Experience the Best of Budapest in Two Days

  1. Day 1: Explore historic landmarks in Buda Castle Hill.
    Estimated time from your hotel: 20 minutes (3 miles).

    Start your day with a visit to the Buda Castle, a magnificent palace complex dating back to the 14th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site includes the Buda Castle Labyrinth, a maze of interconnecting caves filled with history and legends. Next, visit the Fisherman's Bastion, a fairy-tale-like neo-Gothic terrace overlooking the Danube River. Here, you can also visit the Matthias Church with its intricate and colourful roof tiles and rich interior. End the day at the Citadella, a fortified hilltop fortress with panoramic views of the city.

  2. Day 2: Discover the city center and its vibrant culture.
    Estimated time from your hotel: 10 minutes (1 mile).

    Start the day at the Great Market Hall, a bustling indoor market where you can sample traditional Hungarian food and buy souvenirs. The Andrássy Avenue is the city's most glamorous boulevard, lined with grand buildings and upscale boutiques, and leads to Heroes' Square, a tribute to Hungary's most celebrated historical figures. Here, you can also visit the impressive Museum of Fine Arts and the Kunsthalle modern art museum. End the day with a relaxing soak in one of Budapest's thermal baths, such as the iconic Szechenyi Thermal Bath.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Buda Castle (2-3 hours, free)
  • Buda Castle Labyrinth (1-2 hours, 3000 HUF - 5000 HUF)
  • Fisherman's Bastion (1-2 hours, 1500 HUF - 3500 HUF)
  • Matthias Church (1-2 hours, 2000 HUF - 5000 HUF)
  • Citadella (1-2 hours, free)
  • Great Market Hall (1-2 hours, free)
  • Museum of Fine Arts (1-2 hours, 2400 HUF - 4800 HUF)
  • Kunsthalle (1-2 hours, 1200 HUF - 2400 HUF)
  • Szechenyi Thermal Bath (2-3 hours, 6000 HUF - 8000 HUF)
  • Total Estimated Costs: around 19,000 HUF per person (~54 GBP).

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a night-time river cruise on the Danube, visiting the stunning St. Stephen's Basilica, or strolling down the trendy Király Street with its unique shops and bars. If you have less time, you could skip the Buda Castle Labyrinth or Kunsthalle, or combine Andrássy Avenue with a visit to the Jewish Quarter and its iconic ruin bars.

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