Budapest 4 Day Itinerary

Take the Sikló funicular (or walk up the steps) from Clark Ádám tér to Buda Castle District. Visit the Hungarian National Gallery inside the Royal Palace, then walk to Matthias Church (Mátyás-templom) — the coronation church of Hungarian kings, with a spectacular Zsolnay tile roof. The adjacent Fisherman's Bastion (Halászbástya) offers the most photographed view of the Pest skyline, Parliament and the Danube.

Descend into Buda's residential streets around Tabán and walk along the Danube to the Gellért Hill. Climb to the Citadella fortress on top of Gellért Hill for a 360° panorama over the entire city — the best viewpoint in Budapest. On the way down, stop at the Cave Church (Sziklatemplom), a Catholic chapel built inside a natural cave in the cliff face.

Cross to Pest via the Chain Bridge on foot. Dinner in the Fifth District around Ferenciek tere — try Borkonyha (a Michelin-starred wine bistro at surprisingly accessible prices) or the excellent Gerbeaud café on Vörösmarty tér for coffee and Hungarian pastries.

Start your morning at one of Budapest's famous thermal baths. Széchenyi (in City Park, the largest in Europe) is the most famous, with its iconic yellow Neo-Baroque exterior and outdoor pools. Rudas Bath on the Buda bank dates from Ottoman times and has a stunning domed interior. Bring a swimsuit, towel and a few hours.

Head to the VII District — Budapest's Jewish Quarter. Visit the Great Synagogue on Dohány Street, the second largest synagogue in the world and the largest in Europe. The adjacent Hungarian Jewish Museum and the Memorial Garden (with the Weeping Willow tree memorial) are deeply moving.

Spend the evening exploring the ruin bars — Budapest's famous nightlife venues built inside abandoned buildings and courtyards. Szimpla Kert on Kazinczy Street is the original and most famous. Fogas Ház and Ellátó Kert nearby are popular alternatives. Sunday mornings, Szimpla hosts a farmers' market — a very different atmosphere.

Visit the Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház) — the third largest parliament building in the world, designed in neo-Gothic style and completed in 1902. Pre-book an interior tour online (the Crown of St. Stephen is on display inside). The exterior is best seen from the Buda bank or from Tram 2.

Walk the Andrássy Avenue — Budapest's grand boulevard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with Neo-Renaissance mansions, now housing embassies and the Hungarian State Opera House. Stop at the House of Terror (Terror Háza) at number 60, a chilling museum covering both Nazi and Soviet occupation of Hungary housed in the former secret police headquarters.

Catch sunset from the Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) or walk along the Pest riverbank. The illuminated Parliament at night reflected in the Danube is one of the great city views in Europe. Dinner in the VIII District (Józsefváros) for some of Budapest's most authentic and affordable restaurants.

Take the HÉV suburban train from Batthyány tér to Szentendre (45 minutes) — a charming small town on the Danube Bend with a Serbian Orthodox heritage, cobblestone streets, outdoor art galleries and excellent craft shops. Visit the Serbian Orthodox Blagoveštenská Church and walk up to the hilltop Catholic parish church for river views.

If time allows, continue by local bus to Visegrád for the ruined medieval royal palace and hilltop citadel — commanding views over the Danube Bend where the river turns sharply south. Return to Budapest in time for a final drink at one of the rooftop bars overlooking the city.

Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD) is 30 minutes from the city centre. Bus 100E runs directly from Deák Ferenc tér to the terminal (900 HUF, no transfer needed). Allow at least 2.5 hours before international departure.