Itineraries for Your Trip to Budapest
2 Days in Budapest for First Timers
I’m the kind of person who will travel for hot springs, which is one of many reasons why Budapest is among my favorite cities in Europe. Thermal spas are considered a big part of Hungarian culture, to the point where locals can actually get a doctor’s prescription for a bit of hot-spring therapy. While soaking in mineral-rich water is one of my preferred things to do in Budapest, there’s also plenty more to experience, from exploring historic neighborhoods to cruising down the mighty Danube River. Here’s how I’d suggest spending two days in Budapest if you’re a first-time visitor.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Széchenyi Thermal Baths.
Bundle up no matter when you visit: Budapest can get chilly.
Budapest is an incredibly pedestrian-friendly city, and exploring on foot is a great way to get your bearings when you first arrive. To learn more about the city (while avoiding getting lost), consider going on a walking tour that takes you past key landmarks right when you arrive.
After your tour, skip lunch and instead join a food tour to try out some local specialties. Most tours include tastings and come with the added benefit of having a guide by your side who can explain Hungarian food to you in detail and act as a translator if needed.
Budapest looks particularly magical after sunset, when major attractions along the UNESCO–listed banks of the Danube, including the Chain Bridge and the House of Parliament, are beautifully illuminated. See it for yourself on a night cruise, preferably one that includes dinner so that you can soak in the scenery while enjoying a meal.
Get out of the city for a spell on your second day by taking a day trip to the nearby countryside. The Eytek area is a great place to go if you enjoy fine food and wine, and wine tours are available for those who want to get to the region for a bit of tasting, but don’t want to drive.
After you return to Budapest, grab your swimsuit and head to the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, which is perhaps the best-known of Budapest's historic thermal baths (as well as one of the largest). This indoor-outdoor complex—a short metro ride from the heart of the city—has multiple baths filled with warm, mineral-rich waters. Its ornate, neo-baroque architecture gives it the look and feel of a palace.
In the evening, head over to the Buda (western) side of Budapest to explore the city after dark. Head to the Buda Castle](https://www.viator.com/Budapest-attractions/Buda-Castle/d499-a660) area to check out its magnificent architecture, much of which is in the same neo-baroque style as what's found at the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. For an experience that’s as informative as it is spooky, consider a ghost tour.
