SANDEMANs Hot Picks – Budapest

DAY 1 – BUDAPEST VIEWS

The best way to start Budapest is from above: cross the Danube, climb the hills and take in the panoramas that show why this city is one of Europe’s most stunning.

Start your trip by strolling across Budapest’s most iconic bridge – Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Crossing it on foot is the perfect introduction to the city, with lions guarding the entrance and the Danube sparkling below. From there, climb up to Buda Castle and wander through cobbled streets, courtyards and sweeping views over Pest. Inside the castle complex, the Hungarian National Gallery is a great excuse to step inside and catch masterpieces of Hungarian art. Even if art isn’t your main draw, the views from the rooftop are worth the stop.

Continue up to Matthias Church: its colorful roof tiles shimmer in the sun and the interior feels like stepping into a medieval fairytale. Just outside you’ll find Fisherman’s Bastion, a white-stone terrace that looks like it was built for Instagram long before it existed. This is where Budapest really shows off… the Hungarian Parliament Building, the bridges and the sprawl of Pest all laid out in front of you.

Then, make your way to the Prince Of Buda & The Princess Of Pest Monument, a quiet reminder of the city’s union between Buda and Pest and another chance to take in the panorama. End the day with the climb to the top of Citadella on Gellért Hill, where the Liberty Statue watches over the city. Stick around for sunset, watching Budapest light up from here is just pure magic.

Want the full story behind Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion? Instead of covering those stops by yourself, join the Buda Castle Free Tour in the afternoon and let a local guide bring their legends and secrets to life. You’ll also explore hidden corners of the Castle District that most guidebooks skip. Book it here.

DAY 2 – BUDAPEST CLASSICS

Between grand avenues, notorious monuments and solemn memorials, today we will explore the chapters that shaped Hungary’s capital and its golden years.

Begin your day in Erzsébet Tér, a lively square where locals meet, tourists ride the Ferris Wheel and the city feels wide awake. A short walk brings you to St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s largest church, whose golden mosaics shine almost as brightly as the panoramic view from the dome.

Continue along elegant Andrássy Avenue to the Hungarian State Opera House, a masterpiece of 19th-century design that’s as beautiful inside as it is outside. From there, head to Liberty Square, where fountains, statues and some intriguing memorials give the square a layered history.

Head to the Hungarian Parliament Building, the crown jewel of Budapest, with its Gothic Revival façade right on the Danube. A tour inside will leave you in awe of the detail. Just a few steps away, the Shoes on the Danube Bank stand as a haunting memorial to Budapest’s darkest days.

Go to the other side of the city and make your way to Heroes’ Square, where statues of Hungary’s greatest leaders stand proudly beneath towering columns. From here, wander into the leafy paths of City Park and let them lead you to Vajdahunyad Castle. Mixing Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture, the castle looks like it’s been plucked straight from the pages of a fantasy novel.

DAY 3 – BUDAPEST LIFESTYLE

Beyond the big sights, Budapest is full of character. Spend the day exploring neighborhoods, flavors and the city’s relaxed, elegant and creative spirit… basically simply enjoying life at a slower pace.

Start in the Jewish Quarter, a neighborhood where ruin pubs and street art sit side by side with synagogues that tell Budapest’s centuries-old Jewish story.

When it’s time to slow down, cross the bridge to soak in the famous Gellért Thermal Bath. The art nouveau setting makes it feel more like lounging in a palace spa than a public bath and it’s the perfect way to recharge.

Back across Liberty Bridge, where locals often sit here with drinks in summer, turning it into a hangout spot with killer views, stop by the Great Market Hall, where stalls overflow with paprika, cured meats and fresh produce.

Continue on to the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, a little-known treasure hidden inside a former palace, where you can sneak into ornate reading rooms that feel straight out of a movie. Step into the Hungarian National Museum to round out your understanding of the city’s past, from medieval kings to the 1956 uprising.

End the day however you like: shopping along Váci Street, hunting for local design boutiques, vintage shops or simply wandering until you find the perfect spot for a farewell drink.

Curious about the history and hidden stories of Budapest’s Jewish Quarter? Join the Jewish Quarter Free Tour and explore its synagogues, wartime memories and the vibrant community that left its mark on the city. As the tour is only offered in the afternoon, save this stop for then and start with the second stop… you won’t regret it. A local guide will take you beyond the surface, from WWII and Holocaust history to hidden gems you’d miss alone. Book it here.