2 Days in Budapest: The Perfect Budapest Itinerary

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Easily one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest has risen in traveller popularity over recent years. Spending 2 days in Budapest is a great way to see the beauty and culture of this city.

The famous parliament building is an outstanding piece of architecture and, paired with many other wonderful sights, cheap food and medicinal thermal springs, it’s really no surprise people want to visit.

Plus, with its perfect landlocked location in central Europe, it’s the ideal location to start or finish a multi-city European trip. So, whether you’re looking at spending a few days in Budapest or would love to stay longer in the country and explore more, here’s the perfect Budapest itinerary for 2 days! 

Where to Stay in Budapest 

Budapest is not an expensive city to visit at all. You can fairly easily find affordable hotels close to the historic centre. When we spent 2 days in Budapest, we stayed in the 4* Boutique Hotel Budapest. For 2 nights over the Easter weekend, it cost us £120 in total.

Compared to some of the other cities I’ve visited, it was incredibly cheap! Plus, it was a gorgeous hotel with lovely staff, within walking distance of a lot of the best things to see in Budapest in 2 days. What’s not to love?  

Here are some more of the best places to stay in Budapest: 

• £££ – Hotel Clark Budapest – this adults-only luxury hotel is very elegantly decorated and offers a fitness centre, on-site bistro, rooftop bar with stunning views of the city, and delicious breakfast.
• ££ – Ensana Therman Margaret Island – located a little way outside of the city centre, this hotel provides the perfect place to relax while being within the vicinity of Budapest. It has a large spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a restaurant with a terrace.
• ££ – Up Hotel Budapest – providing guests with a shared lounge, terrace, and private parking, this hotel is stylishly decorated and very comfortable.
• £ – K46 Residence – a charming two-level apartment with a sofa, seating area, well-equipped kitchen and coffee machine. It’s also only a 5-minute walk from the centre of the city.

✅ Find the cheapest places to stay in Budapest

What to do in Budapest in 2 days

So, without further ado, let’s dive into this Budapest itinerary and explore the best things to do in Budapest in 2 days. I’ll also include the entrance fees for everything, so you know exactly what to budget for your first visit to this beautiful European city.

Day 1 in Budapest – Visit Buda

For the first day of this Budapest itinerary, we’re going to start on the left side of the river – in Buda. This area is home to some of the best viewpoints in the city, along with some of the top attractions and it’s a great way to dive into the heart of Budapest.

9:00 – Fisherman’s Bastion

Cost: Free but €3 to enter the upper turrets and towers.

Start your day at one of the busiest spots in Budapest (and hopefully, the fact that you’re getting there early will help beat the crowds). Fisherman’s Bastion is located across the river from the Budapest Parliament Building and is a must-see during your 2 days in Budapest.

It almost resembles a fairy-tale castle with its towering pale turrets and beautiful archways.

Its history is surprisingly unremarkable as it was built purely as a viewing platform across the river in the early 20^th century. However, it’s styled with seven towers to represent the seven Magyar chieftains who led their tribes to this area and established Hungary as a country.

You can see some of the best views of Budapest from the Bastion. If you visit even earlier, at sunrise, you will have an even more stunning view and a pretty much tourist-free experience!

✅ I recommend purchasing the Budapest Card

10:00 – Matthias Church

Cost: €5.80 per adult

Just around the corner (literally a one-minute walk) from the Fisherman’s Bastian, you’ll find Matthias Church. This stunning building is styled in a similar way to St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, with its ornate, mosaiced roof and many turrets.

The church is considered to be one of Budapest’s finest and it’s easy to see why. It costs just HUF 1800 to enter (€5.80) which is well worth paying as the interior is just as beautiful as the exterior. 

10:45 – Castle Hill

Cost: Free but €5 for the funicular

Next head back to Castle Hill, for even more of the best views in Budapest. You can either climb up the hill yourself or take a funicular (HUF 2,000 return) up to the top.

Despite the price of the funicular, it does have a history of its own. It first opened in 1870 and is the oldest funicular of its kind in the world. The views of the city travelling up the funicular tracks are also pretty cool!

We decided to take the funicular up the hill and walk the path back down. This was actually a pretty scenic walk and I was glad I did it. A single ticket on the funicular also costs slightly less at HUF 1400 (about €3.50).

From the top of the hill, you’ll see another iconic Budapest sight of the Chain Bridge, St Stephen’s Basilica and the Gresham Palace in a perfect line. It’s also the perfect place to relax for a while and take in the views of the city. 

11:30 – Széchenyi Chain Bridge

Cost: Free

Next head back down Castle Hill and check out the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. This symbolic bridge was built in the 1800s.

It was actually the first bridge to unite the two sides of Budapest, the Buda side of the city and the Pest side. The only part of the bridge that is still the original is the lion statues, however.

The entire bridge was destroyed by the Nazis in WWII. Nevertheless, it was quickly rebuilt and stands proudly over the city today.

12:00 – Buda castle

Cost: Free (unless you want to go inside the museums)

Just a short walk from the chain bridge, you’ll find Buda Castle. This historical building and former Royal Palace and residence of the Kings of Hungary is now a complex of museums. You’ll find the Budapest History Museum, the National Széchényi Library, and the Hungarian National Gallery here.

But, you’ll also find a gorgeous building, manicured gardens, and great views over the Danube River and Pest. The entire Buda Castle district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can pretty easily spend 3 or 4 hours here if you want to.

For the sake of this Budapest 2 day itinerary, we’re going to assume that you spend 2 hours exploring the grounds and grabbing lunch.

14.00 – Gellért Hill

Cost: Free

After lunch, head further along the river towards Gellért Hill. Here you can find even more wonderful views of Budapest. A slightly more challenging climb than Castle Hill (especially in the heat), there is no funicular alternative here.

However, there are plenty of benches and viewpoints along the way where you can stop and look out over the city.

There are many different paths to take both up and down the hill. There are actually some statues and plaques along the route as well. 

15:00 – Liberty Statue

Cost: Free

Located right at the top of Gellert Hill, the Liberty Statue is one of the few Communist Statues that still remain in Budapest after its switch to a democratic government.

Originally erected in 1947, it was built to commemorate Soviet troops. However, the engraving was since changed to remember “all who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, and prosperity of Hungary”. 

The beautiful statue stands proud overlooking the city and it makes the climb up Gellert Hill even more worthwhile. However, with the endless panoramic views of Budapest stretching before you from the top, and the magnitude of the Liberty Statue in front of you, you’ll be very glad you made the climb.

15:30 – Gellért Baths

Cost: €24 per adult

Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the Gellert Baths. Located at the foot of Gellért Hill, the baths are one of the grandest spas in the city.

Inside the rather fancy-looking building, you’ll find an incredible open-air pool which doubles as a wave pool, an indoor pool, a Finnish sauna and several other relaxing spa services.

The indoor pool is surrounded by beautiful Art Nouveau-style columns. With its dim light and effervescence, it’s an incredibly relaxing and quite romantic place to visit. The spa also has secluded private rooms coupled with a hot tub and champagne!

✅ Book your tickets to Gellert Spa

Day 2 in Budapest – Explore Pest

For our second day of this 2 day Budapest itinerary, let’s cross over to the other side of the river and explore Pest. This day involves a lot less hill climbing and a lot more architecture but is equally as beautiful as day 1.

9:00 – Hungarian Parliament Building

Cost: €10 for EU Citizens and €20 for non-EU Citizens to tour the inside.

What better way to start your second day in Budapest than with the crème-de-la-crème of the Hungarian capital? The Parliament Building should be on everybody’s Budapest itinerary.

A fine example of the Gothic architectural style, it is one of the largest and grandest buildings in Hungary. It’s still used as the headquarters of the Budapest governing body today.

Of course, you snapped the best views of the building on day one of this Budapest 2 days itinerary, but it’s also well worth a view up close to see the true details in the design.

If you’re interested in viewing the Budapest Parliament Building both inside and out, you actually book a guided tour of the interior rooms.

Well worth doing during your 2 days in Budapest, the tour covers many of the stately rooms, the crown jewels, and the House of Lords and lasts approximately 45 minutes. The ornate red and gold interior is stunning and you won’t regret booking this tour. 

10:00 – Danube Promenade and Shoes on the Danube

Cost: Free

Located in front of the Budapest Parliament Building, a stroll down the Danube promenade is a must during your 2 days in Budapest. The walkway stretches from the Elizabeth Bridge to the Chain Bridge. It’s perfect for those who want to walk some of the most interesting parts of the city.

On one side, you’ll see the Fisherman’s Bastian, Buda Castle and the Liberty Statue on Gellert Hill. On the other, you’ll find restaurants, cafes, statues and the Parliament Building. 

Make sure you stop at the Shoes on the Danube. The monument pays tribute to the Jews who lost their lives during the Nazi’s occupation of Hungary in WWII. They were instructed to remove their shoes before they were murdered. Take a moment to reflect on this tragic piece of history.  

10:30 – St. Stephen’s Basilica

Cost: Free but €2 to climb to the top of the tower

Budapest’s most famous church, St Stephen’s Basilica was completed in 1905. The Catholic Basilica is actually the most important religious building in all of Hungary. You must have both your knees and shoulders covered to enter.

It will also cost you HUF 600 if you want to climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views over the Pest side of Budapest. However, the entrance to the main church is free.  

For something a little more unusual about the church you can actually see the mummified right hand of Stephen, the first King of Hungary, which is still kept in a glass case.

This hand is then removed from the church (still in the case, of course) and paraded down the street on St Stephen’s Day! 

11:30 – The Central Market Hall 

Cost: However, much you want to spend!

By the time you’ve explored the basilica, climbed to the top of the tower, and snapped as many photos as you’d liked, it’ll be almost time for lunch. Take a leisurely stroll along the river to the Great Market Hall.

If you’re a fan of cheap food and local markets, then the Great Market Hall will be right up your alley! The perfect spot to mingle with the locals, you’ll find everything here from fine wines and cheese to fruits and vegetables and fresh meat.

You’ll also find trinkets, arts, and crafts, and souvenirs. Head to the food hall upstairs for a heavenly helping of local goulash and other delicacies. 

Top Tip: If you don’t fancy the market food for lunch, head to Mazel Tov. It’s a great updated ruin bar in the Jewish Quarter serving a wonderful array of sandwiches and drinks.

13:00 – Dohány Street Synagogue

Cost: €13 per adult

After you’ve dated as much as you can, head deeper into Pest towards the Dohány Street Synagogue. It should be about a 15-minute walk.

One of the largest synagogues outside of Israel, the Dohány Street Synagogue is a masterpiece. Bejewelled and ornate, it was restored in the 1990s after the War and there is a weeping willow monument in the garden that pays tribute to a lot of the victims.

This great synagogue is well worth a visit during your 2 days in Budapest whether to commemorate the past or purely to admire the beauty of this building today. 

14:00 – House of Terror Museum

Cost: €10.50 per adult

For a Hungarian history lesson, head to the House of Terror Museum. It’s located northeast of the synagogue and will take about 20 minutes on foot to get there.

You can always take public transport if you’d rather but it’ll be about 14 minutes by metro so there’s not really much in it. Plus, if you wank, you’ll get a chance to walk past the beautiful Opera House on your way too.

Once you arrive, it’s a pretty sobering experience. Exploring the Fascist and Communist regimes which dominated Hungary during the 20th Century, the museum can take anything from 90 minutes to 3 hours to look around.

The building itself was actually the headquarters of a fascist party and was also used as a torture chamber and prison during that era.

You can actually visit part of the prison too in the basement. This vital piece of Hungarian history is a total eye-opener and well worth a visit during your 2 days in Budapest. 

✅ Book tickets to the House of Terror,

16:00 – Heroes’ Square

Cost: Free

Next, take another 20-minute walk (or a 9-minute metro) to Heroes’ Square. Featuring an iconic Budapest monument, Heroes’ Square is another tribute to the seven Chieftains of the Magyars. It’s said that they led the Hungarian people to Hungary from Asia and founded the city.

The monument shows the Angel Gabriel holding the Hungarian crown on the central pillar. Then, on the other two surrounding statues, each archway holds a different historical Hungarian figure. The impressive monument is a wonderful place to visit, but be careful as traffic around the statue can be a little erratic. 

17:00 – Széchenyi Thermal Baths

Cost: It depends on the day and time of your visit, but anything between €20 and €40. Early morning weekdays are the cheapest time to go.

Last but not least, let’s end our 2 days in Budapest with some more thermal baths! Take a very relaxing 8-minute walk through Budapest City Park towards the most popular baths in Budapest.

Yes, the Széchenyi Baths are most certainly touristy. They’re also likely to be very busy. Nevertheless, they are well worth adding to your 48 hours in Budapest itinerary since the city is built over thermal hot springs. Széchenyi is the most iconic, and consequently popular, bath in the city.

The waters are said to be medicinal because they are rich in sulphates, calcium, magnesium, and fluoride. It’s believed to help relieve pain caused by joint problems and other medical issues. So, bring your swimming costume, sit back and enjoy relaxing in the rich water.

You might also want to swim in the whirlpool or play a game on the floating chessboards. There are also plenty of spa treatments available too if you want the ultimate pampering! The perfect ending to your 48 hours in Budapest.

✅ Book tickets for the Szechenyi Baths

If You Have More Than 2 Days in Budapest

If you’re lucky enough to have more than two days in Budapest, there are a few other things I’d recommend adding to your to-do list.

1. Go on A River Cruise

This is a great way to see the city from a new perspective. There are lots of different types of cruises available from dinner cruises to guided audio tours with historical commentary.

✅ I recommend this Budapest River cruise

2. Go on A Free Walking Tour

This is another great way to see the city. Often run by locals, they can provide a unique perspective on things that you might have already seen. Plus, they are also a great way to discover hidden gems that you might not have known about otherwise.

3. Explore the Jewish Quarter

Full of fantastic restaurants, bustling shops, quirky bars, and cafes, the Jewish Quarter is an up-and-coming area of Budapest. It’s a great place to explore in a little more depth.

4. Explore the Ruin Bars

An essential part of Hungarian culture, these bars are built in abandoned buildings. They often draw a tourist crowd but are still well worth exploring and you can sometimes find a pretty cheap drink here. All located on the Pest side of the city, some of the most popular ruin bars in Budapest are Szimpla Kert, Mazel Tov, and Szatyor.

5. Take a Day Trip to Bratislava

Just a 2.5-hour train ride from Budapest, Bratislava makes a great day trip from the city. Full of unique historical sights and wonderful architecture, Bratislava is one of the lesser-visited cities in Europe and a great addition to a Budapest itinerary.

✅ Book a train to Bratislava from Budapest

Getting Around Budapest 

Like many European cities, Budapest has a great public transportation network. It’s also incredibly affordable. You can get around by tram, the metro line, or the bus network. You can also buy an unlimited travel card for getting around easier too.

The cost of a single fair is HUF 350 (€1), but an unlimited 24-hour travel card is HUF 1,650 (€5) and a 72-hour card is HUF 4,150 (€12.50). You can’t purchase a 48-hour travel card.

You can also use the local taxis to get around, but with the ease of public transport, it doesn’t really make much sense. Uber and Lyft don’t operate in Budapest either. With all this being said, a lot of the popular attractions in Budapest are quite close together.

When I visited the city, I barely used public transport at all and preferred to just walk. If it’s a nice day and you want to see the city a little closer, walking is always the best and cheapest way to get around.

✅ Buy a Budapest Travel Card 

Getting from the Airport to the Centre 

Getting into Budapest’s city centre from the airport is also cheap and easy. You can take the airport shuttle bus to Deák Ferenc Square. This is about half an hour’s journey and will cost just HUF 900. Easily the cheapest way to get to the city.

However, if you’d rather take a taxi, the airport taxis are all metered and will cost between €25 and €35 depending on your final destination. You can also use other transfer services like Holiday Taxis which will cost roughly the same.

✅ Book your airport transfer

The Best Time to Visit Budapest

I personally think that the best time to visit Budapest is between April and early June and September and October.

The summer months become incredibly busy and, as a result, prices are much higher as well. These in-between months have reasonably warm weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices.

However, it’s also well worth visiting Budapest in December. The Christmas Markets here are some of the best markets in Europe and the city comes alive in December with festive lights and a fantastic atmosphere.

How Many Days Do You Need in Budapest?

I think 2 days is just enough to see the major sights in Budapest, but ideally, 3-4 days will give you more time to relax and enjoy the city. I spent 3 days in Budapest and thought it was the perfect amount of time to both see everything and see a little outside the city.

Plus, if you are exploring several destinations in Europe, Budapest is a very well-connected city and the ideal starting point for city-hopping.

Final Thoughts on Spending Two Days in Budapest

Overall, 2 days in Budapest is the ideal amount of time to give you a taste of the stunning Hungarian Capital.

You’ll be able to explore all of the major sights in the city such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, Gellert Hill, and the Széchenyi thermal bath. Plus, you’ll be able to see both sides of the river which I think is essential when visiting Budapest.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Budapest, I hope this itinerary has given you what you need to see the best of Budapest in two days.

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