Budapest in 3 Days: Discover its must-see attractions
April 01, 2023
Discover the best of Budapest in 3 days with our guide. Explore majestic historic buildings and relaxing thermal baths in this European gem. This city is a European gem that combines a rich history and culture with a vibrant contemporary scene. If you're looking to explore the best of Budapest in a short period of time, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll present you with an exciting 3-day itinerary that includes the city's must-see attractions, from majestic historic buildings to relaxing thermal baths. Get ready to uncover Budapest's best-kept secrets and experience everything this fascinating city has to offer. Let's get started!
Day 1 in Budapest (Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion):
On the first day, we went to the Budapest Parliament in the morning. This impressive building is one of the most photographed attractions in the city. You can purchase tickets on this website. They offer guided tours in multiple languages, so choose the one that suits you best. If you are a European resident, you can get discounts.
After finishing at the Parliament, we walked to the Shoes on the Danube Bank monument, which is practically next door. These shoes commemorate the genocide that took place between December 1944 and late January 1945, in which 20,000 Jews were shot on the banks of the Danube River, with their bodies thrown into the river.
From here, we headed to Fisherman's Bastion, which is on the other side of the river. We took a bus; if you're not sure how to use public transportation in Budapest, you can check out this guide. In this area, you'll have some impressive views of the city.
Then, we took a leisurely walk to Buda Castle. This majestic castle is one of the city's main tourist attractions and will transport you back to medieval times. Enjoy panoramic views from the hill, visit the Budapest History Museum, and explore its gardens and inner courtyards. After exploring the castle, head to the Castle District and stroll through its picturesque cobblestone streets. Make a stop at Matthias Church and admire its stunning Gothic architecture.
For lunch, we had the famous Langos at Retro Langos. It's like a fried pizza that you must try to immerse yourself in Hungarian culture.
We ended the day by visiting St. Stephen's Basilica, which is very close to Retro Langos. We took the opportunity to take photos and enjoy this impressive church, one of the city's iconic buildings.
Fun Fact: Near this church, in the square, there's a sculpture of a chubby policeman. Legend has it (or at least the local gossip) that if you touch his belly, you'll never gain weight again :D. We couldn't resist giving it a try; we'll let you know if it's true or not.
Day 2 (Hidden Mini Statue Route):
On our second day, we wanted to do the route of the hidden mini statues in Budapest. Basically, these are mini statues scattered throughout the city. We did the route on foot , starting from this point as it was very close to our hotel. From there, we went to the Statue of Liberty and walked along the river back to Buda Castle. We reached Margaret Bridge, which is very close to the Parliament, in search of our mini statues.
It's a very fun route that we highly recommend. If you want to make the most of it, you can use public transportation, but we did it on foot as we love walking.
After a long day of walking, we tried the famous Chimney Cakes, which are delightful sweets. We had one every day because they are so good. Basically, it's a kind of cinnamon pretzel, but they come in different flavors, including Nutella-filled ones. We ordered the basic cinnamon one, but we invite you to try your favorites. You can't leave Budapest without trying them.
Day 3 (Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Heroes' Square):
This was our most relaxed day. We started the day at Széchenyi Thermal Baths. This thermal complex is the largest in Europe and offers a wide variety of pools and saunas. You can buy tickets online here. If you go on weekdays, tickets are cheaper. You have two types of tickets, one with a private cabin and another with a locker. We chose the locker option, and it's more than enough; there are different changing rooms and large lockers to leave your belongings.
When you arrive, if you purchased your tickets online, go to the reception and ask for your bracelet (which will be your locker key) by showing your QR code. Once you have your bracelet, follow the instructions to enter and head downstairs to the changing rooms. Once changed, you're ready to start your day of relaxation.
IMPORTANT: Bring your flip-flops and a towel (and a swimsuit, of course; there were people who didn't bring one and bought them on-site).
There are different thermal pools, 3 outdoors and numerous indoors. There are also saunas if you want to warm up a bit. If you visit during the cold season like we did, don't hesitate to go; you really don't feel the cold while in the pools. Just a bit while you change from one to another, but it's a small discomfort worth enduring as it's an unforgettable experience.
We spent almost 5 hours in the pools, but once we were done, we went to Heroes' Square. Here, you'll find the Millennium Monument, an impressive sculpture that commemorates 1000 years of Hungarian history. Continue your stroll along Andrassy Avenue, one of Budapest's most elegant streets. Explore its stylish boutiques and fashion stores before stopping at the Budapest Opera House.
We ended the afternoon by visiting the Great Synagogue of Budapest, the second-largest in the world after the one in New York. This impressive structure is an important center of the Jewish community in Budapest and is a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage. Afterward, we walked the streets near the Synagogue and finished the day with another Chimney Cake (to add a little variety to our daily routine in the city).
We hope this itinerary has inspired you to visit Budapest on your next vacation. You won't regret exploring this beautiful city full of history and culture! There are many things we didn't get to see, and we'll surely travel there again to explore them.
Here are the points of interest in Budapest:
