36 Hours in Budapest: The Best-Ever European Getaway
The 36 hours I spent in Budapest were the best 36 hours of my 2019 – from start to finish, my visit was flawless, and I can’t wait to go back!
Budapest packs a lot of punch into an extremely walkable city – it’s easy to understand why people flock here year-round. I visited in March 2019 with one of my closest friends, Stephanie, and the whole weekend felt like a massive recharging scheme.
sights
Rudas Baths | Gorgeous and less crowded than the more popular Széchenyi Thermal Bath, with an amazing outdoor rooftop bath that looks out over the whole city! Stephanie and I had a blast here ♡
Szechenyi Baths | The OG in thermal baths in the city, with 15 outdoor baths and 3 grand outdoor pools. See photos from our epic visit in this post.
Dohany Street Synagogue | This beautiful synagogue offers an excellent 45 minute tour that gives a clear overview of the Jewish experience in Hungary, from the Holocaust up to today. And if you aren’t very familiar with Judaism, the attached Jewish Museum does a great job explaining the basics.
The gorgeous exterior of the Dohany Street Synagogue.
Stained glass windows inside the Jewish Museum.
Shoes on the Danube Bank | This haunting memorial pays tribute to the Budapest Jews who were shot and killed by the Arrow Cross militiamen between 1944 and 1945. The victims were lined up along the riverbank, told to remove their shoes (a valuable possession, at the time), and shot into the Danube River.
The Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial in Budapest.
St. Stephen’s Basilica | This church is gorgeous and definitely worth the visit, but the crown prize is the roof. You’ll see a sweeping vista of the city around you, and it’s a great spot for photos, to boot!
Exiting the gates of St. Stephen’s Basilica.
The large square outside of St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Fisherman’s Bastion | The grounds around this hilltop castle boast a sweeping view over Budapest, and make for a great photoshoot stop!
Stephanie and I at the amazing Fisherman’s Bastion!
Overlooking all of Budapest.
food & drink
There are a few dishes you need to try when you’re in Budapest. Check out this post for more info on each of them!
Szimpla Kert | This is the most famous of the “ruin bars” in the city, which are, essentially, massive and crazy bars inside of rundown old buildings. This one has multiple floors and is relatively easy to get lost in, but it’s a blast. They also have really good burgers and bar food up on the top floor.
People lining up at the bar at Szimpla Kert.
The trippy decorations are a feast for the eyes!
Stika Budapest | This place is home to some seriously amazeballs brunch. The pancakes, benedicts, and cinnamon rolls were all nom, and the coffee is top notch. The atmosphere is adorable, too… and it doesn’t hurt that the wait staff is painfully attractive.
An iced latte served in a goblet deserving of its deliciousness.
The well-stocked bar at Stika is another reason why this restaurant makes such a great brunch spot.
Menza | Delicious goulash! This is a perfect spot to grab the country’s signature dish.
Inez Bagel Shop | This is the perfect midday stop when you’re starving in between sightseeing stops, and it’s delicious, to boot. The smoked salmon bagel sandwich would give New Yorkers a run for their money.
The Nitty Gritty
Where to Stay | We stayed at this Airbnb and absolutely loved it – it was comfortable for two people, conveniently located, and well appointed. If you want to go the hostel route, the various Hostel One locations look lovely.
Transportation | It’s a really easy city to walk around, but you’ll also want to take public transportation (bus and metro) on occasion to spare your feet.
Arriving at the Budapest airport.
A fresh stack of Hungarian Forint currency.
Currency | Hungary isn’t on the Euro, so you’ll need some cash in the local currency – Hungarian Forint – in order to get around. I recommend picking some up from an ATM at the airport.
Map | Save this Google Map onto your phone app, and you’ll be able to see if you’re close to any of my recommended spots whenever you pull it up! You can also take a look at the overview, below ↓
And that’s a wrap!
Final Note: Visiting Budapest is truly one of the best weekend getaways I’ve ever experienced. I hope you have a blast, too! And make sure to share any extra tips in the comments.
