This is how you plan a perfect weekend in Budapest

24.07.2024 - 19:14 / lonelyplanet.com / Royal Palace

Jul 24, 2024 • 7 min read

Stunning 19th-century facades around every corner, art nouveau marvels scattered along winding cobbled streets, historic monuments and grand museums, and opulent bathhouses where you can unwind and relax – it's no wonder that Budapest is renowned as a seriously romantic city.

But this air of beauty and romance doesn't mean it's stuffy; on the contrary, the nightlife is buzzing with energy and the party keeps going until the sun rises in ruin bars and courtyard concerts.

The Hungarian capital is one of Europe's most rewarding weekend breaks, with a compact center – spanning the two former cities of Buda (west of the River Danube) and Pest (east of the Danube) – that means most sights are within walking distance of each other. Unsure where to start? Here's our guide to spending a perfect weekend in Budapest.

A great way to kick off your weekend in the Hungarian capital is to get as high as you can. Budapest is magnificent when viewed from above, with the city's most postcard-pretty sights – such as the Royal Palace, the Basilica, and the ornate bridges that span the Danube – all squeezing into the same vista.

Take advantage of these views, which are extra beautiful when backed by an orange sunset, at one of Budapest's best rooftop bars; perennially popular 360 Bar is a good choice for those looking to party, while High Note is a top spot for an intimate evening. Be sure to book ahead!

If you're the active type – or don't want to start spending straight away – a great alternative is to climb up Gellért Hill to the Liberty Monument for the same views at no cost.

For breakfast, grab a Hungarian pastry from any bakery – try a spiral-shaped kakaós csiga (chocolate snail), a favorite of locals. Having fuelled up, spend your morning exploring some of Budapest's prettiest sights on foot. 

Start your journey from the iconic Chain Bridge, the first permanent crossing on the Danube, built in 1849. Take a glance at the impressive Four Seasons Gresham Palace on the Pest end, where all the A-list stars stay, then cross over to the Buda side and climb up to the Castle District. The vintage funicular – one of the oldest funicular railways in the world – whisks you up the hill in minutes (for a fee), but you can also hop on bus 16 or just hike up for free (it's not as far as it seems, we promise!).

Once there, cobble-stoned twisting streets lead you to the grand Buda Castle, razed and rebuilt numerous times through the ages, and the Hungarian National Gallery within, showcasing the history of Hungarian artistry from Renaissance stonework to striking 20th-century sculptures. It's certainly worth having a nose around. Nearby, the fairy-tale Fishermen's Bastion provides a dazzling view over Pest across the