3 Days in Budapest: The Best Budapest Itinerary [2024]

If you’re looking for a destination that offers a variety of experiences, in this 3-day Budapest itinerary, you will see why Budapest is the perfect choice. Beautifully situated on the Danube River, Budapest, formed by merging the medieval cities of Buda and Pest in 1873, offers something for everyone. Influenced by Romans, Turks, Austro-Hungarians, and Soviets, Hungary’s capital is a fascinating place to explore, combining century-old history and modern lifestyle. Whether you’re strolling along the picturesque banks of the Danube, exploring iconic landmarks like Buda Castle and the Hungarian Parliament, or chilling in one of the city’s famous thermal baths, Budapest promises a diverse and exciting experience for every traveler.

At a Glance

Can you 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, and its places and to feel the local atmosphere. So, we should plan every trip very well to get the most out of it!

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 in this 3-day Budapest itinerary, I will guide you to the must-visit places for a short city break in Budapest so you can be prepared for your trip.

The best time to visit Budapest is March-May and September-November, with weather suitable for sightseeing tours. I visited the Hungarian capital in December, a perfect month to feel the Christmas spirit but a bit cold for long walks outside.

Book accommodation on the lively Pest side for fun attractions, quality restaurants, unique ruin bars, famous thermal baths in Szechenyi, and luxury shopping streets. On the other side, Buda is a culturally rich part of the city, and you will need some time for a sightseeing tour here to feel the atmosphere and learn more about Hungarian history.

Known as the “Paris of the East,” Hungary’s capital is not only exciting but also an affordable European city. Budapest is a perfect destination for a long weekend trip all year round. And having a complete list of things to do in Budapest in a couple of days is not difficult. Budapest’s affordability ensures you can enjoy a fulfilling trip without breaking the bank.

In my post about the 10 Exciting Things to Do in Budapest in Winter, you can find more valid ideas 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 in the city.

Let’s dive into a perfect 3-day Budapest itinerary, which includes the best of the city, ensuring you’ll leave with unforgettable memories of this gorgeous city. Below in this travel guide, I will share my experience from my trip to Budapest, and you can find ideas on how to spend 3 days in Budapest. 

DAY 1

1.Tour the Hungarian Parliament

This Budapest itinerary starts with the most recognizable landmark of Budapest that you can’t miss! On the first day of my trip to Budapest, I decided to walk along the Danube River and visit the Hungarian Parliament. 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 even in winter.

Reaching the Parliament, I was 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 and the third-largest parliament building in the world.

But if you are impressed from the outside, wait to go inside the Parliament. Book a guided tour in advance and admire the stunning interior. In a guided tour, you will see the Main Staircase, the Dome Hall, the chamber, and the lounge of the Chamber of Peers. You can see the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Holy Crown, but photos in the Dome Hall are forbidden. The tour guides are knowledgeable and provide exciting insights into the history and architecture of the building. 

2.See the Shoes on the Danube Bank

When I was done exploring the Hungarian Parliament, I went back along the river to see the erected 2005 Shoes on the Danube Bank monument. This monument gives remembrance of the victims shot into the Danube by the 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

This 3-day Budapest itinerary continues with the beautiful Castle District. On the other side of the river (Buda), you will see Castle Hill. Full of history, stunning architecture with buildings dating 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. I’ll provide a brief overview of each of these attractions to help you plan your visit more effectively. 

It is not difficult to climb the hill, but you can go by bus too (I took the bus to the Buda side because of the cold winter day). But for a different experience, you can also use the Buda Castle funicular. I used such a funicular for the first time in Lisbon, Portugal. It was a fun experience. So, if you haven’t tried such yet, 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. For a less crowded experience, consider visiting early in the morning or late in the evening. 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. It is definitely a place to be added to your Budapest sightseeing list, too.

6.The famous landmark Buda castle

Buda Castle is one of the most well-known places in Budapest, with beautiful views of the city and a long history. 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. 

These are the main points for the first day of the Budapest itinerary. Let’s now check out the rest of Budapest’s sights.

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 photo opportunities. You will admire a fantastic panoramic view of Budapest, just buy your ticket. 

If your 3 days in Budapest are during the Christmas season, don’t miss the impressive light show on the façade of St Stephen’s Basilica. You can watch it while visiting one of the best Christmas markets in Europe – The Advent Bazilika Christmas market (learn more about it in my detailed post).

8.Budapest from above – the view from the Ferries wheel

As number 8 on this Budapest itinerary, I recommend something different. 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 the city’s sights, and riding the Budapest Ferris wheel is 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 you should include in your 3-day trip to 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 those of 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 (Nagycsarnok or Vasarcsarnok) at the end of the street (yes, the beautiful, big, colorful building). Opened in 1897, this grand indoor market is the largest and oldest in the city, boasting stunning Neo-Gothic architecture with a beautiful tiled roof, designed by Zsolnay. When you visit, expect a bustling atmosphere filled with colorful stalls offering everything from fresh produce and meats to Hungarian specialties. It’s an ideal place to pick up local delicacies, enjoy authentic Hungarian flavors, or simply soak up the lively market vibe.

Maybe you would like to taste something traditional? If you are a foodie like me, check out 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 directly across the Liberty Bridge. You will quickly 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, add it to your Budapest bucket list and check it out).

12.Hike Gellert Hill

The Budapest itinerary continues with a beautiful viewpoint of Budapest. 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, a hill named after him).

After the sunset, go back to the Pest side and check out some Budapest 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? Our Budapest itinerary continues with 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 too. 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 and is still operating. You can also take a bus, go on a guided bike tour, or just walk on the vast, full of boutiques and historic 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 

Last but not least, on our 3-day Budapest itinerary is another spectacular landmark near Heroes’ Square – the fairytale Vajdahunyad Castle. It was built in 1896 for the country’s Millennium. Exploring 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 also houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, the biggest one in Europe.

If you have more time in Budapest, check out my post on 10 exciting things to do in Budapest in winter. No, some 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 indoor and outdoor mineral pools and relax before going home (top winter activity).

With its rich heritage and warm, welcoming atmosphere, Budapest makes you feel like a local in no time. The city’s charm will likely leave you wanting more. Hopefully, this 3-day Budapest itinerary has helped you uncover the highlights while experiencing a few hidden treasures along the way.

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