Budapest has been on my bucket list for a while so when a deal that was too good to miss popped up on Travelzoo, it had to be booked. Here is a few things to do in Budapest in 3 days.
Can you discover Budapest in 3 days? Yes you can however it can be quite exhausting and may leave you with no time to just chill and see where the day takes you. It is a reason to go back though.
When it comes to the food and drink, you are spoilt for choice in Budapest. Some reviews I read online said there is not a lot of good food around but they make their own paprika and love their fatty comfort foods- what’s not to love? We dined at some amazing spots. Yes, not all were the cheapest but the food was spot on. Did you know Hungary produces its own wine too and has won many awards? So you’re never short of finding some delicious wine. If you are not a wine drinker like me, don’t worry. You can enjoy some of the finest cocktails in Budapest.
Drinks
The Budapest cocktail scene is amazing. For £8 you can get a perfectly shaken cocktail. For a couple of quid more, visit a rooftop and enjoy breath-taking views.
Wine lovers, Hungary has several vineyards with award winning wine so make sure you try some local wine. If you just want something strong and not very tasty, have the local palinka, a traditional fruit spirit.
Rooftops in Budapest
- High Note Sky Bar: A chic rooftop bar in the Aria hotel (which is also gorgeous). There is a rooftop terrace as well as an indoor bar and seating area. The bar is located next to the Basilica which is lit up at night, making this quite the romantic spot. For the cocktails, you get a normal menu as well as a themed video menu that is in a musical box. It has all been thought out well. Expect crafted cocktails, great service and beautiful city view. As the bar is part of a hotel, it closes at midnight. Booking is recommended.
- Leo Rooftop: Located on the Buda side you can find this lovely rooftop with city and river views. It is a perfect spot for food and cocktails as well as one where you can admire the city. The service was great and atmosphere was brilliant even in the day time. They do have an outdoor terrace however it was not open when we went. It did not matter because we had a lovely area by the windows. Booking is recommended.
- Café at Fisherman’s Bastian: There is a café and restaurant at Fisherman’s Bastian. It is in a tourist location so expect higher prices. The service was average here, if not a bit slow however the views of the parliament were beautiful. Drinks were not too bad. It is a nice spot to take a break if you have been walking all day and are in the Bastian.
Other places to visit for drinks
- Muzsa Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham, Budapest’s First Art Nouveau Luxury Craft Cocktail Bar. It is pricey but worth it. The cocktails are well crafted, and the service is faultless. In terms of location, it is just by the Danube. The interior décor includes a striking chandelier, and the bar is classy. We went in the evening and the ambiance was warm and welcoming. They offer experiences for those who like their fine whiskey. You can eat here too.
- New York Café: This is the world’s most beautiful café and it’s clear why. Painted ceilings, gold decorations, gorgeous chandeliers and marble pillars bring the wow factor to the café. Gold topped hot drinks are around £8 each. Be prepared to queue if you have not booked and be patient. The café is big and the queue does move quickly however it is long.
- Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar: Ruin bars are buildings that were going to be demolished but instead got turned into creative bars. The Szimpla Kert one is the most famous one and has several independent bars within so you could bar hop. The bars start to open after 3pm, with many opening after 6pm. We went for a drink when it opened. It is a pretty spot and I can imagine it has a great vibe at night. I had a cocktail and it was nothing special nor was it any cheaper. The bar man did say the cocktail bar opened at 6pm. If you are visiting, try and go after 6pm.
- Yama: If you love a cocktail experience, visit Yama. You will be wowed. We enjoyed Pearl, Sexy Fish, Magic Mushroom and Diamond of the Dragan. They have a bar area. I recommend eating here too if you like Asian Fusion and want a fancy spot.
Food
- Stop for a Chimney Cake at Molnár’s kürtoskalács: There are several Chimney cake stops. Loaded ones, plain ones, the options are endless. They can get messy especially when loaded and that is the reason we wanted to enjoy one while sitting in. Molnar’s Kurtoskalacs also specialises just in Chimney cakes so expect the finest. TIP: Eat it quick while it is warm.
- Langos: We had langos at Karavan and Retro Langos. Both were tasty but I preferred Retro because they have indoor seating and they just specialise in langos so expect the best. It is also cheaper. Karavan is an open food stall area and works great if there are a few of you and everyone wants something different. It is outdoors and seating it available.
- Asian fusion cuisine and fabulous cocktails at Yama: If you want a unique experience make a booking at Yama. Their website says “our purpose is none other than to create an unparalled, experience-focused gastro hub” and it does that! The food was 10/10, all beautifully presented and packed with flavour. From Waygu beef to soft shell crab to kimchi rice, every dish we tried was amazing. As for the cocktails – some of the best presented cocktails I have seen. You are in for a treat. If you want a fancy meal with an experience whilst in Budapest look no further. Make sure you book. The only downside was we felt a bit rushed with ordering because the kitchen closes at 10pm. We arrived at 8pm.
- Mazel Tov ( Middle Eastern/ Israeli Fusion Food) You know a place is good when people are queuing to get in. Highly recommended by others, Mazel Tov met our expectations. Make sure you reserve a table so you don’t end up queuing. We enjoyed the Mezze selection, Slow roasted lamb and Spicy lamb meatballs. They make good cocktails and there are options for sharing cocktails too. Prices are competitive. We were there on a Monday evening and there was a one man band playing which added to the ambiance. Think high ceilings, greenery and great atmosphere paired with comforting delicious middle eastern cuisine and lovely drinks.
Sightseeing
- Taking a free walking tour to learn more about the city and see the important points you would easily miss if you went walking on your own. We used Trip to Budapest. The tour lasts about 2 hours, and you get to learn a lot about Budapest, where to eat, what the city produces and facts about it. Don’t forget to take some cash to leave the guide a tip. It is always good to start with a tour like this then you can go off and explore what you want to in more detail. We learnt more on the Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Houses of Parliament
- Shoes on the Danube Bank: Walk along the banks of Danube. On the Pest side visit the memorial site. It’s sad when you think of what happened however a great way to pay your respects and remember it.
- Fisherman’s Bastion: Another stunning place to visit whilst in Budapest. It’s so clean, romantic and is just like a fairy-tale castle with the towers. We visited on the first week of March and didn’t pay to enter the towers (it is free November to mid-March).
- Buda Castle: We did not have time to explore the castle however you can do a tour including a Funicular Ride up to it. It is an iconic symbol in Budapest and easy to spot.
- Walk up the Gellért Hill for the most spectacular panoramic views of Danube and the Budapest. It is a lovely walk up the hill and there is a reason it is a Unesco Heritage Site. Right at the top there is The Citadella (a Fortress). At present it is being refurbished but you can still see it through the fencing. I would recommend walking up one end of the Hill and coming down the other end of the hill to make the most of the views including the Liberty Bridge. Paired with some sunshine and cherry blossom the views were beautiful. It takes about 3 hours depending on how fast you walk and the path you take.
- Shopping: From high end designer on their Fashion Street to C&A to local markets, there is something for everyone. Did you know Hungary grows its own paprika? If you want it for use at home, visit a local supermarket and buy it from there.
We did not manage to cover the thermal baths, vineyards and the river cruise however that’s a reason to go back.
HOTEL
We stayed at The Ritz Carlton Budapest and I cannot fault it. The location was perfect, the staff were friendly and very accommodating and the food and drinks were enjoyable. The hotel has a spa too along with swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
Our rate came with breakfast and the options were some of the best I have ever seen. From Shakshuka to Birds Next to Hungarian omelette to French Toast. You are spoilt for choice. There is also a buffet section where you can enjoy fresh juices and the usual breads and fruits.
The bar tenders were great at the Ritz. We had some of the most delicious strawberry daiquiris there.
Have any questions? Send me a message.
Read about my other recent city break to Marrakesh here.