Budapest is a tale of two cities—Buda’s royal hills and Pest’s café-lined boulevards—stitched together by the shimmering Danube. From Ottoman-era thermal baths to Art Nouveau facades, it’s a place where history is not just preserved; it’s lived in. Expect grand architecture, soulful cuisine, and a nightlife scene that practically invented the concept of the ruin bar.

Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Budapest still wears its 19th-century exuberance. The Hungarian Parliament rivals Westminster in Gothic flourish, while the Castle District shelters cobbled lanes, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion. Museums here range from the thought-provoking House of Terror to the contemporary, acoustic-marvel House of Music in City Park.

Practical notes: Hungary uses the forint (HUF), not the euro; cards are widely accepted. Budapest’s public transport is excellent; consider a 7‑day travelcard for buses, trams, and metro. Thermal baths are a cultural essential—bring flip-flops and a cap for lane pools—and book Parliament and top restaurants a few days ahead, especially in summer and around holidays.

Budapest

Budapest rewards slow travel: mornings among grand cafés, afternoons in museums or baths, and evenings drifting between wine bars and Danube panoramas. It’s compact yet layered—every district reveals another story.

• Top sights: Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Széchenyi Baths, Heroes’ Square, House of Terror, Great Market Hall, Margaret Island, Shoes on the Danube memorial.
• Iconic experiences: Soak in 40°C pools at Széchenyi or Rudas, sip Tokaji at a wine bar, sail past lit-up bridges on a Danube cruise, and linger in a ruin bar courtyard with live music.
• Food & drink: Hearty Hungarian classics (goulash, pörkölt, paprikash), contemporary tasting menus, and a thriving café culture—plus excellent local wines from Eger, Tokaj, and Villány.

Where to stay: For location and variety, base yourself in District V (Lipótváros) or District VII (Jewish Quarter). Browse options on Hotels.com or consider apartments via VRBO. Look for spots near the Basilica, Andrássy Avenue, or the river for easy walking.

Getting there & around: Within Europe, trains and flights are frequent—compare on Omio Trains (Europe), Omio Flights (Europe), or Omio Buses (Europe). From Vienna, it’s ~2 h 30 m by Railjet (~€15–35). From Prague, ~6–7 h by train or ~1 h 10 m flight. Intercontinental flights typically connect via hubs; search on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. From the airport, the 100E shuttle bus to the center is ~35–45 minutes (~$6); licensed taxis run ~$28–34 depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Basilica to Parliament Stroll, Danube at Dusk

Morning: Fly or train into Budapest. Check in near the Basilica or the river for easy walking. If you arrive early, energize with specialty coffee at Espresso Embassy (notes of chocolate and citrus; superb hand brews) or Madal (smooth milk drinks, airy vibe).

Afternoon: Start at St. Stephen’s Basilica—take the elevator to the dome for a city panorama. Walk via Szabadság tér’s stately square to the Hungarian Parliament’s neo-Gothic façade. Pause at the Shoes on the Danube memorial for a quiet moment of reflection.

Evening: Dinner in the Jewish Quarter: Gettó Gulyás (home-style pörkölt with nokedli; paprika-rich, comforting) or Menza (retro brasserie; duck liver starter and túrógombóc dessert). For a nightcap, DiVino Basilika pours Hungarian varietals like Furmint and Kadarka with basilica views, while Boutiq’Bar crafts serious cocktails in an intimate setting.

Day 2: Buda Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion, Danube Cruise

Morning: Cross the Chain Bridge (now beautifully restored) and ride the funicular or bus to the Castle District. Visit Matthias Church (colorful Zsolnay tile roof) and stroll Fisherman’s Bastion for postcard views. Coffee and a dobos torta at Ruszwurm, a 19th‑century confectioner, complete the time travel.

Afternoon: Explore the Hungarian National Gallery inside Buda Castle—Hungarian art from medieval to modern. Then descend into the Hospital in the Rock, a compelling Cold War-era medical bunker museum. Lunch at Pest-Buda Bistro (classic chicken paprikash) or Baltazár Grill (charcoal-fired meats, solid Hungarian wines).

Evening: Take a 60–75 minute Danube evening cruise to see bridges and landmarks illuminated—Budapest at its most cinematic. Dine back on the Pest side at Borkonyha Winekitchen (Michelin-star; clever seasonal plates, superb pairing list) or the more casual Börze Brasserie (central-European comfort dishes in a grand café setting).

Day 3: Széchenyi Baths, City Park, Ruin Bars

Morning: Soak at Széchenyi Baths, Europe’s largest medicinal spa. Alternate hot pools (38–40°C) with the outdoor swim; arrive early to beat crowds. Expect ~$30–36 for day entry; bring flip-flops and a towel. Coffee and a phenomenal croissant at Freyja or a hearty brunch at Á la Maison Grand afterward.

Afternoon: Wander City Park: Vajdahunyad Castle’s fanciful courtyards, Heroes’ Square, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Don’t miss the House of Music Hungary—its forest-like interior and sound installations are a treat. Stroll Andrássy Avenue back toward downtown; grab a flat white at My Little Melbourne or Fekete’s inner courtyard.

Evening: Dinner in a gardened courtyard at Mazel Tov (modern Levantine; charcoal eggplant, lamb skewers) or Dobrumba (Silk Road flavors; beet hummus and Georgian khachapuri). Explore ruin bars: start at Szimpla Kert (the original—eclectic rooms, live acts) then continue to Instant-Fogas for dancing.

Day 4: Jewish Heritage, Andrássy Avenue, Opera and Fine Dining

Morning: Tour the Dohány Street Synagogue complex (the largest in Europe) and the moving Raoul Wallenberg Memorial. Nearby, peek into the beautifully restored Rumbach Street Synagogue. Coffee at Budapest Baristas (filter options, good bites) or a classic pastry at Café Gerbeaud on Vörösmarty tér.

Afternoon: Walk Andrássy Avenue’s grand townhouses to the Hungarian State Opera for a short guided tour (interiors gleam after recent restoration). Continue to the House of Terror for a sobering look at 20th-century dictatorships. Lunch at Hold Street Market Hall: try Buja Disznók’s plate-sized schnitzel or a bowl of goulash from a market stall.

Evening: Reserve a tasting-menu dinner: Stand (2 Michelin stars; modern takes on Hungarian flavors—reserve well ahead), Rumour (chef’s counter theater, inventive courses), or Salt (fermentation-forward, local ingredients). Post-dinner drinks at High Note SkyBar for basilica views or the local-favorite Kadarka Wine Bar to sample small-producer reds.

Day 5: Day Trip—Szentendre and the Danube Bend

Morning: Ride the suburban HÉV train from Batthyány tér to Szentendre (~40 minutes; ~$3–4; purchase an extension ticket beyond Budapest zones). Stroll cobbled lanes lined with art galleries and baroque churches. Visit the Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum or the whimsical marzipan museum if you’re traveling with kids.

Afternoon: Lunch on the promenade—order a lángos topped with sour cream and cheese or grilled fish in season. Continue by bus or seasonal boat to Visegrád (~30–45 minutes) to climb the citadel for sweeping Danube Bend views. Alternatively, ride to Esztergom to see the vast Basilica and river panoramas.

Evening: Return to Budapest by train/bus—search schedules on Omio Trains or Omio Buses (about 1–1.5 hours back, ~$5–10). Casual dinner at Rosenstein (family-run, generous portions; try the goose leg or cholent on select days) or Retró Lángos for a quick, crunchy bite if you’re arriving late.

Day 6: Eger Baroque Town and Wine Cellars (Full-Day Excursion)

Morning: Take a morning InterCity train from Keleti to Eger (~1 h 50 m; ~$10–15; check Omio Trains). Explore the baroque main square and Eger Castle, which once repelled the Ottomans. Café stop at Depresso or any sidewalk terrace for people-watching.

Afternoon: Walk or taxi to the Valley of the Beautiful Women (Szépasszony-völgy), a cluster of wine cellars carved into tufa. Sample Bikavér (“Bull’s Blood”) blends and crisp Leányka whites; tastings are informal and affordable. Enjoy a late lunch of grilled meats or cold plates between cellars.

Evening: Return to Budapest in time for a relaxed dinner: Menza’s paprika chicken with buttery nokedli or the contemporary Hungarian plates at Hoppá! Bistro near the Basilica. If you have energy, stroll Margaret Bridge for night views of Parliament glittering on the river.

Day 7: Markets, Margaret Island, and a Farewell Soak

Morning: Browse the Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok) for paprika, sausage, and pickles; go early to avoid crowds. For a lighter breakfast, hit Arán Bakery (naturally leavened loaves, inventive pastries) or Cirkusz (brunch favorites; book ahead on weekends).

Afternoon: Retreat to Margaret Island: rent bikes or simply wander past the musical fountain and medieval ruins; it’s the city’s green lung. Alternatively, art lovers can head to the Museum of Fine Arts or the new Museum of Ethnography near City Park if you missed them on Day 3.

Evening: End with a twilight soak at Rudas Baths (historic domed pools; spectacular rooftop hot tub overlooking the Danube). On Saturdays, Széchenyi hosts “Sparty” night events—book ahead if that’s your vibe. Farewell dinner at Borkonyha or Salt, then a last glass of Tokaji Aszú at Doblo Wine Bar.

Coffee, Dining, and Nightlife Shortlist (Save for Maps)

• Cafés: Espresso Embassy, Fekete, My Little Melbourne, Madal, Budapest Baristas.
• Hungarian Classics: Rosenstein, Gettó Gulyás, Pest-Buda Bistro, Menza, Börze.
• Contemporary/Fine Dining: Stand, Rumour, Salt, Borkonyha Winekitchen, Baltazár Grill.
• Casual & Street: Mazel Tov, Dobrumba, Retró Lángos, Hold Street Market (Buja Disznók).
• Bars: Szimpla Kert, Instant-Fogas, Boutiq’Bar, High Note SkyBar, Kadarka, Doblo.

Logistics and Booking Tips

• Accommodation: Compare hotels and apartments in central districts on Hotels.com and VRBO. District V is refined and walkable; District VII is lively and nightlife-friendly; Buda is quieter and scenic.
• Transport: Within Europe, compare trains/flights on Omio Trains and Omio Flights. Long-haul searches: Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. For European buses/ferries, see Omio Buses and Omio Ferries.
• Money & tips: 10% tipping is appreciated in restaurants; some add a service charge—check your bill. ATMs are common; avoid dynamic currency conversion.
• Baths note: Széchenyi, Rudas, and Lukács are open year-round; Gellért Spa is closed for long-term renovation as of 2025.

Seven days in Budapest lets you unspool the city’s layers—royal Buda, lively Pest, steamy baths, and river light—plus the artistry of the Danube Bend and Eger’s cellars. Come hungry for paprika, pastries, and stories; leave with the glow of hot mineral water and a camera full of bridges at sunset.