3 days in Budapest June 23-26

Glad to help, but with so little time the details count. So where are you staying? That makes planning a starting point easier.
Three days, include travel days or ??? And the date so we can avoid things that are closed and maybe look for something special going on in town.

James E. thank you for your help.
Danubius Hotel Gellert
arrive on 23-24-25 leave the 26

arrive on 23-24-25 leave the 26

Hey, that's soon!

Sunday 23rd (half day?)
Take the 19/41 tram from your hotel along the river to the Chain Bridge. Take the funicular up to the Castle District. There is a lot up there so use a guide book like Eyewitness Guide to Budapest.

Then walk down and return to the hotel to get ready for dinner. I would take the 47/49 Tram to the first stop across the river and then go down the stairs under the bridge to the 2 Tram. Two stops down is the main part of the Corso. Eat outside at one of the many cafes and enjoy the view of the Castle on the other side of the river.

If you are tired go straight home, if not, get back on the tram to its end stop just beyond the Parliament, then walk to the 4/6 Tram, cross the river to Buda and ride the 19/41 home. It's a great relaxing scenic tour. Especially late in the day.

If you are up to it, from the first stop behind the Parlisment you can walk back to the river, go down the stairs to the "Shoes on the Danube" memorial.

Monday, 24th

Jewish Budapest. From your hotel the 47/49 Tram 3 stops, then a short walk to the Great Synagogue (take the tour), then use the guide book for the other sights like the Holocaust Museum and Rumbach Synagogue. All sorts of good places for lunch, just choose one and walk in.

After lunch walk through the Gozsdu Udvar (courtyard) and on to the Opera House on Andrassy ut. Take the M1 metro to Heros Square, City Park. Walk back down Andeassy ut for the Architecture and atmosphere.

At the end of Andrassy walk to tour left and you will see the 47/49 Tram that will take you home.

Dinner, see the list I will post last. Or an evening dinner cruise.

Tuesday 25th.

47/49 Tram to opp side of river and the great Market Hall. Then walk the length of Vaci ut and follow your map to the Basilica. Plenty of stops for lunch.

From Basilica walk to the end of Andrassy, take the M1 to the Oktogon, then a short walk to the House of Terror. Its 2 hours to do right.

Back to the Opera, cross Andrassy ut and go in 2 blocks to Kadarka Wine Bar and cool off.

You know how to get home.

Wednesday 26th leave.

some places to eat https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/where-to-eat-in-budapest-785435ae-4359-4197-8399-0e8f250f64b2

Thank you so much James, you are always so helpful.

OK, so I am decidedly NOT the Budapest expert. However, if I may offer one suggestion on the itinerary it would be to not have the House of Terror be your last major sight before departure. For me, it was my first major sight in this lovely city.... a mistake on my part. I found it to be mentally exhausting. Tremendously informative, and I'm so glad I went. But it drained me.

Thankfully my remaining days and everything else about my visit turned that around and I was enchanted by Budapest.

If you have any tendency to be emotionally affected by some sights, you might consider swapping the order on Day 3 to see the House of Terror before visiting the beautiful Basilica. And then still hit the wine bar!!

Sorry James, no offense meant!!

CWsocial
thank you. will keep that in mind. wish we had more days. definitely want to do the thermal baths.
I just found out about Rick Steves travel forum, nice to of learned about it before we planned our trip. everyone has such great advice. even hotels, the k&k hotel opera, seemed like it would've been a good choice. thank you everyone.

No problem, but it's why I don't like to answer these things without dates of travel .... The House of Terror is closed on Monday and closes at 6pm all other days.

If there is a long line (and some times it runs down the sidewalk), you might consider replacing the House of Terror with the Bath House. Depends on on your interests.

The K&K served me well for a lot of years and I like the area and convenience for getting around. But if you can get comfortable with the tram system, the Gellert is a good location and you get the history of the place and the Bath house.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.danubiushotels.com/budapest-guide/the-100-year-history-of-the-gellert-hotel-spa/amp

Going back to the House of Terror: I tried for a balanced 3 days, but that's based on not knowing much about you. Other things you might be interested in are a couple of wonderful cemeteries with magnificent crypts and mausoleums. One Christian, one Jewish. Jazz music at one of a couple of clubs as unfortunately the theaters are closed in the summer. A dinner cruise on the Danube, A street lined with antique shops.

My first trip was 3 days. That was in 2002. Now I try for 4 weeks a year.

thank you again. I truly appreciate all the time, effort and detail you put in to the itinerary. yes, not knowing me or my interest. it's just what we were looking for!
the hotel history and the architecture what I liked about this hotel and it was right on the river.
I would prefer walking everywhere, but hoping the tram works out and thank you again, looking forward to our three days, I wish it was longer. we only have three weeks traveling to Prague, Budapest and Croatia and it's next week.

Oh, you will walk a lot. The tram just gets you to drop off points. Except for the 4/6 Tram they are all fun to ride and are the equivalent to tour busses. So they are a plus. I am pretty certain that there are ticket machines at the tram stop in front of tour hotel. By a 72 hour travelcard and then hop on and off with no hassle.

James, you were a great help, the trams, museum, walking, the restaurant you recommended, everything was perfect. I could see why you love Budapest so much! thank you again for all your recommendations and help with the itinerary. ciao

Yeeeeaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! Glad you liked it. Happy to have helped.

Best

James