Budapest is a city with so much to do. As a major city in the Austria-Hungarian Empire that was born of two separate cities (Buda and Pest), you’ll find more historical sights than you could visit in a week. But most travelers don’t have a week, so I’ve condensed the best of Budapest into what I’d consider a great two days in Budapest. It covers all of my favorite sights in Budapest and because of that, it’s a busy two days.
Two Days in Budapest
This is not the only way to spend two days in Budapest, but as I mentioned, it’s what I would recommend to first time visitors. It is loosely based off my own trip to Budapest, with modifications to make the best use of your time.
Day 1
Today we start with some of the most iconic sights of Budapest. See the iconic Hungarian Parliament and stroll through Castle Hill.
9:00 – St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István Bazilika)
There’s a lot to see in Budapest and I recommend starting with St. Stephen’s Basilica. Part of the reason for this is because there’s a lot to see and since many sights don’t open until 10:00 you need to start with the sights that open early to make the best use of your time.
So, start with St. Stephen’s Basilica. We’ll see a few religious buildings over the next two days, but this is my favorite. The exterior is cool, but the interior is one of Budapest’s great sights. It’s beautifully decorated with gold and marble. While it’s dark inside, the spectacular interior is still visible.
Buy your tickets in a shop nearby the Basilica (not at the Basilica itself). I didn’t purchase my ticket in advance, but since I got there as soon as it opened, I had no problems purchasing a ticket at the ticket office.
Check up to date prices and hours at the official website.
Note that the Basilica typically has shorter hours on Sunday when it doesn’t open until 1:00 pm. Keep that in mind as you plan your trip.
10:00 – Stroll the Parks & Squares
Take your time as you make your way to the Hungarian Parliament. Directly it’s only a 15 minute walk, but enjoy it.
Head slightly south and check out Elizabeth Park (Erzsébet Tér), named after Queen Elizabeth (Sisi). You’ll find an actual park, a large ferris wheel, and what appears business set up in a whole in the ground. This was eventually going to be the new National Theater, but plans changed after the foundation was already dug. Now it’s a parking garage and nightclub.
Work your way back north toward Parliament and along the way stroll through Liberty Square (Szabadság Tér). Believe it or not, you can find two statues of American presidents here (Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush). So why are there statues of US Presidents in Hungary? Well, the statue of Ronald Reagan was erected as a way to try to appease U.S. officials in 2011 when the new Fidesz party took control of Hungary and started rolling back democratic reforms. The statue of George H.W. Bush was the first sitting U.S. President to visit Hungary (shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Iron Curtain).
Keep walking until you reach the Hungarian Parliament.
11:00 – Hungarian Parliament
Perhaps the most iconic sight in Budapest is the Parliament Building. The exterior is striking with its spiky tours and red dome. While it’s cool up close, we’ll get a much better view later in the day from the other side of the Danube River.
But seeing the building from the outside is only one way to experience it. For the full experience, take a tour to visit the interior of the building. A guided tour is the only way you’ll be able to visit the interior. Tours last 40 minutes and tickets can (and should!) be purchased online in advance.
Unfortunately I don’t have first hand experience in the tour. Two weeks before my trip, I went online and all of the tickets were completely sold out. So, the moral of my story is to book your tour tickets more than two weeks in advance. Otherwise, you’ll need to be content to just see the building from the outside.
Check up to date prices and hours at the official website.
12:00 – Stroll the Promenade
From the Hungarian Parliament, we’ll start working our way down along the Danube toward the Chain Bridge. While you could walk the streets, look for stairs that will lead you down to the river and walk along the Promenade. You’ll get excellent views of the Castle Hill area which is where we’re heading once we cross the bridge.
From here, you’ll be able to see Buda Castle, perched high on a hill toward the left. The spiky, white cathedral spire marks Matthias Church, which we’ll also visit. But for now, enjoy the walk along the river and promenade.
As you stroll, keep an eye out for the Shoes on the Danube. This is a memorial for Jewish victims who were executed and left to fall straight into the river.
12:30 – Cross the Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge was the first bridge to connect Buda with Pest. It gave people an easy and convenient way to cross between the two cities and allowed Budapest to become united as one. During World War II, as the Soviets closed in on Budapest, all of the bridges connecting Buda and Pest were destroyed. Obviously they were rebuilt after the war and Chain Bridge remains iconic to this day.
As you walk, gaze up at the area you’ll be exploring soon.
1:00 – Castle Hill (including Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastian)
Head up Castle Hill. From the Chain Bridge, head to the left. Near the castle gardens (Várkert Bazár) look for some stairs heading up to the castle. Don’t worry though, it’s not a hike all the way up (unless you really want it to be and I don’t recommend it). From the top of the stairs, head right and look for an escalator that will take you up most of the way. Then at the top of the escalator, continue straight toward a rust covered canopy and take the elevator the rest of the way up.
Yes there’s a funicular that could take you up, but if you’re up for a bit of stairs (I promise it’s nothing too strenuous), save the money for the Matthias Church entry fee at the top of Castle Hill.
So what do you see in this area? Well first and foremost, take in the views from up here. You’ll get a great view looking back at Pest. Notice the difference in terrain. Pest looks downright flat, but over towards Buda, you’ll see that it sits at the base of the Hungarian Alps.
The Buda Castle Complex houses many museums and while you could stop in to the National Gallery or one of the many other museums, take a wander through and save your museum energy for some other sights. Work your way through the complex where you’ll eventually reach Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastian.
Matthias Church is one of the most important churches here in Budapest. While I think that St. Stephen’s Basilica had a more impressive interior, Matthias Church has a more fascinating history. Here’s where Franz Josef was crowned King of the then Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The banners hanging in the church are still from his coronation.
Nearby is Fisherman’s Bastian which has a great view, including a great view of the Hungarian Parliament, but I don’t think it’s worth it. Sure you can pay to go up the steps, but why pay when you could go just a bit to the side and get a near identical view for free. I think the fee for Fisherman’s Bastian exists just to make extra money for the city. Sure you might get a few less tourists in your photos, but is that alone really worth it?
Tickets for both Fisherman’s Bastian and the Matthias Church can be found at a stand nearby, though there are separate lines for each sight. For Matthias Church, there’s a few different options, but I think that just doing the church interior is sufficient.
Check up to date prices for Matthias Church and hours at the official website.
Note that the Matthias Church typically has shorter hours on Sunday when it doesn’t open until 1:00 pm. Keep that in mind as you plan your trip.
3:00 – Parliament Viewpoint
Before you cross back over to the Pest side of Budapest, stop to take in a view of the Hungarian Parliament. Yes, you will have seen it from Castle Hill and Fisherman’s Bastian, but I recommend heading just a bit further up river. Near Batthyány Ter station is an incredible view. Head here and get a great view before heading back across the river.
3:30 – Relax in a Cafe
The rest of the afternoon is yours. Like Vienna, Budapest also has a great cafe culture. So find a table, enjoy a coffee and dessert, and relax a bit before another very busy day in Budapest.
A Note
As usual, I didn’t include a stop for lunch in this itinerary. If you stop for lunch, try to stop before crossing over into Castle Hill. It’s very touristy and you’re likely to just find overpriced mediocre food. Try to grab lunch in Pest before crossing the Chain Bridge. You’ll likely be able to find a better deal and some better food.
This will adjust your itinerary slightly, but if you find a good lunch spot, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
Day 2
Your second day in Budapest covers some more great sights. Visit the largest synagogue in Europe, learn about Nazi and Soviet occupation in Budapest, and end your day with a relaxing soak.
9:00 – Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall, or Central Market Hall, is a one stop shop for fresh produce, meats, and so many other goodies. While many locals still come here for their fruits and veggies, it’s now also a big tourist attraction. As you enter, take in just how big the place is. Also notice that the floor feels slightly angled. To the left, or on the downhill slope, you’ll find a more local vibe with plenty of Hungarians looking for their produce.
Down the middle aisle and all along the second floor, you’ll find all sorts of tourist souvenirs. Many are so similar to what you’d find in the city, but it can be fun to browse and even purchase here for the experience. You’ll also find some food stalls on the top level, but from what I saw, it mostly seemed to be tourists.
Take a stroll and explore the market.
Check up to date hours at the official website.
10:00 – Great Synagogue
Did you know that Budapest is home to the largest population of Jewish people anywhere in Europe? Despite the decline in population as a result of the Holocaust, Budapest still has a large Jewish population and with that comes the largest synagogue in Europe. Not only that, it’s the second largest synagogue in the world.
A visit here is steep in price, I won’t lie about that. What your ticket gets you though is entrance into the synagogue which is another of Budapest’s great interiors. Notice how it feels more Catholic than you might expect in a synagogue. It’s possible that this is because the architect designed the synagogue to appease the nearby Catholics.
You’ll also get entrance into a museum that shows a collection of everyday Jewish objects. There’s also a mass grave for victims of the Holocaust as well as a memorial for those who lost their lives.
Check up to date prices and hours at the official website.
Note that the synagogue is closed on Saturdays. Plan your time accordingly.
11:00 – Jewish Quarter
Since you’re in the area, take some time to explore the Jewish Quarter of Budapest. What was once an area where Jews were forced to live is being revitalized by restaurants, bars, and shops. Take a wander through here and notice how different this area feels. It’s not as grand or magnificent as some of the other parts of the city and areas feel like they are in ruins. Yet despite that, the area is being revitalized and the contrast is interesting. You could also grab a quick bite to eat before a very busy afternoon.
12:00 – Andrássy Út
While Paris has the Champs Elleys, Budapest has Andrássy Út. This follows a straight line all the way to Hero’s Square (which is where we want to end later). Along the way, gaze up at the intricately detailed buildings. As you walk, you’ll also pass by numerous fancy shops. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Hungarian Opera House. In my opinion, it’s just as impressive as Vienna’s.
If you’ve passed many people eating their Chimney Cakes or “kürtőskalács“ and considered getting one yourself, there’s a stand near the intersection of Andrássy Út and Teréz Krt. You’ll likely smell it before you reach it. I found this stand to have some of the best prices since they don’t mess with all of the extra toppings (these toppings are what causes the price to soar). I paid just 1200 HUF for a hot cinnamon sugar covered Chimney Cake that was delicious.
12:30 – House of Terror
As you walk along Andrássy Út, you’ll eventually see a building that makes you pause. There’s an overhang from the roof reading out “TERROR”. This is the House of Terror and it’s the next stop on this Budapest itinerary.
The House of Terror tells the story of Nazi Occupation in Hungary and how it transitioned into Soviet Occupation. It’s not a light sightseeing stop as the museum does not shy away from discussing the atrocities committed by each regime. But it does offer a great look into history.
Note that in order to get the most out of the museum you need to have a guide of some sort. Without one, the displays don’t have much meaning. You can either purchase the separate audioguide from the museum or look into picking up a guidebook that includes one. I like using the Rick Steves guidebooks for his self guided walking tours and his Budapest guidebook includes a good guide to the museum.
Allow yourself anywhere from one to three hours. From what I understand, if you use the museum’s provided audioguide, you’ll likely take longer. With the Rick Steves guide I followed, I finished in under an hour and a half and still felt like I got a lot out of the museum. So, depending on how fast you go through the museum, you may need to adjust the rest of your day.
Entrance to the museum is 4000 HUF, with the audioguide costing extra. While I had no problem walking up and purchasing my ticket the day of, during popular travel times, you may want to consider booking your ticket in advance.
Check up to date prices and hours at the official website.
3:00 – Hero’s Square & City Park
At the end of Andrássy Út, you’ll reach Hero’s Square and the park that sits right behind it. Hero’s Square holds numerous statues. The center seven are the founders of Budapest, descendants from Central Asia. Then on the semi circle behind them, you’ll find 12 statues of important historical figures of Hungary.
Sandwiching the square are two museums, the Hall of Art (Műcsarnok) and the Museum of Fine Arts (Szépművészeti Múzeum). But it’s been a busy sightseeing day and we’re done with museums. Head back into the park and enjoy a stroll. As you wander, keep an eye out for the statue of George Washington. For those keeping track, that’s the third statue of a U.S. President that we’ve passed in Budapest.
Keep strolling until you reach Vajdahunyad Castle. This was originally built with so many of the other fantastic buildings in 1896, but was torn down. However, locals liked it so much that it was built back and it remains here for this day. It’s free to wander through the exterior and this fanciful castle definitely deserves a wander. It’s incredibly photogenic so snap a few shots while you’re here.
4:00 – Széchenyi Baths
After a busy two days of sightseeing, take a break and enjoy a soak in one of Budapest’s thermal baths. There’s a few to choose from but the most popular is the Széchenyi baths. And it’s just a short walk from the park we just explored. It’s a beautiful location and a great way to cap off a trip.
Check up to date prices and hours at the official website.
Is Two Days in Budapest Enough?
At a minimum I’d recommend two days in Budapest. While I’m a fast paced traveler, I think that anything less than two days will mean sacrificing some of the best sights of the city. That’s not to say you can’t visit Budapest with just one day, but I think you’ll be making sacrifices if you only have one day. Try your best to give yourself two days here.
With More Time
With three days in Budapest, you have the ability to move just a little slower and to savor the sights. Of course you can add on an extra museum or two, but also enjoy some time in the cafes and relaxing.
With four days in Budapest, venture a bit outside the city for something a little different. Szentendre is probably the most popular option with trains taking visitors to a small, artsy town. Gödöllő is also nearby and was the Hungarian Palace for the Hapsburgs.
Getting Around Budapest
Budapest sprawls. Since for much of its early history, Budapest was two separate cities (Buda and Pest), there isn’t one compact historical downtown like you might find in other European cities. So while it’s possible to walk most places (I did more than my fair share of walking), utilize public transportation to help you get around.
I’ve written an entire guide for using public transportation in Budapest just because I found it to be more complicated than many other cities I’ve visited in Europe. But my big piece of advice is to just buy a 24 hour pass and use the buses, trams, and metros as needed. It saves a lot of headaches, planning, and stress.
Getting to Budapest
Budapest is well connected with many other cities in Central Europe. Popular connections include
Budapest to Vienna, Austria – 2 hours 30 minutes by train
Budapest to Bratislava, Slovakia – 2 hours 30 minutes by train
Budapest to Brno, Czech Republic – 4 hours by train
Budapest to Prague, Czech Republic – 7 hours by train – consider stopping in some other cities along the way to break up the journey
Budapest to Ljubljana, Slovenia – 6 hours by bus
When to Visit Budapest
Budapest can be visited all year round, but some seasons are better than others. Peak tourism is summer when temperatures soar. That combination makes it less ideal to visit. The benefit though, is that sights have the longest opening hours.
In winter, visitor numbers decrease along with the temperature. Be prepared for cold weather and shorter hours for the top sights.
Shoulder season has the best balance between weather and crowds, in my opinion.
I visited in mid October. Temperatures were cool in the morning but warmed up in the afternoon. In general though, I needed my fleece and jacket all day to keep warm. There were a lot of tourists, but I knew it would have been worse in summer. Remember, not only do you have people visiting as part of a larger journey in Europe, but there are loads of visitors visiting via river cruise.
Final Thoughts
Budapest is a city with so much to do. I spent two and a half days in the city and I still left feeling like I had barely scratched the surface. But, I think with these two days in Budapest, you’ll be able to see the top sights, even if it’s a fast paced itinerary.
Continue Your Adventure
More in Europe: If you’re already visiting Budapest, consider adding Vienna or Bratislava. Beyond that, Paris is one of my favorites, but Amsterdam can also be fun. For an easy first trip, try visiting London.