5 days in Budapest should be enough to discover all the must-sees and exciting activities the Hungarian capital has to offer. Split in half by the iconic Danube, Budapest is known for its unique cityscape which boasts medieval churches, baroque palaces, and elegant streets.
One of my favorite cities in Europe, Budapest is also home to world-class museums and intense nightlife where the infamous ruin pubs are the undisputed stars.
Now let’s stroll around the Hungarian capital together and find out everything you shouldn’t by any means miss out on.
Table of Contents
Where to stay
While century-old Hotel Gellért is closed for renovations, a few other prime accommodation options in the city are:
- Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace — If you’re looking to splurge, this is the right place for you. Overlooking the Chain Bridge and Castle Hill, Art Nouveau Gresham Palace is the most sumptuous and suggestive hotel in Budapest.
- Pest-Buda Design Hotel for a more intimate stay in the heart of Castle Hill. Amid dazzling medieval architecture, this boutique hotel is a stone’s throw from Matthias Church and features cozy rooms with wooden details.
- Alice Hotel is ideal for its proximity to the City Park. This 19th-century villa stands on the splendid Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is lined with boutiques, cafes, and lavish townhouses.
- AK7 Boutique Suites, a budget-friendly alternative in the Jewish Quarter — the heart and soul of Budapest’s party scene — which is a two-minute walk from two subway lines too. Rooms are small but well-equipped.
How to get around
The Budapest Metro is the second-oldest on the planet, behind only the London Underground. Though not particularly extensive, it connects most of the main sights in the capital like the City Park (within which the Széchenyi Baths are located), St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Hungarian Parliament, and the Great Market Hall.
To reach attractions like Margaret Island and Ludwig Museum — or just to soak up the views as you go from one must-see to the next — you can rely on Budapest’s tram network, which serves all the central boroughs. To get to Buda Castle, you can take the Castle Hill Funicular by the western end of the Chain Bridge.
The Ferenc Liszt International Airport hasn’t been linked to the subway system yet, but a 20-minute bus ride will take you to Kőbánya-Kispest, on the southern end of the blue line. Otherwise, you can ride a cab to your hotel in the city, in which case you’ll be welcome to tip 5 to 10%.
Budapest 5-day itinerary
Day 1 (Thursday): City Park and Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Let’s kick off our 5 days in Budapest with a wholesome day at the sprawling City Park to wash away the jet lag.
Established in 1913, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the capital’s grandest bathing facility and boasts both hot and cold pools so you can enjoy it year-round, as well as adventure and Olympic pools. For ultimate relaxation, hire a massage at the Széchenyi spa.
When you’re done lounging in the water, head out to the Gundel Cafe Patisserie Restaurant for the finest contemporary Hungarian cuisine or, for a more traditional affair, to Paprika Vendéglő, which is right outside the park.
Still within the park, don’t miss out on the Mőcsényi Mihály Botanical Garden, the Zoo, and the picturesque Vajdahunyad Castle, which houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture (the biggest of its kind in Europe). You can also hop on a hot-air balloon to gaze upon Budapest from above or have a picnic by the pond.
If you leave by mid-afternoon instead, you’ll have the chance to visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art, a first-rate modern art gallery. The neoclassical buildings stand opposite one another on Heroes’ Square, one of the most imposing in town.
Heroes’ Square marks the eastern end of Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s most glamorous thoroughfare. Here you’ll get to browse the high-end boutiques (or at least window shop), grab a generous slice of Dobos torte in a cafe, catch a show at the ornate Hungarian State Opera, or simply people-watch.
Day 2 (Friday): Pest, monumental and hectic
On our second day, we’ll stick to Pest, the “newer” part of the city on the eastern side of the Danube. Budapest was actually formed in 1873 by the merger of flat Pest, hilly Buda on the eastern bank, and ancient Óbuda to the north. The no. 1 landmark in the area, and perhaps the whole city, is the Hungarian Parliament building, which you can explore through a guided tour.
Afterward, you can wander the beautiful streets of downtown Pest, which are jam-packed with exciting attractions like the Ferris Wheel of Budapest and the Retro Interactive Museum, as well as gorgeous landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Basilica and Liberty Square. Taking a theme tour like a communist historic walk is another great thing to do in the district.
When hunger strikes, you can taste some goulash at the Hungarikum Bisztró or try an off-the-beaten-track option like the Portuguese-Hungarian fusion of the Michelin-starred Essencia Restaurant.
Head off to the lively Jewish Quarter to visit the Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe, and the equally stunning Rumbach Street Synagogue, then take a Jewish heritage walking tour of the history-laden neighborhood.
Linger around a bit longer as this is the place to be in Budapest after hours. Highlights for a spotless dining experience include KönyvBár & Restaurant and Laurel Budapest. Wash your dinner down with a shot of pálinka, Hungary’s national spirit, to start off the night on the right foot.
If you’re unsure where to go — options are never-ending — you can trust a fun-loving local to guide you on a pub crawl. But if that’s not your thing, walk toward Kazinczy Street, That’s where you’ll find Szimpla Kert, the O.G. of Budapest ruin pubs.
Ruin pubs are exactly what they sound like: bars that originally came about as squats of run-down buildings. Szimpla Kert, specifically, is a full-on community center and plays host to live concerts, movie screenings, and all sorts of cultural events.
Day 3 (Saturday): Buda and its hills
Hit the Great Market Hall first thing in the morning to treat yourself to a fresh pastry, maybe a poppy seed roll or a Kürtőskalács, an all-Hungarian spiral cake. Let’s now cross the Liberty Bridge — either on foot or aboard a tram — to discover Buda on the left side of the Danube, shall we?
Climb the shady trails of Gellért Hill Jubilee Park all the way to the Citadella, a 19th-century fortress, to have the whole city at your feet. Take your time, as you’ll be almost 800 feet high.
When you’re down by the riverfront again, hop on a northbound tram and get off by the Chain Bridge, where you’ll take the funicular to reach the summit of Castle Hill.
Perched on top is the majestic Buda Castle, a Baroque palace built upon the remains of a 13th-century castle. Besides fabulous courtyards and huge statues, the gigantic complex houses the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, and Hungary’s National Library.
Keep on walking through the narrow streets of the Castle District to marvel at the gothic Matthias Church and its colorful porcelain roof and soak up another breathtaking vista from the Fisherman’s Bastion lookout.
Going on a historic walking tour or a Buda Castle cave walking tour is a superb way to find out more about the neighborhood’s rich past. You don’t have to leave the hill for dinner: Pierrot Café & Restaurant serves an amazing selection of Hungarian dishes with a modern twist.
Day 4 (Sunday): Margaret Island
On your last morning in Budapest — we’ll be going on a little day trip the next day —, you can pick between a few attractions you haven’t had the chance to see yet. All of them are toward the outskirts of town, so you’ll need to set aside a couple of hours.
The Kiscelli Museum is dedicated to the history of the Hungarian capital. Located in a former Baroque monastery, it’s a perfect spot to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle.
The museum is quite close (not within walking distance, however) to the Szemlő Mountain Cave, which you can meander through with a local guide.
Memento Park, one of Budapest’s most unusual sights, displays a dozen Communist-era statues that were toppled following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
For lunch, go on a food and wine walk around downtown. Then, you can join the flocks of families that’ll spend a sunny Sunday afternoon on Margaret Island, home to one of the most pleasant parks in Budapest.
Stop by the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden, spot the ruins of the Dominican convent, and climb up the Water Tower to view Budapest from a different angle.
By sunset time, head to the charming Margaret Bridge and embark on a sightseeing cruise that you’ll take you to the foothill of Gellért Hill and back. You’ll get to see all of the riverfront main sights of the city while sipping on a refreshing drink.
Day 5 (Monday): Lake Balaton
Our 5 days in Budapest will turn out to be four, as we’ll be spending our last day in Hungary by the peaceful shores of Lake Balaton.
Since Hungary is a landlocked country, the largest lake in central Europe has long been the closest Hungarians could get to a seaside vacation without traveling abroad.
You can hire a there-and-back tour of the lake from Budapest, rent a car to explore it more freely, or take a train from the capital.
Though best enjoyed in the warmer months, when you can swim or paddle board, Lake Balaton is a popular destination throughout the year.
If it’s too chilly to dip in the water when you visit, head to the Tihany Peninsula instead. You can trek multiple trails, tour the thousand-year-old Benedictine abbey, and stop by the lookouts to take in the fantastic views of the surroundings.
The little town around the abbey is also dotted with nice bistros like Gulyás udvar Étterem, where humongous portions are matched to more than fair prices.
In case you have an extra day in Hungary, don’t think twice before booking a cabin or in towns like Balatonfüred and Hévíz on the southern shore. You’ll have plenty of time to savor the area’s top-notch wine and charter a sailboat to discover all the quaint villages along the shore.
Wrap-up
Hardly any other cities in Europe have such a flawless mix of stunning architecture and vibrant culture like Budapest does without being overrun by tourists.
The Hungarian capital is as fast-paced as any global city worth the name but still features the old-world ambiance that we all love about Central and Eastern Europe.
If you’re planning to tour Vienna and Prague on your next trip to the Old Continent, don’t forget to include Budapest in your itinerary. I promise you won’t regret it!
