12 Sep How to Spend 3 Days in Budapest Like a Local
Budapest is the perfect city for a short break–it’s compact and walkable, with plenty of sites to visit and great bars to party the night away.
However, while Budapest might be small compared to many other European cities, even if they have lived here for years, there’s plenty to uncover, like how each neighborhood has its own character and how Buda and Pest have entirely different personalities.
But, if you don’t have unlimited time to explore the Hungarian capital, don’t worry–we’ve got the cheat code to do the essentials with a local’s finesse.
We recommend you stay here at least for three days: That’ll give you enough time to see the most famous sites and explore a few quirky things that are often overlooked. So join us for our three-day itinerary of how to spend your time like a local while seeing the sites of Budapest.
Day 1 – Downtown (Pest side)
Let’s kick off day one on the Pest side. This side of the city is lined with stately apartment blocks, cute cafés, and quirky bars.
We’ll start with the big guys and the main sites just so you don’t feel like you’re missing out, but we’ll weave in a few special places you might not ordinarily come across.
Morning
Postal Savings Bank. Photo: hu.wikipedia.org
Begin the morning at the Danube Banks, and take in the view before you turn your back on Buda and feast your eyes on the Hungarian Parliament. Take in the architecture of Budapest’s most iconic building, but don’t let that distract you from some hidden spots around the area.
Make sure you look up and explore the surrounding streets between the Parliament and Liberty Square. If you’re into architecture, check out the mint-green facade of the Art Nouveau Bedő House and the nearby Postal Savings Bank by Ödön Lechner.
Spend time meandering the streets until you get to St. Stephen’s Basilica, another architectural star of downtown Pest.
Locals’ tip: If it’s lunch you’re after, then the charmingly old-fashioned Cafe Kör is the perfect place to stop. With its hand-written menu with Hungarian specials, this Hungarian restaurant is popular with people who work in the area, so you’ll get a local experience.
Afternoon
Andrássy Avenue. Photo: welovebudapest.com
For coffee, skip the Insta-hyped New York Café (unless you want to spend all day in a queue for some mediocre coffee), but rather take a stroll up Andrássy Avenue to the Opera House and get a coffee and cake in Művész Café on the other side of the street for a classic Hungarian cake and a presszó (no queuing required).
City Park. Photo: szallas.hu
Afterward, just hop the UNESCO World Heritage Site metro to Heroes’ Square, taking public transport like a local. Stroll over to City Park to take in the sites, like the Vajdahunyad Castle or the House of Music.
Locals’ tip: If you want to grab a retro drink or snack, you might want to visit Pántlika, a retro hut at the edge of the park that’s always packed with locals in the summer.
Evening
Szimpla kert ruin bar. Photo: budapestflow.com
Hop on the 74 trolly bus and head back to the Jewish Quarter for the evening. Get off at Nyár utca and get ready to hit some of the ruin bars. If you haven’t been to Szimpla Kert before, make sure you pay a visit, as there’s good reason why it’s Budapest’s most famous ruin bar.
Locals’ tip: if you’re looking for something with a bit more local flavor, you might want to check out Kisüzem or Fekete Kutya, both spots popular with the local bohemian crowd with fewer tourists. While going between bars, look out for the vibrant murals and paste-ups that dot this quirky neighborhood.
Day 2 – Beyond the main attractions of the Pest Side
Now you’ve ticked off most of the mainstream sites in Pest, it’s time to go a little deeper and check out some areas that are a bit more off the tourist track (and get a more local experience) with a visit to a local market, an island, and the gritty but beautiful Palace District.
Morning
Újlipótvárs – Sarki Fűszeres Café. Photo: welovebudapest.com
Let’s start off in the XIII District (Újlipótváros), a residential area packed with great cafes, bakeries, and restaurants. Make sure you look up at the buildings, as you’ll find some wonderful Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Bauhaus buildings in the area. But for the morning, let’s start with a market trip.
Lehel Market. Photo: wikimedia.org
Forget the Central Market Hall for now, that’s for tourists, instead, we’re gonna hit Lehel Market, a quirky building that looks like a psychedelic ship that’s crashed into a Soviet playpen. But this market is excellent, and a vibrant way to start your day with locals among fresh produce–maybe pick up some yummy snacks for a picnic later.
Locals’ tip: If you want coffee and a pastry, there’s plenty to try in the neighborhood, like Házi Rétesbolt or a coffee at Briós. If it’s lunch you’re after, try Babka for some Middle Eastern treats.
Afternoon
Margaret Island. Photo: mysterybudapesthotel.com
Walk across Margaret Bridge over to Margaret Island for a relaxing afternoon. Maybe bring a picnic blanket with you, and if you picked up some snacks from Lehel Market, this is your perfect chance to try them.
You’ll find several spots to relax on the island, but if you’re interested in history, check out the medieval monastery and convent ruins on the island.
The convent was where St. Margaret, the daughter of King Bela IV, was cloistered and whom the island was named after.
Locals’ tip: If you’re looking for a great place to grab a fröccs, a spritzer made with rose or white wine, then head over to Nyulam Presszó.
Evening
Szabó Ervin Library. Photo: wikipedia.org
It’s time to return to Pest and take the 9 bus to Kalvin tér. This time, we’re going to a lesser-known area–Palotanegyed (Palace District)–which is located in the VIII District (Józsefváros). Palatial apartment blocks and leafy green parks characterize this area.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the Szabó Ervin Library! Even if you can’t make it inside (although there are some days when it’s open till 8 pm), it’s worth admiring from the outside.
As you explore the district, you’ll find it’s quite a bohemian area with many quirky galleries and cafés. For some wine tasting, check out Tasting Table, who sell Hungarian wine and sometimes lets you try some of the wines by the glass before buying.
Locals’ tip: You can also grab dinner and listen to a jazz concert at Lumen, a cool spot around a former chemical factory building.
Day 3 – Buda side
Now it’s time to cross the river and explore the Buda side. Although this side is more residential than Pest, plenty remains to explore.
From the cobbled streets of Castle Hill to winding hilly paths on Gellért Hill, you’ll get a sense of peace in this part of the city while exploring some of Budapest’s most famous sites.
Morning
Fisherman’s Bastion in the Buda Castle. Photo: wheretostayinbudapest.com
In the morning, you’ll want to head up Castle Hill. If you need coffee before going up, grab a cup at Zërgë before hiking up the hill. We recommend taking the back way up Castle Hill, climbing these beautiful stairways through narrow, historic streets that look like something out of Montmartre.
Many people miss out on exploring these side streets leading up the hill, but we don’t think you should miss them. When you get to the base of Fisherman’s Bastion, take the stairs up here and admire the view.
Fisherman’s Bastion can get busy during the day, but in the morning, it’s relatively quiet. From here, you can explore the Castle District.
Koller Gallery. Photo: welovebudapest.com
One of the few great spots to uncover around here is Koller Gallery, a private gallery with a beautiful statue garden and three floors of art you can buy (but it’s worth checking out their collection, which you can do for free) and take in wonderful views of the river from the top floor.
If you want a snack, then try Budavári Rétesvár, a hole-in-the-wall strudel place tucked away in a passageway that serves excellent crunchy sweet and savory strudels at budget-friendly prices.
Another hidden spot worth visiting is the Hospital in the Rock, a subterranean museum that was once a secret underground hospital and nuclear bunker!
Alternatively, the Budapest History Museum in Buda Castle is interesting, as you can wander around some of the older parts of the castle dating back to Renaissance times! Once you’re done, head down this side via Castle Garden Bazaar for scenic views of the city.
Afternoon
Lukács Thermal Bath. Photo: termalfurdo.hu
You have a couple of options here. If you are looking to soak in one of the thermal baths, jump on the 41 or 19 tram and head over to either the Lukács Baths, for a more classic thermal bath experience, or the Veli Bej, a Turkish bath hiding inside a hospital next door to Lukács.
But if the weather is good and you’d rather hike a little, climb up to the Philosopher’s Garden for incredible views of Buda Castle and Pest in the distance, and continue up Gellért Hill.
If you come down the other side, don’t miss the lookout point by the large cross over Liberty Bridge and the Gellért Hotel. Have a little fun exploring the winding paths around the hill as you make your way up and down the hill.
Evening
Kelet Café at Bartók Béla Avenue
If you’re at the baths, then grab the tram back to Bartók Béla Avenue, but if you’re at Gellért you can simply stroll over. This part of Buda is packed with bars, galleries, and cafés.
There’s always something going on and things to do. You can grab something to eat at Béla Bár, a quirky spot with bird cages and plants hanging from the ceiling, Mitzi, a cute spot with a gallery upstairs, or Kelet, more of a café and brunch spot but they serve some good food and wine, it’s also a cultural hub and a second-hand book swap spot with wall-to-wall shelves of books waiting to be exchanged.
For a drink, see if you can find the tiny Gdánsk, a Polish bookshop bar with excellent beers and vodka shots (and mean pierogies if they have not sold out).
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