Spending only 3 days in Budapest? Here’s our detailed tour guide!
Budapest is a perfect choice either in the summer or in the winter even if you have weeks to spend here or just three days. The Hungarian capital offers a selection of magnificent architecture, beautiful art, rich history, and unforgettable memories. Gamintraveler collected a list of must-visit places you should include in your 72-hour-long journey. Here’s their “3 days in Budapest” tour guide.
3 days in Budapest
Have you ever planned to visit a European city for just 72 hours? That is a long weekend provided your plane lands early on the first day and departs late evening on the last day.
Gamintraveler compiled a list of must-see places you can easily include in your three days without making your schedule too busy. In addition, even the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) can help you with a special pass. The 72-hour Budapest travelcard allows you to embark on an unlimited number of trips on the city’s extensive network of buses, trams, trolley buses and metros. You can even use the trains of MÁV in 2nd class and suburban VOLÁNBUSZ buses within the boundaries of Budapest.
Unfortunately, the travelcard is invalid on the 100E airport shuttle bus connecting Budapest Airport with the city centre. HERE you may read more about the travelcard.
1st day: Buda Castle and the Heart of Pest
Gamintravel wrote that you should spend your first day in Budapest in the city’s heart: the Buda Castle District and the Medieval core of Pest. In the morning, they recommend the Castle District. You may travel there by bus nr 16A. You can embark at Deák Ferenc Square station or the Széchenyi Chain Bridge station.
The key sites are the Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion. You will recognise the church from its colourful tile roof and Gothic spires. Two Hungarian kings were crowned there: Franz Joseph in 1867 and Charles IV in 1916. If you are there, you can see the Carmelite Monastery, the office of the prime minister, and the Sándor Palace, the seat of the President of Hungary. There are multiple palaces under reconstruction in the Buda Castle District, but walking around the multiple-hundred-year-old buildings may be a memorable experience for everybody.
Traditional Hungary dishes for dinner
You can spend your afternoon in the centre of Pest where you may visit the Hungarian Parliament (built between 1885 and 1904), the Chain Bridge (built by the Greatest Hungarian, Count István Széchenyi) and walk on the Danube Promenade, which offers a magnificent view of the Buda side and the Castle District.
Already hungry? The Hungarian gastronomy awaits you in the downtown. We recommend Ráday Street, where you can find traditional Hungarian cuisine with goulash, lángos, chimney cake, and hortobágyi meat pancake. After your dinner, you can have a drink in one of the famous ruin pubs of the 7th district. It takes 15-20 minutes to walk from Ráday Street to the 7th district, but your journey would go through the Palace District, and you may check out even the commanding 19th-century building of the Hungarian National Museum.
2nd day: Heroes’ Square and baths
On day 2, Gamintravel recommends the Jewish Quarter in the 7th district with the Dohány Street Synagogue, Europe’s largest. If you plan to buy souvenirs or taste traditional dishes and foods, go to the Great Market Hall at the end of Váci Street and the Pest side of the Elizabeth Bridge, one of the most beautiful Budapest bridges. On the Buda side of the bridge, you may have a look at the Gellért Hotel and Spa.
In the afternoon, you may continue your discoveries in Budapest in the Heroes’ Square and visit the Museum of Fine Arts. Do not get worried, if you cannot see Budapest’s guardian angel, Gabriel, on the top of the square’s central column because it has been removed for restoration. If you want to go on a walk, you can go to the City Park, where you can find the Vajdahunyad Castle and the Hungarian National Gallery.
Margaret Island and ruin pubs for day 3
On day 3, Gamintravel recommends visiting Budapest’s pearl, Margaret Island. The island is easily accessible with trams 4 and 6. There, you may go for a run on the scenic jogging path, relax at the Musical Fountain or check out the Medieval ruins of the Dominican Convent.
In the afternoon, you may visit Váci Street, Budapest’s famous shopping street and search for some local artisan shops. Or you may relax in your hotel room and prepare for the unique experience of visiting Budapest’s ruin pubs in the 7th district. The most recommended ones are the Instant-Fogas or Mazel Tov. Want to find a good eatery? You may walk around the Kazinczy or Király streets.
When do you plan to arrive?
Read also:
- Planning to come to Budapest? Here are 8 tourist traps you should avoid
- Kürtőskalács lovers rejoice: Budapest’s Chimney Cake Festival returns with international flavours! – details in THIS article
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Get a good street map.
Do what YOU feel.
Don’t pay much attention to the local journos and so-called “travel experts”.
Do be careful in the Great Market Hall, as many things are over-priced. Lehel Market is generally a much better place to buy things.