Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at Gerbeaud Café, savoring gluten-free pastry options and rich coffee in a grand 19th-century setting, then stroll to the nearby Vörösmarty Square to watch the city wake up and browse artisan stalls. From there, walk along the elegant shopping street to St. Stephen's Basilica-climb the dome for panoramic views-before crossing to the riverbank to join a guided walking tour that introduces the history of the Parliament Building and the dramatic riverfront sculptures, setting the tone for your afternoon on Castle Hill.
After your guided riverfront introduction, cross the Chain Bridge and take the funicular up to Buda Castle for sweeping views; wander the cobbled streets to discover the historical rooms of the Hungarian National Gallery and the medieval exhibits at the Budapest History Museum. Pause for a late-afternoon coffee and reliably gluten-free cake at Ruszwurm Confectionery, then continue to the Fisherman's Bastion terraces and the adjacent Matthias Church-both offer superb photo opportunities and a gentle acclimation to Castle Hill before your evening riverfront plans.
As dusk falls, stroll from Castle Hill down toward the river to join a sunset cruise departing near Eötvös Square, where you'll glide past the illuminated facades of the Hungarian Parliament and the Chain Bridge while a local guide narrates Budapest's history. After the cruise, enjoy a relaxed, gluten-free dinner at Menza in Liszt Ferenc Square (they offer clear GF options and contemporary Hungarian dishes), then finish the night with cocktails and live jazz at Opus Jazz Club for a warm, atmospheric end to your first day.
Begin with a restorative soak at Király Thermal Bath, an intimate Ottoman-era spa with atmospheric domes and private plunge options - arrive early to enjoy quieter pools and the traditional steam rooms before check-out. Afterward, meander to Zoltán Kodály Memorial House, a small museum honoring Hungary's musical heritage, then savor a late breakfast of reliably gluten-free Hungarian-style eggs and seasonal fruit at Café Kor near your hotel before collecting luggage and heading to the station or airport.
After a leisurely morning, head to Museum of Applied Arts to admire its ornate Secessionist interiors and rotating design exhibits that give context to Hungary's decorative traditions, then stroll through the nearby leafy Károlyi Garden for a peaceful pause among sculptures and spring blooms. Continue to Central Market Hall for a final gluten-free tasting - pick up artisan paprika, Tokaji samples, and prepared lángos alternatives at stall vendors - before returning to the Corinthia to collect luggage and catch your onward connection with a last coffee at the hotel's classic café.
After collecting your luggage and a final coffee at the Corinthia, take a relaxed stroll toward Rákóczi tér and hop on Tram 4/6 to the riverside for an early-evening walk along Margaret Island's tree-lined promenades and rose gardens, where you can rent a tandem bike or pause at the medieval ruins by the bandstand for photos. Finish with a farewell, gluten-free friendly dinner at Café Csiga, sampling modern Hungarian plates with clear allergen markings, then toast the trip with nightcap cocktails at the riverside terrace of Dunacorso Restaurant as the city lights reflect on the Danube.