With 7 days in Budapest, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. The Hungarian capital wears its turbulent history openly. Ottoman thermal baths still steam as they have for 500 years, Habsburg-era coffee houses maintain their gilded splendor, and bullet holes from 1956 scar buildings alongside scars from 1944.
Why Visit Budapest
Experience ruin bars born in abandoned buildings, where each room is a different fantasia of salvaged furniture, art installations, and communal energy.
Stand on Fisherman's Bastion at sunset and watch the Danube turn gold beneath the Parliament—one of Europe's most spectacular urban views.
Discover a food revolution where traditional Hungarian cuisine meets contemporary creativity at prices that seem too good to be true.
Find cheap transport to Budapest
Compare prices for trains, buses, and flights to Budapest
Enter your departure city to see prices
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
Start your Budapest adventure by getting your bearings and exploring the city's most iconic landmarks. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and discover why this destination captures the hearts of millions.
Hungarian Parliament
Experience Hungarian Parliament, one of Budapest's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Hungary's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 2: Local Life & Neighborhoods
Experience Budapest like a local today. Wander through authentic neighborhoods, discover hidden cafes, and get a taste of everyday life in Hungary.
Buda Castle
Experience Buda Castle, one of Budapest's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Hungary's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 3: Art, History & Discovery
Uncover layers of history that shaped Budapest. From ancient remains to modern marvels, today reveals the stories behind the city's evolution.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Experience Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of Budapest's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Hungary's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 4: Off the Beaten Path
Venture beyond the tourist trail to discover Budapest's lesser-known treasures. These local favorites offer authentic experiences away from the crowds.
Fisherman's Bastion
Experience Fisherman's Bastion, one of Budapest's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Hungary's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 5: Markets, Food & Exploration
Indulge your senses with Budapest's culinary scene. From bustling markets to beloved local spots, today is a feast for both eyes and taste buds.
Ruin Bars
Experience Ruin Bars, one of Budapest's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Hungary's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 6: Culture & Hidden Gems
Dive deeper into Budapest's rich cultural heritage. Today is about understanding what makes this city tick, from its artistic legacy to its local traditions.
Chain Bridge
Experience Chain Bridge, one of Budapest's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Hungary's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 7: Final Treasures
Make every moment count on your final full day. There's still so much to discover in Budapest, and today brings fresh adventures.
Ready to explore Budapest?
Travel Tips
- 1Book accommodation in the city center for easy access to attractions. Budapest is best explored by combining walking with public transport.
- 2The best time to visit Budapest is March to May, September to November. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
- 3The local currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF). Carry some cash for small vendors and markets.
- 4A few words in Hungarian go a long way with locals. Even "please" and "thank you" will earn smiles.
- 5Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip. WiFi can be spotty in historic areas.
- 6With 7 days, consider a day trip outside Budapest to experience more of Hungary.
Must-Try Food in Budapest
💡 Thermal baths have rituals: bring flip-flops, rent towels, and understand that locals treat them as social spaces, not tourist attractions.
Book Activities in Budapest
Skip the line with pre-booked tours and attractions
Neighborhoods to Explore in Budapest
Castle District (Buda)
The historic heart atop Castle Hill, with the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fisherman's Bastion offering panoramic views across to Pest.
Jewish Quarter (District VII)
Ground zero for Budapest's ruin bar scene, with Szimpla Kert spawning imitators in crumbling courtyards throughout the quarter.
Andrássy Avenue & City Park
Budapest's Champs-Élysées stretches from the Opera House to Heroes' Square, lined with embassies, designer shops, and the Terror House museum.
Day Trip Ideas
With 7 days in Budapest, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:
Szentendre
A picturesque artists' colony on a Danube bend, with colorful Baroque houses, galleries, and Serbian Orthodox churches.
Eger
A Baroque gem famous for Bull's Blood wine and its heroic Ottoman siege history.
Plan your Budapest adventure
Let AI create the perfect itinerary for your trip to Budapest. Just describe what you want to experience.
Plan Budapest trip