the continent, and they’re packed with the same kind of practical advice you’ll find here. Or to spark your interest, here are a few of our most popular guides below:

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