Euro Traveler In just a few days you could experience all this beautiful city Budapest has to offer. The city is famous for the beautiful buildings, the numerous museums and the nightlife, of course it has many cultural events too. Whether you are traveling solo or with your partner, here are a few suggestions what you should consider for a short visit to Budapest.
1. What to do in Budapest?
Top Things to Do, See, and Experience in Budapest
If you’re looking for a quick escape, Budapest, Hungary is an ideal destination. It offers a blend of scenic views, rich cultural heritage, and a plethora of activities. From taking a dip in a natural hot spring to feasting on delicious local cuisine, you’ll find countless exciting things to do in Budapest. Here are the top ten things you shouldn’t miss during your visit:
1. Explore Buda Castle Hill – This iconic landmark offers a stunning view of the city and the Danube River. You can walk around the cobbled streets, visit the Royal Palace, and admire the beautiful architecture.
2. Take a dip in the thermal baths – Budapest is renowned for its natural hot springs. Soak in the warm waters while admiring the beautiful surroundings at one of the many thermal baths in the city.
3. Visit the Hungarian Parliament Building – The largest building in Hungary is a must-visit for its stunning architecture, history, and impressive collection of art and artifacts.
4. Stroll along the Danube Promenade – This scenic path offers breathtaking views of the Danube River, the Chain Bridge, and the Buda Castle.
5. Try traditional Hungarian wine and food – Budapest is also renowned for its gastronomy. Savor delicious goulash, Langos, chimney cake, and local wines at one of the many restaurants in Budapest.
6. Visit the famous Ruin Bars – These bars are unique to Budapest, often located in old buildings or abandoned spaces that have been transformed into trendy bars.
7. Take a scenic boat ride along the Danube – Admire the stunning Budapest skyline at night by taking a sightseeing cruise along the Danube River.
8. Enjoy the view from Fisherman’s Bastion – This lookout tower offers a panoramic view of the city and the Danube River.
9. Get lost in the Jewish Quarter – This diverse neighborhood is home to many synagogues, museums, trendy bars, and art galleries.
10. Explore the city’s museums – Budapest is home to many world-class museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Hungarian National Museum, and the House of Terror.
Budget-Friendly Activities and Attractions in Budapest
If you’re on a budget, Budapest offers many affordable activities and attractions. Here are some of the best budget-friendly options:
1. Visiting the open-air markets – Budapest has many large and authentic markets where you can find affordable souvenirs, fresh produce, and local street food.
2. Explore the city on foot – Budapest is a very walkable city, and you can easily explore its many sites and attractions on foot
3. Visit the Hungarian National Gallery – This museum of fine arts offers free admission on Sundays, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious travelers.
If you are planning a short visit to Budapest, you can make a fast and easy list:
Budapest Itinerary for a 3-Day Trip: Making the Most of Your Stay
If you’re short on time, here’s an itinerary to help you make the most of your stay in Budapest:
Day 1: Visit the Buda Castle Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, and the Chain Bridge. In the evening, take a scenic boat ride along the Danube River.
Day 2: Spend the day exploring the Jewish Quarter, which is home to many trendy bars, art galleries, and museums.
Day 3: Relax in one of Budapest’s thermal baths, visit the House of Terror Museum, and sample traditional Hungarian cuisine
– Budapest is famous for its many museums and attractions, so if you want to experience them all, your short visit should start and end with a visit to the largest museum in Budapest, the National Museum.
– Of course, Budapest is also a beautiful city. So, it makes sense to enjoy and to relax for a few days and to visit some other sights, such as the Matthias Church or the castle of Buda.
– For those visiting Budapest to attend an event at the Hungarian National Concert Hall, you should book your tickets in advance, but I would recommend to purchase your tickets at the local tour offices.
– In the evening make sure you visit a traditional Hungarian restaurant, for example Főzelék, a small café that also serves delicious Hungarian desserts.
You can also read Budapest: A Journey Through the Heart of Hungary
Where to stay in Budapest?
Where to stay depends on what type of short visit you want to make to Budapest. If you plan to spend a few nights in the city, then I would recommend to book a hotel in Budapest and to stay in one of the these Top 10 Budapest guesthouses.
Alternatively, if you just plan a day visit to Budapest or to spend only one night there, I recommend to book through booking website . For this short visit to Budapest I recommend staying at Buda Hills villa apartment
Luxury and Comfort in the Heart of Budapest:
Best Hotels Budapest has a wide range of luxury hotels that offer top-notch amenities, spacious rooms, and a central location. Here are the best luxury hotels in the city center:
1. Corinthia Budapest – This grand hotel is known for its elegant architecture, luxurious spa, and 5-star services.
2. Four Seasons Gresham Palace – This art nouveau palace is one of the city’s most iconic buildings, and it offers stunning views of the Danube River.
3. Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest – This hotel is known for its modern design, spacious rooms, and excellent Michelin-starred restaurant.
4. InterContinental Budapest – This hotel is located in a prime spot overlooking the Danube and Buda Castle. It offers stylish rooms, a rooftop bar, and a high-end spa.
Affordable Accommodations in Budapest:
Comfort without Breaking the Bank If you’re on a budget, Budapest has many affordable accommodations that offer comfort and convenience. Here are the top picks:
1. Maverick City Lodge – This chic hostel is located in the heart of Budapest and offers private rooms as well as shared dorms.
2. Hotel Rum Budapest – This stylish boutique hotel offers comfortable rooms, a peaceful courtyard, and a central location.
3. Easyhotel Budapest – This hotel chain promises affordable lodging without compromising on comfort. You’ll find clean rooms and a central location at an unbeatable price.
4. Pal’s Hostel and Apartments – This vibrant hostel offers central location, clean rooms, and a
welcoming atmosphere.
Where to buy souvenirs in Budapest?
If you want to buy souvenirs from Budapest, I recommend to buy them at the markets, so you can buy something from the Hungarian craftsmen. You can buy a bag made in a traditional Hungarian textile factory or from a Hungarian goldsmith.
From Békéscsaba, in the north-western region of Hungary, I recommend to buy a unique souvenir, the famous “Kis Kő”, the traditional wooden wine box.
How to get to Budapest?
Budapest is easily accessible by plane or by bus. A small plane company, called Wizzair, is flying from Sofia to Budapest and also from Vienna to Budapest. Budapest is connected with most of the European countries by the Tiszajenő Airport, which is connected by train or bus. The journey takes a few hours. If you choose to travel by bus, there are also options to get to Budapest with Eurolines or Blue Line trains.
Best Time of Year to Visit Budapest:
When to Plan Your Trip to Budapest?
The best time to visit Budapest is in the summer months, but it is not only very hot in the middle of summer, the season is rather wet and rainy in the beginning and the middle of the summer.
In year (2019), June had the highest temperatures and the lowest rainfall, but you still had to take a raincoat with you. The average high temperature in June is 21°C, the average low temperature is 13°C, the average humidity is 88%. It may rain for a few days in June. But that is not a reason to cancel your trip. Budapest is a very nice city and I suggest to visit it no matter what the weather is. I visited Budapest in July and July is also fine to visit Budapest.
July is the warmest month in Budapest, it is also the month when the tourists are most present in the city. The lowest temperature is 9°C. July is a month for romantic trips, swimming and sightseeing. If you want to see the city at its best, try to visit Budapest in the middle of July. The average high temperature is 22°C, the average low temperature is 16°C, the average humidity is 86%.
The weather is not only hot and rainy in July, but it is also wet and rainy. The average high temperature is 18°C, the average low temperature is 11°C, the average humidity is 84%. There are some sunny days, but the sun is also setting earlier and you have to use your hat and umbrella.
But summer has not only good weather, it is also a wonderful time to visit Budapest. You can enjoy the atmosphere at the Széchenyi Aquapark, the nightlife in Pest, and you can taste delicious Hungarian cuisine. The Széchenyi Aquapark is the biggest city park in Europe. Its largest pool is one of the biggest aqua parks in the world. You can enjoy a swimming bath with a view, or with a big view of the river, you can enjoy the sunset and the night view of the city from the Széchenyi Tower.
The water slide of Széchenyi Aquapark is a huge attraction. Thousands of tourists visit the Park each year. In this season the Aquapark has various exciting water attractions. You can also enjoy the Széchenyi Tower. In the evening you can walk through the huge illuminated waterfalls. You can get there from the Park by a funicular or you can get there by stairs. During the day you can also walk to the Tower through the park. The tower has a lovely view of the castle and the city.
Where to eat in Budapest?
The Hungarian cuisine is one of the most delicious cuisines in the world and the best place to try Hungarian cuisine is in a traditional Hungarian restaurant. But if you are planning to spend one night in Budapest, you can also stay in a boutique hotel, which can offer you an excellent Budapest experience. Here, you will be treated by an excellent Hungarian chef and you can enjoy typical Budapest delicacies, for example the famous Főzelék, the excellent Hungarian dessert.
Hungarian cuisine
Hungarian Food is one of the most delicious and most varied cuisines in Europe. This is the food people go to Budapest for. Some of the main dishes are:
• Sopka. It is a kind of dumpling made of flour and paprika.
• Kishal. It is a special type of rice, which is eaten with meat dishes.
• Pörkölt, or Dömött. It is a type of soup.
• Galuska. A cake with poppy seeds or raisins is served in the Easter time.
• Csirke, or Csirke káposzta, is a kind of chicken soup with dumplings.
• Húszkötő. A hot goulash soup.
• Növényi pörkölt. A vegetable soup.
• Sopos, or szampon is a mushroom soup.
• Húszporsztyő. It is a Hungarian potato soup.
• Sopog. It is a thin bread, which is served with soups.
• Dömött káposzta. It is a kind of stew, which is served with dumplings.
• Nürnberger sült káposzta. It is a mushroom stew.
• Soposztényi piros lángos. It is a sour cucumber soup.
• Sopos. A green vegetable soup.
• Puding. A dessert, which is similar to rice pudding.
• Szikláddal. It is a type of sweet dessert made with poppy seeds.
• Köretes. A type of cakes.
• Túrós káposzta, or pörkölt. It is a kind of goulash soup.
• Csirke, or csiszka. It is a hot goulash soup.
• Kifli. It is a kind of pancake, which is served with sweet honey.
• Dobcsikó. It is a kind of pancake, which is served with sour cream.
• Palacsinta. It is a pastry, which is stuffed with cheese or poppy seeds.
• Csemegekés. They are small pancakes, which are served with jam, honey or butter.
• Csemegei. They are small pancakes, which are served with chocolate, nuts or berries.
• Paprikás dús. It is a type of pancake, which is stuffed with cheese and bacon.
• Baklással. It is a type of pancake, which is served with banana.
• Gombóc. It is a type of pancake, which is served with chocolate and peanuts.
• Eregesszéköt. It is a sweet pancake, which is filled with apples.
For more on traditional Hungraian Cuisine Dishes
Fine Dining in Budapest:
Savoring the Best of the Local Cuisine Budapest has many high-end restaurants that offer gourmet cuisine, fine wines, and a unique dining experience. Here are some of the best restaurants to visit:
1. Onyx – This Michelin-starred restaurant serves modern takes on Hungarian cuisine in an elegant setting.
2. Costes – Another Michelin-starred restaurant that combines French techniques with local ingredients to create unique dishes.
3. Bock Bisztro – This restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere, traditional Hungarian dishes, and a carefully curated wine list.
What I love about Budapest
Budapest is a unique city that is easy to navigate. Many people are surprised when they first enter Budapest because of how small the city is. The city consists of many historical buildings that make the city unique.
While walking through the city, you can see that it is very clean, making the city fun to visit. The streets are clean and the city centre looks like a well-groomed park. Even the buildings look like they have been renovated and there is always something to see in the city.
One thing that I like the most about Budapest is the food and the traditional dishes. The food here is delicious and unique. The traditional dishes here are prepared with fresh ingredients.
Budapest has many attractions and if you stay here for more than a few days, you will probably want to visit all the tourist sites. For example, the Széll Kálmán tér can easily become your second home. Széll Kálmán tér is one of the most popular shopping areas. There are many souvenir shops where you can buy a hat and a T-shirt for your home.
Family-Friendly Attractions in Budapest
If you’re traveling with children, Budapest offers many family-friendly attractions that are both fun and educational. Here are some of the top picks:
1. Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden – This zoo and botanical garden offers a wide range of animals and plants, and it’s a great option for families with young children.
2. Vajdahunyad Castle – This castle is located in the middle of City Park and offers a unique look at Hungary’s architectural history.
3. Margaret Island – This island in the Danube River offers many outdoor activities, including bike rentals, playgrounds, and a water
park.
