Two days in Budapest
Are you planning a trip to Budapest? Then you’re lucky because you can see all the city’s highlights in just 2 days.
Budapest is one of the prettiest European cities. You’ll find stunning architecture, romantic castles, world-famous thermal baths, cool ruin bars, and delicious cuisine.
This guide is perfect if you only have 2 days in Budapest but want to see the best things. So, go ahead and plan your trip!
Best time to visit Budapest
Budapest is beautiful year-round.
Spring in Budapest means flowers blooming everywhere, the crowds have yet to arrive, and the sun is shining.
This is also one of the best times to visit Budapest, as the tourists are still at home, giving you time to explore the city at your leisure. The thermal baths are an absolute MUST (though they’re lovely all year).
Please remember to pack an umbrella since spring weather can be unpredictable.
Much like many other European destinations, Budapest’s summer is peak season.
With the larger crowds comes higher price tags. Expect to pay more for hotels and tours. Book your tickets and accommodation in advance to avoid paying those higher prices.
Come September, the summer crowds have started to trickle out, and prices begin to drop again.
When most people think of vacationing in Budapest, they don’t think of doing so during winter. And while winter in Budapest can be slightly bleak with rain and cold weather, you can escape the cold by visiting Budapest’s museums and castles or take the time to soak in one of Budapest’s 100 thermal baths. I highly recommend Széchenyi! And don’t forget to visit the Christmas markets, where you’ll find plenty of delicious goodies and festive souvenirs.
Getting to Budapest
Most likely, you will be arriving at Liszt Ferenc International Airport, located 16 km (10 miles) southeast of the city center of Budapest.
Getting to the city center from the airport is easy, and you have several options.
There is a range of Budapest airport to city center transport options to suit all budgets, from the super cheap and efficient 100E Airport Express bus to the more luxurious private transfer options.
The best way to get from Budapest Airport to the city center is through the 100E Airport Express bus.
It’s an easy, affordable option for travelers of all types with three separate city center stops, including Kalvin Square, Astoria, and Deak Ferenc Square, and return.
The Airport Express bus runs daily, taking 30-45 minutes.
Alternatively, there is a 200E bus that runs from Budapest Airport to the Kobanya-Kispest Metro Station, at which point you can change the M3 Metro to Deak Ferenc Square in the city center.
This option is cheaper but inefficient and a waste of time for those staying in the city center.
Avoid waiting for public transport with a MiniBUD shared airport shuttle bus transfer (book here).
The benefit to an airport shuttle is multi-layered – not only are you able to book the shuttle before you arrive, but it also drops you off and picks you up from your hotel, taking the stress out of lugging your bags around Budapest’s tight city streets looking for your hotel or Airbnb.
When you reach the airport arrivals terminal, you can visit the MiniBUD information points to validate your voucher. Once your voucher has been scanned, you can board the shuttle bus. The service also runs 24 hours – perfect for those horribly timed Ryanair or EasyJet flights.
If you have the budget, a hassle-free Budapest Airport to city center transfer option is via private car (book here).
Get picked up from Ferenc Liszt International Airport and drop off directly to your accommodation choice in a luxurious car with an English-speaking professional driver.
While Uber does not exist in Hungary, the ride-share app Bolt does and is a cheap and efficient way of getting from the airport to your accommodation.
I’ve used this service regularly in the city and think highly of it – the drivers are friendly, helpful and efficient.
You can download the app before you arrive and arrange a registered taxi as you leave the airport arrivals hall. It’s super easy, and I’ve never had a problem. You should note that unregistered Budapest taxis are notorious for causing problems, so always use Bolt in the city.
Getting around in Budapest
Luckily, Budapest is a walkable city, so the best way to get around is by foot! Most tourist attractions are in the city center, quite close to each other. If you follow this 2 days in Budapest itinerary, you will see that it’s easy to get around without public transportation.
If you prefer walking less, you can use public transportation. Budapest has 4 different metro lines and countless tram and bus lines.
You can find ticket vending machines around the city, especially at metro or tram stations.
You also have the option to buy a Budapest travel card for 24 hours or 72 hours, which grants you unlimited access to all public transport except the 100E bus (airport shuttle). This is an excellent option if you plan to use public transport often, but if you follow this 2 days in Budapest itinerary, you will not need it!
Like in any other major city, you can use taxis to get around. I recommend using Bolt to order a taxi.
Budapest 2 days itinerary
If you want to spend a perfect two days in Budapest, I recommend spending three nights in the city.
Below is a summary of the 2 day Budapest itinerary I recommend for first-time visitors
- Day 1: Home of Franziska, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Buda Castle, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, High Note SkyBar, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Shoes on the Danube River, Hungarian Parliament, Danube River Cruise
- Day 2: New York Café, Heroes’ Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, City Park, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest Eye, Jewish Quarter, Citadel
How to spend 2 days in Budapest
Day 1 in Budapest
Have breakfast at Home of Franziska
You can find many incredible breakfast places in Budapest, but unfortunately, there are not many on the Buda side of the city.
Located a few minutes from the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Home of Franziska has everything from various eggs, pastries, and waffles to yogurts, oatmeals, and smoothie bowls. You can check their menu here.
Explore the Fisherman's Bastion
Strolling the grounds of Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the best experiences in Budapest. Since it gets crowded during the day, visiting first thing in the morning is the only way to avoid the crowds.
Watching the sunrise from here can be lovely, but only if you don’t mind waking up super early 😉
The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most iconic Budapest landmarks; it’s a panoramic lookout tower on the Buda side of the city. It’s one of the most breathtaking buildings in Budapest! The area feels like you just stepped into a fairytale.
You can see the Danube River and the whole Pest side from the towers, including the Hungarian Parliament and the St. Stephen Basilica. This is also one of Budapest’s best photography locations, so remember to bring your camera!
Most of the Fisherman’s Bastion is free to visit, but you must pay a small entrance fee for the upper towers.
The upper towers are free to visit in winter (between 16th October and 15th March), on 20th August (a Hungarian national holiday), and during early morning visits.
See the beautiful Matthias Church
The Matthias Church is part of the Fisherman’s Bastion, so you can visit both simultaneously.
It was used as a coronation church by Hungarian kings for centuries, and it’s still one of the most unique churches in Europe today.
If you would like to see the interior, a ticket is required.
Visit the Buda Castle
The Buda Castle is one of the most important historical buildings in Hungary and one of the most beautiful castles in Europe.
It was home to the Hungarian kings for centuries, but today, it’s no longer functioning as a castle. The former castle building now houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
If you’re not a museum person, it’s still worth going to Buda Castle. And if you have only 2 days in Budapest, I recommend skipping the museums. But the castle and the surrounding area look incredible, and the view is breathtaking! You can see basically the whole Pest side from up there.
Going down from the castle, you have two options: walking or using the funicular. The funicular is very cute and is a unique experience that takes 1-2 minutes.
Walking down is also lovely, and you can get a fantastic view of the Pest side of the city!
Cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Budapest has eight bridges, but the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous. It was the first permanent bridge built on the Danube River in Budapest!
The bridge is 375 meters long, and two giant lions guard both bridgeheads. Crossing the bridge is one of the best things to do in Budapest as it offers incredible views on both the Buda and Pest sides.
Coffee/lunch at the High Note SkyBar
The High Note SkyBar is one of the best rooftop bars in Budapest. The bar is located inside the Aria Hotel Budapest.
The bar offers a wide selection of cocktails, bar food, and a separate lunch menu. The food is absolutely amazing!
And let’s talk about the views! The terrace is big, so you can have a 360 view over Budapest. They have two private boxes: one offers an up-close view of the St. Stephen’s Basilica and the other of the Budapest Eye.
You can reserve these in advance, or if the bar is not so busy, you can go up there for a photo and enjoy some of the best views in Budapest.
Visit St. Stephen's Basilica
You need a closer view after you admire St. Stephen’s Basilica from the rooftop bar.
The St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest, and it’s an absolute must-visit on every Budapest itinerary.
Even if you’re not into churches, I recommend going in because the interior is breathtaking!
But the most fantastic part of the Basilica is that you can go up to the Panorama lookout with a 360 view over Budapest! The Panorama lookout’s opening time differs every season, so be sure to check it out on the official website in advance.
Travel tip for visiting in winter
You can watch the sunset from the Panorama lookout in winter, so it might be worth planning your trip to Budapest around this fact!
If you visit Budapest in November or December, check out the Christmas market in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica! It’s one of Budapest’s best Christmas markets, and a light show is projected on the Basilica.
It’s a magical experience, and the market has already been voted one of Europe’s best Christmas markets, so it’s definitely worth adding it to your 2 days in Budapest itinerary.
Pay your respects at the Shoes on the Danube Bank
The next stop on your 2 days in Budapest itinerary is the Shoes on the Danube Bank.
The shoes are a haunting tribute dedicated to all the Jews who lost their lives during World War II in Budapest. Nearly 20,000 were killed along the Danube Bank and were forced to remove their shoes before the gunfire.
Therefore, the monument consists of 60 iron-made shoes along the Danube River that stand in memory of those who tragically lost their lives.
Admire the Hungarian Parliament
This is one of the most significant landmarks in Budapest.
The Hungarian Parliament is one of the largest buildings in Hungary, 96 meters high; it’s also the third-largest parliament building in the world. There are no words for how gorgeous it is in real life!
Book your ticket in advance to see the Hungarian Parliament from the inside.
How to spend 2 days in Budapest
Day 2 in Budapest
Start your day with a fancy breakfast at New York Café Budapest
Start day two with a fancy breakfast at one of the most gorgeous restaurants in Budapest.
The New York Café is the most beautiful coffeehouse in Budapest. And I’m not exaggerating, not even a bit! Trust me, it will blow your mind!
The coffeehouse is inside the New York Palace building, one of Budapest’s most beautiful buildings. The building is also home to Anantara New York Palace Budapest.
Their menu has a wide selection of food and drinks, including many famous dishes from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, like Wiener Schnitzel, beef goulash, Somlói sponge cake, or strudels.
The cafe is on the pricier side, which is unsurprising; it’s in a 5-star hotel. I recommend splurging for the experience; it is worth it!
Check out the Heroes Square
Budapest is a walkable city, and most listed locations don’t require transportation. However, your next stop will be Heroes Square, far from the New York Café.
If you like walking, you can still do that – it’s a 30-minute walk from the New York Cafe to Heroes Square. Plus, you can walk through Andrássy Avenue, which is a fantastic experience!
But if you’re feeling lazy after experiencing all these fantastic things in Budapest, you can use Bolt taxi, the M1 metro, or the tram Number 4 or 6.
Heroes Square is the largest square in Budapest. You can find a statue of Archangel Gabriel surrounded by the statues of the seven chieftains of the Magyar tribes and other influential Hungarian national leaders on both sides. The monument was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000-year-old history of Hungary.
Stroll around the City Park and visit Vajdahunyad Castle
Behind Heroes Square, you can find the biggest park in Budapest, the City Park. It’s a nice place to escape from the busy city and stroll around in nature after a hectic 2 days in Budapest.
You can find many interesting places inside the park, like the Budapest Zoo, the Gundel Restaurant, a boating lake that transforms into the biggest ice-skating rink in Europe during the winter months, the Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, and a couple of museums.
Relax at Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Exploring a new city is always wonderful, but it can be exhausting. There are just so many things to do in Budapest in 2 days! So visit the Széchenyi Thermal Bath because you deserve a few hours of relaxing.
With its iconic yellow building, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the most famous in Budapest and one of the best.
You can find different kinds of pools inside and outside as well. It’s also worth visiting the outside pools in winter because the thermal water is always warm.
Go for a ride on the Budapest Eye
Did you know that Budapest has a giant Ferris wheel, too? It’s called Budapest Eye, located in Erzsébet Square, right behind Deák Ferenc Square.
Getting to the Budapest Eye from the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is pretty straightforward. You must walk back to the Heroes Square metro station and take the M1 metro line to the Deák Ferenc Square metro station.
You can also use a Bolt taxi (which I prefer and recommend!).
Explore the Jewish Quarter
One of the most exciting parts of any 2 days in Budapest itinerary is the Jewish Quarter. It’s full of historical landmarks like the Dohány Street Synagogue and home to Budapest’s most fantastic ruin bars and street food courts.
You can wander around for hours in this district, but if you don’t have much time, try to visit at least the Szimpla Kert ruin bar.
Go up to the Citadel for sunset
The Citadel is a fortification located on the top of Gellért Hill and has one of Budapest’s best views. The views are also spectacular during the day, but if you want to see real magic, go there for sunset! It’s the perfect place to end your 2 days in Budapest itinerary.
Going by public transportation is possible – but I recommend taking a taxi.
Visiting Budapest is a must for anyone who loves history, culture, and adventure. From the stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage to the vibrant night scene, Budapest has something for everyone.
Whether you want to soak in a thermal bath or explore a ruin pub, this city will enchant you with its charming atmosphere and friendly locals.
Despite its turbulent past, Budapest has emerged as a vibrant and thriving city that will leave you in awe of its beauty and charm. So pack your bags and come explore this enchanting city, where the past and present blend seamlessly to create a unique experience that you will remember.
