2 Days in Budapest: An Itinerary for a Quick Trip
Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. While it’s been invaded and bombed over the centuries, its present-day beauty is stunning … and the history that led the city to its current state only enhances the tourist experience.
The best way to deliver an itinerary for 2 days in Budapest might be to separate the days by activities on either side of the Danube River.
I’m writing this post that way because geographically it makes sense in my mind at the moment. If something better comes along, I’ll update things.
So here we go! You can, of course, interchange the days and activities.
Key Info on Visiting Budapest
- Budapest is in Hungary, which is part of the European Union.
- Hungary is adopting the Euro, so you can use Euros at most sites.
- Present-day Budapest was once two cities: Buda and Pest (split by the Danube River).
- Budapest is a walkable city, but also has taxis and Uber service, along with trams and buses.
Buda is on the western side of the Danube River. It’s the hilly, residential part of the city, famous for landmarks like Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion
Pest is on the eastern side of the Danube. It’s flat, and considered “downtown” Budapest. It’s home to the parliament building, the Jewish Quarter, and more.
Let’s dive into your itinerary for 2 days in Budapest!
Tours if You’re Spending 2 Days in Budapest
Budapest is a very walkable city, so you can easily explore all of these sites on your own. However, there’s so much history in this city, it might be worth taking a tour with an expert local guide.
I’d recommend these, which have all 5-star reviews:
➡️ Click to Book: Full Day Budapest Tour
➡️ Click to Book: Private City Tour
➡️ Click to Book: Budapest Food Tour
2 Days in Budapest: The Budapest Card
If you’re planning to spent 2 days in Budapest, it might be worth buying a Budapest Card.
For between $40 – $45 USD (HUF 15,400) the Budapest Card will grant you access to most of the main attractions, plus public transportation.
You can buy one by clicking here.
The attractions include:
- Danube River Cruise
- Public transportation
- Walking Tours
- Buda Castle: National Gallery
- Buda Castle: History Museum
- Dohany Street Synagogue
- St. Stephen’s Basilica
Budapest’s Bridges
First, I’ll go over a few of the bridges which span the Danube River. They have pedestrian walkways, which are easy to use and safe for crossing between Buda and Pest.
Each is a third of a mile to half a mile in length, and they all offer amazing views!
Szehenyi Chain Bridge
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Budapest and the first permanent bridge to span the Danube River.
Completed in 1849, the iron chains give the bridge its name. You’ll find sweeping views of all of Budapest’s landmarks from the bridge. It’s worth making the crossing at least once in the day and once at night.
Margit Bridge
Margit Bridge (or Margit hid) is the second-oldest bridge in Budapest, completed in 1876. It was heavily damaged during World War II but was rebuilt and restored by 1948. It offers beautiful views of the Danube and is a key route for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
Liberty Bridge
Liberty Bridge, (or Szabadság híd) is one of Budapest’s most picturesque bridges. It was finished before 1896 for the Millennium World Exhibition.
The bridge was destroyed in World War II but reconstructed in 1946. Today, it’s a favorite for pedestrians and offers great views of the river and surrounding landmarks.
Day 1 in Budapest: The Buda Side
Let’s start on the west side of the Danube River, in what was once known as Buda.
Buda Castle: Budapest History Museum
Buda Castle is the historic royal palace perched above Budapest. Its origins date back to the 13th century, though much of the current structure was built in the 1700s.
On a tour, you’ll learn about how the castle has seen numerous reconstructions due to wars, including significant damage during World War II.
Historically, Buda Castle was the residence of Hungarian kings, serving as a political, cultural, and military center. Today, it houses important cultural institutions like the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
- Cost: $5 USD
- Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm (closed Mondays)
Buda Castle: The National Gallery
The Hungarian National Gallery is located within Buda Castle and is dedicated to Hungarian art from the Middle Ages to contemporary work.
The gallery also offers stunning views of Budapest from its terraces.
- Cost: $16 USD
- Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm daily
Matthias Fountain
Matthias Fountain is sometimes referred to as the “Trevi Fountain” of Budapest, referring to Rome’s immense fountain which draws 10,000 people per day.
You’ll find a crowd at the Matthias Fountain, too, near the Buda Castle.
Built in 1904, it depicts King Matthias Corvinus, a 15th Century monarch, hunting a stag with his hounds.
- Cost: Free
- Hours: 24/7
Fisherman’s Bastion
Photos and videos of Fisherman’s Bastion make it look like something out of a fairytale. It’s basically a large viewing platform, overlooking the beautiful city below.
In reality, it gets very crowded during the day, so your best bet is to visit early in the morning. By 7:00am, there’s already a crowd of people gathered for photos.
The alcoves span the lengthy wall, but you’ll be competing with people posing from all over the world, and likely a bride and groom, too!
The design of Fisherman’s Bastion is considered to be a mix of neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque. It opened in 1902.
As for the name “Fisherman’s Bastion,” it comes from the medieval fish market that once existed nearby. Apparently the fishermen’s guild was responsible for defending this section of the city walls in the Middle Ages.
Head back at night for a drink at the restaurant! They serve at a row of tables within the structure, which provide amazing evening views of the city.
- Cost: Free until 9:00am, then there’s about a $4 fee to enter certain parts.
- Open: Technically 24/7
Hungary’s National Archives
The colorful patterned roof of this building first caught my eye. Even if you’re not interested in seeing the archives, it’s worth a stop to check out the stunning architecture.
The Hungarian National Archives building was heavily bombed during World War II, and you can learn about the rebuilding and much more.
- Cost: Free
- Open: Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 4:00pm or 6:00pm
The Church of Our Lady of Buda/Matthias Church
Matthias Church is the historic Roman Catholic church towering over the Buda side of Budapest.
It’s officially named Church of Our Lady, or Church of Our Lady of Buda. Still, many know it as Matthias Church, named after King Matthias Corvinus’ rule during the 1400s.
The church itself dates back to the 1200s, and has gone through several reconstructions over the centuries.
The church is a stunning landmark, and houses a museum with relics and medieval artifacts.
You can also climb the 200 steps (or 197) to the top of the tower, for an extra fee.
Make sure to book your tickets ahead of your visit, especially if it’s in a busy tourist or holiday season.
Make reservations here: https://matyas-templom.hu/en/buy-tickets/
- Cost: $8 USD for an adult
- Discounts for students & seniors
- Open: 9:00am – 5:00pm daily, but can change depending on church activities
Buda Tower
As World War II came to a close, German forces destroyed many of the landmark buildings around the Buda Castle, including the Chuch of Saint Mary Magdalene.
The church was never rebuilt. Rebuilding the tower hit snags under communist rule and during the anti-communist revolution.
The tower was rebuilt and opened to visitors again in 2017.
Today you can climb the 172 steps to the top of the tower for 360-degree views of Budapest.
- Cost: $7.50 USD
- Open: 10:00am – 6:00pm daily
Hospital in the Rock / Nuclear Bunker Museum
The Hospital in the Rock is a historic underground museum located beneath Buda Castle. Originally built as a secret emergency hospital during World War II, it was used to treat wounded soldiers and civilians during the Siege of Budapest in 1944-1945.
Years later, during the Cold War, it was converted into a nuclear bunker.
You can learn all about its history at the museum inside.
- Cost: $20-$25 USD, with discounts for seniors and students
- Open: 10:00am – 7:00pm (last entry 6:00pm)
Ride the Funicular to Buda
If the hill is too steep to climb on foot, you can always take the funicular up to the historic sites. You’ll see it from the Chain Bridge.
Day 2 in Budapest: Pest
Let’s spend day two of our visit to Budapest on the Pest side, east of the Danube River.
This is more of the “downtown” area, which is full of beautiful architecture, historic sites, shopping, and good food.
Budapest Central Market
Let’s start with the massive Budapest Central Market, which is full of tourists but also local people doing their grocery, fish, and meat shopping.
It’s several floors of goods, from produce to clothing, plus souvenirs and restaurants, too.
Downstairs, under the soaring ceilings, you’ll find vendors selling produce, bakery products, and a lot of paprika.
Upstairs, you’ll find rows and rows of clothing and souvenir stalls, plus a line of restaurants. We were happy to stop for a snack and glass of beer.
- Cost: Free entry
- Open: 6:00am daily (closed Sundays)
- Closes 3pm Saturday, 5pm Monday, and 6pm other days
Fashion Street
For shoppers, Fashion Street is lined with local and international brands, plus restaurants and outdoor cafes.
The Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter is a vibrant area, which is rich in history, where you can explore a mix of historical landmarks, religious sites, and trendy bars and restaurants.
This part of Budapest is home to several Holocaust memorials, including the Shoes on the Danube Bank, an emotional installation near the river that commemorates the people killed during World War II.
These days, the area is full of colorful street art and murals, along with a lot of trendy cafes and restaurants. It’s a true mix of the horrors of the past and the joys of the modern day.
Dohany St. Synagogue
This massive synagogue, sometimes known as The Great Synagogue, is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world.
Built in the 1850s, it still serves as the heart of the Jewish community in Budapest.
The greater synagogue complex also houses the Hungarian Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Memorial, commemorating the 400,000 Hungarian Jews who were killed during World War II.
Raoul Wallenberg Park
The Garden of Remembrance is next to the Dohany Street Synagogue.
It was once part of the Budapest ghetto, where tens of thousands of people were crowded together in unimaginably inhumane conditions.
When the ghetto was liberated, the bodies of people who’d starved or frozen to death or killed in the streets were buried in the garden.
The park became a graveyard and a memorial to the unknown.
The Holocaust Memorial Tree of Life sculpture is especially moving, with names of Hungarian Jewish Holocaust victims inscribed on its metal leaves.
- Open: Daily (except Saturdays) at 10:00am
Budapest’s Ruin Bars
Budapest has a series of bars that popped up in post-war ruins. They’ve become part of the fabric of the city, and are among the most popular bars around.
The most well-known is Szimpla Kert, which is a complex full of several bars, plus food vendors. Part of it is open-air.
You’ll follow a series of winding corridors and staircases to wind up in different rooms, all of which have graffiti covering the war-torn walls.
People of all ages come to check them out, and the bars turn into nightclubs late night. Several remain open until 4:00am.
Szechenyi Baths
I don’t have personal experience with the baths, but I do know they’re fed by natural hot springs. The Szechenyi Baths consist of 18 pools, which are popular with tourists and locals. They host night events, too.
FAQs on Spending a Couple Days in Budapest
Let’s go over a few more frequently-asked-questions.
How far is Budapest from Vienna?
You can get from Vienna to Budapest on a train in about 2 hours 45 minutes. I’d suggest going from the central station (HBF) in Vienna (Wien) to Keleti Station in Budapest.
How far is Budapest from Bratislava?
It’s about a 2.5 hour train ride from Bratislava’s Hlavna train station to Budapest’s Nyugati Station.
Wrap on 2 Days in Budapest
If you’re in Vienna or Bratislava or some other city in this part of Eastern Europe, it’s definitely worth making the trip to spend two days in Budapest.
It’s such a walkable city. You’ll be able to see all of the landmarks you’d like to check out up close, and there are so many great restaurants and historic sites to check out, too.
In some areas, it feels like a quaint small town on the winding cobblestone streets by the Buda Castle. Other times you’ll know you’re in a major metropolitan city.
I’m looking forward to heading back to explore more of Budapest, and also some of the surrounding cities in Hungary.
