Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Budapest?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Budapest?
Most people spend two to five days in Budapest during their visit. The historic city offers amazing highlights such as the big city activities, the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene.
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. It's divided into two section, Buda, and Pest, which are separated by the Danube River and connected by the Chain Bridge. The Buda side is the hilly side. There's a funicular that runs up to the top of Castle Hill. The Pest side is flat with promenades and beautiful architecture. It also has a lively nightlife.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Budapest? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Budapest?
The city of Budapest boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. Given only three days, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the big city activities, the famous sights and museums, and the historic old town. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for two to five days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
How to spend 3 days in Budapest
Since Budapest is such a large city, you can spend at least a day exploring the many neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. Break up visiting popular landmarks with the more authentic neighborhoods for shopping and dining. The city is large with an authentic atmosphere that contrasts some of the more touristy cities around Europe.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Budapest Downtown 90-Minute River Segway Tour ($49)
- Budapest Tuk Tuk City Tour ($119)
- Budapest Private 4 Hour City Tour Experience with a car / van ($142)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bingo Bar Crawl ($25)
- All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest ($59)
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots ($28)
Budapest is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.
Don't miss the Hungarian Parliament Building during your trip to Budapest, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Budapest is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Set against the river, the city has beautiful buildings and nice parks.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank ($3)
- Drunken History Ruin Pub Walking Tour ($43)
- Budapest to Szentendre bike & boat tour ($79)
The public transit in Budapest is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Budapest, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Skip the Line: Budapest Pinball Museum Admission Ticket ($15)
- Budapest Castle District Walking Tour ($3)
- Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion ($3)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 4 days enough time in Budapest?
Many visitors spend four days in Budapest, as this is a good amount of time to see the historic city's major attractions such as the big city activities, the famous sights and museums, and the historic old town. If you have four days to spend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
Budapest
How to spend 4 days in Budapest
Having 4 days in Budapest will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank ($3)
- Drunken History Ruin Pub Walking Tour ($43)
- Budapest Castle District Walking Tour ($3)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Budapest?
Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Budapest at your own pace to soak up the big city atmosphere, explore the museums and famous sights, learn about the history of the town, and enjoy an evening out. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend 5 days in Budapest
With 5 days in Budapest, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Budapest is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Budapest Shopping Tour by Car ($219)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Budapest, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.