Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and get settled into your accommodation in the city center. This is your time to relax and take in the vibe of the Hungarian capital as things kick off. Grab a meal, wander around your neighborhood a bit, and get your bearings before the real exploring begins tomorrow.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center)
- Day 2
Budapest
Start your day checking out Budapest's historic center and the major landmarks scattered throughout. After that, head to Central Market Hall where you can try local food and pick up some fresh produce or snacks. By evening, you'll walk up Gellért Hill to see the city from above, giving you views of the whole place from one vantage point.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center)
Optional Activities
- Explore Central Market Hall and taste local delicacies like lángos
- Visit Great Synagogue (Dohány Street Synagogue) and Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park
- Ride the Budapest Eye for 10-minute panoramic views from 65 meters above Erzsébet Square
- Visit St. Stephen's Basilica and its 96-meter high observation deck
- Tour Hungarian Parliament Building and see the Crown of St. Stephen
- Ascend Gellért Hill for panoramic views from 235 meters above the Danube
Landmarks Central Market Hall Great Synagogue (Dohány Street Synagogue) Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park Budapest Eye Erzsébet Square Buda Castle St. Stephen's Basilica Hungarian Parliament Building Crown of St. Stephen Gellért Hill 
- Day 3
Budapest
This day focuses on the elegance and architecture Budapest has to offer. You'll walk along grand boulevards and see historic buildings throughout the city. Later, you'll spend your evening at one of Budapest's thermal baths or a nice hotel spa where you can relax after a day of sightseeing and enjoy the comfort of the water.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center)
Optional Activities
- Experience Hungarian State Opera House and its Neo-Renaissance architecture and acoustics
- Stroll along Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Visit Heroes' Square and the Millennium Monument
- Explore Vajdahunyad Castle showcasing Romanesque to Baroque architectural styles
- Indulge in Széchenyi Thermal Bath complex with outdoor and indoor pools, saunas, and open-air chess
Landmarks Hungarian State Opera Andrássy Avenue Heroes' Square Millennium Monument City Park Vajdahunyad Castle Széchenyi Thermal Bath - Day 4
Budapest
You'll cross the Danube over to Buda's side to check out the castle walls and Gothic towers there. The funicular will take you up Castle Hill, then you can wander through the old royal rooms and chambers. From Fisherman's Bastion, you'll get those sweeping views of Budapest and the river from the other side of the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center)
Optional Activities
- Enjoy scenic 1.5-minute Buda Castle Funicular ride with views of the Danube and Pest
- Delve into Buda Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Royal Palace with museums and stunning architecture
- Discover Matthias Church, the coronation church of Hungarian kings with vibrantly decorated interior
- Marvel at Fisherman's Bastion fairytale turrets and arches with panoramic views of the Danube, Parliament, and Pest
Landmarks Buda Castle Funicular Buda Castle Matthias Church Fisherman's Bastion - Day 5
Esztergom - Štúrovo
Today involves about an hour on the train heading to Esztergom to see Hungary's largest basilica. You'll climb up to the observation terrace for views across the surrounding area. After that, you'll cross the Mária Valéria Bridge into Slovakia at Štúrovo to see the basilica and Danube from another perspective and get a sense of how things look from the Slovak side.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center)
Optional Activities
- Ascend Esztergom Basilica dome to the observation terrace for panoramic views of the Danube Bend
- Explore Christian Museum with its rich collection of medieval art and artifacts
- Walk across Mária Valéria Bridge connecting Hungary and Slovakia
- Visit Štúrovo, Slovakia and enjoy coffee with views of Esztergom Basilica from across the Danube
- Take a relaxing Danube Riverwalk and soak in the historical ambiance of Esztergom
Landmarks Esztergom Basilica Christian Museum Mária Valéria Bridge Štúrovo Danube Riverwalk - Day 6
Budapest
Your last morning is for getting to the airport and heading home. If your flight is later in the day, you might have time for a final walk through a neighborhood you loved, grab one more coffee somewhere with a good view, or pick up any souvenirs you missed. Then head out to catch your flight.
