If you’re short on time but big on curiosity, Budapest is the kind of place that rewards even the briefest visit. I only had 24 hours in this stunning city (rude, I know), but it made a big impression.

Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest during daylight, with white stone facade, red-tiled roofs, Gothic spires and central dome rising above green shrubs under an overcast sky.
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Hi, I’m Hazel – a British travel blogger who recently zipped through Budapest as part of a whirlwind Europe trip. It wasn’t nearly long enough, but it gave me a real taste for the city’s grandeur.

From grand architecture to riverside strolls, here are some of the top things to do in Budapest when you’re flying through but still want the magic.

👉 Visiting Budapest on a short trip? Start with my honest impressions in Is One Day in Budapest Worth It? – it sets the scene for what a brief visit can offer.

Start at Liberty Square 🗽

Begin your walk at Szabadsag Ter (Liberty Square), one of the city’s grandest open spaces, flanked by stately buildings and shaded by leafy trees.

Soviet War Memorial in Liberty Square, Budapest, with a tall pale stone obelisk topped by a gold star, flanked by historic buildings, bare winter trees, and patches of snow on the grass under a pale grey sky.
Soviet War Memorial, Liberty Square, Budapest

It’s an odd mix of architectural pride and political reflection. Look out for the striking World War II memorial and a small but poignant sculpture honouring the victims of Soviet occupation.

Oh, and don’t miss the statues of American presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush – a surprising nod to Hungary’s post-communist alliances.

Bronze statue of Ronald Reagan in Budapest, standing on a wet pavement in Liberty Square, with historic stone buildings and the Hungarian Parliament dome visible in the background on a grey winter day.
Bronze statue of George H. W. Bush in Liberty Square, Budapest, with raised arm gesture, winter greenery and historic buildings in the background on a cold, overcast day.
Statues of American presidents in Liberty Square, Budapest

See the Parliament Building 🏛️

The Hungarian Parliament building is an absolute showstopper. Even in drizzly weather (as it was for me), it looked like something out of a fantasy novel.

Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest during daylight, with ornate white stone facade, red-tiled roofs, Gothic spires and a large central dome under a pale grey sky.
Hungarian Parliament

It’s one of the largest parliament buildings in the world, and the gothic revival spires are ridiculously photogenic from every angle.

If you’ve got time, book a guided tour inside to see the grand staircase and Crown Jewels. If not, simply gawp from the square or admire it from across the Danube.

Take in the Views Along the Danube 🌉

The Danube splits the city in two: Buda to the west, Pest to the east. And that dividing line is full of life, views, and iconic sights.

View across the Danube in Budapest during winter daylight, with riverside walkway and pedestrians in the foreground and pastel-coloured buildings and hills of Buda lining the opposite bank under a pale sky.
The river Danube from the Pest side

Walking the river felt like the quickest way to understand Budapest. Everything important seemed to reveal itself along the water – the Parliament, Buda Castle, and several of the city’s majestic bridges.

Even if you only have a few hours, strolling this stretch gives you a real feel for the city’s scale and spirit.

Step Inside St Stephen’s Basilica ⛪

Standing in the square, St Stephen’s Basilica feels impossible to ignore. It’s vast, symmetrical, and quietly imposing rather than ornate or showy.

St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest seen in daylight, with its large green-domed roof framed by tall pale stone buildings on either side under a soft grey winter sky.
St Stephen’s Basilica

I later passed by again after dark, when the basilica was lit up and the whole area felt calmer and more atmospheric – a very different experience, and one I’ve shared in more detail in my Budapest at Night post.

Pause at the Shoes on the Danube Bank 👞

This quietly powerful memorial sits just south of the Parliament building.

Sixty pairs of iron shoes line the edge of the river – a tribute to the Jewish people who were executed here during World War II.

Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial in Budapest, with multiple rusted iron shoes lined along the river’s edge, small flowers placed inside some pairs, and the Danube flowing past under a grey sky.
The shoes on the Danube bank

It’s simple and unsettling. People slow down here without being told to, voices dropping as they reach the edge of the river. It’s a brief stop, but a necessary one for understanding Budapest’s past.

Cross the Chain Bridge 🚶‍♀️

This historic suspension bridge links the Buda and Pest sides and makes for a stunning short walk. You get incredible views of the river, the Parliament, and the Castle district.

Chain Bridge in Budapest during winter daylight, with stone towers and suspension cables stretching across the Danube, Buda Castle visible on the hill in the background under a pale grey sky.
Chain Bridge, Budapest

This was the first permanent bridge to connect Buda and Pest, which gives it real historical weight.

People often compare it to London’s Tower Bridge, sometimes suggesting it was built to echo the famous UK landmark. In reality, the timeline runs the other way. The Chain Bridge came first, Tower Bridge was built later.

Look Out Over the City from Buda 🏰

If your route takes you up to Buda, you’re in for some postcard-worthy views. It had just turned dark when I arrived, and even in the foggy drizzle, I could see the Parliament lit up across the river and the city stretching out like a film set.

Hungarian Parliament building at night in Budapest, a very large stone building beside the Danube. It has a wide, symmetrical shape with a tall round dome in the centre, many narrow pointed towers, rows of arches, and bright yellow lights reflecting in the river below.
Budapest parliament from Fisherman’s Bastion

From Castle Hill, the city suddenly makes sense.

Up here, looking back across the Danube from the Royal Palace and the surrounding streets, Budapest feels less overwhelming and more legible, laid out in layers rather than chaos.

Admire the Views at Fisherman’s Bastion 🏰

Perched on Castle Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion looks like something lifted straight out of a fantasy novel. With its white stone towers, sweeping terraces, and storybook arches, it feels more Disney than defensive fortress.

Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill in Budapest, showing pale stone terraces, staircases, and rounded towers with visitors climbing the steps under a grey, overcast sky.
Fisherman’s Bastion

Despite the name, it was never used for fishing or fighting. Instead, it was built as a decorative lookout, and the views are the real star. From here, you get one of the best panoramas in Budapest, with the Parliament building lined up perfectly across the Danube.

Even on a grey or misty day, it’s spectacular. On a clear one, it would be postcard-level perfection.

Step Inside Matthias Church ⛪

Right beside Fisherman’s Bastion sits Matthias Church, instantly recognisable by its colourful patterned roof tiles and ornate Gothic details.

Matthias Church in Budapest at night, with colourful patterned roof tiles and tall Gothic spire lit in warm golden light against a dark sky.
Matthias Church

It’s one of Budapest’s most historically significant churches, and you feel that weight standing beside it. Kings were crowned here, and its walls have lived through centuries of upheaval.

What caught my eye first was the roof, patterned and precise, more like a piece of design than decoration.

Visit Buda Castle (aka Castle Hill) 👑

It’s hard to miss this stunner perched on the west bank. Buda Castle is part palace, part fortress, and all drama – with glowing domes and arched windows that could be straight out of a storybook.

Buda Castle on Castle Hill in Budapest at dusk, with a large green copper dome and historic stone buildings silhouetted against a soft peach and pale blue evening sky.
Buda Castle

Even if you don’t go inside, just walking around the cobbled streets and catching glimpses of the views is a treat. It’s especially moody at night or in misty weather. Cue the gothic soundtrack.

Try Hungarian Goulash and Local Wine 🍲🍷

If you only have time for one proper meal in Budapest, make it goulash. This rich, paprika-spiced stew is Hungary’s most famous dish, and for good reason.

Bowl of Hungarian goulash soup served at a restaurant table, with rich brown broth and chunks of meat, bread and wine glasses visible alongside cutlery.
Hungarian Goulash

Just a quick practical note if you’re arriving from elsewhere in Europe: Hungary doesn’t use the euro. Prices are in Hungarian forints, though most restaurants take cards without any issue.

I had my goulash on a grey afternoon and it was perfection – warming, flavourful, and deeply satisfying. I washed it down with a glass of local white wine, which was light, fruity, and a great match. Honestly? Goulash in Budapest was a solid 10/10.

👉 Want to see how Budapest compares to its neighbours? Read the Danube Capitals comparison or my river-inspired daydream post.

Map of Things to Do in Budapest 🗺️

To help plan your Budapest blitz, here’s a Google Map of the spots mentioned. Save it to your phone so you can navigate the city like a pro (even if your data runs out).

FAQs about Visiting Budapest 💡

A few quick answers for fellow fly-by travellers:

Is Budapest walkable for a short visit?

Yes – especially around the Parliament, riverfront, and Chain Bridge area. Flat, scenic, and easy to navigate.

What’s the best view in Budapest?

The vista from Fisherman’s Bastion or Buda Castle looking across to Parliament is tough to beat.

Can you visit the Parliament building inside?

Yes, but you’ll need to book a tour – check the official Parliament website for tickets.

Are there public transport options if I’m short on time?

Definitely. Budapest has excellent trams and a metro system – Tram 2 runs along the Danube and gives you great views as you ride.

Do they use the euro in Budapest?

No. Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (HUF), not the euro. Some very touristy places may quote prices in euros, but you’ll usually get a better rate paying in forints.

Budapest, You Tease ✨

Budapest might have only had me for one day, but it didn’t hold back. It’s elegant, complicated, full of contrasts, and impossible to ignore (even in the rain).

Street view in central Budapest during winter daylight, with cafés and shops lining a narrow cobbled street, pedestrians walking towards St. Stephen’s Basilica visible at the far end.
Budapest Streets

I’ll be back for the thermal baths, ruin bars, and deeper explorations. But for now, these highlights gave me a perfect intro to Hungary’s capital.

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Planning a bigger Europe trip or looking for more city tips? Check these out while you’re here:

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Pinterest 📌

Planning a trip to Hungary? Save this post for later and pin it to your Europe travel board!

Night-time view of Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest, illuminated in warm yellow light above the city, with rooftops and streets visible below. Large text over the image reads “Things to do in Budapest,” with “Hungary” handwritten in the corner and “www.hazelstravels.co.uk” at the bottom.

👉 Looking for practical travel tools? Check out my Travel Resources page.

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