The Perfect 2 Day Budapest Itinerary for First-Timers

Are you planning to spend a weekend in Budapest? Then you’re in luck because spending 2 days in Budapest is the perfect amount of time to see the main highlights of the city!

Budapest is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe – and trust me, I’m not just saying that because I’m a local! I’ve been living in Budapest for more than 8 years now and it still amazes me to this day.

If you’re looking for gorgeous architecture, romantic castles, world-famous thermal baths, cool ruin bars, and delicious cuisine – and all of that for a reasonable price – you need to visit Budapest!

This 2 day Budapest itinerary will be perfect for you if you only have a weekend in Budapest but still want to see the best of the city. So, what are you waiting for? Give this local’s Budapest 2 day itinerary a try and I promise, you will not regret it.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Your 2 Day Budapest Itinerary

If you want to spend a perfect weekend in Budapest, I recommend arriving the previous evening in order to ensure that you will have 2 full days to explore the city.

Below you can find a summary of the 2 day Budapest itinerary that I recommend for first-time visitors.

Breakdown of your weekend in Budapest

• Day 1: Sunrise at the Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, breakfast at Home of Franziska, Danube riverwalk, Buda Castle, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, afternoon break at High Note SkyBar, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Shoes on the Danube River, Hungarian Parliament
• Day 2: Breakfast at New York Café, Heroes’ Square, Vajdahunyad Castle, and City Park, relaxing in the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest Eye, Jewish Quarter, sunset at the Citadel

Map for your 2 days in Budapest itinerary

Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you will visit on this 2 day Budapest itinerary.

I marked your 2 days in Budapest with different colors – I used blue for the first day and orange for the second day, so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit each day.

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Day 1

Watch the sunrise at the Fisherman’s Bastion

I know, I know, waking up early is always a struggle, especially if you are on holiday. But trust me, you’re going to love this! Watching the sunrise at the Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the best experiences you can have in Budapest. Since it gets really crowded during the day this is the only way to avoid the crowds.

The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the most iconic Budapest landmarks, it’s actually a panoramic lookout tower located on the Buda side of the city. It’s definitely one of the most breathtaking buildings in Budapest! Once you enter the area you will feel like you just stepped into a real-life fairytale.

You can see the Danube River and the whole Pest side from the towers including the Hungarian Parliament and the St. Stephen Basilica. Therefore it’s also one of the best photography locations in Budapest so don’t forget your camera at home!

Most part of the Fisherman’s Bastion is free to visit but for the upper towers, you have to pay a small entrance fee. However, if you’re going early in the morning you don’t need to pay an entrance fee until 9 am – another advantage of getting up early!

See the beautiful Matthias Church

The Matthias Church is practically part of the Fisherman’s Bastion so it’s easy to visit both of them at once. It was used as a coronation church by Hungarian kings for centuries and it’s still one of the most unique churches in Europe by this day.

The church is free to visit from the outside but if you want to go inside during your 2 day Budapest itinerary, you need to buy an entrance ticket. Since it only opens at 9 am (and at 1 pm on Sunday) I don’t recommend waiting for it, otherwise, you will not be able to go through this Budapest itinerary.

Have a breakfast at Franziska

If you didn’t have breakfast at your hotel you must be starving by now, so it’s time to have a delicious breakfast! (If you already ate at your hotel you can skip this point and go straight to the next one.)

You can find countless incredible breakfast places in Budapest but unfortunately, there are not many around the Fisherman’s Bastion. However, Franziska (on the Buda side) is only an 8-minute walk from there and they have a delicious breakfast selection.

You can find basically everything from various types of eggs, pastries, and waffles to yogurts, oatmeals, and smoothie bowls. They are open from 8 am so it’s the perfect place to unwind a little after seeing the sunrise at the Fisherman’s Bastion.

It’s a really popular place so if you’re not planning to go for the opening time it’s best to reserve a table in advance. They also have another location on the Pest side if you want to visit them there!

Admire the Hungarian Parliament across the Danube river

If you’re finished with your breakfast it’s time to take a stroll along the Danube river as part of your 2 days in Budapest! The Danube River divides Budapest into two main parts: Buda and Pest. Walking along the riverside grants you amazing views no matter which side you are walking on.

One of the biggest highlights of walking on the Buda side is that you can admire the Hungarian Parliament across the river. From Franziska, walk in the direction of Batthyány Square and when you reach the river, walk a little bit more to the left side.

The best spot is somewhere around the Novotel Budapest Danube Hotel where you can directly face the Hungarian Parliament. Needless to say, it’s also one of the best photography spots in Budapest so don’t forget to take some photos as well!

Visit the Buda Castle

The Buda Castle is one of the most important historical buildings in Hungary and in my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful castles in Europe as well.

It was home to the Hungarian kings for centuries but today it’s no longer functioning as a castle. The former castle building is now housing two museums: the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.

For going up to the castle you have basically two options: walking or using the funicular. Although the funicular looks very cute and it’s definitely a unique experience, I would still recommend walking. The funicular ride takes around 1-2 minutes and it’s pretty expensive.

In comparison, walking up is totally free and it takes only 10 minutes at a normal pace. And you can get a pretty amazing view during the walk too!

If you’re not a museum person (trust me, I feel you!) it’s still worth going up to Buda Castle. And if you have only 2 days in Budapest I would recommend skipping the museums anyway.

But the Castle and the surrounding area look absolutely incredible and the view is just breathtaking! You can see basically the whole Pest side from up there.

Cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge

There are 8 bridges in Budapest in total but the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous of all of them. It was actually the first permanent bridge that was built on the Danube River in Budapest!

The bridge is 375 meters long and two giant lions guard both of the bridgeheads. Crossing the bridge is definitely one of the best things to do in Budapest as it offers amazing views on both the Buda and Pest sides.

Have a coffee or a light lunch at the High Note SkyBar

The High Note SkyBar is one of the best rooftop bars in Budapest. You must be tired already from all the walking so it’s time to have some rest! The bar is located inside the Aria Hotel Budapest so you need to walk through their lobby to reach the elevator that takes you up to the bar.

The bar offers a wide selection of cocktails and bar food and they have a separate lunch menu between 12 pm and 3 pm. The food is absolutely amazing but it’s quite pricy. Therefore I wouldn’t recommend having a feast there but it’s a perfect place for having a coffee and a cake.

And let’s talk about the views! As the terrace is pretty big you can have almost a 360 view over Budapest. They have two separate private boxes: one of them offers an up-close view of the St. Stephen’s Basilica and the other one of the Budapest Eye.

You can reserve these boxes in advance or if the bar is not so busy you are free to go up there for a photo and enjoy some of the best views in Budapest.

Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica

I hope you managed to get some rest at the High Note SkyBar because here comes the second part of your Budapest self-guided walking tour! After you admire St. Stephen’s Basilica from the rooftop bar, it’s time to have a closer view.

The St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest and it’s an absolute must-visit on every 2 days Budapest itinerary. The actual opening hours can be found on the official website.

Even if you’re not that into churches I would still recommend going in because the interior is just breathtaking. But the most amazing part of the Basilica is that you can go up to the Panorama lookout which grants a 360 view over Budapest!

If you want to do both, I recommend buying a combi ticket which also gives you access to the Treasury.

If you are visiting Budapest in November or December be sure to check out the Christmas market in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica! It’s definitely one of the best Christmas markets in Budapest and there is even a light show projected on the Basilica.

It’s a pretty magical experience and the market has been already voted as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe so it’s definitely worth adding it to your 2 days in Budapest itinerary. If you are planning a family trip in winter, be sure to check out the best things to do in Budapest with kids!

Pay your respect at the Shoes on the Danube Bank

After you finish visiting the Basilica, make your way down to the Danube River once again. But this time you will be walking on the Pest side which offers a whole different view! Make sure to stop at the Shoes on the Danube Bank on your way.

The shoes are a haunting tribute dedicated to all the Jews who lost their lives during World War II in Budapest. Nearly 20,000 of them were killed along the Danube Bank and they were all forced to remove their shoes before the gunfire.

Therefore the monument consists of 60 iron-made shoes along the Danube River that stand in memory of those who tragically lost their lives.

Admire the Hungarian Parliament from up close (and go inside if you want)

Continue walking along the Danube river and in about 5 minutes you will reach the Hungarian Parliament building. You’ve seen it already across the Danube river from the Buda side but this time you can have a closer look at one of the most significant landmarks in Budapest.

The Hungarian Parliament is one of the largest buildings in Hungary and with its 96 meters height, it’s also the third-largest parliament building in the world. No matter how many times I walk past this building, it never ceases to amaze me. There are no words for how gorgeous it is in real life!

If you want to see the Hungarian Parliament from the inside as well, then you need to book your ticket in advance. The guided tours are available in many different languages and the duration is usually around 45-50 minutes.

Day 2

Start your day with a fancy breakfast at New York Café

It’s already the second day of your weekend in Budapest, can you believe it? Yesterday was quite busy so it’s time to pamper yourself a bit! And what would be a better start to the day than having a fancy breakfast at one of the best restaurants in Budapest?

The New York Café is the most beautiful coffeehouse in Budapest. And I’m not exaggerating, not even a bit! Even if breakfast is included in your hotel it’s still worth making some space for the New York Café on your two days in Budapest itinerary. Trust me, it will blow your mind!

The coffeehouse is located inside the New York Palace building which is one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest.

The building is home to Anantara New York Palace Budapest as well and if you’re staying there you can eat your breakfast in this place every morning! (There is a separate room for hotel guests, just to be correct.) Can you imagine that?

There is a wide selection of food and drinks on their menu, including many famous dishes from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy like Wiener Schnitzel, beef goulash, Somlói sponge cake, or strudels.

However, be prepared for the prices because this place is rather expensive. But given the location and that you’re basically dining in a 5-star hotel it’s not surprising.

The New York Café Budapest opens at 8 am every day. Unfortunately, now they only take reservations for dinner, so you can expect to wait in line for a while if you’re not going straight at opening time.

Check out the Heroes Square

Budapest is a totally walkable city and up until now, you didn’t have to use any kind of public transportation as you did this Budapest self-guided walking tour. However, your next stop will be Heroes Square which is quite far away from the New York Cafe.

If you like walking you can still do that – it’s like a 30-minute walk from the New York Cafe to the Heroes Square. Plus you can walk through Andrássy Avenue which is an amazing experience in itself!

But if you’re feeling lazy after experiencing all of these amazing things to do in Budapest, then you can use the M1 metro to get to Heroes Square. From the New York Cafe, you can either walk to Oktogon (approx. 12 minutes) or you can walk back a little to Blaha Lujza Square (2 minutes) and take the tram nr. 4  or nr. 6 for one stop.

Heroes Square is the largest and most important square in Budapest. You can find a statue of Archangel Gabriel in the middle surrounded by the statue of the seven chieftains of the Magyar tribes and other important Hungarian national leaders on both sides. The monument was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000-year-old history of Hungary.

Stroll around the City Park and visit Vajdahunyad Castle

Right behind Heroes Square, you can find the biggest park in Budapest, the City Park (it’s called Városliget in Hungarian). It’s a nice place to escape from the busy city and take a stroll around in nature after a hectic 2 days in Budapest.

You can find many interesting places inside the park like the Budapest Zoo, the Gundel Restaurant, a boating lake that gets transformed into the biggest ice-skating rink in Europe during the winter months, the Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, and a couple of museums.

Relax at Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Exploring a new city is always exhausting. There are just so many things to do in Budapest in 2 days! But you’ve almost seen everything so you totally deserve a few hours of relaxing.

Visiting the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the best thermal baths in Budapest is the perfect choice for that! With its iconic yellow building, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the most famous bath in Budapest and definitely one of the best ones too.

You can find different kinds of pools inside and outside as well. It’s still worth visiting the outside pools in winter too because the thermal water is always warm. I love the thermal bath in the cold weather the most, it’s such a special feeling to sit outside in the warm water when the weather is crispy!

Go for a ride on the Budapest Eye

Did you know that there is a big Ferris wheel in Budapest too? It’s called Budapest Eye (how original) and it’s located on Erzsébet Square, right behind Deák Ferenc Square.

If you love panoramic views, I recommend going for a ride, otherwise, you can just check out the Ferris wheel from the ground.

Getting to the Budapest Eye from the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is pretty easy. You just have to walk back to the Heroes Square metro station and take the M1 metro line to the Deák Ferenc Square metro station.

Explore the Jewish Quarter

One of the most interesting parts of any 2 days Budapest itinerary is the Jewish Quarter. It’s full of historical landmarks like the Dohány Street Synagogue or the Rumbach Street Synagogue and it’s also home to the coolest ruin bars and street food courts in Budapest.

You can wander around for hours in this district but if you only have a limited time, try to visit at least the Gozsdu Court and the Szimpla Kert.

Go up to the Citadel for sunset

I saved the best (okay, one of the best) for last: the Citadel! The Citadel is a fortification located on the top of Gellért Hill and it has one of the best views in Budapest. The views are spectacular during the day as well, but if you want to see real magic, go there for sunset! It’s the perfect place to end your 2 days in Budapest itinerary.

It’s possible to go up there by public transportation – you can take bus line 27 and get off at the Búsuló Juhász (Citadella) stop. However, the bus only runs on the Buda side so first, you need to get to Móricz Zsigmond körtér with the bus line 7 or tram nr. 47, 48, or 49 and then change to bus line 27.

Honestly, I think waking up is much easier. However, it’s a 15-20 minute walk which is quite steep, so I totally understand if you want to skip that.

But in case you want to do this: you need to cross either Erzsébet Bridge or Liberty Bridge to get to the Buda side (by foot or by public transport) and you can walk up from both points to the Citadel.

Useful Info for Visiting Budapest

Where to stay in Budapest

At first, Budapest can seem like a big and overwhelming city but in reality, it’s far from it. Sure, it occupies an area of 525 km² (200 square miles) but most of the tourist attractions are located relatively close to each other, which makes Budapest a compact and easily walkable city.

Budapest has 23 administrative districts and the Danube River divides the city into two different parts: Buda and Pest. The classic city center is located on the Pest side, comprised of districts 5, 6, and 7. This is one of the best areas to stay in Budapest for sightseeing!

Below you can find some of the best hotels to stay in the city center of Budapest, depending on your budget.

• Luxury: Anantara New York Palace Budapest
• Mid-Range: Hotel Moments Budapest
• Budget: T62 Hotel

How to get to Budapest

Most tourists visiting Budapest arrive at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport (commonly referred to as Ferihegy), located 16 km (10 miles) southeast of the city center of Budapest. There are no other airports nearby so if you want to arrive in Budapest by plane, this is your only option.

Getting to the city center from the airport is quite easy and you have multiple options to choose from. The most budget-friendly way is to use public transportation.

100E Airport Express is a direct airport shuttle operating between the airport and Deák Ferenc Square. Please note that you need to purchase a special ticket for the bus, you can’t use a normal BKK ticket or a Budapest travel card.

Busline 200E is another option. You can use this bus with a normal BKK ticket but it only runs between the airport and Kőbánya-Kispest metro station where you can change to metro line M3 to get to Deák Ferenc Square.

Best time to visit Budapest

Summer is the peak tourist season in Budapest and it’s easy to see why. The weather is usually nice and sunny, however, it can get extremely hot with temperatures above 30°C (86°F), especially in late July and August.

You can use the longer days to do more sightseeing in a day, which is great if you’re only planning to spend a weekend in Budapest. Visiting in the summer is a great choice if you want to enjoy outdoor concerts, sit on the terraces at cafes, or attend a festival. On the other hand, be prepared for crowds and higher prices!

If you want to avoid the tourist crowds but still want to enjoy warm weather, plan to spend your 2 days in Budapest in spring (preferably the second half of April and May) or early autumn (September and the first half of October). The weather is usually perfect for sightseeing but you should also be prepared for a bit of rain.

Spending a weekend in Budapest in late November or December is also a great idea. The city looks breathtaking with the festive lights and you can find many amazing Christmas markets in Budapest as well.

And of course, there are countless other things to do in Budapest in December such as ice skating at City Park and visiting the festive rooftop bars and restaurants.

Unfortunately, the weather in winter is usually grey and cold, often with temperatures dropping below freezing, so make sure to bring lots of layers and warm clothes with you! Although Budapest looks utterly romantic in the snow, the city doesn’t get so much snow, and even when it does, it usually melts away quickly.

How to get around Budapest

Luckily Budapest is a totally walkable city so the best way to get around in the city is actually by foot! Most of the tourist attractions are located in the city center, quite close to each other. If you follow this 2 day Budapest itinerary, you will see how easy it is to get around without public transportation.

If you don’t fancy walking that much or you would rather see the tourist attractions in a different order, you can use public transportation. Budapest has 4 different metro lines and countless tram and bus lines operated by BKK (Budapest Közlekedési Központ), which is really helpful when it comes to getting around in Budapest.

You can find ticket vending machines all around the city, especially around metro or tram stations so it’s easy to buy your tickets in advance. If you’re planning to buy your tickets on-site, make sure to have cash with you, preferably at a smaller value.

You also have the option to buy a Budapest travel card for 24 hours or 72 hours which grants you unlimited access to all kinds of public transportation, except the 100E bus (airport shuttle). This is a great option if you’re planning to use public transportation a lot but honestly, if you follow this 2 day Budapest itinerary, you will not need it!

Of course like in any other major city, you can find taxis on every corner, so it’s another option for getting around. Unfortunately, ride-sharing apps have been banned in Budapest, but you can use an app called Bolt to order a taxi.