How should you spend three days in Budapest, Hungary? Budapest is a fantastic city for a long weekend. It’s small enough to walk everywhere and there’s plenty of great stuff to do! Here’s what I recommend…
Day one in Budapest
Walk around the Buda Castle area
Spend one of your three days in Budapest scoping out the Buda Castle area. Budapest is made up of two distinct areas, Buda (the side of the river the castle is on) and Pest (the main city centre side).
If you’re staying on the Pest side, cross the river by walking over the impressive Chain Bridge. Then you can take the funicular up to the castle. There are plenty of companies that will tap you on the shoulder offering a cheaper bus route to the top, but I reckon the funicular is more fun.
The views from the castle over Pest are amazing (see photo above) and so it’s a great spot to watch the world go by.
Whilst you’re up there, make sure you walk over to the Church. It’s beautiful.
Get a fancy lemonade at Anna Cafe
When you’re in need of refreshment you can’t go wrong with Anna Cafe. Yes, it’s a chain and there’s a few in Budapest but they are in great people-watching locations and serve good food and drinks.
There are plenty of fancy fruity lemonade options to quench your thirst on a warm day.
Day two in Budapest
Have brunch at Kuglof
If you’re one for fancy brunches, and frankly I don’t know a millennial who isn’t, give Kuglof a try one morning.
You’ll find all the poached eggs and avo toast a girl could want, plus some traditional Hungarian chocolate pastries to try! I liked it so much I ate here two out of my three days in Budapest… #creatureofhabit.
Visit Parliament
Budapest’s parliament building is pretty darn impressive and well worth a wander along the riverbank to see. The gothic architecture is one of the best things about Budapest and parliament is particularly instagram worthy!
You can walk around the building for free, or take a tour to go inside.
Check out St Stephen’s Basilica
St Stephen’s Basilica is a Roman Catholic basilica and is another of the stunning buildings in Budapest. In fact, it is the third largest church building in Hungary.
The area around the basilica is lovely too, with plenty of bars and restaurants. It’s one of the more touristy and expensive areas, but sometimes it’s worth the price for how nice the location is.
Eat at Street Food Karavan
Awesome street food parks are popping up everywhere these days, and Budapest is no exception. Swing by Street Food Karavan for a quick, cheap eat that tastes amazing!
There are more than a dozen different food vans offering all different kinds of food and drink from all over the world. If you’re keen to experience Hungarian cuisine can’t go wrong with a hot bowl of goulash.
Or, if you fancy something a little different, try the teriyaki chicken rice burgers from the Japanese fusion stall.
Drink at Szimlpa Kert Ruin Pub
One of the greatest things about Budapest is its Ruin Pubs. Budapest’s difficult history left a number of derelict and crumbling buildings around the city, and there was little money available to do much with them. Szimpla Kert was created as an original solution to this problem.
The bar sits within a large building that was left in ruin. Rather than repair or rebuild, Szimpla exists alongside. Industrial staircases and scaffolding has been installed for punters to move around the building, but most of it is still a ruin.
Now, however, it is a ruin that’s home to multiple bars, dance floors and seating areas. The cocktail bar to your right, the traditional pub bar to your left, and the huge outdoor seating area in the courtyard are just a starter for ten. Climb the stairs and you’ll find room after room, each with different music and decor.
There are other ruin pubs and I checked out a couple, but this one is not to be missed. I stayed for six hours. Three days in Budapest? Hell, go three times!
Day three in Budapest
Get coffee at Donut Library (and donuts…obvs)
Do you like Coffee? Donuts? Books? Check out Donut Library! I visited in summer so iced coffee was on the menu, with plenty of options to choose from. All the syrups you can think of and a chance to have crumbled Oreos at the bottom of your drink.
And if that’s not good enough? Each one is served with a mini donut on top. Yum.
Visit the Thermal Baths
The Szechenyi Baths are the largest thermal spa baths in Budapest and they’re pretty impressive. There are 15 indoor spa baths with a range of temperatures, and there’s even a Beer Spa (you drink beer, not bathe in it).
The outdoor complex has three large spa baths and plenty of space for sunbathing in summer. I was there at the time of the World Cup and they were showing the games on a big screen at one end, which is a nice alternative to watching footy in a pub.
Chill out at Pop Up Park
Pop up park was on one of the main streets when I stayed in Budapest. I guess I’m assuming that because it’s a ‘pop up’ park it might not be there forever… but I liked it so it’s on my list of things to do with three days in Budapest!
Where to stay
I stayed at Hotel Zenit which I can’t recommend highly enough. I picked it because it was a good price, 4* (even 4*s are cheap in Budapest!) and, according to the reviews, was recommended by 95% of guests.
It didn’t disappoint. Light and airy with modern decor and friendly staff, I would certainly stay there again.
Zenit Hotel is in a really great location and is within walking distance from pretty much everything! 20 minutes from Parliament, 20 minutes from Buda Castle, 20 minutes from Szimpla Kert bar… It’s a little further to the baths, but you can get public transport if you prefer.
Getting to Budapest
If you’re based in the UK, Ryanair and EasyJet usually have pretty good deals on flights to Prague and the flight takes just 2hrs.
Flights to Budapest are also often available as a BA reward flight, so if you’re into travel hacking you can be there for as little as £35.
As always though, check out Skyscanner or Momondo for the best flight deals before you book.
Taxi from the airport to the city costs around 7,000 HUF (around £20).
Good to know…
Most places accept (and advertise prices in) EUR, but not everywhere. The local currency is Hungarian Forints.
Most people speak English, but they appreciate you making an effort in Hungarian. Even if you only learn the word for thank you – köszönöm.
Local beers are Dreher and Soproni – Cheers!
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