Budapest was supposed to be a 4-day-stop on my solo trip from London to Warsaw. By day 3 I realized I could make time for hopping over to Bratislava for a day as well. So, here’s how I spent 3 very full days in Budapest alone:
Why Budapest Is So Unique
Before diving into the itinerary, it helps to understand why Budapest feels so different from other European capitals.
Hungary’s language, Hungarian (Magyar), isn’t related to German, Slavic, or Romance languages — it actually belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family, making it one of the most linguistically unique countries in Europe!!
Budapest itself was officially formed in 1873 when the cities of Buda, Pest, and Óbuda merged across the Danube River. The split sides really defines the city. Buda is hilly, historic, and residential. Pest is flatter, busier, and where most of the nightlife and cafés are.
Hungarian food also reflects this history. The country was shaped by the Ottoman Empire and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which is why there’s paprika-heavy stews, Turkish bath culture, and Viennese-style cafés all coexisting.
Quick Overview
Day 1 – Baths, Opera & Ruin Bars
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath
- Lunch @ Paprika Vendéglő
- Hungarian State Opera House (tour)
- Dinner @ TwentySix (mediterannean)
- Andrássy Avenue stroll + Kürtőskalács – eat chimney cake
- Szimpla Kert (famous ruin bar)
Day 2 – Churches, Parliament & Jazz
- Thrifting: Retrock + Printa Design Shop + PSTR Store
- St. Stephen’s Basilica & Hungarian Parliament Building
- Lunch @ Café Kör (famous for Goulash)
- Bakáts Square + Live Jazz Show @ Jedermann
Day 3 – Markets, Castles & More Ruin Bars
- Szimpla Kert (Sunday market)
- Portobello Coffee
- Salt Rooftop at Hotel Rum. (gorgeous view)
- Buda Castle & Matthias Church
- Dinner @ Köleves Kert (Hungarian + large outdoor space)
- Hungarian State Opera House (performance)
- Party @ Instant-Fogas Komplexum
What’d I’d do Next Time
- Sunset Danube river cruise
- Try a different thermal bath
- Fisherman’s Bastion at sunrise
Day 1: Baths, Szimpla Kertz
Five Hours at Széchenyi
I started strong at Széchenyi Thermal Bath — and stayed for five hours. I could’ve stayed longer.
Széchenyi is one of the largest medicinal bath complexes in Europe, and it feels like soaking in a palace. The bright yellow Neo-Baroque building has massive outdoor thermal pools. Inside, there are 15+ pools, saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools. It’s social, chaotic, and iconic.
They do serve food inside, but it’s nothing special.
Other Thermal Baths I’d Try Next Time:
- Rudas Baths – One of the oldest in the city, dating back to the Ottoman era (16th century). Known for its octagonal pool under a domed ceiling and rooftop hot tub with Danube views. They also have night bathing on weekends.
- Paskál Thermal Bath – More modern and less touristy. A quieter, local-feeling option with both thermal and swimming pools.
- Gellért Baths – Inside the famous Art Nouveau hotel. Mosaic tiles, stained glass, and very ornate interiors — probably the most photogenic.
- Lukács Baths – Popular with locals and known for its medicinal waters. Slightly more low-key, less flashy.
- Király Baths – Smaller and more historic, also Ottoman-era, with a very atmospheric dome.
After drying off and recovering from all the soaking, I headed to Paprika Vendéglő for lunch – this place is famous and has 15K reviews on Google.
The afternoon was spent at the Hungarian State Opera House, one of Europe’s most beautiful opera houses. Opened in 1884, the interior is a showstopper — all gold leaf, marble columns, grand staircases, and chandeliers.
Dinner was at Twenty Six Budapest, a Mediterranean restaurant filled with greenery and warm lighting. I ordered a few small plates, each genuinely delicious, and the total came to around $20 — an absolute steal.
After dinner, I walked along Andrássy Avenue and around Deák Ferenc Square at golden hour, grabbed a Kürtőskalács (chimney cake) — which is a cylindrical sweet pastry baked over a spit and covered in sugar.
Szimpla is Budapest’s most iconic ruin bar — mismatched furniture, layered graffiti, multiple rooms, packed dance floors. Wins my vote for #1 bar in the world.
Day 2: Thrift, Parliament, and Jazz
I started the morning thrifting at Retrock, and next door there’s locally as Second Hand Batik. Budapest has incredible vintage shopping, and I found so many good pieces and gifts.
From there, I walked to St. Stephen’s Basilica, the largest church in the city, named after Hungary’s first king. The interior is grand and detailed, and you can climb to the dome for panoramic views over Budapest.
Next stop: the breathtaking Hungarian Parliament Building along the Danube. It’s one of the largest parliament buildings in the world, and in person the Gothic Revival detail is unreal.
I stopped for lunch at Café Kör (Hungarian spot famous for their goulash and pre-war interior) then did more shopping at Printa Design Shop — where I loved basically everything — and PSTR Store for cool art prints.
That evening, I wandered through Bakáts Square and stumbled on live music, then ended up at Jedermann – a jazz bar for dinner and a show.
Day 3: Markets, Castles, and a 4AM Bedtime
I went back to Szimpla — because during the day it transforms into a farmers market. Same chaotic space, completely different vibe. I love a dual-purpose venue.
Coffee was at Portobello Coffee, which I found from reading other travel blogs. Great espresso, minimalist interior, solid stop.
Then brunch at Salt rooftop inside Hotel Rum Budapest. The rooftop views were gorgeous — Budapest’s layered rooftops stretching in every direction.
After that, I crossed the Danube to explore Buda Castle, saw Matthias Church, and wandered through the cobblestone streets of the old town.
Dinner was at Köleves Kert, a traditional Hungarian restaurant with a really cute outdoor courtyard.
Then I went back to the Hungarian State Opera House — this time for an actual performance. Hungary has a deep classical music tradition, and seeing a full opera there felt dramatic, elegant, and very main-character-core.
Earlier that day I had made friends just walking around (obviously), and we ended up going out to Instant-Fogas Komplexum — a massive ruin bar club complex with multiple rooms and dance floors. So much. I didn’t drink at all, there was enough exploration, walking and music for entertainment.
I got home at 4 a.m.
I was at the airport at 6 a.m.
Because next I was flying to Senegal. Go me.
Final Thoughts & What More to Do
Budapest is grand, super elegant but also very gritty and chaotic at night. Relaxing, unpretentious, affordable, and beautiful.
I felt like I’d seen everything I personally wanted to see, so I moved on to Bratislava, which is the beauty of solo travel and spontaneity.
That said, I didn’t do everything.
A sunset Danube river cruise is at the top of my list or a prosecco aperol spritz cruise for next time — seeing the Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle illuminated from the water looks unreal, especially when the bridges light up at night.
I also skipped Fisherman’s Bastion at sunrise (apparently the move if you want it crowd-free), and I’d love to try a different thermal bath — maybe the more ornate Gellért Baths just for comparison.
But leaving a few things undone gives me a reason to return.