One Day in Budapest: A Self-Guided, Car-Free, Budget Itinerary

I traveled into Budapest by train, which I recommend due to the train stations' convenient locations. 

As always, I highly recommend dropping your bags off at your accommodation before doing the majority of sightseeing, just to make sure you do not cause any back-aches. If you aren't spending the night in Budapest, there are automated luggage storage options at Nyugati and Keleti. Alternatively, you can use an online luggage storage service, like Nannybag, to stow your items for the day. 

Now that you have dropped off your luggage, it's time to begin exploring!

Budapest Public Transport

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Using a combination of public transport and walking, you'll be able to see:

City Park

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A great place to start off your day and walk through as you make your way to other sights.

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Széchenyi Thermal Bath

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The most famous of the thermal baths in Budapest, it is also the busiest. Go to a less busy one if you want a thermal bath experience.

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Statue of Anonymous

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It is not known who exactly is represented in this statue, but it is believed to be the chronicler at the court of King Béla III in the 1100s who wrote a history of the early Magyars.

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Vajdahunyad Castle

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This castle is located in City Park and is a copy of Hunyad Castle which is located in Romania. Right alongside the lake, it is very picturesque and worth visiting.

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Heroes' Square

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One of the city's most famous squares, it features the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Millennium Monument, which has statues of important Hungarian leaders.

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Franz Liszt Academy of Music

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Founded by famous musician Franz Liszt, the architecture of this building is worth noting when walking by.

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Hungarian State Opera

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Very impressive architecture, and maybe you can even see a performance there! Guided tours of the building are also offered.

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Klotild Palaces

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These baroque buildings frame the road beautifully, and are worth passing by.

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Vigadó Concert Hall

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On your way to see the Little Princess Statue, stop by this building to appreciate it's impressive architecture.

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Little Princess Statue

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This statue was inspired by the artist's daughter's love of dressing up as a princess, and sits alongside the Danube River. It also is a great photo opportunity as Buda Castle sits in the background.

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Vörösmarty tér

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This square has an impressive sculpture of the poet that it's named after, surrounded by characters in different classes and stages of life.

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Postal Savings Bank

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Rich in history, this building now houses the Hungarian State Treasury.

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Hungarian Parliament Building

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An absolutely stunning building. For nighttime views, you can take a cruise down the Danube.

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Shoes on the Danube Bank

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A memorial erected in 2005 to honor the victims of the Holocaust that were massacred at this location.

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Food!

Retró Lángos Budapest

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Super tasty food! This is a traditional Hungarian dish and I was glad I got to try it here.

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Molnár's kürtőskalács

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So so delicious!! This is a traditional Hungarian pastry, and this place you can fill them with ice cream too! There are many street vendors that sell them as well, but I was more comfortable getting them from a store.

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Lidl

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My favorite supermarket in Europe, and the best place to find local snacks and pastries at reliable prices. Lots of locations in many cities.

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If I had more time in Budapest...

Museum of Fine Arts

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With its very convenient location, this museum is worth visiting if you have the time!

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Széchenyi Chain Bridge

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This bridge spans the Danube River and connects Buda and Pest. Unfortunately I ran out of time to go here, but it definitely is a must-see!

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Buda Castle

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Another place that I simply ran out of time to see, but is a must if you have the time! The castle grounds themselves are free, but to enter to buildings there is an admission fee.

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Fountain of King Matthias

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A Neo-Barpque fountain near Buda Castle, it's often known as the "Trevi Fountain of Budapest".

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Matthias Church

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A stunning church which has been the site of multiple coronations, you can enter for a small fee.

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Fisherman's Bastion

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With multiple panorama lookout terraces, this is the perfect place to get a great picture of the city.

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Where to go next?

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