How to spend one week in Budapest Hungary

Budapest was one of our first stops during our visit to Europe, and it left a lasting impression on us. The city’s rich history and stunning architecture captivated us from the moment we arrived.

We were fortunate to spend a week in Budapest, during which we explored the historical sites, basked in its vibrant culture, and indulged in its delicious cuisine.

I’m excited to share our experiences and the top things to do in Budapest on our blog. While it’s possible to cover the main attractions in a day, I highly recommend at least a week in Budapest to truly absorb its culture and essence.

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Some things to know about Budapest

Budapest is Hungary’s capital and is situated along the Danube River. Chain Bridge separates the two sides of the city, the hilly Buda side and the busy city on the Pest side.

The main language spoken here is Hungarian, but most people speak English here. The currency used in Hungary is forints and we found that the conversion rate is similar to Euro.

Most places will accept a credit card, but always choose your currency since banks usually have a better exchange rate! The same goes when withdrawing money from an ATM.

Budapest is one of the most affordable cities in Europe. Flights to Budapest from Europe are very affordable on some budget airlines. We scored cheap tickets on Ryan Air!

Just be aware that with most budget airlines like Ryan Air, there are lots of other things you would have to pay for like check-in luggage and priority seating. Pack light and only bring carry-on luggage to save money!

Hotels in Budapest are very affordable as well. We chose to stay at the Nova Aparthotel which was located centrally and close to most of the main attractions. We got around using the hop-on-hop-off tour during the day and utilized a taxi in the evenings.

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How to get around Budapest

Budapest is a densely populated city and is easy to get around using public transportation.

However, we chose to do a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, just so we could learn more about the city through its audio tour.

It proved to be the best way for us to get around, especially with our little one, and the tickets came with a boat cruise as well.

You can easily see most of Budapest’s main sights on foot, but it’s nice to have other options on ways to get around Budapest with kids.

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Top things to do in Budapest

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There is so much to do on a visit to Budapest, and I share just a few of the best things to do in Budapest that you can add to your family vacation to this amazing city.

You can easily see most of the main sights in Budapest in one day if you utilize one of the hop-on-hop-off bus tours, but I highly suggest a one-week visit, or at least a weekend in Budapest to make the most of your visit.

One week in Budapest: Visit Gellert Hill

One of the top Budapest attractions is a visit to Gellert Hill. We explored Gellért Hill on our first day, luckily we chose to do a bus tour as it is quite a trek getting up here.

From here you get the most amazing panoramic views of the city, and quite a few monuments to visit.

On top of Gellért Hill, you will also find the Citadella, which was a fortress built by the Habsburgs after defeating Hungary’s War of Independence in 1849.

This location was chosen as it was a prime spot for defending the city from rebellion. At the bottom of the hill is the Gellért Spa, famous for its thermal baths, and the Gellért Hill caves.

This network of caves now houses a chapel which is still in use today and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Budapest.

Relax at one of the Thermal Baths in Budapest

One of the best things to do in Budapest is the thermal baths. There are many thermal houses to choose from, but the Széchenyi is the most visited, and one of the oldest and largest medicinal baths in Europe.

The Bathhouses are supplied by two natural thermals and supposedly have curative properties. Because the waters can reach up to 77 degrees, most bathhouses don’t allow younger kids to get in the water.

We opted for the Palatinus Strand baths on Margaret Island instead, it was one of the most beautiful outdoor baths in the area and a perfect place to beat the summer heat.

We spent most of the day here, the water was warm and there were play areas and splash pads for the kiddos.

If you make it to Budapest in the summer, add this to your itinerary. It was one of the highlights of our trip and one of the most fun things to do in Budapest with kids.

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Relax at Margaret Island

One of the best things to do in Budapest for families is a visit to Margaret Island. Margaret Island is a tranquil place within the city, with so many fun activities for the whole family.

Spend the day at the Palatinus Strand Bathhouse and let the kiddos go for a swim. You can even rent bicycles and explore the island, watch the musical fountains, or visit the small zoo.

It was well worth the visit, an escape from the busy city. Our little one enjoyed the playgrounds here and running around in the park.

Go for a taste of Budapest at the Great Market Hall

Another place of interest in Budapest is the Great Market Hall. When visiting new places we always like to try local dishes.

Here in Budapest, the best place to sample the local cuisine is at the Great Market Hall. The Great Market Hall is an indoor marketplace selling everything from fresh produce, to locally made products, including endless aisles of paprika.

One of the most well-known dishes here is Hungarian goulash. Every restaurant in the city serves its version of this dish, we tried the one in the Market Hall and it was delicious!

Visit Buda Castle

 One of Budapest’s must-sees is a visit to Buda Castle. Buda Castle Hill is another great place for panoramic views of the city.

You can hike up to the castle on a winding footpath or take the funicular up. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to tour the castle, as there was some kind of construction going on and it was closed for the day.

However, we did get to explore the surrounding area, It’s famous for its medieval and Baroque churches and buildings and was a beautiful place for a stroll.

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Explore the Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion is one of Budapest’s top tourist attractions and is free to enter. From here you get the most amazing views of the Hungarian Parliament and the city down below, and it’s stunning.

The Fisherman’s Bastion was built as a lookout tower and was named after the Fisherman’s Guild who protected the castle walls during the Middle Ages.

This is one of the best spots to linger and just admire the fantastic views of the city. Plus there are so many amazing photo-ops here so bring along a good camera!

Visit Matthias Church

Make sure to visit the nearby Matthias Church while at Fisherman’s Bastion. This Roman Catholic, gothic-style church was built in the 11th century and is one of the most beautiful churches we’ve seen.

It was also used as a coronation church by Hungarian Kings for centuries, which is quite amazing! A must-see on your visit to Budapest.

• Hours: Mon-Fri: 9 am – 5 pm / Sat: 9 am – 12 pm (Midday) / Sun: 1 – 5pm
• Tickets: Adults: HUF 2,900
  Students (with ID): HUF 2,300
  Seniors (60+ with ID): HUF 2,300
  Children (under 6): Free
• VISIT WEBSITE HERE

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Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica

Visit the St. Stephens Basilica, which was built in 1851 and is the third-largest church in Hungary. It is one of Budapest’s most significant tourist attractions as it supposedly contains the mummified hand of the church’s patron St. Stephen.

We didn’t get to see this relic, but just admiring the beauty of the basilica was worth the visit. It was dark inside, which made taking photos difficult, except for the photo of the dome.

Enjoy a meal at the New York Cafe

Another place of interest in Budapest is the New York Cafe. Enjoy a meal at the famous New York cafe in the Boscolo Hotel. It is one of the most beautiful cafes we’ve ever seen and felt so palatial.

Admire the ceiling with its painted frescoes dating back to the 18th century, it almost felt like we were dining in a Royal Palace. The food was served beautifully, and the wait staff was very friendly and accommodating.

Visit the Hungarian Parliament

We decided to visit the Hungarian Parliament on our last day here. The Hungarian Parliament is a popular tourist destination and the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary. It is one of the most architecturally beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen and is well worth the visit.

• 45-minute Guided tours are available with an audioguide or a professional guide and costs
• HUF 4200 European Economic Area) national or those who have a residence card is accepted.
• HUF 3000 ticket for EEA citizens (aged 6-24)*:
• HUF 12000 for non-EEA citizens:
• HUF 6000 ticket for non-EEA citizens (aged 6-24):
• For visitors under the age of 6 visiting the Parliament is free.
• HUF 9600 Family ticket (2 adults)
• HUF 4800 Family ticket (3 children ages 6-14)
• VISIT THE WEBSITE HERE

Visit the Shoes on the Danube memorial

A stroll along the Danube River was the perfect itinerary for the day during our Budapest holiday. One of the sights worth seeing along the river is the “Shoes on the Danube” memorial.

It honors the people who the fascist militiamen killed during World War II, who were ordered to take off their shoes and were shot at the edge of the water so that their bodies fell into the river.

It was such a sobering memorial and a great reminder of this tragic part of our history.

Take a sunset cruise on the Danube River

One of the best things to do in Budapest is to see the city on a boat cruise. There are quite a few boat cruises to choose from and I highly recommend booking one.

We spent our last night in this wonderful city cruising the Danube River. It was amazing to see the city from a different perspective. The Hungarian Parliament was just stunning from the boat, and seeing the city all lit up at night was just amazing!

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What to eat in Budapest 

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One of the best things about traveling is the food! When visiting Budapest, make sure to try the Hungarian Goulash, Chicken Paprikash, Lángos, and Kürtőskalács. 

Budapest is known for its production of paprika, and you will find most of the dishes paprika-based. The Market Hall is one of the best places to taste the foods of Budapest.

One of the top things to eat in Budapest is the Kürtőskalács, which is a roasted spit cake made from sweet dough and rolled in sugar and other toppings. We’ve seen something similar in Prague and it tastes amazing!

Another must-try when in Budapest is the Hungarian Langos, which is a deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, and various other toppings. These are served everywhere as well and were something we ate daily in Budapest.

Of course, you can’t miss eating some Hungarian Goulash when in Budapest. They serve them practically everywhere in the city, and it’s one of our favorite dishes in Budapest. 

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READ NEXT: Top things to do in Prague with kids

I hope this Budapest guide inspires you to visit this amazing city. There are so many cheap flights to Budapest from anywhere in Europe, which makes it the perfect family vacation.

We had a great time exploring Budapest with kids. We spent one week in Budapest and felt it was the perfect amount of time to fully explore all there is to see during our Budapest family vacation.

Plan your family trip and visit one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities and was one of our favorite family trips so far.

*Planning a visit to Budapest in December? Check out this post on some fun Holiday ideas in Budapest.

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