If you need help planning your trip to Budapest, find some of the must-visit places below. Beautifully situated on the Danube River, Budapest is waiting for you! Both medieval cities of Buda and Pest, merged into Budapest in 1873, offer something for everyone. Influenced by Romans, Turks, Austro-Hungarians, and Soviets, Hungary’s capital is a fascinating place to go, combining century-old history and modern lifestyle.

Note: In my post about the 10 Exciting Things to Do in Budapest in Winter, you can find more ideas valid all year round. Add a fantastic Danube river cruise or visit one of the biggest thermal baths in Budapest – Szechenyi Thermal Baths. Fill your 3 days in Budapest with the best things of the city.

Let’s go

Do you think you can explore a new city for only a few days – 2, 3, 5? Of course not if you want to learn more about the city, its history, places and to feel the local atmosphere. So we should plan every trip very well! There are so many beautiful places in the world waiting for us and so little time. 

However, you can have a great holiday visiting at least the city’s main sights and doing the most remarkable things, in our case in Budapest. Below I will guide you to the must-visit places for a short city break in Budapest so you will be prepared for your trip. The best time to visit Budapest is March-May and September-November, with weather suitable for sightseeing. I visited the city in December, which was a perfect month to feel the Christmas spirit but a little bit cold for long walks outside. 

Book accommodation on the lively Pest side for funny attractions, quality restaurants, unique ruin bars, popular thermal baths Szechenyi, and luxury shopping streets. Buda is a culturally rich part of the city, and you will need some time for a sightseeing tour here.

So generally speaking, Budapest is a perfect destination for a long weekend trip all year round – an exciting and affordable European city. And it is not difficult to have a full list of things to do in Budapest in a couple of days.

So now it is time for our tour. Let’s see how you can spend 3 days in Budapest creating beautiful memories. 

DAY 1

1.Tour the Hungarian Parliament

Yes, absolutely, this is the most recognizable landmark of Budapest that you can’t miss! On the first day of our trip to Budapest, we decided to walk along the Danube River and visit the Hungarian Parliament. Ok, I admit it was a cold and windy winter day to walk on the Danube promenade. But being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and collecting some of the best Budapest sights, it is an area you don’t want to miss.

Reaching the Parliament, we were impressed. Its construction was planned for the 1000th anniversary of the country in 1896, but it was fully completed in 1904. But the waiting was worth it, and now this extravagant Neo-Gothic building is a true icon of the Hungarian capital being the third-largest parliament building in the world.

But if you are impressed from the outside, just wait to go inside the Parliament. Book a guided tour in advance and admire the beautiful interior. In a 45-minute guided tour, you will see the Main Staircase, the Dome Hall, the chamber, and the lounge of the Chamber of Peers. You have the chance to see the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Holy Crown, but photos in the Dome Hall are forbidden. 

2.See the Shoes on the Danube Bank

When we were done exploring the Hungarian Parliament, we went back along the river to see the erected in 2005 Shoes on the Danube Bank monument. This monument gives remembrance of the victims shot into the Danube by Hungarian Fascist militia (Arrow Cross Party) during World War II. It represents the shoes taken off and left behind before the executions…

3.Explore Castle District

On the other (Buda) side of the river, you will see Castle Hill. Full of history, beautiful architecture with buildings dated back to the 15th century, and outstanding viewpoints, it is a must-visit area of Budapest. The zone contains some of Budapest’s top attractions like Trinity Square, Matthias Church, Fishermen’s Bastion, and Buda Castle. 

Note: It is not difficult to climb the hill, or you can go by bus (we took the bus to Buda side because of the cold winter day). But for a different experience, you can also use the Buda Castle funicular. Just check if it is working now (because of the running renovations in Budapest). I used such funicular for the first time in Lisbon, Portugal. It was a funny experience. So if you haven’t tried such until now, why not try it in Budapest.

4.Instagrammable views from Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion is a lovely spot to visit any time of the year and one of Budapest’s most popular instagrammable locations. You can climb the towers and take incredible photos. It is a place in Budapest where most tourists go for panoramic views and a fairytale experience with all these turrets and archways. (And in December, they were decorated with Christmas lights. So beautiful for night shots!) But be prepared for a very crowded tourist spot. Have you been there when this magical place is covered in snow? Me not, and I really regret it!

5.Don’t miss Matthias Church

Ready with the Fisherman’s Bastion? Then don’t miss the wonderful Matthias Church nearby. With a rich history dating back to the 13th century, Matthias Church played an important role in royal weddings, coronations of Hapsburg Kings, and even as a mosque for around 150 years. You can appreciate its Gothic architecture and the colorful tiled roof from the outside. Inside you will see beautiful ceilings and a detailed painted interior. 

6.The famous landmark Buda castle

One of the most well-known places in Budapest with beautiful views of the city and long history is Buda Castle. Initially constructed in the 13th century, the vast Baroque complex you see today was built in the 18th century, but its role as a palace ended with World War II. Today, it’s home to several museums such as the Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest History Museum. Maybe you would like to go here on a night tour? 

If you are ready with the Buda side, go to Pest and chill a bit. Prepare yourself for the next day. 

DAY 2

7.Panoramic views from St Stephen’s basilica

What else can you visit for 3 days in Budapest? When in Budapest, don’t miss going to one of the most remarkable buildings in the city – St Stephen’s basilica. This church is dedicated to King St Stephen, the founder of Hungary. Outside it is ornate in neoclassical style. Entry is free, but you can leave a small donation. The inside is covered in gorgeous artwork, gold, and marble. Organ concerts are organized inside the church as well. I also recommend climbing to the top of the 18th-century church for some photo opportunities. You will admire a fantastic panoramic view of Budapest, just buy your ticket. 

Note: If your 3 days in Budapest are during the Christmas season, don’t miss the impressive light show on the façade of the St Stephen’s basilica. You can watch it while visiting one of the best Christmas markets in Europe – The Advent Bazilika Christmas market.

8.Budapest from above – the view from Ferries wheel

Just a short walk away from St Stephen’s Basilica, and you will find the Ferris wheel of Budapest. It is a perfect way to have a panoramic view of all city’s sights. That was my second time on a Ferris wheel because I have a fear of heights, but riding the Budapest Ferris wheel was worth it. I truly enjoyed this ride and the fantastic night view of Hungary’s capital. 

9.Check out Dohany Street Synagogue

Another unique place in Budapest is the Dohany Street Synagogue. This remarkable building is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second-largest in the world. You will see a 19th-century synagogue in Moorish Revival style and Byzantine, Romantic, and Gothic design elements. Badly damaged during WWII, Dohany Street Synagogue was renovated in 1991. You can choose between different tickets depending on the guided tours. Unfortunately, the prices are slightly higher than for the other Budapest sights. But it is the right place to learn about Jewish history, so if you are interested, don’t miss this place. Also, check out Wallenberg Memorial Park and the nearby Hungarian Jewish Museum. 

If you decide to visit it, I recommend booking your ticket in advance online to avoid lines. 

10.A walk on Vaci utca

Vaci Street is one of the most famous streets in Budapest, especially in winter. Beautifully lit and decorated for Christmas, it is a lovely place to walk. Of course, you will find a lot of tourist spots, restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops, but they are a bit overpriced, in my opinion, and you can skip them. On the other hand, don’t miss the Central Market Hall at the end of the street (yes, the beautiful big colorful building). Maybe you would like to taste something traditional? If you are a foodie like me, check Budapest’s wine and food tours.

11.Go inside the Cave church

If you continue to Gellert hill on the Buda side, the Cave Church is located directly across the Liberty Bridge. You will easily see it because of the turrets decorating it, but the entrance is around the side. The church was built in the 1920s in a cave previously used by a hermit. Later during World War II, it was used as a hospital. The Cave church was closed until 1989, but now it is open for visits (if you haven’t been to such a place, check it).

12.Hike Gellert Hill

After the Cave church, you can continue to the 235 meter Gellert Hill, which overlooks Budapest and enjoy some of the best Budapest views. This lookout point is very popular at sunset. Here you can see some monuments related to Hungarian history:

-Liberty Statue (1947 – in remembrance of the Soviet liberation of Hungary from Nazi forces during World War II)
-Statue of Queen Elisabeth (the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary)
-Statue of King Saint Stephen (Hungary’s first king)
-Szent Gellert monument (Saint Gerard – first bishop of Csanad in the Kingdom of Hungary, hill named after him).

After the sunset, go back to the Pest side and check some of the famous ruin bars for a unique experience.

DAY 3

13.Visit the House of Terror

Are you ready for the last day of these 3 days in Budapest? Then let’s go to the House of Terror. It is a museum and memorial to the people killed during Hungary’s fascist and communist regimes, focused on the secret police of both parties. You can see reconstructed prison cells and find information about the 1956 revolution. If you are interested, check the exhibits and tickets here. 

14.Where heroes are – Heroes’ square

Every city needs a big green park for weekend escapes, and Budapest has it. City Park is also a vital SPA spot where you’ll find the most popular and biggest thermal baths in Budapest – Szechenyi Baths. 

When you come from the city center you can take Metro 1 to get here, but why? Because it is one of the oldest subway systems in Europe still operating. You can also use a bus, a guided bike tour, or just walk on the wide, full of boutiques and historical buildings, UNESCO World Heritage Site – Andrassy Avenue. So, you will get to Heroes’ Square at the end of the boulevard. It is one of the city’s main squares, built to honor the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian state. You will see a column with the archangel Gabriel at the center of the square, holding the Holy Crown of Hungary’s first king, St Stephen. Around you’ll see 14 statues of the seven chieftains of the Magyars and other influential Hungarian leaders.

15.The fairytale Vajdahunyad Castle 

Another spectacular landmark near Heroes’ Square is the fairytale Vajdahunyad Castle (built 1896 for the Millenium of the country). Walking the castle grounds brings you back in time. The castle’s look contains copies of several buildings from different periods of Hungary’s rule – the most prominent was copied from the Hunyad Castle (Romania). It includes elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Vajdahunyad Castle is beautiful all year round, but it is magical when covered in snow. In winter, the lake in front of the castle becomes the biggest ice rink in Europe. And around the entrance, you can find lovely Christmas market stalls. It houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture as well, the biggest one in Europe.

And if you have more time in Budapest, check out my post on 10 exciting things to do in Budapest in winter. No, some of the recommendations are valid all year round and are not to be missed! For example, when you are in the City Park of Budapest, go to the largest thermal bath in the city – Szechenyi. Here you can spend a few hours in the in- and outdoor mineral pools and relax a bit before going home (top winter activity).

Have you been to Budapest? What do you think about visiting the Hungarian capital? 

Share with me in the comments below! 

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