48 Hours in Budapest

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When most people think about traveling to Europe, all the major cities pop into their heads: London. Paris. Rome.

Most people don't immediately dream of Budapest.

But I do.

Budapest's Chain Bridge seen from Castle Hill

After two visits to the Hungarian capital, I can say with certainty that Budapest is one of my favorite cities in Europe. It has everything I love: great history and architecture; fantastic views; affordable prices; and a downtown area that's easy to get around. It's also still slightly off the beaten path when it comes to Europe, meaning it's not nearly as touristy as the capital cities further West.

Another great thing about Budapest is that it's not massive. The population is less than 2 million, and all the major attractions you'd want to see are relatively close together.

Meaning that Budapest makes a great weekend getaway if you're already in Europe.

Architecture in Budapest, Hungary

The Danube in Budapest, Hungary

If you have 48 hours to spend in Budapest, here are the sites I most highly recommend:

Buda and Castle Hill

Budapest actually used to be two separate cities — Buda and Pest — divided by the Danube. They unified into one city in the 1870s, but still feel quite different. Pest, for example, is mostly flat and full of shopping and restaurants. Buda, on the other hand, is very hilly and more touristy than Pest — but that's just because of all the attractions atop Buda Hill.

Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary

You can take the funicular or walk up Castle Hill to Buda's Old Town, where you'll find the Budapest History Museum and great views back down over the city's famous Chain Bridge. You'll also want to visit Trinity Square to see Matthias Church, a 13th-century Gothic beauty with a colorful tiled roof.

Budapest, Hungary from Castle Hill

Tiled roof of St. Matthias Church in Budapest, Hungary

St. Matthias Church in Budapest, Hungary

Next to Matthias Church is Fisherman's Bastion, which is my favorite spot on Castle Hill. The architecture is cool, and the views out over the Danube can't be beat.

Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary

Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary

Thermal baths

Beneath the city of Budapest lie dozens of geothermal springs. The city long ago harnessed these and built a handful of beautiful thermal baths. I personally recommend the Szechenyi Baths near Heroes' Square — the beautiful 100-year-old bath house has 15 indoor baths and 3 outdoor pools of varying temperatures.

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest, Hungary

Szechenyi Baths in Budapest, Hungary

Also popular is the Gellert Thermal Baths, though I haven't been to that one myself.

Parliament

The Hungarian Parliament building — a massive example of gothic construction — really can't be missed in Budapest. And I mean that literally. It's so huge and stands out so much that you can't possibly not notice it. Make sure to walk by at least once to see it up close.

Hungarian Parliament in Budapest

Hungarian Parliament in Budapest

Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, Hungary

While you're there, also check out the memorial on the bank of the Danube in front of Parliament. Sets of broze shoes sit here as a memorial to the Jews who were killed by fascist militiamen in Budapest during WWII. The memorial isn't flashy, but it's definitely moving. The people who were killed here were ordered to take off their shoes and were then shot at the edge of the water so that their bodies would be carried away by the Danube.

Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial in Budapest, Hungary

Ruin bars

I'm not really much for partying (in fact, if you know me, you know that I barely even drink), but Budapest has a very unique type of bar culture that's well worth checking out — ruin bars. At the turn of the millennium, these new pubs began popping up all over Budapest. They are located in run-down buildings and unused outdoor spaces that have been transformed into funky places where you can drink really cheaply.

Szimpla Kert ruin bar in Budapest

One of the most famous ruin bars in the city is the very first one, Szimpla Kert, found today in Budapest's Jewish Quarter. Inside, the bar is full of mismatched furniture — you can even have a drink inside half of an old Trabant car.

The Danube at night

Lastly, no trip to Budapest would be complete without a cruise along the Danube after dark. Various companies offer after-dark cruises, and some even include dinner. Whatever your budget, make sure to book one. All of the buildings along the river and all the bridges crossing it are illuminated at night, making for a pretty spectacular sight.

Hungarian Parliament illuminated at night

Budapest illuminated

Here's what my 48-hour itinerary would look like:

Day 1

  • Castle Hill in the morning
  • Lunch somewhere along the Danube (or at Fisherman's Bastion overlooking the Danube and Pest — it would be more expensive, but the views really are amazing)
  • A stroll past Parliament (and maybe a tour if you're interested in politics)
  • Drinks at a ruin bar

Day 2

  • Visit a museum, or maybe Heroes' Square
  • A relaxing afternoon at one of the thermal baths
  • A cruise on the Danube at night

Heroes' Square in Budapest

Book a tour!

You can also check out some of the great tours offered in Budapest by Urban Adventures, like:

Urban Adventure Tours

Where to stay in Budapest

There are a lot of accommodation options in Budapest – many of which are ideally located and place you right in the middle of all the action. You could splash out on the Sofitel at the Chain Bridge, or book something more budget-friendly like the Medosz Hotel off Andrássy Avenue.

You can also compare hotel prices in Budapest here.

Search for more Budapest accommodation here:



Booking.com

Have you been to Budapest? What else would you recommend doing there?

 

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48 Hours in Budapest

48 Hours in Budapest

"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." - JRR Tolkien

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68 Comments on “48 Hours in Budapest

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  1. My husband & I will be in Budapest for 2 days in early December before picking up a Christmas market cruise on the Danube. Even though it’s still quite a few months in the future, I’m really excited after reading your, & everyone’s, recommendations. Can’t wait to get there & see everything!

      I hope you love it, Linda! (Also, that’s such an amazing time to do a river cruise!)

    We are traveling to Budapest this weekend and are thinking of doing one of the e-bike tours for about 4 hours. We have a group of about 6 interested. Have you biked around Budapest?

      I have not biked around Budapest, but I’ve done e-bike tours elsewhere and they’re really fun!

    I’m off to Budapest in May for my 30th birthday and this just makes me more excited to go. Thanks for the advice.

    Lisa | Not Quite Enough

    Hi Amanda, just found a couple of your posts as my family and I are planning our Amawaterways cruise out of Budapest and have a question for you. We have about 48 hours in the city before our cruise sets sail and so far our plans include most of what you suggest except for the evening cruise along the Danube. Is it worth booking a separate evening cruise or do you feel like you were able to see a lot of that as the ship sailed out of port? Just trying to gauge if it’d be worth the extra money. Thanks!

      Hey Holly! That’s a great question! I would probably say don’t bother booking a separate Danube cruise at night. I’ve sailed out of Budapest with AmaWaterways, and you’ll definitely see all of the highlights that way – they sail you up and down the river so you see Parliament and all the bridges illuminated before you head off up or down the Danube.

        Thank you for the quick response, Amanda! That’s pretty much what I was thinking, but glad to get it confirmed. Thank you for these posts – they’ve been very helpful and I’ll definitely be back to check out your other adventures 🙂

    I am planning a trip to see friends in England in April but was looking for a get away during my stay! I think you have helped me make my decision.

      Awesome! Budapest is great any time of year – and a relatively quick flight from England, too!

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