Budapest is famed for its beautiful architecture, vibrant ruin bars, and budget-friendly nature. But there’s more to this city than cheap drinks and crazy nightouts. Two days in Budapest can be all-encompassing and offer both fun and pleasure like hours spent soaking in thermal baths, coffee shop hopping, and embracing various cultures.
Things to know before visiting Budapest
If you’re traveling to Budapest for the first time or returning for another visit, here are some god-to-know things about Budapest:
Budapest Key Information
- Budapest is split by the Danube River into two parts, Buda and Pest.
- The official language is Hungarian, but English is widely spoken in the central parts of Budapest.
- The currency used is the Hungarian Forint.
- Most places accept card payments, so you don’t always need cash.
- Public transportation in Budapest is one of the best in Europe.
- Budapest is a walkable city.
Public Transportation in Budapest | Getting around
Budapest has one of the best public transportation systems in Europe. You can use buses, ferries, metros, and trams to get around the city for a cheap price. One ticket costs about euros and has to be validated to be used once.
If you’re flying into Budapest, you can get from the airport to the city center by bus. You also have the option of car sharing, but as buses are frequent, this is the cheapest and easiest way to commute.
Once you’re in the city, you can walk or rent a bike or scooter to explore at your own pace. To make commuting even cheaper, you can get a Budapest Card, which grants you free access to all public transportation.
Unlock more discounts with the Budapest Card
Food in Hungary | Best things to eat
There’s no better way to explore a community than through it’s food, and the same can be said for Hungary. Typical Hungarian food is fatty, hearty, meaty, and full of flavor. But Hungarians also have a sweet tooth and have countless desserts and starters that are very sweet.
Some of the Hungarian foods you have to try in Budapest include:
- Goulash
- Chimney Cake
- Cottage Cheese Dumplings
- Langos
- Chicken Paprikash
You can also elevate your experience by taking a Hungarian cooking class and learning how to prepare a local dish. This way, you won’t just have lots of paprika to take with you but a Hungarian recipe you can make for years to come.
Hotels in Budapest | Best places to stay
If you don’t already have a place to stay in Budapest, you’re going to need to book a hotel or Airbnb. Luckily, Budapest is home to several properties that fit various price ranges.
From fancy luxury hotels to cozy, budget-friendly stays.
Here are a few places to consider if you’re wondering where to stay in Budapest:
- Hotel RUM
- Dorothea Hotel
- A&O Hostel Budapest City
- MEININGER Budapest Great Market Hall
- Corinthia Budapest
- The Amberlyn Suite Hotel
How to spend two days in Budapest | 48-hour guide
As a local, I’d say the best way to explore Budapest is to allocate one day to Buda and another to Pest. This way, you’ll see all the best places to visit in Budapest in two days.
2 days in Budapest itinerary: Day 1 on Pest
On your first day of spending 48 hours in Budapest, you’ll cover the Pest side of the city. You’ll visit the Jewish District, which is known as the party district and home to several ruin bars. You’ll also have the chance to see Budapest’s most popular tourist attractions like City Park, the Parliament Building, and St Stephen’s Basilica.
Morning
1. Start off slow with a visit to Metropolitan Ervin Szabo Library
One of the best things to experience in Budapest is the amazing architecture. Most of the architecture in Budapest is Neo-classical, Gothic Revival, and Classical. If you’re an architecture buff, you shouldn’t miss the Metropolitan Ervin Szabo Library, known as Budapest’s prettiest library.
As the library opens at 10 am, I recommend visiting first thing in the morning so you can make the most of the day outdoors.
2. Enjoy Budapest’s café scene
If you haven’t had breakfast or your regular caffeine fix, this would be a wonderful chance to visit a local café. Budapest has been thriving with cafés, and there are so many places you can visit for brunch, coffee and pastries, or even working remotely.
Here’s a list of places to eat in Budapest that you could visit for breakfast and brunch based on your budget.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY: During your two days in Budapest, you might find yourself repeatedly visiting Nor/ma. This cool bakery is just five minutes from the Metropolitan Ervin Szabo Library and serves Scandinavian and Hungarian pastries.
MEDIUM: If you’re hoping to kick off 48 hours in Budapest with a proper meal, I suggest visiting Meron Budapest. Meron is a Romanian café known for its specialty coffee, but the brunch options don’t disappoint either.
A WORTH-WHILE SPLURGE: You may have heard about the New York café, but have you heard about Parisi Udvar? My suggestion would be to visit Parisi Udvar instead. Much like the New York café, Parisi Udvar is a grandiose café that serves brunch, lunch, and drinks till late.
During your two days in Budapest, you can visit both cafés, depending on what you want to see. However, prepare for the long queues at the New York café.
3. Walk through Fashion Street
Next on your Budapest 2-day itinerary is Fashion Street. While it’s not as grand as the famous shopping avenues in cities like New York, Paris, or London, it’s still worth visiting while in Budapest.
Fashion Street has international stores like Bershka, HM, and Pull and Bear, with significantly lower prices compared to other countries.
This area is also surrounded by several restaurants, cafés, and bars, making it a popular spot in the city. However, due to the tourists, prices are higher than usual.
4. Ride the Budapest Eye at Deak Ferenc Ter
After your time at Fashion Street, head over to Deak Ferenc Ter, Budapest’s city center. It’s home to the Budapest Eye, which offers a nice panoramic view of the city and a pleasant way to spend 48 hours in Budapest.
Purchasing your tickets online is always recommended so you don’t wait any time once you get there.
5. Admire St Stephen’s Basilica
If you have no idea what to see in Budapest in two days, you can’t go wrong with a visit to St Stephen’s Basilica. This beautiful architectural gem is one of the oldest structures in Budapest and has a lot of historical value. While the exterior is impressive, the interior is even better!
For an even better surprise, you must see the mummified hand and climb to the roof for the best city views!
But of course, you’ll need tickets. Here’s where to purchase your tickets to the basilica.
6. Capure the famed Chain Bridge
Next, head toward Chain Bridge, another Budapest landmark you have to see while I’m in Budapest for two days. This iconic structure is the quintessential Budapest postcard, and you can’t see the city without a cool picture here.
7. See the Shoes on the Danube
Another interesting attraction is the Shoes on the Danube. Though tragic, this moment is very popular and important for understanding Hungarian history.
The attraction is free to see, but if you’re not well-informed about Hungarian history, you might not fully understand the history behind this attraction.
If you love learning and want to make the most of your time here, I highly recommend taking a guided tour of the area.
Some of the best tours you can take include:
8. Visit the iconic Parliament Building
Shortly after the Shoes on the Danube Bank, you’ll arrive at the Parliament Building, my favorite place in the city. It’s the most popular place in Budapest and with good reason. It’s beautiful during the day and at night and worth exploring on the inside, too.
However, you’ll need a guided tour for that. Luckily, all the links you need are listed below, so all that’s left is to book your tour!
Afternoon
9. Enjoy lunch
At this point, you’ll probably be tired from all the walking and ready for some food. Depending on your budget, you can either;
BUDGET – Go to Nyugati Station and dine at what could possibly be the world’s prettiest McDonalds. I haven’t seen anything like it, and I don’t think many people have. It’s the best place to enjoy a budget meal in a luxurious setting without sacrificing comfort.
MEDIUM – If you’re willing to spend a bit more or prefer to avoid fast food, head over to Oktogon, where you’ll find plenty of dining options. These cater to different budgets and preferences, so there’s something for everybody in this area.
Where to eat in Budapest
Some cool places to eat near Oktogon include:
- Biang Bisztró – Oktogon
- TGI Fridays
- Bellozzo Oktogon
- Bamba Marha Burger Bár
- Becketts Irish Bar & Restaurant
- Bigfish Andrássy Seafood Bistro
- SZÉK Restaurant & Bar
10. Ride the M1 from Oktogon to Heroes Square
When you’re ready to keep going, hop on the M1, Europe’s second oldest metro line, and head to Heroes Square. Upon arrival, you’ll face a large city landmark, and behind you, see Andrassy Avenue, the longest avenue in Budapest.
Many travelers visit Heroes Square, but many people miss out on City Park (Varosliget), which is a huge mistake. The park has so much to offer, and Heroes Square is just a small part of it.
If you want to make the most of your time explring this popular attraction, you could take a guided tour of the area and learn about the history of the place.
11. Visit the museums
Depending on how you want to spend your two days in Budapest, you can visit one of several museums in City Park. The museums here include the following;
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Kunsthalle – a contemporary art museum
- Museum of Ethnography – a culture and history museum
- House of Music Hungary
- Vajdahunyad Castle
- Museum of Hungarian Agriculture
- Gatehouse Tower
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath
12. Indulge in city park activities
Besides visiting the museums and the other important structures, you can also make your time here extra fun by taking part in other park activities. You could visit the zoo or ride the Ballon Fly for fantastic views of Budapest. Another fun thing you can do here is ride the boats across the lake.
One of the other fun activities here is simply walking through the park, joining a game of frisbee, and downing some drinks on the lawn while you people-watch.
Evening
13. Rest
You’ll probably be a little tired at this point, so getting some rest is important before you’re out exploring the Jewish district and the famous ruin bars.
14. Head to Jaszai Mari Ter and ride the famous Tram 2
If you need more rest, you can do that once your 48 hours in Budapest are over because the city still has more to offer! One of Budapest’s best things to do is ride the famous Tram 2. It starts off at Jaszai Mari Ter and takes you past several popular attractions.
You won’t ride the whole route this time (I mean, you could if you wanted to), but you’ll get to see the Parliament building and Chain Bridge all lit up.
15. Enjoy dinner in the city center
Once you get off the chain bridge, you’ll be right back in the heart of the city. From here, you can wander and find a restaurant that interests you and fits your preferences. Or you can check this list of the best places to eat in Budapest. Don’t forget to to spot the Budapest Eye; it will lit up and safely positioned at Deak Ferenc Ter.
16. Wander through Gozsdu Udvar
Now, the real fun starts. If you’re a karaoke enthusiast, you’re going to love Blue Bird. It’s a popular spot along this street and a safe space to sing your heart out. The passage also has several restaurants, bars, and an arcade.
If karaoke isn’t your scene, you might want to skip this and head to Szimpla Kert.
17. Visit the Ruin Bars
One thing that has to be on your Budapest 2-day itinerary is the famous ruin bars. A few of these are in the city, but the must-see ruin bars are Szimpla Kert and Instant Fogas.
Start at Szimpla Kert, the mother of all ruin bars, and enjoy a few drinks here in the quirky, rundown, elevated space. When you’re ready to turn it up a notch, head toward Instant Fogas. This is the nightclub version of ruin bars, and you can enjoy the right of the night (and morning) here.
48 hours in Budapest: Day 2 in Buda
Your first day in Budapest was full of exciting adventures, but your second day will be a little slow-paced. It will still be packed with many beautiful places to see in Budapest and give you a new perspective of the city.
Morning
After a night out, we can expect your Sunday morning to start off slow. If you’re staying on the Pest side of town, you can start off with brunch somewhere and maybe even visit Szimpla Kert during the day. It’s completely different and less crowded, making it perfect for taking pictures of the interior and random decor that you won’t see in many places.
If you’ve had enough of the ruin bars and ready to explore Buda, you can go there directly and have brunch on the Buda side.
RECOMMENDED: The best brunch places in Buda
Want to plan ahead for the evening? How about a Night Cruise to enjoy the Budapest skyline at night?
1. Visit Fisherman’s Bastion
Nothing beats a good lookout tower, and luckily, Budapest has plenty! Fisherman’s Bastion is undeniably one of the best ones and easiest to get to. It’s also one of the best places to visit in Budapest, with a history that dates back centuries.
Until recently, it was free to see the whole tower, but now there’s a fee for the best photo spots. But don’t worry—you can still capture an amazing picture of yourself here.
If you want to make the most of your time in the area, you could also take a gide tour of the castle to not miss out on anything important.
2. Admire Matthias Church
Next up on your 48-hour Budapest itinerary is the beautiful Matthias Church, which is near Fisherman’s Bastion. It is one of the most beautiful churches in Budapest.
You can’t miss a visit to this church, especially if you’re a huge architecture fanatic.
3. Explore the Castle District
Make your way toward Buda Castle through the picturesque Castle district. Walking along the cobblestoned streets and past the colorful buildings is enough to make two days in Budapest truly magical.
Want to do something even more unique? How about a 40-minute or an hour-and-a-half-long Buda Castle Cave Tour?
Afternoon
4. Marvel at Buda Castle
The Buda Castle is one of the most popular and interesting places to see in the Castle District. It’s home to an impressive art museum and garden. If you’d like a refreshment, don’t miss the cafés around the Buda Castle, which serve drinks with a view.
5. Ride the Buda Castle Funicular
There’s no better way to descend Buda Castle than to ride the Buda Castle Funicular. This short and scenic ride offers amazing views of the Chain Bridge, the Danube River, and the Pest and Buda sides of Budapest.
6. Hop on a tram toward Gellert Hill
Gellert Hill is one of the other most important places you must visit in Budapest. Something I’ve discovered as a local in Budapest is riding along a path similar to that of Tram 2 but from the other side of this city.
This way, all the attractions, like the Chain Bridge and the Parliament, aren’t right next to you but nestled across the Danube River, giving a unique perspective with striking views.
7. Climb up Gellert Hill
Once you’re off the tram (you should be right across the green bridge), make your way up Gellert Hill. Depending on your pace, going up the entire hill and stopping for pictures and videos should take you a little over an hour.
There are so many different spots where locals often sit with drinks or books or simply just to people-watch. I highly recommend climbing Gellert Hill for panoramic views of the city.
Evening
8. Visit a Thermal Bath
Depending on your preferences and time, you could take this chance to visit one of the best baths in Budapest. Most people prefer not to miss the thermal baths even when they’re only in Budapest for two days.
If you choose to stay in Budapest longer, you could spend all afternoon at the baths. You might consider visiting Rudas and Gellert Bath, nestled right beneath Gellert Hill.
Rudas Bath has an outdoor jacuzzi offering city views, so it’s the perfect place to visit in the evening. They also have an on-site restaurant, so you won’t need to rush or limit your time here. However, if you really want to try an authentic Hungarian dish, you could try making your own!
The city offers several workshops and cooking classes to learn to make langos, chimney cakes, and other must-try Hungarian foods.
9. Have a Hungarian dinner
Your two days in Budapest would be incomplete without having a traditional Hungarian dish. If you prefer not to take a cooking class during your 48 hours in Budapest, you can visit locally loved Hungarian restaurants like Retek and Getto Gulyas on the Buda and Pest sides.
10 non-touristy things to do in Budapest
Here are some of my favorite things to do in Budapest as a local.
- Climbing up Gellert Hill to watch the sunlight
- Enjoying an evening stroll by the Parliament when it’s all lit up
- People watching at Deak Ference Ter
- Visiting the Sunday Markets at Szimpla Kert
- Walking around a new district
- Trying a free walking tour
- Going to a thermal bath
- Buying some souvenirs at a flea market
- Getting my caffeine fix from a local café
- Going on a day trip to Szentendre
- Hopping on the train to Tata
- Sunbathing at Margeret Island
- Hanging out in a museum park
- Going for brunch
RECOMMENDED: Best Brunch Places in Pest
12 non-touristy things to do in Budapest
How to get to Budapest
You can travel to Budapest by plane, train, bus, or car. For the best tickets, visit Booking for flights, Omio for rail travel, and Flix Bus for buses.
How to get to Budapest city center from the airport
Bus 100E is the best and cheapest way to get to Budapest City Center. The ticket costs around 2200 HUF, and the bus ride is about 30 minutes.
RECOMMENDED: How to get from Budapest Airport to the city center by bus.
Other ways to get to Budapest city center
If you’re arriving in Budapest via Flixbus or train, you’ll have to get to the city center a little differently. Most train stations like Keleti and Nyugati will bring you straight to the city center, and you’ll be within walking distance of most places. You can still take the bus, metro, or tram, depending on where you have to go.
If you arrive at Kelenfold Train Station or Nepliget (where the Flixbus stops), you’ll need to take the metro to the city center. From this point, you can use Google Maps to get to the city center or your destination just fine.
Planning a trip to Budapest – FAQs
If you haven’t been to Budapest before, you’ve probably got some questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Budapest.
1. How many days do I need in Budapest?
Two to four days is enough time in Budapest, depending on how much you want to see. Two days is enough to see the main attractions, while four days is great for seeing all the tourist attractions and experiencing the city like a local.
2. What is the best month to travel to Budapest?
April and September are probably the best months to visit Budapest, as these are off-season months. You can still expect wonderful weather conditions and fewer crowds. July is the perfect month to visit if you plan to attend the Sziget Festival.
