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Apart from being one of my favourite European cities, Budapest is also easy on the pocket. Browse my Budapest Diary for spots  you shouldn’t miss on your visit to this magnificent city.

How it started

One morning, we decided to jump in our car and drive to Budapest for the weekend. The last time we’d been there was over three years ago and we already loved the city’s vibes! We checked-in at the Sofitel Chain Bridge Budapest and as the name implies, this hotel is right next to the most famous bridge in Budapest. Having arrived in the early evening, we first relaxed in the hotel lounge and enjoyed the wonderful sunset behind the Chain Bridge and the Fisherman’s Bastion.

Later in the evening we walked around a bit: crossed the Chain Bridge and headed along the riverbank to Margaret Bridge. We made it just in time for a wonderful view of the  Parliament Building, which turns into a glowing and illuminated beauty at night!

Day one of my Budapest diary

For the morning of day one, we planned a trip to one of the local thermal baths. The August daytime temperature back then was about 33°C,  so a little refreshment was in order. Having already experienced the famous Gellert Bath last time, we  chose the beautiful  Szechenyi Bath for this visit. 

We weren’t the only ones with this idea on a hot summer day and there was quite the crowd outside. My recommendation – visit the baths as early or as late as possible to avoid the midday rush. The summer timings of this bath are from 6 am to 10 pm. 

As for the place, there are two pools outside, one with warm thermal water and another with cooler water for swimming. A cap is mandatory for a swim – it can be a bathing cap or simply a sun hat or headscarf. As most of the tourists (including us) didn’t know this beforehand, we could only dip our feet in the pool while seated at the edge.

Insider Tip: You get the best view and best photo spot at Szechenyi Bath from the near-empty stands on the sides!

After this, we boarded the subway back to the Chain Bridge.  While walking around we chanced upon the best-rated restaurant in Budapest – the Italian restaurant ‘Comme Chez Soi’.  It looks absolutely non-descript at first sight, with only a few seats that are mostly booked up. But we were incredibly lucky to get a table for 1.5 hours. The food quality and quantity were amazing and affordable – I had a huge Pizza with Parma ham for only 9 EUR!

Later, we went up to the Fisherman’s Bastion on the other opposite side of the Danube. It’s quite a busy late evening spot with everyone waiting to catch a glimpse of the sunset behind the hills. And so, we decided to return early the next morning to avoid the crowds. From here we passed by Matthias Church behind the Bastion and turned left to the Royal Palace –  the best place to watch the nocturnal city lights! Right after sunset, you can see Chain Bridge lighting up: Covered first in green light, it slowly transforms to a romantic yellow-orange colour!

Post this beautiful experience, we boarded the Budapest funicular (Sikló) located next to the palace, for a ride down Chain Bridge, and for yet another spectacular city view!

Day two of my Budapest diary

It was an early start to the day today, our alarms went off at 5 AM! ! We wanted a chance to enjoy Budapest to ourselves, without the crowds, and as it turned out,  it was really worth it. The usually crowded Chain Bridge was still empty – only a few cars passed by. During sunrise, the bridge makes for one of the best photo scenes in the entire city!

We then walked over the bridge and up to the Fisherman’s Bastion around 6.15 am, where there were only a few other photographers. At that moment I realized how truly beautiful this 120-year-old monument really is! I felt like a princess overlooking the city from her castle atop the hill.  If you plan a trip to Budapest, visiting the Fisherman’s Bastion at sunrise should be on top of your must-do list! The Matthias Church nearby also looked amazing in the soft morning light with its glowing and colourful bricks.

After this magical morning tour, we went back to the hotel to get breakfast and a nap. In the afternoon we decided to explore the Royal Palace a little deeper. Several museums and the national library are located in the building and you can walk along the ramparts to enjoy another great city view. The final point here is the huge statue of the Virgin Mary, which is also the best viewpoint of the Parliament Building!

A delicious dinner later, we bid adieu to Budapest and drove back home.

For your own Budapest trip, I  highly recommend that you visit for at least four days. Our two and a half-day trip clearly wasn’t enough to explore all the magical places the city has to offer – but that’s another reason for us to come back!

For a detailed itinerary on how to explore the city if you had an extended weekend, or more time in your hands, here’s our 3 day trip plan to the land that never falls short of magical experiences.