Bridges, Spas and Bars: 3 Days in Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Budapest - Eastern Europe’s Rival to Paris - has bridges, bars and spas a plenty, but there is a lot more to discover there even on a short 3 day trip.
I made my trip to the city in June with my daughter. Read on for itinerary suggestions and plenty of practical tips to help you plan and get the most out of your own trip to Budapest.
On the right bank of the Danube sits hilly, leafy Buda, the site of the Old Town, Castle Hill and Gellért Hill. Hungarian kings made Buda Castle (the Royal Palace) their home for over 7 centuries. Today, Buda is a lovely place to stroll around and its hills gives you the best views of the city.
Pest (pronounced Pesht: in Hungarian, every S in a word is pronounced with an SH sound) spreads itself along the left bank of the Danube River, It is much flatter than Buda and very compact and walkable. Many of the famous bars and spas of Budapest are located here and so it makes a lot of sense to make your base in Pest and visit Buda rather than the other way around.
Navigating your way between the two cities across the Danube River - which you will discover is “blond” in colour (rather than blue) - is all part of the fun of visiting Budapest. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
I made my trip to the city in June with my daughter. Read on for itinerary suggestions and plenty of practical tips to help you plan and get the most out of your own trip to Budapest.
On the right bank of the Danube sits hilly, leafy Buda, the site of the Old Town, Castle Hill and Gellért Hill. Hungarian kings made Buda Castle (the Royal Palace) their home for over 7 centuries. Today, Buda is a lovely place to stroll around and its hills gives you the best views of the city.
Pest (pronounced Pesht: in Hungarian, every S in a word is pronounced with an SH sound) spreads itself along the left bank of the Danube River, It is much flatter than Buda and very compact and walkable. Many of the famous bars and spas of Budapest are located here and so it makes a lot of sense to make your base in Pest and visit Buda rather than the other way around.
Navigating your way between the two cities across the Danube River - which you will discover is “blond” in colour (rather than blue) - is all part of the fun of visiting Budapest. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
How it works: The full article is featured in the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the sights featured in this article. The app's navigation functions guide you from one sight to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Sights Featured in This Article
Guide Name: Bridges, Spas and Bars: 3 Days in Budapest
Guide Location: Hungary » Budapest
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Margot Harbot
Read it on Author's Website: https://www.lovetowander.co.uk/blog/budapest
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Hungary » Budapest
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Margot Harbot
Read it on Author's Website: https://www.lovetowander.co.uk/blog/budapest
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Szechenyi Chain Bridge
- Szechenyl Baths
- Gellert Baths
- Liberty Bridge
- Rudas Bath
- Lukcas Baths
- Buda Castle
- Arpad Bridge
- Margaret Bridge
- Elizabeth Bridge
- Petofi Bridge
- Rakoczi Bridge
- Szimpla Kert
- Csendes Letterem
- Shoes on the Danube Monument
- House of Terror Museum
- Matthias Church
- Andrassy Avenue
- Varosliget
- Fisherman’s Bastion
- Hungarian State Opera House
- Heroes’ Square
- Great Market Hall
- Garden of Philosophers
- Hungarian Parliament Building
- Vaci Street
- Spago Restaurant by Wolfgang Puck
- Vendiak
- Ruszwurm Confectionery
- Holy Trinity Park
- Dob Utca
- Remma’s Bistro
- Museum Hotel
Insider Tips for Budapest, Hungary
What to See in Budapest in Three Days, not only History!
What to see in Budapest in three days is a question with no easy answer. Indeed, Budapest is a city with many spectacular monuments, but not only that. Budapest offers various possibilities to get away from the daily grind (Budapest’s thermal baths are among the most famous in the world, although they are definitely not among my favorites) and a nightlife not to be underestimated (there is no... view more
What Do You Have to Do in Budapest as a First-Time Visitor
I’ve visited Budapest three times. Twice in wintertime and once for a couple of hours on a hot September day on my way to Bratislava.
Festive Family Trip to Budapest
In December 2024, we embarked on a memorable family trip to Budapest, a city renowned for its enchanting Christmas markets and festive spirit. As someone with a deep appreciation for holiday traditions, I was excited to revisit this beautiful city and share its charm with my family. We decided to drive to Budapest and although it was a long journey, the excitement of exploring this stunning city... view more
Scavenger Hunt in Budapest; Kolodko Mini Statues (4/4)
During our 2025 visit to Budapest we learned about a series of mini-statues created by artist Mihaly Kolodko. Here you will find part four of what I believe is the most comprehensive list to date of the Kolodko mini-statues.
Danube River Cruise
The Danube River originates in Germany and flows southeast 1,770 miles through ten countries and into the Black Sea. With the help of a lock system, 1,500 of those miles are navigable, thus it is an attractive river cruise destination.
One of My Favorite Cities | Budapest, Hungary
I am proud to say that this is my 200th post on my blog, and how appropriate that I can dedicate it to one of my favorite cities in the whole wide world – BUDAPEST!
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Must Buy Hungarian Things in Budapest
Other than the standalone language and catchy Czardas tune, there's a lot more to memorize Hungary by. Here are some of the things you might want to carry from Budapest to your family and friends back...
Insider Tips Overview
