Things to do in Budapest in two or three days
Many first-time visitors start on Castle Hill, where the castle, the churches and the lookout terraces sit close together. Parliament and the basilica are the other main sights, and the river ties them together. Guided walks such as our Buda Castle tours save you the planning for the castle hill, and the sections below cover everything else.
The Castle District and the Danube banks are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Budapest, inscribed in 1987 and extended in 2002 to include Andrássy Avenue. World Heritage status is not an entry ticket: the palace, the churches and the museums each have their own opening hours and prices.
Our pick: grand city tour
A half-day programme that combines a bus tour with a Parliament visit, so it touches two of the main sights in one booking.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Budapest tours and day trips
Castle walks, Danube boats, Parliament visits and trips beyond the city, with live prices and availability.
Castle Hill: a first morning
The castle district works as a one-morning walk, with a few places that need their own time.
Fisherman's Bastion
The lower level is free. The upper lookout terrace has its own ticket, so a view from the lower part costs nothing. Opening hours in 2026 run 09:00–19:00 from 2 January to 31 May, 09:00–21:00 from 1 June to 30 September and 09:00–19:00 from 1 October to 23 December.
Fisherman's Bastion guide →Matthias Church
The church ticket is HUF 3,400 for adults. The tower is a separate ticket at HUF 4,000, with a fixed day and time, 197 steps, no lift and no toilet. Services have priority, so the visiting hours can change.
Matthias Church guide →Funicular
The Castle Hill funicular runs between Clark Ádám tér at the Buda end of the Chain Bridge and Szent György tér near Sándor Palace. A return ticket is HUF 5,000 to 5,500 for adults, so confirm at the ticket window.
Funicular guide →Hospital in the Rock
This museum can only be visited on a guided tour of about 60 minutes with up to 25 people. Children under six are not admitted, and photos and video are not allowed inside.
Hospital in the Rock guide →Museums in the palace
The Hungarian National Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00 and costs HUF 5,800 for the permanent exhibition. The history museum in the palace opens daily 10:00–18:00 and costs HUF 3,800. There is no single ticket for the whole castle.
National Gallery guide →Sándor Palace and the story of the hill
Sándor Palace is the seat of the President's Office, so plan to see it from outside. The palace history, from the Middle Ages to the rebuilding after the Second World War, has its own page.
Castle history →Chain Bridge Budapest
The Chain Bridge starts at the foot of Castle Hill, and many visitors cross it once for the view of the palace and the river. The city released it after renovation on 4 August 2023. Buses, taxis and two-wheelers are the permitted traffic types, so do not plan an ordinary rental car route across it, and check for temporary closures on the day.
From the water you see the bridge in a different light. Our Danube cruise guide shows what a trip costs and how the day boats differ from evening departures.
Parliament, the basilica and the river
Interiors and the river.
Hungarian Parliament
Visits are guided and last about 45 minutes. Adults pay HUF 7,000 if they belong to the EEA and HUF 14,000 if they do not, with lower fares for students and families. You pass a security check, and large bags are not allowed.
Parliament tickets and tours →St Stephen's Basilica
The tourist entry to the church is a paid ticket. The church is open Monday to Saturday 09:00–17:45 and on Sunday 13:00–17:45, and the terrace and treasury open daily 09:00–19:00 on a separate joint ticket. Check the day's hours before you go, because they follow the church calendar.
The Danube by boat
The city's sightseeing boat takes about one hour and stops at several piers. Low water can mean that a pier is skipped, so check the stops before you plan around a specific one.
Danube cruises →Thermal baths and Gellért Hill
Széchenyi is open, and the hill is free for walkers.
Széchenyi
A day ticket with a locker costs HUF 13,200 from Monday to Thursday and HUF 14,800 from Friday to Sunday. Since 1 August 2025 children under 14 are not admitted, not even to the outdoor pools.
Thermal baths guide →Gellért
The Gellért bath has been closed since 1 October 2025, and its reopening is planned for 2028 without a fixed date. Do not build a trip around it.
Gellért Hill and the Citadella
The park, the promenades and the usual lookout points are free, including the way to the Liberty Statue. The Bastion of Liberty exhibition and the rooftop terraces need a ticket.
Gellért Hill guide →What the main sights cost in 2026
Adult prices in forint. Check the current price when you book.
| Sight | Adult price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Fisherman's Bastion, upper terrace | HUF 1,500 to 1,700 | Lower level free |
| Matthias Church | HUF 3,400 | Tower HUF 4,000 extra |
| History museum in the palace | HUF 3,800 | Open daily 10:00–18:00 |
| Hungarian National Gallery | HUF 5,800 | Closed on Monday |
| Castle Hill funicular, return | HUF 5,000 to 5,500 | Single ride HUF 4,500 |
| Parliament tour | HUF 7,000 (EEA) or HUF 14,000 | About 45 minutes |
| Széchenyi bath with locker | HUF 13,200 to 15,800 | Depends on the day |
| Citadella exhibition | HUF 4,900 | Park and viewpoints free |
For most visitors, the castle hill sights plus either one bath or the Parliament tour fill two good days. Add the numbers for the places you want and compare the total with the card below.
Budapest Card
Prices of the current range, valid from 1 May 2026.
| Card | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | 24 hours | HUF 17,990 |
| Classic | 48 hours | HUF 23,990 |
| Classic | 72 hours | HUF 29,990 |
| Classic | 96 hours | HUF 38,990 |
| Plus | 72 hours | HUF 39,990 |
| Flexi | 72 hours | HUF 27,990 |
Classic combines public transport with entries and discounts. Plus adds the airport bus 100E and the funicular. Flexi asks you to choose five premium services. Benefits do not transfer between card types. At Széchenyi, the card gives 20 percent off the regular locker ticket, only at the bath and not on fast-track, early or premium tickets. For most city breaks of two or three days, compare the Classic card for 48 or 72 hours with the single tickets you plan to buy.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the sights fit.
Things to do in Budapest: frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Budapest?
The castle district with Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church, the Chain Bridge, a Parliament tour, a thermal bath at Széchenyi and a river cruise cover most first visits.
Is there one ticket for everything in Buda Castle?
No. The palace, the museums, the churches and the lookout terraces each have their own entry. The history museum, the Hungarian National Gallery and Matthias Church are all separate.
Can I still visit the Gellért bath?
No. It has been closed since 1 October 2025, and a reopening is planned for 2028 without a guaranteed date. Széchenyi is open in 2026.
Can children go to the thermal baths?
Széchenyi has not admitted children under 14 since 1 August 2025, including the outdoor pools. A narrow medical exception exists and needs approval beforehand.
Is the Budapest Card worth it?
That depends on your plan. Add up the entries you want, add transport, and compare the total with the card price for the duration you need.