Budapest is more than thermal baths and goulash – and you definitely need more than 1 day in Budapest. But I get it, we’re in a hurry sometimes, so here’s an itinerary you can do in 1 day.
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WHEN TO VISIT BUDAPEST
You can travel to Budapest any time of the year. There’s much to see all year around. Winter can be cold and summer is h o t. The best time to go sightseeing in Budapest is during springtime and fall – the climate is nice and the city isn’t as crowded as during summer.
1 DAY IN BUDAPEST – YOUR ITINERARY
If you choose your accommodation wisely, you can achieve a lot during one day in Budapest. Many sights are within walking distance if you decide to stay in a fairly central hotel and close to the river Donau.
My favorite hotels in Budapest are:
Cafe Gerbaud
Start your day with breakfast at Cafe Gerbeaud, located at Vörösmarty Square. This is one of the oldest cafes in Budapest and they have T H E B E S T breakfast! Enjoy a coffee, smoothie and an avo toast if you’re a Millennial who has given up on saving for a house. You can also come here for sweets, oh heavenly sweets, all kinds of sweets! From the famous Dobos torta to colorful macarons. This is THE place to indulge when you’re in Budapest!
Not convinced? Check out 5 reasons to visit Cafe Gerbeaud in Budapest.
St. Stephens Basilica
At Cafe Gerbeaud, you’re just around the corner from St Stephen’s basilica (Szent István bazilika). Climb the stairs inside to the top and enjoy the beautiful view over Budapest. But your one day in Budapest is about to get even better.
The Chain Bridge
You’re within walking distance from your second sight: the chain bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd) that connects the Buda side of the city to the Pest side. Take a stroll over the Danube to the Buda side and visit the Buda castle.
The Buda Castle & the Fisherman’s Bastion
The Buda castle is one of Budapest’s most famous landmarks. Located on a hill, the Buda castle offers a stunning view of Budapest and the river Danube. You can either walk up to the castle or take the funicular (costs about € 8 return). I always take the funicular up, to preserve energy, and walk down.
While on the Buda side, you should also visit the Fisherman’s bastion. The famous landmark was built on the grounds of the old walls of the Buda castle. The Fisherman’s bastion is named after the fishermen that used to guard this part of the city during medieval times. There’s a restaurant in the Fisherman’s bastion, have some local Hungarian goulash soup here while you enjoy the beautiful view.
After you’ve seen the Buda castle and the surroundings, head back to the chain bridge and walk back to the Pest side. You’re not far away from your next stop: the Hungarian Parliament building.
The Hungarian Parliament building & The shoes on the Danube bank
You can spot the parliament building on your left side when walking over the chain bridge, away from the Buda Castle. Walk along the Danube bank after you cross the bridge. About 5 minutes before you reach the parliament building, you’ll see the monument “The shoes on the Danube bank”. The monument is created by director Can Togay and the sculptor Gyula Pauer to honor the Jewish people who were shot and killed by the fascist Arrow Cross in Budapest during World War II. The people had to take their shoes off and line up along the river, they were then shot and fell in the river. The monument represents the shoes left on the river bank. Do take a moment here to reflect before you continue to the parliament. It’s a beautiful monument where people leave flowers in the shoes to honor the victims, and you have a pretty view over the Danube River, the Buda Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion.
You’re now close to the parliament, located at Kossuth Lajos Square. The Hungarian Parliament building is one of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings. This is the tallest building in Budapest (not a skyscraper but just as pretty, if not prettier). Make sure you see all sides of the parliament building.
IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 1 DAY IN BUDAPEST, DON’T MISS OUT ON:
- The view from Gellért Hill, the Citadel and the Liberty Statue
- A Danube river cruise
- Thermal bath at either the Széchenyi or Gellért bath
- Heroes’ square, a spectacular open place with large statues of great Hungarian leaders
- Shopping in Váci utca or one of the main shopping centers WestEnd, Árkád or Arena Plaza
- Visit the Great Market Hall, the oldest market in the city. Spoil your taste buds by munching on some Hungarian specialties
- The ruin bars.