Ultimate 3 Day Budapest Itinerary for First-Timers (Local Picks!)

Known for its unique ruin bars, fairytale-like castle and iconic cafes, Budapest truly has something to offer for every type of tourist. Budapest may be one of the most beautiful European capitals. I’ve been to Budapest numerous times, and trust me: three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Budapest to explore all the best things to do in Budapest. My complete 3 day Budapest itinerary blends together the best of the city for first time visitors: the best local cuisine, the most iconic sights and the most relaxing hidden gems. Let’s go! 

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Day 1 in Budapest: Walking Tour, St. Stephen’s Basilica and More on the Pest Side 

There is SO much to see and do in Budapest (my complete guide is here)! Let’s get started on day one by exploring the Pest side of the city. 

Walking Tour

Whenever I visit a new city, I like to do a walking tour. In my opinion, it’s the best way to get a lay of the land and understand what you might want to explore more – and what you might want to skip. Walking tours also help you understand the history behind each city. 

In Budapest, I recommend this low-cost walking tour or this longer, small group option with a strudel stop (because strudel). 

St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica is the only building in Downtown Budapest that’s as tall as the Hungarian Parliament – and you simply cannot skip it. Walk around the pretty square around the basilica and head inside. 

The basilica offers stunning mosaics, stained glass and monumental columns. It also houses an important relic: a mummified right hand of St. Stephen. 

If you feel up to it, I’d recommend heading up the dome for 360-degree views of the city. You can grab tickets on the church’s official site for 2300 HUF or $6.00 USD. Alternatively, if you have time, I’d recommend a guided tour to truly understand the beautiful history here.  

This stop will take around an hour. 

Explore Central Market Hall 

What trip to Budapest is complete without a stop at Budapest’s Central Market Hall? Central Market Hall, or Great Market Hall, is the city’s largest and oldest market with plenty of stalls to browse. 

Foodie lovers will adore this market hall which sells plenty of local foods and Hungarian specialties like goulash, chicken paprikash and langos. If you happen to have an Airbnb with a kitchen, this is the place to grab ingredients. 

Pick up some paprika to bring home with you as a souvenir, too! 

Ervin Szabó Library

When most people visit Budapest, they completely skip The Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library. Housed in Wenckheim Palace, this beautiful library is a popular filming location – and for good reason. 

I’ve visited a lot of stunning libraries, but this one has to be one of the most beautiful of all time. 

This beautiful Budapest library blends functionality with historical elegance; it first became a public library in 1931 – now, you can see the ornate staircases, chandeliers, and wood paneling which house more than 2.5 million items. 

Test Out Budapest’s Best Fine Dining 

No trip to Budapest is complete without testing out the city’s up-and-coming fine dining scene. The fine dining in Budapest offers something for everyone, from experimental, modern cuisine to meals focused around sustainability to elaborate, modern twists on Hungarian food. 

Some of my personal favorites include Salt, where Chef Szilárd leads a team dedicated to practicing sustainability in cooking, all while showcasing innovative takes on traditional Hungarian dishes.

Also consider stopping at Babel Budapest, a unique spot which blends traditional cooking with modern techniques in a beautifully historic space which still shows marks from the 1938 Great Flood. We loved both!

Find my full rundown of the best fine dining in Budapest right here. 

Day 2 in Budapest: Explore the Buda Side With Fisherman’s Bastion, the Baths and More! 

On your second day in Budapest, we’ll explore the Buda side of the city. Let’s go! 

Castle Hill: Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church

Let’s start off by visiting one of Budapest’s most beloved sights, Castle Hill. This area comprises a couple key sights. I’d recommend walking up; walk up along the beautiful street of Hunyadi János út. 

Fisherman’s Bastion

At the top of the stairwell, you’ll find Fisherman’s Bastion. This is, without a doubt, one of the most famous spots in Budapest – not just for their panoramic views of the city and the Danube River. The fairytale-like castle is pretty much always crowded, so the earlier you get here, the better. 

Matthias Church

Matthias Church is right next to Fisherman’s Bastion and offers a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture with colorful roof tiles and splendid spires. Of all the churches I’ve seen across Europe, this one truly stands out as a unique and individual spot. It’s absolutely worth the trip. 

This impressive structure was built in the 14th century and was once used as a coronation center for Hungarian kings. It has been rebuilt over the years with a significant renovation in the 19th century, with new wings and architectural elements added on. 

The church opens at 9 AM; buy tickets from the kiosk opposite the church or grab them online here. It’s well worth a visit inside – it’s a beautiful interior with a serene atmosphere. 

If you’re in the area, you have to stop by the famous, 200-year-old family-run pastry shop Ruszwurm Confectionery. The pastries and cakes here are truly some of the most delicious! 

Buda Castle

Buda Castle may be called a castle, but think of it as more of a palace complex. Buda Castle was first built in the 13th century – but the huge Baroque complex you see today was actually built between 1749 and 1769. That’s because the palace was looted during World War II by the Nazis and Russians alike. 

Today, Buda Castle is home to a collection of museums, including the Hugarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, which covers the first four floors of the castle. 

Fun fact: Under the castle, Vlad the Impaler – known today as Count Dracula! – was imprisoned for 14 years.  

Gellért Thermal Bath

What trip to Budapest is complete without a stop to the city’s famous soaking baths? At the bottom of Castle Hill, to the south, you’ll find Gellert Thermal Baths. With their beautiful tile work and unique, historical interior, Gellert Thermal Baths might be one of our favorite spots in the city. 

However, one note: These baths are closed until 2028. Until they open, consider visiting the nearby Rudas Thermal Bath; they’re less ornate, but quiet and peaceful – offering that special thermal bath experience with far fewer tourists. 

Romantic Danube River Cruise

When visiting Budapest, you absolutely must do a river cruise. I know how it sounds – touristy. But there’s truly no other way to experience Budapest than from the iconic Danube River. 

When all the sights are lit up at night, and you’re cruising on the water, trust me: it’s a sight unlike any other. 

This river cruise is my favorite: it’s not too long, offers spectacular views and comes with a nice drink. 

Day 3 in Budapest: Explore Iconic Cafes, The Famous Baths and More! 

Our third day in Budapest offers a cultural look at the city and some of its incredible cafes and nightlife. 

The Iconic New York Cafe

If you’ve been on social media the last couple years, there’s a good chance you’ve seen videos of the Italian Renaissance-style cafe, New York Cafe.

New York Kávéház, or New York Cafe, is perhaps one of the most breathtaking and beloved coffee houses in Budapest. For many decades, it was a popular spot with writers and editors; the most influential newspapers were edited here. 

During World War II, the cafe fell into disrepair. It reopened in 1954 and was returned to its original splendour in 2006. Today, this spot is popular with tourists. If you plan to visit, reserve a spot in advance – the earlier the better. 

Alternatively, if this isn’t your vibe, consider Budapest’s cat cafe – all the profit goes towards helping stray cats.

Walk the Jewish Quarter & Thrift Shopping

The Jewish Quarter is one of the most vibrant and trendy neighborhoods in Budapest – but it’s also an important part of the city’s history. There are more than 100,000 Jews living in the country, many of which pick Budapest as their home. 

The quarter starts in District 7, bordered by Király utca to the north, Erzsébet körút, Dohány utca, and Károly körút. Wandering through the Jewish Quarter is perhaps the best way to explore this beautiful neighborhood, full of quaint shops, trendy cafes and bustling bakeries. If you love to vintage shop, like me, don’t skip Szputnyik shop and Nostalgia Bazaar. 

The Jewish Quarter is also home to some of the best restaurants in Budapest, including Mazel Tov and Macesz Bistro, among others.  

If you want to dive further into the Jewish history here, I’d highly recommend this tour, which offers a unique look at Jewish life in Budapest by exploring some of the most historic spots. 

Széchenyi Thermal Baths

The Széchenyi Thermal Baths are perhaps the most famous thermal baths in Budapest, with their iconic outdoor pools and pale yellow look. If you visit Budapest, you need to soak and relax here at least once. 

Pro tip: These baths can get extremely busy and book up early. I’d recommend this skip the line ticket, which includes cabin rental (critical, so you have somewhere comfortable to change!). You have the option to upgrade with a massage, as well, which can be quite confusing to book otherwise. 

Ruin Bars 

Budapest’s ruin bars are perhaps one of the most unique parts of the city. These bars are unique social spaces in abandoned, derelict buildings, particularly in the former Jewish Quarter. The ruin bars are known for their quirky decor and found objects, giving them a unique vibe. Today, they have transformed into eclectic bars and pubs. 

Start with Szimpla Kert, Budapest’s first and original ruin bar. Inside Szimpla Kert, you’ll find a unique maze of eclectic rooms and courtyards filled with quirky art installations, sculptures and a disused Trabant car – and so much more. 

There’s no entrance fee here, but if you do want to visit, I highly recommend arriving early to beat the crowds. One other thing to note: Sundays, Szimpla Kert hosts a weekly farmers market with live music, produce and a special all-you-can-eat brunch. 

Next, stop by Instant-Fogas, a super-club located in a former dental laboratory; this place came to life after two unique ruin bars merged. 

Not sure where to go? Want to avoid tourists? We loved this ruin bar tour (complete with some incredible street food!) in Budapest which takes you to some of the best spots – without the crazy crowds. 

There are dozens of ruin bars in Budapest – no matter which you pick, you’re guaranteed to find a special and unique space. 

Samantha Tatro

Samantha Tatro is a Czech-American third culture kid who grew up living and traveling abroad. Many years later, after living in California and working as a journalist, she decided to take the leap and move abroad again…this time to Prague, Czech Republic. Samantha started Undiscovered Path Home to help couples and solo female travelers find the courage to visit countries – and locations – off the beaten path. Her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, NBC News, The Adecco Group, and more.