48 Hours in Budapest: Top Things to Do and Travel Tips on a Budget

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Introduction: 48 Hours in Budapest

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 10 years since our first visit to Budapest. Back then, the city was just beginning to emerge as a top European city break destination. Fast forward to today, and it’s now one of the go to spots for couples, party-goers, and solo travellers looking to explore a vibrant, history rich city.

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is made up of three former cities – Buda, Pest, and Óbuda – which united in 1872. The Danube River splits the city into two, with Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east. With around 6 million tourists flocking here each year, Budapest has truly become a must-see destination.

We had such an incredible time during our first trip, and it’s been a place we’ve been eager to revisit. So, after much anticipation, we recently spent 48 hours in Budapest, soaking up all the best sights and reminiscing about our earlier adventure.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything to see in 48 hours in Budapest, with budget-friendly tips to make your trip even better. Plus, if you’re planning to explore more of Hungary, be sure to check out our Debrecen Things to Do Guide.

Things To Do: 48 Hours in Budapest

Fisherman’s Bastion

One of our favourite spots in Budapest is Fisherman’s Bastion. Located above the Danube River in Buda’s Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion is a fairy-tale terrace offering some of the best panoramic views of Budapest. It’s overall free to explore, with some additional areas requiring payment if you wish to see them. 

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The Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle (Matthias Church)

Located right next to Fisherman’s Bastion, is the stunning Church of Our Lady of Buda Castle. It compliments Fisherman’s Bastion perfectly and is again free to explore the outside. There is an entry charge to enter the Church. 

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Buda Castle

Again not located too far from Fisherman’s Bastion and free to explore from the outside. Buda Castle is a grand palace complex that once housed Hungarian kings and now hosts the Budapest History Museum, National Gallery, and National Széchényi Library. There is also an 1870s funicular to the castle which offers a unique experience with great views. 

Hungarian Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament Building is Budapest’s most iconic landmark, renowned for its architecture and stunning riverside symmetry. Illuminated at night, it offers one of the city’s most breathtaking views from across the water. Boat tours can be fairly affordable starting at around £10 per person. 

St. Stephen’s Basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica is a magnificent church famed for its soaring dome and stunning interior. As one of Budapest’s most cherished landmarks, it offers a rooftop lookout with panoramic views over the city. Entrance costs, but we were happy to just see it from the outside. 

Széchenyi Chain Bridge & Liberty Bridge

There are several spectacular bridges in Budapest connecting the city across the Danube River. The most famous is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, which is very impressive. However, we actually prefer the Liberty Bridge. Its iconic green colour, and the traditional yellow Budapest trams crossing the bridge is truly striking. 

Central Market Hall

Central Market Hall is a great place to explore, and look for some souvenirs from your time in Budapest. We really enjoyed the stunning design of the building. There are also local food stores to grab some snacks or lunch from the market. 

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Szimpla Kert (Ruin Bars)

There are several ruin bars in Budapest, mainly located in the Jewish Quarter. The most famous one being Szimpla Kert which features a large open courtyard, themed rooms and live music. It’s a must visit spot for nightlife, and we really enjoyed exploring it. 

Thermal Baths

Budapest is famous for its traditional thermal baths, and we highly recommend visiting one on your 48 hours in Budapest break. There are plenty to choose from, the most famous being Széchenyi Thermal Bath. We opted for Irgalmasok Veli Bej Bath which is a smaller and more affordable option. 

The Thermal Baths can get quite busy, so it’s best to check ahead regarding opening times, and booking tickets! 

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Museums

Budapest also has plenty of Museums from the Hungarian National Museum, Hungarian Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, to Hospital In The Rock, and House of Terror Museum. There is plenty to learn and see! We visited the House of Terror Museum, which we would recommend to learn more about this part of history. 

Citadella and Gellért Hill 

The Citadella, located on Gellért Hill, offers one of Budapest’s best view points, over the Danube and the city’s iconic bridges. This historic hilltop fortress and its surrounding paths make for a scenic escape, perfect for sunset strolls and panoramic photography.

While here, also be sure to visit the unique Gellért Hill Cave Church.

City Park & FlyBalloon

City Park was a great place to spend a relaxed morning outside. The park is very pretty and has plenty of attractions. We found it best reached by the metro, as there is a station in the centre of the park. 

While at City Park, we went on the FlyBalloon, a really fun and unique experience. Floating 150m up in a giant balloon, it was a fantastic way to see all across Budapest. We found this a fairly affordable attraction and if you visit on a Monday morning, you can benefit from a ½ price ticket! 

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Margaret Island

Another great outdoor escape is Margaret Island, located in the middle of the Danube River. It feels like you are far away from city life, and there is plenty to explore. We recommend renting a bike to cycle around, which you can easily do on the Mol Bubi App.

Szentendre

Sadly with 48 hours in Budapest, we didn’t make it to Szentendre this time. If we had one more day, then it would have been the plan. Szentendre is just north of Budapest, and is a charming riverside town known for its colorful streets, vibrant arts scene, and cozy cafes.You have the option to travel by train or bus, both around 40 minutes and very affordable. 

Accommodation

Budapest has plenty of accommodation options, whether you are looking for a hostel, hotel, or apartment you will have plenty of choice. We used Airbnb and stayed in a small apartment in the centre of Budapest. The cost was just £38 per night which we were pretty happy with. 

We really recommend staying in District V. of Budapest to be centrally located to all attractions, and with plenty of shops and restaurants around to make the most of your 48 Hours in Budapest. 

Food

Budapest is filled with restaurants, whether you want to try something traditional, international dishes, or dining on a river cruise you won’t struggle to find somewhere. While in Budapest, you should try goulash and langos, the most famous traditional dishes. 

We did notice prices were much higher in restaurants than 10 years ago, but that’s to be expected. An average meal out per person is likely to be around £10. Some of the spots we would recommend are:

  • Street Food Karavan Budapest
  • Levant Lebanese Bistro
  • Vegan Garden
  • Bistro Hungaro

There are also plenty of supermarkets, which are a great budget option if you have an apartment to cook in, or just need a snack on the go. 

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Getting Around Budapest & Tips

Both times we have been to Budapest we found we walked a lot. This is a fun and budget friendly way to explore the city. However the bus, tram, and metro connections throughout the city are very good and a one way journey costs around £1. You can easily buy tickets from machines with cash or card, or online. There are also scooters and bikes to rent around the city which is another great option. 

If you are looking to get to and from the airport quickly and affordably then the 100E bus is a great option. Costing around £5 and taking 45 minutes it was a positive experience. It departs right outside the airport running very frequently and the main stop in Budapest is Déák Ferenc Tér. You can buy a ticket from the machine, or pay by card on the bus. 

One thing to consider is the Budapest Card which gives you unlimited public transport, admission to 30+ attractions including Szt. Lukács Thermal Bath and Pool, walking tours, and further discounts. It will really depend on your exact plans, so we recommend looking into what you want to do and how you will get around the city to see if it’s worth it. For us, it wasn’t this time. 

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Final Thoughts

Budapest is one of our favorite city breaks, it really has so much to do and is great if you are on a budget. 48 hours in Budapest is a great time to explore the main sights, though if you do have longer you will find you also have time to slow down and relax in this beautiful city. We hope our guide on Budapest has been helpful! 

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