How To Spend 3 Days In Budapest For Couples Who Love Food and Wine

Written By:Taylor kiser Hours Hours Updated on
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Ahhhh Budapest! The land of insanely beautiful architecture, food that feels like your grandma is hugging your taste buds, and the wine? DON’T GET US STARTED IT’S GOOD.

We’ve broken down our itinerary into morning, afternoon, and evening, including where to eat and drink (most importantly, obviously) with some romantic spots that we love! If you follow our itinerary, we promise you won’t miss any of the good stuff during your 3 days in Budapest! We lived in the city and know all the ins, outs, and not-so-touristy spots!

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IMPORTANT: our Budapest trip itinerary assumes that you have 3 full days. If one day is a travel day, you may have to adjust accordingly. But we’ve included some “choose your own adventure” type activities so you can customize them! Let’s get into it!

Quick Navigation: DAY 1 // DAY 2 // DAY 3

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DAY 1 –  Széchenyi Thermal Baths, City Park, Hungarian Parliament

Where you’re going today on a map:

How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu, and go to ‘Your Places’/’ Maps.’ If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.”

Morning

  • A platter of grilled sausages served on a bed of hummus, garnished with herbs and pomegranate seeds, with a side of flatbread.
  • A colorful brunch plate with two eggs, diced vegetables, and a mix of pickles, set on a wooden table with a glass of juice.

You want to start early because you have a full day! If you like Mediterranean food, you HAVE to go to Dobrumba for an early brunch. It’s one of the best places to eat in Budapest, and Caleb and I have debated flying back to Budapest for the lamb sausage dish and the Challah toast. NOT LYING.

If you don’t like the Mediterranean, head to Cork Breakfast and Wine for a cozy, romantic breakfast with unique and delicious food. 

Then hop on a bus/take a cheap Uber/Bolt (the fastest), and get to Széchenyi Thermal Baths. This is one of the most popular, biggest, and most beautiful baths in all of Budapest, and it’s a great way to spend a chill morning after travel. You’ve definitely seen it all over Instagram we think! If you prefer something with more of a local vibe though, check out Lukacs thermal baths!

An aerial view of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest, featuring its three large outdoor pools with people swimming and relaxing, surrounded by historic yellow buildings
The grand outdoor pool at Szechenyi Baths, with people swimming and relaxing in the thermal waters. The historic bathhouse building surrounds the pool, featuring arches and decorative elements under a bright blue sky.

Don’t miss the whirlpool in the outside bath area. We had wayyyyy too much fun swirling around. 😅

Get your tickets online in advance here, and you can read our full guide to everything you need to know to visit the baths!

PRACTICAL TIP: try to get there by 10am so you have a good 2 hours to soak up the water but still have time for the afternoon shenanigans! 

Afternoon

Once you’re done soaking, wander the city park (where the baths are) for an hour or so. Make sure to visit Vajdahunyad Castle, one of the most romantic places in Budapest,  and Heroes Square. If you have extra time, you can rent a boat by the castle or ice skate in the winter. Both are fun and suchhhh a romantic setting!

Practical Tip: Spend about 1-2 hours doing this.

  • A charcuterie board with assorted meats, cheeses, olives, tomatoes, and bread, accompanied by glasses of white wine on a wooden table
  • The interior of a wine bar with wooden tables, chairs, and shelves filled with wine bottles, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

From there, we recommend taking a cheap, 10-minute Uber/Bolt and heading to Falu Delikat, an absolute hidden gem in Budapest, for charcuterie (called Falu’Tal on the menu) and a glass of wine. There isn’t much English there, so just tell them you want that and point to the wine you want (there are only a couple options), and you’re good to go!

If it’s a weekend (they don’t do charcuterie on weekends), head over to Wine Not? A wine bar for amazing local wine and charcuterie plates. It’s an actual wine bar, so you have more wine options by the glass.

Two people sit on a stone ledge by the river, with the Hungarian Parliament Building in the background during sunset, reflecting warm light off the building.

After that, walk a few minutes to the JAW-DROPPING Hungarian Parliament Building for a late afternoon tour. It was voted the top tourist place in the world!

Practical Tip: Get your ticket online in advance HERE to secure your spot, and keep in mind that the last tours of the day are at 3:30 or 5:30, so plan accordingly.

READ NEXT: GUIDE TO TOURING THE HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING

The "Shoes on the Danube Bank" memorial in Budapest, with scattered old shoes along the riverside commemorating the Holocaust victims, with the river and city in the background.

Once you’re done touring, stop by the Shoes on The Danube monument just outside. It’s a monument to the Hungarian Jews who were shot on the banks of the Danube River. It’s hard to see but very moving and a must-visit.

Evening

  • The interior of a cozy restaurant with teal tablecloths, white table runners, wooden chairs, and twinkling string lights hanging around the windows. A man is sitting alone at a table, and the room is decorated with framed awards and certificates.
  • A plate of fried croquettes and a creamy mushroom sauce served at a restaurant, with a basket of bread and another dish in the background.

Your evening is best spent eating some delicious Hungarian food! We recommend Cafe Kor because it’s our favorite traditional Hungarian restaurant in the city. It has a quiet, local, and romantic vibe with a HUGE menu and great prices.  Read more about Cafe Kor and what to order here.

After that, pick one of the best wine bars around the city and hole up for some CHEAP and incredible Hungarian wine.  Warning: it ruined us for ever liking any other white wine, and you may never be the same after tasting it. 🍷

DAY 2 –  Fishermans Bastion, Buda Castle, Margaret Island, St Stephens Basilica,  Wine Tasting

Where you’re going today on a map:

Morning

  • A couple embracing with a stunning panoramic view of Budapest at sunrise in the background, featuring the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building and the Danube River.
  • A couple is sitting and enjoying the sunset under an archway at Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, with the city skyline in the background.
A woman sitting on the edge of Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, enjoying a sunset view over the city and the Danube River

Today, you’re going to spend most of your time on the “Buda” side of the city!

FUN FACT: In the old days, the cool rich people lived in Buda, and the working class on Pest!

Get up EARLY for sunrise and head to Fisherman’s Bastion. I know you’re on vacation, but sunrise at Fisherman’s Bastion is actually SO INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL and extremely romantic. You must do it!

Make sure you walk across the GORG Széchenyi Chain Bridge.

The Budapest chain bridge from a different angle, captured at sunset with an orange and pink sky, highlighting the silhouette of the bridge and historical buildings in the background.

PRO TIP: this is one of the best places to leave a “love lock!” So, bring a lock in your suitcase (or buy one at the Conrad store in the city!) and lock up your love as you walk over!

If you really don’t want to get up at sunrise, it’s still beautiful later in the morning. You just won’t have all the pretty colors, and you’ll have way more people!

Make sure to oggle the beautiful St Matthias Church! You can pay to go inside (if it’s open), but we personally didn’t find it worth it. If you’ve seen a lot of European churches/cathedrals, the chances are good that you won’t be super impressed.  

  • A couple dressed in winter clothing is sitting and standing on a ledge outside Matthias Church in Budapest, with its distinctive spires and roof tiles visible.
  • Fishermans Bastion in Budpest against a blue sky with a few dark shadows walking in front of it

Practical Tip: You can pay extra to access other areas of the Bastion, but we think the free views are good enough, as we mentioned in our guide to visiting Fisherman’s Bastion. You’ll also want to leave here by about 10am to have time for the rest of the day.

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Then, walk 15 minutes over to Buda Castle and spend an hour or so exploring the grounds and surrounding adorable streets.  

The Buda Castle in Budapest at dusk, with the Chain Bridge in the foreground, reflecting the warm lights on the Danube River.

Now, You have two options for breakfast:

Hit up Ruszwurm Confectionary, the oldest bakery in Budapest, right by the castle. Try their AMAZING Kreme cakes and strudel.

OR

Take an 8-minute Uber/Bolt to the BEAUTIFUL Nor/ma Grand bakery. This is a Scandinavian bakery and one of our favs in the city! You have to try the cardamom bun. 

  • a cherry strudel with golden brown crust that looks crispy on a simple white plate
  • A cinnamon roll placed on a gray plate with a napkin, set on a wooden table with a small potted plant and a jar of brown sugar in the background.

I’m drooling just thinking about it, and it’s on the way to Margaret Island! 

PRO TIP: if you have time and don’t mind walking, we HIGHLY suggest you route to “Parliament viewpoint” after Buda castle (about 25 mins walk) for a stunning view! Then walk another 20 minutes (or rideshare) to Norma OR Margaret Island!

Afternoon 

  • A large, domed gazebo with columns and a staircase in a garden setting, surrounded by trees and under a bright blue sky
  • A group of deer standing in an enclosure at a mini zoo, with a backdrop of bare trees and patches of snow on the ground
A group of people riding a blue pedal car with a red canopy on a path through a park, with bare trees and patches of snow on the ground.

Get yourself to Margaret Island and spend the afternoon exploring. Make sure to visit:

  • The mini zoo (which has free entry) for some cute animals!
  • The water tower (which has public toilets for just 1 Euro!)
  • The pretty musical well and Japanese Garden
  • The Budapest sign

You could also rent some funny-looking little bikes and cars and drive around. You can do this near the start of the island. Just Google “Bringo Rental,” and you’ll see it!

An interior view of a rustic tavern with wooden walls and ceiling, a bar area with various bottles and glasses, and patrons seated at wooden tables, engaging in conversation.

If you want the most authentic experience EVER, walk 20 minutes to Tokaj Wine Bar (as long as it’s after 3pm when they open.) The wine here isn’t amazing, but it’s SO CHEAP (like 2 bucks), and there is almost no English and no tourists.  Just point at the wine you want (they have an English menu) and order some traditional fat-on bread for lunch.

If that isn’t your vibe, jump on the tram just outside Margit Bridge and head into the city center for a late lunch at Pörc & Prézli Étterem.

  • A cozy restaurant setting with a mezzanine floor, decorative plates on the walls, and diners enjoying their meals at wooden tables.
  • A gourmet dish served in a white bowl, featuring a piece of seared meat, garnished with greens, and accompanied by a sauce.

Then, visit St Stephen’s Basilica because it’s one of the most beautiful European churches we’ve seen! We were lucky to witness a wedding here.

Practical Tip: the ticketing office around the corner is only open until 5, so plan your afternoon accordingly. 

A bustling street in Budapest leading to St. Stephen's Basilica, lined with buildings and people walking, under a partly cloudy sky.

Once you’re done, you could pop over to the Tree of Love in the middle of Erzsébet Square and lock your love there if you didn’t do it on the chain bridge!

Evening

If you get done early, you *could* head over to Rudas Bath. It’s a little out of the way (but a short rideshare) and has the most INCREDIBLE thermal bath on the roof with epic views. It’s super romantic, and you could even rent the entire thing for the two of you if you feel bougie.

But, what you *HAVE* to do is a wine tasting at Wine the Gap! 

  • many bottles of wine on a table so you know they have been enjoyed
  • a plate of delicious sausage and cheese on a wooden table with a glass of wine

Mickey, the owner, is an incredibly friendly and knowledgeable wine judge who will teach you so much about Hungarian wine while letting you try a generous variety. The tour includes a huge spread of local sausage, cheese, bread and a glorious golden pork-fat spread that tastes like liquid gold mixed with bacon.

The value for your money is unbeatable, offering an authentic local experience. It was one of our best investments in the city and one of our favorite wine tastings in Europe! And, we’ve done SO many!

>>Click here to check reviews, availability, and pricing! <<

DAY 3 – New York Cafe, Gellert Hill, Cooking Class, River Cruise 

Where you’re going today on a map:

Morning

  • A woman with braided hair and large hoop earrings enjoys a coffee at the New York Cafe, holding a cup of frothy coffee at a table with a red reflective surface.
  • The famous new york cafe in Budapest with gold walls and people sitting down dining

You need to start the day by visiting what is ranked as one of the most beautiful cafes in the world: New York Cafe. Chances are that you’ve seen this cafe all over Instagram and anytime you’ve done some research for your trip!

We have to be honest: Caleb and I visited and found it way overpriced and definitely touristy (you’ll see people running around taking photos all morning), but it is BEAUTIFUL.

Here’s what we recommend: go right at the opening (8 am) to avoid long lines and just get a coffee so you can see it. (We tried their signature 24k gold cappuccino, but it’s not worth the money.) 

  • A table set with a cup of black coffee, a plate with a berry-topped pastry, and a ham-wrapped baked egg, with a person partially visible in the background.
  • A slice of cheesecake topped with chopped pistachios served on a gray plate, with a staircase and dining area in the background.

THEN, walk 25 minutes to Artizan bakery, one of our favorite bakeries in the city, for a quick breakfast and coffee on the go.  You must try the cardamom custard bun and the pistachio cheesecake I dream about daily.

It’s vacation. You can eat cheesecake for breakfast.

Then, take a 10-minute ride share to Liberty Bridge, stroll over it, and wander around the beautiful Gellert hill for an hour or so. If you have extra time, you could check out the beautiful Gellert thermal baths!

A view of the Liberty Bridge spanning the Danube River, with the cityscape of Budapest in the background under a partly cloudy sky

Check out the Gellert statue, their version of the Statue of Liberty. It’s from the communist era but got rebranded and now represents freedom!

Personally, we think you can skip the cave church. We didn’t think it was worth the entrance cost, and the inside of the building is very small.

Afternoon 

At 1pm, it’s time to meet at the Central Market Hall for an AMAZING local cooking class with Foodapest for lunch!

  • An interior view of Budapest Central Market Hall, showcasing its high, arched ceilings and rows of market stalls with people browsing and shopping.

Joseph, the owner, guided us in buying fresh ingredients and sampling local tastes. The highlight was his family’s blackberry Palinka!

The tour is a family-run business with Joseph and his brother. After shopping, we went to a local apartment to cook a traditional meal with Joseph and another couple. The evening included Hungarian snacks, flowing local wine, and a fun, informal cooking lesson.

  • a large bowl of dumplings with creamy chicken paprika in a bright orange sauce
  • a tray with vegetables and Hungarian meat with wine glasses in the background
a man teaching a group how to cook on a long wooden table with tomatoes and a knife

We shared Chicken Paprikash dumplings, made new friends, and left with a new recipe to cook together at home and happy memories. This experience is perfect if you want a fully planned, hassle-free afternoon. It’s one of our favorite foodie experiences in Budapest!

>>Click here to check reviews, availability, and pricing! <<

Evening

We took four boat cruises in Budapest to find the best one for you. We confidently recommend the Legenda cruise at sunset, so you should do that after your cooking class!

The buda castle on a high in Budapest at sunset with a bright pink sky

This romantic river cruise includes a glass of wine or beer, with more drinks available for purchase on board. The boat’s glass walls provide STUNNING views from inside, or you can enjoy the open-air top deck to see the buildings all lit up!

This cozy and romantic cruise is the perfect way to enjoy Hungarian wine and see Budapest from the Danube!

>>Click here to check reviews, availability, and pricing! <<

After that, go to Hungarikum Bizstro (you need reservations!) for a seriously delicious Hungarian meal but also a whole EXPERIENCE. We won’t ruin it, but it’s a FUN spot.

  • A table set with slices of bread topped with a dollop of sour cream, green pepper slices, and a small dish of red sauce, on a red-and-white checkered tablecloth.
  • A table at a restaurant with a dish featuring roasted meat, purple cabbage, and mashed potatoes, all served on a decorative red and white plate.

To end your 3 days, you have options:

  1. Visit a ruin bar.  They’re interesting, but we found them to be loaded with young teens and crappy, low-quality drinks.

PRO TIP: If you’re in Budapest on a Sunday, visit the ruin bar for the morning farmers market! This way, you can see it and get an authentic experience tasting local artisanal products! 

2. Go to Warm Up Cocktail Bar for some of the best cocktails we’ve ever had! They have no menu -you just tell them what you like and don’t like, and they make bespoke cocktails.

3. Go to Pianna Vyshnia bar for a VERY happening spot (usually with a DJ) and try some unique Ukrainian Cherry Liquor in a funky setting! 

  • A dimly lit, rustic bar with a cozy atmosphere, featuring a vintage bar counter, hanging grapes decor, and a sign that reads "Wine Bar" on the back wall
  • The interior of a trendy bar with a blue and purple neon glow, featuring a well-stocked bar, high chairs, and large windows. The decor is modern and inviting.
a cool chandelier made from red wine bottles with black walls with cherries on them

Logistical Stuff For Your 3 Days

When is the best time to visit Budapest?

The best time to go to Budapest is during the off-season (April through May or September through October) for fewer tourists and a more romantic vibe.

READ NEXT: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PLANNING A TRIP TO BUDAPEST

Where Is The Best place to stay in budapest?

The best districts to stay in are Districts 5 and 7.

a modern hotel room with gray walls and a queen size bed with teal pillows

We consider ourselves “mid budget” travelers and like to save money on rooms (as long as they are clean and in a good location) and we love staying in the 7Seasons Hotel. It has cheap, large rooms, friendly staff, and epic, central location

>> Click here to check prices, read reviews, see photos and availability <<

How to get around

The best way to get around Budapest is by walking, tram, or bus, and I’ve outlined ways to navigate the city within this itinerary!

Three days in Budapest pinterest Pin

Well, foodie friends, that’s a wrap on our epic 3-day Budapest itinerary with all the things you need to see, eat, and do!  If you have any questions, just leave a comment and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

Now that you have your itinerary, you need all our best tips to make your vacay extra amazing!  We’re here to help with our ultimate guide to tips first-timers need to know when going to Budapest!

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A couple embraces while watching the sunset behind the Crystal Palace in Madrid's Retiro Park, a moment of romance and tranquility by the reflective waters.

Writer

Taylor is the head writer for the Culture Craving Couple and an expert on traveling the world as a couple. She has traveled to over 35 countries with her husband Caleb and her work has been featured in online publications such as Be My Travel Muse, Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan.

She shares her first-hand, personal experience traveling with Caleb to help couples travel across Europe and the USA by finding amazing food, cocktails and experiences to deepen their relationships!

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