16 best things to do in Budapest in 1 day
In August 2021, we made a 1-month road trip from France to Serbia through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina. On our way back we cut the road in two by making a stop in Budapest.
We then only had 1-day to spare there and even though it was intense, it was amazing. And even only having that short time allowed us to visit a lot. This Best things to do in Budapest article will follow what we did
Budapest is the most populous and the capital city of Hungary. It is the 9th largest city in the UE with over 1.7 million inhabitants over 525 km².
First, you need to know that Budapest is meant for Buda and Pest which are the two different side of the city, separated by the Danube River.
Its history started when an early Celtic settlement transformed into a Roman town. Later the Hungarian would arrive around the 9th century and in the 13th century it was pillaged by the Mongols. Following that, Buda was re-established but was later under Ottoman rule. Budapest became later the co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before becoming the capital of Hungary.
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
Get our full Balkans Map
Why pin one by one when you can get them all at once?
Moving Around
As we will only be spending 24h in the city, we will do most of the travel on foot and by metro. The Budapest Metro is the oldest electrified underground railway system in continental Europe and is only pre-dated by the London Underground. With its 48 stations it will get you around the city center easily.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Budapest is during the months of May, June, and September. Time at which the temperatures are nice, and you are out of the peak season.
But of course, you could be spending time there all year round.
Where to Stay
- (€): Astoria
- (€€): Christine Apartment close to the Buda Castle
- (€€€): Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
We stayed at Christine’s apartment and if was amazing. The perfect spot to visit the city in one-day.
Things to do in Budapest
Fisherman's Bastion
Let’s start the day with visiting the Fisherman’s Bastion. Early morning, the place is quite empty and offers amazing views of the parliament. Built in the 19th century to serve as a lookout tower for the best panoramic views in Budapest.
Buda Hill
From there, you can hang around the Buda hill where the Fisherman’s Bastion is located as well as other super nice landmarks to see. Such as Matthias Church, Vienna Gate or the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene.
Buda Castle
Next stop, will be the Buda Castle, located on the edge of the hill. This huge complex built in 1265 is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest. But also house the Hungarian National Gallery and The Budapest History Museum.
In this short guide, we can just walk in its courtyard and around. Check-out the old funicular and then go on.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Now it is time to cross the Danube. You can either use the Széchenyi Chain Bridge or take the tram 16/41 (or walk) and then the metro 2 (in case the bridge is still under construction or you wanna walk along the Danube).
Hungarian Parliament Building
Time to stop at the most iconic building in the city. This neo-gothic building is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary. If you fancy it, you can visit it on a tour. For that it would be best to have booked it in advance.
Shoes on the Danube Bank
From the parliament, time to walk along the Danube and see the Shoes on the Danube Bank, a memorial erected on 16 April 2005 to honour the Jews who were massacred by Fascist Hungarian militia belonging to the Arrow Cross Party
St. Stephen's Basilica
Keep walking a bit more and start entering in the old city center on the Pest side of the city. St. Stephen’s Basilica is a beautiful Roman Catholic Basilica named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary, whose right hand is housed in the reliquary. Today, it is the 3rd largest church building in the country.
Hungarian State Opera
On your way up north, you can make a quick stop to admire the state Opera. (At our time there, it was being renovated.) From there, take the Metro 1 to Heroes’ Square
Heroes' Square
Heroes’ Square is one of the main squares in Budapest marked for its iconic Millennium Monument with statues featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders, as well as the Memorial Stone of Heroes, often erroneously referred as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Vajdahunyad Castle
Right behind, you will find thecity park and the Vajdahunyad Castle (which is a copy of the Hunyad Castle, in Hunedoara, Romania). Built in 1896 as part of the Millennial Exhibition which celebrated the 1,000 years of Hungary since the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin in 895.
It’s the perfect place to just walk around as the place is stunning. And if you want to visit the castle, you actually can as it houses the Hungarian Agricultural Museum.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Budapest is famous for its thermal bath. This one is the is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Its water is supplied by two thermal springs. So, you can just take a look in it. In a 1-day guide, it will be hard to find time to spend the afternoon there.
Dohány Street Synagogue
Time to take back the metro 1 to the city center. If the place is open you can consider visiting the the Great Synagogue or Tabakgasse Synagogue which is the largest synagogue in Europe, seating 3,000 people and is a centre of Neolog Judaism.
Central Market Hall
We are markets lover and this one doesn’t disappoint. Not far from the Synagogue is the Great Market Hall built in 1897. It is the biggest of the city.
Gellért Thermal Bath
Another one of the most famous baths in town. Mostly famous for its interior but for our guide, it is just along the way.
Elisabeth Bridge
Time to get back in Buda using the Elisabeth Bridge. A beautiful 290m bridge.
Gellért Hill
The final stop of our guide which will almost bring us back to the start is the Gellért Hill where you can enjoy another nice panoramic view of the city, the Liberty Statue (Minimalist statue, erected in 1947, commemorating those who lost their lives for the country) and the Citadella (Built after the suppression of the Hungarian Revolution in 1848, this fort is a symbol of the city)
Itinerary of best things to do in Budapest
If like us you arrive late in the afternoon, you could consider :
First night :
- Stroll around Buda Hill and the Fisherman’s Bastion
Day 1 : (The order of the guide)
- Fisherman’s Bastion
- Buda Hill (Matthias Church, Vienna Gate, Church of Saint Mary Magdalene)
- Buda Castle
- Széchenyi Chain Bridge
- Hungarian Parliament Building
- Shoes on the Danube Bank
- Stephen’s Basilica
- Hungarian State Opera
- Heroes’ Square
- Vajdahunyad Castle
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath
- Dohány Street Synagogue
- Central Market Hall
- Gellért Thermal Bath
- Elisabeth Bridge
- Liberty Statue
- Citadella
A nagy hal megeszi a kishalat. (Big fish eat the small fish) – Equivalent: Men are like fish; great ones devour the small.
Get our full Balkans Map
Why pin one by one when you can get them all at once?
