When visiting Budapest, four days is enough. In four days, you have enough time to experience the city. You would also be able to visit cathedrals and cruise through the Danube. You can even squeeze in a thermal bath experience. In the lineup of European cities, we always hear the same cities over and over again. There’s Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona. There is also London and a few more famous cities. But aside from these famous cities, there are a lot more in Europe that people miss. Budapest is one of these cities that tourists always miss. There is little written about Budapest. But once you get to visit, you will realize how vast your options are when it comes to activities. The city is diverse and beautiful. It teems with life and culture. It has a rich history and an active nightlife. Finally, the architecture in the city is top-notch. Budapest is also more laid back compared to its other counterparts. This makes exploring the city more worthwhile. Now, you may be wondering what you can do in four days. You can visit castles. You can also dip through one of the city’s thermal spas. You can even go on a cruise by the Danube river. Plus, there are superb restaurants and bars in between. Here’s an extensive look at how your four days will go. Day 1 On your first day, make sure to explore the city. This is something you can do alone. Or you can also go with a group. There are a lot of walking tours in the city. And you can take advantage of these walking tours. They’re mostly for free. On day 1, you can cover the tourist sites on the Pest side of the city. St. Stephen’s Basilica This is the largest religious building in the country. Inside, you will find the relic of St. Stephens right hand – mummified. The church is proof of the city’s amazing architecture. Here, you will be able to climb 400 steps to the top. Once on top, you will get to see the views of the city. Liberty Square About 5 minutes of walking from St Stephens is Liberty Square. Historically, this place plays a crucial role. There were imprisonments, executions, and protests related to the square. All these have been relevant in the city’s fight for freedom. The Hungarian Parliament Building Two blocks away from Liberty Square is the Hungarian Parliament Building. Its structure is one of the most impressive in the city. What adds to its charm is that it sits right beside the Danube river. It is huge and magnificent. Since its completion in 1902, it remains to be the country’s largest building. Shoes on the Danube Promenade Head south from the Hungarian Parliament Building, and you will find the Shoes on the Danube Promenade. This is a memorial in honor of the Jews killed during the Second World War. The monument shows 60 pairs of shoes made of iron. The Danube River Cruise In most major cities, the best way to see the city’s beauty is from its waters. In Budapest, you would find that most landmarks sit either beside or in the area of the Danube river. The cruise should be a perfect way for you to see everything minus the crowd. There are a lot of vendors offering Danube river cruises. But these are usually overpriced. Book online. They’re more reliable. Day 2 On your second day, I suggest you explore the Buda side of Budapest. On this day, you have two options. One is to start the day super early and wait for the sunrise, which is magical. The other option is to wake up after sunrise and explore Buda just like usual. Here’re the places you should explore. The Castle District To reach the Castle District, you have a lot of options. You can visit by walking, by taking a bus, or by riding a cable car. The city is walkable. But the Castle District is about 40 or so minutes away if you walk. Make sure to have enough time if you are planning to walk. To get there fast, you can take a bus. Bus No. 16 leaves Deak Ferenc Square and travels to the Castle District. Finally, at the end of the chain bridge is a cable car. It runs from 7:30 in the morning until ten at night. This is another option you can take. Fisherman’s Bastion With fairy tale towers and spectacular views, the Fisherman’s Bastion is perhaps the most photographed spot in the city. Fisherman’s Bastion is easily one of the favorites for many tourists. Aside from its views, this is also where you will see the best sunrise in the city. Matthias Church Across the Fisherman’s Bastion is the Matthias Church. The church is another architectural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists every day. The church has gone through numerous restorations over the years. Despite that, it remained to be one of Europe’s most beautiful religious buildings. Buda Castle From the Matthias Church, head to the Castle District by bus and visit Buda Castle. For many, this is the best tourist spot in Budapest. But aside from the Buda Castle, I am sure the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church are putting up a good fight. Hospital in the Rock This place used to be a secret hospital and nuclear bunker. Built in a natural cave system that extends up to 10km long, the hospital opened in 1944. The purpose of the building was to safeguard soldiers and civilians from bomb attacks. Now, Hospital in the Rock houses wax figures and machinery that show how it was during the war. Day 3 You can spend your third day in Budapest exploring local markets, street arts, and bars. Finally, reserve this day for the much-awaited thermal spa. The Jewish District The district was aptly named as it used to be where Jews live during the Nazi occupation of the country. These days, the Jewish District houses the best street art and the yummiest food in the city. In the Jewish District, you will find the trendiest boutique stores and the hippest nightlife. Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar During the day, this is one of Budapest’s most popular artistic centers. By night, the place transforms into a ruined bistro. The drinks are cheap; the décor is unique yet beautiful. Szimpla Kert is a place worth a visit – whether it is during the day or night. Budapest Central Market The grand central market hall in Budapest is a destination you should not miss. This is the oldest as well as the largest market in Budapest. Here, you will find thousands of vendors that sell anything and everything under the sun. There are souvenirs, clothes, and local delicacies as well. Thermal Baths And for the most exciting part of all – thermal baths! No visit to Budapest is complete without experiencing these baths. The thermal baths are full of minerals that are great for relaxation. These minerals also bring medicinal properties. There are many thermal baths all over Budapest. Some of the most popular are the Szechenyi Bath and the Gellert Bath. Aside from these, there is also the Rudas Bath and the Kiraly Bath to consider. Day 4 This being your last day in the city, you can either relax or explore some more. If you want to relax, you can try any of the spas and thermal baths the city has to offer. But if you want to explore, here are a few more places to see. Andrassy Avenue This avenue is on the classy and high-end side. Andrassy Avenue is a 2.4km-long boulevard filled with beautiful architecture and is home to designer boutiques. Here, you will find shops like Gucci, Dior, LV, and a lot more. City Park This park is one of the most spectacular green spaces in the city. It has many lawns, trees, and a lake. It also has museums, a zoo, and even a castle. If you are traveling with kids, the City Park is something you should not miss. This is also where you will find the Szechenyi Thermal Bath. Coming here would be like hitting two birds with one stone. Vajdahunyad Castle The castle is just behind the City Park lake. While not as popular as the other castles, the Vajdahunyad Castle is undoubtedly one of Budapest’s most beautiful. And about this castle, there’s some interesting information you should know. According to legend, it is in the Vajdahunyad Castle where Count Dracula was once imprisoned.