Budapest is the perfect destination for a short getaway, as you can explore the whole city in 2-3 days.
From Greece especially you can find quite cheap flights to Budapest, which is why it has become a favourite holiday destination.
To get around you can use the public transportation, such as buses and metro. We took out a 72-hour card and it cost about 14€. From the airport to the city you take the 100E bus which has a separate ticket and costs about 5.50€.
Budapest is perfect for relaxing, walking around and eating delicious food. But if you have a few days to spend there, what are the main things to do in Hungary’s capital? Read on to find out.
1. Stay at Mystery Hotel Budapest for the ultimate in relaxation
If you want to make your stay in Budapest to look like… a fairytale, then staying at the Mystery Hotel Budapest, which looks like a palace, it’s perfect for you.
The hotel is located within walking distance from attractions in the city centre.
As soon as you set foot in the reception, you will travel to another era, while the rooms, which are spacious with a wonderful architecture, will make you feel – even if only for a few days – like a king.


The highlight of Mystery Hotel Budapest is their special spa, the Secret Garden Day Spa, which is open to those who are not staying at the hotel.

The spa is located in a baroque garden and you can relax under the plants. The spa includes a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, gym and of course there are body treatments and massages.


This spa will offer you ultimate relaxation.
The hotel’s breakfast is served on the fourth floor in “The Great Hall”, which is then used as a restaurant and is worth visiting even if you’re not staying at the hotel.
2. Explore the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Buda Castle
The number one attraction in Budapest is undoubtedly the Fisherman’s Bastion, which you’ll understand once you get there and face the countless tourists around every corner.


The Fisherman’s Bastion is a 19th century fortress with towers that offer you a panoramic view of the city and the Hungarian Parliament.

There you will also find the impressive Matthias Church, a 13th century church. You have to pay a ticket to get inside, but you can just admire its exterior architecture for free.


Leaving the Fisherman’s Bastion, you’ll arrive at Buda Castle, the palace that houses the National Gallery of Hungary and has a great view.

The beautiful Buda Castle is definitely worth a visit. All of its exteriors are free and you only pay to go inside in places like the National Gallery.
3. Gellert Hill, Liberty Bridge and Chain Bridge
Descending from the Buda Castle and continuing your walk, you will reach Gellert Hill, where you can hike and of course enjoy the view. It is the best spot to see the Liberty Bridge from above.


After you come down from Gellert Hill it’s time to cross the Liberty Bridge to cross over to the other side.
The lush green Liberty Bridge is one of Budapest’s most iconic bridges, crossing the Danube and representing the independence and freedom of the Hungarian nation.

Don’t miss a walk on the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd), perhaps the most beautiful bridge in Budapest. It’s a perfect spot for photos, and behind it stands the impressive Buda Castle.

The bridge was officially opened on November 20, 1849, and at its two entrances you’ll find two huge lions.

4. Stroll through the Central Market
Once you cross the Liberty Bridge, you’ll arrive at the Central Market Hall, where locals – and tourists – do their shopping. You’ll find a huge variety of cold cuts, cheeses and of course Budapest’s number one souvenir… paprika. Sweet paprika, smoked paprika, hot paprika, hot peppers… you will find there, everything you can imagine.
On the ground floor you will find the food shops, while on the first floor there are many souvenir shops and some serving local delicacies. But I would advise you to just go for a walk and eat elsewhere, as the prices are more expensive and because the place is highly touristy, the food is not that good.


5. St. Stephen’s Basilica and Elizabeth Square
Of course, you can’t go to Budapest and not see St. Stephan’s Basilica, the huge Roman Catholic church where the coronations of Hungarian kings took place.
To get inside it costs 2,300 forints (about 6€), to get on the roof costs 4,300 forints (about 10.70€), while an all-in-one ticket costs 6,000 forints (about 15€).

Of course you can enjoy the outside of the church completely free of charge and then stroll around the shops surrounding the church.
A stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Basilica you’ll find Elizabeth Square, which is also home to the huge Ferris wheel amusement park, the Budapest Eye.
Most of the streets start from the main square, and that’s where you’ll find most of the buses that will take you to the city’s attractions.


6. Discover Freedom Square
Within walking distance of St. Stephen’s Basilica is also Freedom Square, a quiet park that houses a memorial to the victims of the German occupation and the Soviet Heroic Monument, which is dedicated to the memory of the Soviet soldiers who fought to liberate Hungary from the Nazis near the end of World War II.


Remarkably, the Soviet Heroic Monument was built next to the American embassy and American officials reacted by building a statue of US President Ronald Reagan, famous for his hard line against communism, right next to the monument.
The two works of art represent the clash of two political systems and their cultural differences in the centre of Budapest.
7. Hungarian Parliament
Perhaps the most impressive building in Budapest is the Hungarian Parliament. The iconic neo-Gothic building sits on the banks of the Danube and at night when it’s lit up, the scenery is magical.

It’s also worth taking a cruise on the Danube and admiring the Hungarian Parliament through the river.

8. Danube Shoes
Another attraction you’ll encounter next to the Danube is the Danube Shoes, a monument to the memory of those killed on the river by the Nazis during World War II.
The bodies of the Jews were dumped into the Danube, and before they were murdered they were asked to remove their shoes.

9. Heroes’ Square
Heroes’ Square is the most important square in Budapest. The statue of Archangel Gabriel in the centre of the square is under construction and is expected to be ready in 2026.
Heroes’ Square, along with Andrássy Avenue leading to it, has been declared a UNESCO heritage site.
In the square there are the statues of 14 important persons of Hungary, such as kings, governors and the 7 warlords of the Hungarian tribes who founded Hungary.

10. Stroll through the Városliget park and Vajdahunyad vára
Just behind Heroes Square you will find the lush green Városliget Park, a perfect place for a stroll and a picnic. It is the place where families, friends and people with their pets gather for their walk by the pond and under the trees.
Next to the pond you will also find the unique Vajdahunyad vára. The colours especially in autumn are magical.


In the park is the Budapest Zoo and the famous Széchenyi Baths.
Food in Budapest
Iconic Gulyás Lángos
Budapest has very nice traditional dishes that you should try. At Iconic Gulyás Lángos, located almost next to St. Stephen’s Basilica we ate delicious local dishes while enjoying live music and traditional dances.
We started with the famous beef goulash soup, warm and a little spicy, perfect for the cold autumn and winter days. We continued with a Lángos, which is fried dough with toppings of your choice. We went for the classic version with sour cream and cheese.


Now for the main courses, we tried the traditional chicken with paprika and fantastic handmade dumplings, as well as beef with handmade noodles.


All the dishes were delicious and the portions were huge. The staff were very kind and made us pack our Lángos because of course we were full and couldn’t eat them all. I highly recommend it.
Stephen Confectionery
Stephen Confectionery (István Cukrászda) is a confectionery in the city centre with a huge selection of sweets.
We tried the Dobos torta, a traditional Hungarian chocolate cake with caramelized sugar on top and it was truly amazing. It cost about 3,70€ and you should definitely try it.

Simon’s Hotdog
If you’re looking for a budget option for food in Budapest, then you should go to Simon’s Hotdog (next to István Cukrászda). The hotdogs cost just 1.20€ and they have nachos for 2.50€.

Fitzkey Chimney Cake
The most famous cake in Hungary is undoubtedly the chimney cake. In Budapest you will literally find shops or canteens on every corner selling chimney cakes at various prices. In central places next to the sights the prices for a chimney are quite expensive, as they cost up to 8€ (and more).
Fitzkey Chimney Cake is a small canteen very close to St. Stephen’s Basilica and the chimney cost just €2.50.

Their chimney was just perfect. Warm, fluffy on the inside and a little crispy on the outside. We visited twice, because we loved it and tried the classic cinnamon flavor and if you want, they have many options with cocoa, peanut, etc.
Belvárosi Disznótoros – Király utca
I had discovered Belvárosi Disznótoros when I first went there when I went to Budapest in 2021, so now three years later I visited it again and it didn’t disappoint me. Basically it’s a restaurant-cookery with traditional food where you choose what you want and they weigh the food in order to pay for it.
We tried pork, sausage, duck fillet, potato salad and cheese salad. Everything was delicious, but my favorite was the potato salad, which I also remembered from 2021.


Lángos Papi’
Like the chimneys, Lángos can be found everywhere in Budapest. A tiny shop, Lángos Papi’ only has one small table, so you’ll get your Lángos for takeaway, but it’s the best you’ll taste in Budapest.
It costs 2,000 forints (about 5€) and is huge. We got the classic version with sour cream, garlic and cheese and it was fantastic.

Fatal Restaurant
On a street full of shops and restaurants, you’ll find Fatal Restaurant, a place with particularly large portions and delicious food.
There I tried the biggest pork schnitzel I’ve ever had in my life and delicious beef with handmade pasta.


What you need to know before your trip to Budapest
- 2-3 days are enough to tour Budapest
- The currency of Hungary is the forint. 1€ = 400 huf approximately.
- Mobile data from Greece is available for roaming in Hungary. If you are from a country that needs eSim, you can buy from the Airalo app and use the code ELENI4690 for a 3€ discount on your package.
- From Greece you can travel with ID, you don’t need a passport or visa.
If you want to see more about my trip to Budapest, visit my profile on Instagram.