Budapest in 5 days

Thermal baths, ruin bars, and the most dramatic riverfront in Central Europe. Best time to visit: April-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $55 to $95 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: District V (Belváros), Pest's central core, Parliament, the river, walking-distance to everything.

Morning: Széchenyi Thermal Bath. The yellow baroque palace one. Go 8am or after 7pm to skip crowds.

Afternoon: Explore District V (Belváros), Pest's central core, Parliament, the river, walking-distance to everything.

Evening: Ruin bar crawl in District VII. Start at Szimpla, then go where the locals point.

Eat: Goulash at Kádár Étkezde (cash only, lunch only)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: District VII (Jewish Quarter), Ruin bars, street food, the city's nightlife engine.

Morning: Fisherman's Bastion at sunrise. Free before 9am, empty, the best Pest skyline view in town.

Afternoon: Explore District VII (Jewish Quarter), Ruin bars, street food, the city's nightlife engine.

Evening: Soak in the Széchenyi thermal baths. Budapest's grand outdoor thermal pools, steaming even in winter. Go in the morning before the crowds, or join the weekend 'sparty' night session, bring flip-flops and a towel.

Eat: Lángos at Retró Lángos Büfé

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: District I (Castle Hill), Buda's UNESCO old town, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church.

Morning: Parliament tour. Book the Hungarian-language slot, half the price, same building.

Afternoon: Explore District I (Castle Hill), Buda's UNESCO old town, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church.

Evening: Ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter. Derelict buildings turned eclectic bars, Szimpla Kert is the original, packed with mismatched furniture and art. Bar-hop District VII at night, it's the heart of Budapest's nightlife.

Eat: Tasting menu at Stand25 Bisztró

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: District VI (Terézváros), Andrássy út boulevard, the Opera, leafy and quieter.

Morning: Rudas Baths Turkish section (men/women alternate days, check before going).. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore District VI (Terézváros), Andrássy út boulevard, the Opera, leafy and quieter.

Evening: Mazel Tov - kosher courtyard restaurant, looks like a Pinterest board.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Chimney cake (kürtőskalács) from a street stall

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: District XIII, Local, residential, where Hungarians actually eat dinner.

Morning: Tram 2 along the Danube, especially after dark - cheaper than any river cruise.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore District XIII, Local, residential, where Hungarians actually eat dinner.

Evening: Memento Park, Soviet statues exiled to the suburbs. Worth the bus ride.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Goulash at Kádár Étkezde (cash only, lunch only)

Hidden gems

Rudas Baths Turkish section (men/women alternate days, check before going).
Mazel Tov - kosher courtyard restaurant, looks like a Pinterest board.
Tram 2 along the Danube, especially after dark - cheaper than any river cruise.
Memento Park, Soviet statues exiled to the suburbs. Worth the bus ride.

Getting around

Metro and trams are excellent and cheap - a 24-hour pass is around 2,500 HUF (7 EUR). Bolt covers what transit doesn't. Walking between Buda and Pest over the Chain Bridge is part of the fun.

Safety

Very safe. The two scams to know: rigged taxis from the airport (use Bolt or the airport shuttle) and 'consume drink' bar scams in the Jewish Quarter - check menu prices before ordering.

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