Budapest in One Day - Plan it Well!

Budapest in One Day - Starting Fresh in the Morning

After you've had a substantial brekafast at your hotel go and visit Castle District while you're full of energy and up to walking. The district or Várnegyed in Hungarian is situated on a hill at the Buda end of Chain Bridge.

The whole district, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflects medieval and Baroque Budapest with many fine buildings and narrow cobbled-stoned streets and footpaths winding around the hill.

TIP 2: A convenient and inexpensive way of seeing all the major sights is going on a Hop On Hop Off Bus Sightseeing Tour Modern, air-conditioned bus takes you to to a tour of the city showing you many sights and attractions. Audio guide in several languages is provided. You can read more about and book a Budapest Hop On Hop off Tour here.

The main historical attractions in Buda Castle District include: the Royal Palace, Matthias Church on Holy Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér), and Fishermen's Bastion from where you can admire the fine view of the Danube with the bridges, the Parliament building on the Pest side and the rolling Buda Hills.

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Getting to Castle District: either take tram-4-6 to Moszkva tér than walk up to the district or get on the Castle bus (No. 16, it departs from Deák tér if it's more convenient for you) or take the Funicular from Clark Adam Square at the Buda end of Chain Bridge (Lánchíd). This way you get a closer view of the first permanent bridge of Budapest that became the symbol of the Hungarian capital.

If you find the 800 HUF ticket (1400 for a return ticket) for the Funicular (Sikló) too expensive you can take the stairs starting near Clark Adam Square leading up to the heart of Castle District.

By the time you explored much of the Castle District you'll be ready for a short rest at a cafe. For a rellay good coffee made from freshly roaste coffee beans pop in the Walzer Cafe in Táncsics Mihály utca (utca=street) near Matthias Church. A variety of coffee drinks are offered that you can sip leisurely while enjoying the cozy coffee house athmosphere. The oldest coffee house and cake shop in Budapest, Ruszwurm is also in Castle District. Find out more about Ruszwurm Cafe and other historic Budapest coffee houses.

Budapest in One Day - Inner City Tour

Take the Castle bus to get to Deák tér to continue your Budapest-in-one day adventure in the inner city. Here the three metrolines of Budapest meet so if you're tired of walking take one of the undergorund lines.

But if you're still up for some strolling keep on your sightseeing on foot. St Stephen's Basilica (Szent István Bazilika) is at stone's throw from Deák Tér.

But first if you love shopping check out Fashion Street in Deák Ferenc utca where a dozen of famous fashion brands (Tomy Hilfiger, Mexx, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren etc.) have shops.

If you choose to take a look at St Stephen's Basilica, budapest's largest church from there you can take Zrinyi utca that will lead you to Roosevelt tér at the Pest side of the Danube. Alternatively you can get here from Castle Hill by descending with the Funicular and walking over the Chain Bridge.

From Roosevelt square you can take this short walking tour of downtown Budapest.

If you've had enough walking then take tram 2 from Roosevelt Square (due to the construction of metro 4 until summer 2009 tram 2 runs in two sections, see details here).

The tram runs along the Pest side of the Danube offering a beautiful view of Castle Hill and Gellért Hill and the Danube bridges.

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Budapest abounds in restaurants see our pages about recommended restaurants:

• Hungarian Restaurants in Budapest
  
  
• Best Restaurants in Budapest
  

If you're tight on budget try one of the cheap eateries or check out the offering of the food stalls in the Central Market Hall at Fővám tér near Liberty Bridge. You can sample some Hungarian snacks like lángos (deep fried dough with sour cream and grated cheese on top) or sit down in one of the restaurants specializing in hearty Hungarian meals like goulash or stuffed cabbage.

While in the market take time to admire the great architecture of the building which roof is covered with the famous Zsolnay tiles.

TIP: There's a great wine restaurant called Borbíróság nearby the Market where you can taste fine wines from Hungary's major wine growing districts and and try typical Hungarian dishes.

After lunch I would either return to my hotel room for a short nap or go to one of the parks in Budapest to relax.

In the afternoon head for a spa to pamper yourself in the thermal pools and try some of the treatments and services (sauna,massage etc.). I recommend the Széchenyi Baths in City Park or one of he Turkish Baths.

Programs for Night - Budapest in 1 day

To crown your Budapest city break and see the beautiful city scape illumianted by lights at night go for a Cruise & Dinner on the Danube.

During the 1.5-hour trip you'll have a fine 3-course dinner and on the cruise departing at 19.00 you can enjoy live music, too.

Read our account of the Danube Cruise we took in July 2007.

Other Resources on What to Build Into Your Budapest in 1 Day Schedule:

Budapest Tours - organized sightseeing tours including bus tours.

Sightseeing in Budapest - summarizes Budapest's top attractions.

Top Budapest Attractions - a more detailed guide that includes our favourite sights.

Downtown Budapest - overview of major sights and palces of interest in the city centre.

Váci Street - one of the most attractive pedestrian shopping streets in world.

Andrássy Avenue - the boulevard conencting City Park with Budapest's center is lined with fine bautiful buildings, great restaurants, and high-end shops.

Budapest Parliament - include in your tight one-day Budapest program only if you love massive, historic buildings.

Jewish Budapest - visit the monuments testifying Budapest's rich Jewish heritage.

Culture in Budapest - includes the most important cultural venues in Budapest.

Related Pages - Budapest in One Day

Budapest Districts - guide to the major districts in Budapest

Budapest Card - find out what sort of discounts you get as owner of a Budapest Card.

Biking in Budapest - tips and guidance on how to explore Budapest by bike.

Safety in Budapest - what to pay attention to during your stay.

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