Two Days in Budapest: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary
One of my favourite city break destinations: here’s how to spend two days in Budapest, including the perfect weekend itinerary and everything you need to know!
This post comes long overdue, as I consistently rave about my trip to Budapest, recommending it to anyone enquiring about the best places for a weekend city break. With loads of great things to do, a buzzing bar culture and relaxing thermal baths to wind down in, Hungary’s capital has all the ingredients for a memorable couple of days.
For a bit of historical context, the Hungarian capital of Budapest was originally formed in 1873, from three seperate independent cites – Buda, Pest and Óbuda. The two key areas you’ll visit in this two day Budapest itinerary are Buda and Pest. While Buda is home to the magnificent Castle District, Pest is the more lively, bustling commercial hub. This itinerary hits the highlights of both sides, as well as the best places to eat and how to spend your evenings on a weekend trip to Budapest!
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Featured image by Nicolás Perondi on Unsplash
Is two days in Budapest enough?
Two days in Budapest is an ample amount of time to see the highlights and get a feel for the city. The major sights are close together, and the city centre is very walkable. This two day itinerary will take you to all the main spots, as well as allowing some time to relax in one of Budapest’s charming thermal baths.
If you’re looking to extend your weekend in Budapest, you could spend a day in Bratislava or take a full day Danube cruise.
When’s the best time to spend a weekend in Budapest?
Budapest’s climate sees a swing from hot summers to cold winters. If you like your temperatures milder, the best times to visit Budapest are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October). June, July and August bring warmer temperatures, and growing crowds for events and festivals.
If you don’t mind the cold, visiting Budapest in December can be a charming experience, with Christmas markets and festive fun. For the cheapest flights and accommodation, consider packing your warmest thermals for a January or February visit.
Be aware that if your two day Budapest trip includes a Monday, some attractions may be closed.
This two-day Budapest itinerary covers the key highlights. Lots of these sights are free, with some paid museum and entry options (listed as optional).
You probably won’t have time to enter every paid attraction, so feel free to pick and choose the ones that appeal to you most!
Two Day Budapest Itinerary: Day 1
To start off your weekend in Budapest, lets go exploring the iconic city sights in Buda.
The Buda Castle District has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, and the area dates back to the 13th century, long before the cities of Buda and Pest joined together. Surviving sieges, battles, and wars, the foundations of the district have a fascinating history – there’s a whole lot of hsistory behind the striking fairytale architecture!
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
If you’re staying on the eastern side of the Danube (which I’d recommend), you’ll make your way across this epic chain bridge to reach Castle Hill. Opened in 1849, it became the first permanent stone bridge in the Hungarian capital, a symbol of the unification of the city’s two sides. Stretching 203m across the Danube, the bridge was designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark.
Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you can walk up the hillside path to reach the main Castle District. (You could also take the quirky furnicular – which costs HUF 3000 (€7.70) for a round-trip – and in my view isn’t really worth the money/queue time).
Buda Castle
The namesake of the district, Buda Castle is an expansive royal residence formerly home to Hungarian Kings. The very first castle on the site was built in the 1400s, and has since been destroyed and rebuilt on multiple occasions.
Today, its home to various museums and galleries including the Hungarian National Gallery and Budapest History Museum (Castle Museum). If you’re short on time or not in a museum mood, you can skip these and enjoy the free-to-access areas of the castle.
Opening Times: The outdoor areas of Buda Castle are open 24/7; museum and gallery opening hours are 10am-6pm (closed Mondays)
Admission Fee: Free (main castle) – museums and galleries have their own prices
Matthias Church
One of the city’s most prominent churches, the Gothic spire of Matthias Church towers above Budapest from the top of Castle Hill. It’s also one of Budapest’s oldest buildings, and has served multiple purposes during its existence, including serving as an Ottoman mosque and coronation church.
Fishermans Bastion
With an appearance reminiscent of a fairytale castle, Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. The original walls here were built in the 1700s, when Castle Hill served as a fortification to protect the city. The current structure was built between 1895-1902, with Neo-Romanesque terraces and towers offering panoramic views across the city.
Opening Times: Fisherman’s Bastion is accessible 24/7
Admission Fee: Most areas are free to enter, but the upper turrets have a HUF 1200 (€3) entry fee.
Where to eat lunch in Buda
Being more tourist-centric, the Buda side of the river can be on the pricier side for lunch, but if you’re starving after your morning of exploring, these spots offer decent value:
Spíler Biergarten (££) – beer house serving pub food with a Hungarian and Bavarian twist. (limited veggie/vegan options)
Lánchíd Söröző (££) – small menu of Hungarian classic dishes with a lively atmosphere
Pater Marcus Apátsági Pub (££) – rustic dishes in a charming basement venue
Szelence Café Health Food Restaurant (££) – a little more out of the way, but this cosy spot offers great vegan and vegetarian lunch options.
If you’d prefer to make your way over the river for more lunch options, scroll down for my guide to Pest lunch spots!
A walk along the Danube
Once you’ve ambled back across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, it’s time to get a look at Buda’s Castle District from the other side of the river. Head north and take in views across to Buda Castle and Fishermans Bastion as the yellow tram rattles by.
Shoes on the Danube Bank
This chilling installation honours the Hungarian Jews massacred by the far-right Arrow Cross Party on the riverbank during the Second World War. They were ordered to remove their shoes, then shot, their bodies falling into the Danube below. Taking a concept by film director Can Togay, sculptor Gyula Pauer created 60 pairs of shoes to represent the shoes that were left behind on the riverbank.
Hungarian Parliament Building
This majestic building is dominates the Budapest river line with its towering gothic spires and enormous dome – you can’t miss it! The working seat of the National Assembly of Hungary, the building was completed in 1904, standing as an emblem the sovereignty of the once-divided city and the Hungarian nation.
You can also take a tour of the Parliament building, which includes the grand Main Staircase, councils of Deputies and the Holy Crown of Hungary. To avoid queueing on the day, book your timed visit in advance.
Saint Stephen’s Basilica
Named in honour of Hungary’s first king, St. Stephen’s Basilica is Hungary’s most sacred Roman Catholic Cathedral. It took over half a century to build, opening to the public in 1905. Two large bell towers house six bells, including the largest in Hungary – the Great St. Stephan bell.
The level of detail in the basilica’s architecture is incredible – from the adorned altars and intricate gold mosaics to the dizzying blue dome ceiling. The dome offers spectacular views of the city, and the Holy Right Chapel contains the mummified hand of St Stephen himself.
Learn more about this spectacular building on a guided tour, with options to include the Dome and Treasury.
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 9am-5.45pm; Sun 1-5.45pm (main church); Mon-Sun 9am-7pm (Dome and Treasury)
Admission Fee: Church only – 2300 HUF (€6); Tower + Treasury – HUF 4300 (€11); Church + Tower + Treasury – HUF 6000 (€15.50)
Vörösmarty Tér
A scenic public square, with a statue of poet Mihály Vörösmarty at the centre. The perfect spot to take a rest and people-watch!
Two Day Budapest Itinerary: Day 2
We’re starting off the second day of this two day Budapest itinerary with some more exploration of Pest. In particular, the inner part of District 7 – widely referred to as Budapest’s ‘Jewish Quarter’. This was the area that Jewish people began to settle in during the late 18th century.
In 1944, the area was turned into a ghetto imprisoning the Jewish people within walls until January 1945, when the ghetto was liberated. During the mid-1900s, a large amount of residents left the area. A resurgence of interest in the area began in the 2000s, when businesses, restaurants and bars moved into the dilapidated buildings, creating a unique cradle of commercial activity.
If you want to dive deeper into the area with a local guide, I’d recommend a Jewish Heritage tour or Alternative Street Art Walking Tour. Otherwise, if you’re looking to explore the area self-guided, these are some key points of interest:
Dohany Street Synagogue (The Great Synagogue)
Europe’s largest synagogue is a focal point for the Jewish community in Budapest, and also an incredible place to visit. The building was inaugurated in 1859, with breathtakingly ornate and intricate decor from Moorish architectural influences.
The building’s endurance through atrocities of the Second World War is an emblem of the Jewish community’s resilience. The complex contains the moving Holocaust Memorial and Cemetery, as well as the Jewish Museum, dedicated to chronicling Jewish ways of life in Hungary.
Opening Times: Sun-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 10am-4pm; closed for visitors on Saturdays
Admission Fee: HUF 5000 (book tickets in advance to skip the line) (€13)
Carl Lutz Memorial
Carl Lutz was a Swedish diplomat who worked to save an estimated 60,000 Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. This tribute sees him as a golden angel, descending to help a fallen man below him. Beside the memorial, an inscribled plaque reads: “Whoever saves a life is considered to have saved an entire world.”
Rumbach Street Synagogue
Originally built in 1872, extensive renovation work has been undertaken to restore this Moorish style synagogue building, which hosts regular concerts, plays and exhibitions.
Opening Times: Sun-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 10am-4pm; closed for visitors on Saturdays
Admission Fee: HUF 500 (€1.30)
Kazinczy Street Synagogue
A smaller yet charming synagogue attended by Budapest’s orthodox Jewish community. The understated exterior contrasts with the blue-ceilinged interior with gold-painted detail.
Opening Times: Sun-Thu 10am-6pm; Fri 10am-4pm; closed for visitors on Saturdays
Admission Fee: HUF 1000 (book tickets in advance here) (€2.50)
Street Art in Pest
Budapest’s street art is widespread and often conveys powerful messages relating to important events in Hungarian culture and history.
The highest concentration of mural art in Budapest can be found within District V. The most notable pieces include:
Rubik’s Cube (Rumbach Sebestyén utca 5): The famous Rubik’s Cube was invented here in Budapest, and this towering tribute to the iconic toy was painted in 2014 to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Sissy (Rumbach Sebestyén utca 11–13): A vibrant purple mural dedicated to ‘Hungary’s Favourite Queen, Empress Elisabeth – known as ‘Sissy’ or ‘Sisi’.
6:3 Match of the Century (Rumbach Sebestyén utca 6–10): A sporting piece that commemorates Hungary’s 6-3 victory against England in 1953.
Angel of Budapest (Dob utca 4): Dedicated to the Spanish diplomat Ángel Sanz Briz, responsible for the rescue of around 5000 Hungarian Jews from deportation to Auschwitz.
Love Thy Neighbour (Dob utca 40): A simple yet poignant piece, the previous red heart here was repainted in the colours of the Ukranian flag in 2022.
Man of the Year (Wesselényi utca 40): A Time magazine cover, depicting a Hungarian freedom fighter being named ‘man of the year’ in 1957.
Alice (Kertész utca 27): A giant Alice in Wonderland inspired memorial where she can be seen in a house she’s too big for, inspired by recognising and fulfilling. the potential of children.
Where to eat lunch in Pest
Whether you fancy a sit down lunch or grabbing some street food on the go, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to grab a bite from in Pest!
Belvárosi Disznótoros (£): Self-service budget cafe where you can choose from a variety of dishes including traditional meats.
Langos Papi (£): You absolutely HAVE to try langos on a visit to Budapest! This Hungarian traditional street food sees sour cream, cheese and other toppings thrown onto a deep fried dough base. Best enjoyed from a takeaway counter.
Mazel Tov (££): An upmarket take on the Budapest ruin bars, offering Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fusion fayre in an ‘urban garden’ setting.
Street Food Karavan (££): Street food market with a variety of stalls (open March-October only)
Vegan Garden (££): Fully vegan spot offering a variety of burgers, pizza, risotto and pasta dishes
For your afternoon activities, head to Városliget City Park (a short metro ride to Hősök Tere, or around 30mins walk).
Heroes Square
The towering Millennium Memorial overlooks this important city square. Completed in the early 1900s, it commemorates the thousandth anniversary of the conquest of the Carpathian Basin, and the foundation of the earliest documented Hungarian State.
Statues of important historical figures line the square, including seven kings and the founders of the Hungarian nation.
Thermal Baths
Spending a couple of hours visiting the thermal bath in Budapest is a great way to relax after a busy weekend, so if you’ve got two days in Budapest – pack your swimwear! (if it’s not your vibe – skip to the next section for some other ideas…)
Hungary has more than 1300 thermal springs, and the waters are said to have medicinal properties. Budapest itself is home to 132 of these springs, earning it the nickname of ‘City of Spas’. Across Budapest, you’ll find nine medicinal bath complexes, each offering unique architecture and a range of thermal pools and services.
Two of the most popular thermal baths in Budapest are Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Gellért Thermal Bath. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is conveniently located in Városliget City Park.
Not sure what to expect from one of Budapest’s most iconic attractions? Read my full guide to visiting Széchenyi Thermal Bath!
Alternative Option: Városliget City Park
If you haven’t packed your swimwear or simply don’t fancy a dip, you could spend some time in Városliget City Park enjoying the scenery, and checking out some of its popular attractions.
A beautiful city oasis of greenery, Városliget covers 100 hectares and contains multiple museums, galleries and attractions.
Vajdahunyad Castle
This impressive fairytale-Gothic castle is actually a copy of Hunyad Castle in Romania, with a mixture of architectural styles across the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
While the castle itself doesn’t have particular links to vampiric stories, keep an eye out for the bust of actor Bela Lugosi, the actor best known for playing Dracula, on an external wall.
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm
Admission Fee: Free (entry to the Museum of Agriculture inside is HUF 2500)
Looking for something off the beaten track to do in Budapest? Journey through the forest of Buda Hill on the Children’s Railway!
An evening exploring Budapest’s ruin pubs
To see out your two days in Budapest, get acquainted with the highlight of the city’s nightlife and visit a quirky ruin pub!
Budapest’s ruin pubs came about when derelict, abandoned spaces were taken on by locals and turned them into watering holes. Complete with retro decor, thrift store furniture, the walls are covered in paintings and writings from local artists and visitors over the years.
Szimpla Kert is undisputedly the most iconic of Budapest’s ruin bars. Get lost in the maze of rooms, each decorated in the same eclectic style but with their own different vibe; or soak up the vibes in an outdoor courtyard. Check out my full Szimpla Kert guide to find out what it’s all about!
Other ruin bars to add to your Budapest pub crawl itinerary include:
Instant-Fogas: Two original ruin bars merged together to become the ultimate party complex, with multiple club rooms playing different genres of music.
Csendes Létterem: A more laidback ruin bar experience, but still with the same quirky decor.
Füge Udvar: A palace of fun, with arcade machines, air hockey, table football.
In the mood for a big night out with fellow travellers? Join a ruin bar pub crawl!
Two Days in Budapest: Travel Guide
Language: Hungarian, with English widely spoken well in tourist areas
Currency: Hungarian Forint. Most places accept card payment, and ATMs are easy to come by.
Weather: Cold winters that can reach sub-zero temperatures, and warm, sunny summers.
Time Zone: GMT+2
Emergency number: 112
How to get to Budapest
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is around 20km south of the city.
The easiest way to get from Budapest International Airport to the city centre via public transport is to take the 100E Shuttle Bus from Terminal 2 to Deák Ferenc Tér, in the centre of Pest. The bus departs every 7-10mins during the day, and every 30-40mins at night. A one-way ticket costs HUF 2200 (€5.60), with tickets available at the point of departure at each end.
The quickest way to get from the airport to your hotel is by taxi. Bolt is available in Hungary, and a journey to the city centre will cost somewhere around HUF 6,800 – 8,000 (€17-20).
If you’re travelling solo, a shared airport transfer (from €12pp) will be cheaper than a taxi.
Getting around Budapest
The central areas of Budapest are easily walkable, with the main sights in easy distance of each other.
There’s also a public transport system consisting of metro trains, buses and trams. The metro in particular is useful for getting to slightly further away spots, such as Városliget and Széchenyi Thermal Bath.
Budapest’s metro consists of four lines, numbered from 1-4, with interchanges in the city centre. A single ticket costs HUF 450 (in advance) or HUF 600 (on the spot). Tickets can either be bought on the BudapestGO app, or at ticket machines at stations. Tickets must be validated at a validating machine before use.
Over 40 tram lines run through metropolitan Budapest, and they’re a fun way to get around while seeing the sights. In particular, tram line 2 runs alongside the riverbank, offering views of Buda’s Castle District. As with the metro, a single ticket costs HUF 450 (in advance) or HUF 600 (on the spot).
Where to stay in Budapest
On our visit, we stayed at Friends Hostel & Apartments, on the outskirts of District 7, around half an hour’s walk from the Danube. Cosy and welcoming, our apartment had its own kitchen, which was great for making breakfast in the mornings.
Want to widen your search? Check out these accommodation options in Pest for all budgets:
Avenue Hostel (£) – affordable dorms – standard and ‘capsule’ style – and private rooms
Das Nest (£) – charming, characterful hostel with a quirky kitchen and social area – dorms & private rooms
Vagabond Broadway / Vagabond Downtown (££) – simple, relaxed hotels, close to the Jewish Quarter
Bohem Art Hotel (££) – unique, colourful spot that incorporates the work of local artists
Hotel Rumour (££-£££) – contemporary boutique hotel with sleek, modern decor
Hotel Oktogon Haggenmacher (£££) – upmarket hotel in a restored historic building
Áurea Ana Palace (££££) – palatial 5* hotel in a 19th century stately building
