5 days in Budapest

Day by day

1. Day 1: Hungarian Parliament Building and Shoes on the Danube Bank

   Hungarian Parliament Building, Shoes on the Danube Bank and Buda Castle, then Fisherman's Bastion in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hungarian Parliament Building

      For the classic photo, cross to Batthyány tér or the Buda embankment, ideally after dark when the building is floodlit. (1 hour tour, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Shoes on the Danube Bank

      Visit at a quieter time of day and treat it as a memorial rather than a photo stop. (15 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Goulash soup

      Traditional restaurants (vendéglő) and csárda-style places; a bowl with bread makes a full lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Buda Castle

      Walk up through the Castle Garden Bazaar (Várkert Bazár) from the river, or take bus 16 from Deák Ferenc tér over the Chain Bridge. (Half a day with a museum, free).

   5. Evening

      Fisherman's Bastion

      Come at sunrise for empty terraces and soft light on the Parliament, or after dark when both are floodlit.

2. Day 2: Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Heroes' Square and City Park

   Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Heroes' Square and City Park and Museum of Fine Arts, then Széchenyi Chain Bridge in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Széchenyi Thermal Bath

      Go on a weekday morning, bring flip-flops and a towel, and pack a swimming cap if you want to use the lap pool. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Heroes' Square and City Park

      Ride the M1 underground, opened in 1896 and continental Europe's oldest metro line, from Vörösmarty tér to Hősök tere to get here. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chicken paprikash

      Home-style restaurants and weekday set-lunch menus across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Museum of Fine Arts

      Pair it with the baths; Széchenyi is a short walk across City Park. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Széchenyi Chain Bridge

      Walk across from Pest at dusk towards the floodlit castle, then ride bus 16 up to the top of Castle Hill.

3. Day 3: Dohány Street Synagogue and St Stephen's Basilica

   Dohány Street Synagogue, St Stephen's Basilica and Matthias Church, then Szimpla Kert and the ruin bars in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Dohány Street Synagogue

      Cover your shoulders; men are given a kippah at the entrance. Pair the visit with a walking tour of the old Jewish Quarter. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      St Stephen's Basilica

      Climb to the dome walkway for a 360-degree view, then sit on the square in front, which is lively in the evenings. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lángos

      The upper gallery of the Great Market Hall, market stalls and street-food counters, especially at weekends.

   4. Afternoon

      Matthias Church

      Look up from Szentháromság tér at the patterned roof, then check the programme for evening organ and choral concerts. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Szimpla Kert and the ruin bars

      Visit once in the afternoon to see the rooms properly, then come back late to see it full.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Szentendre

   About 40 minutes by suburban train each way. Getting there: HÉV H5 from Batthyány tér.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Szentendre

      About 40 minutes by suburban train (HÉV H5 from Batthyány tér); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Szentendre

      A riverside artists' town of baroque churches built by Serbian settlers, cobbled lanes and galleries, including the Margit Kovács ceramics collection. Best for couples, families and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Budapest

      Dinner: try Chimney cake.

5. Day 5: Great Market Hall and Hungarian State Opera House

   Great Market Hall, Hungarian State Opera House and Margaret Island, then Rudas Baths in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Great Market Hall

      Go on a weekday morning, when the upstairs food counters are calmer and the produce stalls are fully stocked. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Hungarian State Opera House

      Book a performance rather than only the tour for the full effect; the least expensive upper seats have restricted views. (1 hour tour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chimney cake

      Street stalls in the centre and the Christmas markets on Vörösmarty tér and in front of St Stephen's Basilica.

   4. Afternoon

      Margaret Island

      Rent a bike or a pedal cart near the southern entrance and catch one of the musical fountain shows. (2–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Rudas Baths

      Book the rooftop pool around sunset, and check which days the Ottoman bath is mixed and which are single-sex before you go.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Hungarian Parliament Building, Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Dohány Street Synagogue before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Belváros and Lipótváros (District V) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Erzsébetváros (District VII) ($$) suits nightlife, food lovers, budget and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 23–28 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.5 hours in December to 15.9 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Budapest
• 2 days in Budapest
• 3 days in Budapest
• 4 days in Budapest
• 7 days in Budapest

Questions travellers ask