72 hours in Budapest: What to see and do

This giant Budapest sign can be found on Margaret Island.

Straddling the River Danube which divides the city into two parts – green and hilly Buda and the urban centre of Pest – Hungary’s capital has so much to offer visitors. Whether you are into rest and relaxation, a keen historian or you’re simply looking for a new European city to discover, why not give Budapest a try? Here is our recommendation of what you can see and do on a three-day trip to this Eastern European marvel.

Day 1

Fisherman’s Bastion is on the Buda side of the city.

Morning: Make a beeline for the less urbanised part of the city – Buda – and explore the beautiful stone architecture that overlooks the River Danube as it pokes its head out of the hillside greenery. The best way to get there is by funicular, where you’ll get a sneak peek of the city’s skyline as you ascend Castle Hill.

Your first stop in Buda should be Buda Castle – the 14th-century structure that was once home to Hungarian kings. Today it houses two museums – the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum – both of which are worth visiting. The National Gallery focuses on Hungarian art through the ages, while the Budapest History museum retraces the city’s history from Roman times to the present day.

Matthias Church - also known as Church of the Assumption of the Buda Castle - is another one of Buda’s spectacular pieces of architecture.

Afternoon: Walk along Buda’s cobbled streets and be taken in by one of the dainty restaurants along the way. A nice helping of goulash soup – one of Hungary’s national dishes – should satiate your appetite, and you can find this tasty treat at excellent eateries such as Meat Boutique or Marvelosa Restaurant.

Catch great views of Pest across the Danube from Fisherman’s Bastion.

Spend the rest of the afternoon discovering everything else that Buda has to offer including Matthias Church, with its colourful tiled roof, and Fisherman’s Bastion, a terrace and lookout point with incredible views across the Danube and over Pest. As one of the city’s premier photo opportunities, make sure to have your camera at the ready.

Evening: Once night has fallen, start your evening off with a stroll along the river’s bank and see the grandiose architecture illuminated including the Chain Bridge and the Parliament Building. Then it’s time for more food, and if you’re looking for fine dining, Budapest is the place to be as it boasts six Michelin-star restaurants. With two Michelin stars, Onyx takes centre stage with its opulent dining room featuring crystal chandeliers, white-gloved waiters and a European foodie experience that sets it apart from the rest.

Day 2

Morning: Start the day early with a trip to Heroes’ Square – the largest square in Budapest which was laid out at the end of the 19th century to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Hungary. Just behind Heroes’ Square, you’ll find the elegantly-designed Vajdahunyad Castle, which sits alongside a boating lake. Admire this romantic castle with a mid-morning pitstop at one of the lakeside cafés.

On a Saturday night, Széchenyi hosts a sparty (a party in the thermal baths with music and alcohol).

Afternoon: Only a five-minute walk from the castle and square, the famous Széchenyi Baths are the perfect place to spend a relaxing day. With 15 indoor baths and three grand outdoor pools which are geothermally heated. In addition to bathing, you can enjoy a range of massages, use one of the facility’s saunas or take part in one of the free aqua fitness classes.

Szimpla Kert is a must for anyone who loves a night out.

Evening: After soaking in the spa baths, explore Budapest’s thrilling nightlife scene with a trip to one of its ruin bars – once dilapidated pre-war buildings now rebranded as unique watering holes which have been taking the Hungarian capital by storm. I recommend Szimpla Kert - it's the city’s first, and quite possibly best, ruin bar. It should not be missed.

Day 3

The Hungarian Parliament Building is nothing short of striking.

The Hungarian Parliament Building’s interior is equally as impressive as its exterior.

Morning: Head back down to the banks of the Danube for a look at Budapest’s most iconic landmark, the Hungarian Parliament Building. Admire the gorgeous neo-Gothic architecture up-close and go inside the building where the National Assembly takes place on a 45-minute guided tour taking in the main entrance hall, the old House of Lords and the Hungarian Crown Jewels.

Shoes on the Danube Bank is a memorial to honour the Jews who were killed by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen in Budapest during World War II.

After that, it’s time to visit the Holocaust Memorial Center. Housed inside a renovated synagogue that dates back to the 1920s, this museum recounts the Hungarian Jews that were killed in the Holocaust, whilst also documenting the country and city’s rich Jewish heritage. At the end of the exhibition, you’ll be able to see inside the main hall of the synagogue itself.

Don’t miss out on the Great Market Hall - an underrated place to try the local cuisine.

Afternoon: For a spot of lunch, taste your way through Budapest’s Great Market Hall. Feast on fresh food and local delicacies including Hungarian paprika, fantastic salamis, pickets, fresh fish and Tokaji wine. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Margaret Island – a 1.6-mile stretch of land which sits in the middle of the Danube.

Margaret Island’s UNESCO-listed water tower.

A popular recreational area, Margaret Island also hosts swimming pools, a water park, a Japanese garden, a musical fountain and the UNESCO-listed water tower. You can also hire kayaks and paddle along the river. One of the best ways to get from the Great Market Hall to Margaret Island is by renting a bike and cycling there.

Mazel Tov is one of the best Jewish restaurants in the city.

Evening: For your final evening in Budapest, why not take a foot tour and sample some of the city’s wonderful culinary delights? Join a specialist foodie guide who will share their expertise on Hungarian food at a range of traditional and contemporary venues. Try local cheese and an aperitif at a wine show, taste award-winning, handmade chocolate bonbons from Budapest’s top chocolate manufacturer or learn about Jewish culture during a tasting at a traditional Jewish restaurant.

Useful information

Flight time from UK: 2 hours 15 minutes

Time zone: GMT +2

Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)

Quick itinerary (Screenshot so you don’t forget!)

Day 1

Morning: Castle Hill funicular, Buda Castle

Afternoon: Buda Old Town, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion

Evening: Onyx (Budapest’s only two-Michelin-star restaurant)

Day 2

Morning: Heroes’ Square, Vajdahunyad Castle

Afternoon: Széchenyi Baths

Evening: Budapest’s ruin bars

Day 3

Morning: Hungarian Parliament Building, Holocaust Memorial Center

Afternoon: Great Market Hall, Margaret Island

Evening: Budapest food tour

Do you have any other Budapest recommendations? Let me know in the comments!