Famed thermal spas, stunning architecture, rolling hills and a rich culture celebrating art and food are among Hungary’s major calling cards. With so much to see and do, planning for two days in Budapest is essential when visiting this stunning city. At Eminence Organic Skin Care, we take pride in our Hungarian roots and the rich traditions that inspire our products. To help you plan your travels, we’ve narrowed down our top recommendations for the perfect holiday. Read on for our guide to two days in Budapest, and let us know if you have — or will — be visiting!

Our Itinerary

Eminence Organics has had the pleasure of sending some of our fans and amazing partners to Budapest for the trip of a lifetime. Based on an itinerary of personal recommendations given by Eminence Organics President and General Manager, Boldijarre and Attila Koronczay, we have put together the perfect two-day trip to Budapest. This sojourn focuses on the city itself on day one and Hungarian spa culture on day two. Not only will this provide you with an overview of everything you need to know about Budapest, but will leave you feeling deeply inspired and rejuvenated.

Where Should I Stay?

While there are many options for beautiful accommodation, our top recommendation is hands down the Aria Hotel Budapest. Located in the heart of the city, “the Aria offers the ideal location to explore Budapest on foot, by tram or by bus. The area around the hotel offers pedestrian streets with numerous cafes, restaurants and terraces.” Aria is in the top 1% of hotels in Budapest based on reviews from TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Hotels.com and Expedia and took home the title of “#1 Hotel in World” from TripAdvisor.

What Should I Do?

Did you know that Budapest is actually two cities  Buda and Pest? Or, that settlements date back as far as the stone age? Rich in history with so many things to see, deciding what to do can be overwhelming. We recommend the following sightseeing activities to give you a taste of everything Budapest has to offer.

 Budapest City Tour: Pest & Buda Highlights

A tour of Budapest is a must, and the perfect activity for day one of your trip. Not only will a city tour ensure you see crucial Budapest landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Basilica, City Park (and Vajdahunyad Castle), the Castle District and Várkert Bazár, but it will help you get your bearings in this beautiful city. With many options to choose from, we recommend selecting a tour that offers highlights from both Pest and Buda and provides a combination of walking and driving so you can see as much as possible. 

The Legenda River Cruise is a great way to see both sides of the city while enjoying a traditional meal and entertainment. Be sure to book tickets in advance. If you rent a car, consider the heavy traffic in the city. Taxis are affordable, trustworthy and can use the bus and taxi lane. The recommended taxi service is Fötaxi; phone: + 36 1 222 2222. You can also book online or through an app: https://fotaxi.hu/

When exploring Buda, if World War II is interesting to you, check out the Hospital in the Rock for a tour. It’s a bunker that doubled as a hospital during the War.

If you’re up for something spooky, you can tour Dracula’s Labyrinth, where the real Count Dracula was held prisoner under the castle district.

The Pest area is where you’ll want to explore Budapest’s vibrant nightlife. We recommend you experience its iconic “ruin pubs” nestled within the historic Jewish District downtown. These one-of-a-kind bars have transformed literal ruins into buzzing social hubs. Each pub has its own personality — some bursting with eclectic art, others pushing avant-garde boundaries — but all promising unforgettable evenings and great conversation starters.

Szentendre

Szentendre is about 20 minutes outside of Budapest heading North, on the Buda side. It’s a very cute little town with ancient buildings, churches and lots of ‘touristy’ things. Not too far from there (10 min) there is also an outdoor museum called Skanzen featuring old villages showcasing life in the Habsburg times and before.

Vaci Utca

Upon completing your guided tour, we recommend stopping by Vaci Utca (or Vaci Street) for lunch and leisure time. Vaci Utca is the most renowned pedestrian shopping street of Budapest and is full of activity, architecture and local cafes and restaurants. Vaci Utca is also within walking distance to the Aria allowing you to easily head back to the hotel with your haul of souvenirs.

Hungarian Spas

A visit to Budapest would not be complete without visiting the world famous spas in the city. After a busy day on your feet, day two is all about relaxing and soothing your tired muscles. To start, we recommend visiting the historic Gellért Baths. Considered the most famous Art Nouveau themed bath in Europe, Gellért Baths features 10 pools, massage and saunas. The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is another must-see. Built in a Neo-Baroque style at the start of the 20th century, Széchenyi Thermal Baths is one of the largest bath complexes in Europe, with 21 pools, saunas and aqua fitness available. If you’re up to it, feel free to visit any of the other amazing spas in Budapest, but don’t miss out on the incredible Gellért and Széchenyi baths.

Where Should I Eat?

Budapest boasts an incredible assortment of fine dining and casual fare drawing from multicultural influences and traditional Hungarian dishes. To help you decide, we have narrowed down your lunch and dinner options to our favorite restaurants in Budapest.

Pannonia Gastroboat

The Pannonia Gastroboat is the perfect way to round out your city sightseeing on day one. A unique, vintage restaurant ship, the Pannonia cruises through the heart of Budapest while serving a slow-food menu. Not only is the Gastroboat a beautiful example of early 20th century ships, but the menu features local, seasonal Hungarian delicacies.

Pest-Buda Bistro

To nourish your body as you nourish your soul on day two, we recommend a visit to Pest-Buda Bistro for a delicious lunch between visits to the baths. Pest-Buda Bistro is one of the oldest restaurants in Budapest, offering a warm cozy environment serving “Grandma’s home-style Hungarian cooking.” Whether you’re after something rich and comforting or light and fresh, Pest-Buda Bistro has something for everyone.

Onyx Restaurant

After settling back at the hotel after a day of restoration at some of Hungary’s most famous spas, prepare for an evening of fine dining at Onyx – one of Budapest’s most renowned restaurants. This Michelin star restaurant offers modern takes on Hungarian cuisine with a trendy Neo-Baroque interior. With a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor, the over 1,700 positive reviews of Onyx confirm it’s strong reputation as a must-eat location in Budapest.

Tanyacsarda Restaurant

Enjoy a rustic Hungarian meal at Tanyacsarda Restaurant. With a traditional thatched structure and decorated with customary tools and objects, enjoy delicious slowly simmered goulash at Tanyacsarda in the Hungarian countryside.

Barack & Szilva

After two days packed full of the sights, sounds and tastes of Budapest, finish your trip with a relaxed dinner in Budapest’s famed Jewish Quarter. Barack & Szilva offers Hungarian provincial food in a bistro setting. With a cozy interior and beautiful patio when the weather is warm, relax and reflect on your trip in one of the best casual restaurants in Budapest.

Bistro Helpful Information

Basic Hungarian Phrases

• Koszi “Kuh-see” = “Thanks” (casual)
• Szia “See-ya” = “Hi,” or “Bye!” (very casual)
• Hol Van “whole von” = “Where is…”
• Kerek “Care-ik” = “I would like…”

Bistro Embassy Of The United States

Szabadság tér 12, 1054, Budapest Hungary
Phone: + 36 1 475 4400
https://hu.usembassy.gov/hu/
Government Recommended Taxi Service
Fötaxi Kerepesi út 15, 1087, Budapest Hungary
Phone: + 36 1 222 2222
Book online: www.fotaxi.hu

Our itinerary is a dream guide for what to do in Budapest. Are there any other landmarks or activities you would add for two days in Budapest? Tell us in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.