Day 1: The Buda Side

Start at Fisherman's Bastion early morning (free before 9am, €6 after) for those iconic views over the Danube and Parliament. It's pure fairy-tale stuff.

Walk through the Castle District — Matthias Church (€8), Buda Castle grounds (free), and get lost in the medieval streets. Take the funicular down (€4) or walk the steps for free.

Lunch: Halászbástya Étterem for goulash with a view, or cross to Pest for budget-friendly Bors GasztroBár — the most creative soups and sandwiches in Budapest (€4-6). Queue expected.

Afternoon: Gellért Thermal Bath (from €23). This Art Nouveau masterpiece is the most beautiful bath in Budapest. Go for at least 2 hours — bring your own towel to save €4.

Evening: Dinner at Menza on Liszt Ferenc tér — modern Hungarian comfort food (mains €8-14). Then explore the ruin bars — start at Szimpla Kert, the original and still the best.

Day 2: The Pest Side

Start at the Hungarian Parliament Building — tours available (€8, book online). The interior is jaw-dropping. Then walk along the Danube promenade past the Shoes on the Danube memorial.

Explore the Jewish Quarter — Dohány Street Synagogue (€16, Europe's largest), then the surrounding streets packed with cafés, street art and ruin bars.

Lunch: Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok) — grab a lángos (fried bread with sour cream and cheese, €3) from the upstairs food stalls. Browse Hungarian paprika, salami and Tokaji wine downstairs.

Afternoon: Széchenyi Thermal Bath (from €24) — the largest medicinal bath in Europe. The outdoor pools with steam rising against the yellow Neo-Baroque building is peak Budapest. Stay for the Chess players in the warm pools.

Evening: Dinner at Mazel Tov in the Jewish Quarter — Middle Eastern meets Hungarian in a gorgeous courtyard. Mains €10-16. Book ahead.

Day 3: Hidden Budapest

Morning at Margaret Island — rent a bike (€4/hour) or pedal car and explore this green oasis in the middle of the Danube. The musical fountain runs hourly.

Visit the House of Terror (€10) on Andrássy út — a powerful museum about Hungary's fascist and communist past. Allow 2 hours.

Lunch: Karaván Street Food next to Szimpla Kert — Budapest's best food trucks. Try Hungarian chimney cake (kürtőskalács, €3) for dessert.

Afternoon: Walk down Andrássy Avenue (Budapest's Champs-Élysées) to Heroes' Square, then relax in City Park behind it.

Final dinner: Rosenstein — traditional Hungarian-Jewish cuisine that locals have loved for 30+ years. The goose leg is incredible (€14).

Budget Breakdown

  • Accommodation: €30-50/night for a good hostel/budget hotel
  • Food: €15-25/day (Budapest is incredibly affordable)
  • Thermal baths: €23-24 each (budget for 2)
  • Attractions: ~€40 total
  • Total 3 days: £200-300 per person (excluding flights)

Flights: Search cheap flights to Budapest — Ryanair and Wizz Air fly from most UK airports.

Pro tip: Get a Budapest Card (€33 for 48h) for unlimited transport + free entry to 30+ attractions and thermal baths.