Introduction
Hello! On my last trip to Poland, I decided that I finally wanted to visit the capitol of Hungary, even if it was always so close I had never had a chance to do it. It is only a 4,5h drive from my hometown in Poland.
I encouraged my parents to go, and we had a blast, breathtaking architecture, beautiful churches, and of course, the most amazing cafes in the world!
Don’t forget to download the free packing list (PDF), and let’s go!
Best time to visit Budapest
The ideal time for a trip to Budapest is spring and fall — May, June, September, and early October. You will enjoy milder weather, and you can experience more people, but the city receives fewer tourists than other major capitols in Europe, so you never feel overwhelmed with crowds.
Your travel map of Budapest!
3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Royal Palace of Gödöllő
- New York Café
The first day was shorter, but we wanted to use it to the max. We stopped at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő on our way to Budapest, it is only a 30-minute drive from Budapest and the experience was worth it. That is where Empress Elisabeth of Austria (nickname Sisi), later Queen of Hungary was living.
Visiting the Royal Palace of Gödöllő offers a rich experience steeped in history and culture. This Baroque masterpiece, once home to the royal family, showcases stunning architecture and beautifully maintained gardens. The palace’s museum and exhibitions provide deep insights into royal life and Austro-Hungarian history. Easily accessible from Budapest, it offers guided tours that enhance your understanding of its historical significance and architectural splendor.
Tickets start and 4600 HUF, $12.50 for adults.
After accommodating in our place (booking.com) which was great by the way! We were only 20 min walk from New York Café, without saying where are we going I took my parents straight there.
And for me if I would only have time to visit one place in Budapest that would be it!
The New York Café in Budapest, often referred to as the “most beautiful café in the world,” has a rich history dating back to its opening in 1894. Designed by architect Alajos Hauszmann, it quickly became a hub for writers, artists, and intellectuals. During its heyday, the café was a meeting place for the literary and artistic elite, contributing significantly to Hungary’s cultural scene. After a period of decline and closure during the mid-20th century, the café was meticulously restored and reopened in 2006. Today, it retains its original opulence, featuring lavish interiors and ornate decorations, continuing to attract visitors from around the world.
Day 2
- Citadella
- Gellért Hill Cave
- Matthias Church
- Buda Castle
For days 2 and 3 I bought tickets for the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus which I highly recommend, it goes all around the city to the most important places and you can catch the bus every 10 minutes. It allows you to get anywhere quickly and make sure that you will visit all the sights you want.
Our goal was to visit a few places, Citadella, Chapel in The Hill (Gellért Hill Cave), and Matthias Church, and we ended up in Buda Castle visiting the National Gallery.
That still involved some walking, Budapest has some hills, so get comfortable shoes.
To see Citadella, you need to take a nice little hike, it was under construction but you can still enjoy awesome views of Budapest, on the way back you can stop in Gellért Hill Cave and visit Gellért Thermal Bath if you want to relax a bit. All of those things are close to each other.
After that, we got on the bus to get to the next point which was Matthias Church (The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle). The church and its surroundings are stunning, it is located on the top of the hill, I think it has the best view of Budapest, especially the Parliament building. You can enjoy one or two restaurants around and after that walk to the Buda Castle, another landmark that needs to be visited.
Honestly, my parents were exhausted at this point and it was getting late in the afternoon so we decided to head to our place eat dinner, and rest.
Day 3
- Váci Street
- St. Stephen’s Basilica
- Párisi Passage Restaurant
- Budapest at Night
3rd day had 2 key elements, one was to visit the center of Budapest, so we took the bus to Váci Street, which is a very popular street where you can find all the biggest brands and do some shopping or eat well. That walk took us to St. Stephen’s Basilica, which to visit you need to purchase a ticket, this 96-meter-tall church is an absolute must-see place. The iconic landmark of Hungary dates back to 1851, even not that old for a church in Europe, it is still stunning inside and to the top where can walk out on the church’s dome.
Nest to the Basilic is a very interesting ice cream shop, Gelarto Rosa, check it out! 😉
There is another amazing place where you can stop for dinner or simply coffee with good dessert, it is Párisi Passage Restaurant located very close to Váci Street makes it easy to access an amazing place that will bring your meal to the next level!
In our bus ticket, we also included a boat ride on the Danube River, one tip, don’t do it during the day!
Budapest at night from the water looks amazing and it is one thing that I would recommend to have great memories in this beautiful city.
The next day we were heading home, but if your flight is later in the day don’t hesitate to go to the city, you can easily use public transportation, which will take you everywhere and sink in the vibes of this unique city, enjoy endless cafes and restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. (A lot of Italian restaurants). I hope this guide will help you a little in planning your trip, please leave a comment if you have any questions, and find a list of places below.
Full list of places in Budapest
Click the links for directions in Google.
Places to visit
Royal Palace of Gödöllő
Citadella
Gellért Hill Cave
Matthias Church
Buda Castle
Gellért Thermal Bath
Váci Street
St. Stephen’s Basilica
Parliament
Coffee Shops/Restaurants
