How to Spend 4 Days in Budapest, Hungary

A family filled adventure on how to spend 4 days in Budapest, Hungary.

Exploring Budapest, Hungary (pronounced like Buda-pesht) has always been a bucket list destination for me. I always thought it was an exotic far off mystical land that I wanted to explore someday, but I had other cities on my list to visit first.

However, when my daughter decided to study abroad during her sophomore year of college, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the city she raved about, and more importantly visit with her. I’m not going to lie, having her as a tour guide after she had been living there for several months was really nice. Because she knows all the good places to eat, the sites to visit, and can navigate the transportation systems with ease, we could sit back and let her do the planning. Having traveled to many other foreign cities in the past, it was nice to have a break from all the planning and navigating. Budapest itself is not hard to navigate at all, so keep that in mind.

Some Geographical Info

Budapest is divided into two sections Buda and Pest split down the middle by the Danube River. We stayed in Pest (Pesht) which is the more “center city style” eastern side of the river.

Where We Stayed

We booked an apartment through Airbnb in the 8^th District which was located right around the corner from her apartment so we could walk to each other easily. The Airbnb we used linked us to Apartments in Budapest. They were very easy to work with and kept us posted on next steps. We used them to secure airport transportation both to and from the airport and it worked out great for us. The apartment itself was clean and very comfortable and very roomy.

Budapest is considered Eastern or Central Europe and upon arrival from the airport, it definitely has a different feel to it than other european airports. However, the city is so beautiful and so fun to explore so don’t let the ride from the airport into the city make you think otherwise.

What to pack

When I travel somewhere, I always try to pack to match the local style so that I somewhat blend in with the locals. We went in April and found that most days were pretty cold, so a heavier coat, gloves, hat and scarf were necessary. However, there were a few days of warmer weather forecasted, so I threw in a few lighter pieces just in case. After advisement from my daughter, I packed darker colored clothing and no really bright colors or loud prints. The style in Budapest tends to be darker muted colors and little bit more conservative.

The Items I Brought With Me

Comfy shoes are a must, the city is very walkable however, there are lots of cobblestone streets. I brought a pair of casual sneakers that don’t look athletic and a pair of flat black Clarks boots. If you plan to visit thermal baths (which you should definitely do at least one), then bring bathing suit, flip flops, and your own towel and hair ties to pull your hair up.

Since I knew the weather could fluctuate, I brought one cozy black scarf that I could wear dressed up or with my coat and one printed scarf to add some color to my wardrobe.

I packed two jackets, one lightweight down jacket that can be compressed down and used for layering which I purchased at Eddie Bauer and one lightweight jacket. In addition to the scarfs, I added one hat, and gloves which was sufficient.

My wardrobe consisted of jeans and sweaters. I layered under my sweaters with a lightweight 32 Degrees Shirt that I got at Costco that you can also find online.

The same was true for my husband and son. Jeans, sneakers (Vans are a great option) tech pullovers, few nicer shirts for going out to dinner, mid-weight jacket, and hat.

What to See and Do

While we were only in Budapest for what could be considered a long weekend, there is so much to see and do in the city. Below is a list of things that my daughter recommends doing, some of which we were able to do during our time there.

Exploring The Buda Side Of The River

The Buda side of the river is deemed as the more residential and quieter side of the city. However, it is definitely worth the trip. Take the number 16 bus from Deak Frenc Ter on the Pest side up to Buda Castle. This route will take you over the famous Chain Bridge (Szechenyi Bridge). From there, walk over to Buda Castle which has now been converted into an art museum and get the picture worthy views of the city from the front.

Next, head over to Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion. While both require an entrance fee, just seeing the outside is great if you’re on a budget!

Down the street from the church, is the famous 200 yr old pastry shop Ruszwurm Confectionary. Like many other Eastern European countries, the café culture is huge in Budapest and there are a variety of cakes you should try. I would recommend the Crème cake from Ruzwurm it is the traditional style and it was beloved by Queen Sisi of Austro-Hungarian Empire. You can sit outside with a cozy blanket as the inside is small or you can get the cakes to go!

Also in Buda worth noting is the Rudas Thermal Bath. While it is not as famous as the yellow Szechenyi Bath, this one is notable for its rooftop outdoor hot tub overlooking the river. They also offer night bathing options which are cheaper and provide you with more access to different pools than the daytime rates. We did Rudas during the day and it was fun.

Citadella sits on the hill overlooking the city. It is the statue of a woman holding a palm leaf. If you have extra time, trek across Liberty Bridge and hike up to the top!

Exploring The Pest Side Of The River

On the Pest Side, there is so much to do.

Be sure to visit the outside of the famous Hungarian Parliament Building. Tours of the inside are available but must be booked in advance.

See St. Stephen’s Basilica, which is the most important church in Hungary and houses the hand of St. Stephen. For an additional fee you can also climb the towers for incredible views of the city.

Visit the Dohany Street Synagogue. It’s the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. Take the tour and visit the museum and learn about Hungarian Jewish history.

Be sure to visit a a Ruin Bar in the 7th district- the old Jewish quarter of the city. These are old buildings converted into bars with eclectic furnishings. We went to Szimpla Kert, which is the most famous ruin bar in the city. On the weekends, Szimpla offers an amazing all you can eat buffet brunch and farmers market. It’s family friendly during the day.

Walk the Szechenyi (Chain Bridge) during the day to the other side, then walk it again at night to see how the city lights up.

Take A Day Trip

If you’re looking to explore another area while you’re here we did take a day trip by bus to Bratislava, Slovakia. It was a 2 hr ride and a very interesting city to explore.

Foods to Try

I’m a big believer in trying the local cuisine no matter where I go. Paprika is a big element in Hungarian cuisine and you will find it everywhere. Here are some of the things that you should try: