Budapest, the Hungarian pearl on the banks of the Danube, offers endless ways to explore its rich history, art and culture. If you only have two days to fall in love with this magical destination, let us be your guide on a journey full of beautiful scenery and adventure. Get ready for an unforgettable experience! In this article you’ll get answers to the question of what to see in Budapest in two days. We’ve been to Budapest repeatedly and every time it was a great experience. You’ll definitely be surprised by how much you can see in two days – and how little time it takes. At the end we’ll also add a map you can easily download to your phone.
Why visit Budapest
Budapest is a city of contrasts – modern cafés next to century-old baths, historic bridges and bars in crumbling buildings, elegant boulevards and cheap lángos. Unlike many other cities, it has a soul. Every district sounds different, smells different, lives differently – and it’s all tied together by the Danube, the majestic artery that both divides and unites the city.
Where to stay in Budapest
On both our stays we didn’t put a foot wrong. The first time we didn’t have much money, so we stayed outside the centre, where accommodation is much cheaper. Back then we slept in the lovely Vitta Hotel Superior Budapest, 15 minutes from the centre, close to the Ferencváros stadium.
On our second visit we stayed right in the centre in the lovely 4**** Hotel Memories Budapest, with great breakfasts, comfortable beds and an excellent location overall. Incidentally, this hotel now also has a second branch right in the old centre.
Low-cost accommodation – Capital Guest House Budapest (basic accommodation that doesn’t cost much, which we also used back in 2018 when we wanted to sleep right in the centre).
How to get to Budapest
You can drive comfortably to Budapest – once you’ve untangled yourself from Czechia you basically sail all the way there. Parking in the centre is trickier (hotels often offer garages), or you can use one of the many park-and-ride car parks around the city. You can also book longer-term parking and then get around by public transport or on foot.
The second option is the RegioJet train service, which is what we took, and it was superb. The only painful bit was getting to Brno!!! via our motorways and A-roads. After that you settle comfortably into an air-conditioned compartment with a socket, a menu and fun screens. The train drops you at the main station in Buda – here.
Taking the train saves you a lot of hassle with the car, and you get a pleasant journey of roughly 6-7 hours that passes in no time.
Budapest is a city that swallows you up with its beauty and history. Even though we’ve only shown you a small step into this fascinating place, we hope our recommendations on what to see in Budapest in two days help you have an unforgettable stay. Do let us know if this article helped. 🙂
What to see in Budapest in two days
The 1896 metro: when time connects more than carriages
Open the door to the past and step into the metro built in 1896, one of the oldest underground systems in the world. In every creak of the rails you can hear history whispering as your train carries the stories of generations. A metro where time pulses just like the heart of this magical city.
St Stephen’s Basilica: higher than the desire to unite a nation’s heart
Look up at St Stephen’s Basilica, a masterpiece of architecture and a religious symbol of Hungary. Up in these heights rests the legacy of King Stephen, who united the hearts of the Hungarian tribes. Here, under a blue sky, the city breathes history and the desire to connect past with future.
The Parliament: where every dome has a voice in the rhythm of democracy – does that still hold?
The lights of the Parliament dance on the surface of the Danube like reflections of democracy. This building, born of marble and symbolism, tells a story of freedom. Every dome underlines that every voice matters and that every decision beats in time with the city’s heart. The finest view of the Parliament is from the other side, from Buda Castle, or straight from a boat.
We used the HOP-ON HOP-OFF company, and the ticket price included a cruise past the Parliament and Margitsziget island.
Buda Castle: where history breathes in every stone corner
Buda Castle, the fortress at the heart of Budapest, has witnessed epic stories and heroic adventures. Its stone walls carry the traces of the past, where every stone becomes a chronicle of its time. You can reach the castle comfortably on foot from any direction – up the endless steps from the Danube, or from the other side by the main station.
You definitely won’t go wrong if you take a look at the castle caves. It didn’t cost much and the experience was rather nice. Especially in summer, when the city is baking.
The Chain Bridge: when a bridge connects more than two banks
Cross the Chain Bridge, the jewel connecting Buda and Pest. Its delicate look at night, lit up, is like magic joining reality to imagination. This is where dreams meet reality and every step is a step towards immense adventure. I tried to photograph the bridge from the roundabout on the Buda side and nearly got run over, so I gave up on that.
The golden bridge – Margaret Bridge
On Margaret Bridge it’s not only the arches that are precious, but the moments spent on Margaret Island. In the heart of the Danube, on a bridge linking two banks, you’ll find a treasure of irreplaceable experiences. The island is the ideal place to enjoy a coffee and something good.
The synagogue: where prayers flicker with the reflections of the sun
In the synagogue it feels as though prayers flicker with the sun’s reflections and every shadow is a story. Light comes through the glass windows like a search for faith in every heart. This sanctuary connects past with present, creating harmony in every moment.
The Széchenyi thermal baths
Step into the world of the baths, where the water heals not only the body but the soul. In these sanctuaries of relaxation you’ll find calm and balance. Every touch and change of temperature is like magic, creating moments of relief and harmony. The baths aren’t expensive either, and again you can walk there or use public transport.
Central Market Hall: the stories of traditional cooking
The Central Market Hall opens up a world of the smells and flavours of traditional Hungarian cooking. Here every step becomes an excursion into history and every corner is full of the secrets of old recipes. Step into a world where aroma becomes poetry and every piece of this flavour paradise has a story of its own.
Lángos alley
Walk through lángos alley, where every piece of lángos becomes a story. In every glorious flatbread you’ll taste a love of tradition and a flavour that pulls you into a whirl of unforgettable food experiences.
Viewpoints over the city
When discovering Budapest, the viewpoints are a must! Up at a city viewpoint your dreams start rising towards the sky. Up here you’re surrounded by a city where every building is an expression of human dreams. I’d underline that sentence especially in the evening!
Shoes on the Danube bank
On the bank of the Danube, the Shoes stand as a memorial to senseless killing, footwear adorning the landscape like shadows of the past. These shoes, lost and abandoned, are a voice telling stories of injustice and pointless suffering. Every step around them is an encounter with heroism and with pain.
The Jewish quarter and the ruin bars
Once a quiet quarter, today the heart of Budapest by night. The “ruin bars” sprang up in old buildings and are a unique mix of underground and ease.
A Danube cruise – the city from another perspective
Budapest is at its most beautiful from the water. Evening cruises with wine or dinner are among the top experiences.
Heroes’ Square: where the nation’s spirit is revived by a sculptural whisper
On Heroes’ Square every stone carries traces of heroism and courage as the statues come alive in the sunlight. This square is a heart where every hero gains eternal life and the nation’s spirit is revived by a sculptural whisper. Here every step is a step towards glory and gratitude.
Gellért Hill: where we touch both sky and earth
Gellért Hill, a majestic summit where sky and earth meet. In this hilly landscape every stone carries a breath of history, and at every bend in the path you meet a view that touches the sky. Here, in the embrace of nature and the past, you feel time stand still and your heart dance to the rhythm of eternity.
The zoo
I still remember what a crazy decision it was. Since we’re here, let’s do it properly. We still talk about that visit to the zoo. Prague’s zoo is bigger, but you certainly won’t regret the exhibits – and I think the HOP ON HOP OFF price included a discounted ticket.
Is that list of places too short? Take a look at the possible trips and experiences you can have in Budapest.
Andrássy Avenue – elegance and style
Budapest’s boulevard, full of cafés, boutiques and embassies. Ideal for a walk from the Opera all the way to Heroes’ Square.
Where to eat in Budapest
There are countless places to eat well in Budapest. Effectively on every corner you can have a good coffee, a dessert or try traditional dishes. What you absolutely have to try in Hungary is traditional lángos, and in Budapest our favourite is Retró Lángos Budapest.
A beautiful spot on Budapest’s riverfront with excellent traditional food is Esetleg Bisztró.
A place worth visiting and full of food – Szimpla Kert
We kept coming back to the “food truck” quarter, where you can have traditional dishes prepared in a modern way. Lángos, goulash, sausages… you’ll get it all here.
Another spot is Gulyás Tunkoló Büfé – as the name suggests you’ll get goulash here, and what goulash!
Definitely avoid the so-called tourist traps. Always check the ratings on Google Maps.
Where to go for breakfast and good coffee
What would a trip be without a proper breakfast, coffee and something sweet. Exploring coffee culture is an inseparable part of our travelling. On the road we use the Coffee Trip app to find good cafés. It shows opening hours, what kind of coffee you’ll get and links to social media profiles. Thanks to repeat visits we can recommend a few interesting spots.
- Fekete café (calm seating and good coffee).
- For a tasty breakfast, head to Meron Budapest.
- For excellent coffee a short walk from the centre, Dorado Café.
- And the genuinely best “old Hungarian” doughnuts (in the spirit of old-Czech trdelník) are at La Donuteria Budapest.
A downloadable map of places to visit
After purchase you’ll receive a link to a detailed Google Map that you can easily save to your device (phone, tablet). It copies into your Google account and shows up on every device where you use Google Maps.
