Budapest stands astride the Danube like a theater set, its domes and spires lit in gold each night. United from Buda, Pest, and Óbuda in 1873, the city is a European capital with Ottoman thermal springs, Habsburg grandeur, and a creative pulse that fuels cafes, galleries, and late-night ruin bars.

Nicknamed the “City of Spas,” Budapest warms you from the inside out—whether soaking in century-old pools, sipping Tokaji, or savoring paprika-scented stews. You’ll wander from castle ramparts to Art Nouveau coffeehouses, then drift past UNESCO-listed riverfronts on an illuminated Danube cruise.

Practical notes: Hungary uses the forint (HUF); cards are widely accepted but cash is handy at markets. Public transit is easy and affordable (consider a 72-hour pass). Many kitchens lean pork- and dairy-forward; vegetarians and gluten-free travelers will still eat well with planning. Winters are atmospheric; spring and fall are ideal.

Budapest

Budapest charms with contrasts: royal palaces and gritty-chic courtyards, polished opera houses and street-food windows. It’s a city to linger in—riding trams past Belle Époque facades, punctuating museum hours with coffeehouse cakes and fragrant lángos.

• Top sights: Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Hungarian Parliament, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square, City Park, and Margaret Island.
• Must-do experiences: Soak at Széchenyi or Rudas Baths; cruise the Danube at night; sample market tastes; explore the Jewish Quarter’s synagogues and street art; day-trip for wine in Etyek.
• Where to eat: Classic stews at Rosenstein; contemporary plates at Stand or Babel; Middle Eastern at Dobrumba; courtyard vibes at Mazel Tov; homestyle fare at Pest-Buda Bistro.
• Fun fact: The city draws mineral-rich water from more than 100 hot springs—one reason Romans and Ottomans never wanted to leave.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest — Art Nouveau icon facing the Chain Bridge, with river views and refined service.
• Hilton Budapest — Inside the Castle District by Fisherman’s Bastion; quiet, historic, panoramic.
• Maverick City Lodge — Stylish budget base in the Jewish Quarter; easy to walk to bars, cafes, and the metro.
• Aquaworld Resort Budapest — Family-friendly, with pools and spa facilities, handy if you want resort vibes.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Budapest | VRBO: Budapest apartments

How to get to Budapest:

• Flights within Europe: Compare low-cost and legacy options via Omio Flights (Europe). Typical times: Vienna 45–60 minutes, London 2.5 hours, Paris 2.2–2.5 hours; fares often $50–$150 one-way if booked early.
• Long-haul flights (from North America/Asia): Search deals via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.
• Trains and buses (within Europe): Vienna–Budapest ~2h40 by rail (~$15–$35), Bratislava–Budapest ~2h–2h30 (~$10–$20), Prague–Budapest ~6.5–7h (~$25–$55). Check schedules and tickets on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Day 1: Danube First Impressions

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Shake off jet lag with an espresso at Espresso Embassy (third-wave, friendly baristas, single-origin roasts) and a slow stroll along the Danube Promenade from the Chain Bridge toward the Parliament’s neo-Gothic lacework.

Evening: Kick off the week with a night-time sail—Budapest’s riverfront is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason. Book the Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drinks; you’ll get an hour of illuminated landmarks and a welcome drink.

Dinner: Reserve at Hungarikum Bistro (cozy, live cimbalom some nights; order goulash and chicken paprikash) or Pest-Buda Bistro in the Castle District (crispy duck leg with red cabbage). For a lighter end, stop at Gerbeaud for Esterházy cake.

Day 2: Parliament, Basilica, Andrássy, and Ruin Bars

Morning: Fuel up at Cirkusz (brunch favorite: shakshuka, fluffy pancakes) or Fekete (Courtyard coffee and flaky croissants). Then tour Hungary’s most iconic building with the Budapest Parliament Tour with Audio Guide to see the Holy Crown and the ornate Assembly Halls.

Afternoon: Walk to St. Stephen’s Basilica—climb the dome for panoramic views—then continue up Andrássy Avenue past the Opera to the House of Terror Museum for a sobering look at 20th-century history. Treat yourself to cake at New York Café, a gilded “Belle Époque” legend.

Evening: Explore the Jewish Quarter’s street art and atmospheric courtyards. Dinner at Mazel Tov (Middle Eastern plates, fairy lights, reservations recommended) or Gettó Gulyás (hearty stews). Nightcap at Szimpla Kert—the original ruin bar—or craft cocktails at Boutiq’Bar.

Day 3: Castle Hill and Riverside Romance

Morning: Ride the funicular or Bus 16 up to Castle Hill. Wander Fisherman’s Bastion at opening for near-empty photos, then step inside Matthias Church’s tiled-roof sanctuary. Coffee and krémes at Ruszwurm (1827), one of Budapest’s oldest patisseries.

Afternoon: Dive into the Hospital in the Rock Museum for Cold War intrigue, then descend through the Várkert Bazár gardens to the river. Cross the Chain Bridge and browse Váci utca’s side streets for design shops and paprika tins.

Evening: Dinner at Baltazár Grill (open flame, great Hungarian wines by the glass) or 21 Hungarian Kitchen (updated classics). For skyline views, sip at High Note SkyBar by the Basilica or seasonal igloos at 360 Bar on Andrássy.

Day 4: City Park and the Baths

Morning: Put on your swimsuit and head to Budapest’s signature spa with the Budapest Széchenyi Thermal Spa Ticket. Alternate between steaming outdoor pools and indoor medicinal baths; locals play chess in the mist.

Afternoon: Explore City Park: Heroes’ Square, the Museum of Fine Arts, and storybook Vajdahunyad Castle. If you love architecture and sound, the House of Music Hungary’s undulating roof is a highlight.

Evening: Classic Hungarian at Paprika Vendéglő (near the park; crispy pork knuckle, paprika-forward sauces) or book a Michelin-starred night at Borkonyha Winekitchen (creative Hungarian plates with a deep wine list). Cocktails at Hotsy Totsy (speakeasy vibe).

Day 5: Markets and Wine Country

Morning: Dive into local flavors at the Great Market Hall. Try lángos (fried flatbread with sour cream and cheese), spicy kolbász, pickled vegetables, and sweet rétes (strudel). If you prefer a sit-down lunch later, aim for Csarnok Vendéglő (hearty daily specials; fair prices).

Afternoon–Evening: Head for rolling vineyards just outside the city on the Countryside Half-day Gastro & Wine Tours near Budapest with Meal. You’ll meet small producers in Etyek, taste whites and méthode traditionnelle sparklers, and enjoy a home-style meal; expect ~4–5 hours door-to-door.

Late night: Back in the city, go easy with a riverside stroll. If you’re peckish, Kiosk Budapest does wood-fired breads, salads, and Hungarian comfort dishes in a lofty former customs house.

Day 6: Jewish Heritage, Street Art, and the Island

Morning: Coffee at My Little Melbourne (pioneers of Budapest’s third-wave scene), then tour the Dohány Street Synagogue complex—the largest in Europe, with a poignant memorial garden.

Afternoon: Lunch at Dobrumba (Levantine–Mediterranean share plates) or Menza on Liszt Ferenc tér (retro-modern Hungarian). Rent bikes and loop Margaret Island: leafy paths, medieval ruins, and a musical fountain that “dances” on the hour.

Evening: Splurge night. Choose Stand (two Michelin stars; elegant, seasonal, deeply Hungarian) or Babel (inventive tasting menus in a moody, brick-lined space). Afterwards, sample Hungarian wines at DiVino Basilica under the floodlit dome.

Day 7: Last Soak, Last Bites, Departure

Morning: If you crave one more soak, try Rudas Baths for Ottoman domes and a rooftop hot pool with Danube views (mixed-gender days vary). Or hike up Gellért Hill for a stirring final panorama.

Lunch & depart: Book an early lunch at Rosenstein Vendéglő (a Budapest institution—duck liver, hortobágyi crêpes, and excellent pickles) before heading to the airport or train. Allow ~45–60 minutes to reach the airport by taxi or shuttle.

Practical Dining and Coffee Shortlist

• Hungarian classics: Rosenstein Vendéglő; Pest-Buda Bistro; 21 Hungarian Kitchen; Paprika Vendéglő.
• Modern and Michelin: Stand; Babel; Borkonyha Winekitchen.
• Casual gems: Mazel Tov; Dobrumba; Kiosk Budapest; Menza.
• Cafes & sweets: Espresso Embassy; Cirkusz; Fekete; Ruszwurm; Gerbeaud; New York Café.
• Nightlife: Szimpla Kert (ruin bar original); Boutiq’Bar and Hotsy Totsy (cocktails); High Note SkyBar and 360 Bar (views).

Optional Add-ons (if you have extra time)

• More cruising: Prefer a full dinner afloat? Consider a candlelit option such as a Danube dinner cruise on another evening.
• Alt baths: Lukács Baths are beloved by locals; note Gellért Baths are undergoing a long renovation.
• Day trips: Danube Bend (Szentendre, Visegrád, Esztergom) is rich in history and river scenery; check Omio Buses and Omio Trains for options.

Getting around: Budapest’s metro, trams, and buses are efficient; buy 24/72-hour passes from machines (look for “BKK”). Taxis are metered; use licensed companies or rideshare apps. Tap water is potable, and service charges are sometimes included—otherwise 10% is customary.

For any European flight or rail tweaks, use Omio Flights, Omio Trains, and Omio Buses. For long-haul flight searches, compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

In one week, you’ll have soaked in legendary thermal baths, traced the Danube’s glittering banks by boat, climbed from basilicas to castle ramparts, and tasted both grandma’s recipes and Michelin-starred artistry. Budapest has a way of lingering—like paprika heat and violin notes—long after you fly home.