Budapest is easy to explore on foot and by tram. This plan splits the city into Pest and Buda days and saves the baths for the afternoons.
Day 1: Pest highlights
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | A Parliament tour (book ahead, tickets), then the Shoes on the Danube Bank. |
| Afternoon | St Stephen’s Basilica and its dome, then the Dohány Street Synagogue. |
| Evening | Dinner in the Jewish Quarter, then Szimpla Kert and the other ruin bars. |
Day 2: Buda and the Danube
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Cross the Chain Bridge to Castle Hill: Fisherman’s Bastion early, Matthias Church and Buda Castle. |
| Afternoon | Walk down to the Rudas Baths and soak under the Ottoman dome. |
| Evening | A Danube night cruise to see the illuminated Parliament. |
Day 3: The market, the avenue and the baths
Start at the Great Market Hall, then take tram 2 along the river. Ride the historic M1 metro under Andrássy Avenue to Heroes’ Square and City Park, then spend the afternoon at the Széchenyi Baths. Finish with sunset on Gellért Hill and a goulash dinner.
Day 4 (optional): Szentendre or the Danube Bend
Take the HÉV suburban train to Szentendre, a riverside artists’ town. In season, you can extend to Visegrád and Esztergom by boat or tour.
Itinerary tips
- Get a 24-hour BKK travel card (2,750 HUF) for your busiest day.
- Bring flip-flops and a towel to the baths, or rent them there.
- Book a Danube cruise or bath ticket ahead in summer.
- Choose your base from where to stay in Budapest.
More Budapest guides
- Budapest travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Budapest
- Where to stay in Budapest
- Budapest thermal baths: prices and tips
- Hungarian Parliament tickets and tours
- Budapest Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Budapest
FAQ: Budapest itinerary
Is 2 days enough in Budapest?
Yes, for the highlights. Days 1 and 2 above cover Parliament, Castle Hill, a bath and a cruise.
Can I combine Budapest with Vienna and Prague?
Yes. Direct trains link Budapest with Vienna in about 2.5–3 hours. See our Vienna and Prague guides.
Which bath should I visit with only one day?
Széchenyi for the classic outdoor pools, or Rudas for the historic Turkish bath and the rooftop pool.
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